Frequent migraines and headaches

Headache is one of the most common types of neurological disorders according to the World Health Organization. WHO statistics state that half of the world's adult population experiences an episode of headache at least once a year.

Despite its widespread prevalence, the pathology is often not treated properly: many patients prefer not to seek medical help, but to take available painkillers to temporarily numb the pain. But such a decision is dangerous because of its consequences: a headache may not be an independent disease, but a symptom of a serious neurological disorder. What types of headaches exist and which specialist should I contact for treatment?

Why does my head hurt?

Any discomfort that occurs in the body indicates the occurrence of pathological processes, and headaches are no exception. There are many reasons why discomfort occurs. Among the most common:

violation of the tone of blood vessels supplying the brain;
poisoning;
infections;
fever;
traumatic brain injury (TBI);
diseases of the spine.

A headache attack can be triggered by a disturbance in sleep patterns, a change in climate zone, or prolonged physical or intellectual overload. Even a single case of headache indicates some kind of disorder in the body, but if attacks occur regularly, it is recommended to make an appointment with a neurologist.

Headaches can be concomitant symptoms of other diseases: meningitis, sinusitis, sinusitis. If discomfort persists for a long time or is constantly repeated, the patient may have cardiovascular pathologies, kidney disease, or parasitic infestations. Sharp pain in the orbital area can be caused by glaucoma and eye abnormalities.

Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of headaches after examination and additional tests.

Treatment

Headache is not only a symptom of impaired blood supply to the brain, but also a consequence of deeper problems in the main organs and systems of the body. Often the causes of headaches are problems in the functioning of the kidneys, liver, kidneys, spine, and viral damage to the nerves. It is very difficult to establish these root causes using the methods that are used in many hospitals (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, blood pressure monitoring), since they only state the fact of pathological changes in the body.

Taking this into account, the neurology clinic has developed and successfully used a proprietary program for diagnosing the causes of headaches. It harmoniously combines the best methods of traditional European medicine and a lot of knowledge about the human body. Diagnosis of headaches, which is carried out by professors at the Yusupov Hospital, makes it possible to establish the root causes of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.

Headache therapy consists of a complex effect on the entire body according to cause-and-effect relationships. If a patient is diagnosed with occipital neuritis caused by the herpes virus, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs. At the same time, using microwave and laser therapy, rehabilitators increase the body’s resistance and improve microcirculatory processes.

Treatment of headaches in a neurology clinic is always individual. It is based on a comprehensive diagnostic chart of the patient. This approach to treatment allows patients to “forget” about headaches, even in cases where previously patients had been treated for headaches for a long time and unsuccessfully in other headache centers. If you need a good neurologist to treat headaches, call the Yusupov Hospital.

What types of headaches are there?

In neurology, the “International Classification of Headache Disorders” approved by WHO is used. According to the current classifier, there are 13 main groups of headaches, some of which are characterized as primary (that is, being an independent pathology), and some as secondary (occurring against the background of other diseases).

The cause of the primary headache can be:

vascular in nature - caused by cerebral vascular dystonia and can be different: pulsating, aching, causing a feeling of squeezing and heaviness. Symptoms depend on the characteristics of the pathology: for example, if the venous outflow is impaired, the patient complains of a feeling of fullness, which intensifies when lying down;
vertebrogenic – caused by spinal pathology, for example, cervical osteochondrosis. In this case, the curvature of the spinal column disrupts the normal nutrition of the brain, which becomes the cause of acute or aching pain;
Tension headache is the most common type, which is described by patients as a feeling of pressure, a “hoop” or “helmet”. It can occur occasionally or regularly - in this case, neurologists talk about chronic pathology. Develops against the background of autonomic dysfunctions and constant stress;
migraine - paroxysmal severe pain that appears on one side of the head. Often accompanied by sensitivity to light and smells, nausea, and vomiting. Usually occurs in young people under 35 years of age;
trigeminal autonomic cephalgia, which includes, for example, cluster pain. It is characterized by sharp painful attacks that occur on one side of the head, alternating with periods of remission. As a rule, the attack is quite short and lasts a few seconds;
cough - occurs against the background of coughing, sneezing or other physical stress associated with straining. It has a sharp cutting nature, lasts from several minutes to half an hour;
developing after physical activity - appears exclusively after various exercises, training, running or heavy physical work

A separate classification exists for secondary headaches. According to it, pathology can develop against the background of infections (for example, meningitis), after traumatic brain injuries and neck injuries, with ENT diseases, mental disorders, and depression. A separate category includes headaches that appear from uncontrolled use of painkillers.

For effective treatment, it is necessary to establish the type and cause of the headache. This can be done during an examination by a qualified neurologist.

Headache - causes, diagnosis, treatment

Melnikova Snezhana Pavlovna

Neurologist, Ultrasound Doctor

April 24, 2021

Therapists and neurologists note a steady flow of patients of all ages suffering from headaches from year to year. According to data from various statistical sources, 80% of the world's inhabitants are susceptible to this disease, and 30% of them suffer from it chronically. A headache – be it one-time or periodic – “knocks us out of the saddle” for a long time, radically changing our life plans.

Such a pain?

Unfortunately, most patients consult a doctor only if the headache occurs frequently or is constant and/or intense. The vast majority of patients do not realize that headaches can be caused by a huge number of factors. Tension headache; post-traumatic headache; headache caused by increased or decreased intracranial pressure; headache with long-term use of medications; headache caused by infections, etc.

First, let's define the very concept of “headache”. Doctors consider this to be any unpleasant sensation in the area upward from the eyebrows to the back of the head, since pain in the face area is classified as a separate group of facial pain. In a broader sense, a headache is any feeling of discomfort localized in the head area.

Under the influence of stress

Headache, which is a consequence of anxiety, depression of various types, developing under the influence of various stress factors (everyday, work troubles, etc.), is quite common in our patients. Its cause is excessive tension in the muscles attached to the skull. The age group susceptible to this disease is 25 years and older. Typically, the intensity of the disease remains at the same level and does not increase with physical activity. Pain sensations are concentrated in the occipital, temporal or frontal areas and are of a pressing or compressive nature without side syndromes. Patients often come to the doctor complaining of a feeling of heaviness or pressure, as if a helmet were tightening their head. Most patients experience sensitivity in the muscles of the head and neck. Attacks of headaches caused by tension can last up to several days. With constant stress, the patient risks turning the disease into a chronic form. This often means that for at least six months the patient will experience headache attacks of varying degrees of intensity. The reason for the transition to the chronic form of this disease is repeated stress, pathologies of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint, and constant use of large doses of analgesics and caffeine.

The disease of perfectionists

Migraine is a common cause of headaches. Patients suffering from migraines experience periodically recurring attacks of intense, pulsating headaches that last up to three days. Usually, unpleasant sensations appear (localize) in one half of the head, mainly in the eye area of the forehead or one of the temples. The pain intensifies with physical activity, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, intolerance to bright light, loud sounds, as well as drowsiness and lethargy.

Most often, this disease affects women, mostly young women (18-35 years old). This is facilitated by the rich hormonal background of the body, characteristic of this age. Scientists have not fully studied the mechanism of migraine. It is only precisely established that the central nervous system of a patient suffering from this disease is particularly sensitive to changes in the body and in the environment. The attack itself is the result of an increase in functional activity in specific centers of the brain.

There are certain foods that can trigger a migraine attack. These are cheeses, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, vinegar, marinade, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, pork, smoked meat, some types of fish, spinach, green onions, beans, soybeans, celery. Less commonly, the cause of this may be citrus fruits, plums, pineapples, avocados, and nuts. Red wine is considered a classic “provocateur” of migraine attacks, but also champagne, brandy, cognac, liqueur and beer. For those suffering from this disease, both lack and excess of sleep are harmful. The list of reasons that trigger migraines is quite extensive.

A number of experts believe that there is a special migraine personality, characterized by increased excitability, touchiness, conscientiousness, behavioral activity, and intolerance to the mistakes of other people. “Perfectionist” is a common description of migraine sufferers. It is impossible to completely recover from migraines. But you can significantly improve the quality of life with the help of special drugs for basic (preventive) therapy and therapy that relieves attacks. The prescription of these drugs is within the competence of a neurologist. There are a number of simple tips that will help migraine sufferers reduce the frequency of attacks. Dietary measures - you should reduce the consumption of the above foods and drinks that provoke attacks; avoid long breaks in meals; sufficient sleep (at least 8 hours). You should also avoid stressful activities; quit smoking; pay attention to physical activity (especially swimming) and spend more time in the fresh air; Avoid rooms with strong unpleasant odors and long trips by car, bus, or boat.

Other reasons

One of the most common causes of symptomatic headaches is cerebrovascular disease. In patients with arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), the pain is usually localized in the back of the head and often occurs in the early morning. Typically, the cause of a headache is a sharp and (or) significant increase in blood pressure, to which the human vascular system simply does not have time to adapt.

Headache associated with increased intracranial pressure may be an early sign of a tumor. It usually worsens with coughing, sneezing, tilting the head, can wake a person at night, and is often accompanied by vomiting (sometimes without previous nausea) and transient episodes of visual impairment.

Pain associated with cervical osteochondrosis or other pathology of the cervical spine is usually localized in the cervical-occipital region, but often spreads to the frontotemporal region, as well as to the shoulder and arm. The pain is usually of moderate intensity and intensifies with head movement, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, or palpation of the cervical-occipital muscles. Mobility of the cervical spine is limited. Occipital neuralgia is characterized by short-term pain attacks in the cervical-occipital region.

Headache in the frontal and parietal areas may be a sign of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis). Pain from sinusitis is usually accompanied by fever, nasal congestion, and purulent discharge.

Chronic headaches are often the result of improper selection of glasses, and they occur in the afternoon and are accompanied by a feeling of tension in the neck muscles.

Post-traumatic headache can persist for several months or years after a traumatic brain injury, usually it is diffuse (“all over the head”) and dull. The pain intensifies with physical activity and is accompanied by decreased attention, memory, various emotional disorders (low mood, tearfulness, etc.), dizziness, increased fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Short-term intense pain in the frontal region, in the back of the nose and throat can occur with external hypothermia or swallowing cold food or water. Such pain occurs more often in migraine patients and is associated with irritation of cold receptors (in particular, those located on the back wall of the pharynx).

In some patients (mostly males), short-term pain that occurs during physical effort is often benign in nature, that is, it does not have an underlying disease. Close to this category is a headache that occurs in men during sexual intercourse and usually lasts several minutes (orgasmic pain). But if intense pain that occurs during sexual intercourse persists for several hours, you should consult a doctor.

The result of self-medication

There are a huge number of causes of headaches. However, cases are becoming more and more common when the cause of chronic pain is self-medication. Headache can be caused by vasodilators (nitrates, chimes, calcium antagonists), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nurofen, diclofenac) and antihistamines (tavegil, suprastin, etc.). For example, abuse of analgesics can lead to the development of drug-related, so-called chronic abuse headaches. The habit of taking analgesics several times a day may indicate a negative result from taking painkillers.

Overuse headache, caused by the reverse effect of analgesics, is a disease of modern society, where there are a huge number of over-the-counter drugs widely advertised in the media. The availability of self-medication with overdose has led to drug-induced pain becoming an international problem. According to researchers in the USA, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, its frequency is 20% among other types of headaches.

Arsenal of treatment

Any headache should be a reason to consult a doctor, so as not to miss the pathology of the nervous system or internal organs, which is signaled by a headache.

The causes of headaches are established after undergoing a comprehensive neurological examination: ECHO-encephalography, electroencephalography, Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, rheoencephalography, radiography of the skull, magnetic resonance and computed tomography of the brain, fundus examination, consultations with the necessary specialists, laboratory methods for testing blood and urine. An integrated approach to treatment is required depending on the identified cause of the headache. In each specific case, treatment is selected individually and includes both relief of headache attacks and treatment in the inter-attack period. The doctor’s arsenal includes medicinal techniques, acupuncture, psychotherapy, autogenic training, manual therapy (especially to relieve muscle tension during tension headaches), biofeedback, massage, physical therapy, physiotherapeutic treatment, millimeter resonance therapy, laser therapy, homeopathic approaches. Thus, the variety of causes of headaches identified during a comprehensive examination also determines individual approaches to the treatment of each individual patient in the clinic of modern medicine, where the entire arsenal of diagnostic and therapeutic assistance for headaches is available.

How is a migraine different from a headache?

Migraine is often called any headache, but this is a misconception. In fact, migraine is one of the types of headaches that has a number of distinctive features:

pain is localized in one half of the head;
has a sharp, often pulsating character;
pain syndrome is accompanied by increased sensitivity to smells and light, as well as nausea, often vomiting;
an attack rarely lasts longer than a day.

Often before a migraine, patients experience characteristic signs of developing pain: for example, short-term blurred vision, tingling in the fingertips. The disease is more often diagnosed in young people aged 18 to 35 years, women are more susceptible to migraines than men.

Despite the prevalence of migraine, neurologists have not fully established the cause of its occurrence. The main factors associated with the development of migraines:

heredity;
vascular pathologies of the brain;
congenital abnormalities of brain tissue.

An attack can be triggered by stress, an unbalanced diet, lack of proper rest, or sudden intense physical activity. Migraine is one of the most severe headaches, temporarily depriving a person of his ability to work. To stop it, it is necessary to choose the right medications, as well as adhere to preventive measures developed by the observing neurologist.

Migraine headache. Symptoms and treatment

Migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases, the dominant manifestation of which is recurrent attacks of intense headache.

As a result of activation of the deep structures of the brain, biologically active substances are released from the nerve endings in the walls of blood vessels, causing focal inflammation, swelling of the blood vessels and the adjacent area of the dura mater. This causes quite long-lasting pain.

People of all ages suffer, women are twice as likely as men. As a rule, the disease begins during puberty, peaking at 35–45 years.

In a typical case, the pain is one-sided, but in at least 40% of cases it is bilateral, or starting on one side it is generalized. The pain is very intense, pulsating in nature, and intensifies with physical activity. Almost always, a headache is accompanied by other symptoms: nausea, less often vomiting, diarrhea, nasal congestion, intestinal colic, sweating.

Why is it dangerous and does it need to be treated?

Even if you are faced with a single attack of mild headache, this indicates the presence of hidden disorders that can develop in the future and lead to various pathologies: for example, vascular disorders. But there are markers indicating that you should contact a neurologist immediately:

the pain is sudden, intense, and difficult to bear;
pain appeared after physical labor or sports training;
you recently had a head injury (severe bruise, blow from a fall);
headache increases with changes in body position;
painful sensations are accompanied by other symptoms: blurred vision, numbness of the limbs, goosebumps, nausea, unfocused attention, fever.

An attack can be caused by a stroke, acute poisoning, oxygen starvation of brain cells, or infections. Therefore, it is necessary to make an appointment with a neurologist as soon as possible. The specialist will conduct an initial examination and prescribe additional examinations:

Doppler ultrasound – ultrasound examination of the vessels of the neck and head. Allows the doctor to determine the volume of blood flow, detect fluid stagnation, assess the elasticity of the vascular walls, and so on. Vascular problems are one of the most common causes of frequent pain and dizziness;
SCT (spiral computed tomography) is a non-invasive examination that allows you to assess the condition of the brain tissue and meninges, detect deviations from the norm, structural abnormalities, foci of inflammation, tumors, bleeding;
MRI of the brain. Another non-invasive study, painless and safe for the patient. In the images, the neurologist can see pathologies, injuries, paroxysmal conditions, abnormal vasodilation and other abnormalities.

If the infectious nature of the disease is suspected, general tests may be prescribed: for example, urine and blood tests.

You should also consult a neurologist if you periodically suffer from headache attacks. The doctor will determine the causes of pain and select effective therapy to eliminate it.

Which doctor should I consult for treatment of migraines and headaches?

If you have episodic or regular headaches, you should consult a neurologist. In order for the doctor to quickly determine the nature of the pathology and establish its cause, be prepared to answer a number of questions:

in which area of the head the discomfort is localized: in the forehead, in the temples, on the back of the head;
what is the nature of the pain: pulsating, dull, sharp, migrating, etc.;
how long ago it appeared and how often it repeats;
is it accompanied by additional symptoms: sensitivity to light, smells, nausea;
whether other family members suffer from headaches;
Do you have a history of birth, traumatic brain injury, neuralgia, or previous neurological infections?

Patients may be advised to keep a special diary in which to record recurring episodes, their triggering factors, duration, and course characteristics. The neurologist may also ask about the daily routine, the nature of work, and lifestyle. After examination and receiving test results, the doctor will accurately determine the type and cause of pain and select the appropriate medicine.

The treatment is complex and is aimed both at relieving attacks of pain (with the help of various analgesics) and at eliminating the root cause of its occurrence. Much attention is paid to lifestyle correction.

Is it possible to get rid of headaches using traditional medicine?

Many patients faced with recurrent headaches are in no hurry to consult a neurologist and try to recover with the help of traditional medicine. However, this approach does not lead to a positive result: any self-medication is dangerous. This is due to a number of reasons:

uncontrolled use of painkillers (even of herbal origin) can lead to serious side effects: disruption of the liver and kidneys, allergic reactions, problems with the gastrointestinal tract. This will not only not relieve neurological disorders, but will also lead to the development of new pathologies;
The cause of the headache can only be determined after a series of medical examinations. Without this, any therapy comes down to masking the symptoms, while the pathology causing the headache continues to develop.

Therefore, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor and rely on traditional medicine. But patients can actually take some actions that will reduce the frequency of relapses and relieve headache attacks. We are talking about developing healthy lifestyle habits:

regular physical activity. One of the common causes of headaches is physical inactivity, as a result of which the tone of muscles and blood vessels decreases, the blood supply to the brain tissue deteriorates, and degenerative processes begin. Sports and exercise help strengthen the body and reduce the risk of chronic headaches;
balanced and varied diet. It is recommended to exclude fast food, fatty, smoked and salty foods from the diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, replace white bread with rye bread or baked goods with bran. A properly selected diet is a good prevention of vitamin deficiencies; it also prevents excess fluid from accumulating in the body, which can increase intracranial pressure and lead to migraines;
full 8-hour sleep. During sleep, the body recovers and “gets rid” of psycho-emotional stress. Regular lack of sleep undermines a person’s immunity, increases stress levels, and leads to cerebral vascular spasms;
correct drinking regime. Necessary for maintaining a healthy water-salt balance in the body. Doctors usually recommend drinking up to 2 liters of clean drinking water per day (not counting liquid obtained with other products). During hard physical work, intense physical activity, and in hot weather, the amount of water consumed should be increased;
regular walks in the fresh air (from 1 hour a day). While walking in parks and forested areas, the body receives the missing physical activity, the blood is saturated with oxygen. This is also important for preventing headaches.

What to do if you have a headache? Treatment before the doctor

Call a doctor, and if the pain is unbearable, call an ambulance.
Ask someone to stay with you until the doctor arrives.
Take one painkiller and write down its name to inform the arriving doctor.
Measure body temperature and blood pressure.
Remember what you ate and what you did the day before.
Take a position that makes you feel better.

Do not cancel your visit to the doctor, even if the headache has gone away. It is imperative to find out its cause.

Is it possible to get rid of headaches and migraines? It is expensive?

If you consult a neurologist in a timely manner, you can completely get rid of headaches. The doctor will select drug therapy and develop preventive recommendations to prevent relapse.

To fully recover, you will need:

follow medical instructions;
normalize work and rest schedules;
get rid of the causes of headaches (concomitant diseases);
lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

Your health is in your hands! There is no need to think that recovery is expensive. Much of your success depends on how willing you are to change your life for the better and follow your doctor's orders.

Article rating:

5 out of 5 based on 1 rating

Author: Atamanenko Alena Valerievna

General practitioner, endocrinologist, physiotherapist. Second category. Work experience more than 9 years.

Migraine prevention

Normalization of the daily routine, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition are of fundamental importance. An attack is often provoked by foods rich in biogenic amines - cheese, chocolate, tuna, celery, liver, red wine and others. Typically, the patient finds the provoking product experimentally, recording what he eats in a food diary.

Also important for headache prevention:

moderate but regular physical activity,
blood pressure control,
hardening in a quiet mode,
protection against infections,
preventive massage courses 1–2 times a year,
avoiding physical and mental stress, hunger.