Migraines & Headache Disorders
Headache disorders originate in the nervous system. They are one of the most common disorders and are sometimes associated with other conditions. Headache pain is caused by the activation of nerve fibers within the wall of brain blood vessels traveling inside the meninges (three layers of membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord). Migraine is a type of headache characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head.
Headaches and headache disorders affect people of all ages, races and socioeconomic status, and there are many types and causes of headache disorders. Symptoms, frequency and severity vary. Some headaches are extremely debilitating and have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, imposing huge costs to healthcare and indirectly to the economy in general. Only a small proportion of headache disorders require specialist input. The vast majority can be effectively treated by a primary care physician or generalist with correct clinical diagnosis that requires no special investigation.
To learn more about the causes, symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of migraine and headache disorders, please explore the menu on the left.