There are three main causes for primary headaches:
- Migraine - Migraine headaches can be caused by reduced blood flow to various areas of the cerebral cortex.
- Symptoms of migraines include sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting and intense throbbing pain that is usually on one side of the head.
- A neurotransmitter, serotonin, is thought to be involved in migraines because many of the drugs used to treat migraines alter the binding of serotonin to various receptors.
- Tension - Tension headaches are caused by muscular strains in the head and neck and/or emotional stress.
- Tension headaches are usually dull, steady, aching pains on both sides of the head.
- Sometimes, tension headaches develop into throbbing pains, leading researchers to believe that they may be closely related to migraines.
- Eye strain (poor vision) can trigger frequent tension headaches.
Cluster - Cluster headaches are headaches that occur repeatedly over a period of weeks or even months.
- Cluster-headache pain usually occurs on one side of the head and is centered around the eye.
- The causes of cluster headaches are unknown, but may be related to changes in blood flow because substances that affect blood flow, such as alcohol, can trigger cluster headaches.
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