What causes headaches and when should you be concerned. How to identify different types of headaches. What are the best treatments for various headache types. When should you seek medical attention for a headache. How can you prevent and manage recurring headaches.

Understanding the Causes and Types of Headaches

Headaches are a common ailment affecting nearly everyone at some point in their lives. While the exact mechanisms behind many headaches remain unclear, we do know that the pain originates from blood vessels, tissues surrounding the brain, and major nerves in the head and neck region. The brain itself and the skull do not contain pain-sensitive nerves.

There are over 300 types of headaches, broadly categorized into two main groups:

• Primary headaches: Account for about 90% of all headaches and have no underlying medical condition
• Secondary headaches: Result from an underlying medical condition or injury

Primary headaches include tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches, while secondary headaches can be caused by various factors such as sinus infections, concussions, or more serious conditions like tumors or aneurysms.

Tension Headaches: The Most Common Type

Tension headaches affect approximately 75% of adults and are characterized by:

• Dull, squeezing pain on both sides of the head
• Mild to moderate severity
• Duration of 20 minutes to 2 hours
• Possible aching in the shoulders and neck

Triggers for tension headaches often include fatigue, emotional stress, and problems with neck or jaw muscles and joints. Most people can manage occasional tension headaches with over-the-counter pain relievers and lifestyle adjustments.

Migraines: Intense and Debilitating

Migraines are less common but typically more severe than tension headaches. They affect 6-8% of men and 15-18% of women. Characteristics of migraines include:

• Intense, throbbing pain, often on one side of the head
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smells
• Nausea and vomiting
• Visual disturbances (aura) in some cases
• Duration of 4-72 hours

Migraines are believed to result from changes in brain blood flow and nerve cell activity. Genetics play a significant role, with 70% of migraine sufferers having a family history of the condition.

Recognizing Warning Signs: When to Seek Medical Attention

While most headaches are not life-threatening, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Be alert for the following red flags:

• Sudden, severe headache often described as a “thunderclap”
• Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, or neurological symptoms
• New onset of headaches after age 50
• Progressively worsening headaches
• Headaches that worsen with coughing or movement
• Changes in personality or mental function
• Headache following a head injury
• Headaches that interfere with daily activities
• Headaches in individuals with cancer or compromised immune systems

These symptoms could indicate more serious conditions such as meningitis, stroke, or brain tumors, requiring prompt medical evaluation.

Effective Treatments for Common Headache Types

The appropriate treatment for a headache depends on its type, frequency, and severity. Here are some effective strategies for managing common headache types:

Tension Headache Treatment

For occasional tension headaches:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin)
• Rest and relaxation techniques
• Application of heat or cold to the affected area
• Gentle massage of the neck and shoulders

For frequent tension headaches, preventive measures may include:

• Stress management techniques
• Regular exercise
• Improving sleep habits
• Use of a bite plate for teeth grinding
• Prescription medications (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants) in some cases

Migraine Treatment

Migraine management often requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Abortive medications (triptans, ergotamines) to stop an attack
• Pain relievers for symptom management
• Preventive medications for frequent migraines
• Lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers
• Complementary therapies (acupuncture, biofeedback)

Is there a cure for migraines? While there is no definitive cure, many people successfully manage their migraines through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.

Preventing Headaches: Lifestyle Modifications and Trigger Avoidance

Prevention is often the best approach to headache management. Consider these strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Stay hydrated
• Eat regular, balanced meals
• Exercise regularly
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or meditation
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake
• Avoid known triggers (certain foods, bright lights, strong odors)

How effective are these preventive measures? While individual results may vary, many people report significant improvements in headache frequency and intensity by adopting these lifestyle changes.

The Impact of Diet on Headaches: Foods to Avoid and Embrace

Diet can play a crucial role in headache management, particularly for those suffering from migraines. Some common dietary triggers include:

• Aged cheeses
• Processed meats containing nitrates
• Chocolate
• Artificial sweeteners
• MSG (monosodium glutamate)
• Alcohol, especially red wine

On the other hand, certain foods may help prevent or alleviate headaches:

• Fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Leafy greens high in magnesium
• Ginger for its anti-inflammatory properties
• Watermelon and other hydrating fruits

Can dietary changes alone prevent headaches? While diet is an important factor, it’s usually most effective when combined with other preventive strategies and treatments recommended by a healthcare provider.

The Role of Stress in Headaches and Effective Management Techniques

Stress is a common trigger for both tension headaches and migraines. Understanding the stress-headache connection and implementing effective stress management techniques can significantly reduce headache frequency and severity.

How Stress Contributes to Headaches

Stress can lead to headaches through several mechanisms:

• Muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders
• Release of stress hormones that can trigger migraines
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Increased sensitivity to pain

Effective Stress Management Techniques

Consider incorporating these stress-reduction strategies into your daily routine:

1. Mindfulness meditation
2. Progressive muscle relaxation
3. Deep breathing exercises
4. Regular physical exercise
5. Time management and prioritization
6. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

How quickly can stress management techniques impact headache frequency? While results vary, many people report improvements within a few weeks of consistent practice.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies for Headache Relief

In addition to conventional treatments, many people find relief from headaches through alternative and complementary therapies. These approaches can be particularly beneficial for those seeking natural remedies or looking to supplement their current treatment plan.

Acupuncture

This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines and tension headaches.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback training teaches individuals to control certain bodily processes, such as muscle tension and heart rate, which can help prevent and manage headaches.

Herbal Supplements

Certain herbs have shown promise in headache management:

• Feverfew for migraine prevention
• Butterbur for reducing migraine frequency
• Peppermint oil for tension headache relief

Are these alternative therapies as effective as conventional treatments? While research is ongoing, many people report significant benefits from these approaches, especially when used in conjunction with traditional treatments.

The Connection Between Sleep and Headaches: Improving Sleep for Better Headache Management

Sleep disturbances and headaches often go hand in hand, with poor sleep quality potentially triggering headaches and headaches disrupting sleep. Understanding this relationship can lead to more effective headache management.

How Sleep Affects Headaches

Sleep impacts headaches in several ways:

• Lack of sleep can trigger migraines and tension headaches
• Oversleeping can also lead to headaches in some individuals
• Sleep disorders like sleep apnea are associated with morning headaches
• Disrupted sleep patterns can affect pain perception

Strategies for Improving Sleep Quality

Consider these tips for better sleep:

1. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
2. Create a relaxing bedtime routine
3. Ensure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet, and cool
4. Limit screen time before bed
5. Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime
6. Exercise regularly, but not too close to bedtime

Can improving sleep quality alone eliminate headaches? While better sleep can significantly reduce headache frequency and severity for many people, it’s often most effective as part of a comprehensive headache management plan.

Understanding the various types of headaches, their causes, and effective management strategies can greatly improve quality of life for those suffering from frequent headaches. By recognizing warning signs, implementing lifestyle changes, and working with healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans, most people can achieve significant relief from headache pain. Remember, while occasional headaches are common, persistent or severe headaches warrant medical attention to rule out more serious underlying conditions.

Headache Pain: When to Worry, What to Do – Harvard Health Publishing

Nearly everyone has had headache pain, and most of us have had it many times. A minor headache is little more than a nuisance that’s relieved by an over-the-counter pain reliever, some food or coffee, or a short rest. But if your headache is severe or unusual, you might worry about stroke, a tumor, or a blood clot. Fortunately, such problems are rare. Still, you should know when a headache needs urgent care and how to control the vast majority of headaches that are not threatening to your health.

What causes headaches?

Doctors don’t fully understand what causes most headaches. They do know that the brain tissue and the skull are never responsible since they don’t have nerves that register pain. But the blood vessels in the head and neck can signal pain, as can the tissues that surround the brain and some major nerves that originate in the brain. The scalp, sinuses, teeth, and muscles and joints of the neck can also cause head pain.

When to worry about a headache

You can take care of many types of headaches by yourself, and your doctor can give you medication to control most of the tougher headaches. But some headaches call for prompt medical care. Here are some warning signs for when you should worry about headaches:

• Headaches that first develop after age 50
• A major change in the pattern of your headaches
• An unusually severe headache
• Head pain that increases with coughing or movement
• Headaches that get steadily worse
• Changes in personality or mental function
• Headaches that are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures
• Headaches that are accompanied by a painful red eye
• Headaches that are accompanied by pain and tenderness near the temples
• Headaches after a blow to the head
• Headaches that prevent normal daily activities
• Headaches that come on abruptly, especially if they wake you up
• Headaches in patients with cancer or impaired immune systems

Types of headaches

There are more than 300 types of headaches, but only about 10% of headaches have a known cause. The others are called primary headaches. Here is a rundown on some major primary headaches.

Tension headaches

Occurring in about three of every four adults, tension headaches are the most common of all headaches. In most cases, they are mild to moderate in severity and occur infrequently. But a few people get severe tension headaches, and some are troubled by them for three or four times a week.

The typical tension headache produces a dull, squeezing pain on both sides of the head. People with strong tension headaches may feel like their head is in a vise. The shoulders and neck can also ache. Some tension headaches are triggered by fatigue, emotional stress, or problems involving the muscles or joints of the neck or jaw. Most last for 20 minutes to two hours.

If you get occasional tension-type headaches, you can take care of them yourself. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, other brands) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, other brands), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, other brands) often do the trick, but follow the directions on the label, and never take more than you should. A heating pad or warm shower may help; some people feel better with a short nap or light snack.

If you get frequent tension-type headaches, try to identify triggers so you can avoid them. Don’t get overtired or skip meals. Learn relaxation techniques; yoga is particularly helpful because it can relax both your mind and your neck muscles. If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night, a bite plate may help.

If you need more help, your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication or a muscle relaxant to control headache pain. Many people with recurrent tension-type headaches can prevent attacks by taking a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, generic). Fortunately, most people with tension-type headaches will do very well with simpler programs.

Migraine

Migraines occur less often than tension headaches, but they are usually much more severe. They are two to three times more common in women than men, but that’s small consolation if you are among the 6% to 8% of all men who have migraines. And since a Harvard study of 20,084 men age 40 to 84 reported that having migraines boosts the risk of heart attacks by 42%, men with migraines should take their headaches to heart.

Neurologists believe that migraines are caused by changes in the brain’s blood flow and nerve cell activity. Genetics play a role since 70% of migraine victims have at least one close relative with the problem.

Migraine triggers. Although a migraine can come on without warning, it is often set off by a trigger. The things that set off a migraine vary from person to person, but a migraine sufferer usually remains sensitive to the same triggers. The table lists some of the most common ones.

Migraine symptoms.  Migraines often begin in the evening or during sleep. In some people, the attacks are preceded by several hours of fatigue, depression, and sluggishness or by irritability and restlessness. Because migraine symptoms vary widely, at least half of all migraine sufferers think they have sinus or tension headaches, not migraines.

About 20% of migraines begin with one or more neurological symptoms called an aura. Visual complaints are most common. They may include halos, sparkles or flashing lights, wavy lines, and even temporary loss of vision. The aura may also produce numbness or tingling on one side of the body, especially the face or hand. Some patients develop aura symptoms without getting headaches; they often think they are having a stroke, not a migraine.

The majority of migraines develop without an aura. In typical cases, the pain is on one side of the head, often beginning around the eye and temple before spreading to the back of the head. The pain is frequently severe and is described as throbbing or pulsating. Nausea is common, and many migraine patients have a watering eye, a running nose, or congestion. If these symptoms are prominent, they may lead to a misdiagnosis of sinus headaches. One way to remember the features of migraine is to use the word POUND

P is for pulsating pain

O for one-day duration of severe untreated attacks

U for unilateral (one-sided) pain

N for nausea and vomiting

D for disabling intensity.

Without effective treatment, migraine attacks usually last for four to 24 hours. When you’re suffering a migraine, even four hours is far too long — and that’s why early treatment for a migraine is so important.

Migraine treatment. If you spot a migraine in its very earliest stages, you may be able to control it with nonprescription pain relievers. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and a combination of pain medications and caffeine are all effective — if you take a full dose very early in the attack.

When prescription drugs are needed, most doctors turn to the triptans, which are available as tablets, nasal sprays, or as injections that patients can learn to give to themselves. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and rizatriptan (Maxalt). Triptans provide complete relief within two hours for up to 70% of patients; the response is best if treatment is started early. Some patients require a second dose within 12 to 24 hours. Patients with cardiovascular disease and those who take a high dose of certain antidepressants need to discuss the risks of using them with their doctor.

Work with your doctor to find the migraine treatment that works best for you. Remember, though, that overuse can lead to rebound headaches and a vicious cycle of drugs and headaches. So, if you need treatment more than two or three times a week, consider preventive medications.

Migraine prevention. Some people can prevent migraines simply by avoiding triggers. Others do well with prompt therapy for occasional attacks. But patients who suffer frequent migraine attacks often benefit from preventive medications. Effective prescription drugs include beta blockers (such as propranolol, nadolol and atenolol), certain antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), and certain antiseizure medications (such topiramate and valproate). Difficult cases may benefit from referral to a headache specialist.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are uncommon but very severe headaches, and they occur five times more often in men than women. Although anyone can get cluster headaches, the typical patient is a middle-aged man with a history of smoking.

The problem gets its name because the headaches tend to come in clusters, with one to eight headaches a day during a one- to three-month period every year or two, often at the same time of year. The pain always strikes one side of the head and is very severe. The eye on the painful side is red and watery, the eyelid may droop, and the nose runs or is blocked. The attack starts abruptly and lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. Most sufferers become restless and agitated during the attack; unable to sit still, they pace, jog in place, or beat their head against a wall. Nausea and sensitivity to light and sound may accompany the pain.

Inhaling high flow oxygen soon after the onset of the headache can often stop the attack. Sumatriptan is often effective for cluster headaches, particularly when given by injection. Other triptans may also help. Some patients favor lidocaine nose drops, dihydroergotamine injections, or other treatments. The most effective medication for preventing cluster headache attacks is verapamil, a calcium-channel blocker. Other drugs that may help include divalproex, topiramate, and lithium.

Other types of headaches

Doctors have diagnosed hundreds of conditions associated with headaches. Here are just a few:

Medication headaches. Many drugs number headaches among their side effects. And although it seems paradoxical, many medications used to treat headaches can also cause medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches. Migraine sufferers are particularly vulnerable to a vicious cycle of pain leading to more medication, which triggers more pain. If you have frequent headaches and use medication, OTC or prescription, or both, for more than 10 to 15 days a month, you may have medication overuse headaches. The way to find out is to discontinue or taper your medication — but always consult your doctor first. A corticosteroid such as prednisone may help control pain during the withdrawal period.

Sinus headaches. Acute sinusitis causes pain over the forehead, around the nose and eyes, over the cheeks, or in the upper teeth. Stooping forward increases the pain. Thick nasal discharge, congestion, and fever pinpoint the problem to the sinuses. When the acute infection resolves, the pain disappears. Sinusitis is not a common cause of chronic or recurrent headaches.

Ice cream headaches. Some people develop sharp, sudden headache pain when they eat anything cold. The pain is over in less than a minute, even if you keep eating. If you are bothered by ice cream headaches, try eating slowly and warming the cold food at the front of your mouth before you swallow it.

Headache from high blood pressure. Except in cases of very high blood pressure, hypertension does not cause headaches. In fact, most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms at all, and a study of 51,234 people reported that hypertension was associated with a reduced incidence of headaches. But that’s no reason to neglect your blood pressure. Hypertension leads to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and kidney disease, so all men should have their pressure checked, and then take steps to correct abnormalities.

Headache from exercise and sex. Sudden, strenuous exercise can bring on a headache. Gradual warm-ups or treatment with an anti-inflammatory medication before exercise can help. Sexual intercourse may also trigger headaches; some men note only dull pain, but others suffer from severe attacks called orgasmic headaches. Some people can prevent orgasmic headaches by taking an NSAID 30 to 60 minutes before intercourse.

Headache testing

Modern medicine depends on tests to diagnose many problems. For most headaches, though, a good old-fashioned history and physical will do the job. In fact, CT scans, MRIs, and EEGs (brain wave tests) look normal in tension-type headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Still, these tests can be vital in patients with warning signs or other worrisome headaches.

Living with constant headaches

For most of us, an occasional headache is nothing more than a temporary speed bump in the course of a busy day. Even so, most men can ease the problem with simple lifestyle measures and nonprescription medications. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga, and acupuncture may also help. But for some of us, headaches are a big problem. Learn to recognize warning signs that call for prompt medical care. Work with your doctor to develop a program to prevent and treat migraines and other serious headaches. And don’t fall into the trap of overusing medications; for some gents, rebound headaches are the biggest pain of all.

Image: wavebreakmedia LLC/Getty Images

When a Headache Won’t Go Away

Tension headaches — the most common type of headache — can be as brief as 30 minutes or a few hours, but some last as long as a week, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Meanwhile, the headache portion of migraine — a neurological disease that causes debilitating head pain along with other symptoms — usually lasts from four hours to three days, according to the American Migraine Foundation.

“Typically, headaches that are longer than a day and disabling are migraine,” says the headache expert Peter Goadsby, MBBS, MD, PhD, a professor of neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles. “The median duration for migraine is about a day.”

To understand why your persistent headache won’t go away, it helps to identify the type of headache you have, and what may be triggering it.

Causes of Tension Headache

A tension-type headache typically features mild to moderate pain that feels like a tight band around the head, per the Mayo Clinic.

The causes of these headaches is not totally understood, but researchers believe that people who experience them may have a heightened sensitivity to pain. Tension-type headaches are most commonly triggered by stress.

There are two types of tension-type headaches, and they have different durations.

Episodic tension-type headaches Episodic tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes to a week, and occur less than 15 days a month for at least three months.

Chronic tension-type headaches Chronic tension-type headaches last hours, may be continuous, and occur 15 or more days a month for at least three months.

Causes of Migraine Headache

In addition to severe throbbing head pain, migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Doctors don’t fully understand the causes of migraine, but genetics and environmental factors appear to be involved, per the Mayo Clinic. Changes in the brain stem and how it interacts with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway, might play a role in causing migraine. Imbalances in certain brain chemicals, including the neurotransmitter serotonin, may also be involved.

RELATED: What You Need to Know About Migraine, Depression, and Anxiety

There are several risk factors for migraine, including genetics (having a first-degree relative with migraine), age (migraine tends to peak during your thirties), sex (being female), and hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in estrogen.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, the most common migraine triggers include:

• Stress
• Changes in sleep schedule
• Changes in hormone levels, particularly in women
• Caffeine and alcohol
• Weather changes
• Diet, particularly foods that contain histamine and MSG, chocolate, cheese and other dairy products, artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame), caffeine, cured meats, and anything with a strong odor
• Dehydration
• Light, including natural light and fluorescent or flickering bulbs
• Odors
• Medication overuse. If you take acute medication prescribed by your doctor more than 10 days per month, it can actually cause more migraine attacks, which is known as medication overuse headache (MOH) or rebound headache.
• Depression and anxiety. While doctors don’t completely understand the connection, they think there might be a genetic reason why depression and anxiety seem to be linked to migraine, according to the American Migraine Foundation.

When Severe Headache May Be an Emergency

Although having a long headache may be tiring and frustrating, it’s likely not serious, says Dr. Goadsby. “Having an attack that’s longer than a day doesn’t necessarily mean anything dreadful,” he says.

Occasionally, headaches and migraine may indicate a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor, aneurysm, or stroke, notes the Mayo Clinic. Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

• Abrupt, severe headache (in migraine, it may be like a thunderclap)
• Headache with a fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or speaking difficulties
• Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
• A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining, or a sudden movement
• New headache pain after age 50

How to Cope With Long-Lasting Headache

Even if it’s not a medical emergency, a headache that persists can take a real toll on your quality of life. For example, people with migraine know that when their headache begins they may lose a sizable chunk of productive work or family time. Arranging for strategies to cope for one day might be bearable, but being out of commission for two or even three days can be more difficult. Even the worry over an impending migraine, especially for those whose headaches are long or severe, can interfere with daily life.

Here are some ways to cope with a longer-lasting headache.

• Treat the pain. If you don’t have a prescription and are relying on over-the-counter (OTC) medications for tension-type headaches, follow the dose recommendations carefully. Bear in mind, too, that repeated use of pain relievers that are available without a prescription can also cause medication overuse headache, per the Mayo Clinic. If you have been prescribed a medication for headache or migraine pain, take the amount your doctor has recommended.
• Rest and relax. Sleep disorders and migraine appear to have a bidirectional relationship, according to a paper published in Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders in December 2017. Insomnia is more likely if you have migraine, and migraine is more likely if you aren’t getting enough sleep. Even if you can’t fall asleep, resting and using relaxation techniques may help you feel better.
• Get the support you need. If your headache lasts for more than a day or so, you may need to enlist some help from family and friends while you recover.

Preventing Long Headaches

The best strategy for coping with headaches and migraine is to avoid them if you can. Here are some prevention tips.

• Try preventive medications. Talk to your doctor about medications that can help prevent tension-type headaches and migraine.
• Reduce stress. Relaxation techniques such as biofeedback therapy may help.
• Treat related problems. Attend to other health concerns, such as sleep disturbances, and get any needed depression treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an approach that can help with headache prevention and coping. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Pain showed that CBT can improve some headache-related outcomes.
• Avoid triggers. Pay attention to the things that seem to set off a headache or migraine. Migraine can be triggered by change, says Goadsby, so it’s a good idea to stay well-balanced.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Although being overweight doesn’t cause migraine, it can increase your chances of developing a migraine, according to the American Migraine Foundation.
• Make healthy choices. Don’t smoke, exercise regularly, eat regular, balanced meals, drink lots of water, and limit your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

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See All

Constant headache – what to do?

01.09

2020

26.05

2023

10 minutes

Headache (cephalgia) is an extremely common condition, familiar to almost 90% of the population. It is important to know that headache is not an independent disease, but a serious symptom indicating internal, including quite serious, disorders. If the pain is temporary, rarely manifests itself, passes quickly and is easily stopped with the help of an analgesic, do not worry. However, persistent, frequent and intense headaches can be a sign of a serious illness and a reason to see a doctor. A comprehensive examination, consultation with a specialist will help identify the cause, prescribe the appropriate treatment, and receive valuable recommendations on lifestyle.

CONTENT OF ARTICLE

• 1. Types of disease
• 2. Major causes of headache
• 3. First aid
• 4. Methods of treatment

Types of the disease

Periodic or persistent headaches can manifest as a reaction of the body to physiological or psychophysiological changes in the structures of the brain, vascular disorders, violations of the tone of the muscles of the neck or skull. In neurology, several types of cephalalgia are distinguished, each of which has its own characteristics, character, localization and intensity:

• Migraine is a sharp and severe headache, often of a throbbing nature. Accompanied by nausea, intolerance to light and strong odors. Pain sensations are more often unilateral in nature, spread to the lower jaw, cervical muscles. The attack can last from several minutes to several hours, appears in the evening. Migraine mostly affects women between the ages of 25 and 35.
• Tension pain is the most common, occurs with the same frequency in women and men. Pressing or squeezing in nature, it can cover the entire head or only the back of the head, forehead, and crown. Often appears after physical or mental overstrain, stress, lack of sleep, prolonged work at the computer. It is well stopped with the help of analgesics or goes away on its own after rest or sleep.
• Cluster (Horton’s) is one of the most severe types of headache that can disturb a person with prolonged attacks of a pulsating nature. Mostly unilateral, radiates to the eye area, temple. Attacks last from 20 minutes to several hours, then subside and repeat again.
• Post-traumatic – develops with a bruise or concussion. The intensity depends on the nature of the injury and the degree of damage to the structures of the skull.

There are many reasons for frequent headaches, you should not look for the source of pain on your own, you should consult a neurologist. According to medical observations, vascular diseases are the main cause of persistent headaches. These include vegetovascular dystonia, hypertension, ischemia, subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke and other life-threatening conditions. A pulsating character may indicate an impending stroke, supplemented by dizziness, impaired consciousness, palpitations and other pronounced symptoms. It is localized in the back of the head, frontal part, accompanied by tinnitus, “goosebumps”, nausea, discomfort behind the sternum. Disappears after stabilization of arterial pressure. Dangerous headache, usually “pressing” or “bursting”, which develops against the background of increased intracranial pressure. It can be caused by malignant or benign brain tumors, craniocerebral trauma. In addition to severe pain, patients feel nausea, urge to vomit, dizziness.

The main causes of headache

The etiology of headache depends on the underlying cause. This symptom is characteristic of many pathologies, but mainly develops against the background of the following diseases and conditions:

• hypertension;
• migraine;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
• chronic stress, psychosomatic disorders;
• infectious diseases;
• poisoning with toxic or poisonous substances;
• trauma to the brain or spine;
• any intoxication of the body;
• neuralgia of the occipital nerve;
• tumors;
• hormonal imbalance.

Persistent headaches can appear not only on the background of diseases, but also be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Provoking factors include:

• meteorological dependence;
• stress, depression;
• disturbed diet;
• fasting, dieting;
• overwork;
• physical and mental stress;
• smoking;
• diseases of the teeth;
• alcohol abuse.
• taking strong drugs.

Any changes in the body can cause an attack of cephalalgia, but if it is poorly controlled by analgesics, you should not hesitate to visit a doctor who, after taking an anamnesis and examination results, will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Diagnosis

To determine why your head constantly hurts, you should contact a neurologist . After collecting an anamnesis, visual examination and studying the patient’s medical history, the specialist will prescribe a number of examinations:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) – evaluates the work of the brain, detects vascular pathologies, hematomas, tumors.
• X-ray – determines injuries, sinusitis, sinusitis and other changes in the cranium.
• MRI is an informative examination method that allows you to assess the work of the brain with an accuracy of 98%, to identify the slightest changes in its work. It is prescribed for vascular diseases, suspected brain tumors.
• CT – detects changes in brain structures, determines tumors, cysts, injuries, thrombosis and other pathologies.
• Ultrasound – diagnoses pathologies and anomalies of blood vessels, impaired blood flow.
• Laboratory methods – detect infectious processes in the body, autoimmune disorders, determine the level of cholesterol in the blood plasma and other important indicators.

The results of the examination allow the doctor to get a complete clinical picture, make the correct diagnosis, and prescribe the necessary treatment. Constant headaches should not be ignored, early diagnosis and properly conducted therapy will help eliminate serious consequences.

First Aid

Headache can appear at the most inopportune moment. How to help a person, especially if there are no painkillers at hand.

• Provide complete peace of mind. Eliminate all kinds of irritating factors, muffle sounds, lie down, close your eyes and try to relax.
• Gentle head massage.
• Do not overload the body – exclude smoking and drinking alcohol, physical and mental stress.
• Place a flat pillow under the head.
• Take moderate painkillers. It is not recommended to take potent drugs or those drugs that have not been taken before.
• Measure pressure. With elevated rates, take an antihypertensive drug.
• A cold compress can be applied to the forehead for 10-15 minutes.

In more severe cases, call an ambulance or take the person to a hospital. If, with constant headaches, the examination does not reveal the disease, you should pay attention to the lifestyle. This symptom often affects people who experience chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, sit on “hungry” diets, smoke a lot, abuse alcohol, or have a tendency to depressive states. In this case, doctors recommend changing the daily routine, paying more attention to your health, rest and nutrition.

Methods of treatment

If you have persistent headaches, a competent consultation with a neurologist is indispensable. Treatment will directly depend on the underlying cause. To relieve pain, a wide range of medications is recommended, including analgesics, anti-inflammatory, vasodilators, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants. It is extremely important, at the same time, not to self-medicate, only a doctor can prescribe the correct therapy, the time and frequency of taking medications. Constant headaches are a sign of internal diseases, so the doctor will prescribe other medications in accordance with the diagnosis when making a diagnosis. Adjuvant therapy may include:

• acupuncture;
• osteopathy;
• physiotherapy;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• methods of extracorporeal hemocorrection.

An integrated approach to treatment will help speed up recovery, eliminate unpleasant symptoms, and improve a person’s quality of life.

Prevention

The following tips can help reduce the risk of persistent headaches:

• Proper and healthy nutrition.
• Full sleep and rest, at least 8 hours.
• Airing the room before going to bed.
• Elimination of stress, depression.
• Elimination of physical and mental overwork.
• Regular BP measurement.
• Combating dehydration.
• Outdoor walks.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Compliance with elementary rules will help not only reduce the likelihood of headaches, but also minimize the development of other diseases. It is important to understand that a similar symptom can disturb almost every adult, but if your head hurts constantly, you should not self-medicate. A timely appeal to a neurologist will help solve the problem, eliminate serious consequences.

Article checked by a doctor

Shestakov Alexey Leonidovich

Head physician of the clinic “MedAstrum”.
Work experience 38 years.

More about the doctor

Doctor of Medical Sciences, doctor of the highest qualification category. Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation. General Secretary of the Society of Herniologists

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6 types of headache: diagnosis and treatment

We are often asked what research is best done for headaches. It all depends on what is causing the problem. Even the most experienced doctor without a diagnosis (and in the case of a headache it is always an MRI) will not tell you the cause with 100% accuracy. However, he can understand from your symptoms exactly where to look for the root of all troubles.

There are 6 main types of pain:

1. Sinus.

This is a sharp severe pain in the region of the brow ridges, nose and cheekbones. Often appears in conjunction with a cold, flu, or seasonal allergies.

Cause in the sinuses – they are irritated, inflamed, swollen and/or filled with mucus, hence the discomfort. The pain will disappear after recovery.

People with similar symptoms are usually referred to an ENT. He will prescribe an MRI of the sinuses, according to the results, he will prescribe a course of antibiotics, antihistamines and decongestants. And if the disease has already progressed greatly, and pus has accumulated in the sinuses, then it can make a puncture and remove all the “trash” manually.

2. Cluster.

Rare, affecting only 1 in 1,000 people, and more common in men than women. This is an attack of very severe pain or burning in the eye area that lasts from 30 minutes to 3 hours. It repeats every day at the same time.

Torment may pass in a week, may linger for 3 months, and sometimes last for years. Fortunately, there are medications that can help. Special breathing and relaxation techniques can also relieve pain and have been shown to increase the time between attacks and make them less frequent.

The source of problems is hidden deep in the brain. This is a pair of symmetrical trigeminal nerves that are responsible for sensations of heat or pain in the face. The root of the nerve is located on the side of the eye, and branches run along the forehead, cheek, and from the chin to the area above the ear on one side of the face. To diagnose problems with the trigeminal nerves, your doctor will refer you to an MRI scan called “neurovascular conflict.”

3-4. Headache from stress and tension.

As the name implies, this pain is caused by stress or tension (usually in the neck and shoulders). It is associated with strong psychological stress, poor posture, the habit of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, bright lights and, which is completely unfair, sitting at a computer for a long time.

You can recognize this headache by the following signs:

1. It is symmetrical, that is, it is felt on both sides of the head or neck.
2. It is dull and obsessive, but not very strong, rather medium or even weak in intensity.
3. As if something is pressing or squeezing the hoop on the head, especially in the region of the forehead and the back of the head.
4. Normal movement of the head prevents pain and discomfort in the muscles.
5. Sensitivity to light and noise.
6. Insomnia and distraction.
7. Often occurs against the background of depression and feelings of longing.

This pain is relatively easy to manage. Rest, physical and mental, massages, posture correction will help to correct the situation. However, first you need to exclude some serious diseases with similar symptoms and understand whether it is stress or a problem with the cervical spine. As a rule, in this case, neurologists refer patients to the “Head and Neck” complex, which includes as many as 5 studies: the brain, arteries and veins of the brain, cervical region and arteries of the neck.

5. Migraine.

Severe throbbing pain – usually in one side of the head. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise.

Migraine lasts for hours or even days and is so unbearable that the person cannot even get out of bed.

The aura often becomes a harbinger of seizures. These are flashes of light, blind spots or tingling/numbness in the face, arm or leg, loss of smell.

Migraine is now treated with medication and lifestyle changes. To make a diagnosis and prescribe medication, the doctor will ask you to bring the results of the MRI complex “brain + brain arteries + brain veins”.

6. TMJ syndrome.

Headaches are a side effect of problems with the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. Thanks to this joint, we can move the jaw up and down and left and right, speak, chew and yawn.

TMJ syndrome can be identified by the following signs:

1. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, around the ear, in the neck and shoulders when you eat, talk or open your mouth wide.
2. It is difficult to open or close the mouth, when chewing there is a feeling as if the lower and upper jaw do not match.