Headache

Headache: A Comprehensive Look at the Most Common Symptom

Headache is probably the most common pain syndrome that virtually every person encounters during life. It can range from mild, occasional discomfort to exhausting, pulsating pain that disrupts daily activities. It is important to understand that a headache is not a disease but a symptom that can have hundreds of causes. The International Classification of Headache divides all its types into two large groups: primary and secondary.

Primary headache

These are independent disorders in which the pain is not a symptom of another disease. Their mechanism is related to dysfunction of pain centers in the brain, blood vessels, or nerves. This group includes:

• Tension-type headache: The most common type. Felt as a pressing, monotonous pain ("as if a band around the head"). Usually associated with stress, fatigue, neck muscle tension.
• Migraine: A complex neurological disorder characterized by intense, pulsating, often unilateral pain that may be accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia.
• Cluster headache: Rare but extremely severe, burning pain localized around the eye.

Secondary headache

This is pain that is a symptom of another disease or condition. Causes can be diverse:

• Infections: URIs, flu, sinusitis, meningitis. Pain caused by intoxication and inflammation.
• Head injuries.
• Vascular disturbances: Elevated or lowered blood pressure.
• Intake or withdrawal of certain substances: Caffeine, alcohol, some medications.
• Problems with the cervical spine.
• Dehydration.

Although most cases of headache are benign, there are "red flags" (sudden, "thunderclap" pain, accompanied by high fever and neck rigidity) that require immediate medical attention. Information about headache in children can be found on the page "Headache in Children".