Headache is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor. This page explains the common types of headache, how to tell if it might be migraine, and the warning signs that mean you need urgent care.
Emergency
Call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department if you have a headache and:
- it came on suddenly and is extremely painful, or feels like the worst headache of your life
- numbness or weakness in your face, arm or leg, or slurred speech
- confusion, drowsiness, or trouble walking, balancing or remembering
- loss of vision or double vision
- a seizure (fit)
- fever with a stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade when pressed
- it started after a head injury
- you are over 50 with a new headache and jaw pain when chewing, a tender scalp or temples, or changes to your vision (this can be giant cell arteritis, an inflammation of blood vessels that can cause permanent sight loss if not treated quickly)
Key points
- Headache is very common, and most headaches are not caused by anything serious.
- Tension-type headache is the most common type. Migraine is a neurological condition, not just a bad headache.
- Using pain relief too often can cause more headaches (medication overuse headache).
- Most headaches do not need a brain scan. Scans are for specific warning signs.
- A Doccy consultation can help with medical certificates, special consideration letters, repeat migraine preventive medicine and neurology referral for diagnosed, recurring headache or migraine. New, severe or unusual headaches need to be assessed in person.
What is a headache?
A headache is pain anywhere in the head, from the forehead and temples to the back of the skull and neck. It can be sharp, throbbing, dull or tight, on one side or all over, and can last from minutes to days.
Most headaches are primary headaches, which means they are not caused by another illness. Tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache are all primary headaches. Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else, such as a sinus infection, dehydration or a medicine side effect, or, rarely, something serious such as bleeding around the brain or an infection.
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the signs in the emergency box at the top of this page, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Get an urgent GP appointment, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice, if you have a headache and:
- you are over 50 and it is a new type of headache
- you are pregnant or have recently given birth
- it is worse when you cough, sneeze, bend down or lie down, or it wakes you with vomiting
- you have vision or eye problems
- you have a weakened immune system or have had cancer
- it is getting steadily worse over days or weeks
See a GP if:
- you get headaches regularly, or they are becoming more frequent
- you take pain relief for headaches on more than a few days a week
- your headache is not getting better with self-care
If you are ever unsure, it is safer to seek medical advice.
Common causes of headache and migraine
Tension-type headache
The most common type. It causes a dull, tight or pressing pain on both sides of the head, often described as a band around the head, and can last from 30 minutes to several days. Stress, poor posture, dehydration, eye strain and poor sleep are common triggers. Unlike migraine, it does not usually get worse with movement or cause nausea.
Migraine
Migraine causes repeated attacks of moderate to severe pain, usually on one side of the head, often throbbing, and made worse by everyday activity. Nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound are common. About one in three people with migraine have aura: temporary changes such as flashing lights, blind spots or zigzag lines, or less often, tingling or trouble speaking. Aura usually comes before the headache and fades within an hour. Attacks last 4 hours to 3 days if untreated. Migraine often runs in families and is more common in women. If you have migraine with aura, talk to your doctor before starting or continuing the combined oral contraceptive pill, as the combination can increase the risk of stroke.
Cluster headache
Cluster headache is rare but very painful. It causes severe, stabbing or burning pain around or behind one eye, with a red, watery eye, drooping eyelid, or blocked or runny nostril on the same side. Attacks last 15 minutes to 3 hours and can happen several times a day for weeks, followed by long pain-free periods. It is often mistaken for sinusitis or a dental problem, is more common in men, and usually starts between the ages of 20 and 40.
Medication overuse headache
If you take pain relief for headaches very often, the medicine itself can start causing more headaches. This is more likely if you use combination pain relief containing codeine or caffeine, or triptans, on more than 10 days a month, or paracetamol or anti-inflammatories on more than 15 days a month. Treatment means working with your doctor to cut back the medicine and find a better long-term plan. Headaches often get worse for a short time before they improve.
Other causes
Other common causes include sinus problems (pressure in the forehead or cheeks, worse when bending forward), dehydration, alcohol, poor sleep or sleep apnoea, caffeine withdrawal and medicine side effects. Rarely, a headache is caused by glaucoma (an eye condition), raised pressure inside the skull or an abnormal growth of the brain.
Migraine triggers
Triggers vary from person to person, and attacks often follow a mix of factors. Common triggers include:
- missing meals or not drinking enough water
- too much or too little sleep
- stress, or the drop in stress after a busy time
- hormonal changes around a period, pregnancy or menopause
- some foods and drinks, such as red wine, aged cheese or chocolate
- bright lights, strong smells, loud noise or changes in the weather
A headache diary for a few weeks can help you and your doctor spot your own patterns. Migraine and Headache Australia and the ANZ Headache Society have free diary templates.
How to describe your headache to a doctor
It helps to note:
- Where: which part of your head hurts, and whether it is on one side
- What it feels like: sharp, throbbing, dull, tight or burning
- When: how often it happens, how long it lasts, and any pattern (time of day, time of month)
- Triggers: foods, activities, stress or anything else you have noticed
- What helps or makes it worse: rest, movement, light, medicines you have tried
- Other symptoms: nausea, vision changes, sensitivity to light or sound, weakness
- Medicines: what you take for headaches and how many days a month
What you can do at home for headache and migraine
These tips are for mild to moderate headaches with none of the warning signs on this page.
For a tension-type headache, rest in a quiet, dim room, try a warm or cold cloth on your neck or forehead, and drink some water. Gentle neck stretches or a short walk can help. Managing stress and sleep problems can reduce how often headaches happen.
For migraine, act early. Lie down in a dark, quiet room if you can, and take your usual pain relief as soon as symptoms start rather than waiting.
Simple pain relief, such as paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, is fine for occasional headaches. Always review the medication packets for instructions or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. If you need pain relief on more than a couple of days a week, talk to your doctor, because this raises the risk of medication overuse headache or the need to investigate an underlying cause.
Seek medical advice if your headache does not respond to your usual measures or is getting worse.
Tests and treatment for headache and migraine
A doctor will ask about your headache pattern and examine you, including your blood pressure, eyes and nervous system. For most people, this is enough to work out the type of headache.
Most headaches, including typical migraine and tension-type headache, do not need a CT or MRI scan. Scans are used when there are warning signs, such as a sudden severe headache, a new headache after age 50, weakness or vision changes, or a head injury. Your doctor may also suggest blood tests or an eye check.
Tension-type headache usually responds to simple pain relief and managing triggers such as stress and poor sleep. Cluster headache needs prescription treatment and is usually managed with a neurologist.
Treatment for migraine
During an attack: treat early. Simple pain relief (an anti-inflammatory or paracetamol) can work if taken at the first sign of an attack, sometimes with an anti-nausea medicine. If that does not help, your doctor may suggest a triptan, a prescription medicine made for migraine attacks. Triptans work best when taken early in an attack.
Preventing attacks: if you have migraine on several days a month, or attacks are severe, a daily preventive medicine can reduce how often they happen. If you have been diagnosed with migraine, a doctor can advise a plan for preventing attacks.
Newer treatments: newer medicines that block a molecule (CGRP) involved in migraine pain, are available as injections or tablets. Some are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with frequent migraine that has not improved with other preventive medicines. They are started by a neurologist, or by a GP with a neurologist's advice.
Needing treatment for attacks on more than a couple of days a week is a sign to talk to your doctor about prevention, and to avoid medication overuse headache.
How Doccy doctors can help
A Doccy consultation can help if you have typical, recurring headaches or migraine with none of the warning signs on this page. A Doccy consultation can:
- provide a medical certificate if a headache or migraine means you need time off work or study
- provide a special consideration letter if recurring migraine has affected a university assessment or deadline
- continue a prescription for the migraine preventive medicine you already take, if it is appropriate
- refer you to a neurologist if you have frequent, severe migraine that has not improved with preventive treatment, or a headache type that needs specialist care
A Doccy consultation is not suitable for a new headache that has not been assessed, or if you have any of the signs in the emergency box or a headache that needs an urgent GP appointment. A doctor cannot examine your nervous system or eyes remotely, so these headaches need to be assessed in person.
Resources and support
healthdirect: free 24-hour health advice from registered nurses on 1800 022 222, plus an online symptom checker.
Migraine and Headache Australia: patient information, headache diaries, support groups and details of headache clinics.
ANZ Headache Society: a printable headache diary and a list of doctors who specialise in headache.
Lifeline: if headaches or migraine are affecting your mental health, or you are having thoughts of suicide, call 13 11 14 for 24-hour crisis support.
These services and websites can provide extra information, but they do not replace advice from your own doctor.
- healthdirect. Headaches. 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/headaches
- healthdirect. Migraine. 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/migraine
- healthdirect. Cluster headache. 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cluster-headache
- healthdirect. Medicines for headaches. 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines-for-headaches
- Barnes S, Aldous L, Jenkins B. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-targeted therapies for migraine. Aust Prescr. 2025;48:40-6. https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/calcitonin-gene-related-peptide–targeted-therapies-for-migraine.html
- Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al. Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list. Neurology. 2019. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6340385/