Headache is a common ailment that almost everyone will suffer at some point in their life, characterized by discomfort with palpitations in the head or face, constant, intense or dull sensations.Also read – Yoga for headaches and migraines: 5 asanas to relieve chronic pain
Dr. Sheila ChakrabortyDirector – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospitals, Banerghatta Road Bangalore says one of the most prevalent types of headaches in the world is headaches and 75 per cent of individuals worldwide experienced headaches in the previous year. Also read – World Brain Tumor Day 2022: When are headaches a symptom of a brain tumor?
Prediction:
It is common to experience palpitations, aching and disturbing pain from headaches. Also read – Chocolates, Red Wine: 5 Foods You Should Avoid If You Have a Migraine – See List
A primary headache is one that is not caused by another illness.
- Cluster headaches
- Migraine
- New daily constant headaches
- Stress headaches
Secondary headaches are caused by various medical problems, such as:
- Blood vessel disease in the brain
- Brain injury
- Hypertension
- Infection
- Overuse of drugs
- Sinus congestion
- Trauma
- Tumor
Hints to watch out for:
Double vision
- Sleep disturbances and the ability to work on a daily basis
- Causes chronic vomiting and nausea
- Limb numbness
- Vague dialect
- It’s not better with time or pain relief
It is usually connected to an artery with a weak wall that ruptures into the contents of the brain, known as an aneurysm, and can be hereditary. As a result, people with a family history of stroke are at greater risk and should be assessed as soon as possible, using techniques such as MRIs and MRAs to identify weak arteries and avoid any potentially devastating complications.
Identify headaches:
Because there are so many types of headaches, there are many techniques to determine what type you have. To get successful treatment, you must first determine if you are suffering from a primary or secondary headache.
A physical examination and a detailed medical history should precede the diagnosis of your headache. Maintain a headache notebook in the weeks leading up to a doctor’s appointment to keep track of potential triggers, duration, severity, location, etc.
Some headaches may require diagnostic testing to find the following cause:
- Lumbar puncture
- Blood tests
- MRI or CT scan
Possible causes of severe headaches:
Most headaches are provoked by external sources, such as discomfort, for example, although migraines are more prevalent in women. Triggers such as hunger, tension, lack or excessive sleep, bright lights or night, and so on are more common, affecting half of the brain as a result. In the case of a migraine, a delay in medication can lead to a headache that lasts for several days.
Cluster headaches are common in young men and are always accompanied by watery eyes and nasal congestion. They are usually mistaken for sinus headaches.
Thunderclap headaches are the most severe headaches, causing fainting after exercise or strong strenuous activity associated with blood pressure.
In the elderly, subdural headaches caused by falling or other trauma, a small amount of blood accumulates outside the brain, known as post-traumatic headaches.
When should we seek medical help?
Episodic headaches usually go away within 48 hours. If your headache lasts for more than two days, worsens, or lasts for more than 15 days per month for three months, you may have a persistent headache problem that requires medical attention.
Maintaining mental and physical health requires early screening and treatment to avoid or treat significant consequences.
Dr. Sheila Chakraborty Says, “I have encountered a few comparable patients in my OPD, and I have included the case study below:
A 25-year-old patient came to my OPD with a headache and numbness of the face and hands. This headache which started from last 2 months is now increasing to the point of inactivity. There is no history of double vision impairment or speech disturbances. Numbness on the face and hands was the only sign of a severe headache. Her pulse BP and other vital parameters were normal. It is a tendency to say anxiety when a person cannot explain all the signs presented. However, her progressive nature of headaches and numbness encouraged me to have an MRI brain with a neurological soft signal. See she was diagnosed with meningioma. It is a benign tumor of the brain. Its mass was overlapping the face and hand area which are represented adjacent to each other in the brain. It was a life-changing moment for the woman and opened the way for us to learn. Lessons learned. See a doctor even if a person frequently complains of any symptoms and you cannot explain the assessment.
Early diagnosis and treatment using a multi-disciplinary approach is the main and forward path.
