Among the most common complaints at all, are the headaches (cephalgias). Almost 70% of the German population suffer from acute or chronic headaches. Some people even suffer from daily headaches.
What are headaches?
Headaches can have a variety of causes. Statistically, the most common causes of headaches are tension headaches or migraines. Headaches can be divided into primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches, which are much more common, include migraine and tension headaches, for example. This type of headache should be considered a disease in its own right. Most headaches, i.e. secondary headaches, occur as accompanying symptoms of various diseases. For example, in colds and flu-like infections. Headaches are either dull, throbbing, stabbing or pounding. They can be unilateral or spread over the whole head. Headaches often occur especially around the eyes, at the temples, on the forehead or at the back of the head. Headaches may still be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or visual disturbances.
Causes
Headaches can have a variety of causes. Statistically, the most common causes of headaches are tension headaches or migraines. However, dehydration, alcohol, sunstroke, eye diseases, head injuries, psychological or psychosomatic disorders, can also be the cause of headaches. Almost 220 causes of headaches are known to medicine. In addition, headaches can also be triggered by medications (for example, painkillers), injuries or menstruation.
Diseases with this symptom
- Common cold
- Angina tonsillaris
- Hypertension
- Meningitis
- Lyme disease
- Sunstroke
- Concussion
- Stroke
- Migraine
- Brain tumor
- Alcohol intoxication
- Heat stroke
Diagnosis and course
Headaches can occur both immediately and insidiously. The diagnosis is thereby simple: pain that arises directly in the head is to be called a headache. An exception is pain in the neck area, because this can very often also be tension in the neck muscles, which are perceived as a headache. See here: Neck pain. The course is unpleasant, because the ability to concentrate suffers significantly, but usually the symptoms last only a very short time. Besides concussions of the head, lack of fluids is a frequent trigger of simple headaches. However, if the headache maintains its intensity for more than one or two days and painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen are ineffective, a doctor must be consulted immediately.
Complications
In the context of headache, some problems or complications may occur. Most often, in connection with headaches, there is a general malaise and an associated reduced performance. Here it is irrelevant from which cause the headache results. Under certain circumstances, the reduced performance of those affected can also result in an inability to work. Furthermore, concentration problems often arise as a result of headaches. Although these are temporary, they can severely impair the sufferer in everyday life. Should this complication occur, the affected person may not be able to actively participate in road traffic. Furthermore, depending on the cause of the headache, numerous other complications may occur. For example, nausea and vomiting are relatively common complications or problems resulting from the headache. All of the above complications can occur with or without medical treatment. If a headache occurs, it is important to take it seriously and to take it easy. By such behavior, complications may be reduced or prevented. If they still occur, a visit to the doctor is also necessary in some cases.
When should you go to the doctor?
Some people experience frequent headaches. People should go to the doctor if the headache lasts for several days, is particularly severe or occurs on one side.In addition, a visit to the doctor is indicated if accompanying symptoms such as visual disturbances, dizziness or vomiting occur. The cause of such symptoms must be investigated. Serious illnesses can be hidden behind them. Fall-related headaches may indicate a fracture, brain swelling or concussion. All three are in need of treatment. Self-treatment should be refrained from after falls on the head. It is better to see your doctor to be on the safe side so he or she can rule out a brain hemorrhage. Overweight women of childbearing age more often have headaches, which may be accompanied by visual disturbances. These may be symptoms of a tumor. However, it may also be a so-called pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. This condition is caused by the lack of cerebrospinal fluid drainage. The causes are as yet unknown. However, overweight and obese women are strikingly frequently affected. Not all types of headaches are harmless. In case of persistent headaches, ducking sensations in the face and visual disturbances, sinusitis should also be considered. In addition, inhalatory allergies can trigger sinus strains. Triggers include perfumes, chemicals, or smoke. If headaches cannot be attributed to one cause, medical clarification is always advisable.
Treatment and therapy
It is not always necessary to see a doctor for headaches, because most of the time the headache passes quickly. Headaches in the context of colds, stress, lack of sleep, overexertion and alcohol consumption are mostly harmless and pass within a day. If the headache recurs over a longer period of time or if the headache is very severe and sudden, it is advisable to consult a doctor. As part of his diagnosis, the doctor will check in which area of the head the headache occurs. Furthermore, he will initiate investigations about the intensity and characteristics of the headache. It is important to determine whether the headache is distributed over the entire head or whether it occurs on one side. If chronic headaches are the cause, it is advisable to keep a diary of the headaches. In particular, the duration and occurrence of the headache should be documented. The physician will also include psychosomatic and neurological abnormalities in his diagnosis, if necessary. Possibly also the specialized medical diagnosis of the ophthalmologist, the orthopedist or an ear, nose and throat physician should be used for further treatment. Depending on the actual cause of the headache, blood tests and urine samples are also important treatment considerations. Electrical examination of brain waves, computed tomography and ultrasound examinations may also be required. Long-term treatment is especially necessary for patients with migraine. If the headache occurs in association with a brain tumor, stroke or meningitis, this must also be treated immediately. However, this cause occurs very rarely. As with all symptoms, the treatment of headache depends on its cause. Headache tablets with ingredients such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid containing substances, are often purchased. However, these medications should only be taken with caution. A consultation with the physician is extremely meaningful. Massages, autogenic training or acupuncture can also provide relief. Even if these procedures are not always scientifically based, they are considered good treatment and prevention measures against headaches.
Outlook and prognosis
The further course of headaches depends very much on the type of pain and the patient himself. In many cases, however, headaches are only temporary pains that disappear within a few hours or days. They very often accompany a cold or flu and are therefore perfectly normal. However, if the headaches occur over a long period of time and are relatively severe, a doctor must be consulted. The treatment itself can be done with painkillers. However, since painkillers are relatively difficult for the stomach to digest, the patient should not take too many and should consult a doctor in case of constancy. Without treatment, headaches usually disappear on their own. However, they can also indicate other symptoms and problems.If the pain in the head occurs after an accident or after a blow to the head, a doctor should be consulted urgently. This could be a situation dangerous to health. The course of the disease is largely positive in the case of headaches and leads to success. Especially the weather has a great influence on headaches in many people and can cause them for a short time. If they disappear after that, there is no need to see a doctor.
Prevention
As almost always, also applies to the prevention of headaches, that a healthy lifestyle with a lot of sports and exercise and a healthy diet, are the best guarantors against headaches. Furthermore, low stress, sufficient fluids, plenty of sleep and relaxation exercises are excellent preventive measures. Also avoid alcohol and nicotine.
Home remedies and herbs against headache
For acute headaches, gently and intensely rub the head and forehead with marjoram oil. Another help is to stand under the shower and direct the jet of hot water directly on the neck.
This is what you can do yourself
Headaches occur frequently, however, they do not always need to be presented to a doctor. There are numerous home remedies available to relieve headaches. Worth mentioning is tiger balm or mint oil, which is dabbed on the forehead as well as on the temples. In particular, a potato poultice is extremely proven. Here, some raw potatoes are cut into fine slices and placed on the forehead. As soon as the potatoes are warm, they should be taken down and fresh ones put on. Headaches can be treated by a simple massage itself. If this is done properly, it provides extraordinary relief. Massages also help with migraines. In this case, the forehead, temples, ears as well as the neck should be rubbed with a massage oil. In the best case, the oil contains essential components. The massage begins on the forehead. Affected people press vigorously with both index fingers on the bone in the middle under the hairline. From there, the fingers are pulled toward the temple. At this point, the pressure should be released and stroked in a circular motion. Subsequently, sufferers should apply some pressure to the upper edge of the eye sockets. Lavender flowers also help against headaches. Here, about two teaspoons of lavender flowers are poured over 150 milliliters of hot water. It is recommended to consume the tea several times a day. The best way to drink it is before going to bed.
