| migraine headache | The most common type of vascular headache involving (it is thought). Abnormal sensitivity of blood vessels (arteries) in the brain to various triggers resulting in rapid changes in the artery size due to spasm (constriction). Other arteries in the brain and scalp then open (dilate), and throbbing pain is perceived in the head. The tendency to migraine is inherited and appears to involve serotonin, a chemical in the brain involved in the transmission of nerve impulses that trigger the release of substances in the blood vessels that in turn cause the pain of the migraine. These nerve impulses cause the flashing lights and other sensory phenomena known as an aura that may accompany a migraine. Not all severe headaches are migraines and not all migraines are severe. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| migraine without headache | A classic migraine episode in which the teichopsia is not followed by a headache. Synonym: migraine without headache. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cluster headache | <symptom> A term used to describe a headache that is typified by constant, unilateral pain around the eye, with onset usually within 2-3 hours of falling asleep. Can be accompanied by a blocked nasal passage, runny nose, and-or tearing. One may also notice facial flushing, ptosis (dropping eyelid), facial swelling and constriction of the pupils. (27 Sep 1997) |
| muscle tension headache | A benign form of headache that results from the painful spasm (muscle tightness) and inflammation of muscles of the head and neck. Tension headache is one of the most common forms of headache. Spasm and contraction of the head and neck muscles may occur in response to fatigue, overuse, eye strain, excessive smoking, stress, anxiety or depression. Sleeping in an abnormal position or prolonged work involving immobilisation of the neck in one position (typing, computers, etc.) are considered common triggers. Exercising and stretching the muscles of the head and neck can reduce the occurrence of muscle tension headaches. (27 Sep 1997) |
| headache | Pain in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve. See: cephalodynia. Synonym: cephalalgia, cephalea, cerebralgia, encephalalgia, encephalodynia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| histamine headache | A term used to describe a headache that is typified by constant, unilateral pain around the eye, with onset usually within 2-3 hours of falling asleep. Can be accompanied by a blocked nasal passage, runny nose, and-or tearing. One may also notice facial flushing, ptosis (dropping eyelid), facial swelling and constriction of the pupils. (27 Sep 1997) |
| histaminic headache | <symptom> A term used to describe a headache that is typified by constant, unilateral pain around the eye, with onset usually within 2-3 hours of falling asleep. Can be accompanied by a blocked nasal passage, runny nose, and-or tearing. One may also notice facial flushing, ptosis (dropping eyelid), facial swelling and constriction of the pupils. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Horton's headache | <symptom> A term used to describe a headache that is typified by constant, unilateral pain around the eye, with onset usually within 2-3 hours of falling asleep. Can be accompanied by a blocked nasal passage, runny nose, and-or tearing. One may also notice facial flushing, ptosis (dropping eyelid), facial swelling and constriction of the pupils. (27 Sep 1997) |
| sick headache | <disease> An often familial symptom complex of periodic attacks of vascular headache, usually temporal and unilateral in onset, commonly associated with irritability, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea and often photophobia, attacks are preceded by constriction of the cranial arteries, usually with resultant prodromal sensory (especially ocular) symptoms and commence with the vasodilation that follows. Origin: Gr. Hemikrania = an affection of half of the head (18 Nov 1997) |
| spinal headache | A headache that can occur after a lumbar puncture is performed. Patients who lie flat on their stomach for one hour immediately after lumbar puncture, followed by 12 hours on their back, have a decreased incidence of spinal headaches. (27 Sep 1997) |
| nodular headache | Radiating pain in the head accompanied by nodular swellings in the splenius, frontalis, trapezius, and other muscles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| symptomatic headache | A headache secondary to another organic condition. Synonym: reflex headache. (05 Mar 2000) |
| organic headache | Headache due to intracranial disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tension headache | <neurology> A benign form of headache that results from the painful spasm (muscle tightness) and inflammation of muscles of the head and neck. Tension headache is one of the most common forms of headache. Spasm and contraction of the head and neck muscles may occur in response to fatigue, overuse, eye strain, excessive smoking, stress, anxiety or depression. Sleeping in an abnormal position or prolonged work involving immobilisation of the neck in one position (typing, computers, etc.) are considered common triggers. Exercising and stretching the muscles of the head and neck can reduce the occurrence of muscle tension headaches. (13 Jan 1998) |
| fibrositic headache | Headache centreed in the occipital region due to fibrositis of the occipital muscles; tender areas are present and, commonly, tender nodules are found in the scalp in the lower occipital region. (05 Mar 2000) |