Causes, treatments, and home remedies

Throbbing headaches can have a range of causes, such as a migraine or hangover.

Throbbing headaches 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.

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 or hangover.

Throbbing headaches 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.

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.

Types of headaches, and what to do if your head hurts – blog

Headache (cephalgia) is an unpleasant sensation that can occur regularly and cause discomfort that interferes with normal life. Some people take painkillers when they feel pain. But regular headaches can indicate serious disorders in the body.

Types of headaches

Types of headache are divided into primary and secondary. Primary diseases include diseases that are not associated with other disorders in the body. Among them:

• Migraine – recurring attacks of pulsating unilateral headache that occurs in the temple, forehead or occiput.
• Tension headache – pain, usually bilateral, is intense and is accompanied by muscle tension in the neck or shoulder girdle. It can happen several times a month or daily.
• Cluster headache is an acute unilateral headache that can last up to 180 minutes.
• Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania is a severe unilateral headache in the eye or temple area that lasts for several minutes and may occur several times a day.

Secondary – diseases or disorders in the body that cause headaches. These include:

• Head and neck injuries
• Vascular diseases
• Colds
• Intracranial lesions
• Mental illness
• Infectious diseases – meningitis, encephalitis, tuberculosis

Headache is also subdivided according to the nature of the manifestations. They can be:

• Sharp
• Awning
• Blunt
• Expanding
• Pulsating

Headache types by location

Headaches are not only left-sided and right-sided. They can occur in other areas of the head, depending on the causes of the appearance.

Headache in temples

Headache in the temples can occur both during the day and at night. Most often, it manifests itself as a dull and throbbing pain and is accompanied by nausea. In addition to these reasons, pain in the temples can occur with inflammation of the walls of the arteries – temporal arteritis.

Headache in the occiput and neck

If a person has a sore back of the head, then this may indicate injuries and inflammatory processes. However, the causes of a sore head in the back of the head can also be diseases of the cervical region. For example, with osteochondrosis, protrusion of the intervertebral discs and osteoporosis. Moreover, if these diseases affect the thoracic region or the spine and do not affect the neck, then headaches will not occur.

Headache in forehead

Pain in the frontal part of the head may indicate inflammatory diseases. Among them: meningitis, pneumonia and sinusitis. Also, the cause of pain in the forehead can be increased intracranial pressure.

Why does my head hurt after sleeping

Morning headache does not always indicate the presence of the disease. It can occur for several reasons:

• Uncomfortable posture – during sleep, a person cannot control the position of his body, so he can lie down in a position in which blood vessels overlap. This causes oxygen starvation and, accordingly, a headache.
• Stuffy room and lack of fresh air – in an unventilated room, the amount of harmful impurities increases, which causes oxygen starvation.
• Unsuitable items for sleeping – an uncomfortable pillow or mattress affects the quality of sleep and can also cause headaches. In addition, an inappropriate mattress can adversely affect posture.
• Excessive rest – increased sleepiness causes not only pain, but also increases the risk of depression.
• Drinking alcohol before bed – alcohol increases the likelihood of pain in people prone to migraine and cluster pain.
• Sleep disturbance and fatigue – may occur when changing the time zone or lack of sleep.

Also, a headache in the morning can occur due to drinking coffee before bedtime and emotional overstrain.

Causes of headache during pregnancy

Headache during pregnancy can be associated with both the above reasons and the peculiarities of the course of pregnancy. Pain may occur with:

• Hormonal changes or disorders
• Toxicosis and dehydration
• Changes in blood pressure – in the first trimester it may decrease, at a later date, on the contrary, increase
• Stressful situations and nervous tension

When to see a doctor for headaches and which specialist to choose

It is necessary to monitor the nature of the headache in order to record changes. A serious reason to see a doctor will be if:

• Severe headache interferes with daily tasks
• Headache and nausea
• Headache accompanied by dizziness, weakness in arms or legs, imbalance
• Headaches began to intensify and occur more often
• Pain does not go away after taking drugs
• Headache does not go away for several days in a row

If you decide to contact a specialist, then first of all you should make an appointment with a therapist. Based on your complaints, he will refer you to the right specialist. This may be a neurologist, endocrinologist or otolaryngologist. Also, for the diagnosis of the patient, they can be sent for research – ultrasound, dopplerography or MRI of the head and neck.

How to get rid of a headache

The specialist will tell you what to do if your head hurts. The doctor may prescribe medication. It includes the reception:

• Painkillers
• Hormonal agents
• Antidepressants
• Vitamins
• Cardiovascular preparations

Paracetamol is one of the popular headache remedies. This analgesic will be effective for moderate pain. Ibuprofen, Citramon, Aspirin, Nurofen, Pentalgin and No-Shpa also help get rid of discomfort. Before taking it, you must definitely familiarize yourself with the contraindications and dosage, and a specialist should appoint a list with specific drugs.

It is important to remember that self-selection of remedies may not solve the problem, and headaches will continue.

Headache treatment during pregnancy

With severe headaches, you should consult a doctor and undergo a full examination. In treatment, preference is given to non-drug methods of treatment – massage, correction of the regime of rest and physical activity, compresses and increasing the volume of drinking.

Some drugs cannot be drunk during pregnancy, so you should definitely consult with a specialist to choose the remedy. He will say that it can be taken without harm to health and without a negative effect on the fetus. Also, the doctor will tell you in what doses you should take the drug.

Headache prevention

To reduce the risk of headaches, preventive measures should be followed. These include:

• Healthy night sleep less than 8 hours
• Contrast shower
• Draft avoidance
• Regular outdoor walks
• Purchase of suitable pillows and mattress
• Regular room ventilation
• Do not abuse coffee and alcoholic drinks
• Preventive massage
• Moderate physical activity

Also, prevention measures may include quitting smoking and following a special diet that includes regular intake of fruits and vegetables.

what problems can there be? – Stamina Back and Joint Health Center

Bad health and discomfort caused by a headache are familiar even to an absolutely healthy person.

Headache – is pain in any part of the head, including the back of the head, temple, crown, neck and face.

This disease seriously affects the quality of human life and significantly reduces performance. Most often, the headache disappears after a few hours and does not pose harm and danger to life and health. However, some people are familiar with regular intense throbbing attacks of pain, which are accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, sounds, smells, blurred vision, etc. Such attacks occur more than a few times a month and have their own definition – migraine.

Migraine – is the most common type of headache and neurological disease that is accompanied by chronic intense attacks of headache. The difference between migraine and ordinary headache is that migraine is almost impossible to eliminate with the help of pain medications. Attacks of pain can last from a couple of hours to several days.

Migraine affects both adults and children, but is most common in women. Especially often attacks of intense pain appear during pregnancy or the menstrual cycle.

If you experience headache attacks more than 1-2 times a month, then you need to seek the advice of a specialist who will not only help relieve the symptoms of migraine, but also prescribe treatment to eliminate the cause of its occurrence.

In our article we will analyze the causes of migraine in women and effective ways to treat it.

Causes of migraine in women

Headache never appears without a cause, and there can be a lot of them. The following factors can trigger a migraine:

• muscle strain;
• alarm;
• diseases of the cervical spine;
• vascular dysfunction;
• stress and depression;
• hereditary factor;
• hormonal changes;
• sleep mode failure;
• anoxia of the brain;
• pathological deviations of the neck and head;
• violations of the structure of the skull;
• Strong and unpleasant odors (paint thinner, cigarette smoke, perfume, etc. ).

Migraine symptoms

In order to understand that you have a migraine, the presence of the following factors is enough:

• head spasm;
• acute throbbing headache, most often unilateral;
• general weakness;
• fatigue;
• irritability, mood swings;
• hypersensitivity to bright lights, sounds and smells;
• nausea;
• difficulty in concentrating.

Treatment of migraine in women

If you notice migraine symptoms in yourself, we recommend that you do not delay your visit to a competent specialist. During the initial consultation, the doctor will examine your complaints, symptoms, and anything that may be related to the cause of the headache. Additional diagnostics may be required to make a diagnosis:

• MRI or CT scan of the brain;
• MRI of the cervical spine;
• blood test for hormones;
• general and biochemical blood test.

Treatment of migraine in traditional medicine is usually limited to medication. It is impossible to take drugs uncontrollably and on an ongoing basis, as a drug-dependent headache may gradually develop.

Migraine brings many unpleasant moments. Attacks of increased throbbing headache “immobilize”, do not allow a person to concentrate and engage in even daily activities, not to mention work and active physical activity.

In addition, the risk of regular migraine attacks lies in an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, peripheral facial paralysis, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.

Migraine treatment at the Stamina Center in Kiev

For the treatment of migraine at the Stamina Back and Joint Health Center, we use absolutely safe and painless methods that do not include the use of medicines, injections and operations. In the treatment of this disease, we work with such root causes as stress, increased tension in the cervical-collar zone, and vascular spasms.