What health problems does a headache indicate? Types of ailment and causes of occurrence

neurologist at Almazov NMIC, Lahta clinic

Headache may occur without a definite cause and may not be a symptom of any disease, but it should not be ignored. There are cases when it is a sign of a serious pathology.

Types

Qualifications of headaches there are several.

Primary

This type of pain is most common and is associated with hyperreactivity of sensitive receptors that are located in the head region. Importantly, it is not a symptom of any disease.

Migraine

Migraine is recurrent attacks of pain for four hours or more. It can be unilateral, pulsating of medium or high intensity, accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

Today, such a diagnosis is very common, and it can be a genetically determined disease. As a rule, the ailment is caused by triggers. What are they? A change in the hormonal background (for example, in women during menstruation), stress, taking medications, excessive physical activity.

Tension headache (TTH).

Its duration can reach a couple of minutes or several days. The nature of the pain: bilateral, pressing. Unlike migraines, it does not cause nausea or vomiting.

GBN, as a rule, provoke light sensitivity and sound sensitivity. At the same time, discomfort in the cervical-collar area may also be felt.

Cluster

This ailment affects only 1% of the population of our planet, and most often it affects men. This type of headache has a pulsating intense character. It is mainly localized on one side of the head, closer to the eye, because of which it can be accompanied by tearfulness, redness and runny nose.

Secondary

Such pain is a symptom of diseases or injuries. These include:

Hypertension

With extremely high blood pressure, people often experience headaches. Mostly it is localized on both sides, has a pulsating character. It is accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, tinnitus, “flies” in front of the eyes.

Intracranial hemorrhage

As a rule, occurs as a result of trauma and manifests as a growing or sudden pain that can be felt in any part of the head. Along with this symptom, a person is overcome by problems with vision, lack of coordination, nausea. Often there is a loss of consciousness.

Temporal arteritis

This disease develops with alcoholism, uncontrolled intake of drugs and even infections. The diagnosis is made in patients over 50 years of age. It manifests in conjunction with insomnia, weight loss and depression.

Tumor

In this case, the pain bothers in the morning hours: initially – rarely, with time the cases become more frequent. It is often accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Distinguishing it from other diseases will be cramps, sudden weight loss and mental problems.

Influenza, acute respiratory infections

The focus of pain in respiratory diseases is located in the forehead, eyes or temples. In addition, there is an increase in temperature, runny nose, coughing and a persistent throat.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Tingling in the head appears when turning the neck, uncomfortable position, overstrain in the cervical-collar zone. Basically, the symptoms spread only to one side of the body (right or left). Along with this, tinnitus is felt in the ears and running “flies” in front of the eyes.

Nasal diseases

Most often they include sinusitis, frontitis, maxillary sinusitis. Ailments are accompanied by a pressing headache in the forehead and eye area, runny nose, slight increase in temperature.

Causes of headaches

The main factors include:

1. Hypertonus of the muscles of the neck and collar zone.
2. Compression of the vessels of the head and neck, the brain membranes.
3. Lack of blood supply, narrowing of blood vessels.
4. Smoking, alcohol, drugs and medications.
5. Stress.
6. Insomnia.
7. Injuries to the neck and head, birth trauma.
8. Poisoning of the body with toxins.
9. Pinched occipital nerve.
10. Low immunity.

Why does the headache hurt constantly?

Chronic character can speak both about the presence of a disease and be the result of an incorrect lifestyle. In the first case, these are problems with vessels (vegetovascular dystonia, hypertension, ischemia, subarachnoid hemorrhages, stroke). In the second, it is a number of factors, such as:

• meteorological dependence;
• stress, depression;
• improper nutrition;
• starvation;
• severe fatigue;
• mental stress;
• dental disease;
• taking powerful medicines.

When should I see a doctor?

In these cases, it is necessary to make an urgent appointment with a specialist:

• sudden change in the nature of the pain;
• severe pain;
• pain that increases with movement;
• after a blow to the head;
• vomiting preceding the headache;
• if accompanied by fever or chills;
• there is confusion, decreased concentration, impaired vision, slurred speech, and numbness in the extremities;
• Behavioral and intellectual disorders are manifested.

Diagnosis

Remember that the diagnosis and cause can only be established by a specialist, a doctor-neurologist. He will conduct an anamnesis (interview about localization, duration, presence of stress, illness or injury), prescribe a medical examination and testing.

• A general blood test (to detect inflammatory and infectious processes in the body, cholesterol problems and autoimmune diseases).
• X-rays (to diagnose sinus diseases and injuries to the facial skeleton).
• MRI (to detect tumor abnormalities, cerebral circulation problems, trauma, hematomas, and sinusitis).
• Computed tomography (allows you to see the presence of hemorrhage in the brain, analyze the structures of brain tissue and blood vessels).
• Electroencephalography (to detect the electrical activity of the brain).
• Electromyography (to determine the lesions of neural connections and nerves).
• Ultrasound of the neck vessels with Doppler (will help to find atherosclerosis, pathology of vessels and blood flow, aneurysms).

Treatment

The main method – taking local analgesic and analgesic drugs prescribed by a doctor. In severe cases, strong drugs may be prescribed, which are available only by prescription, or antidepressants.

As additional measures will serve:

• manual therapy. Special techniques of influence on the spine and joints are an effective way to get rid of dizziness and primary headache. The method leads to a persistent remission and has a long-lasting effect;

• massage. It quickly relieves muscle clamps, spasms and tension, and also helps in recovery from injuries. It is allowed to do both on your own and with a specialist;

• acupuncture. Medical needles due to the impact on special points activate the work of organs that are connected with nerve endings. As a result, the process of self-repair is triggered;

• osteopathy. Muscle clamps are worked through by certain massage techniques, affecting special points on the body;

• physiotherapy. As a rule, these are ultrasonic, magnetic, electrical devices. The current stimulates the nervous system. As a result, the muscles relax and contract. Light or heat “forces” the blood to move faster;

• Botox injections or botulinum therapy. Many people may be surprised by this method, but the injections relax spasmed muscles in a specific area of the body;

• extracorporeal hemocorrection. Appointed only when it is necessary to cleanse the blood of excess cholesterol and toxic substances. It is used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases

If you have chronic symptoms, the duration of treatment can be about a year. Each type of headache requires a different treatment, which will be suggested to you by your doctor. Do not self-medicate and do not resort to folk methods.

Prevention

A healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in preventing headaches.

1. Perform moderate physical activity. They will help you get rid of clamps and spasms, as well as keep your muscles toned.
2. Eat right. Food rich in vitamins and minerals will help to strengthen the immune system. So you will reduce the risk of developing various diseases.
3. Give up bad habits. Alcohol, smoking and coffee abuse provoke the appearance of headaches.
4. Go to bed on time. Full sleep is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Rest time should be at least eight hours.
5. Avoid stressful situations. Take frequent walks in the fresh air.