Headache (cont.)
What are cranial neuralgias, facial pain, and other headaches?
Neuralgia means nerve pain (neur= nerve + algia=pain). Cranial neuralgia
describes a group of headaches that occur because the nerves in the head and
upper neck become inflamed and are the source of the head pain.
Facial pain and
a variety of other causes for headache are included in this category.
What causes tension headaches?
While tension headaches are the most frequently occurring type of headache,
their cause is not known. The most likely cause is contraction of the muscles
that cover the skull. When the muscles covering the skull are stressed, they may
spasm and cause pain. Common sites include the base of the skull where the
trapezius muscles of the neck inserts, the temple where muscles that assist the
jaw to move are located, and the forehead.
There is little research to confirm the exact cause of tension headaches.
Tension headaches occur because of physical or emotional stress placed on the
body. Physical stress that may cause tension headaches include difficult and
prolonged manual labor, or sitting at a desk or computer for long periods of
time Emotional stress may also cause tension headaches by causing the muscles
surrounding the skull to contract.
What are the symptoms of tension headaches?
The symptoms of tension headache are:
- A pain that begins in the back of the head and upper neck as a
band-like tightness or pressure.
- Described as a band
of pressure encircling the head with the most intense pain over the eyebrows.
- The pain is usually mild (not disabling) and bilateral
(affecting both sides of the head).
- Not associated with an
aura (see below) and are not associated with
nausea,
vomiting, or sensitivity to
light and sound.
- Usually occur sporadically (infrequently and
without a pattern) but can occur frequently and even daily in some people.
- Most
people are able to function despite their tension headaches.
Next: How are tension headaches diagnosed? »
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