What is a Primary or Secondary Headache?

What is a Primary or Secondary Headache?

The International Headache Society classifies headaches as Primary or Secondary.

Primary headaches are not related to any other problem and include migraines, tension-type headaches and cluster headaches.

Secondary headaches. Caused by an underlying problem, and can include a post-whiplash headache, neck headache, jaw headache and drug withdrawal headache. “Ice cream headache”, for example, is a secondary headache caused by extreme cold within your mouth. In other words, a secondary headache is a symptom of something else being wrong rather than the cause itself. Treatment for a secondary headache involves treating the source, e.g. loosen some stiff upper neck joints or stop eating ice cream!

Multi-Source Headache

It is also important to point out that many headache sufferers may suffer multi-source headaches. For example, a migraine sufferer may simultaneously experience a tension-type headache and neck headache. Treatment will vary depending upon your specific symptoms and headache source.

Please consult with your healthcare practitioner for an accurate diagnosis and treatment pathway.