Headache

Headache is one of the most common health related conditions in Australia, with around 15 per cent of us taking painkillers for a headache at any given time. It is likely that nearly all of us will experience headache during our lifetime. People of any age can be affected, but a recent study undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that people between the ages of 25 and 44 years were more likely to report having a headache. There are a number of different types of headache and many different causes, which explains why the condition is so common.

Headache can be classified into two broad categories - primary and secondary. Examples of primary headache include migraine, cluster or tension headache. Secondary headaches are triggered by an underlying disorder - such as infection, injury or tumour - and can be considered as a side effect of the main illness.