Brain and Nerve Disorders Chapter 62 Headaches Headaches are among the most common medical problems. Some people have headaches often, while others hardly ever have them. Both chronic and recurring headaches may be painful and distressing but rarely reflect a serious medical condition.
Most headaches are muscle tension headaches, migraines, or head pain with no obvious cause.
Many headaches are related to problems with the eyes, nose, throat, teeth, and ears. Consulting an ophthalmologist may lead to identifying the cause of and obtaining treatment for this type of pain. High blood pressure may produce a throbbing sensation in the head, but high blood pressure rarely causes chronic headaches. Usually a doctor can determine the cause of a headache from the patient's medical history and a physical examination. However, occasionally blood tests may be needed to detect an underlying illness.