There are more than 200 different types of headaches, and they can feel quite different to each other. Here are symptoms of some common types. Tension-type headache Tension-type headache is one of the most common forms of headache. The pain is usually on both sides of your head and feels dull or tight. It can last between 30 minutes and 7 days. Migraine Migraine is a common health problem where as well as headache, you may have one or more other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or feeling sensitive to light or noise. The pain is usually throbbing on one side of your head and can last hours or days. Some people experience other symptoms before or during a migraine attack, for example visual aura or changes in their vision. Visual aura might include flashes of light, blind spots, or seeing 'zig zag' patterns. Others will have problems with their speech, or feel 'pins and needles' (a numb, tingling feeling) in their arms and legs. Cluster headache Cluster headaches are a more rare type of headache that can be very painful. They generally occur in groups or 'clusters' of attacks. The pain is usually behind one eye and feels stabbing or burning. You might have a runny nose and a red eye with watery discharge. It can last up to 3 hours and may happen a few times a day. Sinus headache Headaches due to sinus problems cause pressure in your forehead or cheek bones, on one side or both sides of your face. These areas might feel sore if you press on them or bend forward. Your teeth might also be sore, and you may have a blocked or runny nose or a cough. Alcohol headache Headache due to drinking alcohol causes throbbing pain that gets worse with exercise. Dehydration headache Headache due to dehydration causes pain all over your head. Altitude headache Altitude headache is an intense, throbbing pain that is either generalised all over your head or mainly in your forehead. It is also known as 'mountain sickness', but can happen when you change altitudes. Mountain climbing can cause pain all over your head that gets worse with exercise. Diving can cause a headache accompanied by dizziness, difficulty breathing or confusion. Flying in a plane can cause pain in one side of your forehead. Sleep apnoea headache Headache due to sleep apnoea is usually felt when you wake up in the morning, on most days of the week.