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Headache OverviewHeadaches can be caused by a host of issues. The typical headache can be caused by normal physiology or bodily processes. These can include withdrawal from pain medications such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, and aspirin. It could be due to the effects of caffeine wearing off from your coffee this morning. There are a multitude of things that can causes headaches. One postulated theory behind headaches involves muscle cramping, and tightening of the muscles in your forehead causing irritation of the nerves of your head. This can cause the headaches people feel in their day to day lives. But then there are very severe causes of headaches. Dangerously high blood pressure can cause headaches and brain issues leading to brain bleeding and even strokes. Strokes can present as a headache as well due to swelling and inflammation of the brain. Another deadly cause of headache is a ruptured aneurysm which classically presents with a thunderclap headache that is described as the worst a person has ever felt in their life. The point of this overview is to let the patient know that there is benign and non-emergent causes of headaches, yet there are also highly deadly causes as well. Often it is very difficult to distinguish between the different causes of headaches based on symptoms and the patients story. That is why it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately if you are having severe headaches. Call us if you have more questions about headaches today.
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Non-emergent causes of headaches |
Tension type headaches: This type of headache is usually a benign headache that is not an emergency. This headache is described as a two sided headache that is located on both sides of the forehead. This headache can often feel like there is a band that is wrapped around the head causing discomfort and pain that is annoying but not severe. This headache can last from minutes, to hours, to even days. The fact that this headache can last for days will differentiate it from many other causes of headaches. This headache is also not accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, aura, or neurological symptoms such as one sided numbness, weakness, tingling, or slurred speech. Causes of the tension type headache include withdrawal from caffeine, pain medications, alcohol and illicit drugs. There are also some who postulate that the tension type headache is caused by muscle tightness in the forehead leading to activation of pain sensory nerves in the area leading to headache. The tension type headache is completely benign and not an emergency. It can be treated by pain medications such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, and aspirin in limited quantities as to not induce headache withdrawals described above. Another way is to find the offending cause of the headaches and halt that process.
Migraine headaches: These headaches are more severe than the tension type headaches. This headache can present as a one or two sided headache that is more severe in nature. It can be located behind the eye or right on the forehead. The Migraine headache can last from minutes, to hours. It will typically not last days and thus can be differentiated from the tension type headache in that aspect. It can be associated with nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances like seeing shapes in the sky, and neurological symptoms such as one sided weakness, numbness, tingling, and slurred speech. These are known as atypical migraines yet the share the same symptoms as strokes and transient ischemic attacks. If you have any lapse in neurological symptoms described above (numbness, tingling, weakness, slurred speech) then call 911 immediately. The atypical migraine is typically something a person experiences since they were a kid. People can have headaches and not associate them with migraines early on in life. If these migraines become more pronounced with age then they are often recognized for what they really were during childhood. Migraines also have familial ties. That means that if you have an immediate family member that has migraines then there is a higher chance you could have them too. Migraines are treated with over the counter medications such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, and aspirin, as well as caffeine. For more severe symptoms ergotamines, and triptans can be prescribed. If you have more questions about migraine headaches call our office number now. |
Headache emergencies |
Strokes: Strokes are the result of a blockage in the arteries or veins that to normal brain tissue. If blood vessels cannot feed your brain oxygen and nutrients it will suffocate and die. The blockage can occur due to normal wear and tear of the arteries after 50-60 years of use by your body. That is why it is imperative to control your blood pressure and watch what you eat. By controlling your blood pressure you put less wear and tear on your arteries. You only get one set of arteries so take care of them. Poor diet can put fats and greasy substances into circulation which tend to get stuck in your arteries, accumulate, and ultimately block them. Typically stroke symptoms can present with one sided facial droop, weakness, numbness, tingling, and slurred speech. If you experience these symptoms contact a medical professional immediately because symptoms may be debilitating and permanent if help is not sought soon enough. The cut off is 3-4.5 hours for reversal of symptoms. But the sooner you get to he hospital the less the chance of complete brain death. If your brain swells while having a stroke then you will have symptoms of headache, depressed consciousness, and the above stated neurological symptoms. If you are having headaches then contact us immediately.
Aneurysm Rupture: This is a medical emergency. You will experience a thunderclap headache that can be described as the worst you have ever experienced in your life. There may be associated one sided weakness, numbness, tingling, and facial droop. Depressed consciousness can be associated with aneurysm rupture in its late stages. If you are having these symptoms then contact 911 immediately. |