Headaches: symptoms, causes, and drugs & bull; hello healthy

Definition of headaches

A headache is a pain that occurs in any part of your head. Pain can occur in one area of ​​the head, on both sides of the head at once, or spread from one part of the head to another.

The pain intensity can be mild, but it can also be quite strong. The pain can come on gradually or suddenly, and can last from less than an hour to days. The pain pattern of a headache can be throbbing, bumpy, pressed, or sharp as a stabbing.

Most cases of headache are mild and do not require the attention of a doctor. However, headaches can be severe enough that the sufferer is unable to carry out daily activities, such as going to work or school.

Even sometimes, headaches can be a sign of a serious disorder or disease that is dangerous to your health.

How common is this condition?

Headaches are the most common symptom that humans experience. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 50 percent of the adult population in the world experiences this symptom. This means that almost half of the world's people have experienced it.

This pain can affect anyone, from headaches in children, adults, to the elderly (elderly). Both women and men have the same opportunity to experience this symptom.

However, you don't need to worry, because these symptoms can be cured. You can treat this condition with various medications while considering possible risk factors. For more information, you should discuss with your doctor.

Types of headaches

Headaches generally consist of two types, namely primary and secondary. Check out the full explanation of the two types of headaches below.

Primary headache

This type arises because the structure of the head is prone to pain from working too hard or having problems. Chemical activity in the brain, nerves, or blood vessels that surround the skull, or the muscles in the head and neck can be the main cause of this type.

This condition is not caused by other health problems, but can also be caused by genetic factors. The primary headache is divided into several types, namely tension headache, migraine, cluster headache, and hypnic headache.

1.Tension headaches (tension headache)

This type is one of the most common and often occurs. It usually starts slowly until the pain peaks during the day.

People who experience tension headache generally you will feel like the head is being pressed or using a head strap that is quite tight around the head. In addition, the pain that is experienced radiates from or to the neck.

2. Migraine

Migraine is one type of primary headache that is quite common. This type can cause severe pain or a throbbing sensation, which usually occurs on one side of the head.

Migraine itself is divided into two types, namely migraine with aura and without aura. Migraine with aura is a condition in which before or right when a migraine occurs there are warning symptoms, such as flashes of light or light spots that interfere with vision. Meanwhile, migraine without aura is not accompanied by these symptoms.

3.Cluster headaches (cluster headache)

The meaning of cluster headache is a type of headache that occurs in a cyclical pattern or cluster period. The pain can occur only once to eight times a day for 20 minutes to two hours.

This condition can last for weeks to months, which is then followed by a period of remission or no symptoms appear at all for months to years later.

Cluster headache usually causes quite severe pain, maybe even a burning sensation in the head area. This headache pain usually reaches the eye area.

4.Hipnic headaches (Hypic headache)

This is a rare form of headache and usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 80. This type usually occurs at night and lasts 15-60 minutes. The time of occurrence tends to be the same every night and is not accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny nose or other signs.

Secondary headache

Meanwhile, this type is generally a symptom of another health condition that can activate nerves that are sensitive to pain in the head. This means that the pain in your head can be a sign of another disorder or illness.

There are many health conditions that can cause this condition, including brain tumors, bleeding in the brain, to panic attacks and glaucoma. Several types of secondary headaches, including sinus headache, pain due to consumption of drugs, pain that comes suddenly (thunderclap headache), etc.

Headache signs & symptoms

Symptoms, signs, and characteristics that may appear in people with headaches can vary, depending on the type they are experiencing. For example, on type tension headache,the symptoms you feel can be in the form of pain like pressure, can be mild to severe.

However, in migraines, the symptoms that appear can include a throbbing pain that is sometimes accompanied by dizziness and nausea or other signs. Other types also have certain distinctive symptoms.

Apart from different sensations, the area of ​​the head experiencing pain can also vary. For example, you could have headaches in the back, headaches in the front, headaches to the right or left, or also up.

When should I see a doctor?

Usually headaches are not dangerous and can resolve on their own over time. However, in some cases, this condition can be a sign of a more serious illness, such as a headache, a sign of a brain tumor or stroke.

In this serious condition, pain in the head is generally unusual and often accompanied by other symptoms. Here are some conditions that require you to go to the doctor immediately if you experience pain in your head:

• Experiencing extreme pain that you have never felt before.
• Feeling severe and sudden pain in the head area.
• Pain that keeps getting worse, even with pain medication.
• Pain that continues to increase if you cough, change position, or move.
• Pain followed by confusion and difficulty understanding what other people are saying.
• Recently had a head injury or accident.
• Fainting or loss of consciousness.
• High fever, higher than 39-40 degrees Celsius.
• Stiff neck.
• Have visual disturbances.
• Has trouble speaking or walking.
• Nausea and vomiting, unless you have a cold or are drunk.
• Pain that is accompanied by other nervous system disorders, such as dizziness, numbness or tingling, paralysis, seizures, or changes in personality or behavior.

If you experience the above symptoms or other symptoms that you think are worrying, then you should consult your doctor or nearest health service center.

Causes of headaches

There are various conditions that can cause headaches. This condition can be triggered by environmental factors, habits and lifestyle, as well as other medical conditions.

In the primary type of headache, this condition can be caused by a lifestyle such as the following:

• The habit of consuming alcohol.
• Eating certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates or smoked meats.
• Changes in sleep habits or lack of sleep.
• Bad posture.
• The habit of skipping meals.
• Stress.

Meanwhile, pain that is classified as a secondary type can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as:

• Sinus infection.
• Blood feeder in the brain.
• Brain aneurysm.
• Brain tumor.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Dehydration.
• Ear infection.
• Meningitis.
• Panic disorder and attacks.
• Stroke.
• Glaucoma.
• High blood pressure.
• Inflammation of the brain or encephalitis.

Not all possible causes of this condition are listed in the list that has been stated. If you experience pain in your head and want to find out more about your condition, consult your doctor.

Headache risk factors

Headaches are a condition that can occur in almost anyone of all ages and racial groups. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this condition.

Here are the risk factors that trigger a person to experience it:

1. Age

Basically everyone has the opportunity to experience this condition. However, cluster headache is more common in people aged 20 to 50 years. Meanwhile, migraines are more common in adolescents.

2. Gender

Men have more potential to experience cluster headache than women. Meanwhile, in other types, women and men have the same opportunity.

3. Lifestyle

Certain lifestyles also increase your risk factors. For example, people who have a smoking habit, lack of exercise and lack of sleep have a tendency to experience it easily tension headache.

Meanwhile, people who are in the habit of skipping meals, sleeping too much, doing stressful activities, consuming too much alcohol, or listening to sounds too loud increase the risk factors for experiencing migraines.

4. Certain medical conditions

If you have a history of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, or have had surgery on the head, you may be at risk cluster headache to increase. Headaches due to menstruation or menstruation can also occur, especially the type of migraine.

5. Genetic factors

In fact, genetics can be a risk factor for this condition, especially in the type of migraine. This means that this condition can be a condition that is hereditary in your family.

Diagnosis and treatment of headaches

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors make a diagnosis of headaches?

Generally, it is easy for your doctor to know what type of headache you are experiencing just from a description of the symptoms, the pain you are experiencing, the time and duration of the pain, and the possible conditions or risk factors that cause it, such as whether you are consuming food and drugs. certain or running other activities.

The doctor may also ask for and check for possible nervous system-related symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, seizures, vision problems, and other signs.

If the condition you have is suspected of being due to certain disorders or diseases, your doctor will generally ask you to do a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests can be in the form of X-rays, CT scan, MRI, or other tests, including electroencephalography (EEG).

How to deal with headaches?

How to deal with headaches can be different for each person, depending on the type and cause and symptoms experienced. You may just need enough rest to deal with this condition and avoid things that can trigger a recurrence.

However, in some cases, over-the-counter headache medication may be needed, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). However, the consumption of these drugs must always pay attention to the consumption rules on the packaging label and should not be used excessively to avoid prolonged illness.

If necessary, consult your doctor to get the right medication, especially if you are worried about other symptoms that also occur at the same time. Your doctor may give you additional drugs according to your symptoms and medical condition.

Apart from that, there are also alternative remedies that you can do to deal with this pain. For example, acupuncture, physical therapy, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, massage for headaches, or meditation. However, this alternative medicine has not yet been proven with certainty its effectiveness.

Home treatment of headaches

Home remedies and lifestyle changes can also be used to help manage your headaches. Here are simple ways that can help you deal with headaches:

• Relax and rest in a quiet, well-ventilated room or with the windows open to allow fresh air to circulate.
• Compress the head or neck with warm or cold water. However, avoid using temperatures that are too hot or cold.
• Avoid activities or things that might cause stress.
• Drink plenty of water, unless you have certain medical conditions that do not allow this.
• Eat regularly and try to keep blood sugar levels normal in the body.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take natural headaches, such as ginger or others.

To find out how to deal with further headaches, you can consult a doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

How to prevent headaches

Preventing headaches can be done by avoiding various factors that can trigger these symptoms. The trigger factors can be different for each person.

Therefore, it is important to recognize what are the things that can trigger headaches in you. For example, strong perfumes, certain foods, too bright light, and so on.

Apart from avoiding these things, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of developing headaches. Here are some of these ways:

• Exercise regularly.
• Enough sleep.
• Reduces stress.
• Quit smoking.
• Reducing alcohol consumption.
• Implementing a healthy and regular diet.
• Reducing caffeine consumption.
• Maintaining good posture, such as not slouching or holding your phone with your hands when calling (don't put it on your shoulder).
• Make sure the room in your home is well lit and ventilated.