What are the main types of temple headaches. How can you identify the symptoms of each type. What are the most effective treatments for temple headaches. How can you prevent temple headaches from occurring.

Understanding Temple Headaches: Types and Characteristics

Temple headaches can be frustrating and debilitating. To find relief, it’s crucial to identify the specific type of headache you’re experiencing. There are several types of headaches that can cause pain in the temples, each with its own unique characteristics and treatment approaches.

Tension Headaches: The Most Common Culprit

Tension headaches are the most prevalent type of headache affecting people worldwide. They typically manifest as a dull, non-throbbing pain that can feel like a tight band around the head. The pain often extends from the temples to the forehead and the back of the head.

• Symptoms of tension headaches:
  • Dull, aching pain in the temples
  • Pressure or tightness across the forehead
  • Pain in the neck or base of the skull
  • Sensation of the head being squeezed

Tension headaches can be episodic, occurring occasionally due to stress or fatigue, or chronic, happening frequently throughout the week. Are tension headaches serious? While they can be uncomfortable, tension headaches are generally not a cause for major concern and can often be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and lifestyle changes.

Migraines: Intense and Debilitating

Migraines are another common type of headache that can cause pain in the temples. Unlike tension headaches, migraines often produce a pulsating or throbbing sensation that can be severe and debilitating.

• Migraine symptoms may include:
  • Intense, throbbing pain in one or both temples
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Visual disturbances (auras)
  • Fatigue or mood changes before the onset of pain

Can migraines be life-threatening? While migraines themselves are not typically life-threatening, they can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and may be associated with an increased risk of certain cardiovascular events. It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to manage chronic migraines effectively.

Temporal Arteritis: A Serious Condition Requiring Immediate Attention

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is a more serious condition that can cause temple pain. This inflammatory disorder affects the temporal arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain.

• Key indicators of temporal arteritis:
  • Persistent, throbbing pain in one or both temples
  • Tenderness when touching the temples
  • Low-grade fever
  • Fatigue and loss of appetite
  • Jaw pain while chewing

Why is temporal arteritis considered a medical emergency? Temporal arteritis can lead to serious complications, including vision loss and stroke, if left untreated. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent these potentially life-altering consequences.

TMJ Disorders: When Jaw Problems Cause Temple Pain

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can also result in temple pain. These conditions affect the joints and muscles responsible for jaw movement and can cause discomfort that radiates to the temples.

• Common symptoms of TMJ disorders:
  • Pain or tenderness in the temples and jaw
  • Clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth
  • Difficulty chewing or changes in bite alignment
  • Facial pain that worsens with jaw movement

Can TMJ disorders resolve on their own? In some cases, TMJ symptoms may improve without treatment. However, persistent or severe symptoms often require professional intervention to prevent long-term complications.

Diagnosing Temple Headaches: When to Seek Medical Help

Accurately diagnosing the cause of temple headaches is crucial for effective treatment. While many headaches can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.

• Red flags that require prompt medical evaluation:
  • Sudden, severe headache unlike any experienced before
  • Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or rash
  • Visual disturbances or other neurological symptoms
  • Headaches that worsen over time or don’t respond to treatment
  • New onset of headaches after age 50

How do doctors diagnose the cause of temple headaches? Physicians may use a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as blood work, imaging studies, or nerve conduction tests to determine the underlying cause of temple pain.

Treatment Approaches for Temple Headaches

The treatment for temple headaches varies depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. A comprehensive approach often involves a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes specialized therapies.

Medication Options

Various medications can be used to alleviate temple headache pain and associated symptoms:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers:
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Aspirin
• Prescription medications:
  • Triptans (for migraines)
  • Muscle relaxants (for tension headaches or TMJ disorders)
  • Corticosteroids (for temporal arteritis)

Is it safe to take pain relievers regularly for headaches? While occasional use of over-the-counter pain medications is generally safe, frequent or prolonged use can lead to medication overuse headaches and other complications. It’s important to follow dosage instructions and consult with a healthcare provider for chronic headache management.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Many non-drug treatments can be effective in managing temple headaches:

• Relaxation techniques and stress management
• Physical therapy and exercises
• Acupuncture or massage therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet changes, sleep hygiene)

How effective are non-pharmacological treatments for headaches? Many patients find significant relief through these approaches, especially when combined with appropriate medical treatment. The effectiveness can vary depending on the individual and the specific type of headache.

Preventing Temple Headaches: Lifestyle and Self-Care Strategies

Prevention is often the best approach to managing temple headaches. By identifying and addressing potential triggers, many people can reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches.

• Key prevention strategies:
  • Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
  • Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet
  • Practicing good posture and ergonomics
  • Managing stress through relaxation techniques
  • Avoiding known triggers (e.g., certain foods, environmental factors)

Can lifestyle changes alone prevent all types of temple headaches? While lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce the occurrence of many headaches, some types, such as those caused by underlying medical conditions, may require additional treatment. It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive prevention plan.

Advanced Treatments for Chronic Temple Headaches

For individuals with chronic or severe temple headaches that don’t respond to conventional treatments, several advanced options may be considered:

• Botox injections for chronic migraines
• Nerve blocks or radiofrequency ablation
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation
• Occipital nerve stimulation
• Complementary and alternative therapies

Are these advanced treatments covered by insurance? Coverage for advanced headache treatments can vary widely depending on the specific insurance plan and the treatment in question. It’s advisable to check with your insurance provider and discuss the potential benefits and costs with your healthcare team.

The Impact of Temple Headaches on Quality of Life

Chronic temple headaches can have a significant impact on an individual’s daily life, affecting work productivity, social relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding and addressing these broader impacts is crucial for comprehensive headache management.

• Potential consequences of chronic temple headaches:
  • Reduced work or school performance
  • Social isolation and relationship strain
  • Increased risk of anxiety and depression
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Financial burden due to medical expenses and lost productivity

How can patients cope with the emotional toll of chronic headaches? Developing a support network, engaging in stress-reducing activities, and working with mental health professionals can help individuals manage the psychological impact of chronic pain. Support groups and patient advocacy organizations can also provide valuable resources and connections.

Temple headaches, while common, can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being. By understanding the various types, causes, and treatment options available, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Whether dealing with tension headaches, migraines, or more serious conditions like temporal arteritis, early identification and appropriate treatment are key to finding relief. Remember that headache management is often a journey that may require patience and collaboration with healthcare providers to find the most effective approach for each individual.

Temple Headaches: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Written by Angela Nelson

• Tension Headache
• Migraine Headache
• Temporal Arteritis
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

When you have a headache in your temples, figuring out what type of headache you have is a good step toward relief. A few different types of headaches can cause pain in your temples.

The most common type of headache, tension headaches usually cause a dull, non-throbbing pain. You might feel:

• Pain in your forehead
• Pain in your neck or the back of your head (tension headaches are rooted in the neck muscles at the base of your skull)
• A feeling of your head being pressed or squeezed

In most cases the pain goes away when you take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Some people get tension headaches once in a while when they’re under stress or tired. These are called episodic tension headaches. Other people get chronic tension headaches, which means they happen multiple times a week — or even all the time.

You likely can treat your tension headache yourself. Try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Panadol, Tylenol), aspirin (Bayer, Buffrin), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin). Sometimes a nap will do the trick, too.

If you take medicine 2-3 times per week and your headaches aren’t going away, tell your doctor. They may be able to give you a prescription or a referral to a headache specialist.

While migraine symptoms vary from person to person, a common place for migraine pain to start is in your temples. The pulsating pain may spread to both temples but often stays on just one side of your head.

Other symptoms of a migraine can include:

• Fatigue, depression, or irritability before the pain starts
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Seeing auras such as halos or flashing lights
• Watery eyes, runny nose, or congestion

Without treatment, a migraine can last anywhere from 4 to 24 hours. The treatment for migraines varies depending on the symptoms and amount of pain.

If you feel an occasional migraine coming on, your doctor may recommend a nonprescription pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Caffeine can help, too, so try sipping a cup of coffee or tea. Some people use ice packs.

If that doesn’t help, you may need to see your doctor for a stronger treatment plan. They may prescribe nausea medication or a triptan drug such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpex), frovatriptan (Frova), imigran (Imitrex, Onzetra Xsail, Sumavel, Zembrace), naratriptan (Amerge, Naramig), rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan (Zomig). Triptans stimulate serotonin in your brain and usually stop the migraine in 2 hours. It can be taken as a tablet, nasal spray, or injection. Other prescription strength medicines that are available to treat a migraine are ditans such as lasmiditan (Reyvow) which are similar to triptans, and gepants like rimegepant (Nurtec) and ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) that block the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Temporal arteritis may feel like a migraine at first, as it starts with throbbing in the temple on one side of your head. But unlike a migraine, temporal arteritis makes your temples tender to the touch. And the throbbing may be constant. This is a condition that needs medical help right away.

Other symptoms of temporal arteritis can include:

• Low fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Pain in the jaw while chewing

Temporal arteritis is when the temporal arteries on the sides of your head are swollen, which reduces blood flow. (It’s sometimes called giant cell arteritis.) These arteries deliver blood to your eyes, brain, and more. In severe cases, the artery could become completely blocked. If that happens, you may be at risk for vision problems or even a stroke.

To diagnose the condition, doctors will test your blood for its sedimentation rate. Basically, that means how quickly your red blood cells sink to the bottom of a test tube. A faster rate means there may be inflammation in your arteries.

Your doctor may recommend taking a biopsy of the artery to confirm the diagnosis. For temporal arteritis, your doctor may prescribe a steroid to reduce inflammation in your arteries.

Another cause of temple pain is TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorders. TMJ causes pain in the muscles and joints in your jaw. Other symptoms include:

• Pain in your temples
• Pain in any part of your head that involves chewing, such as the jaw or neck
• Clicking or popping sounds in your jaw
• Your teeth fit together differently

Your doctor or dentist can diagnose TMJ. Sometimes it goes away without treatment. Sometimes stopping a bad habit, such as grinding your teeth or chewing your fingernails, will help.

But if the pain continues, then your doctor may recommend:

• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Muscle relaxants
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Arthroscopic surgery

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4 Ancient Tricks for Instant Headache Relief

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4 Ancient Tricks for Instant Headache Relief

Our Pharmacy in Beverly Hills knows that many people suffer from constant headaches and migraines.

Although many people just suffer through them or take over the counter medication, there are other ways to relieve yourself from the pain!

Did you know that ancient Tibetans applied pressure to certain spots of their bodies in order to relieve their headaches? This method, called acupressure, has been proven to be incredibly effective. Here are our tricks to help you.

1. Massage Between the Eyebrows

Try applying steady pressure the area between your eyebrows and above the bridge of your nose. Apply this pressure for several minutes repeatedly until you feel as though your pain is starting to relent. Touching this pressure point can aid in relief from pain caused by indigestion and eyestrain.

2. Massage Your Temples

Your temples, or the sides of your forehead, are other pressure points that can be touched with acupressure. Use your thumbs or the tips of your index finger to apply steady pressure to your temples; try moving your fingers in small circular motions until the pain subsides.

3. Massage the Back of Your Neck

Try pressing the back of your neck with the very tip of your index finger; this can help your migraine or a headache go away almost instantly. This works so quickly because the muscles in this area tighten when experiencing stress, this causes your head to ache. Therefore, directly targeting this spot is extremely effective.

4. Massage Between Your Big and Second Toes

This may seem like a weird pressure point to focus on, but there are many parts of the body that are interconnected despite not being next to each other. This spot in your foot can help you alleviate your headache or a migraine just as quickly as focusing on a spot on your head.

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Pharmacy of Beverly Hills is dedicated to providing their patients with accurate medical information.  Stay in touch by following us on Facebook and Twitter. Do want to learn more ways to relieve headaches or migraines? Our pharmacy in Beverly Hills recommends this article here.

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Pain in the temple area – the causes of occurrence, in what diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment

Arthritis

Migraine

Meningitis

Neuralgia

Hypertension

Vasculitis

Otitis

Mountain sickness

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28 of October

Pain in the temple area: causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Definitions e

Pain in the temple area is one of the most common complaints that brings patients to the doctor.

In the bone structures of the skull and brain tissues, pain sensitivity is negligible, so the main sources of pain are blood vessels, meninges and cranial nerves.

Varieties of pain in the temple area

According to the International Headache Classification 3 (2013), all headaches are subdivided into:

• for primary pain not associated with diseases of the brain and other structures of the head and neck;
• secondary pain associated with other diseases;
• painful cranial neuropathies, other facial and headaches.

Possible causes of pain in the temple area

Arterial hypertension is one of the common causes of headache in the neck and temples. With an increase in pressure, headache attacks occur, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, “flies” before the eyes.

Tension headache is one of the most common reasons for visiting a neurologist and therapist. Patients characterize it as compressive, pressing.

Tension headache impairs the quality of life and performance, despite the fact that it is considered benign and does not carry serious consequences.

Migraine is the most common form of paroxysmal headache.

Migraine is characterized by localization of pain in the temporo-fronto-orbital region and the paroxysmal nature of the course.

If the pain is not paroxysmal, then it is not a migraine. Attacks can be both on one side of the head, and on both, and also change their localization (right-left).

An attack of headache can occur at any time of the day, more often during a night’s sleep in the morning or after waking up. The pain is pulsating, bursting in nature, with a gradual increase in intensity over several hours. Before the onset of an attack, the so-called aura is possible (harbingers of pain, they are individual, but are often described as impaired vision, speech, dizziness). The pain is aggravated by bright light, from loud noises and other stimuli, up to a change in the position of the head. The attack can last up to several days.

Garris’ periodic migraine neuralgia – characterized by sudden onset of pain in the eye area on one side and spreading to the temporal, frontal and zygomatic regions, and sometimes even to the neck.

Unlike migraine, there are no signs of pain.

The pain is burning, cutting, bursting, accompanied by redness of the eye and tearing from the painful side. Some patients experience a sensation of “eye bulging out of the orbit”. All these attacks are characterized by a certain seasonality or periodicity. The duration of the attack is from 6-8 weeks to 3 months.

Pain in the temple area may occur immediately after drinking cold water or ice cream due to spasm of the arteries. In this case, the pain is bursting, squeezing, sometimes throbbing.

Cold pain occurs in individuals with increased sensitivity to cold stimuli and with high reactivity of the body.

“Sausage” headache (in English authors – hot dogs headache ) occurs when eating foods containing food additives such as sodium nitrate. During a chemical reaction in the body, nitrate is converted to nitrite, which has a vasomotor effect (controlling the contraction and relaxation of the muscle membrane of the walls of blood vessels, and therefore the lumen of blood vessels), and sensitive people may feel pain in the frontotemporal region.

A similar effect is sometimes seen in Chinese cuisine (“Chinese restaurant headache”), where monosodium glutamate is often used.

Giant cell arteritis is the world’s most common systemic vasculitis affecting large vessels. The favorite localization of this disease is the temporal artery. Most often, the pain is intense, accompanied by a limitation of the function of the corresponding temporomandibular joint, visual impairment with a gradual decrease in it, a thickened artery in the temple area is determined.

Without treatment, it can lead to permanent blindness of the eye on the side of the lesion.

In inflammatory diseases of the ear , pain in the temporal and parotid region is possible, which is accompanied by fever, redness, swelling in the ear, purulent discharge from the ear.
Meningitis develops when an infectious agent enters the membranes of the brain, followed by an inflammatory process.

Headache is sudden, sharp, diffuse, predominates in the fronto-temporal areas, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.

Neuralgia of the auricular-temporal nerve often occurs after an inflammatory process or traumatic lesion of the parotid gland. It is characterized by burning, throbbing pain in the external auditory canal, temple, temporomandibular joint, radiating to the lower jaw. The pain is accompanied by increased salivation, redness of the skin over the affected area. Seizures are provoked by food and smoking.

Neuralgia of the ear node is manifested by bouts of burning pain in the temporal region lasting from several minutes to an hour. May be accompanied by ear congestion and increased salivation.

Altitude sickness changes the tone of the arteries due to reduced oxygen pressure and changes in barometric pressure. Headache is accompanied by shortness of breath, palpitations, blurred vision.

The severity of symptoms depends on the rate of ascent to altitude.

The pain is relieved by applying cold to the temples and drinking cool water.

Traumatic injury to the temporal region can cause pain. This includes a wide group of pathologies: fracture of the temporal bone, dislocation of the temporomandibular joint, soft tissue contusion.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs for various reasons, for example, as a result of a rupture of an aneurysm of cerebral vessels, a person feels as if a strong blow to the head, a hot liquid spilling in the head, strong constriction, and then bursting. The pain may initially be localized in the corresponding section of the head – in the temporal region when an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery ruptures.

Damage to the temporomandibular joint (both inflammatory – arthritis, and non-inflammatory – arthrosis, malocclusion) may be accompanied by pain in the parotid and temporal region. When moving the lower jaw, a crunch and clicking in the joint may occur, the pain intensifies when chewing and during a conversation.

Which doctors should I contact if I have pain in my temples?

With the appearance of intense and recurring pain in the temples, you should seek the advice of a specialist.

If pain persists after taking painkillers or other symptomatic treatment previously prescribed by a doctor (for example, to lower blood pressure), and there are no signs of injury, then you should contact
therapist or
pediatrician. Depending on the accompanying symptoms, you may need to consult a neurologist, rheumatologist, otolaryngologist, ophthalmologist. In case of a previous injury, it is necessary to consult a traumatologist or
surgeon to rule out severe injury.

Diagnostics and examinations for pain in the temples

The list of examinations is prescribed by the doctor depending on the indications. An approximate list of studies that can be assigned:

• computed tomography of the head;

CT scan of the brain and skull

Scanning of the brain, skull and surrounding tissues, which allows diagnosing various pathologies.

RUB 4,890

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MRI of the brain and cervical spine

Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine and brain for diagnosis and selection of the optimal treatment option.

RUB 10,890

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X-ray of the temporomandibular joints

An X-ray examination to assess the structure of the temporomandibular joint and identify associated pathology.

RUB 2,290

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Electroencephalography (EEG)

EEG is a safe and painless method for studying the functional state of the brain.

RUB 3,090

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C-reactive protein (CRP)

C-reactive protein – acute phase protein, a sensitive indicator of tissue damage during inflammation, necrosis, trauma.
Synonyms: Blood test for CRP; C-jet …

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

665 RUB

Add to cart

Clinical blood test: general analysis, leukogram, ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in the presence of pathological changes)

Synonyms: Complete blood count, KLA. Full blood count, FBC, Complete blood count (CBC) with differential white blood cell count (CBC with diff), Hemogram.
Brief description of the study CBC: general a…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 810

Add to cart

Hemostasiogram (coagulogram), screening

Synonyms: Hemostasiogram, coagulogram.
Coagulation studies (coagulation profile, coag panel, coagulogram).
Profile Composition:
No. 2 Prothrombin (prothrombin time, prothrombin (according to Quick), INR …

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 1,620

Add to cart

What to do with pain in the temples?

First of all, it is necessary to provide the patient with peace and fresh air, dim bright lighting, turn off loud music.

As a first aid, you can apply a cold compress to the temporal region – a towel soaked in cold water or ice previously wrapped in a cloth.

If you have had similar pains before and the doctor prescribed drugs, you should take them.

Treatment of pain in the temple area

The choice of treatment depends on the cause of the pain.

Of the medical methods of therapy, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are used, however, independent long-term treatment with them without medical supervision is not recommended.

Depending on the pathology, specific types of treatment are used for this disease. So, with arterial hypertension, the doctor will prescribe drugs that reduce blood pressure. In giant cell arteritis, glucocorticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy are used. In inflammatory diseases of the ear, antibiotic therapy is carried out. Injuries often require surgery and treatment in a hospital setting.

Sources:

1. Healy P. M., Jacobson E.J. Differential diagnosis of internal diseases: Algorithmic approach. Per from English. – M.: Binom, 2014. 280 p.
2. www.ihs-headache.org
3. Clinical guidelines “Migraine”. Developed by: All-Russian Society of Neurologists, Russian Society for the Study of Headache. – 2021.
4. Headache. – 2nd ed., revised. and additional – M.: Medical Information Agency, 2007. 472 p.
5. International recommendations. Clinical pharmacology and therapy. Recommendations for the treatment of giant cell arteritis of the French group for the study of large vessel vasculitis / I.O. Smitienko, P.I. Novikov, A.D. Meshkov, S.V. Moiseev. – Moscow, 2017, 26 (5). pp. 57–64.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

why does a headache appear with SARS and what to do about it

With a cold, headache is one of the most common symptoms. Most often it occurs due to intoxication of the body, but it can have more serious causes. We tell you why a headache appears with colds and flu, what pains in different areas of the head mean, and how to deal with them.

Why does my head hurt when I have a cold

Intoxication. This is a characteristic manifestation of ARVI, and headache is its main symptom. It is accompanied by other symptoms – fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain, and in severe infections – nausea and vomiting.

Intoxication occurs for the following reasons:

● To fight the virus, the immune system secretes substances that activate the natural protective reaction of tissues – inflammation. The inflammatory process is accompanied by increased release of oxygen free radicals. When they accumulate too much, oxidative stress occurs, which leads to intoxication.

● To invade host cells and multiply, the virus produces enzymes. They lead to circulatory disorders – increase the permeability of the vascular wall, provoke the appearance of microthrombi.

● Decay products of affected cells are released into the blood, irritating nerve fibers.
Changes in the vessels of the head cause headache.

With mild colds, toxins are released in small quantities and practically do not affect the body, so the head does not hurt. In this case, signs of local inflammation develop – a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing appear.

Headache and other manifestations of intoxication are the main symptoms of the flu. They occur in more than half of patients ¹ and appear before signs of local inflammation. This is due to the high aggressiveness of the influenza virus: during the day, a single viral particle (virion), which has successfully penetrated into the cells of the respiratory mucosa, is able to reproduce more than a thousand of its own kind. ²

As a rule, intoxication persists for up to three days (in severe ARVI longer), and then the symptoms subside. If the headache bothers you for a long time or appears (for the first time or repeatedly) after a period of improvement, you can suspect the development of complications.

Complications of SARS. Complications of viral respiratory infections often occur due to increasing intoxication or the addition of a secondary infection, mainly bacterial. Due to the activation of the conditionally pathogenic flora that inhabits the mucous membranes of a person, non-viral inflammation develops. This is due to the weakening of the immune system when the SARS pathogen enters the bloodstream.

Among the main complications of colds and flu, which are accompanied by a headache:

● Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Most often associated with a secondary infection, but may occur as a result of the spread of a viral infection.

● Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear (the cavity behind the eardrum). It develops for the same reasons as sinusitis.

● Cerebral meningeal syndrome (meningismus) – irritation of the membranes of the brain without the development of an inflammatory process, a consequence of intoxication.

● Meningoencephalitis – inflammation of the medulla and membranes of the brain. It can develop as an allergic reaction (to toxins, immune complexes) or occur due to a bacterial infection.

● Edema and swelling of the brain (ONGM). This is a life-threatening condition, the accumulation of fluid in the brain tissue. Occurs as a result of vascular lesions caused by intoxication.

● Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is another emergency that develops as a result of a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs. Headache occurs due to damage to the central nervous system against the background of an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Localization and causes of headache

Sometimes the cause of a headache can be determined by localization:

● Pain in the temples is characteristic of intoxication with influenza and colds, otitis media. In the case of SARS, pain is usually mild to moderate in intensity. Otitis is accompanied by severe and “shooting” pain in the ear, which radiates to the temples and lower jaw.

● Pain in the forehead is a frequent companion of influenza and other SARS. It also occurs with inflammation of the frontal sinus of the nose (frontitis). In both cases, pain sensations are localized mainly in the region of the superciliary arches, aggravated by the movement of the eyeballs.

● Pain in the back of the head may be a sign of meningism and other cerebral lesions, inflammation of the sphenoid sinus (sphenoiditis). With irritation, inflammation, swelling of the brain tissue, pain in the occipital region is intense, often unbearable. With sphenoiditis, the pain sensations are weak or moderate, first they come “from the center of the head” (according to the complaints of patients), then they move to the back of the head, give to the temples and eye sockets. With otitis media, pain occurs behind the ear. If the inflammation has spread to the mastoid process of the temporal bone, the pain flows into the parietal region (mastoiditis).

When relief comes

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Headache with SARS gradually subsides when a person is on the mend. It often goes away at the same time as the fever. How soon this happens depends on the severity of the disease.

How long can a flu headache last:

● mild form – up to 3 days;

● moderate form – 3-5 days;

● severe form – 5-7 days or more.

In the event of complications, the headache does not go away within the specified time frame or resumes after a short period of relief.

With colds that are accompanied by severe rhinitis or laryngitis, the head hurts due to a runny nose and coughing attacks. In this case, relief will come when the congestion passes and the intensity of the cough weakens.

Antiviral and symptomatic medications will help to quickly relieve headaches and other unpleasant symptoms of SARS. Their reception will also help to avoid complications.

How to get rid of a headache when you have a cold

Medical treatment. Symptoms of intoxication in SARS, including headache, can be relieved by various drugs. Some act directly on the virus, reducing its activity, others extinguish the symptoms of intoxication, and others anesthetize. Treatment depends on the condition of the patient, so it is better to consult a doctor.

If the headache is accompanied by a high fever, you can drink antipyretics, such as paracetamol, to relieve symptoms. For severe headaches, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Oxidative stress headaches can be relieved with antioxidants. These are preparations based on bioflavonoids, coenzyme Q, vitamins (A, C, E). ³

Interestingly, during the development of the enisamium iodide molecule, antioxidant properties were discovered. ⁴
As an active substance, it is contained in a dosage of 500 mg in the preparation Nobasit ^®
Forte. ⁵ Enisamia iodide combines a direct antiviral, analgesic and anti-inflammatory action comparable to NSAIDs. ⁶
Research on the basis of the Research Institute of Influenza. A.A. Smorodintseva showed that enisamia iodide reduces the severity of fever, headache, muscle pain – symptoms of SARS and influenza, which characterize intoxication of the body, by 3 times. ⁷

If you want to alleviate the symptoms of a child, remember that children with influenza are contraindicated in drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid. They can cause a serious complication – Reye’s syndrome. ⁸ This is a lesion of the brain, liver, and other internal organs.

Non-pharmacological treatment. Standard guidelines for headache relief:

● physical rest – bed or semi-bed rest;

● limitation of mental and emotional stress: do not take work home, try to watch less TV, read less;

● Drink plenty of fluids – up to 2-3 liters of liquid per day: weak tea with milk, fruit drinks and compotes, freshly squeezed juices, mineral water;

● Regular airing of the room.

Folk remedies. In some cases, essential oils help relieve headaches – camphor, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and other plants. They are applied with light massage movements on the temporal areas, forehead, back of the neck. These drugs have an anti-inflammatory and vasodilating effect, distract from headaches, causing mild skin irritation. Ready-made topical preparations based on essential oils can be bought at a pharmacy: this is Doctor Mom ointment, Asterisk balm.

Headaches after colds and flu

The cause of headaches after SARS is often post-influenza asthenic syndrome. Other symptoms are apathy, irritability, weakness and drowsiness, which does not go away even after a good rest. More often, this condition occurs against the background of excessive physical and mental activity, psycho-emotional stress, disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems.

Also, the reason for the persistence or resumption of headaches after recovery may be complications caused by a secondary infection. Protective factors (ciliated airway epithelium, immune system function) are not restored immediately after the disappearance of symptoms. During this period, increased susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens persists.

When to see a doctor

If a cold is accompanied by a headache, it is always advisable to consult a doctor, especially for people with immunosuppression, chronic respiratory diseases. This will help to quickly stop intoxication, to avoid negative consequences.

Be sure to consult your doctor if your headache:

● continues for a long time or resumed after temporary improvement;

● accompanied by signs of complications from the ENT organs – a repeated increase in body temperature, discharge from the ear canal, purulent discharge from the nose;

● torments after recovery: in this case, a medical examination will help to identify not only late complications, but also hidden pathologies that contribute to the development of post-influenza asthenic syndrome.

Urgent or emergency medical attention required:

● With any lesions of the central nervous system. In such cases, the headache is accompanied by repeated vomiting that does not bring relief, convulsions, clouding of consciousness, and other neurological symptoms.

● In acute respiratory failure: if, in addition to headache, there is severe weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin.

Briefly about the main

➢ Headache in ARVI can be a symptom of intoxication or a sign of complications.

➢ The pain in the head during intoxication occurs immediately and passes quickly enough. In the case of complications, it lasts a long time or occurs after a period of relief and is accompanied by other characteristic symptoms.

➢ For the treatment of headache, antipyretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidants, anti-influenza drugs are used. Plentiful drinking, rest and regular ventilation of the room where the patient is located will help to alleviate the condition.

➢ For colds with severe headache, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Professional help is required if you suspect the development of complications.

¹ Romantsov M.G. Flu. Rational approach to therapy // Chief Doctor of the South of Russia – No. 3 (11), 2007

² Pathological anatomy of the lungs in influenza A (h2N1), according to autopsy / Chuchalin A.G. [and other authors] // Pulmonology – №1 2010

³ Nagornaya N.V., Chetverik N.A. Oxidative stress: impact on the human body, assessment methods. // Child Health – No. 2 (23), 2010

⁴ Pshenichnaya N.Yu., Bulgakova V.A., Volchkova E.V., Kareva E.N., Selkova E.P., Gorodin V.N. of viral infections in Russia // Therapeutic archive No. 11 – 2019.

⁵ Instructions for medical use (Nobasit® Forte, film-coated tablets 500 mg; RU: LP-006416 dated 08/20/2020).

⁶ Zyryanov S.