- 1 a continuous pain in the head to suffer from headaches Red wine gives me a headache. I have a splitting headache (= a very bad one). a tension headache CollocationsIllnessesBecoming ill catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(British English) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug get (British English) ill/(North American English) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(British English) flu/a migraine come down with a cold/the flu/(British English) flu contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis have a heart attack/a stroke provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction block/burst/rupture a blood vessel damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendonBeing ill feel (British English) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy be running (British English) a temperature/(North American English) a fever have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(British English) a high temperature/(North American English) a fever suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder be laid up with/ (British English) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(British English) flu/a migraine nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholismTreatments examine a patient diagnose a condition/disease/disorder be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics treat somebody for cancer/depression/shock have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer have/be given an injection/(British English) a flu jab/(North American English) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs be vaccinated against the flu/(British English) flu/the measles/(British English) measles/polio/smallpox enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebad, chronic, severe, … verb + headacheexperience, have, suffer from, … headache + nounmedicine, pill, tablet, … See full entry See related entries: Being ill
- 2(informal) a person or thing that causes worry or trouble The real headache will be getting the bank to lend you the money. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebig, huge, major, … verb + headachecreate prepositionheadache for See full entry Extra examples He developed a severe migraine headache. I have a splitting headache. I’ve got a splitting headache. She had left the party early, pleading a headache. The workers had complained of headaches and nausea. These regulations have created major headaches for many businesses. Uneven cash flow proved to be a major headache for the company. We all get headaches from time to time.
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