Dr. Vlasov named the causes of headaches of different localization.

      Every second person in the world encounters a headache at least once in their life. The localization of pain can indicate possible causes of the condition. Doctor of Medical Sciences Yan Vlasov told 360.ru about whom to consult and how to treat it.

      Types of Headaches

      A study by scientists from Norway, Sweden, and the UK showed that 52% of people experience a headache at least once a year. Another 15.8% suffer from it daily. The brain itself does not feel pain, as it has no pain receptors, Dr. Vlasov reported. Pain sensations arise in the meninges.

      Pain itself is not a disease, so only a specialist can determine its cause. However, chronic pain is coded separately and is considered an independent diagnosis.

      On the pain scale, headaches are considered the most severe. They can be localized or generalized, for example, a pressing sensation due to increased intracranial pressure from a tumor.

      Vlasov noted that there are several dozen types of headaches. Accordingly, there can be many treatment options: from shiatsu massage to special medications and even opioids. He emphasized that pain should not be endured; it needs to be alleviated. Vlasov recommended consulting a doctor for any pain syndrome, especially if it is related to inflammation. However, according to his data, not everyone does this: 44% of men and 16% of women manage the first attack on their own, while a third consult a pharmacy.

      How Headache Localization Relates to Cause

      In some cases, localization indicates a diagnosis, especially if it involves the autonomic ganglia, the doctor noted.

      Facial Pain

      Facial pain can be caused by various reasons, including ganglioneuritis — an inflammatory lesion of the sympathetic nerve node. For example, inflammation of the ciliary ganglion causes discomfort in the area of the eye socket and forehead, while damage to the pterygopalatine ganglion results in pain in the nasal triangle.

      Another cause of facial pain can be Frey's syndrome — a rare condition characterized by auriculotemporal nerve neuropathy.

      The trigeminal nerve can also be a source of pain. Depending on the affected branch, pain may be localized in the forehead, nose, or lower jaw. Such pains can result from dental pathology or occur after viral infections, such as influenza and herpes.

      Forehead Pain

      Pain in the forehead area may indicate inflammation of the nasal sinuses, known as sinusitis. Treatment for this condition is conducted by an otolaryngologist. If the pain is localized in the brow area, Vlasov recommends consulting a maxillofacial surgeon.

      Temporal Pain

      Temporal pain is often associated with instability in blood pressure, especially in people prone to hypotension. According to the doctor, such pains have a vascular nature and were previously referred to as vascular dystonia.

      Typically, temporal pain in young women is due to a tendency towards low blood pressure, neck and upper back pain, as well as emotional instability and irritability. Temporal pain can also be a symptom of certain types of migraines.

      Occipital Pain

      Occipital pain most often arises from impaired trophism of the occipital nerves. The cause of such a condition may be migraine or cervical osteochondrosis if the pain has a helmet-like localization. For such individuals, the doctor recommends starting the workday with exercises for the shoulder area. It is important not just to stretch the neck but to perform exercises that require physical activity, such as swimming or swinging movements. If the pain is caused by nerve damage related to osteochondrosis, it can be easily alleviated by performing a 20-minute morning workout daily.

      Pain on One Side of the Head

      Pain that encompasses only half of the head is called hemicrania - a type of migraine. Like any other migraine, hemicrania is treated with special medications. Regular over-the-counter pain relievers are ineffective in this case.

      Pain Throughout the Head

      If there is no localized skin cause, the pain may be of a neurotic nature, says the expert. He explains that in a state of stress and with rising pressure, a person's pain threshold may decrease.

      Treatment of Headaches

      Dr. Vlasov noted that headaches can be caused by various reasons and require an individual approach to treatment. The nature of the headache varies greatly, and it is treated by different specialists. In some cases, a neurologist is needed, in others, a dentist, and in others, a maxillofacial surgeon, he emphasized.

      Headaches can be caused by inflammation, trigeminal nerve damage, migraines, high blood pressure, or mental states.

      For inflammation and migraines, special medications are prescribed; for trigeminal nerve damage — epilepsy medications; and for high blood pressure — vasodilators.

      Vlasov also noted that there are headaches that have no organic cause. They may be related to a person's mental state. Neurotic headaches caused by emotional tension can be alleviated with sedative medications.

      Headaches related to weather sensitivity are most often due to the vascular system's reaction to changes in atmospheric pressure — such pains usually resolve on their own over time.

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