What it is
Headache describes pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, representing one of the most common human symptoms.
Research-supported
Headache
Pain or discomfort experienced in the head, scalp, or neck — ranging from tension-type to migraine, cluster headache, and secondary causes requiring investigation.
CategoryPain
Reviewed by Internal Medical Editorial Team · Editorial Health Review
26 March 2026
At a glance
Headache at a glance
Commonly experienced as
- People describe a huge range of head pain experiences — from dull bilateral pressure to severe unilateral pulsating pain, from pain behind the eyes to pain at the base of the skull. The pattern, location, and associated features are diagnostically important.
