Headache

What Are Headaches?

Headaches involve pain anywhere in the head area. This pain can affect one side or both sides of the head, stay in one spot, or spread from one area to another. The sensation may feel like a tight band around the head.

The pain itself can range from sharp and stabbing to throbbing or a constant dull ache. Headaches might come on slowly or hit suddenly, lasting anywhere from minutes to days.

Understanding the Root Causes

Doctors use headache characteristics to identify the underlying cause and determine the best treatment approach. While most headaches aren't dangerous, some can signal serious medical emergencies.

Medical professionals divide headaches into two main categories based on their origins:

Primary Headaches

These headaches occur when pain-sensitive areas in the head become overactive or malfunction. They're not symptoms of other health conditions but are conditions themselves.

Several factors can contribute to primary headaches, including abnormal brain chemistry, nerve problems, blood vessel issues around the skull, or muscle tension in the head and neck. Genetic factors may also predispose some people to these headaches.

Common primary headache types include:

• Cluster headaches
• Migraines (with or without aura)
• Tension headaches
• Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias

Some less frequent primary headaches have unique characteristics:

• Persistent daily headaches
• Headaches triggered by coughing
• Exercise-induced headaches
• Headaches related to sexual activity

Lifestyle elements that can trigger primary headaches include:

• Drinking alcohol (especially red wine)
• Eating certain foods like processed meats with nitrates
• Sleep disruptions or sleep deprivation
• Bad posture
• Missing meals
• High stress levels

Secondary Headaches

These headaches are warning signs of other medical conditions that irritate the head's pain-sensitive nerves. The severity of the underlying condition can vary widely.

Secondary headaches can result from numerous health issues, such as:

• Sinus infections
• Blood vessel problems (tears, clots, aneurysms)
• Brain tumors or malformations
• Poisoning or toxic exposure
• Head injuries
• Infections like COVID-19, flu, or meningitis
• Dehydration
• Dental issues
• High blood pressure
• Medication side effects or overuse
• Eye problems like glaucoma

Specific secondary headache categories include:

• "Brain freeze" from cold foods
• Rebound headaches from overusing pain medications
• Sinus-related headaches from inflammation
• Spinal headaches from fluid pressure changes
• Sudden, severe "thunderclap" headaches from various serious causes