• Question: what causes headaches?

    Asked by Migle to Colin, Kevin, Shikha, Triona on 19 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Kevin Motherway

      Kevin Motherway answered on 19 Nov 2014:


      A headache is caused by problems with or over-activity of pain-sensitive structures in your head. Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels of your head outside your skull, or muscles of your head and neck — or some combination of these factors — may play a role in headaches. Some people may carry genes that make them more likely to develop such headaches. Getting a headache can be down to something as simple as being de-hydrated. I get headaches from my dodgy sinuses and pressure building up. If you get patterns of headaches get it checked out!

    • Photo: Shikha Sharma

      Shikha Sharma answered on 19 Nov 2014:


      Hi Migle,

      You know there are roughly 200 different types of headaches…god that’s too much…..
      But they are generally classified in two main groups: primary (~42) and secondary (~157).Primary headaches occur due to overactivity or problems with blood vessels, muscles and nerves of the head and neck. It can happen due to problem with chemical activity taking place inside the brain. Secondary headaches are generally caused by problem in some other part of body that excites the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. There are different causes for secondary headaches e.g., alcohol-induced hangover, Carbon monoxide poisoning, blood clot or a brain tumor.
      So having headaches regularly is not a good symptom….

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