Periodic unpleasant headaches are something that every modern person often faces. The pain syndrome can be spasmodic, stabbing, aching, squeezing. But this will not always indicate the presence of some dangerous disease that needs immediate treatment. Your head may hurt constantly throughout the day for the following reasons:

  • Excessive stress at work, constant stress.
  • Problems with sleep, not enough sleep.
  • Poor diet, consumption of unhealthy foods.
  • Constant presence indoors, lack of access to fresh air, breathing polluted air (for example, at work).
  • Unfavorable environmental situation in the city, industrial emissions, smog, exhaust gases from cars, electromagnetic radiation (satellites, communications, Internet).

In such conditions, many adults begin to constantly have headaches. This condition is not normal, so you need to take certain actions to eliminate or reduce pain.

If you constantly suffer from severe headaches, but do nothing, then in the future this can lead to the development of various vascular diseases, as well as disturbances in the functioning of internal organs. If you feel unwell every day, then this is a reason to turn to specialists for help.

Causes of chronic headaches

When they have a headache while working, many people try not to pay any attention to it, convincing themselves that it will go away in the evening. But if the sensations continue during rest, the person tries to take the first painkillers he comes across from his first aid kit, which is a completely wrong approach.

At the same time, it is possible to identify a huge number of reasons why various parts of the head begin to ache and ache slightly or severely (temples, forehead, back of the head, etc.), so it is almost impossible to diagnose yourself. Diagnosis can only be carried out by an experienced doctor, having previously prescribed various examinations.

Chronic pain syndrome most often develops for the following reasons:

  • Diseases of blood vessels located in the spinal cord or brain.
  • Intoxication/poisoning of the body (subject to continued action of the toxin or poison).
  • Previous or current pathologies of an infectious type (including STDs).
  • The presence of tumor neoplasms in brain structures.
  • Diseases of psychoemotional, neurological, psychiatric type.
  • Excessive amounts of certain microelements that people receive through food (relevant when a person eats the same product for a long time).

If painful sensations of a pulsating nature occur, this is most likely due to an inflammatory process localized in the nerve endings of the vessels of the head. Inflammation in this area can occur for various reasons, so careful diagnosis is required.

Malaise during pregnancy

Many pregnant women complain that they constantly or occasionally have headaches. In this case, pain can appear both at night and during the day, without any particular systematicity. If before pregnancy a woman did not receive injuries to the skull or brain, and she does not have diseases of the circulatory system, the pain syndrome is most likely due to hormonal changes that will necessarily occur in the female body during the development of the fetus.

Pregnant women may have a headache all day long (especially when feeling hungry), even pressing from the inside, for example, due to high blood pressure, which is the most common cause of such ailment. Usually the pain syndrome goes away on its own - the woman only needs to rest (physically and mentally), lie down on the bed or sit in a chair.

It is recommended to periodically measure blood pressure during painful attacks, write down the measurement results separately and demonstrate them to the doctor at the next examination. This will help the specialist prescribe safe medications or send you for any procedures.

If before conceiving a child, a woman received injuries to the neck, skull, or spine, then during her first visit to the gynecologist (first trimester), she must be informed about this. In such a situation, the expectant mother may have a headache due to excessive stress on the site of injury (this is relevant if there have been recent injuries to the spine, coccyx and other parts of the back). Often, acute pain in the head occurs in women during menstruation and PMS.

Varieties

It is customary to distinguish pain in the head by the level of its intensity. The pain can be insignificant and unnoticeable, moderate in severity, intense and unbearable for a person. There are four main varieties:

  • Voltage. This type of pain syndrome is characterized as an attack in which a person experiences a squeezing sensation in the head (as if a hoop was put on the head and is gradually being squeezed).
  • Migraine. Pulsating pain, which is usually localized in the frontal and temporal lobes (almost always forms in one of the temples). Migraine pain in two parts of the head at once is extremely rare (about 2-3% of cases).
  • Bun. The pain sensations, strong and often unbearable, are poorly tolerated by people. The pain usually affects the left or right half of the head (it can radiate to the nasopharynx, jaw, eyebrows, eyes and other parts of the face).
  • Mixed pain. It is extremely difficult to diagnose such pain sensations, because in this case several types of pain can be mixed at once.

No matter how strange it may sound, if the headaches have a clear and pronounced character, a certain periodicity, this is even good, because if there are specific symptoms, it will be much easier for the doctor to diagnose the disease and prescribe the most adequate treatment.

There are many reasons why people get headaches. To make it easier for a doctor to make a diagnosis, a person needs to accurately describe the nature of the pain syndrome and its location. Different parts of the head and brain structures can hurt.

Here are the most common and widespread locations of pain:

  • Back of the head. Most often, the pain is localized in the back of the head. The nature of this pain syndrome is dull, pulsating, systematic. If a person has diseases of the cardiovascular system and problems with blood supply to organs, then aching pain will almost always develop in the back of the head, which is precisely a symptom of one of the pathologies of the heart or circulatory system (for example, this is a symptom of hypertension). Also, the back of the head may hurt if the upper spine and neck are injured, or if there are problems with sleep (insomnia, lack of sleep, consumption of unhealthy foods, problems with diet).
  • Forehead. Frequent pain in the forehead may indicate the development of migraine or VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia). In some cases, such pain syndrome also indicates pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Many people who smoke often experience frontal lobe pain.
  • Whiskey. Migraine pain most often occurs in the temporal part. They can arise for a variety of reasons, but most often this will also indicate problems with the vascular system of brain structures. It is with the help of a headache that the central nervous system will indicate the presence of a serious disease that requires immediate diagnosis and adequate treatment. If sleep disturbances are also added to all this, then you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Sometimes pain can systematically occur in different parts of the head. This circumstance will indicate the presence of a disease (cardiovascular, inflammatory, infectious), which causes reactions of nerve endings in various parts of the brain structures. In such a situation, it is strongly recommended to undergo a medical examination by various specialized specialists.

What do headaches indicate?

Almost always, pain localized in different parts of the head will indicate the presence of some complex disease. Moreover, this disease will not always be associated directly with the brain or its structures.

  1. In case of injury to the cranial bones, brain, neck, spine (especially the upper sections), there will almost always be a slight and continuous headache. If the skull bones and brain structures have been injured, then the pain will occur due to disturbances in the functioning of the brain, or indicate the presence of a concussion. If there are injuries to the neck and spine, then a person’s headache is a consequence of damage to the nerves and nerve endings in the spinal part. This type of pain syndrome (usually combined with mild dizziness) is permanent, not temporary, does not go away on its own, and is often caused by an increase in intracranial pressure. In the head, pain often “shoots” in different directions, so it is difficult to determine the exact location of the main source. Medicines are unlikely to help in such situations - you need to contact a specialist to undergo targeted examinations (X-ray, CT scan, etc.).
  2. Osteochondrosis. One of the most common causes of pain in different parts of the brain. During this disease, the onset of painful attacks is usually noted after lunch or at the end of the working day, when the spine experiences maximum stress and fatigue. Attacks occur suddenly, are often characterized by the same pain, and are sometimes combined with general weakness. The head will hurt severely, even if a person simply breathes, sneezes or coughs. With osteochondrosis, lesions are observed in the lumbar and cervical spinal regions, which are most vulnerable to increased stress. In these parts of the spine there are nerve endings that signal damaged areas directly to the brain, which is what causes the resulting pain syndrome. During an attack, a woman or man may feel nauseous or completely nauseous, and vomiting may occur during a prolonged attack. The disease requires high-quality treatment, because in the middle and late stages of this pathology, serious disruptions occur in the functioning of various body systems, which can potentially lead to the development of other dangerous ailments.
  3. High or low blood pressure. Many people whose blood pressure begins to rise or fall during magnetic storms and changes in atmospheric pressure also develop headaches. Patients with chronic low or high blood pressure are very dependent on the weather, so attacks often strike them at the most inconvenient times (attacks most often occur in spring and autumn, when the weather is especially changeable). Along with painful sensations, a person will constantly feel sleepy. To relieve pain, people use various folk remedies and medications (for example, the same Citramon). Some people drink spirits and alcohol (for example, cognac), but drinking something like that is absolutely the wrong decision. The headache is guaranteed to stop hurting only when the weather and atmospheric pressure normalize.
  4. Endocrine disorders. Almost always, the brain will react extremely negatively to any problems in the functioning of the endocrine system. It is hormones that control most of the various systems of our body. A headache can begin to hurt not only when there is a deficiency of some hormones, but also when there is an excess of them. If your head hurts terribly during the day and it is difficult to turn, or the pain appears when bending over, and it is also unpleasant to touch your face, then most likely there are problems at the endocrine level.
  5. Benign and malignant neoplasms. Many people don't know why they get headaches so often, even though there are no injuries, problems with hormones or blood pressure. In some cases, the problem is extremely serious - it is present in the brain structures. The main symptoms of the presence of formations: pain if you move or rotate your head, paroxysmal systematic pain syndromes in one part of the skull. An elevated temperature may also occur. It can hurt on the right, front, left, back - depending on the location and size of the tumor.

A headache can also begin with various diseases and conditions: meningitis, hypertension, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis (runny nose), long-term colds, hangover, after a stroke, heavy drinking and a tiring workout in the gym, with constant smoking, when drinking coffee in the morning or for the night,

What to do if you have frequent attacks?

If your head hurts often, causes unpleasant feelings, or is constantly dizzy, then the most rational solution is to consult a doctor who can refer the person for targeted examinations, which will help identify the main cause of the development of the pain syndrome.

The following diagnostic methods are commonly used:

  • X-ray examination. With its help, you can exclude injuries to the cranial bones, neck, spine as a result of a blow, fall or other mechanical influences.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging. Using this diagnostic method, you can determine the presence or absence of a disease of the vascular system, benign or malignant neoplasms.
  • Doppler ultrasound. A clarifying diagnostic method that is used if some abnormalities in the functioning of the cardiovascular system were found during an MRI.

In accordance with the patient’s symptoms and complaints, the doctor can send the person for other examinations, as well as recommend specialized specialists.

What to do if you have pain?

Most often, immediately after a headache begins, people drink painkillers or use proven folk recipes. If the headache continues, at one point the pills and folk remedies will simply stop helping.

  • Nurofen. A highly effective remedy that will relieve even severe headaches and reduce fever. Can be used to treat people of any age. Recommended for use for any pain syndrome that occurs in the head regions.
  • Pentalgin. An analgesic drug that relieves dull headaches, but does not help much with acute pain. It is not recommended for use in children.
  • Ketanov. A drug based on Paracetamol. It helps a lot with dull, aching, throbbing headaches.
  • Citramon. An aspirin-based drug that will help reduce the temperature to normal low values ​​and effectively relieve throbbing headaches.
  • Ibuklin. A drug based on Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. A highly effective medicine that helps with headaches of various types. It also allows you to reduce the temperature. You can take it at night to wake up without pain.

You need to understand that taking painkillers is a temporary solution. If the pain in the head is constant and has a clearly defined character, then it can be relieved with painkillers within 10-14 days. After this period, the pills simply stop helping.

Prognosis and prevention

Severe headaches most often begin to occur in men and women after the age of 30. The risk zone includes people who drink alcohol, smoke, lead an unhealthy lifestyle, do not have a structured diet and daily routine, and suffer from insomnia. Almost always, people who have old injuries to the bones of the skull, brain structures, neck and spine will have a severe headache.

One of the most common complaints among patients when visiting a doctor is a severe headache. There is not a single person who has not encountered this symptomatology at least once in their life. There are practically no diseases that are not accompanied by unpleasant spasms, pulsating or aching in nature.

Many people are accustomed to not paying attention to migraine attacks, which can lead to unpleasant consequences, even death. Therefore, if you have a severe headache, you need to take appropriate medications; if your health does not improve, call an ambulance team.

Classification of pathological condition

Severe pain and spasms in the head can be either primary or secondary. In the first situation, symptoms occupy the main place in the disease, in the second case they are signs of another pathology.

Primary headache:

  1. Cluster spasms.
  2. Migraine attacks.
  3. Pain, so-called tension.
  4. Spasms unrelated to pathologies of brain structures.

A very strong and sharp headache is formed as a result of the impact on pain receptors. A similar process can be observed in the left and right hemispheres of the brain, depending on the provoking factors.

Secondary severe pain and throbbing in the head:

  • vascular diseases;
  • injuries received;
  • intracranial pathologies, not of vascular origin;
  • use of chemicals or refusal to use them;
  • inflammatory process in the body;
  • improper metabolism;
  • pathologies of cranial, facial structures: cervical spine, eyes, teeth, skull.

If a patient is interested in how to relieve a severe headache, they should consult a doctor who will prescribe an examination and, based on the results obtained, determine the causes of migraine attacks and recommend appropriate therapy.

Origin of the pathological condition

Before you start taking medications to eliminate a severe throbbing headache, you need to establish the causes of such an attack. This is the only way to choose an effective drug that can help get rid of unpleasant, irritating discomfort.

Primary causes of severe headaches:

  1. Colds of an infectious nature: tonsillitis, flu, sinusitis, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Most often, attacks occur in the morning. Treatment of the underlying pathology will help get rid of spasms.
  2. Migraine. The pathological condition occurs suddenly, regardless of age. Most often, pain occurs in the left or right side of the head and is accompanied by additional symptoms: nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and an incomprehensible reaction to sharp sounds.
  3. Dental pathologies. Localization of spasms is the upper part of the head (frontal).
  4. Organic diseases of the “gray matter”, malignant and benign neoplasms.
  5. Vascular diseases: atherosclerosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypertension. As well as pathologies of the spinal column: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
  6. Eye diseases: glaucoma, intraocular pressure. The patient may suddenly lose consciousness. Incorrectly chosen glasses for glasses can provoke this condition.
  7. Damage to the head, spinal column. Even after intensive therapy, severe pain often occurs, the location of which varies. A person may experience migraines for a short time or throughout their life. Therefore, even with a minor injury, it is necessary to undergo an examination.
  8. Stressful situations, mental, physical or mental stress. This is the most common reason why very strong spasms occur, since a person is not able to distribute the load more rationally.
  9. Inadequate diet: lack of vitamin B, Fe, as well as oversaturation of the body with alcohol, histamines, caffeine. Lack of sleep, insufficient activity, oxygen starvation.
  10. Temperature fluctuations, changes in climatic conditions.
  11. Poisoning of the body with harmful substances, a hangover.

These are the most common reasons why a person may have throbbing pain, regardless of his age. It is not recommended to take all medications in a row; this will not only aggravate the patient’s condition, but also distort the clinical picture.

One of the causes of the pathological condition

Diagnostic method of pathology

If the patient is constantly bothered by severe headaches over a long period of time, then he should consult a doctor and determine the cause of this condition.

To determine the origin of migraine attacks, the following is prescribed:

  • magnetic resonance and computed tomography;
  • magnetic resonance angiography;
  • pressure control;
  • lab tests.

In case of headaches, it is recommended to undergo additional examination by an ophthalmologist, since with the help of equipment it is possible to detect the presence of disorders in the fundus. This will help determine the cause of migraine attacks. In some situations, consultation with other doctors of narrow specialties will be required.

When medical help is needed

A severe migraine attack should not be ignored, but it is better to call an ambulance team. The patient needs to seek medical help if the following symptoms are present:

  1. The headache is very severe, despite the fact that the person has not previously complained of such a condition.
  2. If, in addition to severe spasms, there is neck stiffness and fever.
  3. When all family members complain of unpleasant discomfort, especially in winter, there is a danger of carbon monoxide (gas) poisoning.
  4. With strong, incomprehensible spasms.
  5. If the patient has already been diagnosed with migraine and treatment at home did not produce any results.

Every acute pain in the head should not be ignored by doctors. Early diagnosis of the disease, including neoplasms localized on one side of the brain, can be completely cured, which cannot be done when the disease has already acquired an advanced form.

It is necessary to urgently call an ambulance team in the following situations:

  • if the attack occurred suddenly and began to gradually intensify;
  • painful pulsation appeared after a head injury;
  • sharp pain with impaired visual function, weakness and numbness of the limbs;
  • spasms are accompanied by fever (without cold symptoms);
  • any headache of unknown origin.

With a sudden increase in pressure, the risk of developing hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke increases. Therefore, in case of poor health or unbearable spasms, it is necessary to call an ambulance and take the antihypertensive drug previously prescribed to the patient by the doctor (“Captopril” under the tongue).

Migraine pain syndrome

This pathological condition is the primary form of the disease, which proceeds independently regardless of concomitant ailments. The symptoms of migraine are typical, so diagnosing the pathology is quite simple - by the nature of the pulsating spasms.

The development of an attack can be triggered by the following factors:

  1. Consumption of products with tyramine.
  2. Physical overexertion.
  3. Dishormonal pathologies.
  4. Alcohol.
  5. Oral hormonal drugs.

Migraines are always intense, with headaches assessed by patients as severe or moderate. Most often, one side of the head pulsates, sensitivity to sounds, bright light, smells increases, and nausea appears. The duration of the attack is from 4 hours to 3 days.

What to do if the patient has a migraine attack, the attending physician must tell, since simple medications for headaches in this case will not have any effect, as a result of which the patient’s condition may worsen.

Provoking factor

Brain sudden bleeding

When a blood vessel ruptures or is injured, a person does not immediately realize that the unpleasant discomfort puts him in serious danger.

Doctors include the following symptoms as complex signs of hemorrhage:

  • unbearable pain in the head, gradually increasing;
  • impairment of visual functions before their loss;
  • change in speech;
  • disorientation in space, impaired motor functions;
  • sudden vomiting, nausea.

Thinking for a long time about how to get rid of unbearable discomfort is dangerous for the patient. Only urgent surgical assistance can save the health and life of a patient in such a situation.

Pressure pain syndrome

A very severe headache that appears suddenly at night or after waking up may indicate a hypertensive crisis. This condition is caused by an increase in the amount of spinal substance and is provoked by a supine position and poor venous circulation.

The main symptoms are:

  1. Reduced intensity of cramps during the day.
  2. Their location is on the left or right side of the head.
  3. Increasing cephalalgia.
  4. The pain is bursting or pressing in nature.
  5. Vomiting and nausea may occur.

High blood pressure is one of the signs of brain bleeding, tumors and other diseases that require immediate examination. More informative diagnostic methods are MRI. Based only on symptoms and electroencephalography, it is difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Increased blood pressure may be a sign of brain bleeding

Tumors and pain syndrome

In some patients, unbearable headache occurs due to the development of malignant neoplasms. In the early stages, as a rule, the disease practically does not make itself felt; only mild dizziness may appear, followed by disorientation and loss of coordination.

Doctors include developing symptoms of cancerous tumors:

  • sudden headache after waking up, accompanied by vomiting and nausea;
  • gradual increase in pathological symptoms;
  • sudden loss of body weight;
  • psychosomatic disorders;
  • convulsions turning into epileptic seizures.

The tumor, gradually increasing in size, increases the symptoms, causing the patient’s general well-being to deteriorate. It is necessary to treat such pain syndrome taking into account the form and stage of the disease.

Comprehensive complete therapy

Every person who has experienced a similar pathological condition at least once in their life knows how to relieve acute spasms. The treatment method itself can be either medicinal or conventional, based on the use of physiotherapy.

Traditional medicines

We most often relieve pulsating spasms with conventional medications designed to quickly eliminate pain.

Basic medications prescribed by a doctor:

  1. Non-steroidal drugs against inflammation - Ketorolac, Ibuprofen, Russian Aspirin.
  2. Antispasmodic medications eliminate tension and relieve spasms - “No-shpa”, “Papaverine”.
  3. For pain accompanied by high blood pressure - Analgin.
  4. For quick relief, a one-time dose of Pentalgin or Novigan is indicated.

For unbearable headaches, medications are prescribed against vasoconstriction and swelling of the “gray matter.” In order to promptly cope with the underlying disease that provokes the development of the pathological condition, you need to tell your doctor about your feelings and symptoms.

Necessary medications

Alternative therapy technique

You can get rid of a painful condition not only with the help of medications, but also with other treatment methods.

An alternative technique includes:

  • local and general massage. During the procedure, certain points are affected, which helps improve blood circulation and relax muscle mass;
  • balneological treatment - therapy using water at the desired temperature. This includes water gymnastics;
  • acupuncture - insertion of needles intended for this procedure into vital points.

In case of sudden migraine attacks, to quickly eliminate them, medications are taken to relieve painful spasms. Alternative treatment is used for long-term therapy and prevention of subsequent pathological conditions.

A severe headache occurs suddenly and can be long-lasting or short-term. Depending on its intensity, certain medications are taken to alleviate the pathological condition. In case of systematically recurring attacks, you should undergo a comprehensive examination.

If you often have a headache– this is the result of stress, chronic fatigue, traumatic brain injury, a symptom of metabolic and hormonal disorders, viral and infectious pathologies. Medications, a set of simple exercises, and adherence to a daily routine help to cope with discomfort.

Frequent headaches can be a consequence of many diseases

Causes of frequent headaches

Periodic attacks of headaches (cephalalgia) occur after intense physical exertion, against the background of stress, and changes in weather. But if unpleasant sensations bother you every day, this may indicate the presence of severe pathologies of the brain, blood vessels, nasopharynx; discomfort develops due to intoxication or infectious diseases.

Types of headaches:

  1. Vascular cephalgia– accompanied by pulsation in the temples, dizziness, severe aching pain in the forehead or back of the head, sometimes visual functions are impaired. With this form of the disease, it is difficult for a person to lie down, and the discomfort intensifies with any movement. Causes: pathologies of the cervical spine, atherosclerosis, blood clots, edema, brain tumor.
  2. Liquorodynamic cephalgia– occurs when intracranial pressure changes against the background of increased secretion of cerebrospinal fluid, compression of the brain by a hematoma or tumor. Severe and frequent attacks of headache are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, and strong pressure in the frontal region. When the values ​​increase, the discomfort is wave-like; when it decreases, the person experiences weakness and finds it difficult to stand.
  3. Neuralgic cephalgia– the attack occurs suddenly, the pain is constantly cutting, acute, often radiating to the neck, jaw, eyebrows, painkillers do not help, the discomfort is constant, can last 4 or more weeks. The problem is accompanied by redness, increased sensitivity and swelling of the skin. The reasons are hypothermia, excessive physical activity, intoxication, neuralgia, all these factors lead to the appearance of microtraumas, and the nerve roots become inflamed.
  4. Tension pain– a consequence of prolonged work at the computer, a sedentary lifestyle, inhaling very sweet smells, listening to loud heavy music, fear, stress. Cephalgia is accompanied by aching, aching in the temples, the back of the head, and sometimes severe itching.
  5. Cluster headache– occurs predominantly in men, is localized in the eye area, and is characterized by very strong, frequent, but short-lived attacks over several days. Causes: dilation of the carotid artery, irritation of the optic nerves, changes in testosterone levels.
  6. Psychogenic headache– a consequence of stress, depression, chronic fatigue, Parkinson’s disease.

The brain does not directly feel cephalalgia; nerve endings react to irritating factors.

Why does my head hurt?

Main causes of cephalalgia– exposure to external irritants, poor diet, lack of rest, sedentary lifestyle, diseases of internal organs.

– the discomfort is intense, but affects only the left or right side. The disease occurs due to vasodilation and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and discomfort can last for several days. The exact causes of the development of the disease have not been fully studied, but stress, depression, overwork, noise, heat, and chronic lack of sleep can trigger an attack.

Any stress can trigger the onset of a migraine.

What diseases cause frequent headaches:

  1. Vascular diseases– intense pain lasts several hours, bothers you in the morning or at night, discomfort is localized in the eye area. With hypertension, the head hurts in the back of the head, and blood often flows from the nose.
  2. Neuralgia of the facial, trigeminal nerve– the pain is one-sided, radiating to the head from inflamed areas.
  3. Traumatic brain injury, spinal injury– pain occurs due to compression of blood vessels, lack of oxygen, discomfort appears some time after the incident, analgesics do not bring relief.
  4. Diseases of the cervical and thoracic spine– due to compression of blood vessels by the vertebrae, an insufficient amount of oxygen and nutrients enters the brain, pain occurs in the back of the head and in the temple area.
  5. Vascular pathologies of the brain– cephalgia indicates hypoxia, vascular sclerosis, dull pain, covers the entire head, is accompanied by dizziness, limbs go numb, blood counts increase or decrease, sleep is disturbed, memory deteriorates.
  6. Malignant and benign brain tumors– the tumor puts pressure on the blood vessels, causing constant pain in one part of the head.
  7. Meningitis - intense and prolonged unpleasant sensations in the head occur against the background of inflammation and severe intoxication.
  8. Hemolytic anemia– an autoimmune disease in which red blood cells are intensively destroyed, hypoxia develops, and the heart works at an increased rate. Symptoms are fatigue, breathing problems, headache, always cold extremities, pale or yellow skin, heart failure.

The flu, exacerbation of sinusitis, or sinusitis can provoke a headache in a child - dull discomfort occurs in the frontal, temporal part, covers the eyes and bridge of the nose, indicates intoxication, is accompanied by high fever, aching joints and muscles, and goes away after the illness. Unpleasant sensations in the back of the head or forehead, lacrimation, rhinitis, itching are symptoms of allergies.

In women during pregnancy, menopause, before menstruation, and in adolescents, headaches occur due to hormonal imbalance.

What factors can trigger a headache?

Cephalgia does not always indicate the presence of serious illness; an attack often develops under the influence of provoking factors.

Drinking coffee drinks can cause headaches

Why does my head hurt:

  1. Abuse of strong coffee, tea, energy drinks and alcoholic drinks– these products have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, cause vasodilation, and increase blood pressure.
  2. Change in atmospheric pressure, climate change, climbing mountains– the vessels do not have time to adapt to the new conditions, a spasm occurs.
  3. Incorrect body position during sleep– a headache in the morning bothers you; if a person sleeps on a high pillow, the blood circulation in the cervical vessels is disrupted.
  4. Uncomfortable headgear– cephalalgia develops due to constant compression.
  5. Stress, your head almost always hurts when you're nervous– with a sharp spasm, there is a feeling that the skull is being pulled together by a hoop.
  6. Overwork– the pain is dull, covers the entire head, is accompanied by sleep disturbances and decreased performance.
  7. Sleeping too much– the level of glucose in the blood drops sharply, causing headaches in the morning or after a day’s rest.
  8. Hearty dinner– at night the body spent all its energy on digesting food.

Frequent headaches and dry skin are a sign of dehydration.

Which doctor should I contact?

The first thing you should do is consult a general practitioner, and he will refer you further if necessary.

The causes of cephalalgia are determined and the disease is treated. Additionally, an infectious disease specialist is required.

Diagnostics

Identifying the causes of cephalalgia begins with an examination and history taking; the patient needs to be told in detail where, how often and how severely the headache hurts.

Examination program:

  • clinical analysis of blood, urine;
  • blood chemistry;
  • cerebrospinal fluid puncture;
  • X-ray, MRI, CT scan of the head and spine;
  • vascular angiography;
  • myography;
  • ECG, measurement of arterial parameters;
  • measurement of intracranial pressure;
  • Ultrasound of the carotid arteries.

If a headache causes fainting, the victim should be laid on his back, put something under his feet, wipe his face with cold water, and at the same time call an ambulance.

What to do if you often have a headache?

Cervical exercises will help cope with headaches

Various medications are used to treat cephalgia; massage and gymnastics help.

Medicines

Treatment of cephalalgia is aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms, the causes that provoked an attack of pain, and reducing the risk of complications.

Severe headache - how to treat it:

  • analgesics – Milistan, Efferalgan;
  • anti-inflammatory drugs– Nimid, Nimesulide;
  • sedatives– Novo-passit, peony tincture, valerian;
  • medications to improve cerebral circulation– Vasobral;
  • antihypertensive drugs– Enap;
  • migraine medications– Sumamigren;
  • anti-vertigo medications– Vestibo, Betaserk;
  • antiemetics- Domperidone.

If you have a terrible headache, you need to lubricate your temples with a piece of lemon, cucumber, asterisk, or mint oil.

Exercises

A neck massage will help you cope with headaches and severe tension; it should be done by a professional. Simple exercises will also help get rid of unpleasant sensations; they are easy to do at home.

Simple exercises for headaches for every day:

  1. Sit up straight, close your eyes, slowly tilt your head forward, back, to the sides. Do 10 repetitions in each direction, repeat 5-6 times a day.
  2. Lie down and slowly massage all areas of the head with your fingertips in a circular motion. Start from the forehead area, then move to the parietal and temporal zones, ending with the back of the head. Session duration is 5 minutes, repeat three times a day.
  3. In a standing position, clasp your hands behind your head, bring your elbows in front, and lean forward slightly. Slowly straighten up, spread your elbows, lift your chin, repeat 6-8 times.
  4. Clasp your hands at the back of your head, slowly lean forward, do not bend your knees.

Diaphragmatic breathing for 5 minutes will help cope with a sharp attack of cephalalgia.

Possible consequences and complications

Headache very often occurs against the background of cerebral circulation disorders; without proper treatment, stroke and paralysis develop.

The main consequences of frequent attacks of cephalalgia are impaired hearing, vision, coordination, memory impairment, decreased concentration, emotional deviations, and depressive states.

Without proper treatment, headaches can cause hearing loss.

Following a daily routine, proper sleep, walks in the fresh air, a warm shower, giving up bad habits and junk food - all this will help prevent the appearance of cephalgia. If you have a headache very often, sedatives, painkillers, and medications to normalize blood circulation and eliminate the manifestations of migraines help get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

Anna Mironova


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“Headache” - we hear and pronounce these words so often that we have become accustomed to them, perceiving a headache as something annoying, but temporary and insignificant. “I guess I’ll take some pill” - this became the treatment for headaches. However, a headache is often a symptom of any serious diseases and problems in the body, some of which are life-threatening.

How to distinguish the nature of a headache and notice the disease in time?

The main causes of headaches - what can trigger them?

Headache can have different localization, character and intensity:

  1. Headache of vascular origin – the cause is compression, narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels of the head, as well as their expansion.

Various factors can provoke this:

  • Thrombi or emboli closing the lumen of small or large vessels.
  • Atherosclerosis of blood vessels of the brain.
  • Edema, swelling of the brain and membranes, blood vessels.
  1. Headache due to muscle tension - occurs with prolonged uncomfortable position of the head, heavy loads and physical stress, after sleeping in an uncomfortable position, due to an incorrectly selected bed - mattress and pillow.
  2. Headache of liquorodynamic mechanism of origin – occurs when certain areas of the brain are compressed.

Causes:

  • Pathological increase or decrease in intracranial pressure.
  • Compression of the brain by a hematoma, cyst, tumor.
  1. Neuralgic headaches – occur when nerve fibers are damaged or when they are exposed to some pathological process.

Causes:

  • Various neuralgia (most often - the trigeminal nerve, occipital nerves).
  • Damage to the vestibular nerve.
  1. Headache of psychogenic origin – usually develops against the background of mental disorders and apathy.

Causes of psychalgia:

  • Stress.
  • Depression.
  • Prolonged emotional experiences.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Parkinson's disease.

There are more than 200 factors that provoke headaches. If cephalalgia occurs against the background of complete health, then This most often occurs after:

  • Alcohol intake (vasodilation, intoxication).
  • Prolonged exposure to the sun, heat, sauna (overheating, sunstroke or heatstroke, sudden dilation of blood vessels, loss of fluid through sweat).
  • Consumption of products containing caffeine.
  • High humidity.
  • Sleep disturbances, after lack of sleep or a shift in the usual schedule.
  • Wearing contact lenses or incorrectly fitted glasses.
  • Intense mental activity.
  • Stressful situations, fear, strong excitement, worries.
  • Injuries, bruises, head concussions.
  • Excessive or uneven sports loads.
  • Visits to the dentist and dental treatment.
  • Massage sessions.
  • Smoking.
  • ARVI, other infectious, colds or inflammatory diseases.
  • Hypothermia, contrast shower.
  • Started a diet, fasting.
  • Intake of certain foods - chocolate, smoked meats and marinades, nuts, hard cheeses, etc.
  • Sex.
  • Taking any medications or inhaling toxic fumes.

Headache diagnostic program - how to independently determine why your head hurts?

The headache itself does not require diagnosis. But it is always necessary to find out what causes this pathological condition. The doctor may prescribe an examination program, depending on the patient’s condition, age, nature and location of pain.

Diagnostic program for headaches

  1. Laboratory diagnostic procedures , including a general blood test and a general urinalysis. Sometimes a study of cerebrospinal fluid is required, which is collected through a puncture.
  2. X-ray the head in the required projections, the spine.
  3. Magnetic resonance imaging head and spine.
  4. CT scan head and spine (including positron emission CT).
  5. Angiography cerebral vessels.
  6. Ultrasound.
  7. EEG, RheoEG, myography.

It's helpful to have a chart on hand that can help you guess the root cause of your headaches.

But don’t try to diagnose yourself, much less self-medicate. Contact a specialist!

Table of primary diagnosis of headaches

If you often have headaches, keep a diary, in which note the time, nature of the headache and after what it began.

How to relieve a headache with home remedies and when should you see a doctor?

First of all, you should know about the dangerous diseases and conditions that accompany headaches.

Headache, increased blood pressure, irritability, sleep disturbances, and dizziness often indicate cerebrovascular accidents. It is unacceptable to tolerate such symptoms - they can result in a stroke. Moreover, in recent years, stroke has become significantly younger and is increasingly affecting people who every day face excessive workload and a high degree of responsibility: managers, business owners, fathers of large families. When symptoms of cerebral circulatory disorders appear, doctors often recommend taking combination drugs to improve vascular function, for example, Vasobral. Its active components stimulate metabolic processes in the brain, improve the condition of blood vessels, eliminate the effects of oxygen starvation of brain tissue associated with deterioration of blood supply, and have a stimulating effect, which reduces the risk of stroke.

You should be wary and consult a doctor immediately if:

  • The headache appeared for the first time, suddenly.
  • The headache is simply unbearable, accompanied by loss of consciousness, breathing problems, rapid heartbeat, facial flushing, nausea and vomiting, and urinary incontinence.
  • With headaches, visual disturbances, muscle weakness, speech and consciousness disturbances are observed.
  • Due to a severe headache, a person partially or completely loses the ability to move.
  • Headache is accompanied by other symptoms - rash, high temperature, fever, delirium.
  • Severe headache in a pregnant woman, with epi-status and sharply increased blood pressure.
  • I have a headache for a long time.
  • The headache intensifies with movement, changing body position, physical work, or going out into bright light.
  • Each headache attack is more intense than the previous one.

How to relieve headaches with home remedies?

If you are sure that your headache is caused by overwork or, for example, stress, then you can get rid of it in the following ways:

  1. Head massage fingers, a special massager or a wooden comb improves blood circulation, relieves vascular spasm and soothes. Massage your head with light movements from the temples, forehead and neck to the crown.
  2. Cold and hot compresses. Soak two cloths, one in hot water and one in ice water. Place a cold compress on your forehead and temples, and press a hot compress to the back of your head.
  3. Potato compress. Cut the potato tuber into 0.5 cm thick circles. Place the mugs on your forehead and temples, cover with a towel and tie. Once the potatoes get warm, replace them with new ones.
  4. Warm shower– neither hot nor cold! Stand in the shower so that the water hits your head. Can be combined with a head massage with a comb.
  5. Chokeberry tea. Particularly useful for hypertensive headaches.
  6. Compress on temples. Rub your temples and forehead with a lemon peel or a slice of cucumber. Then apply pieces of lemon peels or cucumber slices to your temples and secure on top with a scarf.

The website warns: the information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances! If you have any health problems, consult your doctor!

There are 2 forms of headaches (cephalgia): primary (as an independent disease, migraine) and secondary (as a symptom of another illness).

Factors that provoke pain

Doctors call hereditary predisposition the main culprit in the occurrence of primary headaches. Based on the characteristics of the transmission of genes responsible for pathology (through the female line), women are most vulnerable to this disease. The most common provoking factors are: stress loads; intoxication: hangover, food poisoning, etc.; some types of food additives: nitrites, aspartame, monosodium glutamate; food addictions: eating large amounts of chocolate, nuts, eggs, cheese; tobacco smoking and hookah smoking; weather dependence, changes in atmospheric pressure; taking certain types of medications; being in the mountains; hormonal imbalances: migraine during pregnancy, menstruation, menopause.

Cephalgia can be caused by certain pathologies of internal organs:

  • vascular disorders: high blood pressure (BP), vegetative-vascular dystonia;
  • viral infections: acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections;
  • inflammation of the meninges: meningitis, encephalitis, arachnoiditis;
  • other inflammatory foci: lesions of the ENT organs, especially the sinuses, oral cavity (teeth, gums), sinusitis, etc.;
  • injuries (fall, blow) and/or head tumors, concussion;
  • pinching of the basilar artery with cervical osteochondrosis;
  • chemotherapy or long-term antibiotic therapy (taking antibiotics);
  • anesthesia, spinal or epidural anesthesia;
  • some endocrine diseases.

According to the mechanism of occurrence, primary cephalgia can be pain:

  1. Voltages. Occurs as a result of muscle spasm of the cervical region and head. “Tightening”, aching, but not sharp pain impulses are felt.
  2. Hypertensive, appearing with high blood pressure. It is pulsating, mainly localized in the temples and occipital region. It manifests itself as soreness of the skin of the scalp when touched, pre-fainting, with a feeling of weakness, dizziness, nausea.
  3. Migraine associated with family history. Manifests itself under various provoking factors.
  4. Cluster - very intense, mainly in the temples and eyes. This is a hereditary pathology that can manifest itself at any age. Attacks are sudden, irregular, excessively painful. Pain is caused by malfunctions of the central nervous system (reduced activity of the hypothalamus, abnormalities in the structure of nerve highways). Men are more likely to suffer from terrible cluster headaches, as well as coughs.

Let's list them:

  1. Avoid stressful situations, mental and physical fatigue. Master auto-training, relaxation, breathing exercises. Try meditation and yoga - perhaps these methods will increase stress resistance and help you maintain calm and peace of mind.
  2. Stop smoking tobacco and hookah. Nicotine and tobacco tar destroy the entire body, disrupt the functioning of the heart, and lead to severe oxygen starvation, which is most harmful to brain cells.
  3. Review your diet, food preferences, and eliminate alcohol. Minimize the consumption of smoked, fatty, spicy foods, processed foods, and food with synthetic additives.
  4. Limit the time spent on the computer regularly, taking a break every 40 minutes. Combine your rest time with a short warm-up, open the window, and breathe in some fresh air.
  5. Eliminate irritating factors: bright lighting, noise, too active types of recreation. In sunny weather, wear sunglasses and take walks.
  6. Play sports without unnecessary zeal, dosing the load. Do not use stimulants, energy drinks, which deplete strength and overwork the body.

To more accurately answer the question of what should be done if you have a headache, you need to understand the mechanism of development of the pathology, and, if possible, identify and eliminate provoking factors. Only in this case can stable and long-term remission be achieved.

Headache: what to do and how to help

Traditionally, migraine is treated with triptans (Sumatriptan, Naratriptan, Zolmitriptan tablets). They block serotonin receptors. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are suitable for stopping an attack of cephalgia: paracetamol, analgin, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac.

For spastic pain, the use of antispasmodics is indicated. If migraine is the result of spasm of the cerebral vessels, No-shpa (the international name of the active substance is Drotaverine), Papaverine is prescribed. The maximum benefit comes from combination drugs consisting of several components.

This pharmacological group included Migrenol, Solpadeine, Pentalgin plus, Citramon, Spazmalgon. Along with drug therapy, the use of non-drug methods is recommended. Massage and self-massage come first.

There are 2 types:

  1. Acupressure. Try massaging active points: the occipital fossa, ears, infraorbital, palmar and eyebrow area. On the hands, this is the area 2 cm below the palm, the space between the thumb and index finger.
  2. General massage - shoulders, neck area. The technique helps relieve spasms and normalize blood circulation. This massage is especially indicated for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.

And if you often have a headache, what should you do? If you experience frequent and severe headaches, you need to seek medical help, so going to a medical facility is a mandatory step. In most cases, it is possible to identify the root cause of cephalalgia after obtaining and evaluating data from laboratory and hardware diagnostic procedures.

How to help yourself without drugs and get rid of headaches without pills

Peace and relaxation are an affordable and effective remedy for headaches. It is better to take a comfortable position, tilting your head slightly back. Try to relax as much as possible, ventilate the room, but keep your body warm, and take a nap if possible. If the root cause of cephalgia is overwork, then after such rest the headache will go away. Walking in the fresh air is useful; it normalizes the effects of physical inactivity and hypoxia after office routine. If possible, walk home from work.

To prevent dehydration, drink one or two glasses of clean water in small sips and rest. Stretch your shoulders by massaging your head in a circular motion from the forehead to the back of the head.

The massage will relax tense temporal, frontal, and occipital areas of the head. You can breathe in the steam with the addition of lavender oil. Menthol balm helps a lot (apply to the temples and back of the head). All these methods are effective and time-tested many times. If cephalalgia is not a consequence of any serious pathology, then it is quite possible to cure it with the help of these remedies, without resorting to pharmaceutical drugs.

Exercise for headaches

Swimming, fitness, yoga, walking and jogging are especially useful for headaches. Physical exercises are also aimed at eliminating basilar insufficiency. They should eliminate pinching of the artery in the cervical region, which will help normalize blood circulation in the bloodstreams of the brain.

The set of classes includes walking, head rotation, and arm swings. If dizziness occurs, it is better to lie on your back or stomach. Monitor your health, if it worsens, take a little rest, slow down the pace and reduce the amplitude of the exercises performed.

Headache in children

The causes of headaches in children and adults are almost identical. Migraine attacks often occur as a result of stressful situations, lack of sleep, overwork, or after prolonged work at the computer. The disease can be aggravated by problems with the spinal column, osteochondrosis, and scoliosis.

It is necessary to find out the root cause of a child’s headache. Try to alleviate the condition with the help of folk remedies without resorting to drug therapy.

During pregnancy

Migraines in early pregnancy are not uncommon. During this period, a number of complex changes occur against the background of hormonal changes. The nature of the pain is usually of weak or strong intensity. Folk remedies, walks, sufficient duration and proper rest will help relieve attacks.

If the pain is intense or manifests itself in later stages, then it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. The root cause of such pain may be pregnancy pathology or the development of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is accompanied by high blood pressure, edema, and urine tests reveal the presence of protein. This condition is extremely dangerous for the life and health of the mother and fetus and requires the intervention of the attending physician and monitoring of the patient’s condition.

What to do for headaches: non-drug methods

Let's figure out what to do for a headache without resorting to medications. First of all, it is necessary to ensure maximum peace and relaxation. Aromatherapy provides significant and rapid results, because essential oils can quickly be absorbed into tissues and improve the functioning of the entire body.

For cephalgia they use:

  • mint;
  • sandalwood;
  • lavender;
  • eucalyptus;
  • lemongrass;
  • rosemary;
  • angelica;
  • basil;
  • coriander;
  • linden;
  • clary sage;
  • sweet oregano;
  • yarrow.

Even for headaches, water procedures are especially useful, because water can relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and eliminate tissue hypoxia. It would be advisable to take a course of brine baths. They are offered at the resorts of Odessa, Israel, and in the sanatoriums of Saki. A hot bath may help. It relaxes, relieves tension and spasm. When vascular circulation is normalized, the pain will subside. But a hot bath is strictly contraindicated for elevated body temperature and blood pressure, certain skin diseases, etc.

Traditional medicine has accumulated many useful recipes for pain relief. To relieve symptoms, herbal medicine methods (herbal teas), cold compress on the frontal area, decoctions, tinctures, and diet therapy have proven themselves well.

Compresses

Use an ice pack on your forehead. It will help normalize blood circulation and act as a distraction. They also make a potato compress. To do this, raw potato tubers are ground on a fine grater. Warm milk is added to the resulting substance. Then they soak the fabric and keep it on the forehead for several hours.

A mixture of salt water with ammonia and camphor oil works well. All ingredients are taken in equal volumes. You can leave this compress overnight. To reduce headaches, apply cabbage or burdock leaves to your temples. Before use, knead it to release a little juice.

Teas and decoctions

What to do if you have a severe headache due to nervous overload? To stop headaches after nervous stress, it is useful to take a decoction of sedative herbs. Motherwort and medicinal chamomile are suitable. In some cases, rosehip or linden flowers, dill seeds, oregano, mint, and rosemary will help. The pharmacy chain offers mixtures of medicinal herbal raw materials. Decoctions are taken orally several times a day, or in courses.

Tinctures

Treatment of cephalalgia with tinctures is a common practice. They are sold in convenient packaging, are easy to use, and give quick results. For headaches, a tincture of peony, mint, eucalyptus, valerian, hawthorn, and ginger is often used. You can read a lot of positive reviews about the “25 drops” tincture.

Food

For persistent cephalgia, it is necessary to carefully select the diet. Minrenal attacks can be triggered by the consumption of soy and dairy products, tomatoes, dates, figs, prunes, and chocolate.

It is better to use natural dishes prepared at home. Canned sausages contain flavorings and other harmful food additives. Blue cheese is harmful; it can reduce the diameter of blood vessels and cause headaches. Monitor the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Digestive tract problems interfere with the absorption of nutrients, which can worsen headaches.

Why is alcohol prohibited for persistent headaches? The fact is that alcohol-containing drinks poison the body, disrupt cerebral circulation, increase blood pressure, and impair the nutrition of brain cells. All these factors only provoke the appearance of cephalalgia. A migraine attack is triggered by red wine.