What causes each type of headache?

Andrew Huberman explains the causes of various types of headaches in detail:

1. Cluster Headaches:

   • Cause: Primarily linked to the trigeminal nerve, which has branches extending to the eye, mandible, and nasal area. The inflammation or hyperactivation of this nerve can cause the deep, intense pain characteristic of cluster headaches 1.

2. Tension Headaches:

   • Cause: Often arise due to chronic psychological stress combined with lack of sleep and other lifestyle issues. These headaches can start as a halo or headband sensation around the forehead, extending to the jaw, neck, and upper back muscles 2.

3. Sinus Headaches:

   • Cause: Typically result from inflammation in the sinus areas, such as susceptibility to bacterial or viral infections leading to inflamed tissue. This spreads pain signals more generally across the face and head regions 3.
     • 

       1

       Understanding Cluster Headaches

       00:14:06
     • 

       2

       Understanding Headaches

       00:31:04
     • 

       3

       Understanding Headaches

       00:18:51
     • 

       4

       Spicy Risks

       02:20:10
     • 

       5

       Hormonal Headaches Explained

       00:47:46

4. Migraine Headaches:

   • Cause: Stem from complex interactions involving genetics, environmental factors, and neurovascular mechanisms. Migraines are characterized by vascular changes and heightened neural activity, often triggered by specific stimuli like light or certain foods 4.

5. Hormonal Headaches:

   • Cause: Linked to fluctuations in hormone levels, especially low estrogen and progesterone, which can affect blood vessel dilation/constriction and inflammatory responses. These types of headaches often occur during menstrual cycles or hormonal transitions 5.

Understanding these causes can aid in effectively identifying and treating different headache types.