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Headaches are caused by the alteration of the mechanisms and physiological processes that activate and / or involve structures sensitive to the stimulus of pain, located in some areas of the head and neck: periosteum of the skull, muscles, nerves, arteries and veins, subcutaneous tissues , eyes, ears, sinuses and mucous membranes. It is not yet clear, however, why these painful signals are initially activated. Primary headaches are almost never caused by a "single cause: in most cases, they represent the result of the interaction between genetic predisposition, endogenous causes (internal to the organism) and triggering factors (ie the stimuli that trigger the alterations). In other cases, the headache may be the result of trauma to the head or, rarely, a sign of a more serious medical condition. In fact, secondary headaches can represent a non-specific symptom, as they can be associated with a series of different conditions, determined by multiple causes. Obviously, the treatment of headache depends on the underlying etiology.
Endogenous mechanisms
Triggering factors
- Modification of the blood vessels that supply the brain: dilation, restriction, compression of arteries and veins;
- Compression, traction or inflammation of the cranial nerves
- Inflammation, contracture or compression of the extracranial and cervical muscles;
- Inflammation of the meninges.
- Physical and emotional stress;
- Some foods;
- Abuse or failure to consume caffeine;
- Decrease in sugar due to prolonged fasting
- Hyperglycemia (high amount of sugar in the blood)
- Incorrect posture;
- Malocclusion;
- Climatic changes and / or air conditioning;
- Strong odors or noises
- Changes in the sleep-wake rhythm
- Smoking and alcohol
- Some medications;
- Sexual intercourse;
- Prolonged use of the computer.
