MedicineNet

home > migraine center > migraine a-z list > headache index > headache article

Picture: Headache is defined as pain in the head that is located above the eyes or the ears, behind the head, or in the back of the upper neck.
Headache

Headache

Medical Author:
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

View Full Profile
Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

View Full Profile

Headache facts

  • The head is one of the most common sites of pain in the body.
  • The most common types of headache can be classified as 1) primary, 2) secondary, and 3) cranial neuralgias, facial pain, and other headaches.
  • The most common types of primary headaches are 1) tension, 2) migraine, and 3) cluster.
  • Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache and usually are treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications for pain.
  • Secondary headaches are a symptom of an injury or an underlying illness.
  • Patients should seek medical care for new onset headaches, fever, stiff neck, change in behavior, vomiting, weakness, or change in sensation.

What is a headache?

Headache is defined as a pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. The pain originates from the tissues and structures that surround the brain because the brain itself has no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain (pain fibers). The periosteum that surrounds bones; muscles that encase the skull, sinuses, eyes, and ears; and meninges that cover the surface of the brain and spinal cord, arteries, veins, and nerves, all can become inflamed or irritated to cause the pain of a headache. This pain may be a dull ache, sharp, throbbing, constant, mild, or intense.

Reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD on 5/16/2013


Patient Comments

Viewers share their comments

Headache - Causes Question: What causes your headaches?
Headache - Nausea Question: Do you have nausea associated with your headaches?
Headache - Effective Treatments Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your headache?
Headache - Symptoms Question: What symptoms do you experience with your headaches?
Headache - Remedies Question: What is your best headache remedy?
Learn questions to ask your doctor about headaches, and find out when to call the doctor about a headache.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Headaches

Medical Author: Dennis Lee, MD
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Headache is defined as pain in the head that is located above the eyes or the ears, behind the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck. Headache, like chest pain or dizziness, has many causes. There are two types of headaches: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not associated with (caused by) other diseases. Examples of primary headaches are migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by associated diseases such as brain tumors, strokes, meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhages, caffeine withdrawal, or discontinuation of analgesics. In rare occasions, headaches may signal heart attacks.

Establishing the diagnosis of the headache, arriving at effective treatment(s) for the headache, and taking measures to prevent or reduce headache episodes will require cooperation between you and your doctor. Following are suggestions on how to work with your doctor in diagnosing and managing your headaches.

How Can I Help My Doctor?

Pay attention to your symptom(s) so you can describe your condition as accurately as possible:

  1. What are your headache location, duration, severity (worst ever headache?), and character (dull, sharp, throbbing, etc.)?
  2. What brings them on (for example, certain foods, stress, bright light, fasting, or sleep disturbances)?

Read more questions to ask your doctor about headaches »
Print
MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on Headache by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    114 articles
    • MRSA
      • MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms: cellulitis, abscesses, carbuncles,
    • Lyme Disease
      • Lyme disease is a bacterial illness, which is spread by ticks when they bite the skin. Initially the disease affects the skin causing a reddish rash associated
    • Hypothyroidism
      • Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the
    • Sinus Infection
      • Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally
    • High Blood Pressure
      • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140
    • Ticks
      • Ticks are known transmitters of disease to humans and animals. Tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, tularemia,
    • Edema
      • Edema is the swelling of tissues as a result of excess water accumulations. Peripheral edema occurs in the feet and legs. There are two types of edema,
    • Menstrual Cramps
      • Menstrual cramps (pain in the belly and pelvic area) are experienced by women as a result of menses. Menstrual cramps are not the same as premenstrual
    • Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
      • An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages,
    • Pneumonia
      • Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial,
    • Dehydration
      • Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and
    • Stroke
      • A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident.
    • Anxiety
      • Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately
    • Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip
      • Allergic rhinitis symptoms include an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears, eyes, and throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is
    • Fibromyalgia
      • Fibromyalgia, formerly known as fibrositis, causes chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints without detectable inflammation.
    • Dengue Fever
      • Dengue fever is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms of dengue include headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint
    • Migraine
      • Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity
    • Brain Tumor
      • A brain tumor can be either benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), primary, or secondary. Causes and risk factors include age, gender, family
    • Coxsackie Virus
      • Coxsackie viruses may be divided into two groups. Type A causes hand, foot, and mouth disease and conjunctivitis, while type B causes pleurodynia. Both
    • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
      • Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint(s) that causes signs and symptoms including ear pain, bite problems,
    • Stress
      • Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There
    • Neck Pain
      • Neck pain (cervical pain) may be caused by any number of disorders and diseases. Tenderness is another symptom of neck pain. Though treatment for neck
    • Am I Pregnant? 12 Early Pregnancy Symptoms (Week by Week)
      • Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman. There are some symptoms that are more frequent in some women. These symptoms include a missed period, nausea,
    • Alcoholism
      • Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting
    • Measles
      • Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious disease that's caused by a virus. Symptoms include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Treatment
    • Tension Headache
      • A tension headache is a headache previously thought to be caused by contraction of the muscles in the back of the neck, on the scalp, and sometimes in
    • Seizure (Epilepsy)
      • Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are many causes of epilepsy.
    • Glaucoma
      • Glaucoma is a common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eye rises because of slowed fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, glaucoma
    • Aneurysm (Brain)
      • Brain aneurysm (cerebral aneurysm) is caused by microscopic damage to artery walls, infections of the artery walls, tumors, trauma, drug abuse. Symptoms
    • See All Related Diseases & Conditions »

  • Medications

    29 articles

  • Procedures & Tests

    14 articles

  • Pictures, Images & Quizzes

    14 articles

  • Doctor's & Expert's Views

    35 articles

  • Health News

    205 articles

  • Health Features

    16 articles
Privacy Policy

Living Better

Find the secrets to longer life.

Please acknowledge your agreement

Symptom Checker: Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain

From WebMD

Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Headache

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection »

"Upper respiratory infection facts

  • Upper respiratory infections are one of the most common reasons of doctor visits.
  • Upper respiratory infections are the most common illness resulting in missed work or school. /l"...

Read the Upper Respiratory Tract Infection article »

Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!