A headache is pain or discomfort in the head or face. 头痛在疼痛的部位和强度方面差别很大, and how often the headaches occur. 脑组织没有痛觉神经纤维，感觉不到疼痛. 但是，头部的其他部位也可能导致头痛，包括:

• A network of nerves that extends over the scalp

• Certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat

• Muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders

• 在大脑表面和底部发现血管

Different types of headaches include:

Migraine

在这种类型的头痛中，除了疼痛之外，头痛还会出现其他症状. Nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light (photophobia), 偏头痛通常会出现其他视觉症状. Migraines also have distinct phases. Not all people have each phase, however. The phases of a migraine headache may include:

• Premonition or prodromal phase. 情绪或行为的改变可能在头痛前数小时或数天发生.

• Aura phase. 头痛之前可出现一系列视觉、感觉或运动症状. 例子包括视觉变化、幻觉、麻木、语言变化和肌肉无力.

• Headache phase. 在实际头痛期间，头部一侧或两侧有抽动性疼痛. 对光和运动敏感是常见的，抑郁、疲劳和焦虑也是常见的.

• Resolution phase. Pain lessens during this phase, but may be replaced with fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating. 有些人在发作后会感到神清气爽，有些人则不然.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. 压力和肌肉紧绷通常是导致紧张性头痛的因素. These are common symptoms of a tension-type headache:

• Slow onset of the headache

• Head usually hurts on both sides

• 疼痛是迟钝的，或者感觉像一个带或虎钳在头上

• Pain may involve the back part of the head or neck

• Pain is mild to moderate, but not severe

• Tension type headaches typically do not cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light (photophobia).

Cluster headaches

以下是集束性头痛最常见的症状:

丛集性头痛通常持续数周或数月.

以下是集束性头痛最常见的症状:

• 头部一侧剧烈疼痛，通常在一只眼睛后面

• 受影响的眼睛可能是红色和水样，眼睑下垂，瞳孔小

• Swelling of the eyelid

• Runny nose or congestion

• Swelling of the forehead

What causes a headache?

Headaches are classified as primary or secondary.

• A primary headache means the headache itself is the main medical problem, although other factors, such as muscle tension or exposure to certain foods, may be identified. 其他影响因素包括药物、脱水或激素变化.

• A secondary headache is related to an underlying medical condition. 颈部受伤引起的头痛就是一个例子, eye problems, jaw, teeth or sinus infection.

What are the symptoms of a headache?

Headache symptoms depend on the type of headache. 头痛的频率和症状的强度也可能有所不同. Typical headache symptoms include:

• Slow onset of the headache

• Head usually hurts on both sides

• 疼痛是迟钝的，或者感觉像一个带或虎钳在头上

• Pain may involve the back part of the head or neck

• Pain is mild to moderate, but not severe

Tension type headaches typically do not cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light (photophobia).

头痛的症状可能看起来像其他疾病或医学问题. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is a headache diagnosed?

你的医生会想要做一个全面的医疗评估和诊断测试. 他或她还会询问你的病史，并做身体检查和某些测试.

Questions commonly asked during the exam may include:

• When do headaches occur?

• What is the location of the headache?

• What do the headaches feel like?

• How long do the headaches last?

• Have there been changes in behavior or personality?

• Do changes in position or sitting up cause the headache?

• Do you have trouble sleeping?

• Do you have a history of stress?

• Is there a history of head injury?

如果你的医生怀疑偏头痛或紧张性头痛，神经学检查是正常的, no further testing may be needed. 然而，如果它不是原发性头痛，那么可以做其他测试来找到原因.

Tests used to find the cause of a headache may include:

• Blood tests. 可以进行各种血液化学和其他实验室测试来检查潜在的疾病.

• Sinus x-rays. 为评估充血或其他可能纠正的问题而进行的影像学检查.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A test that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, 还有一台电脑，可以生成人体器官和结构的详细图像.

• Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan). 一种利用x射线和计算机技术产生水平图像的成像测试, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. CT扫描显示身体任何部位的详细图像, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

How are headaches treated?

您的医疗保健提供者将根据以下因素确定最佳治疗方案:

• How old you are

• Your overall health and medical history

• How sick you are

• 你能如何处理特定的药物、程序或疗法

• How long the condition is expected to last

• Your opinion or preference

治疗的目的是防止头痛的发生. 有效的头痛管理取决于找到你所患的头痛类型，可能包括:

• 避免已知的诱因，如某些食物和饮料，睡眠不足和禁食

• Changing eating habits

• Exercise

• Resting in a quiet, dark environment

• Medicines, as recommended by your healthcare provider

• Stress management

偏头痛和丛集性头痛可能需要特殊的药物治疗，包括:

• Abortive medicines. 你的医疗保健提供者开出的药物作用于头部神经和血管中的特定受体，以阻止正在进行的头痛.

• Rescue medicines. 非处方药，如止痛药，可以停止头痛.

• Preventive medicines. 由你的医疗保健提供者每天服用的药物，以减少头痛的发作.

有些头痛可能需要立即就医，包括住院观察, diagnostic testing, or even surgery. 治疗是个体化的，这取决于引起头痛的潜在条件. 完全恢复取决于头痛的类型和其他可能出现的医疗问题.

Can headaches be prevented?

当知道头痛的诱因时，避免诱因可以预防头痛. 减轻压力可以减少或预防由压力引起的头痛. 偏头痛和丛集性头痛可以通过每天服用预防药物来预防.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

大多数头痛可以用非处方止痛药治疗. 但是，如果严重头痛伴有以下症状，请立即致电您的医疗保健提供者:

• Stiff neck

• Fever

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Convulsion

• Shortness of breath

• Confusion

• Muscular weakness

• Double vision

• Change in level of consciousness.

可能提示更严重头痛的症状包括:

• Worst headache ever, or new type of headache

• Recurring headaches in children

• Headaches that start early in the morning

• Headache that follows a head injury

• 因紧张而加重的疼痛，如咳嗽或打喷嚏

• Vomiting without nausea

• Sudden onset of pain

• Headache that is becoming more severe or continuous

• Personality changes

• Seizures

Key points about headaches

• 头痛是头部或脸部的疼痛或不适.

• 头痛的类型包括偏头痛、紧张性头痛和丛集性头痛.

• Headaches can be primary or secondary. If it is secondary, it is caused by another condition.

• Avoiding headache triggers is the best prevention.

• 轻度至中度头痛可以用非处方药治疗, 但如果你的头痛很严重，还有其他症状，请告诉你的医生.