Question about by biology, physically, why do we get headaches.

[Lucid_boy]

I know that this question is simplistic compared to the others in the forum, but why, physically, do we get headaches? I don't mean like an injury type headache, but when you get a stress headache, what physical things happen to cause it?

[C911]

I know that you can get a head ache in the front of the head, above the eyes, from eye strain. The little muscles tire out and start to swell, which causes pain. Dont know about the rest of them though. Im assuming swelling of a different small muscle that causes them.

[LucidFlanders]

Too much time sitting and staring at a computer monitor can give you migranes at the bone above the eye, i know because i get these A LOT!

[khh]

Migraines are the product of the blood vesicles in your brain swelling up and getting larger. This causes pressure which in turn causes pain.

[slash112]

wow i didnt know that. ive been getting migranes constantly for year, and i never thought to look it up.

[Specialis Sapientia]

Headaches and migraines can sometimes be the symptom of a very complicated condition. Some chronic headaches are mystifying for some doctors, where no matter how sophisticated technology is used, no source can be found. There are several types of headaches too. The pain sensation does never come from the brain, but from the cranium, spinal nerves, neck and large arteries/veins and more. The brain can't register pain because of no nociceptors. Physically, the intracranial pressure increase and causes pain.

[Michael]

That's scary stuff. I never really thought about this. Glad I never get headaches.

[Universal Mind]

I have a headache right now. I think it's because there are too many idiots in my life.

[Noogah]

Not that your question is dumb... But the concept is the same.

[Naiya]

If I remember right, headaches often happen when the blood vessels around your brain constrict, and then dialate in reaction to the constriction. You have no pain recepters in your brain, just around it. When blood vessels dialate, the surrounding tissues swell up and the blood vessels release chemicals which your pain receptors pick up on, causing you pain. That could be just migraines, though. I took physiology a while ago, it's hard to remember. When all else fails, ask Dr. Google. Tension headaches occur when the muscles in your neck and shoulders get tensed up for too long.

[Emi Chan]

Constipation has been a source of most common headaches as well. Drinking the necessary amount of water and this can be avoided.