A migraine is a type of primary headache, thought to be caused by the swelling of blood vessels and an increase in blood flow. It is characterized by severe, often unilateral pain, and can be accompanied by symptoms like an upset stomach, disturbed vision, nausea, and sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). Migraines are reported more frequently by women than by men.

Migraine

Tension-type headaches are the most commonly experienced kind of headache, accounting for about 42% of all headaches worldwide. They are characterized by relatively mild, dull, bilateral pain. In the United States, over one-third of the population experiences tension headaches each year. The primary trigger is the tightening of facial and neck muscles, often due to environmental factors like stress.

Tension-type headache

A group of headaches distinct from migraine and tension-type headaches.

* Cluster headaches: produce intense pain episodically. Symptoms are severe unilateral orbital (eye) pain lasting 15 min to 3 hr, ipsilateral autonomic symptoms such as lacrimation (tears) and nasal congestion/discharge.
* Short-lasting neuralgiform headaches: rare, severe and brief pain that occurs on one side of the head. SUNCT are associated with ipsilateral conjunctival tearing, while SUNA are also associated with nasal congestion/discharge.
* Paroxysmal hemicrania: rare, severe brief pain occurring on one side of the head, orbitofrontally.

Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias

Refers to headaches triggered by specific stimuli. Examples include: cold exposure ("ice cream headache"), external pressure on the head, or exertion of the head.

Stimulus-induced headache

A headache with sudden onset (< 1 minute) and severe pain. They can be either primary or secondary headaches.

Thunderclap headache

A type of primary headache that may begin with a viral infection but no clear cause. It occurs on a daily basis after onset for at least three months.

New daily persistent headache

A physician is reviewing the cases of four patients, all of whom are complaining of headaches. Based on the information provided, which patient is most likely experiencing a headache that is not a symptom of another underlying medical condition?

A headache with no underlying cause. The most common type of headache (over 90% of cases).
* Migraine
* Tension-type headache
* Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias
* Stimulus-induced headache
* Thunderclap headache
* New daily persistent headache

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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A headache is defined as a sustained pain in the head. Primary headaches, the most common form, have no underlying cause (ex. migraine, tension, headaches, cluster headaches). Secondary headaches have an underlying cause (ex. infection, vascular disease, trauma, brain tumor).

Headache

A headache is a continuous, sustained pain located anywhere in the head or neck region. Headaches are broadly categorized into two types: primary headaches, which have no underlying medical cause (e.g., migraines, tension headaches), and secondary headaches, which are symptoms of another condition (e.g., infection, trauma).

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Primary headache

A headache caused by an underlying medical condition.

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