Identifying common headache types

Not all headaches are the same. Correctly identifying the type of pain you are experiencing is the first step toward finding the right treatment.

Tension-type headaches

This is the most frequent type of headache. It typically feels like a constant ache or a tight band around both sides of the head. These are often triggered by stress, poor posture, or lack of sleep. While uncomfortable, they are rarely a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Migraines

A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It is a neurological condition that causes intense, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. Migraines often come with additional symptoms such as:

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea or vomiting
• Visual disturbances, known as “aura” (flashing lights or blind spots)

Cluster headaches

These are rare but extremely painful. They occur in cyclical patterns or “clusters,” often waking you in the middle of the night. The pain is typically centred around one eye and can cause redness, watering, or a drooping eyelid on the affected side.

When does a headache become a concern?

While most headaches are primary (not caused by another disease), some are secondary, meaning they are a symptom of an underlying health problem. You should consider a specialist consultation if you experience any of the following “red flag” symptoms:

• Sudden onset: A “thunderclap” headache that reaches maximum intensity within seconds or minutes.
• Changed patterns: A significant change in the frequency or severity of your usual headaches.
• Neurological symptoms: Weakness, numbness, double vision, or difficulty speaking accompanying the pain.
• Systemic symptoms: A headache accompanied by fever, a stiff neck, or a rash.
• Aged over 50: Developing new, persistent headaches later in life.
• Post-injury: Headaches that begin following a blow to the head.

The role of a Consultant Neurologist

Diagnosing the cause of persistent head pain requires clinical expertise. Dr Dominic Paviour is a Consultant Neurologist in London who specialises in the assessment of complex headaches and facial pain.

During a consultation, Dr Paviour focuses on a detailed clinical history and a physical examination. In some cases, he may recommend further investigations, such as an MRI or CT scan, to rule out structural issues. His goal is to provide a clear diagnosis and move beyond simple pain relief to address the root cause of the discomfort.

Modern approaches to headache management

The treatment for neurological pain has advanced considerably. For migraine sufferers, options now include specific preventative medications, Botox injections for chronic cases, and newer CGRP monoclonal antibody therapies. For tension headaches, the focus may shift to lifestyle adjustments and stress management techniques.

By working with a specialist, you can move away from the cycle of over-using painkillers and toward a sustainable, long-term management plan.

Consult Dr Dominic Paviour in London

Living with chronic or worrying headaches can be debilitating. If you are concerned about your symptoms or find that current treatments are ineffective, a specialist review can provide the clarity you need. Dr Paviour sees patients at several London locations, including the Harley Street Clinic and Parkside Hospital. Contact us today to book your appointment.

The post When to worry about a headache: Decoding migraine, tension, and other neurological pain appeared first on Dr Dominic Paviour.

As an isolated symptom, headaches are very rarely caused by tumours or a ‘serious’ underlying disease. Nevertheless, it can often be a sign of another problem or a treatable condition. Visiting your GP and getting a neurology referral is a natural next step.

Migraines affect around 15% of the UK adult population. In any one day, up to 100,000 people are absent from work or school in the UK. This represents an enormous cost burden to employers as well as being disruptive to day to day life.

Different types of headache

Medical professionals classify headaches in different ways. Primary headaches describes headaches which are not caused by an abnormality such as a tumour or a trigger such as trauma or a head injury. The most common forms of primary headache are migraines and tension headaches.

Migraine

Migraine usually affect one side of the body and brain. Patients experience a severe throbbing pain and also accompanying nausea. The discomfort during a migraine often becomes worse when exposed to bright light or loud noises. Migraines are usually long and drawn out, lasting from a few hours to a few days and there are often other unpleasant symptoms too.

Migraine can also cause nausea and severe pain when presented with bright light. Time off work and rest may be necessary to overcome a migraine.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are common and affect most people now and again. You do not usually need to visit a doctor for this kind of headache.

However, tension headaches can last over several hours and can be disabling for short periods of time. Over-the-counter medications are generally effective for managing the pain of a tension headache.

Persistent Headaches and Medical Treatment

Visiting a neurologist is a good idea if you regularly experienced unmanageable or chronic headaches. A neurologist can help you determine the cause of your headaches and find an appropriate treatment. Even if you are unable to find a neurological diagnosis for your headaches, you can rule out any more serious neurological conditions.

Dr Dominic Paviour is a consultant neurologist with busy NHS and private practices in London. He advises, treats and supports many patients with neurological conditions and symptoms including headache. You can get in touch to arrange an appointment to discuss your headaches here.

The post Understanding Headache appeared first on Dr Dominic Paviour.

Headache is the most common neurological disorder. As an isolated symptom, it is very rarely caused by tumours or a ‘serious’ underlying disease, but it is often still a significant problem for the patient. It affects almost everyone occasionally, becoming a significant problem for an estimated 40% of people in the UK at some time in their lives.

Types of Headaches

A headache is classified as ‘primary’ if there is not a structural abnormality (such as a tumour) or another clear trigger for it such as a head injury. The most common primary headache conditions are migraines and tension-type headaches.

Migraine headaches

Migraine headaches are usually one-sided, severe throbbing headaches with accompanying nausea. The discomfort is worsened by bright light and loud noise. They can last anywhere between four hours and three days. The headache itself is not always the most troublesome symptom.

If in the last three months you have had the following, you have probably had a migraine.

Headache associated with a feeling of nausea
Troubled by bright light
Symptoms limited your ability to work

If you have experienced these symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice from your GP. They may refer you to a neurologist for further investigation.

There are other types of headaches so for more details, simply click here.

Dr Paviour’s Treatment for Headaches

Dr Paviour uses the latest technology to diagnose and find treatment for migraines. He will discuss your symptoms and medical history during your private consultation as well as carry out a physical examination and relevant tests. These might include blood tests, imaging of the nervous system (MRI or CT) and electrical testing of nerves and muscles (EMG) or brain function (EEG).

Dr Paviour sees private patients at:

Parkside Hospital, Wimbledon
HCA Sydney Street, Chelsea
The London Clinic, 116 Harley Street

Dr Paviour is highly rated as a neurologist in London, not only by his peers but most importantly, by his patients. If you need treatment for migraines, then you can make an appointment today to speak to him. Feel free to contact us so we can discuss any symptoms and how Dr Paviour can help.

The post Treatments For Migraines appeared first on Dr Dominic Paviour.

As an isolated symptom, headaches are very rarely caused by tumours or a ‘serious’ underlying disease. Nevertheless, it can often be a significant problem so seeing a GP or neurologist is often the best step to finding support.

Migraines affect 15% of the UK adult population. In any one day, up to 100,000 people are absent from work or school in the UK. This represents an enormous cost burden to employers as well as being disruptive to day to day life.

Types of headaches

A headache is classified as ‘primary’ if you do not present with a structural abnormality, such as a tumour. It is also determined as a ‘primary’ headache if you have no other clear trigger for it such as a head injury. The most common primary headache conditions are migraines and tension type headaches.

Migraine headaches

Migraine headaches are usually one-sided, severe throbbing headaches with accompanying nausea. The discomfort is worsened by bright light and loud noise. They can last anywhere between four hours and three days. However, the headache often comes with other, more troublesome symptoms.

These might include nausea, resistance to bright lights, symptoms that limit your ability to work so if you have had presented with these alongside a headache, it was likely to be a migraine.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are much less common than migraines or tension headaches. However, they are intense and frequently recurring.

Tension headaches

Tension-type headaches affects up to 80% of people from time to time. It is often referred to as a ‘normal’ or ‘ordinary’ headache. As a result, more are treated without visiting the GP.

However, headaches can last over several hours and are often disabling for this time. This is a regular occurrence for many people which impacts daily life. It can also have a significant impact on employers and the economy due to absence.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are generally effective in such instances. It should be noted that excess usage of OTC medications can result in overuse headaches.

Medication-overuse

Medication-overuse headaches are usually characterised by a chronic daily headache. This is the most common cause of ‘secondary’ headaches. It often presents in combination with migraines or mild head or neck injury.
Caffeine overuse or withdrawal and a number of other medical conditions such as anaemia and thyroid problems can also cause headaches.

Information for Patients

Dr Paviour is a Consultant Neurologist in Central and South West London. He has a specialist interest in Parkinson’s disease and other Movement Disorders. He is the clinical lead for Movement Disorders at the Atkinson Morley Regional Neurosciences Centre.

Patients are welcome to his clinics to discuss symptoms of headaches. Simply phone 020 7042 1850 or send a message via our contact us page.

The post Understanding Headaches – A Patient Guide appeared first on Dr Dominic Paviour.

As an isolated symptom, headache is very rarely caused by tumours or a ‘serious’ underlying disease. Nevertheless, it is often still a significant problem for the patient. It affects almost everyone occasionally.

However, it can be a significant problem for an estimated 40% of people in the UK at some time in their lives.
Migraines also affect 15% of the UK adult population. Up to 100,000 people are absent from work or school because of migraine on any one day in the UK. This represents an enormous cost burden to employers.

What are the different types of headaches?

A headache is classified as ‘primary’ if there is not a structural abnormality (such as a tumour) or another clear trigger for it such as a head injury. The most common primary headache conditions are migraines and tension-type headaches.

Neurologists categorise headaches depending on symptoms and causes. This Consultant’s Guide to Headaches details this below.

Migraine headaches are usually one-sided, severe throbbing headaches with accompanying nausea. The discomfort is worsened by bright light and loud noise. They can last anywhere between 4 hours and 3 days. The headache is not always the most troublesome symptom.

If in the last three months you have had the following, you have probably had a migraine.

• Headache associated with a feeling of nausea
• Troubled by bright light
• Symptoms limited your ability to work

Tension-type headaches affect up to 80% of people from time to time. They are often referred to as a ‘normal’ or ‘ordinary’ headache. Consequently, most are treated without reference to physicians, using over-the-counter (OTC) medications which are generally effective.

Nevertheless, it can be a disabling headache for several hours. The high prevalence of this disorder means its economic burden through lost work is significant and if OTC medications are taken too frequently, a medication overuse headache can occur.

Cluster headaches are much less common than migraines or tension headaches but are intense and frequently recurring.

Medication-overuse headaches are usually characterised by a chronic daily headache. This is the most common cause of ‘secondary’ headache. It often presents in combination with migraines, or mild head or neck injury.

Caffeine overuse or withdrawal and a number of other medical conditions such as anaemia and thyroid problems can also cause headaches.

Consultant’s Guide to Headaches – More Information

Dr Dominic Paviour is highly rated as a Consultant Neurologist in London, not only by his peers but most importantly, by his patients. To discuss more detail about this Consultant’s Guide to Headaches simply contact us so we can respond and discuss how we can help.

The post Consultant’s Guide to Headaches appeared first on Dr Dominic Paviour.