Table of contents:
- Various causes of headaches behind the ear
- 1. Occipital neuralgia
- 2. Mastoiditis
- 3.Jaw pain (temporomandibular joint / TMJ disorder)
- 4. Dental problems
- Ways that can relieve headaches behind the ear
Everyone has experienced headaches. There are more than 300 different types of headaches, ranging from migraines to headaches behind the ear. You may be one of those people who often experiences a burning head that causes the pain to radiate behind the ear. This condition makes you wonder what causes it. Check out the explanation of the various causes and ways to deal with headaches that appear behind the ears.
Various causes of headaches behind the ear
Pain that radiates from the head to the back of the ear can be caused by certain health conditions. Here are some health problems that can trigger headaches behind the ear, including:
1. Occipital neuralgia
One of the most common causes of headaches behind the ear is a condition called occipital neuralgia. This condition is an inflammation of the occipital nerve that is above the spinal cord to the base of the neck.
Occipital neuralgia can be caused by a pinched nerve or stiffness of the neck muscles. However, this can also occur due to injuries to the head or neck.
Even so, occipital neuralgia may arise because of another disease that triggers this condition. For example osteoarthritis, gout, diabetes, inflammation of blood vessels, and infections.
Occipital neuralgia often produces chronic headaches that are stabbing and throbbing. Some people also describe this condition as being exposed to electric shocks to the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears.
Usually occipital neuralgia appears on only one side of the head. However, this condition can also spread to other parts of the head.
2. Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is an infection of the bony protrusion behind the ear (mastoid bone), which occurs as a result of inflammation or ear infection that is not treated properly. Usually, this infection is caused by bacteria and is quite serious.
One of the symptoms of mastoiditis is that it can cause headaches behind the ears, fever, swelling and redness of the ears, ear pain, and even hearing loss.
According to the National Health Service, in addition to causing headache symptoms behind the ear, mastoiditis can also cause serious complications if left unchecked. Some of the complications that may occur due to this condition include, blood clots, meningitis, and abscesses in the brain.
Basically, this condition can be experienced by people of all ages. Even so, this infection is much more common and occurs frequently in children. Not only that, people who have weak immune systems also have a tendency to experience this condition.
3.Jaw pain (temporomandibular joint / TMJ disorder)
The temporomandibular joint is the joint that helps your jaw open and close when speaking, eating and swallowing. Disorders of this joint will cause excruciating pain that can radiate to the face and ears.
Even so, the cause of this disease is often unknown. The reason is, the pain that arises can come from various factors, such as genetics, arthritis, or a jaw injury. In fact, there are also those who feel pain because they have the habit of grinding their upper teeth with their lower teeth too often.
This condition can cause a clicking sound or a crunchy / rough sensation when you move your jaw to open your mouth or chew. In some cases, the joints can even become locked so that you cannot open or close your mouth.
4. Dental problems
Problems with your mouth and teeth can cause pain that radiates to the head and ears. Well, that is why it is very possible if the headache you are experiencing is due to a dental problem.
Your dentist will be able to determine whether or not your headache behind the ear is caused by a dental problem during the examination. That way, your doctor will find it easier to determine what medication and treatment is right for your condition.
Ways that can relieve headaches behind the ear
The main causes of headaches that appear behind the ears often overlap. This means that this condition can arise due to various health conditions that occur simultaneously. That is why it is so important that you get a proper diagnosis.
In more serious cases and as a means of further diagnosis, the doctor may order various tests, including an MRI or blood test.
While waiting for your doctor's appointment, there are several simple ways you can reduce headaches behind the ears, including:
- Get plenty of rest or take a nap in a quiet place.
- Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
- Take control of stress.
- Place a heating pad or warm compress on the back of the neck.
- Stop grinding your teeth.
If your condition does not improve and tends to get worse, you should immediately consult a doctor. This is done so that you can get the right treatment according to your needs.
After undergoing various tests to diagnose the condition that is currently being experienced and using various first aid methods to relieve the symptoms of the condition being experienced, the doctor will find the cause of the headache that appears behind the ear.
Only after that, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment method to treat the condition that is being experienced.
