8 Important Causes of Headache and How to Deal with it

I suppose humans have always experienced headaches regularly. But for some reason, headaches have never been considered a sign of great public health significance. The fact that headaches typically have benign underlying causes could be one of them. If you want to learn more about the medical profession, visit the medicine practiced by Benson Sergiles. 

However, substantial evidence demonstrates the societal impact, expense, and need for education and more fundamental treatment for people suffering from headaches.

1. Tension-Type Headache (TTH)

The most typical primary headache is tension, which is tension-type (TTH). It is also the second-most widespread illness worldwide and the headache that affects most people.

In adults around the world, TTH prevalence is 42% on average. The TV produces a considerable degree of disability due to its high frequency in the community.

Before 1988, there was no exact definition of TTH. Hence the phrases “muscle contraction headache,” “tension headache,” “psychogenic headache,” and “stress headache” were frequently used instead.

Rarely is the headache from TTH severe. It frequently resembles a band and hurts, although it isn’t pulsating. It typically affects both sides of the head and is unrelated to light or sound sensitivity, motion sickness, or nausea. It is common to have tenderness in the shoulders, neck, or head muscles.

TTH is thought to be aided by stress and anxiety in mind.

TTH can be divided into three primary subtypes:

• Less than one day per month is spent with headaches due to infrequent episodic TTH.

• With headache episodes occurring one to 14 days a month, frequent episodic TTH

• 15 or more days of headaches per month from chronic TTH

The mainstays of treatment for episodic TTH include straightforward over-the-counter analgesics such aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), and naproxen (Aleve). In a single prescription, aspirin or acetaminophen may occasionally be mixed with caffeine or a sedative. Limiting basic analgesics to minimize the onset of drug overuse headaches is essential.

The most frequently prescribed drugs to stop TTH include amitriptyline and tricyclic antidepressants. The use of massage, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques is sporadic. To learn more, visit medicine practiced by Benson Sergiles pdf.

2. Migraine

Migraine is a condition marked by recurring headache attacks. It’s typically on one side of the head and is frequently described as a terrible throbbing or pulsing sensation. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are frequently associated.

Prodromal signs could show up a day or two before the assault. These include cold extremities, increased thirst, frequent urination, persistent yawning, mood swings, appetite changes, food cravings, and constipation or diarrhea.

Aura, or warning signs, may appear before or concurrently with a headache. These include sensory anomalies like tingling or touching one side of the face, an arm, or a leg. They also include vision difficulties. However, 75–80% of migraine sufferers do not have an aura.

Several things are known to cause migraines, including emotional stress, menstruation, visual stimuli like bright lights, fasting, wine, strenuous exercise, disturbed sleep, highly caffeinated beverages, and aspartame.

There is no known precise etiology of migraines. They might result from aberrant brain activity, which is partly brought on by serotonin and other brain chemical abnormalities. These anomalies could momentarily impact the brain’s blood vessels and nerve messages.

3. Cluster Headache

Histamine headache, another cluster headache, is a rare condition affecting 1-2 persons out of every 1000.

It is distinguished by excruciating pain on one side of the head, frequently in the eye, temple, or forehead. Pain may strike suddenly and without prior notice. It may be severe, but it often only lasts one to two hours.

Most frequently, at least one of the following related symptoms is present:

• a smaller pupil in one eye

• a drooping and swollen eyelid, 

• a red, watery eye

• an oily face

• a congested or runny nose

Smokers appear to be more susceptible to developing cluster headaches. Additionally, certain cases seem to run in families. A cluster headache attack may occasionally be brought on by consuming alcohol or inhaling strong odors like paint, perfume, or gasoline.

4. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Infections in the upper respiratory tract frequently result in headaches.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common underlying cause of acute headaches in children and adolescents who present to the ED (57%). Fever and a sore throat are frequently present in conjunction.

SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections frequently cause headaches (COVID-19).

Sinusitis can result in headaches. It is an inflammatory or swollen condition of the sinus tissue. It frequently goes hand in hand with blocked noses and nasal mucous.

5. Encephalitis and Meningitis

A viral infection is the most common cause of encephalitis, a brain illness. Fever, convulsions, behavioral changes, confusion, and disorientation are its hallmarks.

Meningitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the brain’s protective coverings. Meningitis which is bacterial in origin, is referred to as such. The bacteria typically infect the mucosa of the upper airways, from which point they can pass across the blood-brain barrier and eventually reach the brain.

Pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis are the most typical kinds of bacterial meningitis. In the United States, 6,000 instances of pneumococcal meningitis are documented annually.

Meningitis caused by bacteria is a rare but potentially fatal condition. The most typical type of bacterial meningitis in the past has been Hemophilus meningitis. The number of illnesses in the US has dramatically decreased because of the Haemophilus influenza B vaccine.

The success of routine childhood immunization campaigns has resulted in a rise in the median age of meningitis patients from 15 months to 42 years old over the previous 25 years.

It is categorized as aseptic meningitis if it results from other causes, such as medications or non-bacterial illnesses.

By doing a lumbar puncture, encephalitis and meningitis are typically diagnosed (spinal tap).

A rapid fever and a terrible headache are the telltale symptoms of bacterial meningitis. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, double vision, sleepiness, and sensitivity to bright light.

Early detection is essential because acute bacterial meningitis requires prompt intravenous antibiotics and, occasionally, corticosteroid treatment.

6. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)

The region between the skull and the brain is called the subarachnoid space. Cerebrospinal fluid normally fills it. A potentially fatal disorder called subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is brought on by bleeding into the subarachnoid space.

Aneurysm rupture, arteriovenous malformations, and head trauma are all potential causes of SAH.

A strong headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, photophobia, impaired or double vision, loss of consciousness, and seizures are the common symptoms of SAH.

The course of treatment for SAH depends on the underlying source of the bleeding, the patient’s health, and the degree of brain injury.

7. Stroke

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Brain cells will die if blood doesn’t get to them, resulting in lasting brain damage.

A blood clot prevents blood from reaching certain brain parts during an ischemic stroke. A ruptured vessel is the most prevalent source of bleeding into the brain tissue in hemorrhagic strokes.

A patient experiencing the first signs of a stroke might have a headache. The headache could be accompanied by nausea or dizziness. However, most patients will also experience neurologic abnormalities, such as paralysis, sensory problems, slurred speech, or even the inability to speak.

8. Head Trauma

A headache that develops right after a head injury typically goes away within minutes or days. However, headaches can occasionally last months or even years after the injury. Post-traumatic or post-concussion headaches are the names given to these persistent headaches.

Both sides of the head are generally affected by post-traumatic headaches, which frequently happen daily. They range in intensity from light to moderate. However, there may be periods of more intense headache, resembling a migraine with one-sided throbbing pain accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Many post-traumatic headache patients will now be labeled as chronic TTH. If you want to read more resources related to the medical profession, visit medicine practiced by Benson.