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About half of all people in North America have a headache at least once a month, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI). Whether it’s a migraine or a tension headache, the symptoms can interfere with your life, taking your time away from the things that matter most.
“To avoid a serious headache, try to treat the pain as soon as you feel it coming on,” says Lisa Nocera, MD, an anesthesiologist and pain specialist in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. “The longer you let the pain build, the harder it will be to get your headache under control.”
Here’s what your headache could be telling you, plus tips for easing the pain.
Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Im... + 14
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Headaches Connected to Allergies and Sinus Problems. July 16, 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Migraine. July 8, 2025.
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- Mayo Clinic. Headaches and Hormones: What’s the Connection? November 20, 2024.
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- American Optometric Association. Computer Vision Syndrome. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- Cleveland Clinic. Sinus Headaches. July 12, 2023.
- The Migraine Trust. Cluster Headache. Accessed September 25, 2026.
