A headache is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. The most common types of headache are the “primary headache disorders,” which include migraines and tension-type headache and these are typically benign.
Cause
Headaches can symptoms of numerous conditions of the head, neck or more systemic disorders. It can be due to stress, fatigue, dehydration, medications, viruses and infections, blood pressure changes. “Secondary” headaches can be due to a structural issue in the brain, such as bleeding, mass, swelling, anuerysms, vasculitic disorders.
Symptoms
Headache pain can be sharp, stabbing, shooting, throbbing, diffuse across the head, unilateral. The specific symptoms often depend on the underlying cause for headache.
Procedure
Procedures that can be utilized for headaches depend on the underlying cause. For instance, if a headache is secondary to stress and muscle spasm, trigger point injections can be beneficial. Botox has been approved for chronic migraines. Prior to any treatment, it is crucial to rule out potential serious causes of headache.