Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news
Headache
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A headache is a painful sensation in the muscles, the skin, or one of the organs in the head or near the brain.
What is going on in the body?
Causes of headaches commonly fall into four categories:
There are no nerve endings in the brain itself. Therefore, a headache is a painful sensation in the muscles, the skin, or one of the organs in the head or near the brain. The pain can be confined to a small area or it can cover the entire head.
Some headaches are preceded by auras, which are sensations that things are not quite right. These auras can involve unusual sounds, smells or visions.
Most headaches are benign, which means they are self-limited and not likely to be serious. However, some headaches are serious and require extensive evaluation.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Headaches have a wide variety of causes.
Vascular headaches include:
Tension headaches are caused by stress or by abnormalities in the neck, muscles, or bones. They can also be caused by conversion disorders, which are psychological problems that cause symptoms similar to those accompanying an actual physical condition.
Inflammatory headaches are caused by:
Cranial neuralgias involve severe pains in or about the face or scalp, and are caused by abnormalities of the trigeminal or glossopharyngeal nerves. The trigeminal nerve controls sensation in the face, cheek, and jaw. The glossopharyngeal nerve controls the throat and vocal cords.