Headaches are a very common cause of localized pain. Headache pain can occur in one area of the head or the entire head, with sometimes the upper neck also being affected. Although headaches are experienced by many people, when they become frequent, they can cause an individual to worry that something serious may be wrong. Although headaches can occur from serious disorders, usually they are caused from something minor and are treatable.

Causes of Headaches
One of the most common causes of headache is tension. These types of headaches often feel as if a band is tightening around the head. The cause of these common headaches are unknown, although many in the medical field believe they occur from tightening the muscles in the neck, scalp and face. Recent medical research shows that this may not be the cause, but could be due to changes in the brain with chemicals.

Another cause of headaches is migraines. These severe headaches sometimes accompany other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and heightened sensitivity to light and noise. Contributing factors of migraines include hormonal changes, stress, sensitivity to certain foods and beverages as well as disturbed sleep. Treating and managing migraines can usually be accomplished with prescription medications.

Headaches can also occur from other causes such as low blood sugar. Missing meals can result in head pain if blood sugar levels become low. Eyestrain is another reason that headaches occur. Spending long periods on the computer or playing video games can cause these types of headaches to occur. Dehydration can bring on a headache. These types of headaches often occur after spending time outdoors in the sun without drinking sufficient amounts of water to keep the body hydrated. These headaches often manifest as throbbing pain experienced in the entire head. Chewing gum can even result in a headache.

Types of Headaches
According to medical experts, there are five classifications of headaches. Migraine headaches are classified as vascular headaches, resulting from swollen blood vessels. Myogenic headaches occur due to contracting muscles. Head pain that is experienced from injuries involving the head, spine or neck are referred to as cervogenic head pain. These types of headaches do disappear after the injury has healed. Inflammatory and traction headaches are often associated with serious health problems. Traction headaches result when nerve cells within the brain are being overly stretched due to a hematoma or a tumor. An inflammatory headache is usually a result of a serious disease that has affected the neck, spine, sinuses, teeth or the ears.