Chronic headaches seriously reduce the quality of life of patients. According to statistics shared by the Turkish Neurology Association;
- The rate of people complaining of headache in society is expressed as 90 percent.
- Migraine and tension-type headaches constitute 90 percent of all headache cases.
- Secondary headaches, which are in the 10 percent segment, occur due to a certain disease.
Some of these are; cerebrovascular diseases, brain tumors, nervous system diseases, eye diseases, meningitis, sinusitis.
What causes headaches?
Headaches are not serious most of the time. They can occur due to reasons such as insomnia and stress. However, there are certain conditions that cause headaches. Ear, nose and throat diseases such as sinusitis, flu, ear infections, dental diseases, cerebrovascular disorders, brain tumors, head traumas, hypertension, hormonal imbalances can also cause headaches.
Can headaches be dangerous?
95% of headaches are migraine or tension-type headaches. However, sometimes headaches can be the first sign of bigger problems. The characteristics that indicate that a headache can be dangerous are as follows:
- Very severe headaches that occur for the first time
- Sudden onset headaches
- Headaches that tend to increase in severity and frequency
- In patients over 50 years of age; headaches that begin after trauma to the head
- New headaches in cancer patients
- Headaches that occur with actions such as coughing and straining
- Headaches after sexual intercourse
- Headaches that treatments do not work
Types of Headaches
When we put aside the headaches that occur temporarily due to reasons such as stress, fatigue, insomnia, and the secondary headaches that are symptoms of different diseases, we can classify primary headaches into 3 main classes:
- Migraine
- Tension Type Headache
- Cluster Headache
What is Migraine?
Migraines, which are more common in women than men, are severe pains that usually occur in the 30s and 40s. Migraines disrupt a person’s daily activities; as the pain attacks become more frequent, losses in social life and work begin to increase. In migraines, which occur in attacks lasting 4-72 hours, the pain is usually felt as throbbing or pulsating and mostly affects one side of the head. Nausea, vomiting, light and/or sound sensitivity may also accompany the headache. Patients usually prefer to wait for the pain to subside in a dark and quiet environment. Some patients may feel the pain coming 5-60 minutes before their attacks. Migraines are seen in 20% of women and 7% of men. Although the exact cause of migraines is not known, it is thought that changes in some chemical substances in the brain are effective in the light of some studies. There are also studies showing the effect of genetic predisposition in migraines. Some of the factors that trigger migraines; chocolate, coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks, red wine, beer, whiskey, some antibiotics, antihypertensives, birth control pills, flickering/bright/fluorescent lights, bright sunlight, perfume, smoking, stress, depression, sleeping too much/too little, being hungry.
What is a Tension-Type Headache?
Tension-type headaches are dull and widespread pains, although not very severe. They are usually observed to occur in the afternoon. They are in the form of a feeling of pressure and heaviness in the entire head. It can start with any stress. Sometimes patients can be intolerant to loud noises. Tension-type headaches have different characteristics from migraines. They usually start from the nape of the neck and spread to the head. Both frequency and severity can increase due to tension and stress. It can cover the entire head or be seen unilaterally. Contraction of the head and neck muscles can also cause tension-type headaches. Severe headaches are triggered by tension and stress.
What is a Cluster Headache?
Cluster headaches occur in clusters that last for several weeks and are quite intense. Typical symptoms of cluster headaches include pain that strikes one side, redness, swelling and discharge in the eye on the side where the pain is felt, nasal congestion and discharge, sweating in the face, and drooping eyelids. Although the exact cause of rare cluster headaches is unknown, it is estimated that abnormalities in the hypothalamus may cause this disease. Stress, nutrition and hormonal changes do not play a triggering role in cluster headaches. However, it has been observed that alcohol consumption can increase the pain. Cluster headaches are generally more common in men. If there is a family history of cluster headaches, this increases the person’s risk of the disease.
Diagnosis of Headache
In order to determine the source of the headaches and to make the correct diagnosis, the patient must first consult a specialist in this field. The doctor begins the treatment process after making a diagnosis by asking the patient questions and various examination methods.
How is Headache Treated?
Headaches can be treated with different methods depending on the type and severity of these pains. Headache treatments are listed as follows:
- Medication,
- Migraine Botox
- Radiofrequency Treatment
- Pain Pacemakers
- Psychiatric Support