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Don't Endure Headaches: Identify the Causes and Seek Appropriate Treatment
Many people experience headaches, and the World Health Organization ranks it as the third most common disease. What are the causes of headaches? Is there a definitive cure for headaches?
Common Types of Headaches
According to epidemiological statistics, out of 100,000 people, approximately 70,000 to 80,000 will experience headaches in a year. Among these, about 9,000 individuals suffer from severe and unbearable headaches, and around 1,600 will consult their general practitioners for treatment. About 280 of these patients will be referred for further examination, but only about 10 will be diagnosed with a brain tumor. From this data, it is clear that headaches are a very common symptom. The common types of headaches include:
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Forehead and Temple Headaches
These are usually classified as "tension headaches," which can be caused by excessive stress or may be a sign of a cold.
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Migraines
Recurring mild or severe headaches that can be triggered by anxiety or anger, leading to stress, might indicate migraines.
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Pain from the Neck to the Head
Common among people who frequently look down, incorrect posture can lead to stiff neck muscles over time, causing "tension neck pain."
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Headaches at the Lower Part of the Eyes or the Back of the Head
These may be caused by "sinusitis," but if accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness or vomiting, they fall under "cluster headaches," and it is advised to seek immediate medical treatment.
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Severe Head Pain Across the Entire Head
If symptoms include photophobia, dizziness, or vomiting, do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately, as this type of headache could be a warning sign of a stroke.
Pain from the Neck to the Head is common among those frequently looking down, known as "text neck." Incorrect posture can lead to prolonged tension in the neck muscles, causing them to become stiff and potentially leading to "tension head and neck pain."
Persistent headaches should not be taken lightly
Causes of headaches include both serious diseases and less worrisome conditions. Dangerous diseases include cerebral hemorrhage (intracranial hemorrhage), cerebral infarction, brain tumors, and encephalitis. If there is no possibility of these diseases, a headache might not be a major concern. However, even mild headaches could be a sign of these conditions, so readers should pay attention. For example, cerebral hemorrhage often starts with a minor bleed followed by temporary headaches. Cerebral infarction may not present any symptoms, so mild headaches should not be dismissed as common without further investigation. If a headache persists, it should be addressed promptly with medical consultation.
Cerebral infarction can have various causes, most of which are related to cardiovascular diseases. People with arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation are more likely to experience cerebral infarction. Patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, or diabetes should also be particularly vigilant.
Dangerous brain conditions can be diagnosed with MRI and CT scans
The common cause of cerebral hemorrhage is high blood pressure. Individuals with a family history of cerebral hemorrhage and poor blood pressure control, especially if they have an aneurysm or congenital vascular anomalies, are at risk of cerebral hemorrhage. For younger people, brain tumors are more common, but headaches due to tumors tend to develop as the tumor grows, with symptoms worsening, especially in the morning upon waking.
These serious conditions can be precisely diagnosed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. Ordinary health checks usually do not include brain examinations, so it's important to seek medical attention early when symptoms appear. Specialists will diagnose the presence of dangerous diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage, infarction, or tumors based on the symptoms provided by the patient, and then proceed with appropriate treatment.
Headaches located below or at the back of the eye may be caused by "sinusitis," but if accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting, they may indicate "cluster headaches," and it is advised to seek medical attention immediately.
The causes of headaches include dangerous diseases as well as less concerning conditions. The dangerous diseases include cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, brain tumors, and encephalitis.