Headache
A common symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
A headache, also known as cephalalgia, is the symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck. It is one of the most commonly experienced physical discomforts, with about half of adults having a headache in a given year. Headaches are classified into primary and secondary types, with more than 150 types recognized by the International Headache Society.
Quick Facts
- Synonym
- Cephalgia
- Specialty
- Neurology
- Types
- Tension headache, cluster headache, sinusitis, migraine headache, hangover headache, cold-stimulus headache (brain freeze)
- Treatment
- sleep, drinking water, eating food, head or neck massage and Over-the-counter painkillers.
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Headaches can occur as a result of many conditions, including dehydration, fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, medication overuse, recreational drugs, viral infections, loud noises, head injury, rapid ingestion of very cold food or beverage, and dental or sinus issues. The brain itself lacks pain receptors, but pain is sensed from areas such as the extracranial arteries, meninges, cranial nerves, and head and neck muscles. Primary headaches, which account for 90% of all headaches, are benign and recurrent, not caused by underlying disease. Migraines typically present with pulsing head pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, while tension-type headaches present with non-pulsing bandlike pressure on both sides of the head. Secondary headaches are caused by underlying diseases such as infection, head injury, vascular disorders, brain bleed, or brain tumor, and can be dangerous. Certain red flags indicate a secondary headache may be serious.
Reader's Guide
Headaches are a significant medical concern due to their prevalence and impact on quality of life. About half of adults experience a headache in a given year, with tension-type headaches affecting 24.9% of the population and migraines affecting 14.1%. The International Headache Society classifies headaches into more than 150 types, distinguishing between primary headaches (benign, recurrent) and secondary headaches (caused by underlying disease). Primary headaches, such as migraines and tension-type headaches, usually first appear between ages 20 and 40. Secondary headaches can be life-threatening and require careful evaluation for red flags. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, with pain relievers often used for mild to moderate headaches. There is an increased risk of depression in those with severe headaches. The pathophysiology involves stimulation of pain receptors in the head and neck, with primary headaches being more difficult to understand than secondary ones. Migraines are currently thought to be caused by dysfunction of nerves in the brain, though earlier theories suggested vascular causes.
Did You Know?
- About half of adults have a headache in a given year.
- Tension headaches are the most common, affecting 24.9% of the population.
- Migraines affect 14.1% of the population.
More in Symptoms and signs 1-24
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