Where does your headache hurt. What causes pain in different parts of the head. How to identify headache types based on location. When should you see a doctor for headaches.

Understanding Headache Types Through Pain Location

Headaches are an incredibly common ailment, affecting between 50-75% of adults annually. While the discomfort is universal, the specific location of head pain can provide valuable insights into the type of headache you’re experiencing and potential treatment options. By learning to interpret these pain patterns, you can take a more informed approach to managing your headaches and knowing when to seek medical attention.

The Prevalence of Headaches

Chronic headaches, defined as 15 or more headache days per month, affect approximately 1.7-4% of adults. This significant prevalence underscores the importance of understanding headache patterns and their potential causes.

Whole-Head Pain: Tension Headaches and Beyond

When pain seems to encircle your entire head like a tight band, it often indicates a tension headache. As the most common primary headache disorder, tension headaches can extend to the neck and create tenderness around the forehead.

Causes of Whole-Head Pain

While tension headaches are frequently caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck, often triggered by stress, several other factors can lead to all-over head pain:

• Caffeine withdrawal
• Physical exertion
• Hunger
• Hangovers
• Fatigue
• Colds or flu
• Head trauma
• Eye strain or prolonged computer use
• Overuse of headache medication (rebound headaches)

It’s important to note that while tension headaches typically cause whole-head pain, migraines can sometimes present as holocranial pain, affecting the entire head rather than just one side.

One-Sided Head Pain: Migraines and Cluster Headaches

When headache pain is concentrated on either the left or right side of the head, it often points to a migraine or cluster headache. These primary headache disorders have distinct characteristics that can help in their identification.

Migraine Symptoms and Triggers

Migraines are recurrent attacks characterized by:

• Throbbing, pulsating pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Aura (visual disturbances)
• Sensitivity to noise, light, and odors
• Difficulty focusing

Migraine triggers can vary widely between individuals but often include:

• Loud sounds or bright lights
• Specific odors or foods
• Weather changes
• Lack of sleep
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Skipped meals
• Dehydration

Cluster Headaches: Intense One-Sided Pain

Cluster headaches, another primary headache disorder, cause severe pain typically localized behind or around one eye. These headaches often occur in cycles or “clusters,” with periods of frequent headaches followed by remission.

Symptoms of cluster headaches include:

• Burning, stabbing pain behind one eye
• Red, teary eye on the affected side
• Constricted pupil
• Drooping eyelid
• Facial flushing
• Restlessness

Behind the Eyes and Nasal Passages: Sinus-Related Pain

Headaches centered behind the eyes and nasal passages are often mistakenly attributed to sinus issues. While allergies like hay fever can cause such discomfort, true sinus headaches are relatively rare. In many cases, what seems like a sinus headache is actually a migraine affecting the sinus area.

Differentiating Sinus Pain from Migraines

If you frequently experience headaches you believe to be sinus-related, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. They can help determine whether your symptoms are due to allergies or if they might be indicative of migraines, which can manifest with pain over the sinus areas.

Back of the Head Pain: Neck Issues and Low-Pressure Headaches

When pain is concentrated at the back of the head, it may be related to neck problems or a specific type of headache called spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH).

Neck-Related Causes

Pain in the back of the head can be attributed to:

• Arthritis of the neck
• Poor posture
• Herniated discs

These issues often result in pain that worsens with movement.

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH)

SIH, or low-pressure headaches, are characterized by:

• Pain that eases when lying down
• Worsening pain when sitting upright, standing, coughing, or engaging in physical activity

This type of headache can occur following procedures like lumbar punctures and requires prompt medical attention.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Headaches

While occasional headaches typically don’t warrant medical intervention, certain situations call for professional evaluation:

• Experiencing 15 or more headache days per month (chronic headaches)
• Sudden onset of severe headache
• Headaches accompanied by neurological symptoms (vision changes, weakness, confusion)
• New or changing headache patterns
• Headaches that don’t respond to over-the-counter treatments

Headache Management Strategies Based on Location

Understanding the location and characteristics of your headaches can guide effective management strategies:

Tension Headaches

• Stress reduction techniques (meditation, deep breathing)
• Regular exercise
• Proper sleep hygiene
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Massage or physical therapy for neck tension

Migraines

• Identifying and avoiding triggers
• Prescription medications (preventive and abortive)
• Lifestyle modifications
• Complementary therapies (acupuncture, biofeedback)

Cluster Headaches

• Oxygen therapy
• Prescription medications
• Preventive treatments

Sinus-Related Headaches

• Allergy management
• Nasal decongestants
• Humidifiers
• Saline nasal irrigation

The Role of Lifestyle in Headache Prevention

Regardless of headache type, certain lifestyle factors can significantly impact headache frequency and severity:

Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial for headache prevention. How much water should you drink daily? While individual needs vary, aiming for 8-10 glasses of water per day is a good starting point. Increase intake during physical activity or hot weather.

Sleep Hygiene

Consistent sleep patterns play a vital role in headache management. What constitutes good sleep hygiene? Maintain a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet, and comfortable.

Stress Management

Chronic stress is a common headache trigger. What are effective stress reduction techniques? Regular exercise, mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and engaging in hobbies can all help manage stress levels.

Diet Considerations

Certain foods and beverages can trigger headaches in susceptible individuals. What dietary factors should you consider? Keep a food diary to identify potential triggers, be mindful of caffeine intake, and maintain regular eating patterns to avoid blood sugar fluctuations.

Emerging Treatments for Chronic Headaches

The field of headache treatment is continually evolving, with new therapies offering hope for those with chronic headaches:

Neuromodulation Devices

These devices use electrical or magnetic stimulation to target specific nerves involved in headache pain. How do neuromodulation devices work? They can be external (worn on the head or neck) or implanted, and work by interrupting pain signals or stimulating the release of pain-relieving neurotransmitters.

CGRP Inhibitors

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors are a newer class of drugs specifically designed for migraine prevention. What makes CGRP inhibitors unique? They target a specific protein involved in migraine pathophysiology, offering a more targeted approach to prevention with potentially fewer side effects than traditional treatments.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

While not new, the use of botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for chronic migraine has gained increased recognition. How effective are Botox injections for headaches? Studies have shown that regular Botox injections can significantly reduce the frequency of headache days in chronic migraine sufferers, with effects lasting up to 3 months per treatment.

The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

Given the complexity of headache disorders and the overlap in symptoms between different types, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. What steps are involved in diagnosing headache disorders?

Headache Diaries

Keeping a detailed headache diary can provide valuable insights. What should you track in a headache diary? Record the frequency, duration, and intensity of headaches, along with potential triggers, associated symptoms, and the effectiveness of any treatments used.

Neurological Examination

A thorough neurological exam can help rule out underlying conditions. What does a neurological exam entail? It typically includes tests of reflexes, sensory and motor function, balance, and coordination.

Imaging Studies

In some cases, imaging studies may be necessary to exclude structural abnormalities. When are imaging studies recommended for headaches? They’re often used when headaches are sudden and severe, associated with neurological deficits, or when the pattern of headaches changes significantly.

The Economic and Social Impact of Headaches

Chronic headaches can have far-reaching effects beyond physical discomfort. What are the broader impacts of headache disorders?

Workplace Productivity

Headaches significantly impact workplace productivity. How much does headache-related absenteeism and presenteeism cost? Studies estimate that migraine alone costs the U.S. economy up to $36 billion annually in lost productivity.

Quality of Life

Chronic headaches can severely affect quality of life. How do headaches impact daily functioning? They can interfere with social activities, family relationships, and overall well-being, leading to isolation and decreased life satisfaction.

Mental Health Considerations

There’s a strong connection between chronic pain conditions like headaches and mental health. What is the relationship between headaches and mental health disorders? Individuals with chronic headaches are at increased risk for anxiety and depression, which can, in turn, exacerbate headache symptoms, creating a challenging cycle.

Future Directions in Headache Research and Treatment

The field of headache medicine continues to advance, with promising areas of research on the horizon. What are some exciting developments in headache research?

Personalized Medicine Approaches

Genetic and biomarker studies are paving the way for more personalized treatment strategies. How might personalized medicine change headache treatment? By identifying specific genetic or biological markers associated with different headache types, treatments can be tailored more precisely to individual patients, potentially improving outcomes and reducing side effects.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions

There’s growing interest in non-drug approaches to headache management. What non-pharmacological treatments show promise? Mind-body interventions like mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and biofeedback are gaining recognition for their potential in headache management, either alone or in combination with traditional treatments.

Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques

New neuroimaging technologies are providing unprecedented insights into headache pathophysiology. How are advanced imaging techniques contributing to headache research? Functional MRI and PET scans are helping researchers better understand the neural mechanisms underlying different headache disorders, which could lead to more targeted and effective treatments in the future.

By understanding the significance of headache location and associated symptoms, individuals can take a more proactive approach to managing their headaches. Whether it’s tension headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches, recognizing the patterns and seeking appropriate care can lead to more effective relief and improved quality of life. Remember, while occasional headaches are common, frequent or severe headaches warrant medical attention to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Can It Tell You?

The location of your head pain can be an important clue in determining what type of headache you have and the potential remedies.

Headaches are very common. In fact, it’s estimated that about half to three quarters of adults have experienced some type of headache within the last year.

Chronic headache, which means 15 or more headache days every month, affects between 1.7 to 4 percent of adults.

Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of headaches based on location, as well as when it’s important to seek medical care.

The whole-head headache can feel like there’s a tight band around your head. This often indicates a tension headache, the most common primary headache disorder.

However, it’s important to point out that there are times when migraine pain can be holocranial. This means the pain can be felt around the head instead of just on one side.

With a tension headache, pain and pressure may extend to your neck, and you may also feel pain and tenderness around your forehead.

Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in your head and neck. This type of headache tends to last a few hours, but can linger for days.

A tension headache can be caused by stress or neck problems. However, you might also have an all-over headache from:

• caffeine withdrawal
• physical exertion
• hunger
• hangover
• fatigue
• having a cold or flu
• head trauma
• eye strain or staring at a computer for too long
• using too much headache medicine, also known as rebound headache

An occasional tension headache doesn’t typically require medical attention. Do see your doctor if you experience 15 or more headache days per month.

Migraine

Whether it’s the left side or the right side, one-sided head pain often indicates migraine.

Migraine is a primary headache disorder that causes recurrent attacks. Symptoms of migraine typically include:

• throbbing, pulsating pain
• nausea or vomiting
• aura
• noise, light, and odor sensitivities
• difficulty focusing

Migraine can be caused by a variety of contributing factors, including changes in brain chemicals. In particular, a decrease in serotonin levels.

Many other factors may also trigger an attack, such as:

• loud sounds
• bright or flashing lights
• specific odors
• certain foods
• changes in weather conditions
• lack of sleep
• hormonal changes
• skipping meals
• dehydration

These triggers vary from person to person. It can even be a combination of factors that bring on an attack. It’s not always possible to identify triggers.

Cluster headache

Cluster headache is another primary headache disorder that causes pain on one side of the head.

The pain is often located behind or around one of your eyes. In some cases, the pain may spread to your forehead, side of your head, nose, neck, or shoulders on the same side.

Cluster headaches tend to occur in cycles or, as the name suggests, “clusters.” You may experience headaches for a few weeks or months, followed by a remission period.

These headaches often come on suddenly and the pain usually becomes severe within about 10 minutes of starting.

Some common symptoms of a cluster headache include:

• burning, stabbing pain behind or around one eye
• a red, teary eye
• a smaller, constricted pupil
• a drooping eyelid
• puffiness under or around one or both eyes
• runny or stuffy nose
• facial flushing
• feeling restless

Once you get the right diagnosis, migraine and cluster headaches can be treated and managed.

Medication overuse and head trauma can also cause pain on one side of the head.

A headache behind your eyes and nasal passages can be due to allergies, such as hay fever, which can also produce symptoms similar to that of the common cold.

However, true sinus headaches tend to be rare. These headaches usually turn out to be migraine, which can cause pain over the sinuses.

A headache behind your eyes is rarely related to eyestrain.

If you think you’re having sinus headaches, consider seeing your doctor to get a diagnosis. Your doctor can help determine if your headache is truly caused by allergies, or if it could be migraine.

Pain in the back of your head can be due to arthritis of the neck. Pain tends to get worse when you move.

This type of headache can also be due to poor posture or neck problems such as a herniated disc.

A back of the head headache, often accompanied by neck pain, can also be a sign of a low-pressure headache, otherwise known as spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). It’s caused by low spinal fluid pressure in the brain.

Another sign of SIH is that the pain eases when you lie down, but worsens when you:

• sit upright
• stand
• cough or sneeze
• strain
• engage in physical activity

This type of headache can occur following a lumbar puncture. If you’ve recently had this procedure and develop a headache, see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment.

If you have any type of chronic headache, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Headaches are considered chronic if they happen 15 days or more per month.

By identifying your specific type of headache, your doctor can determine the best type of treatment. Getting the right kind of treatment for your headache may help improve your overall quality of life.

Sometimes, a headache can indicate a more serious medical condition such as:

• aneurysm
• stroke
• meningitis
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue)
• brain tumor

Signs that you may need immediate medical attention for a headache include:

• sudden onset of severe headache
• a rigid neck
• double vision
• weakness or paralysis on one side of your body
• numbness on either side of the body
• balance and coordination problems
• speech difficulties
• high fever
• lethargy
• reduced or altered consciousness level
• hallucinations

Everyone is different, so it may take some trial and error to figure out what works best for your headaches.

Here are some ways that you may be able to help ease your headache pain with self-care:

• Lie down in a dark, quiet room. Take a nap if you can.
• Apply ice or a cold compress to the area that hurts. Some people find that heat works better.
• Drink water to stay hydrated.
• Do some deep breathing exercises.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories as directed. Be careful, because taking too many can lead to rebound headaches.
• Drink a little caffeine.

For chronic headaches, your doctor may prescribe medications based on the specific type of headache you have. These medicines include:

• triptans
• ergot derivative drugs
• combination analgesics and caffeine

Preventive medications for chronic headache include:

• anticonvulsants
• beta-blockers
• calcium channel blockers
• calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists
• onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• tricyclic antidepressants

The area of your head that hurts can tell you something about the type of headache you’re having. Other symptoms and the frequency of your headache pain can tell you a lot more.

If your headaches aren’t too severe or frequent, home remedies and OTC medicines may help get you through them.

If you get headaches frequently, or the pain disrupts your daily life, be sure to follow up with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

A headache that’s accompanied by certain symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition. If you have head pain with symptoms such as partial paralysis, high fever, blurred vision, or speech difficulties, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

What Can It Tell You?

The location of your head pain can be an important clue in determining what type of headache you have and the potential remedies.

Headaches are very common. In fact, it’s estimated that about half to three quarters of adults have experienced some type of headache within the last year.

Chronic headache, which means 15 or more headache days every month, affects between 1. 7 to 4 percent of adults.

Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of headaches based on location, as well as when it’s important to seek medical care.

The whole-head headache can feel like there’s a tight band around your head. This often indicates a tension headache, the most common primary headache disorder.

However, it’s important to point out that there are times when migraine pain can be holocranial. This means the pain can be felt around the head instead of just on one side.

With a tension headache, pain and pressure may extend to your neck, and you may also feel pain and tenderness around your forehead.

Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in your head and neck. This type of headache tends to last a few hours, but can linger for days.

A tension headache can be caused by stress or neck problems. However, you might also have an all-over headache from:

• caffeine withdrawal
• physical exertion
• hunger
• hangover
• fatigue
• having a cold or flu
• head trauma
• eye strain or staring at a computer for too long
• using too much headache medicine, also known as rebound headache

An occasional tension headache doesn’t typically require medical attention. Do see your doctor if you experience 15 or more headache days per month.

Migraine

Whether it’s the left side or the right side, one-sided head pain often indicates migraine.

Migraine is a primary headache disorder that causes recurrent attacks. Symptoms of migraine typically include:

• throbbing, pulsating pain
• nausea or vomiting
• aura
• noise, light, and odor sensitivities
• difficulty focusing

Migraine can be caused by a variety of contributing factors, including changes in brain chemicals. In particular, a decrease in serotonin levels.

Many other factors may also trigger an attack, such as:

• loud sounds
• bright or flashing lights
• specific odors
• certain foods
• changes in weather conditions
• lack of sleep
• hormonal changes
• skipping meals
• dehydration

These triggers vary from person to person. It can even be a combination of factors that bring on an attack. It’s not always possible to identify triggers.

Cluster headache

Cluster headache is another primary headache disorder that causes pain on one side of the head.

The pain is often located behind or around one of your eyes. In some cases, the pain may spread to your forehead, side of your head, nose, neck, or shoulders on the same side.

Cluster headaches tend to occur in cycles or, as the name suggests, “clusters.” You may experience headaches for a few weeks or months, followed by a remission period.

These headaches often come on suddenly and the pain usually becomes severe within about 10 minutes of starting.

Some common symptoms of a cluster headache include:

• burning, stabbing pain behind or around one eye
• a red, teary eye
• a smaller, constricted pupil
• a drooping eyelid
• puffiness under or around one or both eyes
• runny or stuffy nose
• facial flushing
• feeling restless

Once you get the right diagnosis, migraine and cluster headaches can be treated and managed.

Medication overuse and head trauma can also cause pain on one side of the head.

A headache behind your eyes and nasal passages can be due to allergies, such as hay fever, which can also produce symptoms similar to that of the common cold.

However, true sinus headaches tend to be rare. These headaches usually turn out to be migraine, which can cause pain over the sinuses.

A headache behind your eyes is rarely related to eyestrain.

If you think you’re having sinus headaches, consider seeing your doctor to get a diagnosis. Your doctor can help determine if your headache is truly caused by allergies, or if it could be migraine.

Pain in the back of your head can be due to arthritis of the neck. Pain tends to get worse when you move.

This type of headache can also be due to poor posture or neck problems such as a herniated disc.

A back of the head headache, often accompanied by neck pain, can also be a sign of a low-pressure headache, otherwise known as spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). It’s caused by low spinal fluid pressure in the brain.

Another sign of SIH is that the pain eases when you lie down, but worsens when you:

• sit upright
• stand
• cough or sneeze
• strain
• engage in physical activity

This type of headache can occur following a lumbar puncture. If you’ve recently had this procedure and develop a headache, see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment.

If you have any type of chronic headache, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Headaches are considered chronic if they happen 15 days or more per month.

By identifying your specific type of headache, your doctor can determine the best type of treatment. Getting the right kind of treatment for your headache may help improve your overall quality of life.

Sometimes, a headache can indicate a more serious medical condition such as:

• aneurysm
• stroke
• meningitis
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue)
• brain tumor

Signs that you may need immediate medical attention for a headache include:

• sudden onset of severe headache
• a rigid neck
• double vision
• weakness or paralysis on one side of your body
• numbness on either side of the body
• balance and coordination problems
• speech difficulties
• high fever
• lethargy
• reduced or altered consciousness level
• hallucinations

Everyone is different, so it may take some trial and error to figure out what works best for your headaches.

Here are some ways that you may be able to help ease your headache pain with self-care:

• Lie down in a dark, quiet room. Take a nap if you can.
• Apply ice or a cold compress to the area that hurts. Some people find that heat works better.
• Drink water to stay hydrated.
• Do some deep breathing exercises.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories as directed. Be careful, because taking too many can lead to rebound headaches.
• Drink a little caffeine.

For chronic headaches, your doctor may prescribe medications based on the specific type of headache you have. These medicines include:

• triptans
• ergot derivative drugs
• combination analgesics and caffeine

Preventive medications for chronic headache include:

• anticonvulsants
• beta-blockers
• calcium channel blockers
• calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists
• onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• tricyclic antidepressants

The area of your head that hurts can tell you something about the type of headache you’re having. Other symptoms and the frequency of your headache pain can tell you a lot more.

If your headaches aren’t too severe or frequent, home remedies and OTC medicines may help get you through them.

If you get headaches frequently, or the pain disrupts your daily life, be sure to follow up with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

A headache that’s accompanied by certain symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition. If you have head pain with symptoms such as partial paralysis, high fever, blurred vision, or speech difficulties, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

Ekaterinburg uses a new technology for strokes, which has no analogues in Russia

Ekaterinburg uses a new technology for strokes, which has no analogues in Russia

Dzhanita Dzhallatova

© URA.RU News Service

Every second patient with myocardial infarction in Yekaterinburg receives care at the New Hospital Photo: Vladimir Zhabrikov © URA. RU

On the eve of Medical Worker Day, the New Hospital received the prestigious Medical Olympus professional recognition award in the Technology of the Year nomination . Yekaterinburg doctors were awarded for the introduction of intravascular thrombus extraction (IVTE) in the most acute period of cerebral stroke. A URA.RU correspondent spoke with Elena Fokina, Deputy General Director of the clinic for medical work, about new technologies that save patients from the consequences of severe cardiovascular disasters.

Elena Fokina noted the high level of training of doctors who rescue patients with cerebral stroke

Photo: New Hospital

Elena Georgievna Fokina — Deputy General Director of the New Hospital Medical Association. She is a Candidate of Medical Sciences, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, a cardiologist of the highest qualification category.

– Elena Georgievna, please tell us what is the peculiarity of the procedure implemented by the “New Hospital”?

— We have always strived to keep up with the times and master advanced technologies in the main areas of our clinic. So, back in 2002, intravascular treatment of myocardial infarction was introduced, a department of invasive methods of diagnosis and treatment was created, where, in an operating room, X-ray surgeons perform interventions on the heart vessels and save patients with this life-threatening condition.

“New Hospital” is the leader in Yekaterinburg in terms of assistance to patients with stroke and other brain accidents. An entire stroke team is working to save the patient. It consists of doctors: a neurologist, an intensive care specialist, an X-ray surgeon, a radiologist and an operating nurse.

A team of doctors performs the most complex surgical manipulations

Photo: New Hospital

— How to understand that a stroke or heart attack has occurred? How to get help?

– If someone in your environment has symptoms: a weakened arm and / or leg, speech is disturbed, the face is “contorted”, the corner of the mouth is lowered, the person cannot smile, double vision occurs, unsteady gait, a sharp intense headache pain, you need to immediately call an ambulance. After all, the principle “time = saved brain cells” works here.

According to certain indications, based on the severity of neurological symptoms, the presence of brain tissue damage, the fact of blockage of blood vessels and other parameters, the stroke team of specialists decides on the procedure. The technique has proven its effectiveness: it helps to reduce the percentage of disability, prevent recurrent strokes, achieve a stable remission of the disease, and improve the quality of human life.

“New Hospital” is the only clinic in the city where patients with myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke are routed

Photo: Dmitry Tkachuk © URA.RU

— This year the New Hospital Medical Association celebrates its 30th anniversary. In addition to introducing technologies to save patients with heart attack and stroke, what other types of care have you mastered over the years?

– If you look back, a lot has been done in 30 years. We have taken the path of creating specialized diagnostic and treatment centers on the basis of departments. Historically, the very first arrhythmological center was organized. In 2014, we created a center for the surgical treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmias, began implanting pacemakers and other devices. A kind of mini-computers, they help the heart beat correctly, and often save a person’s life.

As for the neurological service, its development was marked by the creation of a vertebrological center. They help people with spinal diseases. Later, a center for the treatment of pathology of the facial nerve appeared.

Computed tomography helps to determine the coronary artery calcification index

Photo: Vladimir Zhabrikov © URA.RU

— The clinic’s pulmonology service is the leading one in the city. On its basis, there is a center for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The Gastroenterology Department has been known for many years for the work of the peptic ulcer treatment center. For the past ten years, they have been actively involved in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases using genetic engineering therapy. The same type of high-tech medical care is also used to treat pulmonary patients with severe forms of bronchial asthma.

Indications for the procedure are assessed on various scales by each member of the stroke team

Photo: Vladimir Zhabrikov © URA.RU

— Doctor’s advice: how to protect yourself from such formidable diseases?

— I want to teach people to take care of themselves and their loved ones. We believe that children from the nursery group of kindergarten should be brought up in a preventive way in order to accustom them to the basics of a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, and the inadmissibility of bad habits. It’s good if the family has set such a tone, but so far this is rare, unfortunately. You need to accustom yourself to regular medical examinations and check-ups.

Arterial hypertension plays the main role in the development of vascular accidents

Photo: Vadim Akhmetov © URA.RU

Arterial hypertension plays the main role in the development of vascular accidents, which patients often do not even know about, do not feel it. An assessment of the work of the heart during exercise should be added to the important methods for studying the cardiovascular system. To do this, for example, a treadmill test is performed when the patient performs a load on a treadmill, an electrocardiogram is simultaneously recorded and analyzed, and the dynamics of blood pressure values ​​is assessed.

– There are two other important screening tests shown to people without complaints, but with high blood pressure detected during the examination. They help to identify plaques in the vessels, which subsequently lead to heart attacks and strokes. This is ultrasound dopplerography of the vessels of the head and neck, they are considered to be a “mirror”, reflecting the state of the vessels of the whole organism.

Today, every second patient with myocardial infarction in Yekaterinburg receives care at the New Hospital

Photo: Ilya Moskovets © URA.RU

If the examination reveals plaques, then it is highly likely that they are present in the vessels of other localizations. And this will be a reason for the doctor, in the presence of high blood pressure and cholesterol, to prescribe primary preventive treatment to the patient.

– It will help not only reduce the volume of plaques, but also stabilize them. This is important, because we often see that even a small but unstable plaque with a thin cap and a large cholesterol core led to a heart attack and stroke. The clinic actively uses a technique for early screening of vascular lesions – computed tomography of the heart. It helps to determine the index of coronary artery calcification.

Even in the absence of complaints, for a person with slightly elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, calcium deposition in the vessels is already a reason to start preventive treatment, modify lifestyle: adjust the diet and not ignore aerobic exercise.

The work of each service is supervised by a supervisor

Photo: Ilya Moskovets © URA.RU

— There is such a parable. Three workers employed in the construction of the palace were asked: “What are you doing?” One worker replied, “I’m laying bricks. ” The second one answered: “I’m sweeping the yard.” And only the third proudly said: “And I stand a palace.” I would like to wish that we, together with you, build a palace of health, each one brick by brick: the patient with our attention and understanding, we, the doctors, with our work and preventive activities. And if all the bricks fit correctly, we will have a beautiful palace of health! Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

New Hospital Medical Association is a fully equipped multidisciplinary clinic. The medical facility includes an outpatient department, a hospital and specialized urban centers.

Earlier, URA.RU wrote that a doctor training program was launched in the Sverdlovsk region, which became a pilot program for the whole of Russia. Doctors from ten hospitals in the region were united into multifunctional teams. The training took place within the walls of the Clinical Institute of the Brain (KIM).

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How to deal with a headache: ways that work

Headache is excruciating – it interferes with sleep, wakefulness, work, rest and life in general. Headaches vary in location, intensity, and frequency, and surprisingly, each has its own effective treatment.

Tags:

Medications

headache

There can be many reasons for the appearance of a headache, and the pain itself can be different. Scientists have found that there are at least ten types of headaches, each of which has characteristic features.

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Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

It turns out that dealing with menstrual headaches is not at all the same as with tension headaches, and migraines do stand alone in this list. We understand what a headache is and how to get rid of it.

Tension headache

This is the most common type of headache. I’m sure you’ve experienced this kind of pain at least once. Most often, this is a constant pain localized in the back of the head or encircling the head, often at the same time there is a strong tension in the neck. This condition is not accompanied by weakness, nausea, or vomiting.

The most common and effective way to deal with it is a conventional over-the-counter analgesic based on paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Cluster headache

This type of headache is less common and mostly affects men rather than women. Cluster headache is characterized by numerous very painful attacks that follow one after another during the day for several days in a row. After this painful “marathon” there may be a break for several months and even years.

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The pain itself appears suddenly and is located either on the right or on the left side of the head. In this case, an attack can cause watery eyes, nasal congestion, or, conversely, a severe runny nose – all this will affect only one side of the face, the one where pain is felt.

Ordinary analgesics can only slightly relieve pain, but more serious ones are needed: the doctor can prescribe triptans, as for migraines, and also recommend relaxation techniques that can slightly dull the pain.

Sinus headache

Do you know the pain in the nose, forehead and cheekbones that comes with a cold? This is how sinus headache manifests itself, the symptoms of which can include fever, severe weakness, runny nose and other signs of a cold.

Most often, the appearance of a sinus headache requires a visit to a doctor – an ENT will conduct an examination and may prescribe antibiotics to fight the main cause that caused the headache: infection. When the infection and the inflammation caused by it subsides, then the pain will become less pronounced.

Painkiller headache

Ironically, the painkillers commonly used to treat headaches can themselves cause it. This happens, of course, not with any use of the drug, but only with too frequent use, for example, if you take analgesics every day.

There is a hypothesis that when taking painkillers, the brain goes into an excited state, in which headaches occur more often and become more intense. To cope with such headaches, you will have to stop taking medication or at least reduce the dose. You can prevent their appearance, the most important thing is to carefully read the instructions and prevent an overdose.

Migraine

Migraine occurs about 3 times more often in women than in men. Often a migraine attack is preceded by a so-called aura, a condition in which black spots, wavy lines, or flashes may appear before the eyes.

A migraine can be triggered by extreme fatigue, stress, a cup of coffee, lack of sleep, and more. People with migraines know their triggers or try to recognize them by keeping a headache diary.

Doctors may prescribe triptans to help relieve the condition, and these medications are often much more effective than conventional analgesics.

Headache due to TMJ syndrome

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull, without it no jaw movements would be possible, which means we could not eat, speak, chew, yawn.

Trauma, stress, prolonged poor posture, or some other condition may cause the TMJ to malfunction. When chewing or during speech, there may be discomfort and a feeling that the lower jaw does not fall into place after closing the mouth. In addition, an unpleasant headache appears, mainly localized in the ear or neck area.

You can completely remove this headache by understanding the causes that caused the TMJ syndrome, and before that, standard analgesics and local cooling are suitable as a temporary solution.

Headache due to ice cream

We are sure you know that feeling when you eat ice cream spoon by spoon or take a bite out of your ice cream – and at some point you feel a sharp headache.

A similar sensation can be obtained by taking a long sip of an ice-cold drink.

This type of headache has a special scientific name – headache from cold stimuli. It appears due to the fact that the blood vessels narrow sharply in response to the use of cold. The pain is usually localized in the forehead area and will go away on its own as soon as you stop eating ice cream. Do you want relief to come soon? Drink warm water in small sips.

Menstrual headache

Premenstrual syndrome is accompanied by various symptoms, and headaches are one of them. They usually occur a couple of days before the onset of menstruation or a couple of days after menstruation has begun.

Hormonal fluctuations that occur during a cycle can be a trigger for a migraine, but not every headache during menstruation is a migraine. It can be easily dealt with with the help of conventional analgesics, magnesium intake will also help alleviate the condition.

Weekend headache

And it happens! Some people experience headaches only on weekends. It occurs when they completely violate their routine on weekends: they go to bed late, sleep a lot, drink a lot of coffee or alcohol.

You can avoid weekend migraines if you do not neglect the regimen even on weekends, and if a headache still appears, take a painkiller pill.

Caffeine headache

Caffeine affects our body, including blood flow in the brain. Refusal of caffeine – in coffee, tea, energy drinks – can cause severe headaches, a kind of “withdrawal”. People with migraines are at increased risk for caffeine-related headaches.

Headache due to hypertension

Headache is a common symptom of hypertension and usually occurs when blood pressure readings are very high. Severe headache and high blood pressure are reasons for seeking immediate medical attention. It is especially dangerous if the patient experiences additional symptoms: chest pain, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, vision problems.

Patients usually improve and headaches disappear after the pressure is under control – medicines will be advised by the doctor.

Thunder headache

Thunder headache – very severe and excruciating. It appears suddenly, the pain increases, reaching its maximum effectiveness in just a minute. It may not have any objective causes, but it can also be a sign of really serious problems – those who are faced with such a condition should definitely see a doctor.

You should consult a doctor even if the pain was episodic and disappeared quickly.

Hemicrania continua headache

This is the name given to a headache of moderate intensity, which is felt only on one side of the head and lasts at least three months. Sometimes it can become stronger, and sometimes weaken.

This type of headache occurs in about 1% of all cases, women experience it 2 times more often than men. In addition to headache, patients also experience the following symptoms: lacrimation, redness of the eyes, runny nose, tic of the eyelid.

A distinctive feature of this pain is that it is completely relieved by indomethacin. The doctor will help you choose the right dosage.

Headache requiring emergency care

In some cases, it is absolutely impossible to self-medicate – you need to urgently consult a doctor. If the pain appeared suddenly and is more like an explosion in your head, if the headache intensifies, while the pressure rises, the temperature rises, and you feel chills, call an ambulance immediately. This condition requires qualified assistance immediately.

How to determine the cause of a headache

Depending on what is causing the headache, the treatment prescribed by a specialist will differ. That is why it is important not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor.

He will help you figure out what type of headache the patient is experiencing.