Headache

What is a headache?

Headaches involve mild to severe pain in one or more parts of the head as well as the back of the neck. There are many different types of headache patterns and a variety of causes.

While painful and annoying, the majority of headaches do not indicate a serious disorder and in non-chronic cases may be relieved by medicines and/or changes in lifestyle.

What causes headaches?

There is no single cause of headaches. A number of causes have been identified which fall into two general categories.

Tension headache

This type of headache results from contraction of head and neck muscles. It is the most common form of headache and accounts for 70 per cent of headaches. It can occur in people of either sex and at any age, but it is most common in adults and adolescents.

Tension headache usually occurs in isolated incidents, but can become chronic for some people. Possible causes of muscle contraction associated with tension headaches include:

• stress
• fatigue
• poor posture
• eye strain
• tobacco and alcohol use
• in women, hormonal changes occurring before and after a menstrual period

When should you consult a doctor?

Most people with isolated tension headaches usually avail themselves to over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory or self-treatment such as relaxation and sleep. However, for chronic headaches contact your GP to discuss possible causes and prevention.

If any of the below symptoms are present your GP should be contacted immediately:

• a sudden, severe headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
• persistent and recurring headaches accompanied by memory problems, difficulty concentrating and tiredness.
• a high fever with neck stiffness (unable to bend the chin down to the chest).
• convulsions (fits).
• persistent vision disturbances (light flashes).
• trouble controlling arms and legs.
• loss of feeling in the arms and legs.
• tiredness and apathy with difficulty communicating.