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What Are Headaches and What Causes Them?
Headaches, one of the most common health problems affecting humanity, are among the 10 most common symptoms for which medical advice is sought, accounting for 18 million outpatient visits a year in the United States. 1 More than 40 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches without regard to race, culture, lifestyle, occupation or geography. For at least half of these people, the problem is severe and sometimes disabling. In addition to loss of productivity, billions of dollars are spent on various forms of treatment and habituation to medications, plus the resulting family and work problems are significant. Despite their prevalence, headaches aren't simply the by-product of a modern, fast-paced society. Medical records left by ancient cultures from the Orient to the New World describe headaches.
Why Does It Hurt?
What hurts in a headache? Several areas of the head can hurt, including those affected by a network of nerves extending over the scalp and by certain nerves in the face, mouth and throat. Also sensitive to pain, because they

 
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