Headache Pain
This section about headache pain is not
intended as a comprehensive source of medical information,
but as a hub for links to other more detailed sources.
If you find this section
useful, please support our Foundation by clicking
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Headache is one of the most common pains and affects most
people at some time. However, people often do not consult
a doctor about headaches.
A headache can be a symptom of an illness, such as sinus
disease, eye disorders, or infections. Some people may be
concerned that a headache is caused by a brain tumour, but
it is extremely rare for headache to be the only symptom of
a brain tumour.
Headache can also be a condition in itself:
MIGRAINE: 10% of people suffer from migraine. It is
a condition of the nervous system, characterised by recurring
headaches, which affect one side of the head only. There may
be other symptoms, such as sickness, vomiting, light sensitivity
or visual disturbances.
Common painkillers, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin
can help. Triptans, e.g. Imigran® can be effective for more
severe migraines. There are drugs available which can reduce
the frequency of attacks.
TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE: 80% of all headaches are mild,
infrequent tension-type headache. The pain is a dull ache
on both sides of the head. These headaches can be associated
with tenderness or tension in the muscles of the head, neck,
jaw and shoulders. If the headaches are frequent and severe,
the condition can be very distressing. In chronic tension-type
headache, sufferers have a constant almost daily headache.
Common painkillers, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin
are very effective. Physiotherapy, hot or cold packs, relaxation
and exercise may all be helpful.
Overuse of painkillers in tension type headache can cause
regular daily headaches.
CLUSTER HEADACHE: is a pain syndrome of the nervous
system. It is very rare and characterised by clusters of headaches,
which occur frequently for 2-3 months, followed by a headache
free period lasting months or years. The pain is very intense
on one side of the head only.
If headaches are severe or differ from your usual headache,
you should consult your doctor.
If you have a pain problem, which needs treatment you
should contact your own doctor who can refer you to a pain
clinic in your area. This site is for information only and
cannot be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of
your own doctor. The Pain Relief Foundation is not able to
offer individual medical advice.
Dealing With Pain Series: Headache
The Pain Relief Foundation has produced it's own leaflet
containing some simple information on headache which
is available to download in PDF format:-
N.B. Requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view. If you don't have
the Acrobat reader you can download it here
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Useful Websites:
There are many sites on the World Wide Web offering information
to people about chronic pain and its treatment. The suggested
links, to websites providing such information, from this website
are considered by the doctors at the Pain Relief Foundation
to be useful and informative. If you know of a good web site
about chronic pain then we would be pleased to hear your recommendation.
The Pain Relief Foundation is not responsible for the
content of these web sites, and does not endorse any commercial
product or service mentioned or advised on these sites.
Support Organisations in the UK:
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