What are the causes of a pounding headache? What are the treatments for a pounding headache? What are some home remedies for a pounding headache?

Causes of Pounding Headaches

Pounding headaches can have a variety of causes, including migraines, sinus issues, caffeine withdrawal, and occipital neuralgia. Let’s explore these different causes in more detail.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches can cause moderate to severe pain that typically affects one side of the head. There are two main types of migraines: those with aura (which include sensory disturbances before the pain begins) and those without aura. Migraines can be triggered by certain foods, smells, or hormonal changes, particularly in women.

Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches, caused by sinus inflammation or allergies, can result in pain in the front of the head or around the nose. However, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology notes that true sinus headaches are relatively rare, and most “sinus headaches” are actually migraines.

Caffeine Withdrawal

If someone who regularly consumes caffeine suddenly stops, they may experience a throbbing headache as a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. This is accompanied by other symptoms like sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.

Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia is a condition where the nerves at the base of the skull become inflamed or compressed, causing a continuous aching, burning, or throbbing pain that radiates over the scalp. It can be caused by conditions like arthritis, disc disease, or injury.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are a rare and extremely painful type of headache that cause excruciating pain on one side of the head near the eye. These headaches can occur daily for weeks or months at a time before disappearing for extended periods.

Treatments for Pounding Headaches

The treatment for a pounding headache will depend on the underlying cause. Let’s look at some common treatment options.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin can help alleviate the pain of a pounding headache. Prescription medications like triptans or ergots may be used for migraine relief.

Hydration and Rest

Drinking fluids, especially water, and getting enough rest can help relieve headache symptoms. For a hangover headache, broth and foods high in fructose like honey may also be beneficial.

Stress Management

Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help reduce stress and tension that can contribute to headaches.

Treating Underlying Conditions

If the pounding headache is caused by an underlying condition like sinus issues or occipital neuralgia, treating that condition is key to relieving the headache.

Home Remedies for Pounding Headaches

In addition to medications and professional treatments, there are some home remedies that may help provide relief for a pounding headache:

Cold Therapy

Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the forehead or back of the neck can help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

Essential Oils

Certain essential oils like peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus may have a soothing effect when applied to the temples or inhaled.

Caffeine

For a caffeine withdrawal headache, consuming a small amount of caffeine can help provide relief.

Herbal Remedies

Some people find relief from pounding headaches using herbal supplements like feverfew, ginger, or butterbur.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If home remedies and over-the-counter treatments do not provide relief, or if the headache is accompanied by concerning symptoms like vision changes, numbness, or fever, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. They can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Preventing Pounding Headaches

While it may not be possible to prevent all pounding headaches, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce their frequency and severity. This includes staying hydrated, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and identifying and avoiding potential headache triggers.

In conclusion, pounding headaches can have a range of causes, from migraines to sinus issues to caffeine withdrawal. Understanding the underlying cause is key to finding the right treatment, whether it’s medication, home remedies, or addressing an underlying condition. By taking a proactive approach to managing headaches, individuals can find relief and improve their overall quality of life.

Causes, treatments, and home remedies

Throbbing headaches can have a range of causes, such as a migraine headache or hangover. They can occur in different areas of the head and may occur alongside other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

This article will discuss the different types of headaches, their causes, and treatments.

Throbbing headaches can cause pain in different areas of the head, such as:

• both sides of the forehead
• one side of the forehead
• behind the eyes
• the temples
• top of the head
• the base of the skull

The location of the pain may help a doctor diagnose the cause of the headache.

The National Headache Foundation list several possible causes for a throbbing headache, including:

Hangover

If someone drinks alcohol, they may develop a throbbing headache as the alcohol wears off. Hangover headaches typically cause throbbing on both sides of the head.

There are several ways that alcoholic drinks can cause headaches. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels in the head, cause dehydration, or inflammation, all of which could cause a headache. Some alcoholic drinks contain other substances, such as sulfites, which also trigger headaches in some people.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the symptoms of a hangover vary depending on the individual, but can include:

• tiredness
• thirst
• muscle aches
• nausea or vomiting

These symptoms can last 24 hours or more. Drinking fluids, such as water and broth, can help.

A person with a hangover may also benefit from eating something that contains fructose, such as honey.

Migraine

Migraine causes moderate to severe headaches that typically affect one side of the head. There are two broad types:

• Migraine headaches with aura: Aura is a collection of sensations that someone experiences shortly before the onset of pain. Aura can include vision changes or numbness in the arms or legs.
• Migraine headaches without aura: This type of migraine headache includes pain but no aura. Accompanying symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and cold hands.

Some people find that specific food or smells trigger migraine headaches. Females may find they are more likely to develop migraine headaches at particular points in their menstrual cycle.

Some people experience chronic migraine headaches, which means they get them for more than 15 days each month. Other people have episodic migraine headaches, which means they occur less frequently.

Sinus headache

Sinusitis or allergies that cause swelling or blockage of the sinuses can cause pain in the front of the head or around the nose. Sinuses are the empty spaces around the nose and eyebrows.

However, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), sinus headaches are relatively rare. Most often, migraine headaches cause pain in the front of the face.

Sinus pain can resemble a migraine headache, and doctors may mistake one condition for the other.

The AAAAI state that if someone meets the following criteria, they may have a sinus headache:

• headache in the front of the head and pain in one or more areas of the face, ears, or teeth
• headache and sinus pain that occurs at the same time
• headache or facial pain or both that go away within 7 days after successful sinusitis treatment
• clinical or laboratory evidence, such as from a nasal endoscopy

Caffeine withdrawal

According to the National Headache Foundation, if a person who normally consumes caffeine suddenly stops, they may experience caffeine withdrawal. The symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include:

• a throbbing headache
• feeling sleepy or drowsy
• difficulty concentrating
• irritability or anxiety
• depression
• nausea or vomiting
• muscle aches

To avoid the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, a person can try gradually reducing the amount of caffeine they consume instead of stopping abruptly.

Occipital neuralgia

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) indicate that occipital neuralgia causes a continuous aching, burning, or throbbing pain that typically starts at the base of the skull and radiates over the scalp on one or both sides of the head.

Sometimes the pain also occurs behind the eyes on the affected side of the head.

The pain of occipital neuralgia has similarities to a migraine headache but is the result of a pinched nerve or muscle tightness in the neck. Sometimes, an injury or underlying condition leads to occipital neuralgia.

Conditions that may cause occipital neuralgia include:

• arthritis in the upper spine
• cervical disc disease
• tumors that affect the nerves
• gout

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are a rare and severe type of headache that cause excruciating pain on one side of the head, near the eye. A person with a cluster headache may also experience:

• a watery eye
• a blocked nose
• a flushed face

Attacks can occur daily for weeks or months and then disappear for extended periods.

Thunderclap headaches

Thunderclap headaches cause sudden, severe pain in the head. Nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or speech problems may accompany a thunderclap headache.

This type of headache can be a symptom of a stroke or an aneurysm. If someone develops these symptoms suddenly, dial 911 for emergency help.

To diagnose the type of headache someone has, a doctor will look at a person’s medical history and ask about their symptoms. They might ask whether they have experienced a recent knock to the head or a fall.

A doctor may perform a physical examination to check for signs of bone or nerve damage. In some cases, they may order an MRI or CT scan.

The best treatment for a throbbing headache depends on the cause of the pain.

Headaches caused by alcohol or caffeine withdrawal will improve on their own. According to NIAAA, there is no proven way to speed up recovery from a hangover.

Sinus pain caused by allergies may improve with the use of antihistamines, nasal sprays, and avoidance of allergy triggers, such as dust. If a bacterial infection causes sinus pain, a person may need to take a course of antibiotics.

For migraine headaches, treatment can be more complex. A person who experiences regular migraine headaches may benefit from trying to identify triggers. They can do this by keeping a diary. However, in some cases, there are no clear triggers.

According to the National Headache Foundation, a doctor may prescribe medications that prevent migraine headaches from occurring, such as beta-blockers, or medications that a person takes during an attack, such as 5-HT agonists.

Cluster headaches may improve with oxygen treatment. A doctor can provide oxygen at the hospital or at home with a prescription. Alternatively, a person may benefit from medications such as sumatriptan or ergotamine.

The AANS suggest a range of treatments, such as:

• anti-inflammatory medications
• physical therapy
• injections that block nerve pain
• Botox to reduce nerve inflammation

In some cases, a person with occipital neuralgia may require surgery.

To manage a throbbing headache at home, a person can try:

• lying down in a dark room
• using a warm or cool compress where the pain occurs
• staying hydrated
• taking over-the-counter pain medication
• sleeping

Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine, may also help if they trigger headaches.

People who regularly experience headaches should see a doctor. They can help to identify a cause and suggest some possible treatments.

The National Headache Foundation recommend that people who regularly experience headaches should see a doctor immediately if they:

• are experiencing their worst headache ever
• are experiencing new symptoms that are not normal for a migraine headache
• lose the ability to see
• lose consciousness
• vomit uncontrollably
• have pain that lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free

If someone develops a severe, sudden headache along with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, seizures, speech impairment, confusion, or muscle weakness, they should seek emergency medical attention.

A throbbing headache can occur for many reasons, from temporary causes, such as a hangover, to more severe or chronic forms of pain, such as a cluster headache.

Identifying and avoiding triggers can reduce the frequency of regular headaches. However, some people may need long-term treatment. A doctor will be able to diagnose the type of headache someone has and recommend the next steps.

Causes, treatments, and home remedies

Throbbing headaches can have a range of causes, such as a migraine headache or hangover. They can occur in different areas of the head and may occur alongside other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

This article will discuss the different types of headaches, their causes, and treatments.

Throbbing headaches can cause pain in different areas of the head, such as:

• both sides of the forehead
• one side of the forehead
• behind the eyes
• the temples
• top of the head
• the base of the skull

The location of the pain may help a doctor diagnose the cause of the headache.

The National Headache Foundation list several possible causes for a throbbing headache, including:

Hangover

If someone drinks alcohol, they may develop a throbbing headache as the alcohol wears off. Hangover headaches typically cause throbbing on both sides of the head.

There are several ways that alcoholic drinks can cause headaches. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels in the head, cause dehydration, or inflammation, all of which could cause a headache. Some alcoholic drinks contain other substances, such as sulfites, which also trigger headaches in some people.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the symptoms of a hangover vary depending on the individual, but can include:

• tiredness
• thirst
• muscle aches
• nausea or vomiting

These symptoms can last 24 hours or more. Drinking fluids, such as water and broth, can help.

A person with a hangover may also benefit from eating something that contains fructose, such as honey.

Migraine

Migraine causes moderate to severe headaches that typically affect one side of the head. There are two broad types:

• Migraine headaches with aura: Aura is a collection of sensations that someone experiences shortly before the onset of pain. Aura can include vision changes or numbness in the arms or legs.
• Migraine headaches without aura: This type of migraine headache includes pain but no aura. Accompanying symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and cold hands.

Some people find that specific food or smells trigger migraine headaches. Females may find they are more likely to develop migraine headaches at particular points in their menstrual cycle.

Some people experience chronic migraine headaches, which means they get them for more than 15 days each month. Other people have episodic migraine headaches, which means they occur less frequently.

Sinus headache

Sinusitis or allergies that cause swelling or blockage of the sinuses can cause pain in the front of the head or around the nose. Sinuses are the empty spaces around the nose and eyebrows.

However, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), sinus headaches are relatively rare. Most often, migraine headaches cause pain in the front of the face.

Sinus pain can resemble a migraine headache, and doctors may mistake one condition for the other.

The AAAAI state that if someone meets the following criteria, they may have a sinus headache:

• headache in the front of the head and pain in one or more areas of the face, ears, or teeth
• headache and sinus pain that occurs at the same time
• headache or facial pain or both that go away within 7 days after successful sinusitis treatment
• clinical or laboratory evidence, such as from a nasal endoscopy

Caffeine withdrawal

According to the National Headache Foundation, if a person who normally consumes caffeine suddenly stops, they may experience caffeine withdrawal. The symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include:

• a throbbing headache
• feeling sleepy or drowsy
• difficulty concentrating
• irritability or anxiety
• depression
• nausea or vomiting
• muscle aches

To avoid the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, a person can try gradually reducing the amount of caffeine they consume instead of stopping abruptly.

Occipital neuralgia

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) indicate that occipital neuralgia causes a continuous aching, burning, or throbbing pain that typically starts at the base of the skull and radiates over the scalp on one or both sides of the head.

Sometimes the pain also occurs behind the eyes on the affected side of the head.

The pain of occipital neuralgia has similarities to a migraine headache but is the result of a pinched nerve or muscle tightness in the neck. Sometimes, an injury or underlying condition leads to occipital neuralgia.

Conditions that may cause occipital neuralgia include:

• arthritis in the upper spine
• cervical disc disease
• tumors that affect the nerves
• gout

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are a rare and severe type of headache that cause excruciating pain on one side of the head, near the eye. A person with a cluster headache may also experience:

• a watery eye
• a blocked nose
• a flushed face

Attacks can occur daily for weeks or months and then disappear for extended periods.

Thunderclap headaches

Thunderclap headaches cause sudden, severe pain in the head. Nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or speech problems may accompany a thunderclap headache.

This type of headache can be a symptom of a stroke or an aneurysm. If someone develops these symptoms suddenly, dial 911 for emergency help.

To diagnose the type of headache someone has, a doctor will look at a person’s medical history and ask about their symptoms. They might ask whether they have experienced a recent knock to the head or a fall.

A doctor may perform a physical examination to check for signs of bone or nerve damage. In some cases, they may order an MRI or CT scan.

The best treatment for a throbbing headache depends on the cause of the pain.

Headaches caused by alcohol or caffeine withdrawal will improve on their own. According to NIAAA, there is no proven way to speed up recovery from a hangover.

Sinus pain caused by allergies may improve with the use of antihistamines, nasal sprays, and avoidance of allergy triggers, such as dust. If a bacterial infection causes sinus pain, a person may need to take a course of antibiotics.

For migraine headaches, treatment can be more complex. A person who experiences regular migraine headaches may benefit from trying to identify triggers. They can do this by keeping a diary. However, in some cases, there are no clear triggers.

According to the National Headache Foundation, a doctor may prescribe medications that prevent migraine headaches from occurring, such as beta-blockers, or medications that a person takes during an attack, such as 5-HT agonists.

Cluster headaches may improve with oxygen treatment. A doctor can provide oxygen at the hospital or at home with a prescription. Alternatively, a person may benefit from medications such as sumatriptan or ergotamine.

The AANS suggest a range of treatments, such as:

• anti-inflammatory medications
• physical therapy
• injections that block nerve pain
• Botox to reduce nerve inflammation

In some cases, a person with occipital neuralgia may require surgery.

To manage a throbbing headache at home, a person can try:

• lying down in a dark room
• using a warm or cool compress where the pain occurs
• staying hydrated
• taking over-the-counter pain medication
• sleeping

Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine, may also help if they trigger headaches.

People who regularly experience headaches should see a doctor. They can help to identify a cause and suggest some possible treatments.

The National Headache Foundation recommend that people who regularly experience headaches should see a doctor immediately if they:

• are experiencing their worst headache ever
• are experiencing new symptoms that are not normal for a migraine headache
• lose the ability to see
• lose consciousness
• vomit uncontrollably
• have pain that lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free

If someone develops a severe, sudden headache along with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, seizures, speech impairment, confusion, or muscle weakness, they should seek emergency medical attention.

A throbbing headache can occur for many reasons, from temporary causes, such as a hangover, to more severe or chronic forms of pain, such as a cluster headache.

Identifying and avoiding triggers can reduce the frequency of regular headaches. However, some people may need long-term treatment. A doctor will be able to diagnose the type of headache someone has and recommend the next steps.

Throbbing pain in the head. Causes of throbbing head pain.

Throbbing pain in the head. Causes of throbbing head pain.

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience – 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the author

Publication date: June 1, 2021

Updated: December 14, 2022

Often there are cases when the head hurts, it would seem, for no reason, the pain is throbbing, it seems that something is knocking inside. Single attacks occur due to temporary exposure to external factors: hypothermia, severe stress, drinking alcohol.

If these health problems persist, you should immediately seek help from a clinic. The cause of persistent such symptoms are diseases and pathologies, including tumors, oncological processes.

Contents of the article:

• 1 Causes
  • 1.1 Migraine attacks
  • 1.2 Traumatic brain injuries and their consequences
  • 1.3 Vascular diseases
  • 1.4 Nev rit
  • 1.5 Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine
• 2 Diagnosis
• 3 Treatment
• 4 Prevention
• 5 References

Causes

severe, sharp, throbbing headache in order to decide how to relieve an attack, get rid of discomfort, it is necessary to clarify its causes, otherwise the treatment will not be effective [1].

This condition can be provoked by both external factors that constantly negatively affect the body, and the development of internal pathologies of various organs and systems.

Therefore, attention is paid to the frequency of seizures and additional symptoms.

Let’s take a closer look at situations that can cause a throbbing pain in the head, something knocking.

Migraine attacks

If cephalalgia occurs only in a specific area, there is a possibility that its main cause is migraine [2]. It is possible to determine this by additional symptoms: nausea, lethargy, increased sensitivity to light and sounds. A variety of factors provoke an attack, different for each patient: bright light, loud sound, types of food or drinks, smells.

Traumatic brain injuries and their consequences

Most people who have received a concussion while taking analgesic drugs have periodic attacks of severe throbbing headache for 3-4 months after the injury. To get rid of discomfort after the incident, you need to contact a neurologist who will adjust the course of treatment. Distinctive features of the condition are also psychological instability, deterioration in memory and concentration abilities, sleep problems, rapid mood swings, lethargy and increased fatigue.

Vascular diseases

A person’s well-being is influenced by the condition of the vessels of the brain.

Frequent deviations from the norm – vegetative-vascular dystonia, atherosclerosis, or stroke. If in the first pathology (VVD), poor health is expressed in high fatigue and shortness of breath, then other diseases are life-threatening.

Plaque blockage or blood clots in the brain tissue lead to visible symptoms of cerebral vasoconstriction. In the case of gross lesions, the appearance of the face changes: it becomes asymmetrical. In addition, cognitive functions are critically deteriorating.

Stroke is a deadly, acute condition characterized by the absence of facial expressions, numbness of the limbs of one half of the body, and requires immediate medical attention. An equally dangerous condition is central venous thrombosis [3].

Neuritis

Inflammation of nerve tissue – neuritis, neuropathy, located in the skull – a common phenomenon.

Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine

Degenerative processes lead to thinning of the intervertebral discs and deformation of the vertebrae themselves.

Osteophytes, pathological growths of bone, dig into muscles and nerves, causing damage and inflammation. As a result, pain and additional problems arise.

The processes on the bones and edematous muscle tissue due to inflammation compress the vessels responsible for supplying the brain with blood. This leads to oxygen starvation of the brain and degenerative processes, encephalopathy. Against the background of osteochondrosis, pain syndrome also occurs. Attacks are exacerbated by sudden movements of the head, appear after being in an uncomfortable, non-ergonomic body position.

A headache with throbbing is not always a sign of a serious pathology. A similar condition occurs against the background of severe stress or overwork. Therefore, it is so important to seek help if the attack was not a one-time occurrence, but is repeated regularly.

Diagnosis

People who regularly experience strong throbbing in the head with pain should see a doctor to understand the cause of the headache.

Methods to determine what causes severe headache and pounding:

• Angiography or examination of cerebral vessels using x-rays.
• Electrocardiography, including ECG monitoring.
• Ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, transcranial dopplerography.
• X-ray of the cervical spine.

• MRI and CT. The tissue of the brain and its membranes are being examined. It is possible to identify neoplasms of various types.

A comprehensive examination allows you to identify all possible causes of deterioration in well-being. It often turns out that several pathologies are simultaneously involved in the appearance of regular attacks.

Treatment

To understand what to do and choose the right treatment for severe sharp throbbing pain in the head, you need to determine what kind of disease and what are its causes.

In some cases, seizures are easily relieved. A person takes a break from the usual type of activity, introduces preventive measures into the routine of life, or takes a medicine that stabilizes the condition. But when it throbs in the head with pain for internal reasons, due to pathologies, a full-fledged complex treatment is needed.

Depending on the problem identified during the diagnosis, several types of therapy are used separately or simultaneously:

• Drug therapy prescribed depending on the identified disease. It includes not only painkillers, whose task is to get rid of the symptom, but also drugs that directly affect the root cause of the attacks.

• Physiotherapy is used in the treatment of diseases not in the acute phase of the disease.

• After the pathological process subsides, courses of massage, manual therapy, electrophoresis, ultraphonophoresis and other similar procedures are prescribed.

• Surgical intervention is required if neoplasms of any type are found in the tissue of the brain or its membranes. At the same time, if it is small in size, then CyberKnife or GammaKnife technology is used. Most interventions at the current level of medicine end with a positive result. In some cases, chemotherapy is needed.

An innovative technique for migraine treatment with monoclonal antibodies shows good results.

Also an effective method of getting rid of attacks of certain diseases is exercise therapy in the open air [5]. Exercises, compiled according to the characteristics of the patient’s health, are signed by a doctor, and are implemented during training with a trainer.

Prevention

If the head throbs and hurts, it is important to determine what to do, if there are external reasons for this.

Follow the rules that make life easier:

• Organize a bed. Buy an orthopedic mattress and pillow that suits you personally.
• Normalize sleep. Set aside at least 8 hours a day for it. Shift the period of sleep to the dark time of the day.
• Reduce or avoid consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

• Try to avoid stress as one of the negative health factors.
• If you need to work at the computer for hours, take periodic breaks for muscle warm-up and exercise.
• Arrange a functional workplace if most of the working time is spent sitting at the computer. It is important to choose an ergonomic computer chair with a high back. The position of the monitor also plays a role: the display should be located in the direction of view and far enough away from the face.
• Avoid hypothermia. Protect your feet and neck. At the same time, you should beware not only the cold season, but also drafts, the action of the air conditioner.
• Regularly conduct physical training in the chosen sport. Moderate exercise 2-3 times a week improves the general condition of the body.

As an example, you can practice yoga exercises for VSD. Classes with a trainer will give a base, and then you can move on to independent training.

In the case when the headache is throbbing, the cause may be banal starvation [6].

Therefore, it is worth monitoring the balance of nutrition and the number of meals, as well as regularly ventilate the premises.

References

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Pain in the temples | Headache and whiskey

Headache in the temple area worries people of all ages. Someone experiences a headache in the left temple or right, and someone suffers from pain in both temples. In the Yusupov hospital, doctors first, using a comprehensive examination, determine the cause of a headache in the temple. Treatment is prescribed depending on the type of pain.

Neurologists, therapists, oncologists jointly establish a diagnosis, develop tactics for managing patients. Professors and doctors of the highest category apply innovative methods of headache therapy. The medical staff is attentive to the wishes of patients. Psychotherapists provide support to patients with an unstable emotional state.

Main causes of pain in the temples

Headache in the right or left temple can be caused by different reasons. It can have a pulsating, pressing character, less often it is cutting. Severe aching headache in the temples often occurs in the morning, which causes the patient to wake up before the alarm clock.

Attacks of headache in the temples come on suddenly. If you have a headache in the temporal region, you should immediately contact the therapist of the Yusupov hospital. He will conduct an initial examination, appoint an examination. After receiving the results of the research, the therapist refers the patient to a neurologist, cardiologist or oncologist. If necessary, patients undergo a complex examination and receive consultations from leading specialists of partner clinics.

The most common cause of frequent headaches in the temples is considered to be a pressure drop. Attacks can occur due to some kind of disease. More than two hundred main causes are known that can cause a headache in the temples. The most common causes of temporal headache include:

• disruption of the circulatory system;
• viral and bacterial diseases;
• age-related changes in the body;
• intoxication;
• entrapment of the trigeminal nerve;
• hormonal dysfunction;
• carious teeth.

It is worth noting that absolutely any pain that is felt in the face can provoke the appearance of temporal pain. The true cause of the headache is difficult to identify. A constant headache in the temples and forehead often worries people who lead a busy lifestyle, get tired, have little rest.

Types of pain in the temples

Any headache in the temples and eyes is characterized by sharpness, suddenness. If the pain syndrome arose against the background of overwork, experienced emotional upheavals, the duration of the temporal headache can be 30 minutes, or it can last 24 hours. If a throbbing headache in the temples is in the morning, it can be assumed that it is caused by vascular disorders. Such pain is accompanied by general weakness, nausea, tinnitus.

Headache in the temporal region due to an injury can manifest itself in different ways: pulsation in the temples, displacement of the focus of pain from the temporal lobe to the occipital lobe. If appropriate measures are not taken, acute pain can become chronic.

For persistent headaches in the temples, the causes of which are unknown, doctors recommend that the patient keep a diary. It should note the number and nature of headaches, how they are removed. Thanks to these records, it will be easier for a specialist to draw up a picture of the course of the disease.

How to get rid of pain in the head and temples

If a severe headache in the temples occurs at home, you can try to get rid of it without resorting to medication. The choice of a method to reduce temporal pain should be approached carefully. You can do a head massage yourself. Get into a comfortable position and start massaging your head with your fingertips. If there is a headache in the right temple, start doing massage movements on the right side of the head, if in the left – on the left. Then run your fingers all over the head, capturing both the temporal, occipital, and frontal regions. When you finish the massage, stay relaxed for a few minutes.

Temporal headache can be relieved after taking a warm shower. The patient improves the blood circulation of the brain, which allows you to get rid of headaches. The bath relaxes, which will also help relieve pain. Walking in the fresh air for half an hour can reduce headaches in the temples, which are caused by migraines. If, after the attempts made, the headache in the temples does not go away, contact the Yusupov hospital.

Non-drug treatments for temporal headache

Non-pharmacological methods of treatment, which are used by the specialists of the rehabilitation clinic of the Yusupov hospital, are aimed at the main mechanisms involved in the formation of headache. Among them, the leading ones are psychological factors (acute or chronic emotional stress), and muscle tension – myofascial, muscle-tonic, syndromes with the formation of trigger pain points.

Criteria for non-drug treatments are:

• insufficient effectiveness of drug therapy;
• individual intolerance to drugs and or the occurrence of allergic manifestations when taking pharmacological agents;
• the patient’s tendency to addiction and dependence when taking antidepressants and tranquilizers, which are widely used in the treatment of pain in the temporal region;
• development of abuse headaches with long-term use of analgesics in high doses;
• no contraindications to the use of non-pharmacological methods.

Pain is always a mental phenomenon. The longer and stronger the pain, the more often it is combined with anxiety, depressive, hypochondriacal reactions, which may be primary or secondary. The duration and degree of pain are reflected in the patient’s well-being and behavior. Under the influence of pain, personality traits, attitudes towards the world around, oneself, and the future change. Psychological correction, which is carried out by specialists of the rehabilitation clinic, is aimed at changing these negative influences, at the following points:

• improvement of personality functioning;
• correction of the patient’s experiences associated with the presence of permanent long-term or paroxysmal recurring temporal headaches;
• elimination of existing emotional disorders.

Doctors of the Yusupov hospital start psychological correction already from the first conversation with the patient. The patient is inspired with hope for improvement, anxiety is reduced, and they are encouraged to recover. In addition to an explanatory conversation, psychologists are in a state of hypnotic sleep.

Autogenic training includes:

• skeletal muscle relaxation;
• regulation of regional heart rate, vascular tone, depth and frequency of respiration;
• mental relaxation through specially selected verbal formulas.

Breathing and relaxation therapy combines elements of mental and muscle relaxation with chest excursions in the rhythm of inhale – exhale. Acupuncture is based on the stimulation of strictly defined areas of the skin, subcutaneous tissue in the area of ​​biologically active points. Postisometric relaxation is a technical form of manual therapy. It is used to induce relaxation and pain relief in muscles.

Biofeedback – a method as close as possible to testing physiological functions. It differs from the rest by the active involvement of the patient himself in the treatment process. The method is based on the biological control of physiological functions.

Light therapy is a method of exposure to bright white light. Through the retina, hypothalamus, pineal gland, it affects circadian rhythms, the activity of melatonin receptors located outside the pineal gland, non-specific brain systems, and changes endocrine, mental, and motor functions.

Medical treatment of temporal headache

Doctors at the Yusupov hospital, when choosing a method for treating headaches in the temporal region, take into account the cause of the headache. Treatment of tension headache includes relief of painful episodes and preventive treatment.

Simple analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to stop a headache attack in the temples. Treatment with these drugs should be used with a frequency of attacks no more than twice a week. The use of simple analgesics should not exceed 14 days per month. The use of any drugs for pain relief is controlled by keeping a diary. In patients with chronic headache, associated depression and anxiety, simple analgesics are usually ineffective, and excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to drug dependence.