Headache is a term used to describe aching or pain in one or more areas of the head, face or neck. Treatment depends on the type, severity and frequency. Many headaches can be treated with conservative measures, such as diet and sleep modification or over-the-counter medications. Others respond to stress-reducing measures, such as massage, meditation and biofeedback. A wide range of prescription medications also are available.
Primary headache accounts for 90 percent of all headaches. There are three types of primary headache: tension headache, cluster headache, and migraine.
Secondary headache is associated with an underlying condition such as cerebrovascular disease, head trauma, infection, tumor, and metabolic disorder (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease). Head pain also can result from syndromes involving the eyes, ears, neck, teeth, or sinuses. In these cases, the underlying condition must be diagnosed and treated.