Pain occurring in the head is known as a headache. Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints.

People may experience pain in the nerves extending over the scalp and specific nerves located in the face, mouth and throat. The muscles of the head and the blood vessels located on the surface and base of the brain may also become painful.

Although the cause of many headaches is unclear, researchers have identified a number of causes and potential causes, including contractions of muscles and dilation of blood vessels. In addition to pain, headaches may be accompanied by a number of other signs and symptoms including nausea, vomiting, runny nose, fatigue and sensitivity to light or sound.

The International Headache Society lists more than 150 types of headache. The majority can be classified as either primary (not caused by an underlying condition) or secondary (caused by other factors such as injury or infection).  Tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches are among the most common types of primary headache.

The many other causes of head pain include cranial neuralgias, occipital neuralgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, encephalitis, meningitis, Lyme disease, temporal arteritis, TMJ disorder and whiplash. 

Headaches are often reactions to certain factors. Common triggers include dietary factors, hormonal changes, sensory stimulus, emotions and uncorrected farsighted or nearsighted vision.

In most cases, headaches do not require medical attention. Serious or recurring headaches should be discussed with a physician. To determine the type of headache being experienced, a physician will take a patient’s medical history and perform a physical examination. Diagnostic tests such as MRI or CAT scan may be ordered to help identify the cause of the headache or rule out a serious underlying cause.

After the source of the head pain is determined, the physician may recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe headache medications or recommend other treatments, such as biofeedback, cold therapy or physical therapy.

Most headaches are not caused by life-threatening disorders. In rare cases, however, they can indicate a serious underlying condition such as a stroke, brain tumor or aneurysm. Patients should seek emergency medical treatment when headaches are accompanied by unusual symptoms not experienced during previous headaches, such as speech problems, vision abnormalities or numbness, or if they have “the worst headache of their life.”