Pain in the back of the head is a fairly common problem. And she has many reasons. Therefore, it is important to find their problems in order to feel relief. Let's find out together with a specialist how to do this.
Headaches in the back of the head can have several different causes. For example, it may only be muscle damage due to a minor injury, or it may be a secondary symptom of other pathologies. The type and location of pain can play a critical role in diagnosing the cause. If the pain is severe and repeated, be sure to consult a doctor.
Causes of pain in the back of the head in an adult
“Pain in the back of the head itself does not indicate the cause of this pain,” explains neurologist Elena Gaivoronskaya.
– The doctor assesses the frequency of pain, its intensity, duration, nature (pulsating, pressing, stabbing), associated symptoms. Only on the basis of all this data can a diagnosis be made. There are a number of reasons why headaches may occur predominantly in the back of the head.
headaches .
This is the most common cause of pain in the back of the head. Such pain can last from 30 minutes to 7 days. Such pain can be caused by severe stress, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, poor posture or not drinking enough water.
Patients with this problem usually feel tension in the back or front of the head. The pain can range from dull to severe.
Migraine.
Another common type of headache that often appears in childhood and gets worse with age. Migraines are most common in women. Its symptoms include severe pain on one side of the head with nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. Patients are usually sensitive to light, noise, or smell. Physical activity may increase pain. It can last from several hours to several days.
Causes of migraines include emotional or physical stress, environmental and dietary changes. Sometimes medications (such as birth control pills) can also cause migraines.
Overuse of medications or recurring headaches.
These headaches can develop if a person takes too many painkillers. They are very strong and are often accompanied by nausea, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory loss and even depression.
Occipital neuralgia.
A rare but severe headache that usually begins at the base of the neck and spreads to the back of the head and then behind the ears. Often occurs when the occipital nerves, which run up the back of the neck to the base of the skull, are damaged or irritated. The pain is accompanied by a burning or shooting sensation and persists on one side of the head, but often intensifies with movement of the neck. The patient is usually sensitive to light.
Possible causes include spinal injury, tumors, nerve damage caused by diabetes, swollen blood vessels, and rarely infection.
Headaches during physical activity.
They occur as a result of stressful activities and often occur after physical exercise. This pain resembles palpitations and can last from 5 minutes to 2 days.
Often occurs after heavy weight exercise or running. But sometimes they happen after sexual intercourse or pushing in the toilet.
Headache due to arthritis.
It appears in the back of the head and intensifies with movement. May be the result of arthritis of the first, second or third vertebra. Either it is associated with changes in the bone structure of the neck or inflammation of the blood vessels in the head.
In addition, the cause of a headache in the back of the head can be:
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- high blood pressure;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- stress;
- brain tumors;
- brain aneurysm;
- subarachnoid cerebral hemorrhage;
- cervical spine injuries and traumatic brain injuries;
- meningitis.
Paracetamol
This remedy is suitable for eliminating headaches of various etiologies and is well tolerated by the body. Paracetamol is an affordable and at the same time very effective antipyretic. An antipyretic drug for children, Panadol, is produced based on paracetamol. Paracetamol for headaches can be taken once, or up to four times a day. The duration of treatment should not exceed five days to prevent overdose.
Paracetamol MS
Medisorb, Russia
Paracetamol is used for: relieving moderate or mild pain (headache, toothache, migraine, sore throat, neuralgia, myalgia);
reducing elevated body temperature during colds and other infectious and inflammatory diseases. Paracetamol is intended for symptomatic therapy, reducing pain and inflammation at the time of use, does not affect the progression of the disease. from 2
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Modern methods of treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis.
Tension headaches.
They are usually treated with painkillers, massage and sometimes meditation. However, frequent tension headaches require medical supervision.
Migraine.
Treatment for this disease includes painkillers and rest in a darkened room. Doctors often recommend lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, and anti-migraine medications such as triptans to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Returning pain.
The best treatment for this type of pain is to stop taking painkillers. Yes, at first the headaches get worse, but they go away quickly.
In severe cases, you should consult a doctor - physical or behavioral therapy may be required to break the habit of using analgesics.
Occipital neuralgia.
It can be treated with heat compresses, rest, massage, physical therapy or painkillers. Severe pain may require oral muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, steroid injections, or local anesthesia. In rare cases, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the nerves or block pain impulses to that part of the body.
Pain during physical activity.
Taking painkillers before exercise can solve this problem. In addition, it is important to avoid stress, eat right and get enough sleep.
Aspirin
The active ingredient in Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. We are sure that this drug is in every home medicine cabinet. “Aspirin” can be taken for inflammatory diseases, problems with cerebral circulation, hangover syndrome, to thin the blood (as a prevention of thrombosis). Aspirin is often prescribed in the complex treatment of vascular diseases. Contraindications include bleeding disorders, stomach and intestinal ulcers, etc.
Aspirin
Bayer Schering Pharma (Bayer), Germany
The drug Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Popular questions and answers
We asked neurologists to answer questions related to headaches in the back of the head.
When can a headache in the back of your head be dangerous?
“Such symptoms,” says neurologist Olga Zincheva, “can include:
- concomitant increase in body temperature;
- weakness, awkwardness;
- numbness and tingling in the limbs or one limb;
- prolonged increase in pressure, difficult to reduce;
- severe headaches;
- headaches are accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
- double vision, impaired consciousness.
When to see a doctor for a headache in the back of the head?
“There are signs,” explains Olga Zincheva, “that require medical attention:
- you have a headache for the first time for no apparent reason;
- pain lasts several days;
- there are concomitant diseases.
“You need to go to the hospital immediately,” adds colleague Elena Gaivoronskaya, “if the headache occurs suddenly, it is very intense, there was no such pain before, or if the pain is accompanied by weakness in the limbs on one side of the body, a distortion of the face, speech disorder, or lack of coordination. If you have other alarming symptoms, you should consult a doctor as planned. You should also see a neurologist if you are taking too many pain medications or if your headaches are affecting your quality of life.
Top 9 drugs for headaches depending on its cause.
June 1, 2021
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Content
- Why does my head hurt?
- Groups of drugs for headaches
- Analgesics
- Antispasmodics
- Vasoconstrictor drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- The most effective pills for headaches
- Aspirin
- Paracetamol
- Citramon
- Tempalgin
- Pentalgin
- Spazgan
- Nurofen
- No-Shpa
There is probably not a single person who has not experienced a headache at least once in his life. Moreover, this also applies to absolutely healthy people. Headache varies in severity, often impairing quality of life and reducing performance. Therefore, there are head pills in every home medicine cabinet.
But you need to understand that there is no universal remedy for headaches, because there are about 40 causes that cause them. And only a doctor can determine exactly why you have a headache. If you need to quickly relieve pain, we suggest you at least figure out which headache medication you need to take in a particular case.
Read also How to treat migraine: the best drugs Top 5 best drugs against migraine
Nurofen
A combined drug with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. Nurofen is a good pain reliever. If you have a migraine, and you don’t have the usual medications prescribed by a neurologist at hand, you can take Nurofen once. You can take no more than four tablets per day, with breaks between each dose of at least four hours. It is not advisable to take Nurofen for more than three days.
Nurofen Forte
Boots UK, UK
Headache;
migraine; toothache; algodismenorrhea; neuralgia; backache; myalgia; rheumatic pains; fever with influenza and ARVI. from 9
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No-Shpa
Typically, No-Shpu is prescribed for tension headaches (stress, emotional or physical stress). This type of headache is usually mild and without throbbing. “No-Spa” is an antispasmodic that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood circulation. The therapeutic effect occurs literally 15 minutes after taking the tablet. You can take no more than two tablets at a time (no more than 8 per day). Moreover, you cannot take No-Shpu on your own for more than two days unless prescribed by a doctor.
No-shpa
Features of pain
Attacks can be either constant or periodic. Quite often, patients note that the back of their head hurts more during physical activity or bright light.
On the right, other unpleasant symptoms are possible:
- Tremors and cramps of the fingers.
- Deterioration of hearing and vision.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
You should not endure it if the right side of the back of your head hurts and the above symptoms are observed. After all, a similar symptomatic picture is recorded in many diseases.
At the Doctor Pozvonkov Center for Progressive Medicine, a therapist, vertebrologist, and neurologists receive daily consultations, and the latest medical equipment is used to conduct comprehensive diagnostics.
Citramon
Citramon is one of the most frequently purchased and affordable headache medications. Take it if the headache is not severe (against the background of elevated temperature or inflammatory processes). "Citramon" improves vascular tone and stimulates blood circulation. These headache tablets contain caffeine, aspirin and paracetamol, that is, Citramon has a complex effect. But you should not take this drug for a long time so that “side effects” do not develop. The daily dose is a maximum of 8 tablets (no more than three days).
Citramon
JSC "Tatkhimfarmpreparaty", Russia; Anzhero-Sudzhensky Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant, Russia; Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC, Russia; PrJSC Pharmaceutical Company “DARNITSA”, Ukraine
The drug Citramon is an analgesic drug that has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
The components that make up the drug enhance each other's effects. from 4
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Spazgan
These head tablets relieve vasospasm, relieve inflammation and relieve pain. The effect of taking the drug occurs quickly and usually lasts 4-8 hours. And although Spazgan can be bought without a prescription and is indicated for many types of pain, it is still advisable to consult a doctor before taking it. This headache medication is usually taken as a one-time dose. If you need a different application regimen, be sure to read the instructions to avoid side effects.
Spazgan
Wockhardt, India
Mild or moderate pain syndrome due to spasms of the smooth muscles of internal organs - renal and hepatic colic, spastic pain along the intestines, algodismenorrhea.
Can be used for short-term symptomatic treatment of joint pain, neuralgia, sciatica, myalgia. As an adjuvant it can be used to reduce pain after surgical and diagnostic interventions. If necessary, the drug can be used to reduce elevated body temperature during colds and infectious and inflammatory diseases. from 97
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Treatment of headaches
For nighttime headaches, treatment can be quite lengthy. First of all, you need to come for a consultation with a therapist or other specialist. To make a diagnosis, you will need to undergo tests and a computed tomography scan. The main method of treatment is medication. Moreover, the use of drugs that regulate the quality of sleep is often suggested, since sleep and night pain are interrelated. In addition, the following are used:
- manual influence (massage);
- Exercise therapy (physical exercises);
- hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches);
- xenon therapy (exposure to xenon gas);
- hypnosis;
- medicinal baths, etc.
The doctor will also suggest a set of actions that a person can do on his own: walking, exercise, a special diet, self-hypnosis sessions, etc. In any case, the approach to the treatment of night headaches should be comprehensive, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. In addition to eliminating the symptoms of pain, in parallel it is necessary to treat (eradicate) the cause of their occurrence. Timely treatment will help prevent the serious consequences of the disease!
The text was checked by expert doctors: Head of the socio-psychological service of the Alkoklinik MC, psychologist Yu.P. Baranova, L.A. Serova, a psychiatrist-narcologist.
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