Headache

What is important to know

Headache can be a separate condition, such as a migraine or tension headache, or it can occur as a symptom of another condition.

The nature of the pain, its intensity, frequency, duration, circumstances of occurrence and accompanying symptoms are important for assessment.

With chronic stress, a person can strain the muscles of the neck, shoulders and head for a long time, sleep worse or rest less often, which in some people contributes to the development or worsening of headaches.

Anxiety and depression may also co-occur with headaches, but the presence of emotional difficulties does not preclude the need to evaluate physical causes.

How does a headache manifest?

A person may notice:

pressing or tight pain;

throbbing pain;

pain on one or both sides of the head;

feeling of heaviness or pressure;

soreness in the temples, forehead, back of the head or neck;

increased sensitivity to light or sound;

nausea;

increased pain during physical activity;

the appearance of pain after lack of sleep, stress or prolonged work at the computer;

repeating episodes of a similar nature.

What to pay attention to

When did the headache first appear?

Did it arise gradually or suddenly?

How often is it repeated and how long does it last?

Where exactly is the pain located?

What is its character: pressing, pulsating, sharp, burning or another.

How severe the pain is and whether it interferes with normal activities.

Do you have nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or sensitivity to sounds?

Is the pain accompanied by disturbances in vision, speech, sensation or movement?

Is it due to lack of sleep, skipping meals, dehydration, stress or physical exertion.

Does the headache occur after drinking alcohol, large amounts of caffeine, or other substances?

What medications are taken and how often painkillers are used.

Has the usual pattern of headaches changed recently?

What can help

If the headache is mild and similar to previously familiar episodes, rest, drinking enough fluids, eating regularly, sleeping, and reducing excessive tension in the neck and shoulder muscles may help.

It is also useful to keep a headache diary for some time: note the time of occurrence, duration, intensity, sleep, nutrition, stress, menstrual cycle, caffeine intake and medications taken. This can help identify recurring patterns.

If stress or anxiety regularly worsens your headaches, relaxation techniques, physical activity and psychotherapy can be part of a comprehensive approach, but are not a substitute for medical diagnosis.

You should not take painkillers too often without consulting a doctor: with regular use of certain drugs, the headache itself may become more frequent.

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if your headaches occur regularly, get worse, change in pattern, or noticeably interfere with your work, sleep, or daily life.

Medical evaluation is especially important if the headache is accompanied by repeated vomiting, blurred vision, severe weakness, numbness, fever, or other unusual symptoms.

When you need urgent help

Urgent medical attention is needed if:

suddenly there was a very strong headache that was unusual for you;

speech impairment, weakness or numbness of the face or limbs appeared;

Confusion, loss of consciousness, or convulsions occurred;

headache appeared after a serious head injury;

it is accompanied by high fever and severe neck stiffness;

a new severe headache occurred during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth;

the condition worsens rapidly or the pain is significantly different from all previous episodes.