Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Symptoms and Signs

Headache

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈhedeɪk/nounCore term

In medicine, headache means: Pain anywhere in the head; most headaches are harmless, but a few are a sign of a serious problem.

In Turkish: baş ağrısı

How it is used

One of the most common complaints in general practice and the emergency department. Doctors ask about onset, site and red flags: a sudden 'worst ever' headache, fever with neck stiffness, or headache with weakness. Types include tension headache, migraine and cluster headache.

Example sentences

  1. He came in with a sudden, severe headache that started while he was lifting weights.

  2. Do you get these headaches at a particular time of day?

Common collocations

  • severe headache
  • tension headache
  • thunderclap headache
  • have a headache
  • painAn unpleasant feeling in part of the body that tells you something is hurt or not working properly; it is the most common reason people see a doctor.
  • red flagA symptom or sign that suggests a serious cause, such as cancer or a spinal problem, and needs urgent attention or tests.
  • onsetThe moment or the way in which a symptom or illness begins, for example suddenly or slowly over several weeks.
  • CT scanA scan that uses X-rays taken from many angles and a computer to build detailed cross-section pictures of the body. CT stands for computed tomography.

More terms: Symptoms and Signs

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.