Condition

What is it?

One of the most common symptoms encountered, headaches can range from mild to severe. The most common form is a tension headache, which results from muscular tension in the head and neck and feels like a pressing or tightening sensation on both sides of the head.

Tension headache does not generally have other symptoms, while migraine and cluster headache are generally accompanied by other symptoms including sensory changes, nausea and lengthy duration. Only your doctor can diagnose which type of headache you have.

Key Points:

• Very common occurrence in the US population
• Tension headaches are the most common form—occurring in 70% of males and 90% of females at some time in their lives
• The majority of headaches do not have a serious cause, but some may be caused by a severe illness or condition, so it is important to consult a doctor if you are experiencing them regularly
• Some headaches have a trigger such as time of day, day of the week, weather, scents or a hormonal cycle. Keeping track of triggers will help your doctor identify and treat you.
• Headache can be life-altering for patients who experience moderate to severe pain. Proper treatment is essential for these patients to resume their normal life activities.