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1. What is primary headache?
Primary headache is a medical disorder with specific causes. The attacks of pain can be caused by triggering factors such as stress, hormonal changes, and diet. The three principal types of primary headache are migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headache.
2. What is secondary headache?
Secondary headache is a symptom of other disorders, the most common of which are allergies, gastric disorders, sinusitis, hypertension, arthritis and neuralgia.
Secondary headache can also signal cranial trauma, viral infection, and metabolic disorders. It can be triggered by the ingestion (or lack) of substances such as caffeine, alcohol and certain types of drugs.
3. What is tension-type headache?
Tension-type headache is the most common of the three main types of headache and affects up to 75% of headache sufferers. Although it is more common in women, tension-type headache can affect anyone who sustains the same body position -- particularly if incorrect -- for lengthy periods, or individuals prone to anxiety or stress.
Tension-type headache is caused by contractions of the neck and shoulders. It feels like a tight band pressing around the head.
4. What type of pain develops from tension headache?
Tension-type headache is characterized by dull, continuous pain. It develops on both sides of the head. In some cases it also radiates to the area around the eyes and the occipital region, comprising the back, middle and lower parts of the head. Generally, the pain is not very strong and does not impede daily living activities.
5. Which are the main causes of tension-type headache?
The main causes are stress, diet, hormonal changes, the weather and the environment, odors, noise and changes in the sleep-wake cycle.
6. What is migraine?
Migraine is a type of headache which generally affects only one side of the head. Its causes are not yet clear, but several hypotheses have been offered to explain its origin. What is certain is that it is a circulatory disorder. Migraine mostly affects women, and often occurs with the start of the menstrual cycle. In 50% of cases it is hereditary. Individuals between 30 and 40 years of age are most often affected.
7. What type of pain develops from migraine?
Normally, migraine begins with intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head. It starts in the area around the eye, and then spreads to the temple and the forehead. Movement increases the pain, rest relieves it.
Migraine pain is often associated with various other symptoms, the most frequent of which are nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, sensitivity to light (photophobia) or sound (phonophobia), chills, pallor and visual disturbances.
8. What is an aura?
Aura is a syndrome of transient neurological disturbances that can precede the migraine attack. Its main features are visual disturbances, bright, shining flashes, partial loss of vision, dimming or blurring of vision. Other symptoms include sensation of numbness or tingling in the arms or loss of consciousness. Generally, aura occurs 10 to 30 minutes before the onset of the migraine attack.
9. What are the main features of headache pain?
Headache pain is classified according to a well-defined set of criteria, including:
quality (i.e. throbbing or dull)
intensity (i.e. severe or moderate)
frequency (i.e. daily or periodic)
location (i.e. temple or eye region)
10. Which active principle is most widely used for headache?
The most widely used active principle is acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, and is well tolerated. Its formulation allows rapid absorption. It belongs to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and therefore does not contain cortisone.
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