Headache is the symptom of pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It occurs in migraines (sharp, or throbbing pains), tension-type headaches, and cluster headaches. Frequent headaches can affect relationships and employment.There is also an increased risk of depression in those with severe headaches.Headaches can occur as a result of many conditions whether serious or not. There are a number of different classification systems for headaches. The most well-recognized is that of the International Headache Society. Causes of headaches may include dehydration, fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, the effects of medications, the effects of recreational drugs, viral infections, loud noises, common colds, head injury, rapid ingestion of a very cold food or beverage, and dental or sinus issues.Treatment of a headache depends on the underlying cause, but commonly involves pain medication. A headache is one of the most commonly experienced of all physical discomforts.About half of adults have a headache in a given year.Tension headaches are the most common, affecting about 1.6 billion people (21.8% of the population) followed by migraine headaches which affect about 848 million (11.7%).Encyclopedia Entry for Headache :Headache - what to ask your doctor. How can I tell if the headache I am having is dangerous? What are the symptoms of a tension-type headache ? A migraine headache ? A cluster headache ? What medical problems can cause headaches? What tests do I need? What changes in my lifestyle may help my headaches? Are there foods that I should stay away from that may make my headaches worse? Are there medicines or conditions in my home or work that may be causing my headaches? Will alcohol or smoking make my headaches worse? Will exercise help my headaches? What are the pain medicines that can be used for headaches? Will taking too many pain medicines make my headaches worse? What are the side effects of these medicines? Will any of these medicines make me sleepy or confused? What should I do when I feel a headache beginning? Are there medicines I can take that will stop an oncoming headache? What can I do when I have headaches at work? Are there medicines that I can take that will make my headaches come less often? What can I do about nausea or vomiting with my headaches? Are there any herbs or supplements that I can take that will help? How do I know if they are safe?.What to ask your doctor about headaches; Migraine - what to ask your doctor; Tension-type headache - what to ask your doctor; Cluster headache - what to ask your doctor.Vascular headaches Vascular headaches.Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain.Encyclopedia Entry for Headache :Headache. The most common type of headache is tension headache. It is likely caused by tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw. A tension headache : May be related to stress, depression, anxiety, a head injury, or holding your head and neck in an abnormal position. Tends to be on both sides of your head. It often starts at the back of the head and spreads forward. The pain may feel dull or squeezing, like a tight band or vice. Your shoulders, neck, or jaw may feel tight or sore. A migraine headache involves severe pain. It usually occurs with other symptoms, such as vision changes, sensitivity to sound or light, or nausea. With a migraine: The pain may be throbbing, pounding, or pulsating. It tends to begin on one side of your head. It may spread to both sides. The headache may be associated with an aura. This is a group of warning symptoms that start before your headache. The pain usually gets worse as you try to move around. Migraines may be triggered by foods, such as chocolate, certain cheeses, or monosodium glutamate (MSG). Caffeine withdrawal, lack of sleep, and alcohol may also be triggers. Rebound headaches are headaches that keep coming back. They often occur from overuse of pain medicines. For this reason, these headaches are also called medicine overuse headaches. People who take pain medicine more than 3 days a week on a regular basis can develop this type of headache. Other types of headaches: Cluster headache is a sharp, very painful headache that occurs daily, sometimes up to several times a day for months. It then goes away for weeks to months. In some people, the headaches never come back. The headache usually lasts less than an hour. It tends to occur at the same times every day. Sinus headache causes pain in the front of the head and face. It is due to swelling in the sinus passages behind the cheeks, nose, and eyes. The pain is worse when you bend forward and when you first wake up in the morning. Headaches may occur if you have a cold, the flu, a fever, or premenstrual syndrome. Headache due to a disorder called temporal arteritis. This is a swollen, inflamed artery that supplies blood to part of the head, temple, and neck area. In rare cases, a headache can be a sign of something more serious, such as: Bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissue that covers the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage) Blood pressure that is very high Brain infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis , or abscess Brain tumor Buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to brain swelling ( hydrocephalus ) Buildup of pressure inside the skull that appears to be, but is not a tumor ( pseudotumor cerebri ) Carbon monoxide poisoning Lack of oxygen during sleep ( sleep apnea ) Problems with the blood vessels and bleeding in the brain, such as arteriovenous malformation (AVM), brain aneurysm , or stroke.There are things you can do to manage headaches at home, especially migraines or tension headaches. Try to treat the symptoms right away. When migraine symptoms begin: Drink water to avoid getting dehydrated, especially if you have vomited. Rest in a quiet, dark room. Place a cool cloth on your head. Use any relaxation techniques you have learned. A headache diary can help you identify your headache triggers. When you get a headache, write down the following: Day and time the pain began What you ate and drank over the past 24 hours How much you slept What you were doing and where you were right before the pain started How long the headache lasted and what made it stop Review your diary with your health care provider to identify triggers or a pattern to your headaches. This can help you and your provider create a treatment plan. Knowing your triggers can help you avoid them. Your provider may have already prescribed medicine to treat your type of headache. If so, take the medicine as instructed. For tension headaches, try acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Talk to your provider if you are taking pain medicines 3 or more days a week.Some headaches may be a sign of a more serious illness. Seek medical help right away for any of the following: This is the first headache you have ever had in your life and it interferes with your daily activities. Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent. Your headache is 'the worst ever,' even if you regularly get headaches. You also have slurred speech, a change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss with your headache. Your headache gets worse over 24 hours. You also have a fever, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting with your headache. Your headache occurs with a head injury. Your headache is severe and just in one eye, with redness in that eye. You just started getting headaches, especially if you are older than 50. Your headaches are associated with vision problems, pain while chewing, or weight loss. You have a history of cancer or immune system problem (such as HIV/AIDS) and develop a new headache.Your provider will take a medical history and will examine your head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, and nervous system. Your provider will ask many questions to learn about your headaches. Diagnosis is usually based on your history of symptoms. Tests may include: Blood tests or a lumbar puncture if you may have an infection Head CT scan or MRI if you have any danger signs or you have been having headaches for a while Sinus x-rays CT or MR angiography.Pain - head; Rebound headaches; Medication overuse headaches; Medicine overuse headaches.Headache - what to ask your doctor.Brain Brain Headache Headache.Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain.Encyclopedia Entry for Headache :Headaches - danger signs. Problems with blood vessels and bleeding in the brain can cause a headache. These problems include: Abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain that usually forms before birth. This problem is called an arteriovenous malformation , or AVM. Blood flow to part of the brain stops. This is called a stroke. Weakening of the wall of a blood vessel that can break open and bleed into the brain. This is known as a brain aneurysm. Bleeding in the brain. This is called an intracerebral hematoma. Bleeding around the brain. This can be a subarachnoid hemorrhage , a subdural hematoma , or an epidural hematoma. Other causes of headaches that should be checked by a health care provider right away include: Acute hydrocephalus , which results from an interruption of cerebrospinal fluid flow. Blood pressure that is very high. Brain tumor. Brain swelling (brain edema) from altitude sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, or acute brain injury. Buildup of pressure inside the skull that appears to be, but is not, a tumor ( pseudotumor cerebri ). Infection in the brain or the tissue that surrounds the brain , as well as a brain abscess. Swollen, inflamed artery that supplies blood to part of the head, temple, and neck area ( temporal arteritis ).If you cannot see your provider right away, go to the emergency room or call 911 if: This is the first severe headache you have ever had in your life and it interferes with your daily activities. You develop a headache right after activities such as weightlifting, aerobics, jogging, or sex. Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent. Your headache is 'the worst ever,' even if you regularly get headaches. You also have slurred speech, a change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss with your headache. Your headache gets worse over 24 hours. You also have fever, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting with your headache. Your headache occurs with a head injury. Your headache is severe and just in one eye, with redness in that eye. You just started getting headaches, especially if your are older than 50. You have headaches along with vision problems and pain while chewing, or weight loss. You have a history of cancer and develop a new headache. Your immune system is weakened by disease (such as HIV infection) or by medicines (such as chemotherapy drugs and steroids). See your provider soon if: Your headaches wake you up from sleep. A headache lasts more than a few days. Headaches are worse in the morning. You have a history of headaches but they have changed in pattern or intensity. You have headaches often and there is no known cause.Migraine headache - danger signs; Tension headache - danger signs; Cluster headache - danger signs; Vascular headache - danger signs.Headache Headache Tension-type headache Tension-type headache CT scan of the brain CT scan of the brain Migraine headache Migraine headache.Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain.