Headache treatment at Minh Tri

Headaches are a very common symptom, but they can be indicative of serious underlying medical conditions that we might not anticipate. Headaches can be uncomfortable and negatively impact our health and daily quality of life. Therefore, to effectively treat a headache, patients need to be accurately diagnosed and receive the correct treatment.

Identifying common types of headaches

There are over 150 types of headaches, but the five most common types are:

1. Migraine: Migraines stem from the vascular nerves and occur on one side of the head. Patients often experience severe, intermittent headaches and a sensation of tightness or burning on the scalp. Other symptoms include nausea, tinnitus, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light and sound. Many people confuse migraines with tension headaches, but migraines can be a warning of more serious conditions, especially stroke.

2. Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches also originate from the vascular nerves but occur in clusters, primarily affecting one side of the head. Pain is usually concentrated behind the eye and spreads to the forehead and temples, accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. These headaches typically occur after sleeping (about 1-3 hours) and are often experienced by middle-aged male smokers. However, the rate of women suffering from this type of headache is increasing.

3. Tension Headaches: Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the scalp and neck area, focusing around the forehead and temples, and can change positions during the same episode. People with tension headaches often have emotional issues like prolonged anxiety, especially in middle age (more common in women than men). The headache feels like a dull, prolonged pain, with a sensation of tightening around the head, and the pain intensity increases over time.

4. Sinus Headaches: People with sinus problems often experience headaches or migraines, along with other symptoms such as fever and runny nose. To fully treat this type of headache, sinusitis must be resolved.

5. Chronic Headaches Lasting Many Days: Chronic headaches are defined as headaches that last more than 15 days in a month and are often associated with conditions like depression, stress, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. These headaches usually show no abnormalities in brain imaging and require timely treatment. Without proper treatment, they can lead to insomnia, stomach pain, anxiety, and changes in personality.

6. Medication-Overuse Headaches: These headaches are caused by excessive use of painkillers, often starting in the morning and lasting throughout the day. Associated symptoms include neck pain, nasal congestion, and restlessness. Many people use painkillers to relieve the pain, but when the effects wear off, the headache can worsen.

7. Nerve Headaches: Occipital neuralgia is a major cause of headaches. This condition can be primary or secondary, caused by injury, compression, infection, or inflammation. Damage to cranial nerves, trigeminal nerve, facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), or glossopharyngeal nerve can also contribute to headaches.

8. Muscle Tension Headaches: These occur when the muscles in the head and neck area tense up due to poor lifestyle habits. The pain can radiate from both sides of the head and may be dull or intensify over time. Patients often feel tightness around the head, heaviness in the head and eyes, and soreness in the neck and shoulders.

9. Headaches from Traumatic Brain Injury: Headaches caused by traumatic brain injury often accompany symptoms such as vomiting, changes in consciousness, seizures, confusion, or even weakness in the arms. This is a dangerous type of headache, and patients should seek medical attention promptly.

10. Headaches from Cervical Spine Degeneration: The cervical spine contains important nerve, ligament, and blood vessel systems. When cervical vertebrae degenerate, they can compress nerves or arteries, hindering blood flow to the brain, which leads to headaches, dizziness, and other discomforts.

Common causes of headaches

Causes of Headaches: Medical and Non-medical

Headaches Due to Medical Causes

Non-dangerous Medical Conditions:

• Glaucoma: Eye nerve disorders can also lead to headaches. Furthermore, conditions such as refractive errors and increased intraocular pressure can cause stronger migraines, along with symptoms such as red eyes and decreased vision.
• Anemia: A lack of blood flow to the brain can cause severe headaches, accompanied by symptoms like fatigue and dizziness.
• Chronic Conditions: Diseases such as lupus erythematosus, diabetes, and hypertension can also contribute to headaches.

Dangerous Medical Conditions:

• Stroke: Persistent headaches, along with signs such as vomiting, decreased vision, loss of balance, and impaired speech, may indicate a stroke. Timely treatment is necessary to prevent severe outcomes.
• Brain Tumors: People with brain tumors often experience headaches with no identifiable cause. These headaches frequently occur at night and gradually worsen over time.
• Brain and Meningeal Infections: These conditions cause continuous headaches with signs of infection, such as neck stiffness, light sensitivity, and sensitivity to sounds.
• Spinal Disorders: Conditions such as cervical herniated discs, cervical spondylosis, muscle tension in the neck, and nerve compression can also cause persistent headaches.

Some cervical spine nerves are associated with many types of headaches. The spinal nerves are responsible for transmitting signals that allow communication between the brain and the body through the spinal cord. At each level of the cervical spine, there is a set of spinal nerves on both the left and right sides of the spine. The C1, C2, and C3 vertebrae may be linked to the development of neck-related headaches because these nerves activate the function (movement) and sensation of the head and neck. Nerve compression can lead to inflammation and pain.

Non-medical Causes of Headaches:

• Stress/long-term tension.
• Side effects of certain medications or stimulants, such as alcohol, caffeine, etc.
• Dehydration, leading to anemia and insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
• Hormonal changes in women after childbirth, during perimenopause, or during menstruation.
• Frequent late nights or irregular sleep patterns.

Is a headache dangerous? When should you see a doctor?

According to many studies, headaches that persist for more than 3 months can lead to structural changes and cause brain damage due to the continuous production of free radicals in the body.

In some cases, individuals with pre-existing headaches may experience an increase in free radicals when factors such as stress, poor diet, or unhealthy habits come into play, resulting in headaches, and potential nerve and brain damage.

Chronic headaches can lead to depression, memory disorders, and difficulty concentrating. If these symptoms worsen, they may lead to more severe conditions, such as stroke, dementia, disability, or even death.

Therefore, it is important not to underestimate persistent headaches. Instead, monitor your health closely and seek timely medical attention when you experience unusual symptoms, such as:

• Intense headache, accompanied by other symptoms like fever, neck stiffness, or altered sensations.
• Thunderclap headache: This could be a sign of a serious condition such as brain hemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis, meningitis, or stroke.
• Headache with eye pain (orbital pain, facial pain around the face, red eyes, and watery eyes).

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