S e c o n d e d I t I o n 1 Reading for the Real World 1

tension
headaches. Such headaches are characteristically felt on both 
sides of the head as a 
dull
, steady pain. 
Another kind of primary headache is the 
migraine
headache. Doctors 
believe this headache is caused by reduced flow of blood to certain parts of the 
brain. A migraine sufferer usually feels intense pain on one side of the head. The 
sufferer also becomes sensitive to light and noise. If the migraine is severe, the 
sufferer may vomit repeatedly. 
The third kind of primary headache is known as the cluster headache. 
Cluster headaches typically occur around the same time each day for weeks or 
months at a time. The person suffering from this kind of headache usually feels 
pain on one side of her or his head, and the pain is centered around one of the 
person’s eyes. Doctors do not know much at present about cluster headaches, 
but they seem more common among men and could be related to alcohol or 
other things that affect a person’s blood flow.
Using computers and more advanced medical equipment, doctors continue 
to learn more about what happens in the brain before and during headaches. 
Especially in the case of migraines, some doctors believe they have found the 
part of the brain that sets off the reaction for severe attacks. 
With this new insight into brain processes, doctors hope 
new ways will be discovered to 
disable
headaches 
before they begin.
Reading Time
_______ minutes _______ seconds
598
words
29
symptom --- a sign; an indication
31 
tension --- mental strain or overuse
33
dull --- not intense or sharp
34
migraine --- a severe, recurring headache
51
disable --- to cripple; to stop an ability

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R 
eading Comprehension
38