What Is The Cause of Headaches

Although medical science has not yet found the exact cause of headaches, some of the most common causes are related to everyday stress.  Headaches are broken down in the medical community into a few categories that assist in diagnosis.  A primary headache is something almost all people are familiar with.  Primary headaches are what the majority of headaches can be diagnosed as, and are almost never life threatening.  Despite this frequency of occurence and a lack of life threatening danger, the primary headache can be very uncomfortable.  Cluster headaches are a far more serious form of headache, that although not life threatening, can cause debilitating pain.  Secondary headaches are caused by a structural or chemical problem in the brain.

Most primary headaches are related to tension.  The muscles that surround the skull are triggered to contract, causing a painful amount of cranial pressure.  This can cause a severe amount of pain.  Although the reasons for skull muscle contraction are difficult to ascertain, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress.  Significant emotional stress usually leads to cranial pressure, and therefore a tension related headache.  Prolonged physical stress, such as extended manual labor, is also known to cause tension headaches.

Cluster headaches are a far rare occurence, and typically only occur in a small portion of the population.  Sufferers usually experience cluster headaches only for a small window of time, thus the name "cluster" headache.  This can make prevention and treatment difficult.  When a cluster headache occurs, severe and debilitating pain usually follows.  Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches.  Treatment should be undertaken as soon as possible to bring the pain under control.

Secondary headaches usually represent a more serious issue.  This occurs on a far rarer basis than primary headaches.  A secondary headache can be indicative of internal bleeding in the brain, a tumor, or a malfunction of the brain.  Headaches that occur on a chronic basis should be cause for a check with the doctor.  Secondary headaches can be quite painful, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensory phenomenon.

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