Headaches and facial pain syndromes

Abstract

Headaches (cephalalgia) are one of the most frequent complaints with which patients visit a doctor and are the cause of 10–20 % of all visits. Special epidemiological studies have shown that in Germany headaches occur in 71 % of the population, in the United States headaches occur at least once a year in 99 % of young women, and 91 % of young men. Almost everyone has experienced a headache at least once in their life. Sometimes it is the leading one, and in other cases it is the only symptom. Headache is not a separate disease, but a symptom that can sometimes be significant and impairs quality of life. Headache is one of the 3 most common causes of temporary disability. Headaches are divided into 2 main groups: primary and secondary (symptomatic). Headache and facial pain syndromes are multifactorial. Pain occurs when receptors in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, tendons, blood vessels, periosteum, brain membranes, intracranial vessels, veins and venous sinuses are irritated. Cranial nerves, which include sensory fibers, are also sensitive to pain. Facial pain syndromes occur in case of nerve (trigeminal) damage, pathology of teeth, paranasal sinuses, nerves of the oral cavity. The intracranially located sensory nerves (V, VII, IX, X) and the first three cervical roots of the spinal cord are involved in the conduction of pain impulses from receptors to the brain. The purpose of our lecture is to highlight the pathogenetic mechanisms of headache and facial pain syndromes, their differential diagnosis, clinical picture, emergency care and treatment.