Headache

A headache, also known as cephalalgia, is the symptom of <a href="/facts/Pain/70E79oUn">pain</a> in the <a href="/facts/Face/I1PQ5YLY">face</a>, <a href="/facts/Head/cyGI6o4p">head</a>, or <a href="/facts/Neck/v69tnMYk">neck</a>. It can occur as a <a href="/facts/Migraine/5XaE1W25">migraine</a>, <a href="/facts/Tension-type_headache/Qa0K9IpX">tension-type headache</a>, or <a href="/facts/Cluster_headache/tVLfnLSl">cluster headache</a>. There is an increased risk of <a href="/facts/Depression_(mood)/GDNFWm1L">depression</a> in those with severe headaches.
Headaches can occur as a result of many conditions. There are a number of different classification systems for headaches. The most well-recognized is that of the <a href="/facts/International_Headache_Society/XTBs0Npq">International Headache Society</a>, which classifies it into more than 150 types of <a href="/facts/Primary_headache_disorder/3dn4DJK5">primary</a> and secondary headaches. Causes of headaches may include <a href="/facts/Dehydration/2RXJ8GGI">dehydration</a>; <a href="/facts/Fatigue/C2oo4Hvg">fatigue</a>; sleep deprivation; <a href="/facts/Stress_(biology)/H29jPp2B">stress</a>; the effects of medications (overuse) and recreational drugs, including withdrawal; viral infections; loud noises; head injury; rapid ingestion of a very cold food or beverage; and dental or sinus issues (such as <a href="/facts/Sinusitis/czg09cPT">sinusitis</a>).
Treatment of a headache depends on the underlying cause, but commonly involves <a href="/facts/Analgesic/xLj4XBcq">pain medication</a> (especially in case of migraine or cluster headaches). A headache is one of the most commonly experienced of all physical discomforts.
About half of adults have a headache in a given year. Tension headaches are the most common, affecting about 1.6 billion people (21.8% of the population) followed by migraine headaches which affect about 848 million (11.7%).

Headache open-in-new

Headache