Primary Headaches

While headaches can be caused by medical conditions, injuries, or infections, they are sometimes not due to a specific disease or other identified medical condition. These are called primary headaches. The three most common of types of primary headaches are Tension, Cluster, and Migraine headaches.

• Tension headaches

  These are caused by muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and head. The tension may come from fatigue, an uncomfortable body position, or emotional stress.

  Tension headaches typically begin in the morning or early afternoon and can get worse during the day. They often involve a tight pressure feeling like a band around the forehead, but pain may spread over the entire head and downward into the neck and shoulders.

• Cluster headaches

  These types of headaches can be very painful. The intensely sharp pain usually involves one side of the head and spreads around the eye.

  Cluster headaches start suddenly and generally last about an hour. Attacks come in groups—hence the name "cluster"—occurring several times a day or each week and continuing for 6 to 8 weeks.

• Migraine headaches

  Migraines are a very different type of headache. They are often identified by the following symptoms:

  • Intense throbbing head pain
  • Blurred vision with shimmering light specks
  • Dizziness or nausea
  • Sensitivity to light, sound, or odors

  It is an old affliction, described in ancient writings thousands of years ago.

Secondary Headaches

Headaches that are related to other physical conditions or illnesses are often referred to as secondary headaches. These headaches may result from any number of common causes, including high blood pressure (hypertension), eye or sinus problems, and facial structure disorders.

• Headaches related to high blood pressure

  Headaches can result from the affects of high blood pressure on the blood vessels and circulatory system throughout the body. The pain is identified by a throbbing sensation throughout the head, though these headaches generally don't last very long.

• Headaches resulting from eye or sinus problems

  Sinus congestion or built-up pressure in the eyes due to glaucoma are examples of the types of physical problems that can occur with your eyes, ears, nose and/or throat that result in headaches. These headaches will often disappear when the medical condition that causes them is effectively treated.

• Headaches associated with facial disorders

  One disorder (originally known as temporomandibular joint or TMJ syndrome), now known as myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD), is characterized by a dull aching pain in and around the ear when chewing food. The pain may spread to the side of the scalp causing a headache. People with this disorder may find it difficult to open their mouth or experience a clicking/popping sound when they move their jaw. Once symptoms are recognized this disorder can be effectively treated.

  Secondary headaches can also be caused by other serious medical conditions such as trauma to the head or brain, accumulation of blood in and around the brain, infections or a tumor.

  Whether primary or secondary in nature, headaches can be both painful and distressing for those who have them. It is important to keep in mind that most headaches are not an indication of a serious medical condition. Headaches happen to millions of people every single day.

Depakote and Depakote ER are indicated for prophylaxis (prevention) of migraine headaches in adults.

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