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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHeadache is pain in any region of the head. Headaches may occur on one or both sides of the head, be isolated to a certain location, radiate across the head from one point or have a vise-like quality. A headache may be a sharp pain, throbbing sensation or dull ache. Headaches may appear gradually or suddenly, and they may last less than an hour or for several days.
Your headache symptoms can help your doctor determine the cause and the appropriate treatment. Most headaches aren't the result of a serious illness, but seek emergency care if you have a sudden, severe headache or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, stiff neck or nausea.
- Raskin N, et al. Headache. In: Rowland L, ed. Merritt's Neurology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.
- Silberstein S. Approach to the patient with headache. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch216/ch216a.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2009.
- Taylor F. Tension-type headache in adults: Pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 2nd ed. Cephalalgia. 2004;24 Suppl 1:9.
- Silberstein S. Migraine. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch216/ch216d.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2009.
- Silberstein S. Tension-type headache. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch216/ch216f.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2009.
- NINDS stroke information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm?css=print. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- NINDS meningitis and encephalitis information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/encephalitis_meningitis.htm. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Silberstein S. Cluster headache. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch216/ch216b.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2009.
- Paul, IM. Fever. In: Rakel, RE, et al., eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126454806-3/0/1621/16.html?tocnode=54633451&fromURL=16.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50009-1_114. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- DePhillips, H. Treating your child's fever. Medem. http://www.medem.com/medlib/print/ZZZXB1JODDC. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 31, 2009.
