Basics about primary and secondary headaches

Headache annoys everyone experiencing it. It is a kind of pain experienced in the regions of head or neck. The pain is sensed by the nerves and muscles of the head and neck. It could be of two types – primary headache or secondary headache depending on their cause.

Primary headaches are mainly due to physical or mental strain. Causes like over activity, tension, over straining of eyes (poor vision) may result in primary headaches. There is a decreased blood flow to the areas surrounding the brain. As the brain tissue itself cannot sense pain due to the lack of pain receptors, only areas surrounding the brain hurts during headaches. Such headaches could occur repeatedly over a period of weeks or months. It may also occur on one side of the head centered around the eye.

On the other hand, secondary headaches could be as a result of some kind of illness in the body or a symptom of an injury. Fever, infections, head injury, tumors (blood clots), over use of pain medications or sinus problem could also result in secondary headaches. These cannot be treated with over-the-counter medication as in the case of primary headaches. Patient with secondary headaches require medical attention.