Sinus Problems

• Severe headaches are often caused by sinus problems, including sinusitis and sinus infections, both of which can cause swelling and irritation of the sinus membranes and a buildup of fluid within the sinus cavities. As pressure and irritation build within the sinuses, headaches, sometimes severe, are common. Sinus headaches are common, and certain conditions, such as hay fever and allergies, can exacerbate sinus problems and increase the severity of sinus headaches. Nasal decongestants and antihistamines are often times effective at reducing sinus-related headaches.
  
  

Migraines

• Migraines typically produce severe, throbbing headaches that come on suddenly and can last for hours or even days at a time. It is believed that migraines are caused, at least in part, by sensitivity of the small blood vessels within the brain, a sensitivity that can cause these vessels to spasm and constrict, thereby causing pain and irritation of the nearby nerves, which can translate into a headache. Migraines can often times be triggered by exposure to certain environmental pollutants or certain types of foods.
  
  

High Blood Pressure

• It is common for individuals suffering from high blood pressure to experience headaches, sometimes severe, as the result of their elevated blood pressure levels. High blood pressure increases the force of the blood as it travels through the blood vessels of the body, and this force can irritate and inflame the soft membranes and nerves surrounding these blood vessels. In the vessels of the brain, this irritation and inflammation can cause a headache.
  
  

Stroke

• Severe headaches can be a sign of stroke, in which a blood vessel within the brain ruptures or becomes blocked, thereby cutting of oxygenated blood flow to parts of the brain. A stroke is very similar to a heart attack in that oxygen deprivation is the main catalyst for the resulting pain and physical symptoms. Normally, severe strokes cause severe, sometimes excruciating headaches, in addition to other symptoms such as leg and arm numbness and slurred speech. Headaches caused by strokes normally have a rapid onset.