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A migraine tends to be a very bad headache with a throbbing pain on 1 side of the head. You may get other symptoms just before a migraine, such as: feeling very tired and yawning a lot. craving certain foods or feeling thirsty. changes in your mood. a stiff neck. peeing more.
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- Retinal Migraine
- Overview
- Occipital neuralgia
- Migraine headaches
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Head trauma
- Intracranial hemorrhage (IH)
- Intracranial hypotension
- Brain tumor
- Headache associated with sexual activity
- Tension headache
Throbbing pain at the back of the head can result from a tension headache or a range of other medical conditions, such as neuralgia, migraine, or a tumor. It may also occur with caffeine withdrawal.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), headaches are among the most common forms of pain.
Sometimes, headaches can be a symptom of an underlying health condition. One of the things doctors look for when trying to understand the cause of a headache is the type and location of the pain.
This article will look at what can cause a throbbing headache at the back of the head, also called occipital headaches. It will also look at the causes, treatments, and when to speak with a doctor.
Damage or pressure on the nerves of the upper part of the spinal column, neck, scalp, and back of the head can result in occipital neuralgia.
According to the NINDS, it feels like a piercing or throbbing pain in the upper neck, behind the ears, and the back of the head.
The pain usually starts in the back of the neck then spreads. Some people will also experience pain on the scalp, forehead, or behind the eyes.
They might also be sensitive to light or sound.
Most migraine headaches can cause severe, throbbing pain on one side of the face and head.
However, according to a 2020 article, those with vestibular migraine headaches are more likely to experience pain in the back of the head.
Migraine headaches are a neurological condition, and some people have a genetic predisposition to them. In other people, migraine headaches develop as a result of certain triggers or situations.
Triggers include stress, hormonal changes, flashing lights, too much or too little sleep, and sudden changes in weather.
Before the migraine headache starts, the person might experience warning signs, such as food cravings, mood changes, uncontrollable yawning, fluid retention, or increased urination.
Some people will then see flashing or bright lights, which doctors call an “aura,” before the migraine headache starts.
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
A 2022 article states that those who drink caffeine habitually can develop a physical and emotional dependence on it. If a person suddenly stops drinking caffeine, they may experience symptoms of withdrawal.
According to one article, a headache due to head trauma can result from a concussion, a skull fracture, or bruising of the brain.
Pain can affect any location on the head, including the back of the head.
A person should seek help if they notice the following symptoms:
•a persistent headache
•repeated vomiting and nausea
•convulsions
An IH refers to bleeding inside the brain or the skull.
These headaches are very serious, and they can occur due to a stroke or a bleeding aneurysm in the brain.
According to a 2020 article, this causes severe pain, often all over the head or in the back of the head.
The bleeding may also produce neurological symptoms, such as weakness or seizures.
Intracranial hypotension is quite rare. It happens when the spinal fluid leaks out of a hole in the meninges, which cover spinal cord, causing problems with pressure inside the brain.
According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), 5 out of every 100,000 people experience spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Usually, this problem occurs due to a brain tumor, trauma, or a side effect of a medical procedure.
The symptoms might come on gradually or suddenly.
The most common symptom is a headache that gets worse when the person is upright. It can be a throbbing pain in the back of the head.
Other symptoms include:
•nausea and vomiting
A throbbing headache at the back of the head might be a sign of a brain tumor.
The pain happens when the tumor presses against the brain’s blood vessels and nerves or causes swelling and fluid buildup.
According to the American Brain Tumor Association, people who have a brain tumor sometimes have pain that:
•is worse first thing in the morning
•is accompanied by vomiting
•gets worse when coughing, exercising, or moving
According to the American Migraine Foundation, a primary headache can occur during sexual activity (pre-orgasmic) or during orgasm (orgasmic).
An orgasmic or pre-orgasmic headache is usually a sudden and explosive headache that turns into a severe throbbing sensation, but it can be a dull pain as well.
The pain can occur on both sides of the head or at the back of the head.
If a person experiences a headache with sexual activity, they should see a doctor who can rule out any other potential causes, such as cardiovascular disease, a brain aneurysm, or a brain tumor.
A tension headache can occur anywhere on the head, including the back of the head.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, tension headaches are very common. They usually cause a dull ache, rather than throbbing pain, but they can cause a dull, pressing or thudding pain that feels like a tight band around the head.
- Amanda Barrell
Aug 22, 2024 · The tear may occur after a spinal tap or following epidural (spinal) anesthesia. The leakage of cerebrospinal fluid causes a sudden drop in pressure, triggering severe headache pain on both sides of the back of the head. Other symptoms include: Neck pain and stiffness. Fullness or ringing (tinnitus) in the ear.
- Colleen Doherty, MD
Neck and back pain. Neck and back pain can trigger migraine attacks, particularly if it results from a specific injury. But even simple muscle tension from poor posture, sitting in front of a computer or driving a car can be a cause. Physical causes such as these require physical treatments, although it may be several months before you see any ...
Jun 3, 2024 · Occipital Neuralgia Symptoms. Occipital neuralgia can cause intense pain that feels like a sharp, jabbing, electric shock in the back of the head and neck. Other symptoms include: Aching, burning ...
Sep 25, 2024 · migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, without a headache; Symptoms of migraine. The main symptom of migraine is usually an intense headache on one side of the head. In some cases, the pain can occur on both sides of your head and may affect your face or neck.
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your headache keeps coming back; painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse; you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache; you feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful; you regularly get headaches before or during your period
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