This is an alphabetical listing of some terms that you may hear
when headaches are discussed. Many pertain to physical conditions which exist
at the same time headaches occur. (select first letter of the term you
wish to define)
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing) clearly as a result of
sensitivity to alcohol. Alcohol has a direct effect on blood vessel walls causing vascular dilation.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing)
followed by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, perhaps vomiting causing the sufferer to want to lay down in a
dark quiet place. Usually present upon awakening in the morning due to overnight withdrawal of caffeine during sleep.
Caffeine sources usually include coffee, tea, caffeine based carbonated beverages, and headache medicines such as
Fiorecet, Fioridil, Excedrin, and Anacin. These headaches are relieved after enough caffeine is ingested during
the day. Caffeine withdrawal headaches rarely bother the sufferer during the afternoon or evening hours.
A weak point within the wall of artery leading it to bulge at that point. This weak point could burst and hemorrhage within the brain and the increased pressure could cause severe headache and neck pain.
A sense of uneasiness or nervousness, as if something bad is about to happen, even when
nothing is wrong, it can induce a TENSION type headache. Generally if the anxiety itself is treated successfully, the
headaches will dissipate.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing)
followed by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, perhaps vomiting causing the sufferer to want to lay down in a
dark quiet place. Usually present upon awakening in the morning due to overnight withdrawal of caffeine during sleep.
Caffeine sources usually include coffee, tea, caffeine based carbonated beverages, and headache medicines such as
Fiorecet, Fioridil, Excedrin, and Anacin. These headaches are relieved after enough caffeine is ingested during
the day. Caffeine withdrawal headaches rarely bother the sufferer during the afternoon or evening hours.
A VASCULAR type headache occurring only during the menstrual period, characterized
by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing) followed by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, perhaps vomiting
causing the sufferer to want to lay down in a dark quiet place. Although it can last 2 to 5 days, it is usually
less, and often goes away after a sound sleep.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing)
which is triggered by a sensitivity to ingested chocolate or cocoa.
An umbrella term for a headache disorder. Often defined as headache that occurs for 15 or more days per month for
more than 6 months, lasting more than 4 hours per day. Chronic daily headache can be classified as either primary or secondary headache. Primary headache disorders in this category include transformed migraine, chronic tension-type headache, new daily persistent headache and hemicrania continua. Chronic daily headache is also associated with medication overuse in some cases.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing) followed by
sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, perhaps vomiting, causing the sufferer to want to lay down in a dark quiet place. Although
it can last 2 to 5 days, it is usually less, and often goes away after a sound sleep. This headache is preceded by a visual aura
of flashing, blinking, or shimmering lights, often making a crescent shape, lasting 15 to 20 minutes before the onset of headache pain.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing) followed by sensitivity to light and
sound, nausea, perhaps vomiting and sick feelings causing the sufferer to wish to lie down in a dark quiet place. It can last up to 2 to 5 days (usually less)
and often goes away after a sound sleep.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing) with specific neuralgic signs and symptoms
developing as part of the headache. These symptoms could be blindness, loss of vision off to one side, dizziness, weakness of extremities, double vision, or the
inability to speak or find proper words.
Inflammation of the large arteries in the temples causing moderate to severe pain, especially
when pressure is applied to tender areas. Sometimes associated with unilateral blindness.
A headache that has been present for more than one month, that is unilateral (one-sided), is continuous but may vary in intensity. The pain is moderate or severe at least some of the time.
A TENSION type headache characterized by continuous dull aching pain and stiffness, involving
shoulder and neck muscles. Pain between the shoulder blades, temples, forehead, and tightening and tenderness at the base
of the scalp are common. Pain is aggravated by bending over and improved by laying back and relaxing. Directly related to a woman's full figure.
A diagnostic process using nuclear magnetic resonance technology in which protons of a patient's body are aligned in a strong magnetic field to emit radio frequency signals which are then converted into images permitting three dimensional viewing.
A diagnostic process using nuclear magnetic resonance technology in which protons of a patient's body are aligned in a strong magnetic field to emit radio frequency signals which are then converted into images permitting three dimensional viewing.
A symptom complex occurring periodically and characterized by pain in the head (usually unilateral),
vertigo, nausea, and vomiting, photophobia and scintillating appearances of light. Further classified as classic, common, cluster,
hemiplegic, ophthalmoplegic, and ophthalmic.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing)
which is triggered by a sensitivity to ingested MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer found in prepared food, often Chinese.
A headache where average frequency is greater than 15 days per month for more than 1 month. Average duration of NDPH is more than 4 hours. It is usually constant during this time but may vary if treated. Typically, the headache pain does not change location and there is no previous history of migraine or episodic tension-type headache.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing) which is triggered by a sensitivity to ingested nitrites, a salt of nitrous acid, often used in food preservation.
Having a tendency to perform certain repetitive acts or ritualistic behavior to relieve
anxiety. An underlying cause for certain TENSION type headaches. Generally if the obsessive-compulsive behavior itself is successfully
treated, the headaches will dissipate.
A VASCULAR type headache characterized by slowly increasing pain (dull or throbbing)
which is triggered by a sensitivity to ingesting red wine (especially if the wine contains nitrites).
A ball of scar tissue forming on a nerve after a trauma has crushed the nerve against the skull bone.
Sharp, sudden, brief twinges of pain may occur spontaneously or with light touch such as brushing your hair.
Dull continuous pain originating from an infected sinus. The pain may shift or slosh with tilting of the face and is
often associated with nasal discharge.
Breathing trouble occurring in deep sleep when muscles surrounding the airway over relax and allow the breathing tube
to collapse, blocking the passage of air. Frequent arousal to lighter sleep allows breathing to resume, but results in sleep deprivation.
A sense of uneasiness or nervousness, as if something bad is about to happen, even when
nothing is wrong, it can induce a TENSION type headache. Generally if the anxiety itself is treated successfully, the
headaches will dissipate.
Pain originating in the temporal mandibular joint (jaw)
from wear (arthritis), misalignment or teeth grinding. Causes discomfort in the temples,
neck and sometimes the shoulders. Symptoms are aggravated when opening the mouth widely -
as at the dentist office.
Transformed migraine (TM) or chronic migraine. Individuals having TM have daily or almost daily pain for more than 15 days per month for more than a 1 month period. On average, the headache if untreated lasts more than 4 hours. Persons suffering from TM also have one or more of the following: a history of episodic migraine, a history of increasing headache frequency with lessening severity of migrainous features (photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, throbbing, unilateral pain) during the last 3 months.