The good news: the overwhelming proportion of headaches are attributable to benign causes. Tension rules as the biggest cause of headache, which can also stem from something simple as eye strain. Migraine, a severe type of headache, has several causes, or “triggers” as do cluster headaches, a variant of migraine. Triggers are of three primary types: environmental, lifestyle and activity. Classic migraine triggers include bright light, excessive or repetitive noises and strong odors. Changes in altitude and weather can also be culprits. Anticipation (negative or positive), excitement, stress, anxiety, anger and depression are all recognized as triggers for migraine attacks. Airplane travel, because changes in cabin pressure cause dilation and expansion of the blood vessels, can lead to an attack. Some migraine sufferers have reported attacks brought about by changes in sleep patterns. Other triggers include motion (such as plane, car, bike and carnival rides), head injuries and interaction with certain drugs, including over-the-counter pain relievers. Always consult your health care professional about medications.

    Allergies are another frequent cause of headache. On the extreme end of the spectrum, headaches can be caused by abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid, hydrocepahlus, tumors or blood clot. Headaches from these causes make up a small percentage. In order to make an accurate assessment, the doctor will need to rule out the most worrisome causes first.