Headaches
The affliction of a headache is no stranger to most of us, even outside the context of 'not tonight, dear' - Michelle Willens

image by: Quinn Dombrowski
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Health Check: what causes headaches?
We all get headaches from time to time. In fact, nearly every second person in the world had a headache at least once in the past year. But these can feel very different, depending on which of the nearly 200 types of headache you have.
More than half (52%) of people will have a tension-type headache at some point in their life, around 18% will get a migraine and 4% will suffer from chronic daily headaches. These are the most common headache-related diagnoses. Although there are some variations globally, the figures seem remarkably consistent across populations.
Secondary headaches can be initiated by triggering factors such as medication overuse, medication side effects,…
Resources
How to Tell the Difference Between a Bad Headache and a Brain Tumor
“Headache is not a common feature of a brain tumor,” says Martin Allen Samuels, director of the program in interdisciplinary neuroscience at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “That’s the most common misconception. Brain tumors produce neurological deficits such as changes in cognitive function, thinking abilities, language mistakes, changes in behavior. Actually, a headache is a very minor feature of brain tumors.”
Is my headache actually eye strain?
You’ve got a headache for the third time this week, and the culprit could be anything: stress, a migraine, a burgeoning cold, or any of a hundred other things you’ve found on WebMD. But what if the pain is just coming from eye strain?
Complete Guide to Headaches
The two main kinds of common headaches are tension-type headaches and migraines. Almost half of the population has experience with tension headaches, and one in ten get migraines, and more women — making headaches one of the top 10 most disabling conditions, and the top 5 for women. That’s a lot of aching heads.
Is Red Wine Really the Cause of That Headache?
Our wine columnist talked to experts in the fields of headache medicine and enology in search of strategies for avoiding the dreaded RWH (Red Wine Headache)
Get headaches? Here’s five things to eat or avoid
Headaches are really common, so here are five things the research evidence indicates are worth trying to help manage or avoid them.
Botox for Migraine and Tension Headaches
Since the 1990s, there have been increasing literature that documents the efficacy of Botox for the treatment of pain states including migraine and tension type headaches.
Case of the Daily Headache
Tension headaches are the most common kind of headache, affecting about 40% of people in a given year. Yet they're also the most neglected by medical science and the least understood.
Causes Of Headaches Largely A Mystery, According To Expert
Unless your head is made of fairy floss or you're very, very lucky, chances are you know what it's like to be struck down with a killer headache. And while there are many proposed reasons as to why headaches occur -- eyesight problems, muscular tension or dehydration are all worthy examples -- the common headache is actually far more mysterious than it might first appear.
Cephalgiaphobia: When the Fear of Headaches Causes Headaches
Cephalgiaphobia is the fear of having another headache. It can occur when the patient is pain-free, but is afraid that the next headache is just around the corner. When in such a state, they often preemptively use an analgesic to try and prevent another headache, whether or not it will actually help.
Curious Kids: what is a headache? Is it our brain hurting?
The brain itself can’t sense injury, but do you know what can? The muscles and membranes that surround the brain, and the veins and arteries that run through the brain. These near-brain but not-brain things can experience things like irritation, inflammation or dehydration. If they do, your brain will interpret this information as pain that is happening inside your head, and so you experience a headache. This irritation, inflammation or dehydration could occur because you are getting sick, or have banged your head, or spent a hot day in the sun without drinking enough water.
Headache Causes: 7 Uncommon Reasons Your Head Hurts
How's your head? Most people will get a tension headache at one time or another. It’s by far the most common type, and stress is a major trigger, says Tesha Monteith, MD, a board-certified neurologist and assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. But tension headaches are not the only game in town and stress is far from the only trigger.
How to get rid of your headache or migraine in just TWO minutes using this very unusual method
Thousands of people said the advice from YouTuber Kamil really worked, with one awe-struck admirer calling him a "wizard".
How to Treat a Headache Without Drugs
If you find yourself taking headache medication more often than you'd like, try these drug-free approaches next time a headache looms.
Ocular and visual migraines: What's the difference?
The term "migraine" usually brings to mind a severe type of headache. But visual disturbances with or without headache pain also can accompany migraine processes thought to be related to changes in blood flow in the brain.
There's A Biological Reason Why Women Get More Headaches Than Men
Throughout their lives, women are more likely than men to experience headaches. In particular, women are three times as likely as men to experience migraines, those nasty debilitating headaches that typically occur on one-side of the head and increase light and noise sensitivity, according to the U.S. National Medical Library.
What a Headache! Why Modern Life Hurts So Much
If you've ever responded to a work snafu or traffic snarl with the words, "What a headache!" you may have been speaking more literally than you realized. Stressful situations and aching heads go hand-in-hand in our lexicon — and in real life.
What causes headaches?
The most common types of chronic headaches are the migraine and tension-type varieties.
What Your Headache is Trying to Tell You
The difference between migraines, cluster, and tension headaches—plus when to see a doctor.
When Should You See A Doctor About Your Headache?
Seek out medical attention immediately if your headache is extremely painful and if it comes on suddenly and severely, which may be a sign of an aneurysm.
When to Worry About Headaches
What are the symptoms that should make you worry? •Sudden onset of a severe headache, especially one that awakens you from sleep •Onset of regular headaches starting after age 50 •Severe headache in the morning that is accompanied by vomiting...
Wine Headache? Chances Are It’s Not the Sulfites
Since the government insisted that wine labels include a “Contains Sulfites” warning, folks have been blaming the compound for their wine headaches. Very likely, finds Lettie Teague, the cause is something else.
Health Check: what causes headaches?
We all get headaches from time to time. In fact, nearly every second person in the world had a headache at least once in the past year. But these can feel very different, depending on which of the nearly 200 types of headache you have. More than half (52%) of people will have a tension-type headache at some point in their life, around 18% will get a migraine and 4% will suffer from chronic daily headaches. These are the most common headache-related diagnoses. Although there are some variations globally, the figures seem remarkably consistent across populations.
10 Of The Best Yoga Poses For Headaches
When you feel a headache coming on, suddenly the only thing that matters is relieving that tension — and fast. But if you’re looking for a solution outside of a pill bottle, consider trying a yogic breathing exercise or a soothing spinal twist. With the ability to help relieve tension, boost circulation, and calm the mind, yoga can be a powerful natural remedy for headaches.
Headache and Migraine News
Thoughts and information about the latest news in the world of migraine, cluster headache and other headache treatment around the world.
Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy
The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy is comprised of nonprofit organizations who are vitally concerned about the health of patients with headache disorders including migraine disease, cluster headaches, chronic daily headache, new daily persistent headache, tension-type headaches. All headache disorders.
Doc's Cluster Headache Journal
Welcome to Doc's cluster headache journal. This is a place for Doc and Katy to keep a record of his cluster headache cycles and any issues related to that. It also will serve as a resource as Katy works on her documentary film project on cluster headaches.
iHeadache
Do you have recurring headaches? Have you tried numerous treatments to relieve your pain? Wouldn’t it help you to keep track of your headaches, disability, pain, medications taken & other notes as you have your headaches?
The Daily Headache
This blog is to share what I learn as I stumble along, trying to keep migraines and chronic daily headaches from ruling (or ruining) my life. From info about meds and triggers to getting out of bed and not blaming yourself -- and everything else headache sufferers should know but are in too much pain to ask. There's still hope!
American Migraine Foundation
The mission of the AMF is to support innovative research that will lead to improvement in the lives of those who suffer from migraine and other disorders.
European Headache Alliance
EHA aims to: •Promote awareness and understanding of migraine and other primary headache disorders •Improve access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment for people affected by a headache disorder
Headache Australia
Headache Australia is the only organization in Australia that aims to support the more than 5 million Australians affected by headache and migraine. Headache Australia is a division of the Brain Foundation.
International Headache Society
IHS is the world's leading membership organisation for all whose professional commitment, whatever their discipline, is to helping people whose lives are affected by headache disorders.
National Headache Foundation
Over the past 42 years, our mission at the National Headache Foundation has been to further awareness of headache and migraine as legitimate neurobiological diseases. Much has changed during this time, and with aid from advanced technology and clinical innovation, there are more treatment options than ever before. However, we understand that these diseases are still largely misunderstood and that finding the right treatment options for you requires nuanced and adaptable insight.

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