Definition of Headache
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Our Headache Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who,
what, when and how of Headache
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< b>Headache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the
ears, behind the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck. Headache, like
chest pain or back ache, has many causes.
All headaches are considered primary headaches or secondary headaches. Primary
headaches are not associated with other diseases. Examples of primary headaches
are migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches
are caused by other diseases. The associated disease may be minor or major.
Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. As many as 90%
of adults have tension headaches. Tension headaches are more common among women
than men.
Migraine headaches are the second most common type of primary headache. An estimated
28 million people in the US have migraine headaches. Migraine headaches affect children
as well as adults. Before puberty, boys and girls are affected equally by migraine
headaches, but after puberty more women than men have them. Migraine often goes
undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed as tension or sinus headaches.
Cluster headaches are a rare but important type of primary headache, affecting
mainly men. The average age of cluster headache sufferers is 28-30 years, although
headaches may begin in childhood.
Secondary headaches may result from innumerable conditions, ranging from life
threatening ones such as brain tumors, strokes, meningitis, and subarachnoid hemorrhages
to less serious but common conditions such as withdrawal from caffeine and discontinuation
of analgesics (pain killing medication). Many people suffer from "mixed" headache
disorders in which tension headaches or secondary headaches may trigger migraine.
The treatment of the headache depends on the type and severity of the headache
and on other factors such as the age of the patient.
Headache is also referred to as cephalgia.
Common Misspellings: headached
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