Pain in the back of the head – causes, types, treatment [EXPLAINED]

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Pain in the back of the head is a condition that affects both women and men. Children may also complain of pain in the back of the head. Pain around the back of the head may have a different nature and causes. You should respond to this type of ailments immediately. What disease may suggest a pain in the back of the head, is it worth using medications for such pain? Is Pain in the Back of the Head a Danger for Pregnant Women?

Causes of pain in the back of the head

There are many causes and types of pain that can be felt in the back of your head. They can be a sign of dangerous diseases or an incorrect lifestyle. If we have a throbbing pain in the back of the head, it may be related to high blood pressure. Regardless of whether the pain appears on the left or the right side of the poll, it cannot be ignored. These types of symptoms increase especially in the morning and are a consequence of the increased blood pressure that drops when we go to sleep.

Acute pain in the back of the head may be related to a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This pain is defined as very intense and incomparable to other types of pain. One of the causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the rupture of the aneurysm, which occurs due to negligence in the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Undiagnosed subarachnoid haemorrhage can even lead to a stroke.

If you have pain in the back of your head near your ears, it may be one of the symptoms of otitis media. This type of pain leads to enlargement of the lymph nodes that accompany various types of bacterial and viral infections.

Another type of pain in the back of the head is pain in the neck area, which occurs when tilting, most often manifested by stinging, and is associated with too much tension in the paraspinal muscles. This type of pain is often associated with degenerative changes in the neck and neuralgia, and varies in intensity at different times of the day. Then we are dealing with the so-called motor headache, which occurs most often in people after road accidents. The troublesome stinging at the back of the head is also classified as spontaneous headaches, which are the cause of giant cell arteritis.

Pains in the back area of ​​the head may be related to the so-called technology neck effect. This is mainly due to the progress of modern technologies, including smartphones. Frequent use of a tablet, phone or other mobile devices makes us tilt our head forward. This unnatural position is dangerous and harmful to the spine and leads to chronic pain in the back of the head.

Pain in the form of pressure around the back of the head may be associated with a tension headache, also known as psychogenic pain. It usually occurs when there is insomnia, stress, or excessive nerves. Changing your lifestyle, avoiding stressful situations and getting enough sleep can reduce this ailment. The worsening pain in the back of the head may also be one of the symptoms of a brain tumor. Then, in addition to discomfort in the neck area, visual disturbances, vomiting and nausea appear.

Pains in the back of the head may be related to migraine attacks. This pain occurs suddenly, attacking the temples, the left and right sides of the skull and the back of the head. Migraines are usually accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, such as: sensitivity to light, smell and noise, nausea and vomiting. A migraine attack can last up to 72 hours. In people struggling with this ailment, the so-called preceding neurological symptoms called migraine aura.

If pain symptoms persist or recur frequently, it is necessary to consult a doctor. For a good start, it is worth meeting with your family doctor who will determine what to do next. You can also make an appointment online as part of the National Health Fund (NFZ) insurance.

If you want to know what a migraine aura is, read: Migraine with aura – causes, symptoms, treatment

Headache in the back and accompanying symptoms

What are the accompanying symptoms of backache? They are ailments that can be misinterpreted, sometimes even ignored, by patients. These include, first of all, nausea and vomiting, which may result not only from indigestion, but also from the developing brain tumor. Such symptoms also include dizziness and loss of balance, which are most often associated with, for example, pregnancy or a drop in blood pressure. One of the symptoms accompanying pains in the back of the head is also double vision, then head tomography is necessary. Pain in the back of the head combined with a stiff neck may suggest meningitis.

If you want to know more about viral meningitis, check out: Viral Meningitis

Are you seeing disturbing symptoms? Analyze them yourself in the medical questionnaire and decide whether to go to the doctor.

Pain in the back of the head – treatment and diagnosis

If we find ourselves in a situation where the pain in the back of the head appears systematically and does not go away, and painkillers and home remedies do not work, it is best to see a neurologist. This also applies when the pain comes on suddenly and is severe, accompanied by fever, a stiff neck and when you are exercising.

During your visit, your doctor can tell if you need routine CT or MRI scans. When a neurologist diagnoses degenerative changes in the spine, neurosurgical treatment will be needed. If a CT scan finds a tumor, it may be combined with chemotherapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging can be quickly arranged at MRI Diagnostics, where you can quickly arrange a convenient date for you. It is a safe method of diagnosis due to the use of electrostatic radiation.

It is worth remembering that if the pain is very strong and the neck becomes stiff, you cannot wait until the last moment and you should even visit your family doctor for further treatment. Whether or not treatment is successful is determined by the causes of pain in the back of the head. The most severe cases include subarachnoid hemorrhage and all kinds of brain tumors, other diseases can be quickly diagnosed and treated.

For more information on chemotherapy, see this article: Chemotherapy and its Effects on the Body

Pain in the back of the head and medications – is it worth it?

In the leaflets that are attached to the drugs, we can read that taking too much of a dose may cause side effects, including headaches. Unfortunately, this is a common side effect, affecting a large number of people taking paracetamol or ibuprofen medications – luckily, not all of them are in this group. Despite the persistent pain in the back of the head, you should check that the drug does not interact with other tablets or food you are taking. It is worth knowing that the abuse of drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid may increase the frequency of general headaches and those in its back. It is best to consume this type of medicine as a last resort and after consulting a doctor or pharmacist.

For a headache, it is worth doing cold compresses. Use the Universal Visiomed Dead Sea Mud Mud Universal Compress, which you can buy at a promotional price at Medonet Market.

Are there any ideal drugs? Read the article: The perfect medicine?

Could the pain in the back of the head be due to a vitamin deficiency?

An inadequate diet that is low in nutrients can also be one of the causes of headaches – both traditional and in the back of the head. Deficiencies in the form of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B6, B12 or folic acid contribute to this type of ailments. Vitamin deficiencies are also manifested by problems with concentration and constant fatigue. In turn, low levels of vitamin D in the body can lead to intense migraines

If we are struggling with such health problems, we should introduce products containing these minerals and vitamins into the diet. We can also do it through supplementation. For the aforementioned vitamins, it’s best to take vitamin D in the form of supplements. Its source is biosynthesis in the skin under the influence of sunlight. Unfortunately, the latitude of Poland has a significant impact on the deficiency of this vitamin. The first step to change your health habits will be to perform basic tests, i.e. morphology, on the basis of which the doctor will assess the source of the problem.

You can buy a dietary supplement helpful with headaches today at Medonet Market. DuoLife ProMigren, thanks to the extract of evening primrose seeds, strengthens the nervous system and prevents headaches.

Find out more about dietary supplements. Read: Dietary Supplements – Definition, Precautions, Slimming

Home remedies for treating pain in the back of the head

If we do not want to take medications, and the visit to the family doctor or neurologist may take only a few days, it is worth reaching for home remedies for pain in the back parts of the head. The first way is to take a relaxing bath in warm water with the addition of sea salt or essential oils, which should relax the muscles and calm the body. The second method is a massage around the back of the head – gentle pressure can relieve pain.

During chronic headaches, it is worth remembering to ventilate the room and the right temperature. Fresh air is good for the respiratory system, and breathing exercises can relieve discomfort. Aromatherapy in the form of inhalation is also a good idea. It has been known for a long time that aromatherapy has a positive effect on health and mood, and its use strengthens the body’s immunity.

Acupuncture can also help with bothersome headaches. What is this? It is one of the methods of therapy for various ailments, which is carried out by pricking with special needles. This type of treatment strengthens the patient’s vitality and the so-called energy flow. It is related to the belief that every area of ​​the human skin is connected by a network of nerve cables to a specific place on the body. Therefore, the application of needles and stimulation of a given area has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Cold compresses around the neck are one of the easiest ways to relieve pain in the back of the head. Cryotherapy, or treatment with cold, already existed in antiquity. According to Hippocrates, cooling the body had analgesic properties, reduced swelling, and relieved pain and bleeding. Under the influence of low temperatures, the human body produces antibodies that fight inflammation and infection. We can make compresses ourselves or buy gel packs at a pharmacy or drugstores.

Certain herbs that have a soothing and calming effect can also be used for headaches. Reach for Light Head – Lorem Vit’s natural herbal blend that contains peppermint leaf, narrow-leaved lavender flower, elderberry fruit and valerian root.

How to use heat and cold therapy at home? Check it out: Playing warm – cold

Pain in the back of the head and pregnancy

Pregnant women can also complain of chronic pain in the back of the head. This type of pain, in the case of pregnant women, may be related to hormonal changes. They usually occur at the beginning of pregnancy, during the first trimester. Another reason is the aforementioned hypertension, which can be dangerous in pregnant women. It often appears in women who have not struggled with this ailment so far.

Pain around the back of pregnant women may be associated with gestosis, i.e. pregnancy poisoning. It is also manifested by water retention in the body and various types of edema that accompany pregnant women and may not always be associated with gestosis. Proteinuria may also occur during pregnancy poisoning.

What other discomforts may occur during pregnancy? Read: Edema – the bane of pregnant women

Pain in the back of the head in a child

Pain in children around the back of the head may have various causes, some of them coincide with those of adults. Spontaneous pain in the back of the head can be caused by all sorts of bacterial and viral infections, otitis, and enlarged lymph nodes. The most dangerous causes of headaches in children are meningitis and a brain tumor. In such cases, the parent should be vigilant and see a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the causes of enlarged lymph nodes? Read: Enlarged lymph nodes – causes, symptoms, treatment