Headache is divided into two basic types: primary and secondary. Secondary headaches are those that are due to some underlying cause, like a sinus or brain infection, head or neck injury, or a brain tumor. Most headaches that occur are not due to any kind of secondary cause, and are what we call primary headaches. Only about 2% of all headaches are secondary headaches. Although infrequent, there are over a hundred types of secondary headaches, which is why there are expert headache doctors.
Primary headaches are those that do not have any sort of underlying cause. The most commonly occurring primary headache is tension-type headache. Migraine, also a primary headache, affects 6% of men in the population and 18% of women. Cluster headache, a primary headache in the group of headaches known as the trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, is far less common.
Migraine
spinal arthritis or other spine problems like scoliosis, or any problems affecting the
muscles or joints in the neck, back, or shoulders.
Migraine headaches are probably hereditary. In most cases, migraine sufferers
have at least one family member with headaches that meet some or all of the
criteria for migraine if a careful three-generation history is taken. Research studies
are underway to search for the genetic underpinnings of migraine.
Although the cause of migraine is ultimately genetic, many migraine attacks are
brought on by a " trigger ." These triggers vary from individual to individual.
Food triggers are the most well-known, but actually only affect about 25% of
migraine sufferers. Non-food triggers include light, glare, weather change and other
environmental factors, and lifestyle triggers include skipping meals, stress, and
changes in sleep patterns. The influence of female hormones is also an important
migraine trigger, and most likely accounts for the female predominance of migraine.
Migraine occurs in women three times as frequently as in men.
To understand what happens in the brain during a migraine, go here.
