What Causes a Headache on Top of Your Head?

Headaches on the top of your head may have many causes, ranging from tension and dehydration to migraines. Stress and poor posture can also cause these headaches since your neck, shoulders, and scalp muscles can tense up when you feel stressed or anxious.

Some symptoms are common among people with this type of headache. They include pressure on the top of your head, a dull ache, neck and shoulder tightness, and nausea.

In most cases, a headache on the top of your head isn’t a cause for concern, but if it's severe, persists, or occurs with other symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider. Here are some of the most common causes of a headache on the top of your head.

Dehydration

When your body’s fluids are low, your brain and other tissues in your body shrink (contract). As your brain shrinks, it pulls away from the skull, puts pressure on nerves, and causes pain.

Replenishing with fluids can help the protective cushion surrounding your brain expand and may help relieve your headache. This is why it is important to prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. 

Sleep Deprivation

When you don't get enough sleep, your body has to work extra hard to stay alert and focused. When this happens, your body has problems controlling the release of hormones that impact sleep. This imbalance can add to or cause headaches.

You may also feel irritable or moody when tired, which can lead to tension headaches. Tension headaches occur when muscles in the head and neck become tense from stress or lack of sleep. Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep at night and avoid caffeine late in the day.

Side Effects of Medication

Some drugs are too strong, or your body may be sensitive to them, causing a headache on top of your head. Taking too much of a drug can also have this effect. Some drugs dilate the blood vessels in the head, which can cause a rush of blood to the head, which can lead to a headache as well. 

Headaches can sometimes be caused by taking more than one medication at the same time. Speak to a healthcare provider about other possible options or changes if you think your medication may be the cause of your headaches.

Sinus Infections or Allergies

The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. Inflammation or congestion from an infection or allergies can lead to headaches.

Your sinuses can get inflamed and blocked with mucus, causing pressure in the head that can trigger a headache. Most of the time, these headaches are usually around or behind your eye or you might have pain in your face overall. 

Migraines

You might have a headache on the top of your head if you experience a migraine. In general, migraines are painful, throbbing headaches that usually occur on one side of your head but can sometimes happen on both sides and within the front.

They often appear alongside other symptoms like appetite loss, light or sound sensitivity, and nausea. You can also have migraines with auras—temporary problems with your nerves that affect your balance, speech, vision, or other sensations.

Rare Causes of a Headache On Top of Your Head

Headaches on top of your head may also be caused by rare conditions such as: 

• Aneurysms: These are bulges or balloon-like weak spots in the wall of an artery in the brain. They can form when there's a flaw in the artery wall, which may cause it to stretch and bulge. If a brain aneurysm bursts, it can cause a hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in the brain. This may cause difficulty speaking, vision changes, loss of consciousness, and even death.
• Bleeding in the brain: This may happen when blood escapes from an artery or vein and enters the brain tissue. This can happen due to a head injury, aneurysm, stroke, tumor, or some other disease.
• Brain tumors: Tumors are swellings caused by abnormal tissue growth, whether benign or malignant. Malignant tumors grow and spread quickly, while benign ones grow more slowly and do not spread.

While these are not common causes of headaches on top of your head, it’s important to be aware of them. These can be life-threatening and require emergency medical attention.

How To Treat a Headache on Top of Your Head

There are a few things you can do at home or outside the doctor’s office to relieve a headache on top of your head:

• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen)
• Take a look at your posture. Relaxing your body, especially the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and scalp, can help relieve tension headaches. Use proper posture when sitting and standing, and avoid slouching.
• Try breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to help reduce stress
• Consider complementary therapies such as massage, yoga, or acupuncture
• Apply a cold pack or warm compress to the affected area. This can help reduce inflammation and pressure.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Frequent headaches and ones that don’t respond to home remedies need medical attention. A healthcare provider may recommend drugs such as anti-inflammatories or preventive treatments. They can also help determine if there is an underlying condition causing your headaches.

Seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A headache that feels worse when you bend over or change positions
• Headache accompanied by vision changes, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, weakness on one side of the body, or numbness
• Severe, sudden headache

A Quick Review

Stress and poor posture usually cause headaches on top of your head—along with migraines, dehydration, sleep deprivation, sinus infections or allergies, and certain medications. You can treat a headache on top of your head with OTC pain relievers, relaxation techniques, and cold or warm compresses.

Seek advice from a healthcare provider if your headache is frequent and does not respond to home remedies. They can help diagnose the underlying cause of your pain and develop the best treatment plan for you.