Headache

Causes of Headache

Headaches can be cause by a host of different diseases. The head is host to many nooks and crannies that house various nerves, blood vessels, and important structures (most importantly the human brain!) . If any of these structures are aggravated your body will let you know in the form of a headache. Now there are several types of headaches a person can have, but depending on the type of headache we, as physicians, can make a diagnosis. But keep in mind that headaches are some of the most difficult diseases to diagnose and identify the underlying cause. That is why your doctor will typically ask you a host of weird questions and have you perform funny tasks as part of their physical exam process. But even with all of this evaluation in clinic there are often times that a physician will need to do further imaging and evaluation in order to make sure that your headache is not the result of something emergent. That is why it is always best to get consultation from your doctor if you are ever experiencing severe headaches. The purpose of this webpage is to give you the resources that you need to make an informed decision about your headache with your physician. If you would like to understand more about your headaches then call us at our consultation number today.

Headaches causes (non-emergencies)

Tension Type Headaches: The most common cause of headache in the American population is the tension type headache. This headache is usually an headache present on both sides of the head. It is not made worse with light or sound. It is not typically associated with seeing shapes, or structures. It is not accompanied by vomiting, nausea, or neurological symptoms such as numbness, weakness, and tingling. It is the simple headache that a person can get from a hangover, from withdrawal from medications such as NSAIDs (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin), caffeine, opiate pain medications, and cigarettes. It can be caused by a host of things that are typically not emergencies. It can be caused by increased tension in the muscles of the forehead. If your muscles are tight and cramping it can create the band like sensation of pain over the entire head that encompasses the tension type headache. Treatment is typically Tylenol, ibuprofen, and other over the counter pain medications. Be weary though as withdrawals from these medications can make the headache worse. It is always best to identify the problem causing the headache. If you are taking pain medications for a hangover headache it may be best to stop drinking. Other disease process that cause the tension type headache can have this patterned approach to stopping your headaches.

Migraine Headaches: This headache can be on one side of the head or both. It is typically more severe than a tension type headache. This headache is more frequently located behind the eye and can present as orbital eye pain. The pain can be associated with seeing shapes and structures. People typically have migraines for the majority of their lifetime. If you have had headaches all your life and you suddenly are having more severe aches then you could have been having migraines the entire time! Migraines are also associated with but not always accompanied by, nausea, vomiting, and worsening with light or sound. This is how we as physicians can differentiate it from the tension type headache in which these symptoms are not present. Migraines also run in the family. They can be present in immediate family members. If you have a family member with migraines then odds are that you are at an increased probability of having migraines.

There is also a disease known as atypical migraines that are able to cause neurological impairment with symptoms such as one sided numbness, tingling and weakness. In severe cases they can even cause paralysis. If you ever experience any of these symptoms make sure to call 911 and get evaluation because these are also the same symptoms that strokes present as. A stroke is a life threatening situation and should always be worked up in the emergency department as soon as possible. But be aware that this is why it is so important to get physician evaluation when headaches present. This is because severe neurological diseases can present with migraines and headaches as well. There could be an emergency underlying a seemingly harmless symptom like numbness or tingling. And it is often the case that the pain is the least of your worry. Pain is only your body trying to tell you to call for help!

Headache Emergencies

Brain tumors/malignancy: The most common presentation of brain tumor include headaches with neurological problems such as numbness, weakness, tingling, paralysis, slurred speech and facial droop. Brain tumors can come from brain tissue or from somewhere else such as breast cancer, lung cancer, or colon cancer. Brain tumors are typically found in elderly persons and not in anyone under the age of 40. This is not to say that this does not occasionally happen. That is why it is always best to get evaluation for any headaches you may experience.

Stroke: Your brain is fed nutrients and oxygen by blood vessels. Blood vessels are like little highways that the brain gets its groceries from. It is the lifeline to your brain. If your brain does not get the nutrients it needs it can suffocate in as little as 5 minutes. After 5 minutes you brain can completely die and cause severe symptoms such as coma and death. The presentation of a stroke can be headaches in cases of severe damage and swelling. You will also have neurological symptoms such as one sided numbness, tingling, and weakness, along with facial droop, and slurred speech. That is why it is imperative to get evaluation if you have any of the neurological symptoms described above.

Brain Aneurysm: This is a condition that happens when your blood vessel bursts due to weakness in the wall. If this occurs you will bleed into your brain. Unfortunately because the skull is so hard it cannot expand to accommodate blood leaking into your head. This blood will press on the brain and cause severe damage and ultimately suffocation and death. The scary thing is that aneurysms present as, your guessed it, headache. This headache is typically a very severe headache that is described as the worst you will feel in your life. It may also be the last one you feels as the mortality for brain aneurysms reach as high as 50%. That is a high death rate! That means that evaluation in a prompt fashion by your local emergency department doctor is absolutely crucial.

If you have anymore questions about headaches then call our number now. Otherwise if you have the severe symptoms described above then don't call us, call 911 immediately.