This harmful technique, known as trepanation surgery, often turned a temporary headache into a chronic, life-threatening condition. Thankfully, modern medicine has abandoned such practices.
Primary vs. Secondary Headaches
Headaches are broadly categorized into two types: primary headaches and secondary headaches.
Primary headaches are not symptoms of an underlying disease or injury. They are conditions in their own right and account for 50% of reported headache cases.
On the other hand, secondary headaches arise from health issues, with pain stemming from identifiable causes such as dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, head or neck injuries, or cardiovascular problems. Over 150 types of secondary headaches exist, each with unique symptoms and treatments.
What Really Causes Headaches?
Understanding Secondary Headaches
A common example is sinus headaches. The sinuses are a system of hollow cavities located beneath the forehead, nose, and cheekbones. Sinus inflammation exerts pressure on the arteries, veins, and muscles in the neck and head. Pain receptors transmit signals to the brain, prompting the release of neuropeptides, which cause blood vessels in the skull to swell, resulting in headaches ranging from mild to severe.
While the causes of secondary headaches are often clear and diagnosable, the origins of primary headaches remain a mystery.
Exploring Primary Headaches
Scientists continue to investigate the potential causes of the three primary headache types: tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.
Tension Headaches
True to their name, tension headaches create a sensation of a tight band wrapped around the head. This pain heightens the sensitivity of scalp muscles, causing discomfort during blood and oxygen circulation. Researchers speculate various causes, from blood vessels to sensitive pain receptors, but the exact mechanism remains uncertain.
Migraines
Migraines, which recur frequently, create pressure inside the skull and can last anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days. In 20% of cases, the pain is so intense that it overwhelms the brain with electrical impulses, activating nerves and producing temporary hallucinations. These may include flashes of light, geometric patterns, or ringing sounds.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches induce sharp, burning pain around one eye, often accompanied by redness, blurred vision, and drooping eyelids.
Managing and Preventing Headaches
Tension headaches and many secondary headaches can often be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Additionally, many secondary headache triggers, such as dehydration, eye strain, and stress, can be proactively avoided.
Migraines and cluster headaches, however, are more complex, and universal treatments are yet to be discovered. Fortunately, pharmacologists and neurologists are striving to solve these medical mysteries.
In the meantime, we can take steps to prevent or cope with headaches by managing stress, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, and ensuring quality sleep.