Table of contents:
- Various causes of back headaches
- 1. Cluster headaches
- 2. Occipital neuralgia
- 3. Tension headaches
- 4. Mostly taking headache medication
- 5. Migraine
Pain in the head can affect any part of the head, including the back. Back headaches will certainly make you uncomfortable because they interfere with your daily activities. So, what causes back headaches?
Various causes of back headaches
1. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are a type of headache that only occurs on one side of the head. The pain is usually quite strong, persistent, not throbbing, and feels deep inside the head.
The back pain from cluster headaches will get worse when you are lying on your back, because the back side of the head that is the source of the pain is subjected to a lot of pressure. Other symptoms to watch out for are nausea, irritability, and red, watery, drooping eyelids.
2. Occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia is a condition when the occipital nerve that connects the spinal cord and head is affected. This condition results in back headaches that feel stabbing. In addition, you may also experience tingling behind your eyes, pain when moving your neck, and glare when you stare at bright lights.
3. Tension headaches
Tension headaches (tension headache) is one of the common causes of back headaches. The pain can last for about 30 minutes and even up to seven days.
Headache back as a result tension headache it's usually quite mild, but some people complain of very bad pain.
Fatigue, lack of sleep, late eating, arthritis, not drinking enough fluids, and pain due to sinusitis are all suspected causes of tension headaches.
4. Mostly taking headache medication
Occasionally taking headache medicine is not a problem. However, if you drink it more than two or three times a week, and for a long time, it can actually worsen your back headaches.
The cause of this back headache is referred to as a headache rebound. Headache rebound is a recurring headache from overuse of a substance - such as a headache medicine.
5. Migraine
Any part of the head, including the back, is an easy target for migraine attacks. Migraines are synonymous with intense throbbing pain that will complicate your daily activities, and can even last from hours to several days. Usually, as you get older, migraine attacks can get worse.
