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On the other hand, a secondary headache is one caused by another condition.
For example, someone who catches the flu may suffer from headaches along with
other symptoms of the illness. Flu headaches are thus secondary headaches.
For primary headaches, doctors have determined three possible causes. One
kind of primary headache is caused by stress. Doctors usually call headaches of
this kind tension headaches. Such headaches are characteristically felt on both
sides of the head as a dull, steady pain.
Another kind of primary headache is the migraine headache. Doctors
believe this headache is caused by reduced flow of blood to certain parts of the
brain. A migraine sufferer usually feels intense pain on one side of the head. The
sufferer also becomes sensitive to light and noise. If the migraine is severe, the
sufferer may vomit repeatedly.
The third kind of primary headache is known as the cluster headache.
Cluster headaches typically occur around the same time each day for weeks or
months at a time. The person suffering from this kind of headache usually feels
pain on one side of her or his head, and the pain is centered around one of the
person’s eyes. Doctors do not know much at present about cluster headaches,
but they seem more common among men and could be related to alcohol or
other things that affect a person’s blood flow.
Using computers and more advanced medical equipment, doctors continue
to learn more about what happens in the brain before and during headaches.
Especially in the case of migraines, some doctors believe they have found the
part of the brain that sets off the reaction for severe attacks.
With this new insight into brain processes, doctors hope
new ways will be discovered to disable headaches
before they begin.
Reading Time
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words
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symptom --- a sign; an indication
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tension --- mental strain or overuse
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dull --- not intense or sharp
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migraine --- a severe, recurring headache
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disable --- to cripple; to stop an ability
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eading Comprehension
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