Headache, which almost everyone in the society has experienced once in their life, is a very common disorder. The feeling of pain can start anywhere in the head.
What is Headache?
Headache, one of the most common disorders, affects approximately 50% of the population. Headache, which is more common in women compared to men, can be seen in one part of the head or in the whole. There are many nerves and tissues around the head that are sensitive to pain. Factors such as compression, contraction, relaxation and displacement of one or more of the periosteum (bone membrane), ear, nose, throat, arteries and veins, especially the head and neck muscles, may cause headache by affecting the nerves sensitive to pain.
Headache, which is one of the most common health problems in the society, is classified by the International Headache Society in 14 main groups and hundreds of subgroups. However, about 90% of all headache types are tension-type headache and migraine. Headache types are primarily divided into primary and secondary headaches. While primary headaches can be defined as a type of headache that does not have a different underlying health problem, secondary headaches, which occur at a rate of 10%, can be defined as a type of headache caused by a different health problem. Before going into the details of headache types, the frequently asked question "What is a headache?" It is necessary to answer the question. The sensation of pain can begin anywhere in the head. In addition, the pain may be in only one part of the head, or it may be effective in the whole. In addition to mild headaches, headaches that can be severe by preventing the person from doing their daily work are more common in women compared to men.
Primary headache constitutes the majority of headache cases. Common migraine, cluster headache, and tension-type headache are examples of primary headache types. Secondary headache is caused by a different known focal disease. In other words, the brain Headaches due to vascular diseases, nervous system diseases, brain tumors, meningitis, sinusitis, eye diseases and some other infections are evaluated within the scope of secondary headache. Another frequently asked question before moving on to the types of headaches is "Why do headaches occur?" It is necessary to answer the question.
What Causes Headaches?
The brain itself is one of the organs that does not feel pain. However, in addition to the arteries and veins feeding the brain, the meninges, teeth, ears, nose, sinuses, throat, eyes, neck and back muscles are sensitive to pain. Headache has a wide range in terms of its types. Therefore, the causes of headaches can be caused by many different reasons. Headache can be short-term or in other words acute and/or in the form of attacks, or it can be chronic. In order to clearly explain the causes of this type of bee, the neurologist should take a detailed anamnesis of the patient and examine the patient. In order to understand the cause of secondary headaches, which are seen in approximately 10% and originate from a different health problem, the diagnosis of the focal disease should be made. If the headache is persistent and intensifying, a physician should be consulted. In addition, if the pain is the most severe headache that the person has ever felt, the nearest health institution should be visited. A physician should be consulted to determine the cause of the headache and to arrange the appropriate treatment.
What are the Causes of Headache?
Causes that may lead to headache can be classified as follows:
- Disorders related to blood vessels related causes (e.g. stroke, structural defects in the vessels in the brain or atherosclerosis)- Infections (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis, cold, flu etc.)- Intracranial pressure changes (e.g. high pressure)- Brain tumors- Traumas (for example, headache after traumatic situations such as falling, traffic accident)- Stress and tension- Other causes (such as oral contraceptive use, menstrual period, long-term use of painkillers)- Eye disorders (breaking defects, glaucoma, etc.)- Less water consumption, hunger
What are Headache Zones? What Are the Types of Headaches?
Headaches are classified into 14 main groups and hundreds of subgroups. The severity of the headache may increase gradually, or the pain may settle suddenly. In addition, patients may complain of nausea and fatigue. Headache, which causes throbbing and squeezing discomfort in a certain part of the head or in the whole, can occur for many different reasons. The trigger elements of headache also differ according to the type of headache. Common headache types can be listed as follows according to headache locations:
Migraine
Migraine, which usually causes severe headache, is mostly on one side of the head. This is a distinctive finding. It can cause a significant decrease in the quality of life of the person. There are two different types of migraine, which lasts from 4 to 72 hours, with and without aura. Headache caused by the common migraine without aura is mostly unilateral. Migraine, which causes the person to feel his head throbbing, progresses in attacks. During migraine attacks that may occur in childhood or adulthood, the person; become sensitive to light, sound and physical activity.
Although genetic predisposition is at the forefront, environmental factors can also trigger migraine. Factors such as lodos, temperature, humidity, pressure and altitude changes, noise, light, smell, insomnia, oversleeping and hunger can trigger migraine.
Changes in hormonal order during menstruation in women can also trigger migraine pain. In migraine with aura, some visual or sensory symptoms are seen before the headache.
The person may feel visual symptoms in the form of zigzag lines and bright lights before the pain. In the sensory aura, there is tingling or tingling in the hand, mouth, tongue and chin. a match may be seen. After these symptoms, which last for about 10 to 30 minutes, a headache begins. Patients often report nausea accompanying the headache. People with migraine with aura may experience migraine attacks without aura from time to time. It is felt as a compressive type pain around the head. It occurs due to prolonged stretching of the muscles in the head circumference, face, chin and neck region. The pain settles slowly, gradually increases and disappears in the same way. Headache, which starts from the back of the head and spreads forward, is more severe especially at the top of the head. However, tension-type headache is mostly mild and characterized by pain compression or pressure sensation. Pressure is felt in the forehead and temple area. This type of headache, in which stress is highly effective, is usually seen in detail-oriented people.
Cluster Headache
Although cluster headache is rarer than other types of headaches, the severity of the pain in this type of headache is quite high. . The person often feels as if a knife has been stabbed in the head or as if their head has been gouged out. Cluster headache, which causes pain in the eye and temple region, is unilateral. In other words, it is felt only in one half of the head.
The eye on the side of the pain may become red or watery. Cluster headache, which causes cold sweats, also causes nausea. This type of headache, which can be seen all year round and hard to bear, is mostly periodic. The pain recurs periodically in the same time interval, mostly every day or every other day in the autumn months. The headache usually lasts 20 to 45 minutes, sometimes it can last up to 3 hours. The number of attacks seen in the same day can be up to eight. The side with the pain is sensitive to touch. Cluster headache, which is 9 times more common in men than women, is mostly seen in people between the ages of 20 and 40. felt as pain. low blood pressure they are comfortable with it. Since it is also a predisposing factor for stroke, patients with high blood pressure should not interrupt their treatment and should continue regular check-ups. Headache and nosebleeds can be seen together in high blood pressure. Nose bleeding means lowering the intravascular pressure by bleeding the capillaries in the nose to prevent brain bleeding. It is a protective mechanism developed by the body.
Pain Due to Trigeminal Neuralgia (Sudden Facial Pain)
It is a sudden, stabbing, unilateral facial pain in the places where the branches of the trigeminal nerve pass. It can be triggered by cold, face washing, touching the face. Pain is most common in women, in the lower or upper jaw.
Pain Due to Sinusitis
It is felt in the forehead, cheekbones and nose. It is easy to diagnose sinusitis with other findings. Pain Caused by Middle Ear Inflammation and/or Oral-Jaw Problems is felt in front of the ear, in the joint (temporomandibular) region between the ear and jaw, and in the jaw.
Which Department to Apply for Headache?
Patients with headache complaints apply to the Neurology Clinic for diagnosis and treatment.
Read: 0
