Throbbing Headache

A throbbing headache usually means a migraine headache. Six percent of men and 16% of women experience migraine, and the characteristic of migraine pain is a throbbing sensation, which builds to a peak over minutes to hours from onset.

In migraine the throbbing pain usually builds over about 30 minutes to several hours, and is associated with sensory sensitivity, by which I mean these symptoms:

1. Intolerance of light or preference for dark
2. Nausea or intolerance of smell (osmophobia)
3. Worsening with movement
4. Intolerance of noise or preference for quiet

In recurrent headaches, and in primary care, a throbbing type of pain is probably helpful in confirming migraine.

In a new onset headache, a throbbing pain could indicate migraine (still the most likely scenario) but can be associated with any of the following severe headache disorders:

1. Temporal Arteritis
2. Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
3. Carotid Dissection
4. Vertebral Dissection
5. Exercise Headache
6. Sexual Activity Headache
7. Intracranial Hypotension although a non-throbbing pain is also common