While there is no universal cure, most headaches can be successfully treated. Much has been learned about headaches in the last several years. The brain s own mechanisms of pain control have been defined, and medications that specifically stop migraine pain are available. More medications will soon be available. These developments make it quite clear that pain begins in the brain.
Vascular headaches involve blood vessels in the brain and changes in blood flow.
Fever, chemical exposures, and certain medications can bring on vascular headaches. Cluster headaches and hangover headaches are in this category as well. Muscle contraction headaches stem from the tensing of jaw and neck muscles, from holding the neck or head stiff, or from jaw or neck joint problems. Inflammatory headaches are those that stem from infections or other illnesses. Nerves in the scalp, jaw, face, mouth, throat, and other parts of the head can be stimulated by muscle tension, teeth clenching, stress, dilated blood vessels, and other headache triggers.