Headaches

Headaches are a common problem in todays society and in the computer era. Headaches have increased in frequency and many adults in the United States have at least one bad headache every month. In a survey of more than 1 million individuals in the general population, headaches were the most frequent current physical complaint among men and women. In a report of lifetime headache histories, 41% of men and 50% of women experienced severe headaches that rendered them unable to work.

For most people, headaches get better with rest and over-the-counter medications, however, for others, headaches occur so frequently or are so severe that they interfere with the normal activities of daily life.

Some people with frequent headaches fear that the pain signals the presence of some life threatening condition, although it is rare for headaches to be caused by serious medical illnesses. However, people who have headaches that are very severe and getting progressively worse or that are associated with fever, weight loss, fainting, confusion, or dizziness should be thoroughly evaluated by a medical doctor.

There are many types of headaches, but the three most common are migraine headaches, tension headaches and neck related headaches (cervicogenic).

The different types of headaches have symptoms in common and the table below indicates how to differentiate among them.