What is a headache, since the brain has no pain receptors?


Question:
Surgeons can operate on the brain without use of anesthetics because is has no pain receptors. What then is a headache?

Answers:
A headache is usually from the pain receptors in the meninges and the skull, plus the muscles on the skull, not from the brain itself. It can be caused by tension, sinus pressure, dilation or constriction of blood vessels, etc.

Other Answers:
It's a constriction of the blood vessels in the head. The lack of blood flow causes the pain. That's why a lot of over the counter headache meds contain cafffeine. Caffeine is a vaso-dilator.
A good biology question ^_^ A headache doesnt necessarily have anything to do with the brain. A headache is caused by blood flow in the cappilaries surrounding the brain.

Caffeine constricts those cappilaries which is why pop can sometimes help with a headache.
i dont know but i know some great ways to get some head aches like slamming your head in the oven or a cupboard of some sort or getting run over by several large objects like houses and finally my personal favorite jumping of something REALLY tall with a home made parachute fun fun fun oh well tah p.s. have fun
It's from constriction of the blood vessels in the brain caused by stress, or chemicals causing stress. Caffiene can get rid of some of my headaches (it dialtes the blood vessels), but if you drink too much, it can cause a headache.

There you have it.
The brain itself is not sensitive to pain, because it lacks pain-sensitive nerve fibers. Several areas of the head can hurt, including a network of nerves which extends over the scalp and certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat. The meninges and the blood vessels do have pain perception. Headache often results from traction to or irritation of the meninges and blood vessels. The muscles of the head may similarly be sensitive to pain.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache
*Traditional* headaches are from the constriction of the blood vessels. *Migraines* are the opposite - they are swollen vessels. The pain is from the vessel swelling & contracting, not from the brain.


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