Quiz – All In Your Head

When Benjamin Franklin said that nothing is certain in the world except death and taxes, he probably could have mentioned headaches too. We all get them.  But the type of headache we suffer from may vary greatly, as well as the cause. Learn more about the characteristics of this common ailment, as well as the symptoms that might indicate something more serious, by taking our quiz. We promise it won’t be a headache to find the answers:

1. Headaches can be caused by a number of conditions and need to be classified as either primary or secondary headaches.
 
A. True
B. False

2. All of the following areas of the head can be the source of a headache EXCEPT:
 
A. The network of nerves that extends over the scalp
B. Muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders
C. Certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat
D. The tissues of the brain
E. Blood vessels found along the surface and at the base of the brain

3. Which of the following types of primary headache may also have nausea and vomiting as a symptom?
 
A.Tension headaches, caused by stress and muscle tension
B. Cluster headaches, which occur in a series that may last weeks
C. Migraine headaches, which also have visual symptoms such as sensitivity to light

4. A symptom that indicates a more serious headache is:
 
A. Vomiting without nausea
B. Sudden onset of extreme pain
C. Weakness in the arms or legs
D. Seizures
E. All of the above

5. Medication is the only consistent option for adequate headache management.
 
A. True
B.  False

Answers:

1.  A. True. When the headache itself is the main problem, even with associated factors such as muscle tension or dehydration, these are primary headaches. Headaches with an underlying medical condition such as sinus infection are classified as secondary. 

2.  D. The tissues of the brain itself don’t have pain-sensitive nerve fibers. The nerve fibers within the blood vessels found along the surface and base of the brain, however, are delicate.

3.  C. Migraine headaches. These headaches are also unique in that they have distinct phases, including a premonition phase in which a change in mood may occur hours or days before the headache, and a resolution phase of fatigue or irritability after the headache is gone. 

4.  E. All of the above.  Other symptoms of a more serious headache include pain that is worsened by strain such as a cough or a sneeze, personality changes, pain that starts early in the morning, or changes in vision. 

5.  B. False. Specific treatment will be determined by your physician, but it could include a variety of methods such as exercise, stress management, avoiding known triggers such as certain foods, or getting enough rest in a quiet, dark environment.
 
Source: The Health Library at www.sjchs.org/health-library. Visit us to learn more about your body and your health.