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What Happens During a Headache?
Introduction
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), at least 95 percent of women and 90 percent of men have experienced a headache at some point in their lives. Headaches come in many types and can vary in severity from mild pressure to debilitating sharp pains. However they come, headaches are a normal part of many people's lives.
Affected Areas
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Headaches typically target six main areas. These areas are the muscles of the face and head, the blood vessels at the base of the brain, and the nerves of the scalp, throat, face and mouth. Each affected area has a high number of pain receptors in the immediate vicinity.
The Process
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Headaches occur when the ends of pain-sensing nerves called nociceptors are triggered by one of a series of different stimuli. These stimuli usually include the dilation of blood vessels or stress and tension of the muscles. However, they can also be triggered by a variety of other factors, such as disease or trauma. When these triggers occur, the nociceptors transmit pain signals to the brain, causing the hurting sensation associated with headaches. The greater the stimuli on the nociceptors, the more severe of a headache a person will feel.
Types of Headaches
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There are two main types of headaches, primary and secondary. According to the Yale Medical Group, primary headaches make up about 90 percent of the headaches to most individuals' experience. These include cluster headaches, vascular headaches, migraines and tension headaches. Secondary headaches make up the other 10 percent and are usually side effects of other conditions. These headaches consist of inflammatory headaches and traction headaches.
Endorphines
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Another factor that may contribute to the severity of a headache are endorphins. Endorphins are proteins that are naturally made by the body that act as pain relievers. Those with a lack of endorphins, or a hindered ability to create endorphins, may experience more severe and frequent headaches then those with adequate amounts of the protein.
eHow Article: What Happens During a Headache?
