Headaches

Causes, Symptom, and Treatment for people suffering from headaches.

One of the most popular health problems is headaches. Most people develop the problem as a result of different factors. Most times, headaches are not life-threatening, and on many occasions, a pain killer, adequate rest, or a visit to the restroom can solve the pain. However, if this problem happens consistently, it can impede the quality of life of a person.

A few factors can be responsible for developing headaches in people. Some of these include emotional factor, which includes depression, stress, or anxiety. A few medical factors such as high blood pressure or migraine can also be responsible for triggering headaches. Other factors may include physical factors such as injury, stress. In some cases, weather conditions may cause an individual to develop headaches, and poor bowel movements have been known to cause headaches.

Causes of headache

Any part of the head can experience aches. It can as well affect different places on the head simultaneously. The position of the headache can be a determining factor for physiotherapists to make a diagnosis. Physiotherapists also believe that an individuals’ lifestyle can also cause headaches of all types. Categorising headaches is also possible by doctors if underlying health problems may have resulted in it.  This means that an individual experiences either a primary or secondary headache.

Primary headache

This headache is in no way connected to an underlying health problem. Primary headaches are, however, a result of problems associated with the neck and head’s structure. This headache can result from the overactivity of certain brain areas, brain chemicals, and blood vessels. Others may include muscles and nerves. Cluster and tension are the common primary headache.

Secondary headache

Secondary headache is a heavily connected symptom of underlying medical issues. People may develop this type of headache as a result of pregnancy, stroke, and brain tumours. Certain systemic conditions such as infection can also be responsible for a secondary headache. Other causes may include hypothyroidism and giant cell arteritis. Serious health issues can be the source of this type of headache, and it is best to reach out to doctors if the headache

  • It goes and comes back within a short period
  • Is disruptive
  • It happens from time to time
  • Is persistent even after taking drugs
  • It comes with other conditions such as fever, confusion, and neck stiffness

Types of headache

Episodic: These are headaches that occur for a few hours. In some cases, they can remain for some days.

Migraines: This is a headache that may sometimes involve throbbing pain and pulsating. Migraines may switch to another part of the head, but usually, they affect one side of the head. When this headache strikes, an individual may feel sensory discomfort called vision change. Also, individuals suffering from this headache may feel nausea and vomiting, light-headedness, light or sound sensitivity.

Cluster: Cluster headaches do not take long when it strikes. They usually last between fifteen to three hours. However, they may come and go even up to one to eight times in a single day. This headache can strike continually for four to twelve weeks and leave. They may also strike at the same time each day.

Thunderclap: This headache is the worst type no one will dream of. They can be so sudden and sharp that many describe them as “the worst.” Within 60 seconds, they can hit maximum intensity. However, they can’t last beyond five minutes. A secondary headache can point to a serious health condition such as a good clot in the brain.

Tension-type headache: The experience of this headache begins mid-day. Some of the feelings are:

  • A tight band feeling in the head
  • The head feels dull ache on both sides
  • Pain moves from or to the neck

Treatment of headaches

Treating headaches is best carried out using rest and relief medication. Options may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy can also be an option for migraines and tension headaches.

Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation – IMS

Our Gunn IMS Specialist, Antony has successfully treated modalities for headache pain. As the only Sussex-based Brighton physiotherapy clinic to offer this modality on the south coast our IMS treatments access areas that are not possible by any other means. Antony treats both acute and chronic conditions using IMS. To find out information please contact our physical therapy clinic and click here for details and to read some client testimonials.

References

https://www.bodyset.co.uk/general/headaches-physio-can-help/
https://www.physis.uk.com/do-physiotherapists-treat-headaches/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/73936

* Contact Reach Physiotherapy for a list of references used for this blog content.

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