A lot of people suffer from headaches and some even go to great lengths to treat them but does the average headache sufferer know exactly what a headache is? In this article I am going to discuss some headache basics-what you need to know.

Your head contains nerves which run over the scalp, face, mouth and throat. These delicate nerves are very sensitive to pain as well as the muscles in the head and blood vessels found around the brain. At the end of these sensitive and delicate nerves we find nociceptors which are easily stimulated by stress, muscle tension and dilated blood vessels. Once these are triggered the nociceptor sends a message through the nerve to the brain signaling pain. Different messages are relayed depending on the location of the indicator.

Now that you know about headache pain, let’s take a look at symptoms. The biggest question is: When should I see a doctor for my headaches? Most people take over the counter medications for pain relief and for the most part they work but in some cases prescription medications and doctor involvement become necessary. If you experience any of the following symptoms it is advised that you seek advice from your medical doctor:
*Severe headache with a stiff neck
*Headache after any kind of head trauma
*Headache with eye or ear pain
*Headache with convulsions
*Headache with a fever
*Headache with loss of consciousness or confusion
*Sudden and severe headache
*Frequent headaches in children
*If your headache interferes with daily life

Also things to tell your doctor (keep a headache journal):
*Location of pain
*Severity of pain
*All symptoms
*How long does the headache last?
*Any changes in your diet or sleeping habits

Your doctor will want to know your complete medical history so be prepared to answer those questions also. Your doctor will do a physical and neurological exam and in some cases blood tests. With the results of the tests your doctor will be able to diagnose and begin treatment for your headache or migraine.