The candidate of medical sciences named non-obvious causes of headache

A headache can be caused by a number of non-obvious reasons that are important to be aware of. Dmitry Bulanov, Director of the Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Cytology at the LabQuest Laboratory, Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia on August 28.

The specialist attributed postural disorders and prolonged static tension of the neck and shoulder girdle muscles to little-known provoking factors, especially in people who spend a lot of time at the computer.

"Chronic muscle strain can cause tension headaches, which patients often confuse with migraines. Another underestimated factor is the internal rhythms of the body. Sleep disorders, circadian rhythm disruptions, and night shift work can disrupt the regulation of vascular tone and pain sensitivity," the specialist said.

Hormonal fluctuations are also important: in women, headaches may be associated with the menstrual cycle, taking contraceptives, or menopause.

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In some cases, headaches result from chronic dehydration, especially in the elderly, or caffeine abuse. A rarer cause is abrupt discontinuation of certain medications, including analgesics, which can cause a so-called abusive headache.

The problem can also be associated with diseases of the cervical spine or the maxillary system. With cervical osteochondrosis, herniated discs, or deep neck muscle spasm, a cervicogenic headache may develop. Dental diseases, chronic bruxism, or pathology of the temporomandibular joint can provoke tension headaches.

There are types of headaches that indicate serious illnesses and require immediate medical attention. Warning signs include sudden, "thunderous" pain that peaks in a matter of seconds — a possible sign of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

"A headache is dangerous, accompanied by impaired speech, vision, or weakness in the extremities, which often signals a stroke. New pains in people over the age of 50 require special attention, especially with weight loss or stiffness in the muscles, which may indicate temporal arteritis. A gradually increasing headache, which worsens in the morning with nausea or a change in consciousness, requires the exclusion of a brain tumor," Bulanov warned.

Lifestyle plays a key role in the prevention of headaches. It is necessary to normalize the sleep regime — an adult needs seven to eight hours of quality sleep at the same time. Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, improves vascular tone. It is important to avoid trigger foods in the diet: aged cheeses, smoked meats, chocolate, alcohol and monosodium glutamate. Relaxation practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga will be useful. In some cases, it is indicated to keep a headache diary to identify individual triggers.

Surgeon Alexander Umnov spoke on August 15 about the dangerous ways of self-medication for high blood pressure. According to him, people often start taking aspirin for a long time on the advice of friends, not considering that it is contraindicated in cases of stomach ulcers and kidney diseases. The doctor noted that the selection of safe and effective therapy in difficult cases can take two to three months.

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