In brief
Headaches are common and usually not concerning, but some warning signs need urgent care. Tension-type headache is one of the most common forms.
- Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age.
- Migraine is a separate condition with a severe, throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head.
- Not drinking enough water can cause headaches.
When to get help
Get help now
- A sudden, severe headache, or a headache with vomiting, confusion, neck stiffness or changes in your vision: call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
- Go to the emergency department for a headache with fever and vomiting, confusion or a change in personality, neck stiffness, blurred or double vision, loss of balance, or a seizure.
See your doctor if
- A severe headache that begins suddenly.
- A headache that gets progressively worse over several weeks.
- A morning headache with nausea that does not go away.
- A headache that starts after an injury to your head.
- A headache that wakes you up, gets worse lying down, or starts when you cough.
- You take pain medicine for headaches often during a week.
Things that can contribute
- Alcohol
- Certain foods
- Large amounts of caffeine
- Skipping meals
- Not drinking enough water
- Too much or too little sleep
- Bad posture
- Stress
- Too much screen use
Questions you could ask your GP
- What type of headache do I have, and what are my triggers?
- Could I be overusing pain medicines?
- Would preventive treatment help me?
Based on healthdirect Australia, Headaches. You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
How it works
healthdirect lists triggers including alcohol, especially red wine, certain foods, large amounts of caffeine, skipping meals, not drinking enough water, too much or too little sleep, bad posture, stress and too much screen use. Sinus infections, eye strain, dental problems and the side effects of some medicines can also cause headaches.
Many headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain relief, and lying down in a dark, quiet room can help. Taking pain medicine for headaches often can lead to medication overuse headache, so see your doctor if you take it often during a week.
Connections
6 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Headaches can be caused by
Stress can lead to headaches and body aches.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Stress
Large amounts of caffeine can trigger headaches, and headaches are also a symptom of caffeine withdrawal.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Headaches; healthdirect Australia, Caffeine
Waking up with a headache is a symptom of sleep apnoea.
- Menopause Supported
Headaches or migraines can be a symptom of menopause.
Headaches is linked with
Migraine causes a severe, throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Migraine
Not drinking enough water can cause headaches.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Drinking water and your health; healthdirect Australia, Headaches
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 12, 13 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.