Types
According to the mechanism of occurrence, headaches are divided into six types:
- vascular headache;
- muscle tension headache;
- liquorodynamic headache;
- neuralgic headache;
- mixed headache;
- central headache - psychalgia.
By duration:
- acute;
- chronic.
Causes
Causes of headaches there are quite a lot of pains, but the main ones are pathologies of the head and cervical spine.
- disturbance of the mediator balance in the brain;
- hormonal imbalance;
- stress;
- injuries to the head, neck, facial region;
- diseases of the cerebral vessels;
- thrombosis of the cerebral veins;
- neoplasms in the head, neck;
- inflammation of the meninges - meningitis;
- infectious diseases;
- high or low blood pressure;
- ENT diseases;
- inflammation of the brain nerves;
- mental illnesses.
Symptoms
Headache can manifest itself in different ways depending on its nature. It can be dull, aching, throbbing, pressing. Often, headaches are accompanied by decreased visual acuity, eye pain, and tinnitus.
An additional accompanying symptom of headaches may be nosebleeds.
With a severe or prolonged headache, dizziness and impaired coordination are observed.
Headaches are accompanied by decreased performance and worsening emotional state.
Diagnostics
If headaches are frequently recurring, prolonged, or chronic, you should make an appointment with a general practitioner or neurologist. You may also need an additional consultation with an ophthalmologist and neurosurgeon.
Diagnostics of headaches involves determining the causes of their occurrence. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed a number of diagnostic procedures:
- analysis of complaints;
- measurement of blood pressure during the appointment;
- daily blood pressure;
- examination of the fundus;
- neurological examination;
- CT or MRI of the brain;
- ultrasound of the brain;
- electroencephalography.
Treatment
Headaches treatment is aimed at treating the cause of their occurrence. Treatment is prescribed by a general practitioner or a neurologist.neurologist.
Therapeutic treatment consists of taking medications to stabilize blood pressure, constrict/expand blood vessels, and painkillers.
The patient is recommended to drink coffee and tea in moderation, quit smoking and drinking alcohol, get enough sleep and rest, and lead an active lifestyle.
The treatment is reinforced with physiotherapy, massage, and aromatherapy.
Prevention
Prevention of headaches includes an active lifestyle, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, and preventive massages of the collar zone. Self-measurement of blood pressure daily is encouraged.
