What are the common causes of headaches. How can you distinguish between normal and serious headaches. When should you be concerned about a headache. What are the signs of a headache emergency.

Common Types of Headaches and Their Characteristics

Headaches are a widespread health issue affecting nearly everyone at some point. While most headaches are not indicative of serious health problems, understanding the different types can help you manage your symptoms more effectively.

Chronic Daily Headaches

Chronic daily headaches are defined as headaches occurring at least 15 days per month. These can include:

• Cluster headaches
• Tension headaches
• Migraines

Individuals experiencing chronic daily headaches often struggle with concurrent psychiatric issues such as anxiety or depression. Addressing these underlying conditions can significantly improve headache frequency and intensity.

Hypnic Headaches

Hypnic headaches, also known as “alarm clock headaches,” are a rare type that wakes people from sleep. They typically occur at the same time several nights a week and are more common in individuals over 50, particularly women. The pain associated with hypnic headaches can be described as:

• Dull
• Stabbing
• Throbbing
• Burning
• Pulsating

Throbbing Headaches

Throbbing pain is a common symptom associated with various headache types, including:

• Tension headaches
• Migraines
• Sinus headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Caffeine-withdrawal headaches
• Hangover headaches

This pulsating pain is often localized to one area and can significantly impact daily activities. Identifying personal headache triggers and avoiding them can help prevent these types of headaches.

New Daily Persistent Headaches: A Rare but Debilitating Condition

New daily persistent headaches (NDPH) are a rare type of headache characterized by rapid onset and unrelenting pain lasting for at least 24 hours, often continuing for days or months. The intensity may fluctuate slightly, but the pain remains constant.

NDPH can be particularly challenging to treat as it often doesn’t respond to traditional headache treatments and may not resolve independently for several months. The debilitating nature of this condition can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Red Flags: When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention for a Headache

While most headaches are not cause for alarm, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Seek urgent care if you experience:

• Sudden, intense headache pain (thunderclap headache)
• Severe or sharp headache pain for the first time
• Stiff neck accompanied by fever
• Fever higher than 102 to 104°F
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fainting
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Pain that wakes you from sleep
• Pain that worsens with changes in posture
• Persistent face tingling and auras
• Confusion or difficulty understanding speech
• Droopiness on one side of your face
• Weakness on one side of your body
• Slurred or garbled speech
• Difficulty walking
• Hearing problems
• Pain that begins after coughing, sneezing, or exertion
• Constant pain in the same area of your head
• Seizures
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swelling on your face or head
• A bump or injury on your head
• An animal bite anywhere on your body

Common Causes of Normal Headaches

Most headaches are not indicative of serious health issues and can be attributed to various factors, including:

• Dehydration
• Muscle tension
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Nerve pain
• Fever
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Alcohol consumption
• Certain foods

Other potential causes include toothaches, hormonal changes, pregnancy, or medication side effects. Migraines, while often severe and debilitating, are generally not considered dangerous. However, chronic migraines may require specialized treatment to manage pain effectively.

Serious Underlying Conditions That Can Cause Headaches

In some cases, headaches can be a symptom of a more serious health condition. These may include:

• Severe dehydration
• Tooth or gum infection
• High blood pressure
• Heatstroke
• Stroke
• Head injury or concussion
• Brain infection
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
• Cancer
• Brain tumor
• Brain aneurysm
• Brain hemorrhage

Recognizing a Stroke: A Medical Emergency

Strokes are a serious medical emergency that can cause severe headaches. In the United States, someone experiences a stroke every 40 seconds, with about 87% of strokes occurring due to blocked blood flow to the brain. Prompt medical attention is crucial for successful treatment.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, remember the acronym F.A.S.T.:

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Do not attempt to drive yourself or someone else to the hospital if you suspect a stroke. Call emergency services for immediate assistance.

Preventing and Managing Headaches: Lifestyle Strategies

While not all headaches can be prevented, certain lifestyle changes can help reduce their frequency and severity:

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a common trigger for headaches. Ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially in hot weather or during physical activity.

Manage Stress

Stress is a significant contributor to tension headaches and migraines. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga to help manage stress levels.

Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule

Both lack of sleep and oversleeping can trigger headaches. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.

Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Identify and Avoid Triggers

Keep a headache diary to identify potential triggers such as certain foods, weather changes, or specific activities. Once identified, try to avoid or minimize exposure to these triggers.

Practice Good Posture

Poor posture can lead to tension in the neck and shoulders, contributing to headaches. Be mindful of your posture, especially if you spend long hours sitting at a desk.

Treatment Options for Different Types of Headaches

The appropriate treatment for a headache depends on its type and underlying cause. Here are some common treatment approaches:

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

For mild to moderate headaches, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin can be effective. However, overuse of these medications can lead to rebound headaches, so use them sparingly.

Prescription Medications

For more severe or chronic headaches, your doctor may prescribe specific medications. These can include:

• Triptans for migraines
• Preventive medications for chronic headaches
• Anti-nausea medications for headaches accompanied by nausea

Alternative Therapies

Some people find relief from headaches through alternative therapies such as:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Biofeedback
• Herbal supplements (always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement)

Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to the preventive strategies mentioned earlier, other lifestyle modifications can help manage headaches:

• Limiting caffeine intake
• Avoiding alcohol
• Eating regular, balanced meals
• Using relaxation techniques

When to Consult a Healthcare Professional

While many headaches can be managed at home, certain situations warrant a consultation with a healthcare professional:

Frequent or Severe Headaches

If you experience headaches more than a few times a week or if they are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, it’s time to seek medical advice.

Changes in Headache Patterns

If you notice a significant change in the frequency, severity, or nature of your headaches, consult your doctor. This could indicate an underlying condition that needs attention.

Headaches That Don’t Respond to Treatment

If over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes don’t provide relief, a healthcare professional can help develop a more effective treatment plan.

Headaches Accompanied by Other Symptoms

If your headaches are accompanied by other symptoms such as vision changes, numbness, or weakness, seek medical attention promptly.

Remember, while headaches are common, they shouldn’t significantly impact your quality of life. If you’re concerned about your headaches, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance and support.

When Should You Worry About a Headache? Signs, Causes, and More

Most headaches are not caused by serious problems or health conditions. However, sometimes headache pain is a sign that something is wrong.

Headaches are common — nearly everyone experiences one every now and then. While headaches can be uncomfortable, painful, and even debilitating, you usually don’t have to worry about them.

Read on to learn the signs and symptoms that will help you know when you do need to worry about a headache.

If you experience regular, recurring headaches, you may have what’s known as chronic daily headache. This applies to people who experience headaches at least 15 days each month.

A variety of headache types can become chronic daily headaches, including:

• cluster headaches
• tension headaches
• migraines

Many people who experience chronic daily headaches also deal with psychiatric issues like anxiety or depression. In that case, treating the underlying anxiety or depression can go a long way towards improving headaches.

A headache that wakes you up from sleep is known as a hypnic headache. It’s often also referred to as an alarm clock headache.

Hypnic headaches tend to happen at the same time several nights a week. This type of headache pain can be described as:

• dull
• stabbing
• throbbing
• burning
• pulsating

Hypnic headaches tend to be more common in those over age 50 and affect more women than men. Overall, they’re a rare type of headache.

Throbbing pain is a common headache symptom that’s associated with many types of headaches, including:

• tension headaches
• migraines
• sinus headaches
• cluster headaches
• caffeine-withdrawal headaches
• hangover headaches

This pounding or pulsating pain is often localized to one area. It can make it difficult to go about your typical daily life and leave wanting to lay down and rest until the pain subsides.

Learning your personal headache triggers and taking steps to avoid them can help prevent this type of headache in the first place.

Also known as a new daily persistent headache, this type of headache develops rapidly and comes with unrelenting pain that lasts for at least 24 hours. It can even continue for days or even months at a time. The pain may worsen or even improve slightly from day to day, but it’s still there.

This type of headache is rare, but for those who experience it, the symptoms can be debilitating. A new daily persistent headache often doesn’t respond to traditional headache treatment options, and may not resolve on its own for several months.

A headache typically causes pain in your head, face, or neck area. Get urgent medical attention if you have severe, unusual pain or other signs and symptoms. Your headache may be a sign of an underlying illness or health condition.

Your headache pain may be serious if you have:

• sudden, very intense headache pain (thunderclap headache)
• severe or sharp headache pain for the first time
• a stiff neck and fever
• a fever higher than 102 to 104°F
• nausea and vomiting
• fainting
• dizziness or loss of balance
• pain that wakes you from sleep
• pain that gets worse when you change position
• persistent face tingling and auras
• confusion or difficulty understanding speech
• droopiness on one side of your face
• weakness on one side of your body
• slurred or garbled speech
• difficulty walking
• hearing problems
• pain that begins after coughing, sneezing, or any type of exertion
• constant pain in the same area of your head
• seizures
• unexplained weight loss
• swelling on your face or head
• a bump or injury on your head
• an animal bite anywhere on your body

Normal headaches are usually caused by:

• dehydration
• muscle tension
• stress
• lack of sleep
• nerve pain
• fever
• caffeine withdrawal
• drinking alcohol
• eating certain foods

They may also happen as a result of toothache, hormonal changes or pregnancy, or as a side effect of medication.

Migraine pain can come on without warning and can be severe and debilitating. If you have chronic migraine, talk to your doctor about treatment to help you manage this pain.

Some headaches can be a sign of a serious illness or health problem, such as:

• severe dehydration
• tooth or gum infection
• high blood pressure
• heatstroke
• stroke
• head injury or concussion
• brain infection
• preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
• cancer
• brain tumor
• brain aneurysm
• brain hemorrhage

Call 911 if you think you or someone else may be having headache pain because of a medical emergency. Serious, life-threatening illnesses that cause headaches and need urgent attention include:

Stroke

In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. About 87% of strokes happen because blood flow to the brain is blocked.

A stroke is preventable and treatable. Prompt medical attention is important for successful treatment. Call 911 if you have stroke symptoms. Do not drive.

what to do if you suspect a stroke

Act F.A.S.T. if you or someone else may be having a stroke:

• Face: Does one side of their face droop when you ask them to smile?
• Arms: Can they raise both arms over their head?
• Speech: Do they slur their speech or sound strange when they talk?
• Time: If you see any signs of stroke, call 911 immediately. Treatment within 3 hours of having a stroke increases the chances of a better recovery.

Concussion

If you experience a trauma to the head, you may have a concussion or a mild brain injury. Get immediate medical help if you have symptoms of a concussion after a fall or a blow to the head. Signs of a concussion include:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea or vomiting
• blurred vision or double vision
• drowsiness
• feeling sluggish
• balance problems
• slowed reaction time

Heatstroke

If you overheat in warm weather or during excess exercise, you may experience heatstroke. Look for these warning signs of heatstroke:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• muscle cramps
• dry skin (no sweating)
• pale or red skin
• difficulty walking
• fast breathing
• fast heart rate
• fainting or seizures

If you suspect heatstroke, move into the shade or an air-conditioned space. Cool down by drinking cool water, putting on wet clothes, or getting into cool water.

Preeclampsia

Headaches in the third trimester of pregnancy can be a symptom of preeclampsia. This health complication causes high blood pressure. It can lead to liver and kidney damage, brain injury, and other serious problems. Preeclampsia usually begins after week 20 of pregnancy.

This blood pressure condition happens to up to 8 percent of pregnant women who may be otherwise healthy. It is a leading cause of death and illness in mothers and newborn babies.

symptoms of preeclampsia

Get urgent medical treatment if you are pregnant and have symptoms such as:

• headache
• stomach pain
• difficulty breathing
• nausea and vomiting
• burning pain in your chest
• blurred vision or flashing spots in vision
• confusion or anxiety

Treatment for serious headache pain depends on the underlying cause. You may need to see a neurologist (a brain and nervous system specialist). Your doctor may recommend several tests and scans to help diagnose the cause, such as:

• medical history and physical exam
• eye exam
• ear exam
• blood test
• spinal fluid test
• CT scan
• MRI scan

You may need intravenous fluids (through a needle) to treat conditions like severe dehydration and heatstroke.

Your doctor may prescribe daily medications to treat a health condition like high blood pressure. A serious infection may be treated with antibiotics or antiviral medication.

If you have serious headache pain due to a chronic condition like migraine, your doctor might recommend prescription drugs to help prevent or reduce migraine pain.

If you have high blood pressure, take medication as prescribed to help lower it. Follow a low-sodium diet to keep your blood pressure from spiking. Check your blood pressure regularly on a home monitor. This can help prevent serious headaches caused by high blood pressure.

You don’t have to worry about most headache pain. Headaches have many causes, and most of them are not serious. However, in some cases, headache pain can be a symptom of a serious health condition or illness.

If you’re concerned about headache pain, talk to your doctor. Describe any other symptoms you have along with headache pain. Seek immediate medical attention if your headache pain is different or more severe than you have felt before.

Eye Strain Headache: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, More

Many of us know what it’s like to have a headache. Depending on the cause, it can trigger sharp, dull, or throbbing pain. Headaches range in severity and can affect any part of your head.

One uncommon cause of headaches is eye strain.

This can happen when you focus on a task, like using a computer, for too long. It can also occur when your eyes try to focus in light that’s too bright or dim. Essentially, eye strain is when your eyes get tired due to overuse.

Eye strain is also associated with symptoms like:

• sore eyes
• watery or dry eyes
• temporary double or blurry vision
• sensitivity to light
• trouble concentrating
• neck, shoulder, or back aches
• difficulty keeping your eyes open

If you have eye strain, it doesn’t mean your eyes are injured or damaged. Your headache and other symptoms should ease or go away completely once you rest your eyes.

Still, eye strain headaches can be frustrating and disruptive. They might make it difficult to focus on work, school, or other projects.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why eye strain causes headaches, how you can find relief, and ways to prevent these kinds of headaches from derailing your day.

There are many kinds of headaches. The most common types include:

• migraine
• cluster headache
• tension headache

These headaches require different treatment and care than an eye strain headache. That’s why it’s important to know how to recognize an eye strain headache, which is mild when compared with other headache types.

Signs of an eye strain headache

• Develops after prolonged eye activity. Eye strain headaches appear after you focus on something for a long time. They won’t develop when you wake up or if you haven’t been reading, watching, or focusing on something for a period of time.
• Pain gets better with rest. Typically, an eye strain headache will subside once you rest your eyes.
• No digestive discomfort. Unlike other types of headaches, eye strain headaches are rarely associated with vomiting or nausea.
• Pain behind your eyes. The pain is usually located behind or around your eyes. The area might feel sore or tired.

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When you look at objects or screens at a close range, the muscles in and around your eyes need to work harder to focus. Over time, these muscles can get sore and tired, just like any other muscle in your body.

Similarly, squinting for a long period of time may trigger spasms in your facial muscles and the muscles around your eyes. These spasms can lead to eye strain headaches.

To identify the cause of your eye strain headache, consider what you were doing before your symptoms developed. This will help you determine how to reduce discomfort.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of eye strain headaches.

Prolonged use of digital screens

Looking at a digital screen for a long time is the most common cause of eye strain. In this case, the condition is called digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome.

When you focus on a screen, you tend to blink less often. This can lead to dry eyes, which may cause irritation.

The following scenarios might also worsen digital eye strain:

• excessive glare or reflection on your screen
• low contrast between the screen text and background
• digital screens placed at incorrect distances
• poor posture

You’re more likely to develop digital eye strain if you look at a screen for 2 or more hours without taking a break.

Prolonged focus on a single task

It’s possible to develop eye strain without using a digital screen. Your eyes can get tired after continual focus on a single activity for a long time. These include:

• long-distance driving
• reading a book
• working on a project, like sewing or drawing

Vision problems

Uncorrected vision can also cause eye strain. You might need prescription glasses or contact lenses to help you see things clearly. If you already wear them, you may need a different prescription.

If your vision is uncorrected, your eyes will need to work harder to try and form a clear image. This can make your eyes tired and lead to eye strain headaches.

Bright or dim lights

It’s difficult to see clearly in light that’s too bright or too dim. You might need to squint your eyes to see.

You may have experienced this while driving a car on a sunny day without sunglasses, or walking into a dark room. As your eyes try to focus, they can become tired and strained.

You can reduce your chances of getting these kinds of headaches by taking some simple steps. Here’s what you can do.

Prevention tips

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take frequent breaks while using digital screens. The 20-20-20 rule involves looking at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
• Blink often. Dry eyes can worsen your eye strain symptoms. Blinking often will help moisten your eyes. You can also use artificial tears to help prevent dry eyes.
• Avoid using screens in the dark. Your eyes will need to work extra hard to focus in the dark. The light from your screen should be similar to the light in the room to make it easier on your eyes.
• Adjust your screen. Place your screen at least 25 inches away from your eyes. Position the screen slightly below eye level to avoid straining upward. Try not to position your screen too far below eye level, though, because it could strain your neck muscles.
• Use proper lighting. Point your indoor light source, like a lamp, away from your eyes. To reduce screen glare, make sure the light source shines away from your computer screen.
• Avoid prolonged use of contact lenses. This could cause eye irritation and strain.

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In addition to modifying your habits, you can also relieve eye strain headaches at home by taking the following steps.

• Wear prescription glasses. Using reading or computer glasses may provide relief. If you have glasses to correct your vision, be sure to use your most recent prescription.
• Close your eyes. Simply resting your eyes for several minutes can ease your symptoms.
• Use artificial tears. Dryness can make your eye strain worse. Using artificial tears may help moisten your eyes and offer relief.
• Take an NSAID. If you have a stubborn eye strain headache, an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) may help.

Often, simply making lifestyle changes — like those suggested in this article — can reduce the occurrence of your eye strain headaches.

Visit a doctor if your headaches persist even after making these changes. You should also see a doctor if you have these symptoms along with your headaches:

• sudden vision changes
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• severe eye pain

Be sure to get regular eye exams, even if you have good vision. Your eye doctor can check for other problems like eye muscle imbalance.

When your eyes work too hard, your eye muscles may contract too much. These contractions can trigger an eye strain headache. Often, these headaches cause pain and discomfort behind your eyes.

You may develop an eye strain headache after focusing on a task for too long. Fortunately, you can usually find relief just by letting your eyes rest. It also helps to wear glasses or contact lenses that are the correct prescription.

If lifestyle changes don’t help, visit a doctor. They can determine whether an underlying condition is causing your headaches.

How to get rid of a headache

Before treating a headache, you must first determine its causes, and there are quite a lot of them. Unfortunately, now very often we, without understanding the reason, simply begin to indiscriminately take analgesics that are very harmful to the body.

The abuse of analgesics, in turn, leads to problems and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and the occurrence of an allergic reaction. In addition, many analgesics are addictive, which leads to even more frequent headaches. Frequent use of these drugs also affects the nervous system, which contributes to the appearance of frequent depression.

There are many causes of headaches – statistics number about a thousand. Headache can be a symptom of many diseases, such as neurosis, hypertension, spinal problems, they can be listed indefinitely.

Some of the well-known forms of headache are:

1. Tension pain – it is the main one, and 70% – 80% of people complain about it. Dull, monotonous, constricting headache, accompanied by dizziness, nausea, radiating in the neck to the back of the head, eyes and temples. There is a pain of tension from mental stress, and it can intensify from atmospheric phenomena, taking drugs and alcohol. Most often, people over 25 complain of tension headaches.

2. Migraine affects 15%-20% of people. A migraine is accompanied by a terrible throbbing pain in one half of the head, when any sudden movements, bright light and even conversation bring pain. Most often migraine affects women 25 – 55 years. The main reason is the accumulation of blood in metabolic disorders, the premenstrual period, the use of contraceptives.

The remaining 5% of headache causes have another factor.

1. If the pain torments after a long work with documents or at the computer, then the cause is eye strain.
2. The cause of a headache by the end of the working day may be muscle strain, as well as osteochondrosis.
3. If the pain is accompanied by lethargy and ringing in the ears, this is the cause of low blood pressure.
4. If you have a headache in the morning, then you just need to check your blood pressure, most likely the reason is in it.

There are also factors that trigger headaches:

• Brain tumor
• Head injuries
• Infectious diseases
• Taking various medications
• Osteochondrosis

Headache prevention is very simple. First you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and quit all bad habits. More often be in the fresh air, take a balanced and proper diet. Do not overload yourself at work and choose a more convenient schedule. Undergo body diagnostics and treat existing acute and chronic diseases. And, of course, good sleep.

At home, it is better to resort to folk recipes than to indiscriminately drink various filth in the form of tablets. Especially in our time, when there are many counterfeit drugs that do not cure, but rather cripple. Moreover, there are many recipes – here are a few examples:

1. Prepare tea for a good sleep from mint leaves, Ivan – tea and lemon balm, it will help relieve fatigue, headache and will calm you down remarkably.
2. Take a bath with warm water or sea salt.
3. A cabbage leaf tied with a handkerchief to the diseased part will also help to relieve a headache very well.
4. A piece of ginger root put in tea will help against migraine.
5. Also, with migraine, an infusion of 0.5 tbsp. spoons of peppermint, poured into a glass of hot water and heated in a water bath. You need to take 1/3 cup 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals for one to two weeks.
6. After a nervous strain, oregano will help relieve headaches, oregano tea will also help with headaches in case of colds.
7. Take a glass of tea with a teaspoon of cognac for a month.
8. Now music therapy is considered to be a very fashionable solution for relieving headaches. In many countries, doctors advise listening to classical music to relieve migraine, namely the works of Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Gershwin. Music has always and at all times soothed, relieved stress and contributed to the restoration of strength.

There are a lot of recipes and they have always been treated for hundreds of years, and they have not harmed anyone yet. All these recipes are an excellent replacement for expensive modern analgesics. They also do not require medical advice. Plus, they are very pleasant.

But this is an auxiliary treatment, a trip to the doctor should not be ignored, since the problem needs to be addressed at the root, and you may need special procedures and treatment. And only a specialized doctor can prescribe it.

Author: V.I. Dikul

How to get rid of a headache, what to drink and what folk remedies

Headaches can occur for various reasons. In some cases, they indicate banal overwork, but sometimes pain is a symptom of serious pathologies. Do not drown out discomfort with medication if you do not know the cause. Especially if the pains recur, become stronger – this is a natural defense mechanism of the body. Thanks to pain, we can understand that something is going wrong and take action in time.

Causes of headaches

Headaches can take many forms. Below we list common localizations of painful sensations in the head.

1. Headaches in the occiput. Such pain may indicate that you have developed cervical spondylosis, osteochondrosis, increased muscle tone in the cervical region. Also, pain in the back of the head indicates hypertension.
2. Headaches in the temples. The reasons can be completely different: intoxication of the body with some chemical substance, an infectious lesion, sudden pressure surges.
3. Pain in the forehead. Such pains indicate increased intracranial pressure, frontal sinusitis, that the occipital nerve was infringed. In addition, painful sensations in the front of the head indicate typhus, malaria, pneumonia, meningitis and other serious pathologies.
4. Pain in the eyes or in the region of the optic nerves. It indicates a migraine attack, autonomic dysfunctions, and eye pathologies. If you ignore the appointment with a specialist with such pain, the disease can give complications.

Frequent headaches: causes

A severe headache does not always indicate a severe pathology. In some cases, this is normal. The head may hurt due to experienced acute stress, against the background of nervous strain, due to severe fatigue or noise. But it can also lead to pain intolerance to a certain food factor, infection and inflammation.

If you had a headache once, and the pain did not recur, it may not make sense to worry and turn to different specialists. But if your head hurts constantly, for example, once every 2-3 days, and you do not understand the reasons, you should not postpone the visit to the treating specialist.

Severe headache can be triggered by migraines, sudden pressure surges, sinusitis, TBI, infections. Sometimes the pains increase – that is, tomorrow the head hurts more than today. This is a wake-up call for a person.

If we talk about prolonged headaches, they may indicate serious chronic pathologies. In particular:

• syphilis
• tuberculosis
• encephalitis
• arachnoiditis
• meningitis
• parasitic pathologies
• oncology

Throbbing headache may occur in the background of migraines. Also, such pain indicates sinusitis, eye diseases, otitis media, and vascular pathologies.

Sharp attacks of headaches can be caused by vasospasm, which, in turn, can be triggered by cervical osteochondrosis or a sharp jump in pressure. The most dangerous causes are internal hemorrhage, aneurysm rupture.

It is impossible to exclude environmental factors: experienced stress, professional overstrain, malnutrition, use of medications.

Types of headache

When it comes to throbbing pain, the most common cause is migraine. With such a pathology, nausea, photophobia, intolerance to pungent odors, a feeling of fatigue and weakness additionally occur. Usually the pain is localized in one half of the head. The duration of such pain is 2-3 hours-3 days. Young women are more often affected.

Mild or moderate headache, which everyone probably experienced, can occur against the background of muscle spasm due to an uncomfortable sitting position, sleeping. It can also be caused by emotional stress. The pain extends to the back of the head, forehead, temples and other parts of the skull.

There is also a cluster type of pain. There are pulsating painful sensations that most of all give to the eyes and forehead. During an attack, lacrimation may increase, swelling and redness may appear. The duration of the attack is 20 minutes-1.5 hours. More often men suffer from such pains.

Headache of infectious origin is accompanied by fever, chills. If we talk about respiratory infections like SARS, then the pain is usually not too strong. More like pressure. In parallel, a person suffers from a runny nose, cough, fatigue.

The pain of meningitis will be sharp and throbbing. Body temperature rises to 37.5 degrees and above, nausea and vomiting also develop. Such patients need urgent medical care, hospitalization.

When it comes to pain from injuries, it depends on the location of the injury. Pain occurs both immediately and after a certain period of time.

There is also a sinus type of headache. It occurs against the background of the inflammatory process, while it is accompanied by swelling of the nasal mucosa.

If the headache occurs due to high intracranial pressure, then the headache will be quite severe. It will be accompanied by intolerance to light, nausea.

Pain that occurs against the background of an inflammatory process in the trigeminal nerve, manifests itself in short time periods – a couple of seconds, but the pain is very strong. It can occur anywhere, at any time – even during a conversation or during breakfast. Doctors say that such pains can be provoked by sinusitis, malocclusion, stomatitis, caries.

What to drink for a headache and what helps?

There are at least 8 ways to get rid of a headache at home.

So, what to do with a severe headache? Follow these guidelines:

• drink hot tea with a pinch of cinnamon. Do not use cinnamon if you have an allergy – it is quite a strong allergen
• take a contrast shower
• try chewing mint, lemon or ginger
• arrange a small promenade for yourself – a walk in the fresh air
• try aromatherapy
• massage your head
• do acupressure
• drink pure water

Certain methods can be combined. If the headache is caused by overexertion, stress, worries, fatigue, lack of sleep, it will quickly go away.

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Headache preparations

As for drug relief for pain, then there are the following drugs:

1. Analgesics. These include panadol, analgin, ibuprofen, paracetamol. Such drugs also have an antipyretic effect.
2. Antispasmodics. They are used by patients whose headaches are caused by vascular disorders – for example, a jump in blood pressure. These include no-shpa, papaverine, dibazol, dexalgin.
3. Vasoconstrictor drugs. They are used to combat migraine attacks. These include migraine, caffeamine, and other agents.

Recall that pills are good for pain, but they do not eliminate the reasons for which this pain was caused. If the attacks are repeated often enough, seek the advice of a specialist.

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What can be pregnant and lactating headaches

K Unfortunately, during pregnancy and lactation, a woman faces many restrictions. Doctors do not recommend taking medications to alleviate the condition. But there are proven remedies that are perfect for new mothers:

• Head massage: acupressure or general.
• Sleep – it is advisable to have a good sleep in a ventilated room.
• Application of an ice pack.
• Herbal decoctions. Melissa, rosehip, chamomile are perfect – these remedies soothe, relieve headaches.

During pregnancy, headaches can be triggered by various factors. In particular, the reasons are as follows:

1. Hormonal fluctuations. Against the background of hormonal changes, blood circulation is significantly disturbed, which causes headaches.
2. Jumping blood pressure. At the same time, the woman develops weakness, her head begins to spin. Often this condition accompanies the first trimester of pregnancy. In case a woman still gets vomiting, it is better not to self-medicate. Hospitalization may be indicated.
3. Aggravated chronic pathologies. In particular, pain can be provoked by osteochondrosis, vegetovascular dystonia, old neck and head injuries, infections, and oncological pathologies.