What are the causes of headaches. Strong headache. Other causes of headache

Cephalgia is the scientific name for the most common ailment, headache. It occurs for a number of reasons, most often the cause is stress and overexertion. But also a headache can have a different genesis and indicate problems with the spine. What other problems will such a sign as a headache show us? And what are its types? An overview of the most common types of headaches will be presented below.

Classification

The classification of cephalgia was officially adopted in 2004. The Medical International Council has adopted a huge multi-level list that lists all types of headaches and their symptoms. But the first attempt to carry out any classification was made by American doctors in 1952. We will consider different types of headaches and their causes, the symptoms of the main ones.

Specialists in the field of neurology distinguish 2 main types - primary (this is migraine and cluster pain) and secondary - when inflammation in the body is the root cause. Let's start the review of the types of cephalalgia with pain due to overexertion - every person on the planet has had this pain at least once.

The pain of overexertion

Many types of headaches are caused by tension. That is, discomfort occurs as a result of muscle spasms of the scalp (or cervical). Cephalgia of this kind can be mild, moderate, severe, and may take on the character of unbearable.

Spasms occur when a person for a long time is under stress. The muscles of the neck-collar zone are automatically clamped during the pressure of stress factors. The muscles of the head also tighten and stretch the membrane of the brain, which is covered with a large network of nerve fibers. This is where the discomfort comes from.

Overexertion pain is recognized by the following signs:

• the character is “stretching” (it seems that a bandage is tied too tightly around the head);
• it is aching, not sharp;
• occurs at any time of the day.

And if a stressful situation develops for a long time, then it is almost impossible to relax the neck muscles on your own. This leads to chronic pain. The same effect happens if a person sits in the wrong position all day and does not warm up during work.

cluster headache

Beam, or cluster cephalgia is hereditary. It is impossible to determine at what age a person will overtake the first attack. This is the strongest headache, which is absolutely impossible to confuse with another kind. Her signs:

• very strong pain in the temporal part of the head and the eyeball on the left or right;
• redness of the eye, possible lacrimation;
• an attack always comes in bunches (clusters).

It is believed that the activity of the hypothalamus triggers the mechanism of pain. It is also believed that men suffer from cluster pain more than women. And the mechanism of the disease is not fully understood by scientists.

Causes of migraine

A migraine is triggered by one of those triggers. It is also a hereditary disease. Therefore, if one of the relatives suffered from migraine in the family, it is best to protect yourself from any provoking factors and be less stressed.

How to distinguish migraine from, say, cluster pain?

• With a migraine, a person is very sensitive to light and noise.
• The pain is throbbing and very severe. It is most often localized in only one hemisphere of the brain.
• Migraines are characterized by nausea and vomiting. After vomiting, a person suffering from such cephalalgia usually feels better.
• An attack can last up to 72 hours.

The physiology of a migraine is simple. The vessels of the brain expand sharply and begin to pulsate strongly. They are full of blood and, expanding, disturb the trigeminal nerve, which then gives its pain impulses to the entire hemisphere.

Intracranial pressure

Another type of cephalalgia that is not associated with inflammatory processes is pain as a symptom of high. Since the cranium cannot expand, any additional volume that occurs in the brain causes a severe headache, which is characterized by most as "bursting".

Increased intracranial pressure is more often provoked by an unhealthy lifestyle and is called favorable. The real diagnosis of VVD is, as a rule, a consequence of severe asphyxia, a brain tumor, a hematoma from a blow, or another serious process in the brain that threatens life. The person himself will not be able to recognize ICP by signs, a qualified doctor must make this diagnosis. But still, we list those symptoms that warn a person about the need to see a doctor for a diagnosis:

• severe headache to nausea, the pain intensifies in the morning;
• dizziness, weakness;
• loss of consciousness;
• violations of the frequency of the heart rhythm;
• flies before the eyes;
• in severe cases, convulsions of the whole body;
• vision problems develop over time.

Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, depending on which hypertension is established - associated with an excess of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), venous insufficiency, or a brain tumor.

Types of headache in osteochondrosis

Neglect of health leads to osteochondrosis. And this is reflected in the whole body over time. With osteochondrosis, bone processes often press down on those arteries that go to the brain through the spinal column. As a result, little blood enters the brain, and therefore, nutrients. Another kind of pain occurs when the veins are pressed. Then, on the contrary, enough blood enters the brain, and problems are observed with the outflow.

Painful cephalalgia in the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" is a fairly common phenomenon. The headache in such cases is pressing and constant, and not throbbing, as in migraine. In addition, an innervating pain in the heart or tingling (numbness) of the fingers can serve as a sign.

If a person has more and more headaches and the innervation of pain is observed, then in this way the body sends a signal for help. An urgent need to contact a chiropractor for the treatment of the underlying disease - osteochondrosis.

Cephalgia with inflammation and pathologies

Headache sometimes has such an underlying cause as, for example, poisoning, a long stay in a smoky room, or prolonged hunger. They do not require deep diagnostics.

But such a pathology of a mechanical nature, as inflammation of the lining of the brain, requires a visit to a doctor. And the signs of such a disease will be precisely the sudden onset of a severe headache and refusal to eat.

Let's pay attention to the most severe illness and pathologies that cause severe headaches. They require urgent medical attention.

• Meningitis and encephalitis, arachnoiditis (inflammation of the arachnoid membrane of the brain).
• Liver diseases (hepatitis).
• The development of diabetes.
• Cardiovascular diseases that lead to a violation of pressure.
• Tumor in the brain, neuralgia.

However, any person recognizes the infection by rising temperature and chills. The first symptom of heart disease is irregular heartbeat. Therefore, in such cases, the underlying disease is treated.

Diagnostics

How is the underlying cause of a headache diagnosed? When chronic cephalalgia restricts a person and does not allow him to perform his usual duties, you should not hesitate. You need to go to a neurologist and undergo a complete examination in his direction. As a rule, such studies are assigned:

• CT scan.
• Echoencephalogram of the brain.
• Study vascular system brain.

To establish hypertension, you must also contact an ophthalmologist and make a puncture of the bone marrow. If there is a lot of cerebrospinal fluid, and the brain tissue is compressed, this will be seen in the pupils of the eyes. When suspicions fall on osteochondrosis, a neurologist should give a conclusion. First of all, it is necessary to establish what types of headaches bother the patient, and their treatment should begin only after diagnosis. Without this, it is impossible to start therapy with tablets or injections.

Treatment of cephalalgia. Types of headache pills

For those who suffer from frequent tension pains, it is best to physiotherapy, acupuncture, balneological procedures and apitherapy as a preventive measure. Ordinary analgesics help to get rid of a severe headache - ibuprofen, analgin, citramon. Nevertheless, if the discomfort is not strong, it is not recommended to immediately take painkillers; it is better to apply a cold compress to the forehead, which will alleviate the condition.

Migraines and cluster pains cannot be cured with analgesics. For this type of ailment, there are special medicines - triptans:

• "Amigrenin".
• "Sumatripta".
• "Rimigrin".

If these drugs are not enough, you can take one tablet of an analgesic and one containing triptans. But only with the permission of a doctor.

Triptans are considered specific painkillers. They act on receptors. By weakening the "transmitter" of sensations, a person will be able to fall asleep. But they are contraindicated in the risk of stroke or heart attack and in hypertension. There are also triptan injections. They minimize all migraine-provoking factors.

Pain with intracranial pressure cannot be treated with pills. In this case, it is urgent to find out the cause (and in most cases it is a brain tumor) and carry out the necessary treatment.

And of course, if headaches appeared as a result of a traumatic brain injury and cerebral edema, then the treatment should be appropriate to the diagnosis.

Folk ways to deal with cephalgia

In order to distract from a mild headache and not to poison the liver with pills, external agents are used. It has been proven that ointments containing capsoicins (substances in red pepper), as well as menthol, are effective for cephalalgia. If this does not help, you can tie your head tightly with a scarf. Another way is to apply a handkerchief with ice, as mentioned above.

How to prevent cephalalgia?

We looked at the types of headaches and their causes. What can be done as a preventive measure? People who are prone to migraines or cluster bundles should avoid chocolate and alcohol. These products contain the substance phenylethylamine, and blue cheeses contain tyramine. Absolutely all amines disrupt the metabolism of serotonin, and therefore contribute to headaches.

Hot baths are beneficial essential oils that relax tight back muscles. But only when there is no allergy to these oils. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to breathe fresh air more often in park areas and from time to time undergo a massage course. It is especially useful for people with a genetic predisposition to migraines and osteochondrosis. But what is especially important is the observance of the regime of work and rest and good nutrition.

At least 70% of the population of developed countries suffer. But in fact, many more people are familiar with this condition, it's just that many do not go to the doctor, preferring to cope with it on their own. But we must remember that the only symptom of many serious diseases is a severe headache. What to do in this case, only a doctor can advise. And, despite the fact that now there are many means that can quickly alleviate suffering, you should not get carried away with them. After all, in order to get rid of headaches, you need to eliminate the causes that cause them, and not just the symptoms themselves. Therefore, before drinking pills, you need to find out why you have such a condition.

What diseases can cause headaches

Their most common cause is vascular diseases: arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, vegetovascular dystonia and others;

Migraine is also quite common, especially among women;

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to pinching of the artery, resulting in severe headache and nausea;

Often this condition is a symptom of viral diseases;

Sinusitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis also cause headaches;

It will certainly occur after a traumatic brain injury;

Various vision problems, ranging from increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma to the wrong selection of glasses, can cause headaches;

This condition is sometimes caused by otitis media and dental disease;

A constant strong may indicate the development of a brain tumor;

It can also be caused by some diseases of the endocrine glands, as well as such rather rare diseases as temporal arteritis and disorder of the temporomandibular joint.

Other causes of this condition

But in many cases absolutely healthy people complain of severe headaches. What to do in this case, you can understand if you remember what events preceded this state. After all, pain is often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and diet. What can cause them?

Most often, these are stresses, depressive states and psycho-emotional overstrain;

Nervous and muscular fatigue, as well as excessive mental stress;

Sedentary lifestyle and lack of fresh air;

Incorrect posture, the habit of tucking your legs under you and hunching your back;

Sleep disturbances, night work;

Change in meteorological conditions, sudden hypothermia or heat stroke;

Improper nutrition: malnutrition, diets, the predominance of nitrites, caffeine and histamine in food;

Poisoning by alcohol, chemicals and drugs;

Lack of certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron or vitamin B deficiency.

Types of headaches

Depending on the causes, the pain may be different. It can vary in intensity: strong, sharp, dull, aching, pressing or throbbing. The pain may increase gradually or with a change in position, from sounds and smells. Sometimes it subsides when in peace and quiet, during sleep. Depending on this, you need to choose the means to combat it. Headache is also classified according to the place of its occurrence. It can be shingles, when the whole head hurts, or it can be localized in one place. It often depends on the reasons causing it. Most often there is pain in the temporal region. She can be called various diseases, stress and poisoning. Pain in the back of the head occurs due to pressure surges or cervical osteochondrosis. eye strain and infectious diseases can cause such sensations in the forehead. Sometimes they are localized on one side. For example, a severe headache on the left side of the head indicates the development of a migraine.

Diagnostics

It is already clear that taking analgesics can not always be a salvation from suffering.

If you incorrectly determine the cause and do not eliminate it, then after the medication stops, the algia will reappear. Therefore, you need to know why a severe headache appears. What to do to get rid of it, the doctor can advise after the examination. He will find out where the pain is localized, how frequent it is, and when it hurts more. The doctor should definitely tell about additional symptoms: dizziness, nausea, visual impairment, and others. You will need to remember what preceded the onset of pain, what medications you took and how you ate. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe additional laboratory tests: usually these are blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, an electroencephalogram of the brain, and an x-ray of the cervical spine. You may also need to consult other specialists: an ophthalmologist, dentist, neurologist and endocrinologist.

When can you self-medicate?

Many people suffer from severe headaches. What to do in this case, some decide on their own. But you can do without visiting a doctor only when you have already passed the examination and know your diagnosis. If headaches torment you periodically, and you know their cause, you can not go to the doctor every time, but apply the treatment that he prescribed for you. When is it necessary to visit a medical institution?

It's the first time you've had a headache and you don't know what might be causing it.

The pain came on suddenly, for no apparent reason, and gradually gets worse.

The usual localization and intensity of pain has changed.

Additional symptoms appeared: nausea, dizziness, "flies" before the eyes, weakness.

Headache Treatment

If you know your diagnosis and the cause of this condition, if you experience pain infrequently and disappear after application medicines you can self-medicate. Most people try to manage their pain with pills. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and usually help. But in many cases, you can do without these by no means harmless drugs if you eliminate the causes of pain. Rest, a walk in the fresh air, a relaxing massage, or a warm bath often help. For many, the headache goes away after sleep, meditation or auto-training. Folk remedies help well: herbs, compresses and acupressure. When treated under conditions medical institution physiotherapy can be prescribed: electrophoresis, salt caves, magnetic and laser therapy. In any case, all methods of getting rid of pain should be directed primarily to its cause.

How to help yourself without medication

If you understand why you have a severe headache, what to do at home to relieve an attack? If it is caused by overwork, you need to take a break from work, take a walk in the fresh air or just relax. It is useful to drink a decoction of chamomile, valerian, linden or mint.

Then you need to lie down and try to relax. To do this, turn off the computer, TV and radio, draw the curtains. You can turn on pleasant music and light it up. A warm bath with sea ​​salt or aromatic oils. It is good to do with your fingers or a stream of warm shower. Sometimes the pain caused by tension disappears if you tightly bandage your head with a towel for 10 minutes, you can just press hard on the temple area for a short while. In some cases, relief comes from drinking warm tea with lemon and honey or just sweetened water. All other treatments should be chosen depending on the reasons for which a severe headache appeared. What to do - in each case, the doctor can advise. For example, when high blood pressure you need to take drugs to reduce it, during infectious diseases - antiviral and antipyretic drugs, and with osteochondrosis, massage. But in any case, measures must be taken in a timely manner, you can not endure if there is a severe headache.

What to do: what pills to take

All medicinal pains can be divided into several groups. Any of them without the recommendation of a doctor can be taken only once - to relieve an attack.

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help with pain of any origin, in addition, they will relieve inflammation and fever. The best of them are Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Nurofen, Imet, Ketorolac and others.

2. Antispasmodics are used for tension pain, vasospasm, if NSAIDs do not help. Recommended "Papaverin", "Drotaverin", "No-shpa", "Spazgan" and others.

3. If the pain is caused by pressure fluctuations or other vascular disorders, analgesics will help in this case: Analgin, Nebalgin and others. But in combination with them, you need to take vasodilators or special hypertensive drugs.

4. These drugs may not help if you have a very severe headache. What to do, usually in this state, a person cannot decide. Combined preparations can quickly bring relief: Pentalgin, Solpadein, Brustan, Novigan and others.

Folk remedies

But sometimes taking medication is not possible for various reasons, and a severe headache occurs. What to do in this case? Various herbal preparations, compresses and other means help many. traditional medicine. You just need to choose the method of treatment that is acceptable to you, which will really alleviate the condition.

You can drink warm decoctions of herbs: St. John's wort, coltsfoot, oregano, mint, valerian and some others will help;

You can make compresses with lemon, lavender or orange oil, or simply inhale their scent;

You need to drink the juice of potatoes, spinach or viburnum berries;

Helps a lot ginger tea or tea with cinnamon;

Acupressure and acupuncture also help.

Severe headache during pregnancy

What should women who are expecting a baby do, because most drugs are contraindicated for them? And pregnant women often have headaches. This is due to hormonal changes in the body of a woman, toxicosis and circulatory failure.

If the headache is not very bad, you can try to cope with it without medication. Can help:

Rest and sleep;

Shower or warm bath;

Relaxing exercises or breathing exercises;

Neck and shoulder massage;

A warm or cold compress on the bridge of the nose and forehead for pain in this area, as well as on the neck in case of a severe headache in the back of the head.

What if these methods don't help? You can take one painkiller tablet. If you do it infrequently, then it will not bring harm. What medicines are allowed to be taken by pregnant women? In small doses, "Citramon" or "Paracetamol" is allowed, there is also a little-known drug - "Acetaminophen". It is strictly forbidden to drink "Nurofen", "Aspirin" and analgesics. The same rules must be followed during lactation, if there is a severe headache. "What to do: I feed the child, but I have no strength to endure?" - women are often interested. There are compatible with breastfeeding drugs, mainly based on paracetamol. These are Calpol, Eferalgan or Panadol. They are the least harmful to the child, but often they should not be taken either.

Headache in children

Smaller patients are much more difficult to treat because they often cannot accurately describe their condition. Therefore, in case of a headache, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor. Only by making a diagnosis can a doctor determine how to deal with the problem. In addition to pain associated with various health disorders, today's children often experience tension pain and even suffer from migraines. A light massage, rest and sleep, linden tea or a cool compress can help the baby. For a one-time removal of a strong attack, it is permissible to give the child medicines based on paracetamol. Most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are contraindicated for children under 12 years of age.

Prevention of headaches

As you know, all drugs are unsafe for health. Therefore, it is better not to allow a state when you need to drink. strong drugs. For those who regularly suffer from headaches, it is very important to follow the correct daily routine, go to bed on time and walk more in the fresh air. It is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, spend less time at the TV and computer. It is also very important to monitor nutrition, because many foods can cause headaches: coffee, chocolate, carbonated drinks, canned food and sausages. They are best avoided. You must also refrain from alcoholic beverages and smoking.

Severe headaches are represented by a significant pain sensation in a certain area - on the back of the head, temple or forehead. Such phenomena are distinguished by high intensity and can affect the entire circumference. Being in this state, a person experiences difficulties with normal life activities, cannot work, study and perform usual activities. If a very severe headache bothers you on a regular basis and continues for a long time, you should contact a neurologist who will conduct an examination and prescribe effective therapy.

There are certain causes of severe headache that are caused by the presence of those or other pathological conditions.

Meningitis

This disease provokes an inflammatory process in the meninges and is caused by concomitant bacterial or viral flora. The sensations are not localized, there is a feeling of spreading throughout the head. The disease causes a significant increase in body temperature, vomiting, and rigidity.

Migraine

Another answer to the question of why intense pain occurs is a migraine. An unpleasant sensation occurs after a person has inhaled a sharp aroma or has undergone significant stress. Such situations are characterized by a one-sided feeling of pain, which is pulsating in nature and occurs in the temples, forehead, spreading throughout the entire volume of this part of the body. In this case, severe excessive headache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, worsening of the general condition is observed during conversations and the occurrence of any sounds.

Bundle headaches

In this case, there are very strong pains of a burning and tearing nature. They start in the eye socket and go to the cheeks, ears, frontal lobe. As additional symptoms, redness of the eye, severe tearing, drooping of the eyelid and significant constriction of the pupils can be distinguished. Usually such sensations occur in young men in their 30s at night.

Glaucoma

This disease involves a significant increase in intraocular pressure. Unpleasant sensations begin in the orbit, and then enter the temporal part, go to the forehead and back of the head. At first, the pain is localized on one side, according to the first symptoms, it is similar to the manifestation of a migraine. Severe pain in glaucoma in the head is exacerbated by other symptoms - impaired visual field and pupil shape, nausea and vomiting.

Pain in dental diseases

Similar painful sensations can cause disorders in the teeth - cyst, scurvy, periodontal disease. In such situations, patients usually complain that they have a severe headache in the forehead.

Inflammatory processes

Another option why there may be pain in the head is catarrhal processes in the body, which include sinusitis, rhinitis, otitis, bronchitis. These diseases occur against the background of nasal congestion, general muscle weakness, ear pain and other symptoms. If there is a periodicity of severe headaches, it is necessary to consult a specialist, as this may act as a sign of the spread of the infectious process.

brain cancer

Based on statistics, 0.1% of patients who complain of pain in the left side of the head or on the right side of the head have a tumor. Additional symptoms that occur against the background of an unbearable sensation are the following: seizures, nausea. But for diagnosis, relying only on symptoms is not enough, so experts prescribe an examination.

Pregnancy

Due to the fact that pregnant women have a hormonal imbalance, there are periodic headaches. They can manifest themselves against the background of ordinary migraine or inflammatory diseases, and also be independent. In this case, it is important to conduct timely treatment and know how to relieve symptoms so as not to harm the baby.

Thus, we examined what usually causes pain in the head. The type of pain depends on the cause of this phenomenon.

Varieties of pain in the head and its nature

Before answering the question of how to relieve a severe headache, it is worth considering the features of its manifestation in different parts heads.

• Pain in the back of the head indicates that there are diseases of the spine - spondylitis, osteochondrosis.
  You can also talk about injuries and sprains.
• Pain in the frontal lobe of the head is provoked by the presence of migraine, influenza, inflammation of the ear, throat, and nose. Perhaps increased intracranial pressure, then there is sharp pain. it acute symptom and therefore prompt treatment is required.
• If there are severe pains in the temples in the head, then this is a clear reason to turn to a neurologist. This sensation occurs in 70% of all patients and is usually provoked by inflammation, climate change, mental and physical stress.

If you experience severe headaches in any of the areas, the first thing to do is to consult a specialist.

Diagnostics

The main thing to do with severe pain is to see a doctor. He will prescribe a diagnosis, which can be carried out

in several ways.

• Carrying out a general blood test to determine the inflammatory process;
• measurement of indicators blood pressure if pain occurs periodically;
• implementation of CT and MRI in the brain area;
• obligatory angiography of cerebral vessels.

Therapeutic measures

What to do with acute severe headaches - we already know, it remains
understand the methods of treatment, which can be medication and non-medication.

The use of traditional drugs

To be able to quickly get rid of discomfort, it is necessary to take medications.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - aspirin, ibuprofen, ketorolac;
• Antispasmodic drugs help to cope with the pain of tension and overcome vasospasm. It is recommended to use Papaverine, No-shpa.
• With pains formed by violations of the function of pressure, analgesics - analgin and others - do a good job.
• If it is necessary to provide quick relief, it is recommended to use some drugs one-time - NOVIGAN, Pentalgin.

In the presence of severe pain, the main task of medications is reduced to antiviral therapy, drugs are prescribed to eliminate cerebral edema and vasoconstriction.

Therapy without medication

Considering the answer to the question of how to get rid of a headache, and do it quickly, you can take into account alternative methods.

• Massage treatment of general and local action. These procedures have active action on biological points and help improve blood outflow and general muscle relaxation.
• Balneological therapy involves therapeutic procedures with water at any temperature, this includes swimming gymnastics.
• Acupuncture is another method that involves the introduction of special needles into the active points of the skin.

If the side of the head or its entire area suddenly aches, medications are used for a quick effect, alternative methods are relevant for long-term treatment and prevention of subsequent manifestations.

Alternative treatment

The main folk remedies, as always, include compresses, infusions and decoctions. You can drink warm decoctions of St. John's wort, coltsfoot, mint, valerian. If you prefer to make compresses, you can use lemon, orange and lavender oil, inhalations with these ingredients work well.

Headache - this is exactly the problem that people most often complain about to a neurologist. According to recent research by scientists, developed countries About 70% of the world's population complains of recurrent headaches. But in fact, this figure is not indicative, since people suffering from such pain do not always apply for medical assistance, taking analgesics during seizures, which are sold without a doctor's prescription.

Features of a headache

Depending on the pathology, headache can have different intensity and occur in different areas. Both constant and intermittent pain can be a symptom of many diseases. This is the leading, and in some cases the only complaint in children and adults with, arterial hypotension , P pathologies of the kidneys and endocrine system , etc. The so-called cluster headache is a particularly intense unilateral pain that brings severe pain to the patient. A throbbing headache in the back of the head manifests itself if a person has developed. Tension headache disturbs depressive states. With drops, as well as in people with a high level of perception of weather conditions, a sharp and severe headache appears in the forehead and in the temporal region. In addition, pain in the temples can be a symptom of many diseases, the diagnosis and treatment of which should be carried out by a doctor.

Pain in the head can occur in various conditions of the body. So, such manifestations are often disturbed by a woman during menstruation, during lactation. In addition to headaches during breastfeeding, sometimes there is fever indicating inflammatory processes. The exact causes of such a phenomenon should be determined by the doctor, as well as how to remove these unpleasant symptoms. But even with periodic attacks of headache, a specialist should offer a scheme on how to treat this phenomenon. In some cases it is necessary drug treatment, in others, treatment is practiced folk remedies, massages or other non-traditional therapies.

Types of headache

Doctors use several different classifications for such pain. There are four directions in which the initial division of the types of headache is carried out. First of all, these are pains that manifest themselves as a consequence of organic diseases of the brain or disturbances in the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid. Causes of headache in this case associated with head injuries, the presence of formations in the brain, as well as with inflammatory diseases of the brain.

The second subspecies is vascular headaches. This category includes migraine , which is characterized by very strong pulsating pain in one half of the head. This often causes nausea and vomiting. Also vascular include pain in hypertension. In this case, the person suffers from severe pressing pain in the back of the head and neck.

Psychogenic headaches include tension pain, which is considered the most common. It most often affects people who are prone to depressive states . Tension pain can also manifest itself as a response to a strong emotional shock. In this case, it is difficult to determine the localization of pain, which has a constant, pressing character.

The fourth subspecies are headaches that cause causes of an extracerebral nature. They mainly disturb a person during the development of extracerebral infectious diseases, in which it is the headache that often becomes the first symptom. Provoking headache attacks can also take certain medications, as well as chemicals - alcohol, carbon monoxide, lead. This group also includes pain associated with metabolic disorders, pain associated with pathologies of a number of organs. Often disturbed by seizures and patients who are diagnosed with the cervical spine. In this case, the pain is initially localized in the neck and neck, after which it can also radiate to the temples. Such frequent headaches mainly appear after a certain mechanical overstrain, for example, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, a prolonged physical plane load.

Headache Diagnosis

If a person has headaches that often recur over a long period, then it is necessary to visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination. To date, to determine the nature of headaches, computed and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, as well as magnetic resonance angiography, are used. Blood pressure monitoring is used to determine the presence of latent arterial hypertension. In addition to such studies, it is sometimes advisable for the patient to conduct laboratory tests to determine the presence of signs of infection or inflammatory processes in the body. Almost always, with a headache, the patient is advised to consult an ophthalmologist, since special equipment can detect the presence of changes in the fundus. This can help determine the cause of the pain. Sometimes, consultation with other specialists is also required.

Headaches in children are more difficult to treat, as it is often difficult to determine their origin. If a child says that he has a headache, then it is already difficult for him to describe in more detail the symptoms of malaise. It is important to understand that only a doctor can determine why the baby has such complaints. He will also give clear recommendations on what to do if the child has a headache.

Therefore, in the presence of such complaints, the child should immediately be taken to the pediatrician, who will tell you which doctors to contact. In this case, a comprehensive examination is important: vision is checked and the baby's eyes, his musculoskeletal system- back, neck Sometimes even the skin of the child and its condition, as well as the study of other organs, laboratory tests, allows you to determine the origin of the pain. In some cases, even dental problems can provoke a headache.

Experts say that modern children can suffer from migraine attacks. In this state, the pain is quite intense, it decreases somewhat in a state of complete rest or in a dream. Nausea and vomiting often develop in parallel. Assessing the child's condition, the doctor necessarily pays attention to whether his parents have headaches. Also, the study of the nutrition of the baby is subject to close attention, since many foods can provoke migraine attacks.

To relieve situational headache attacks in a child, doctors recommend using drugs based on. If the pain is associated with a certain pathology, then the doctor prescribes a treatment regimen individually. Speaking about the prognosis, doctors note that in about 60% of children, migraine attacks disappear during puberty.

If in the normal state of the body it is not difficult to relieve pain in most cases, then a headache sometimes causes a lot of worries and troubles. Vedas in pregnant women, the head hurts more often, and in some cases more intensely. Its occurrence in expectant mothers determines a number of reasons. First of all, these are serious hormonal changes in the body. Serious shifts in the work of some body systems, changes in the daily diet, weather conditions can also provoke attacks of pain. In the last months of pregnancy, a headache is provoked by changes in the posture of a woman.

However, sometimes a woman who is expecting a baby can also be pleased with pleasant changes. So, in some patients who previously suffered from migraine attacks, during pregnancy they practically do not appear or go much easier. But if a migraine attack manifested itself in future mother For the first time in your life, this must be reported to the attending physician, who will prescribe the necessary examinations.

A tension headache in a position often worries a woman in the first and third trimesters. In this case, a woman has to change her habits and lifestyle. But in such cases it is better not to take headache pills. But if the pain is too intense, then only a doctor can tell you which drugs can be taken during pregnancy.

Of particular danger is the sharp and sudden pain in the head: it can become a symptom of very serious ailments. Exists risk of intracerebral hemorrhage , CNS pathologies , cerebral venous and other diseases. Therefore, every minute is precious here: you need to go to a specialist immediately.

A pregnant woman needs to adjust some habits to prevent headaches. A good sleep is important, the use of a normal amount of liquid, proper and timely nutrition, and fatty and salty foods, smoked meats, and canned food should be removed from the diet. Of course, pregnant women need to avoid any emotional outbursts and overloads.

With a severe headache, a pregnant woman can try to sleep, massage her head, put an ice pack on the back of her head, or tie a warm scarf around her head. Rosehip, lemon balm or mint tea will also help. If necessary, it is possible to use aromatherapy , homeopathic remedies assigned by a specialist.

Before taking any medication for headaches, it is imperative to determine the cause of the headaches. If the diagnosis is established, then the therapy of the disease that provoked such a symptom is carried out. For therapy to be as effective as possible, it is necessary only A complex approach. For some diseases other than medications Magnetic and laser therapy, acupuncture, manual therapy, etc. are also successfully used.

It is important to understand that a headache is curable, provided the correct approach to therapy and the implementation of all the recommendations of the doctor.

It is important to consider that some of the symptoms that appear in parallel with a headache may indicate serious ailments. If, along with such pain, a person develops nausea, vomiting, fever, then an ambulance should be called without delay.

But how to get rid of a headache, a person should think even before the attacks become systematic. In this case, all the main preventive measures aimed at maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important: walks in the fresh air, gymnastics, healthy eating. If a person has a sedentary job, he should change position all the time. In between work at the computer, which must be done every hour, you can relax for a few minutes by closing your eyes. or do simple exercises.

How to relieve a headache?

If acute manifestations are not observed, sometimes you can try to relieve the headache yourself. With a slow, gradual increase in pain, in parallel with which it stuffs the nose, tickles in the throat, and there are other signs of a cold, you should take a pill and drink as much warm tea with honey and raspberries as possible. If symptoms do not improve, seek medical attention.

If pain occurs as a result of stress or serious emotional upheaval, you can take an analgesic drug, as well as sleeping pills and a sedative.

If the head hurts due to ailments of the musculoskeletal system, in particular cervical osteochondrosis, you should put a mustard plaster on the back of your head, take an analgesic and do a light head and neck massage yourself.

For pain caused by high blood pressure, take antihypertensive drugs. If your head hurts due to low blood pressure, coffee or strong tea will help. For situational headaches, the use of painkillers is allowed: aspirin , paracetamol , etc. A hot shower will help dull the pain, because the streams hot water relaxing effect on the muscles of the back of the head and neck. If the pain is throbbing, you can try to relieve it with a cold compress, which allows you to narrow the blood vessels. Such a compress can be made from ice wrapped in a towel, which must be kept for about 15 minutes.

There are also some medicinal herbs used to treat headaches. So, with the help of rosemary, you can alleviate the condition of a person if the pain arose as a consequence of stress. The leaves of the plant should be brewed as a tea and used for pain attacks.

The pain resulting from it will help remove licorice root or peppermint infusion. Helps relieve colds : they need to lubricate the forehead, back of the head and temples. Lemon pulp is also suitable for this purpose.

Another good tool is cinnamon infusion . To prepare it, you need to take an eighth of a teaspoon of seasoning and stir it with a tablespoon of water. Take after half an hour of infusion.

With a headache caused by a migraine, a person can be relieved by using a hot bath or a hot compress on the head. You can also conduct an independent head massage, going from the forehead to the back of the head. It is advisable to make a compress from a leaf of burdock or cabbage.

If the pain manifests itself after a nervous strain, then the condition will help to alleviate viburnum juice with honey, thyme infusion or Hypericum, fresh potato juice.

In addition to the listed recipes, others can be used to relieve headaches. medicinal plants: herb oregano, knotweed, nettle, linden flowers, horsetail herb.

People who lead a particularly active lifestyle, playing sports, are advised by doctors to drink enough fluids, since headache attacks can also occur due to dehydration.

Don't drink too much coffee. It is important to complete and healthy sleep, regular rest and walks.

As early as the end of the 19th century, domestic scientists began to investigate the nature of headache sensations that occur in the head. It was then that the first scientific works devoted to the analysis of headaches appeared. Scientists noted that the course of the disease is largely influenced by the individual anatomical features of each organism. In their opinion, the pain condition was noticed not only in the soft parts of the head and in the numerous weaving of nerves, but also in the constituent parts of the skull and facial bones.

A glaring factor for the occurrence of headaches are brain injuries. The nature of the disease in some cases lies in the violation of the work of other systems and functionality organism. Headache requires a special approach to diagnosis - the attending physician carefully examines the symptoms and then prescribes treatment.

Possible causes of headache

Everyone, at least once in their life, has experienced the discomfort that comes with a headache. Poor health associated with this disease appears in combination with acute respiratory colds, viral infections and flu.

Headaches are caused by:

• meteorological dependence (reaction to changes in weather conditions);
• sleep mode failure;
• stressful state;
• overeating and lack of appetite;
• prolonged stay of the body in a hot environment;
• hypothermia;
• bad habits (smoking or alcohol abuse).

Other, no less important, headache provocateurs - oxygen starvation brain and its membranes, pathological deviations of the neck or head. As a rule, spasms of the head are in many cases the only obvious symptom of other ailments.

Irritation of the receptor of the meninges is associated with irritation of the autonomic system of the brain and several types of nerves (trigeminal, vagus, glossopharyngeal, cutaneous), spinal root in the neck and facial muscles. Failure of the nerve endings, irritation of the neurovascular system of the skull leads to the manifestation of very severe headaches.

Factors that cause pain in the head are of different nature and manifestations, duration and frequency. The disease can overtake a person in different areas of the head: the back of the head, temples or crown. Headache sometimes occurs on its own, other times accompanied by other symptoms feeling unwell. Headache is often accompanied by loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, and jumps in blood pressure. Vision problems are also directly related to this disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor should consider where it is localized headache, its duration, accompanying symptoms and recurrence in order to prescribe an effective treatment.

Absolutely healthy people encounter headaches from time to time. If a short-term attack has become more intense, repetitive, uniform, you need to consult a doctor for advice. This condition signals you about the presence of a serious illness.

International classification of headache

• due to physical stress;
• due to external compression of the head;
• cluster;
• with migraine;
• after increased sexual activity;
• without structural damage to brain tissue;
• arising from craniocerebral injuries of the head;
• as a result of vegetative-vascular diseases,
• in connection with the reception / cancellation of the use of medications;
• as a symptom of a disease of intracranial structures;
• with bacterial infections;
• due to metabolic disorders;
• due to pathology of the cranial nerve plexuses.

If a severe headache is a symptom of another disease, this is a secondary ailment. It complements the problems associated with injuries, intracranial diseases, infections, intoxications, metabolic disorders, unhealthy vessels. Headache can manifest itself due to life-threatening ailments of the patient (with meningitis, brain tumors, subarachnoid hemorrhages, strokes). Secondary headache causes the abuse of drinks containing caffeine, and refusal to take pain medications. Often doctors diagnose a hybrid type of pain syndrome: overexertion plus a secondary symptom in the form of a migraine.

Headache as a symptom of other ailments

In vascular diseases, headache is the key symptom. Consider this for the timely diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypertension, transient ischemic attack, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hematoma, vascular malformation, venous discirculation, arteritis, stroke.

With vegetative-vascular dystonia, headache is accompanied by loss of consciousness, nausea, jumps in blood pressure, neurotic disorders. climate change or nervous tension, emotional decline can exacerbate the symptom.

Hypertension causes painful spasms with tinnitus, flickering in the eyes, nausea, pain in the region of the heart. Often the head hurts in the back of the head.

Venous dysfunction is complemented by a headache at certain hours of the day - in the morning and in the evening. The symptom is supplemented by sensations of heaviness and pressure, the pain becomes dull and bilateral.

If you feel a sharp intense pain - this may be a sign of an acute stroke. Strong pain with a pulsation near the temple indicates the manifestation of your temporal arteritis. Problems with blood vessels are also accompanied by pain in the head and impaired thinking.

Some head injuries cause pain in the head. For example, an acute lesion of the craniocerebral structure of the head always causes this symptom, taking into account the intensity and severity. Unbearable pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Hematomas cause delayed spasms in the foci of occurrence.

Headache always serves as a key symptom different types infections (meningitis, encephalitis and the common cold). Complemented by a rise in body temperature, heaviness in the head, a feeling of constriction of the eyes and ears, nausea and vomiting in acute infections.

Aching painful sensations occur in the head due to a spectrum of eye diseases: glaucoma, strabismus, refractive disorders. Dull pain in the head with intraocular discomfort, a feeling of heaviness can cause many problems for the patient.

Diseases of the ear and appendages of the sinuses, teeth are also accompanied by headaches. The center of pain will be located in the zone of the inflammatory process.

Neuralgia of the cranial nerves is also accompanied by pain in the head. Attacks are quite strong, with a cutting tingling. Occur only in the process of brushing your teeth, during communication, chewing food, in contact with cold food. Between these manipulations, the seizures recede.

Various pathologies of the cervical spine are also not complete without a headache.

Degenerative-dystrophic disease, discogenic radicular symptoms, instability of the vertebrae cause spasms in the back of the head and crown of the head, in the neck. The pain is severe, dull and prolonged. It manifests itself while turning the head and tilting it forward.

Cancer, kidney failure and diabetes.

With cancer, kidney failure and diabetes pain in the head serves as a signal of metabolic imbalance.

Headaches due to infectious diseases

Cold viruses and other infectious diseases are accompanied by the harmful effects of toxins from the vital activity of microbes. It causes a headache in the background high temperature, body aches, chills, vision problems. You can defeat a headache with the help of anti-cold drugs with antipyretic action.

Increased spasms in the head with a cold can be a sign of a very serious condition called meningitis. Timely diagnosis of meningococcal infection will help to avoid the defeat of the meninges with a fatal outcome. Some forms of meningitis can lead to death in just a few hours.

Examination of the patient

With a headache, the patient must undergo a large number of studies from various specialists: visit a general practitioner, ophthalmologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, and even an infectious disease specialist if necessary. A full examination is prescribed taking into account the individual situation of each patient. Basis of diagnosis:

• dopplerography;
• electroencephalography;
• computed tomography of the head;
• thyroid examination;
• examination of the cervical spine.

The patient also needs to pass some tests: general analysis blood and sugar, lipid profile.

Headache - treatment

Therapy to eliminate the headache is prescribed by the attending physician. results complete diagnosis the body will prompt an accurate diagnosis for the selection of an effective method for eliminating severe headaches. To headache did not manifest itself so strongly in the patient, the symptoms are carefully studied and only then an individual treatment is selected. The method is influenced by several factors:

• the severity of the manifestation of the disease;
• additional nuances (for example, age and the presence of other diseases).

Suppression of acute pain is possible when taking drugs of the analgesic group (ibuprofen, paracetamol) and combined drugs containing caffeine and antispasmodics (pentalgin, panadol, noshpalgin, solpadein, imet). A variety of capsules, effervescent tablets and sachets with soluble powders have proved to be effective in the treatment of acute manifestations of headache. They can be taken on their own for a short time, long-term use is fraught with addiction to such drugs. Be sure to consult with your doctor to find out the cause of the pain syndrome, in order to eliminate them later.

The course of headache treatment consists of elements of physiotherapy:

• electrophoresis procedures;
• darsonvalization, including additionally the cervical-collar zone;
• acupuncture;
• massage;
• procedures in the water.

Staying in a resort-type sanatorium has no less favorable effect.

Drug therapy includes taking:

• gabapentins;
• valproates;
• muscle relaxants;
• sedatives;
• vitamin B;
• diuretics;
• venotonics;
• antioxidants;
• vascular drugs;
• neuroprotectors.

Each doctor, after making the correct diagnosis, will prescribe an individual treatment for headache. Listen to his explanations on how to use drugs for prevention and to eliminate sharp and sudden pain.

Do not forget that self-medication with frequent headaches will only harm your body. The reason for the deterioration of the condition may be the presence of a tumor in the head, in this case, therapeutic pills cannot act as a panacea - a surgical operation will be required. Excessive intake of painkillers has a detrimental effect on the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys.

An example of a consultation between a specialist and a patient

Patient: What is an overuse headache?

Doctor: Abusive headaches are spasms that appear as a result of frequent and chronic use of drugs with an analgesic effect (aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ergotamines and barbiturates). The body quickly gets used to the drugs that the patient takes chronically - the pain sensation is quenched at a slower rate. The patient has to gradually increase the dose of the drug, but the effect of this does not improve. An ordinary headache turns into an abuse form - it can bother a person for two weeks a month. If you stop taking pain medications, the spasms will increase and then stop about four weeks after the final withdrawal of the medication. For the effectiveness of the treatment of the disease, the use of a particular drug in an outpatient or inpatient setting is canceled. Instead, symptomatic medications are selected to relieve side effects. Experts do not recommend the abuse of such drugs for prevention purposes.

Patient: how to suppress pain in the head with a cold?

Doctor: taking instant powder medicines (for example, Fervex, Coldrex and Solpadenine) will help with this. Rubbing the temples and forehead with a fresh cut lemon also helps. Improve the condition of multivitamin complexes, which can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription, and a decoction of hawthorn.

Patient: why are some manifestations of headache dangerous?

Doctor: in particular, the most dangerous is the pain in the head, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Vomiting should be especially alert, after which it does not become easier in the head area and in the body as a whole. It is also worth paying attention to the following nuances:

• if spasms do not decrease after the use of antipyretics, painkillers and analgesic drugs;
• when, due to a headache, it is supplemented by unpleasant sensations in the neck and this makes it difficult to raise the head in a lying position from the pillow;
• if the pain syndrome was accompanied by loss of consciousness or hallucinogenic visions;
• the appearance of a rash with meningococcal infection (thus bleeding into the skin occurs). Small spots on the buttocks, abdomen, lower legs and other parts of the body become dark red, the rash does not protrude at the level of the upper layer of the skin and does not turn white when pressed with a finger.

Patient: How to treat a specific headache such as migraine?

Doctor: in the treatment of migraine and cluster pain, specific drugs are used that act on specific serotonin receptors in the brain. Help relieve seizures folk methods- applying a cold bandage to the head, massage and manual impact on biologically active points.

Patient: how do sleep conditions affect headache, can sleep provoke its occurrence?

Doctor: you need to monitor the sleep pattern, but do not oversleep. For many people, pain in the head area is quenched by the body's nightly rest, especially after prolonged physical and mental stress. However, if you regularly sprinkle in the morning, there is a threat of the duration of the headache after waking up. If a person is not accustomed to sleeping during the day, do not force yourself to force and abuse this habit. Long naps can lead to migraines. You should try sleeping on your back. An uncomfortable posture causes spasm of the neck muscles and provokes a headache.