What is a Headache

Headache is pain in any region of the head. Headaches may occur on one or both sides of the head, be isolated to a certain location, radiate across the head from one point, or have a vise like quality. A headache may appear as a sharp pain, a throbbing sensation or a dull ache.

A common question about severe or persistent headaches is whether they can be caused by a serious underlying health problem, such as a brain tumor. Headaches are more likely a component of primary headache disorders, such as migraine or tension headaches, rather than due to brain tumors.

Types of Headaches

Sinus Headaches
Tension Headaches
Migraine Headaches
Cluster Headaches
Thunderclap Headaches
Ice Pick Headaches
Rebound Headaches
New Daily Persistent Headaches
Spinal Headaches
Cervicogenic Headaches
Chronic Daily Headaches
Low & High Pressure Headaches
Occipital Neuralgia
Hemicrania Continua

What Causes Headaches?

The pain you feel during a headache comes from a mix of signals between your brain, blood vessels, and nearby nerves. Specific nerves in your blood vessels and head muscles switch on and send pain signals to your brain. But it isn’t clear how these signals get turned on in the first place.

Common causes of headaches include:

Illness, This can include infections, colds, and fevers. Headaches are also common with conditions like sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), a throat infection, or an ear infection. In some cases, headaches can result from a blow to the head or, rarely, a sign of a more serious medical problem.

Stress, Emotional stress and depression as well as alcohol use, skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, and taking too much medication. Other causes include neck or back strain due to poor posture.

Your environment, including secondhand tobacco smoke, strong smells from household chemicals or perfumes, allergens, and certain foods. Stress, pollution, noise, lighting, and weather changes are other possible triggers.

Genetics, Headaches, especially migraine headaches, tend to run in families. Most children and teens (90%) who have migraines have other family members who get them. When both parents have a history of migraines, there is a 70% chance their child will also have them. If only one parent has a history of these headaches, the risk drops to 25%-50%.