Headache

Conditions and Treatments

Headaches often are related to stress, allergies or a "hang over," resulting from drinking too much alcohol. But severe or recurring headaches, especially those accompanied by other symptoms, may be signs of a more serious disorder. If your headache appears with other signs and symptoms or if you experience unusually sharp pain, you should contact your doctor.

The most common types of headaches are vascular, including cluster and migraine headaches, and tension headaches.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007