Headache

In medicine a headache or cephalalgia is a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head. Some of the causes are benign while others are medical emergencies.

What is a Headache?

Headache is a common health complaint that affects millions of people in the UK. In the majority of cases, headache is not serious and can be easily treated with medication or lifestyle changes such as reducing stress or ensuring a good level of hydration.

Types of Headaches

Headache Causes and Triggers

Using a Headache Diary

What is Sinus Headache?

What is Tension Headache?

What is Vascular Headache?

What is a Cluster Headache?

What is Muscle Contraction Headache?

What is Medication Overuse Headache?

Can Contact Lenses Cause Headaches?

Headaches in Children

See more featured articles »

Headache Related to Eye Problems

Headaches in Children and Teenagers

Headache Evaluation in Children and Teenagers

Body Posture and Migraines

Migraine with Aura vs. Migraine without Aura

Biofeedback Therapy for Headaches

Frequent Headaches after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Does the Location of a Headache Matter?

Cluster Headaches: Treatment and Prevention

Latest Headache News and Research

Pregnant women less likely to suffer long COVID, study finds

A new study in EClinicalMedicine found that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is linked to a lower risk of developing post-acute sequelae (PASC) compared to infection outside of pregnancy.

29 May 2024

Self-reported memory problems and partner confirmation may signal tau buildup in the brain

People who report early memory problems and whose partners also suspect they have memory problems have higher levels of tau tangles in the brain, a biomarker associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the May 29, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

29 May 2024

Study examines the effects of pregnant mother's epilepsy medications on child's creativity

While older drugs for epilepsy, taken while pregnant, have been shown in previous research to affect the creative thinking of children, a new study finds no effects on creativity for children born to those taking newer epilepsy drugs.

29 May 2024

New Alzheimer's drug LM11A-31 shows promise in slowing disease progression in clinical trial

A recent study in Nature Medicine found that LM11A-31, targeting the p75 neurotrophin receptor, is safe and shows promise in slowing Alzheimer's disease progression. The trial indicated significant biomarker improvements and potential benefits for further clinical investigation.

28 May 2024

Ketogenic diet improves metabolic and mental health in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients, study finds

Researchers found that a ketogenic diet significantly improves both metabolic and psychiatric health in individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, with notable reductions in weight, waist circumference, and mental illness severity.

27 May 2024

Study confirms face masks' effectiveness in reducing disease transmission, calls for improved public understanding

Researchers reviewed the benefits, practicalities, and harms of masks and masking, finding that masks are effective in reducing respiratory disease transmission despite some adverse effects, and emphasized the need for improved public understanding and policies.

23 May 2024

Study offers insights into factors influencing older adults to stop driving

What factors lead older adults to stop driving? A new study followed older adults who had no memory or thinking problems to examine this question.

23 May 2024

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods linked to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline

People who eat more ultra-processed foods like soft drinks, chips and cookies may have a higher risk of having memory and thinking problems and having a stroke than those who eat fewer processed foods, according to a new study published in the May 22, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

22 May 2024

New guideline issued for antiseizure medication use in pregnant epilepsy patients

A new guideline has been issued to help neurologists and other clinicians determine the best antiseizure medications for people with epilepsy who may become pregnant.

16 May 2024

After a child’s death, California weighs rules for phys ed during extreme weather

Yahushua Robinson was an energetic boy who jumped and danced his way through life. Then, a physical education teacher instructed the 12-year-old to run outside on a day when the temperature climbed to 107 degrees.

15 May 2024

Underdiagnosed and common: Study highlights neuropathy's hidden toll

Neuropathy, the nerve damage that causes pain and numbness in the feet and hands and can eventually lead to falls, infection and even amputation, is very common and underdiagnosed, according to a study published in the May 8, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

8 May 2024

Differences in leading causes of disease burden between males and females

A recent study reveals that males bear a higher disease burden overall, while females experience a higher burden from seven specific conditions, emphasizing the need for tailored health interventions.

5 May 2024

Eye ultrasound method may rapidly detect shunt failure in children

Use of an eye ultrasound may quickly and safely identify children with brain drainage tube failure in the emergency department, according to a new study.

3 May 2024

Global research offers insights about health burden disparities between genders

Globally, there are substantial differences between females and males (aged 10 and older) when it comes to health, with limited progress in bridging these health gaps over the past 30 years, according to a new study examining the disparities in the 20 leading causes of disease burden between females and males, across ages and regions, published in The Lancet Public Health journal.

2 May 2024

Study reveals delayed recognition of nonmotor seizures in children and teens

Children and teens may experience nonmotor seizures for months or years before being seen in an emergency department for a more obvious seizure that includes convulsions, according to a study published in the May 1, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

2 May 2024

STRONG STAR Consortium awarded $17M for traumatic brain injury and psychological health research

In a recent round of grant awards, the STRONG STAR Consortium based at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense for a total of $17 million in funding to launch eight new research projects focused on traumatic brain injury and psychological health.

29 Apr 2024

Study suggests lingering coronavirus in tissues may contribute to long COVID symptoms

Study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 lingers in tissues after COVID-19 recovery and if it's linked to long COVID symptoms. They found viral RNA in various organs, and its presence correlated with long COVID symptoms.

25 Apr 2024

Study links acid-reducing drugs to increased risk of migraine

People who take acid-reducing drugs may have a higher risk of migraine and other severe headache than people who do not take these medications, according to a study published in the April 24, 2024, online issue of Neurology Clinical Practice, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 Apr 2024

Unsheltered people are losing Medicaid in redetermination mix-ups

On a cold February morning at the Flathead Warming Center, Tashya Evans waited for help with her Medicaid application as others at the shelter got ready for the day in this northwestern Montana city.

23 Apr 2024

Occupational cognitive demands may help stave off memory and thinking problems later in life

The harder your brain works at your job, the less likely you may be to have memory and thinking problems later in life, according to a new study published in the April 17, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Apr 2024