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Definition

A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are extremely rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and occasionally by taking medications.

See also:

Alternative Names

Pain - head; Rebound headaches; Medication overuse headaches

Common Causes

The most common headaches are probably caused by tight, contracted muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw. These are called tension headaches. They are often related to stress, depression, or anxiety. Overworking, not getting enough sleep, missing meals, and using alcohol or street drugs can make you more susceptible to them. Headaches can be triggered by chocolate, cheese, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). People who drink caffeine can have headaches when they don't get their usual daily amount.

Other common causes include:

  • Holding your head in one position for a long time, like at a computer, microscope, or typewriter
  • Poor sleep position
  • Overexerting yourself
  • Clenching or grinding your teeth

Tension headaches tend to be on both sides of your head. They often start at the back of your head and spread forward. The pain may feel dull or squeezing, like a tight band or vice. Your shoulders, neck, or jaw may feel tight and sore. The pain is usually persistent, but does not get worse with activity.

Migraine headaches are severe headaches that usually occur with other symptoms such as visual disturbances or nausea. The pain may be described as throbbing, pounding, or pulsating. It tends to begin on one side of your head, although it may spread to both sides. You may have an "aura" (a group of warning symptoms that start before your headache). The pain usually gets worse as you try to move around. For more information on this type of headache, see: migraine.

Other types of headaches:

  • Cluster headaches are sharp, extremely painful headaches that tend to occur several times per day for months and then go away for a similar period. They are far less common.
  • Sinus headaches cause pain in the front of your head and face. They are due to inflammation in the sinus passages that lie behind the cheeks, nose, and eyes. The pain tends to be worse when you bend forward and when you first wake up in the morning. Postnasal drip, sore throat, and nasal discharge usually occur with these headaches.

Headaches may occur if you have a cold, the flu, fever, or premenstrual syndrome.

If you are over age 50 and are experiencing headaches for the first time, a condition called temporal arteritis may prove to be the cause. Symptoms of this condition include impaired vision and pain aggravated by chewing. There is a risk of becoming blind with this condition. Therefore, it must be treated by your doctor right away.

Rare causes of headache include:

Home Care

Keep a headache diary to help identify the source or trigger of your symptoms. Then modify your environment or habits to avoid future headaches. When a headache occurs, write down the date and time the headache began, what you ate for the past 24 hours, how long you slept the night before, what you were doing and thinking about just before the headache started, any stress in your life, how long the headache lasts, and what you did to make it stop. After a period of time, you may begin to see a pattern.

A headache may be relieved by resting with your eyes closed and head supported. Relaxation techniques can help. A massage or heat applied to the back of the upper neck can be effective in relieving tension headaches.

Try acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen for tension headaches. Do NOT give aspirin to children because of the risk of Reye syndrome.

Migraine headaches may respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or migraine medications that contain a combination of drugs.

If over-the-counter remedies do not control your pain, talk to your doctor about possible prescription medications.

Prescription medications used for migraine headaches include ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine with caffeine (Cafergot), isometheptene (Midrin), and triptans like sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), eletriptan (Relpax), almotriptan (Axert), and zolmitriptan (Zomig). Sometimes medications to relieve nausea and vomiting are helpful for other migraine symptoms.

If you get headaches often, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent headaches before they occur. It is important to take these medicines every day as prescribed, even when you are not having a headache.

People who take pain medications regularly for 3 or more days a week may develop medication overuse, or rebound, headaches. All types of pain pills (including over-the-counter drugs) can cause rebound headaches. If you think this may be a problem for you, talk to your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if

Take the following symptoms seriously. If you cannot see your health care provider immediately, go to the emergency room or call 911 if:

  • 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
  • You would describe your headache as "your worst ever" even if you are prone to headaches
  • Your headache is associated with slurred speech, change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss
  • Your headache gets progressively worse over a 24-hour period
  • Your headache is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting
  • Your headache occurs with a head injury
  • Your headache is severe and localized to one eye with redness in that eye
  • You are over age 50 and your headaches just began, especially with impaired vision and pain while chewing
  • You have cancer and develop a new headache

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 frequently, and there is no known cause
What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform an examination of your head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, and nervous system.

The diagnosis is usually based on your history of symptoms. A "headache diary" may be helpful for recording information about headaches over a period of time. Your doctor may ask questions such as the following:

  • Is the headache located in the forehead, around the eyes, in the back of the head, near the temples, behind the eyeball, or all over?
  • Is the headache on one side only?
  • Is this a new type of headache for you?
  • Would you describe the headache as throbbing?
  • Is there a pressure or band-like sensation?
  • When does the headache occur? How long have you had headaches? How long does each headache last?
  • Does the headache awaken you from sleep? Are the headaches worse during the day and better at night?
  • Did other symptoms begin shortly after the headaches began? Do headaches occur repeatedly?
  • Does the headache reach maximum intensity over 1 to 2 hours?
  • Are the headaches worse when you are lying down? Standing up?
  • Are the headaches worse when you cough or strain?
  • Do they occur at a specific time related to your menstrual period?
  • What home treatment have you tried? How effective was it?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

If a migraine is diagnosed, medications that contain ergot may be prescribed. Temporal arteritis must be treated with steroids to help prevent blindness. Other disorders are treated as is appropriate.

Prevention

The following healthy habits can lessen stress and reduce your chance of getting headaches:

  • Getting adequate sleep
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Stretching your neck and upper body, especially if your work involves typing or using a computer
  • Learning proper posture
  • Quitting smoking
  • Learning to relax using meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or other techniques
  • Wearing proper eyeglasses, if needed
References

Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Steiner TJ, Silberstein SD, Olesen J. Classification of primary headaches. Neurology. 2004;63(3):427-435.

Silberstein SD, Young WB. Headache and facial pain. In: Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 53.

Wilson JF. In the clinic: migraine. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147(9): ITC11-1-ITC11-16.

Fumal A, Schoenen J. Tension-type headache: current research and clinical management. Lancet Neurol. 2008:7(1):70-83.

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Headache and you vomitt yellow?

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A headache felt throughout the scalp is usually a tension headache. However, you should never try to diagnose yourself. For a diagnosis, a doctor needs to be consulted. Preferably a headache specialist who is best able to diagnose, treat and manage headache disorders.

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It's possible something in the pizza has triggered a headache. Keeping a journal will often help you identify triggers so you can eliminate them and minimize your headaches. For a diagnosis and treatment, see your doctor or headache specialist.

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A headache related to nicotine withdrawal will usually last up to 48 hours.

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I thought I was the only one! I get headaches during a sunset and it lingers after sunsets. I have not figured out a remedy except headache medication or I just stay in and avoid traffic around that time. Good luck though :)

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Sounds like it could be an inner ear infection or a tension headache. Do you sleep with a fan or air conditionar directly on you? ifso try moving the flow off you , cold air causes tense muscles in back and neck

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Based on the symptoms it's most likely a virus.

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Sounds like flu with a possible chest infection. Go and see your doctor about it

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These symtoms may be due to allergies, too much stress in the work place or even poor diet. ( Lack of exercise and or poor circulation of oxegene rich blood cells in the capilaries and viens leading to the brain), cutting off vital nutrients, and leading to swelling or pressure in the back of the head.

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Headaches that occur while taking pain medications are usually Medication Overuse Headaches (MOH). In this case, the medicine that is used to take away pain actually begins to cause the pain. Treatment involves removing all pain medications for a period of time, then not using pain medicines more than 3 doses per week to prevent the return of MOH. Any time a headache changes or a new type of headache appears, it is recommended to seek the help of a physician, especially a Headache Specialist.

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  • Drink water
  • Ibuprofen (OTC)
  • Acetaminophen (OTC)

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You need to consult a doctor about this... the headaches shouldn't be happening but the dizziness is normal. Its kind of your bodys way of telling you to sleep.

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could be that youre ovulating

if you have a fever, or it hurts to pee, go see a doctor

2 answers


Description

A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck.

Common types of headaches include tension headaches, migraine or cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and headaches that begin in your neck. You may have a mild headache with the common cold, the flu, or other viral illnesses when you also have a low-grade fever.

Most people with headaches can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and sometimes taking medications.

Emergency Causes of Headaches

Problems with blood vessels and bleeding in the brain can present as a headache. These include:

  • An abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain that usually forms before birth. This problem is called an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM.
  • A stroke, when blood flow to part of the brain stops.
  • A weakening of the wall of a blood vessel that can break open and bleed into the brain, called a brain aneurysm.
  • Bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissue that cover the brain, called a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Other worrisome causes of headaches include:

When to Call the Doctor

Take the following symptoms seriously. If you cannot see your health care provider right away, go to the emergency room or call 911 when:

  • This is the first headache you have ever had in your life and it interferes with your daily activities.
  • You develop a headache just after activities such as weightlifting, aerobics, jogging, or sex.
  • Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent.
  • You would describe your headache as "your 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 a 24-hour period.
  • 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 are over age 50 and your headaches just began, especially if you also have vision problems and pain while chewing.
  • You have cancer and develop a new headache.

See your health care 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.
References

Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 405.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 12/21/2011

Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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This is probably a head cold. There are many medications that can help to cover the symptoms of this. It should last no more than a week.

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Some women start as early as the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus wall. And that can be anywhere between 7-10 dpo. So as soon as the hcg level begins to rise. Answer If you are getting headaches you should see a doctor. They are not a symptom of pregnancy. I am another poster adding a comment to this last answer. Although headaches are not the best symptom it can happen. I started having headaches two weeks after conception and they lasted on and off for about two weeks. My headaches were the reason I took a pregnancy test and it came out postive. Headaches were my first symptom. But to be sure... contact your doctor!

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Hi I always been regular this month intead of my period I'm getting this strange bleendind w/ some cramping, also I have a bad haedache today does anyone know if that could be implantation bleeding?

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No member of this site can diagnose illness or conditions of a complete stranger. Nor should we. Advice at best can only be general and at worst may be detrimental. If you are concerned about any medical problem then you should see a doctor.

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subconciously your could be over stressed. I had a headache for months that I thought was abnormal, the doctor told me it might be cause by stress. He told me to try doing stress relief activities like sports. weeks later, the headaches went away. Also, sleeping well for longer than 8 hours helps a ton. Have you been eating well? the brain is the only organ in the human body that needs mostly sugars for it's energy source. If you notice when you're thinking hard or studying, you dont find yourself breathing harder like you do when you exercise. this is because the food you brain is using comes from the sugars in your blood. If you're not eating well, this can affect your brain's health big time.

I hope its nothing serious, but Im assuming it's just something that will go away soon.

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The International Headache Society does not recognize a diagnosis of Acupressure Headache or Normal Headache. There are many different types of headache disorders however, and some types may be triggered by acupressure.

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There is no headache inventor.

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The plural of headache is headaches.

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A severe headache is a migraine.

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The scientific name for a headache is cephalalgia.

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Many pregnancy tests show positive, but are so faint they are often overlooked. I did a pregnancy test 5 days past my period due and it appeared negative, but when i went to the doctor it was positive, just very low hormone levels because it was ectopic. However, hormones are what cause the symptoms you discribe, if your hormone levels were very low you likely wouldn't have pregnancy symptoms. It is best to go get a blood test done to determine if you are pregnant. If you are short on cash try to just go to a clinic that does blood testing so you don't have to pay for the doctor visit. If you are pregnant though, see a doctor as soon as you can. Hope that helps!

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Arnold P. Friedman has written:

'Headache, diagnosis and treatment' -- subject(s): Headache

'Headaches in children' -- subject(s): Children, Diseases, Headache, Headache in children

'The headache book' -- subject(s): Headache

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There is no diagnosis called monotonous headache in the IHC. There are however Chronic types of headache, as well as a diagnosis called New Daily Persistent Headache. Headache itself is not a diagnosis. There are many different types of headache, so seeing a doctor or headache specialist is very important for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Reading can be a headache trigger for certain individuals, depending upon which type of headache disorder they suffer. For appropriate diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders, consult a board certified headache specialist.

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The treatment for your headache depends on what type of headache it is (there is a long list of different kinds of headaches) and what has caused it. For best results, consult a headache specialist who is trained to diagnosis and treat headache disorders.

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A chronic or a recurring headache.

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Cluster headache is the term used in the ICHD-II, which is the diagnostic tool used by Migraine and headache specialists to diagnose headache disorders throughout the world. Another nickname is "suicide headache".

For appropriate diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders, seek the help of a qualified and board certified Migraine and headache specialist.

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The remedy for headache and dizziness depends entirely upon the cause for the symptoms. A headache specialist is the best person to diagnose and treat headache disorders.

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Yes, computer usage and improper posture associated with computer usage can be a trigger for specific headache disorders and diseases including tension type headache, cervicogenic headache and Migraine. For appropriate diagnosis and treatment of headache disorder and disease, please seek the help of a board certified headache specialist.

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A headache upon waking is common in several different headache disorders. For proper diagnosis and treatment, seek the help of a headache specialist - a neurologist specially trained in diagnosing and treating headache disorders.

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Fermin headache: There is no such headache type/diagnosis in the ICHD-II or III (BETA) which is the tool used by Migraine and headache specialists and other physicians for diagnosis of headache symptoms. For appropriate diagnosis, treatment and management of Migraine and headache disorders, please seek the help of a board certified Migraine and headache specialist who has had additional training in these disorders and diseases.

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No, you cannot catch a headache. Headaches are not contagious.

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he, headache, heartache

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Due to pressure, you can get a headache

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Headache is a common complication of myelography

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my concern is (What is causing the Headache)

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Headache - game - was created in 1975.

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No, you can't die from an ice pick headache. You can go to your doctors office and get some medicine for the headache.

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The fastest way to get rid of a headache depends entirely upon the type of headache suffered. There are over 300 different types of headaches and treatment is based on the diagnosis. For appropriate diagnosis, please seek the help of a headache specialist.

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