Headaches occur as a result of many conditions. The causes of headaches may include dehydration, fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, the effects of medications, viral infections, loud noises, common colds, head injury, rapid ingestion of very cold food or beverage, and dental or sinus issues. Headache is the symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck. It can occur as a migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache.
Treatment of a headache depends on the underlying cause but commonly involves pain medication. A headache is one of the most frequently experienced of all physical discomforts.
About half of adults have a headache in a given year. Tension headaches are the most common, followed by migraine headaches.
There are more than 200 types of headaches. Some are harmless and some are life-threatening. Headaches are broadly classified as “primary” or “secondary”. Primary headaches are benign, recurrent headaches not caused by an underlying disease or structural problems. For example, a migraine is a type of primary headache. While primary headaches may cause significant daily pain and disability, they are not dangerous. Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying disease, like an infection, head injury, vascular disorders brain bleeding, or tumours. Secondary headaches can be harmless or dangerous.
Gastrointestinal may cause headaches. The treatment of gastrointestinal disorders may lead to remission or improvement of headaches.
For chronic, unexplained headaches, keeping a headache diary can help track symptoms and identify triggers.
Some measures can help prevent headaches in children. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding caffeine, getting enough and regular sleep, eating balanced meals at the proper times, and reducing stress and excess activities may prevent headaches.[