Causes Of Headache
February 28th, 2010 | by zoe |Headaches are a very common type of condition where pain occurs in areas of the head such as above the eyes or the ears and behind the head or upper neck. In addition, headaches are usually not taken as a sickness, but rather a symptom of another sickness. Causes for headaches are many and these causes could vary from one person to the other. Moreover, as in certain cases the treatment is difficult, it is important to rightly diagnose the cause of headache.
Categorizing the headache is the first step that should be taken before attempting to treat the condition. There are several methods to classify headaches although the most renowned method was introduced by the International Headache Society. According to this classification method, there are three major types of headaches and each type has different causes of headaches.
Primary cause of headaches are one of the chief kinds of headaches and can be further classified as tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. The major culprit in the case of tension headaches tend to be either physical or mental stress. It is believed that almost 90% of all adults would experience tension headaches during their lifetimes. Compared to men women appear to be more prone to experience tension headaches. Migraine headaches are also a frequent kind of headache with nearly 12% of the US population (approximately 28 million people) experiences this form of headache. Cluster headaches which affects only 0.1% of the people are somewhat uncommon though both these types tend to be experienced fairly frequently by most people. The precise reason of headache in both migraine related and cluster headaches has not yet been identified. However, none of the above three headaches are life threatening.
Although the cause of headache in primary headaches might not be life threatening, secondary headaches might indicate a far more dangerous situation. Secondary headaches normally occur due to underlying diseases such as brain tumors, meningitis, encephalitis and stroke. Therefore, it is imperative that one seeks medical attention when one shows headache associated symptoms like seizures, continuing nausea and vomiting, and vision, speech and behavior changes. There is also another type of headaches called Cranial neuralgia where the cause of headache is inflamed nerves in the head and the neck. In addition to this, facial pains and other various headaches are also included.
It should be remembered that although many headaches may be temporary relieved by painkilling drugs such as paracetamol and asprin, it is vital to seek medical attention if the headache persists heavily. Additionally, the painkilling drugs including paracetamol should be used in the recommended quantities as an overdose may result in adverse consequences like heavy liver damage which would at times prove to be fatal.