Strong headache

The headache is most often reported. This unpleasant condition is observed in all people, but the reasons are always different.

Severe headaches - causes, symptoms

We will classify headaches in the following main criteria:

1. Vascular headaches:

• migraine, in which there is a strong, paroxysmal throbbing headache, localized in one part of the head. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fear of light and loud sound. Migraine often affects women of young age. The occurrence of an attack of migraine is facilitated by factors: stress, alcohol, weather conditions;
• arterial hypertension (pressure rise). Strong headaches in the back of the neck, neck are pressing, pulsing.

2. Cluster headaches

These are types of pain recurring over a period of time. Seizures occur 1 to 3 times a day during a cluster period lasting from several weeks to 3 months. Then comes the period of remission - the pain subsides (up to several years). Cluster headache is strong, piercing, acute, appears on one side of the head.

3. Psychogenic headaches

This type is associated with mental stress as a result of stress. More often they suffer disturbing people, subjected to constant depressions. Psychogenic pain without clear localization, pressing character.

4. Headaches caused by extra-cerebral causes

• with infectious diseases - viral and bacterial, when at the beginning there is a very severe headache (often in the temples) and then the rest of the symptoms (fever, drowsiness) come;
• as a side effect when taking medications, for example, oral contraceptives, caffeine;
• at a pathology of structures of the face and a skull (a glaucoma, a sinusitis, etc.);
• accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. These pains from the cervico-occipital region can spread and cause even a severe headache in the temples.

Severe headache - diagnosis and treatment

The treatment of headache begins by identifying the cause that causes it.

Such diagnostic methods are used:

1. Computer tomography - allows to reveal voluminous formations in the cranial cavity, zones of circulatory disorders of the brain (acute and chronic), anomalies in the development of the brain, trauma.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine is an effective method that allows studying the structures of the brain and spinal cord, revealing tumors, foci of stroke, sinusitis, intervertebral hernia and many other diseases.
3. Magnetic resonance angiography is the newest method, in which it is possible to assess the state of the vessels of the brain, neck, veins and arteries.
4. Monitoring of blood pressure - reveals the latent arterial hypertension, establishes the features of jumps of arterial pressure throughout the day.
5. Laboratory tests are necessary for the recognition of infection.
6. Inspection of the ophthalmologist - is shown in some cases with a headache, tk. this specialist can detect changes in the fundus by means of equipment.

Medications for severe headaches

Usually, with severe headaches, analgesic medications are used based on ibuprofen, aspirin, acitaminophen, caffeine. These medicines are dispensed without a prescription, but be sure to carefully follow the dosage in order not to cause addiction and side effects. If you suffer from frequent severe headaches (taking medications more than 3 times a week), be sure to show your doctor!

Call an ambulance immediately if:

• you felt sudden sharp pain as a stroke (this could be a cerebral hemorrhage);
• moderate or severe pain is accompanied by loss of consciousness, inadequate behavior;
• this is a strong headache against the background of increased body temperature, which increases with time.