- Although headaches are often minimized, sometimes they can be a symptom of highly dangerous diseases.
- Sometimes the lifestyle and habits of people are responsible for this type of discomfort.
- When they become frequent, it is necessary to consult a health professional to identify the causes.
The headache It is one of the most common sensations and all people experience it at some point in life. However, the fact that they occur frequently does not mean that they are normal because their intensity can seriously affect the quality of life. It is also a symptom that is associated with a large number of diseases.
Most of the time, what people feel are primary headaches. This means that there is a physically localized pressure in the head and that it is not due to a latent or hidden health condition, explains the Dr Doha Ayishneurologist at Houston Methodist Hospital.
Primary headache types
• Tension headaches
• Migraine
• Cluster headache
When the headaches are mild and/or are not very frequent, they will probably be fixed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. But if they persist day after day, month after month, it’s important to get to the root cause of the pain.
In this sense, the lifestyle and customs of each person play a very important factor. In fact, some habits are responsible for the appearance of this type of discomfort.
• Alcohol consumption
• Sleep interruptions or lack of sleep
• Bad posture
• Stress
• Eyestrain, including too much screen time
• Caffeine (too little or too much)
• Dehydration
• Smoking
• Eating certain foods such as chocolate, aged cheeses, cured meats, processed foods, etc.
• Abuse of headache medications
Why do headaches occur?
“We know that primary headaches are usually the result of changes that occur in the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles in and around the head or neck, causing pressure within the brain to stimulate receptors to send the signal. of pain”, says the specialist.
The most common causes of primary headaches listed above are to blame, though Dr. Ayish notes that exactly how these changes in the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles of the head or neck are triggered is largely unknown.
The secondary headaches, on the other hand, occur as a result of a larger health problem. They happen for more significant reasons than just pressure changes in the head or neck.
When should you see a doctor for a headache?
A headache here or there shouldn’t be a concern. But if you are experiencing frequent or severe headachesor if they are affecting your quality of life, it is important to see a doctor.
Only your doctor can help you identify what is causing your headaches and suggest ways to prevent them in the future. Additionally, you can test to rule out if your headaches are chronic, can benefit from medication (as in the case of migraines), or have a secondary cause of concern.
In some cases, a headache can be a medical emergency. Seek immediate help if your headache:
• Comes on suddenly and quickly becomes severe
• It feels like the worst headache of your life
• Is accompanied by a stiff neck and/or fever
• Is accompanied by seizures, fainting, confusion, or changes in your personality
• Starts after an injury
• It is accompanied by weakness, numbness or changes in vision.