Skip to main content

Headache

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Contemporary Oral Medicine

Abstract

Headache is defined as a pain in the region above the orbitomeatal line. Headache disorders are common and considered a major health problem that affects a large percentage of the population worldwide. The International Headache Society (IHS) has an updated classification of headache referred to as the International Classification of Headache Disorders III (ICHD-III). This classification divides headache into primary and secondary headache and, additionally, categorizes painful cranial neuralgias and other facial pain conditions. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management of the most common primary headache disorders (migraine headache, tension-type headaches, and trigeminal autonomic cephalgias) and important secondary headache disorders (headaches attributed to ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, trauma or injury to head and neck region, nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage, giant cell arteritis, increase or decrease in cerebrospinal fluid, and intracranial neoplasia). In addition, it reviews the association between headache and temporomandibular disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 899.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bendtsen L. Central sensitization in tension-type headache – possible pathophysiological mechanisms. Cephalalgia. 2000;20(5):486–508.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bendtsen L, Jensen R, Olesen J. Decreased pain detection and tolerance thresholds in chronic tension-type headache. Arch Neurol. 1996;53(4):373–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bendtsen L, Evers S, Linde M, Mitsikostas DD, Sandrini G, Schoenen J, EFNS. EFNS guideline on the treatment of tension-type headache - report of an EFNS task force. Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(11):1318–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bigal ME, Liberman JN, Lipton RB. Age-dependent prevalence and clinical features of migraine. Neurology. 2006;67(2):246–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boes CJ, Swanson JW. Paroxysmal hemicrania, SUNCT, and hemicrania continua. Semin Neurol. 2006;26(2):260–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousser MG, Good J, Kittner SJ, Silberstein SD. Headache associated with vascular disorders. In: Wolff’s headache and other head Pain. New York: Oxford University Press; 2001. p. 349–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns B, Watkins L, Goadsby PJ. Treatment of medically intractable cluster headache by occipital nerve stimulation: long-term follow-up of eight patients. Lancet. 2007;369(9567):1099–106.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bussone G, Usai S. Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias: from pathophysiology to clinical aspects. Neurol Sci. 2004;25(3):s74–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Camarda C, Camarda R, Monastero R. Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua responding to topiramate: two case reports. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008;110(1):88–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chaaban MR, Illing E, Riley KO, Woodworth BA. Acetazolamide for high intracranial pressure cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013;3(9):718–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charles A. Advances in the basic and clinical science of migraine. Ann Neurol. 2009;65(5):491–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crider A, Glaros AG, Gevirtz RN. Efficacy of biofeedback-based treatments for temporomandibular disorders. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2005;30(4):333–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dionne RA. Pharmacologic treatments for temporomandibular disorders. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1997;83(1):134–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dodick DW. Diagnosing headache: clinical clues and clinical rules. Adv Stud Med. 2003;3(2):87–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekberg EC, Nilner M. Treatment outcome of short- and long-term appliance therapy in patients with TMD of myogenous origin and tension-type headache. J Oral Rehabil. 2006;33(10):713–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ekbom K, Hardebo JE. Cluster headache: aetiology, diagnosis and management. Drugs. 2002;62(1):61–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes G, Franco AL, Goncalves DA, Speciali JG, Bigal ME, Camparis CM. Temporomandibular disorders, sleep bruxism, and primary headaches are mutually associated. J Orofac Pain. 2013;27(1):14–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ford RG, Ford KT, Swaid S, Young P, Jennelle R. Gamma knife treatment of refractory cluster headache. Headache. 1998;38(1):3–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franco AL, Fernandes G, Goncalves DA, Bonafe FS, Camparis CM. Headache associated with temporomandibular disorders among young Brazilian adolescents. Clin J Pain. 2014;30(4):340–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Furto ES, Cleland JA, Whitman JM, Olson KA. Manual physical therapy interventions and exercise for patients with temporomandibular disorders. Cranio. 2006;24(4):283–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goadsby PJ, Edvinsson L, Ekman R. Release of vasoactive peptides in the extracerebral circulation of humans and the cat during activation of the trigeminovascular system. Ann Neurol. 1988;23(2):193–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goadsby PJ, Cittadini E, Cohen AS. Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias: paroxysmal hemicrania, SUNCT/SUNA, and hemicrania continua. Semin Neurol. 2010;30(2):186–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greene CS. Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders: emergence of a new care guidelines statement. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2010;110(2):137–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haldeman S, Dagenais S. Cervicogenic headaches: a critical review. Spine J. 2001;1(1):31–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The international classification of headache disorders, (3rd edition). Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102417738202.

  • Herman CR, Schiffman EL, Look JO, Rindal DB. The effectiveness of adding pharmacologic treatment with clonazepam or cyclobenzaprine to patient education and self-care for the treatment of jaw pain upon awakening: a randomized clinical trial. J Orofac Pain. 2002;16(1):64–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holroyd KA, Drew JB. Behavioral approaches to the treatment of migraine. Semin Neurol. 2006;26(2):199–207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Izumi H. Nervous control of blood flow in the orofacial region. Pharmacol Ther. 1999;81(2):141–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson JL, Kuriyama A, Hayashino Y. Botulinum toxin a for prophylactic treatment of migraine and tension headaches in adults: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;307(16):1736–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristoffersen ES, Lundqvist C. Medication-overuse headache: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2014;5(2):87–99.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • La Jolla Donald J. Wolff’s headache and other head pain. New York: Oxford University Press; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanza DC, Kennedy DW. Adult rhinosinusitis defined. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;117(3_suppl):S1–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leao AA. Further observations on the spreading depression of activity in the cerebral cortex. J Neurophysiol. 1947;10(6):409–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leone M, Bussone G. Pathophysiology of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. The Lancet Neurology. 2009;8(8):755–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leone M, Franzini A, Cecchini AP, Broggi G, Bussone G. Hypothalamic deep brain stimulation in the treatment of chronic cluster headache. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2010;3(3):187–95.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • LeResche L. Epidemiology of temporomandibular disorders: implications for the investigation of etiologic factors. Crit rev Oral Biol med. 1997;8(3):291–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine SM, Hellmann DB. Giant cell arteritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2002;14(1):3–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Diamond M, Freitag F, Reed ML, Stewart WF, A. A. Group. Migraine prevalence, disease burden, and the need for preventive therapy. Neurology. 2007;68(5):343–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • List T, Axelsson S, Leijon G. Pharmacologic interventions in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, atypical facial pain, and burning mouth syndrome. A qualitative systematic review. J Orofac Pain. 2003;17(4):301–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lobato RD, Rivas JJ, Cordobes F, Alted E, Perez C, Sarabia R, Cabrera A, Diez I, Gomez P, Lamas E. Acute epidural hematoma: an analysis of factors influencing the outcome of patients undergoing surgery in coma. J Neurosurg. 1988;68(1):48–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loder E, Burch R, Rizzoli P. The 2012 AHS/AAN guidelines for prevention of episodic migraine: a summary and comparison with other recent clinical practice guidelines. Headache. 2012;52(6):930–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manzoni GC. Cluster headache and lifestyle: remarks on a population of 374 male patients. Cephalalgia. 1999a;19(2):88–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manzoni GC. Epidemiological and clinical aspects of cluster headache: relation with the migrainous syndrome. Ital J Neurol Sci. 1999b;20(2 Suppl):S4–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marcelis J, Silberstein SD. Spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid pressure headache. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 1990;30(4):192–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matharu MS, Goadsby PJ. Functional brain imaging in hemicrania continua: implications for nosology and pathophysiology. Curr Pain Headache rep. 2005;9(4):281–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • May A, Goadsby PJ. Cluster headache: imaging and other developments. Curr Opin Neurol. 1998;11(3):199–203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • May A, Bahra A, Büchel C, Frackowiak RS, Goadsby PJ. Hypothalamic activation in cluster headache attacks. Lancet. 1998;352(9124):275–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McNeely ML, Armijo Olivo S, Magee DJ. A systematic review of the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for temporomandibular disorders. Phys Ther. 2006;86(5):710–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meltzer EO, Hamilos DL, Hadley JA, Lanza DC, Marple BF, Nicklas RA, Bachert C, Baraniuk J, Baroody FM, Benninger MS. Rhinosinusitis: establishing definitions for clinical research and patient care. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;114(6):155–212.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mokri B. Headaches caused by decreased intracranial pressure: diagnosis and management. Curr Opin Neurol. 2003;16(3):319–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson H, Limchaichana N, Nilner M, Ekberg EC. Short-term treatment of a resilient appliance in TMD pain patients: a randomized controlled trial. J Oral Rehabil. 2009;36(8):547–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pascual J, Quijano J. A case of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania responding to subcutaneous sumatriptan. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1998;65(3):407.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pascual J, Lainez MJ, Dodick D, Hering-Hanit R. Antiepileptic drugs for the treatment of chronic and episodic cluster headache: a review. Headache. 2007;47(1):81–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peres MF, Silberstein SD, Nahmias S, Shechter AL, Youssef I, Rozen TD, Young WB. Hemicrania continua is not that rare. Neurology. 2001;57(6):948–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfund Z, Szapary L, Jaszberenyi O, Nagy F, Czopf J. Headache in intracranial tumors. Cephalalgia. 1999;19(9):787–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen BK, Jensen R, Olesen J. A population-based analysis of the diagnostic criteria of the international headache society. Cephalalgia. 1991a;11(3):129–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen BK, Jensen R, Schroll M, Olesen J. Epidemiology of headache in a general population--a prevalence study. J Clin Epidemiol. 1991b;44(11):1147–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman EL, Look JO, Hodges JS, Swift JQ, Decker KL, Hathaway KM, Templeton RB, Fricton JR. Randomized effectiveness study of four therapeutic strategies for TMJ closed lock. J Dent Res. 2007;86(1):58–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, Look J, Anderson G, Goulet JP, List T, Svensson P, Gonzalez Y, Lobbezoo F, Michelotti A, Brooks SL, Ceusters W, Drangsholt M, Ettlin D, Gaul C, Goldberg LJ, Haythornthwaite JA, Hollender L, Jensen R, John MT, De Laat A, de Leeuw R, Maixner W, van der Meulen M, Murray GM, Nixdorf DR, Palla S, Petersson A, Pionchon P, Smith B, Visscher CM, Zakrzewska J, Dworkin SF. Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) for clinical and research applications: recommendations of the international RDC/TMD consortium network* and orofacial pain special interest Groupdagger. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014;28(1):6–27.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Wilcke T, Leinisch E, Straube A, Kämpfe N, Draganski B, Diener H, Bogdahn U, May A. Gray matter decrease in patients with chronic tension type headache. Neurology. 2005;65(9):1483–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scrivani SJ, Keith DA, Kaban LB. Temporomandibular disorders. N Engl J med. 2008;359(25):2693–705.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silberstein SD. Practice parameter: evidence-based guidelines for migraine headache (an evidence-based review): report of the quality standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of neurology. Neurology. 2000;55(6):754–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silberstein SD, Holland S, Freitag F, Dodick DW, Argoff C, Ashman E, Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Evidence-based guideline update: pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults: report of the quality standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of neurology and the American headache society. Neurology. 2012;78(17):1337–45.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Singer E, Dionne R. A controlled evaluation of ibuprofen and diazepam for chronic orofacial muscle pain. J Orofac Pain. 1997;11(2):139–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sjaastad O, Bakketeig L. Cluster headache prevalence. VÃ¥gÃ¥ study of headache epidemiology. Cephalalgia. 2003;23(7):528–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slade GD, Bair E, By K, Mulkey F, Baraian C, Rothwell R, Reynolds M, Miller V, Gonzalez Y, Gordon S, Ribeiro-Dasilva M, Lim PF, Greenspan JD, Dubner R, Fillingim RB, Diatchenko L, Maixner W, Dampier D, Knott C, Ohrbach R. Study methods, recruitment, sociodemographic findings, and demographic representativeness in the OPPERA study. J Pain. 2011;12(11 Suppl):T12–26.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Slade GD, Bair E, Greenspan JD, Dubner R, Fillingim RB, Diatchenko L, Maixner W, Knott C, Ohrbach R. Signs and symptoms of first-onset TMD and sociodemographic predictors of its development: the OPPERA prospective cohort study. J Pain. 2013;14(12 Suppl):T20–32. e1–3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tarabichi M. Endoscopic management of cholesteatoma: long-term results. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000;122(6):874–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Truelove E, Huggins KH, Mancl L, Dworkin SF. The efficacy of traditional, low-cost and nonsplint therapies for temporomandibular disorder: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;137(8):1099–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vargas BB. Tension-type headache and migraine: two points on a continuum? Curr Pain Headache rep. 2008;12(6):433–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez-Barquero A, Ibanez F, Herrera S, Izquierdo J, Berciano J, Pascual J. Isolated headache as the presenting clinical manifestation of intracranial tumors: a prospective study. Cephalalgia. 1994;14(4):270–1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams MH, Broadley SA. SUNCT and SUNA: clinical features and medical treatment. J Clin Neurosci. 2008;15(5):526–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Dedication

This chapter is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Steven B. Graff-Radford, a dear friend, colleague and leader in the field of headache medicine and orofacial pain. His knowledge, teaching and guidance will be missed. His friendship with me will also be missed.

Steven J. Scrivani

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven J. Scrivani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Scrivani, S.J., Graff-Radford, S.B., Khawaja, S.N., Spierings, E.L.H. (2019). Headache. In: Farah, C., Balasubramaniam, R., McCullough, M. (eds) Contemporary Oral Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72303-7_33

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72303-7_33

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72301-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72303-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics