Cause of headachesAlthough medical science cannot pinpoint the exact cause of headaches in a patient, some of the most common causes are related to everyday stress. Headaches are broken down in the medical community into a few categories that assist in diagnosis. A primary headache occurs to millions on a daily basis. Primary headaches are what the majority of headaches can be diagnosed as, and are almost never life threatening. Despite this frequency of occurrence and a lack of life threatening danger, the primary headache can be very uncomfortable. Cluster headaches are a far more serious form of headache that although not life threatening, can cause debilitating pain. Secondary headaches are caused by a structural or chemical problem in the brain. Most primary headaches are related to tension. The muscles that surround the skull sometimes contract, putting too much pressure on the head. This can be a significant source of pain. Although the reasons behind the contraction of cranial muscles are unknown, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress. Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache. Prolonged physical stress, such as extended manual labor, is also known to cause tension headaches. Cluster headaches are a far rare occurrence, and usually only afflict a tiny segment of the population. Patients typically see cluster headaches only in small time frames, thus the name “cluster” headache. This grouping pattern makes treatment difficult. When a cluster headache occurs, it can be accompanied by severe pain that focuses behind the eyes. Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches. Treatment should be undertaken as soon as possible to bring the pain under control. Secondary headaches usually represent a more serious issue. This occurs on a far rarer basis than primary headaches. A secondary headache can be indicative of internal bleeding in the brain, a tumor, or a malfunction of the brain. Headaches that occur on a chronic basis should be cause for a check with the doctor. Secondary headaches can be quite painful, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensory phenomenon. |
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