Man Having a Headache, grabbing his head.

Headache Causes and Risk Factors

A number of factors, from genetic to environmental to lifestyle, can influence your risk for headaches. Learn about common triggers and what you can and can't control.
Illustration of infectious causes of headache and fever
Infections That Cause Headaches and a Fever
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
plate of chinese food on a table
What Is an MSG-Induced Headache?
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Mother holding newborn
Benign and Serious Causes of Headaches After Pregnancy
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD
Close-up of hand holding vitamin D pills.
Are Your Headaches Due to Low Vitamin D?
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Underwater view of mature male athlete swimming during morning workout
An Overview of Swim-Related Headaches
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Businessman at desk in office with closed eyes
Causes of New-Onset Headache After 50
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
How Weather May Trigger Headaches
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Chinese food
Common Headache Triggers You Can Avoid
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD
Happy couple having a laugh
Can an Orgasm Cure Your Headache?
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Coping With a Hangover Headache
Hangover Headache Causes and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Man grabbing his head in pain
What Triggers Cluster Headaches?
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
How Headaches May Develop At Work
Causes of Headaches at Work
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
How Your Computer May Cause a Headache
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Head pain associated with the occipital nerves is sudden, jabbing, piercing, burning and/or throbbing.
Occipital Neuralgia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Colourful luxury cleaning household products
How to Prevent Headaches From Cleaning Products
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
An espresso shot being made
What is a Caffeine Withdrawal Headache?
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
A woman on the couch suffering from a headache
How a Headache May Be a Sign of a Stroke
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD
A depressed woman with a headache
Headaches as a Symptom of Depression
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
How a Bleeding Tumor in the Pituitary Gland May Cause a Severe Headache
How a Pituitary Tumor May Cause a Severe Headache
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
A cocktail sitting on a table
Cocktail Headache: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Woman coughing in her kitchen
Headache From Coughing (Valsalva Maneuver)
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Mid adult woman with headache
Hypoglycemia and Headaches
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Woman drinking water from glass, close-up, profile
Understanding Dehydration as a Headache Trigger
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Tourist admiring the view from the top of a mountain in Loen, Norway
How Acute Mountain Sickness Causes Headaches
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Young woman painting in sunlight.
Gum Chewing May Be Linked to Headaches in Children
Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD
Jumbo pretzels from street vendor covered in salt
Does Salt Intake Cause Headaches?
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
If only this pain would go away
Coping With Noise-Triggered Headaches
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Woman in front of an empty plate
How Fasting Causes Headaches
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
Woman having headache
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Overview
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
blurry city skyline
Migraine With Aura: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
neck-pain.jpg
Common Causes of Axial Neck Pain
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Portrait of woman stretching while sitting on bed
Getting a Headache From a Pinched Nerve
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD
What Causes Cluster Headaches?
Causes of Cluster Headaches
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
elderly-frontalheadache.jpg
Unique Secondary Causes of Forehead Pain
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD