A headache is a term used to describe aching or pain that occurs in the head, face, mouth, or neck. It is one of the most common symptoms experienced in today's society. In fact, up to 40 percent of people worldwide are thought to endure at least one severe attack per year. It is also thought that 90 percent of men and 95 percent of women have experienced at least one of them during their lifetimes.
They are such a common complaint that they can almost be considered a normal part of living. It does not matter if you are a child or are pregnant -- or whether you live in the country or the city. You have most likely experienced head pain.
What hurts when you have a headache? The bones of the skull and tissues of the brain itself never hurt because they lack pain-sensitive nerve fibers. Several areas of the head can hurt, including a network of nerves that extends over the scalp and certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat. Also sensitive to pain (because they contain delicate nerve fibers) are the muscles of the head and blood vessels found along the surface of the brain, as well as at the base of the brain.
The ends of these pain-sensitive nerves, called nociceptors, can be stimulated by stress, muscular tension, dilated blood vessels, and other triggers of headaches. Once stimulated, a nociceptor sends a message up the length of the nerve fiber to the nerve cells in the brain, signaling that a part of the body hurts. The message is determined by the location of the nociceptor. A person who suddenly realizes, "My toe hurts" is responding to nociceptors in the foot that have been stimulated by the stubbing of a toe.
A number of chemicals help transmit pain-related information to the brain. Some of these chemicals are natural, painkilling proteins called endorphins (Greek for "the morphine within"). One theory suggests that people who suffer from severe head pain and other types of chronic pain have lower levels of endorphins than people who are generally pain-free.
There are many different types of head pain. In fact, 150 diagnostic headache categories have been established. Sometimes healthcare providers will separate these types into primary or secondary headaches. Below is a list of the most common types of headaches.
Tension headaches: Also called chronic daily headaches or chronic non-progressive headaches, tension headaches are the most common type of headaches among adults and adolescents. These muscle contraction headaches cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over a prolonged period of time.
Migraines: The exact causes of migraines are unknown, although they are related to blood vessel contractions and other changes in the brain as well as inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain. Migraine pain is moderate to severe, often described as pounding, throbbing pain. They can last from four hours to three days and usually occur one to four times per month. Migraines are associated with symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, or odors; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain. When a child is having a migraine they often look pale, feel dizzy, have blurred vision, fever, stomach upset, in addition to having the above listed symptoms.
A small percentage of pediatric migraines include recurrent (cyclic) gastrointestinal symptoms, in which vomiting is most common. Cyclic vomiting means that the symptoms occur on a regular basis -- about once a month. These types of migraines are sometimes called abdominal migraines.
Mixed headache syndrome: Also called transformed migraines, this is a combination of migraine and tension headaches. Both adults and children experience this type of headache.
Cluster headaches: The least common -- although the most severe -- type of primary headache, the pain of a cluster headache is intense and may be described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant. The pain is so severe that most cluster headache sufferers cannot sit still and will often pace during an attack. The pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides. The term "cluster headache" refers to headaches that have a characteristic grouping of attacks. Cluster headaches occur one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may last two weeks to three months. The headaches may disappear completely (go into "remission") for months or years, only to recur.
Sinus headaches: Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining and usually occurs with other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and facial swelling.
Acute headaches: Seen in children, these are headaches that occur suddenly and for the first time and have symptoms that subside after a relatively short period of time. Acute headaches most commonly result in a visit to the pediatrician's office and/or the emergency room. If there are no neurological signs or symptoms, the most common cause for acute headaches in children and adolescents is a respiratory or sinus infection.
Hormone headaches: Headaches in women are often associated with changing hormone levels that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Headaches occur when pain-sensitive areas inside or outside of the head or neck are affected by inflammation, movement, spasms, or a variety of other situations. Because there are so many pain-sensitive areas, there are many conditions that can cause headaches. An injury to the neck, a stroke, and high blood pressure are common causes, among other things.
Because there are so many pain-sensitive areas in the head and neck, there are many conditions that can cause headaches. To help separate these causes, healthcare providers will often categorize headaches into one of three different categories:
Acute headaches, which are headaches that are new in onset or clearly different from any that have been experienced before
Subacute headaches, which occur over a period of weeks to months
Chronic headaches, which are headaches that have occurred for years.
There are many different causes of acute headaches. In some cases, an acute headache may signify something serious. In other cases, they may occur with less serious conditions, like a viral infection or fever.
Some possible causes of these headaches include:
Subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding into the space just outside of the brain
A stroke
A transient ischemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke")
Retinal artery embolism
Carotid artery endarterectomy
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Seizures (which can lead to postictal headaches)
A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) or spinal anesthesia (which can lead to spinal headaches)
A concussion or other head injury (which can lead to postconcussion headaches)
A sudden rise in blood pressure, such as with malignant hypertension or pheochromocytoma
Intercourse (which can lead to coital headaches)
Acute iritis
Glaucoma
Certain infections, such as ear infections, strep throat, sinus infections (which can lead to sinus headaches), Lyme disease, or the flu.
Many different things also can cause subacute headaches, which occur over a period of weeks to months. These headaches may signify something serious, especially if the pain worsens over the months or if it occurs in the elderly.
Some possible causes include:
Temporal arteritis (also known as giant cell arteritis)
A brain tumor
A brain abscess, which is a pocket of pus inside the brain
Bleeding inside of the brain, such as with a subdural hematoma
Trigeminal neuralgia
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Pseudotumor cerebri, a condition in which pressure builds up inside of the brain because of an increase in fluid
Certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), systemic lupus erythematosus, or HIV/AIDS.
Chronic headaches are often experienced for years. While each attack may be quite disabling, these types of headaches are not usually caused by a serious condition. The most common cause of chronic headaches is tension headaches (also known as tension-type headaches or stress headaches). Some other causes include:
Migraine headaches
Cluster headaches
Injury to the upper neck
Arthritis in the neck
Sinus infections (sinusitis)
Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions (TJDs)
Infected tooth extraction sites.
The most common symptom of headaches is head pain. This pain can vary significantly depending on the cause of the headache. Other common headache symptoms can include sensitivity to light or sounds, nausea, and a temporary loss of consciousness. In many cases, headaches are not serious. However, be sure to notify your healthcare provider if you have things such as headaches lasting for several hours; vomiting or vision problems along with your headaches; or headaches that disrupt your home, work, or school life.
A headache is one of the most common symptoms experienced in today's society. In fact, up to 40 percent of people worldwide are thought to have at least one severe headache per year. Headaches are such a common complaint that they can almost be considered a normal part of living. Fortunately, most headaches are not a sign of anything serious.
A headache is a not an illness; it is a symptom, similar to the way that a fever is a symptom. Depending on the cause of the headache (see Causes of Headaches or Types of Headaches above), other symptoms may or may not accompany it.
Obviously, the most common complaint with headaches is head pain. Characteristics of head pain can vary significantly based on the cause of the head pain. Some words used to describe head pain include pulsatile, throbbing, pressing, dull, and sharp. The pain may be mild, moderate, or severe in nature. It may also occur on one or both sides of the head.
Headaches also differ in:
How long they take to peak from when they first occur
How often they occur and how long they last
When they occur (season, month, menstrual cycle, week, hour of day).
Headaches may be accompanied by a number of other symptoms. These signs and symptoms can help your healthcare provider diagnose the cause of the headaches. Besides head pain, a number of other symptoms may also be present with headaches, including:
Sensitivity to light, sound, and odors
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Visual disturbances
A fever, chills, aching, or sweats
Weight loss
Shortness of breath
Nasal congestion
Drooping eyelids
Watery and teary eyes
Muscle aches or muscle pain
Temporary loss of consciousness
An increased heart rate
An increased breathing rate.
Although they are usually not harmful, headaches can signal a more serious problem.
You should see the healthcare provider if any of the following is true:
You have several headaches per month and each lasts for several hours or days
Your headaches disrupt your home, work, or school life
You have nausea, vomiting, vision problems, or other sensory problems before or during your headache
You have headaches along with a fever, weight loss, or shortness of breath.
If your child has recurring headaches, he or she should also see a healthcare provider.
You should also talk with your healthcare provider immediately if any of the following is true:
Your headache is new or is different in its location or severity
It is your "worst headache ever"
Confusion or trouble understanding speech
Fainting
High fever, greater than 102 F to 104 F (39 C to 40 C)
Numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of your body
Stiff neck
Trouble seeing
Trouble speaking
Trouble walking
Nausea or vomiting
You experience a "thunderclap" headache, which has a peak intensity within seconds to minutes
You have sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, hands, or legs (especially if it is only on one side), or other possible transient ischemic stroke (TIA) or stroke symptoms.
Avoid MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) may bring out all those subtle and spicy flavors in wonton soup, but if you're one of the many people who are sensitive to this flavor enhancer, it might also bring on a whopping headache. Like other headache triggers, MSG launches its attack by dilating blood vessels and exciting nerves in the brain. If you get headaches and other symptoms from MSG, make sure it's left out when you order Chinese food. Many packaged products are also loaded with it, so read labels carefully for additives with names such as hydrolyzed protein, glutamate, and caseinate, all MSG in disguise.
Fish Oil
A small study at the University of Cincinnati found that taking fish-oil capsules reduced the frequency and severity of migraines, compared with taking a placebo. While preliminary, these findings add to the mounting evidence of benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids in fish. You could also eat the equivalent of 2 ounces of fatty fish daily to reap similar headache-reducing benefits as those in the study.
Warm Footbaths
This soothing, therapeutic bath of hot water and a few teaspoons of mustard powder (used in cooking; available at grocery stores) may help you herd away a headache. The hot water causes your body to redistribute blood from one concentrated area—your throbbing head—and get it flowing all over. At the same time, mustard powder's essential oils stimulate the skin, diverting your attention from the headache.
Acupuncture Treatment
A typical acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into acupuncture points on the body followed by gentle manipulation of the needles. This instantly increases blood flow in the tissues through a mechanism know as the "axon reflex", which dilates the small vessels around the needle area. An increase in circulation where blood flow is poor is called removal of "stagnation" in Asian medicine and is generally considered a very good response for most chronic conditions and for migraine prevention.
Ginger
This fragrant herb inhibits a substance called thromboxane A2, which prevents the release of substances that make blood vessels dilate. In other words, it can help keep blood flowing on an even keel, which is essential in migraine headache prevention. Grate fresh ginger into juice, nosh on Japanese pickled ginger, use fresh or powdered ginger when you cook, or nibble on a piece or two of crystallized ginger candy daily.
Pencil
When you're stressed or anxious, you subconsciously clench your jaw and teeth; this strains the muscle that connects your jaw to your temples and can trigger a tension headache. A solution: Put a pencil between your teeth but don't bite. You automatically relax your jaw muscle to do this, which can prevent the pain.
Stand Up Straight
Poor posture creates muscle tension that puts pressure on the nerves that cause headaches. For people who work at computers, a posture problem called head forward posture can develop. Every inch that your head moves forward feels like an extra 10 pounds to the muscles in your upper back and neck, keeping them in constant contraction. Try this technique to correct head forward posture: Align your eyes on top of your shoulders. When you do this you will automatically straighten up.
Watch Caffeine Intake
If you drink too much caffeine on a daily basis—three or more cups of coffee or large amounts of soda—your caffeine intake can cause or worsen your headaches. Moreover, suddenly stopping your caffeine will surely bring on a headache. But if you're not a regular caffeine consumer, one cup can go a long way toward providing headache relief by constricting the dilated blood vessels around your temples. It also increases the efficacy of pain medications, which is why it is found in most headache medicines.
Magnesium
Try relaxing magnesium (200 to 400 mg) to reduce the muscle tension and spasms that can cause your noggin to throb. But not any type will do. Make sure the supplement contains at least 200 mg of active elemental magnesium. Because magnesium is more preventive than curative, the treatment works best on, say, premenstrual headaches because you can predict when they're coming and take a dose a day in advance. Those with kidney problems should consult a health care practitioner before taking magnesium.
In most cases, relieving a headache begins with medication -- either over-the-counter medicine or medicine available by prescription. Unfortunately, there is no universal headache treatment that works for everyone. Treatment options will vary depending on the frequency and severity of the headache symptoms, the cause of the headaches, and other medical conditions a person may have. In some cases, people may want to try alternative or complementary methods for treating their headaches.
When you first notice the pain of a headache beginning, headache specialists often recommend one of the following:
Applying ice to your head, but making sure not to put the ice directly on your head. You can wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel.
Applying heat to the back of the neck. Heat can loosen up the muscles that tighten with tension headaches. Try a hot shower, bath, or heating pad.
Lying down in a dark room.
You may also find relief from home remedies that have been passed down through the generations. There are no studies to show whether or not these remedies work, but there is little harm in trying them. Some home remedies for headaches include:
Drinking one or two cups of peppermint tea.
Slicing peeled cucumbers and putting them on your forehead.
Blanching five to seven rosemary leaves in a cup of boiling water. Add some honey, wait three minutes, and drink.
Pouring one cup of boiling water on 1 to 2 teaspoons of marjoram. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and drink.
There are also a number of herbs that can help relieve headaches naturally. Two of these herbs are peppermint and feverfew. Peppermint is a flowering plant that grows in North America and Europe. Studies have looked at whether applying diluted peppermint oil to the forehead and temples can be effective at treating tension headaches. To date, no studies have shown a clear benefit.
Feverfew has been used for centuries for fevers, headaches, stomachaches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and labor during childbirth. More recently, it has been recommended for the prevention of migraine headaches.
Previous research studies involving feverfew and migraines have shown mixed results. Some research suggests that feverfew may be helpful in preventing migraine headaches in people who experience chronic migraines. Other studies, however, have shown no benefit. Side effects of feverfew for migraines can include canker sores, nausea, and bloating.
For many people, lifestyle changes can be quite effective at reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. Some of these lifestyle changes include:
Getting regular physical activity
Eating a healthy diet
Practicing relaxation techniques, such as prayer or meditation
Getting adequate amounts of sleep
Quitting smoking (if you smoke)
Limiting alcohol intake.
Part of the reason these changes can be effective with headaches is that stress and anxiety are two of the most common contributors to headaches.
Physical Activity
Exercise has been shown to decrease stress and help with headaches. When many people hear the words "exercise" or "physical activity," they think this means they have to do strenuous exercises every day. However, that's not true; all you need is 30 minutes of moderate-level exercise on most days of the week. If you already engage in 30 minutes of moderate-level exercise a day, you can get added benefits by doing more or choosing a more vigorous activity.
Brisk walking, bicycling, and gardening are examples of moderate-level physical activity. You can even divide the 30 minutes into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each. For instance:
Use stairs instead of an elevator
Get off a bus one or two stops early
Park your car at the far end of the lot at work.
There are a couple of important things to keep in mind about physical activity and headaches. First, you should not exercise when you have a headache. Also, if your headaches get worse with exercise, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider.
Healthy Diet
Diet is also an important factor in dealing with stress and headaches. A healthy diet can make you feel better and decrease stress levels. As part of a heart-healthy diet, try the following:
Eat heart-healthy foods, such as:
Lots of fruits, vegetables, grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
Limit foods with saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars
Limit your intake of alcohol.
Relaxation Techniques
If stress is a major factor in your life, something as simple as spending a small amount of time relaxing every day, even at work, may help you manage stress better. Prayer, meditation, making time to relax, or doing the things you enjoy can also be helpful.
You can reduce physical tension through any of the following techniques:
Count to 10. This makes you stop and relax before you react to the stressful situation.
Take deep breaths. This makes you breathe slower and helps your muscles relax.
Think positive. Remember the things that are good in your life.
Take a good stretch. Stretching makes muscles relax and helps you feel less tense.
Take hot baths or showers to help you relax.
Massage tense muscles. The muscles in the back of your neck and upper back usually get tense when you are stressed.
Listen to good music.
Talk with your family and friends about your feelings. It is important for them to know how you feel so they can help you.
Good relationships count, too. Developing strong relationships can help to improve stress levels.
Adequate Sleep
A lack of sleep is a known headache trigger in some people. Also, getting adequate sleep can help decrease stress. In general, it is recommended that people with headaches try to maintain a regular sleep schedule every day.
Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. While this may not seem possible, here are some things that may help:
Trying to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning.
Trying not to take naps during the day, because naps may make you less sleepy at night.
Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and can keep you from falling asleep. Alcohol can cause you to wake up in the night. It also interferes with sleep quality.
Getting regular exercise. Try not to exercise close to bedtime, because it may stimulate you and make it hard to fall asleep. Experts suggest not exercising within three hours before going to bed.
Avoiding heavy meals late in the day. A light snack before bedtime may help you sleep.
Making your sleeping place comfortable. Be sure that it is dark, quiet, and not too warm or too cold. If light is a problem, try a sleeping mask. If noise is a problem, try earplugs, a fan, or a "white noise" machine to cover up the sounds.
Following a routine to help you relax and wind down before sleep, such as reading a book, listening to music, or taking a bath.
Getting up from bed and reading (or doing something that is not overly stimulating) if you can't fall asleep and don't feel drowsy. Return to bed when you feel sleepy.
Making a to-do list before you go to bed if you find that you tend to lie awake worrying about things. This may help you to "let go" of those worries overnight.
Seeing your healthcare provider if you think that you have insomnia or another sleep disorder.