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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 the pain can play a crucial role in diagnosing the cause. If the pain is severe and recurring, be sure to consult a doctor.
Causes of pain in the back of the head in an adult
– By itself, the pain in the back of the head does not speak about the cause of this pain, – explains neurologist Elena Gaivoronskaya. – The doctor assesses the frequency of pain, its intensity, duration, nature (throbbing, pressing, stabbing), concomitant symptoms. Only on the basis of all these data can a diagnosis be made.
There are a number of reasons why headaches can occur predominantly in the back of the head.
Tension headaches. This is the most common cause of neck pain. Such pains can last from 30 minutes to 7 days. Such pains can be caused by severe stress, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, poor posture or insufficient water intake.
Patients with this problem usually feel tension in the back of the head or front of the head. The pain can range from dull to severe.
Migraine. Another common type of headache that often begins in childhood and worsens with age. Migraine is 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 can make the pain worse. It can last from several hours to several days.
The causes of migraines are emotional or physical stress, changes in the environment and diet. Sometimes medications (such as birth control pills) can also trigger a migraine.
Overuse of medications or recurrent headache. These headaches can develop if a person takes too many painkillers. They are very strong and are often accompanied by nausea, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory loss and even depression.
Occipital neuralgia. A rare but severe headache that usually starts 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 travel 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 is often aggravated by movement of the neck. The patient is usually sensitive to light.
Possible causes include damage to the spine, tumors, nerve damage caused by diabetes, swelling of the blood vessels, and rarely infection.
Headaches on exertion. They occur as a result of stressful activity and often occur after exercise. Such pain resembles a heartbeat and can last from 5 minutes to 2 days.
Often occurs after heavy weight exercise or running. But sometimes they happen after intercourse or attempts in the toilet.
Arthritis headache. It manifests itself in the back of the head and intensifies with movement. May be the result of arthritis of the first, second, or third vertebrae. 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;
- injuries of the cervical spine and craniocerebral trauma;
- meningitis.
Treatment for pain in the back of the head in an adult
As a rule, headaches in the back of the head are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or both.
Diagnostics
First, the doctor must determine the cause of the pain in the back of the head. Often they are not secondary, that is, they are a symptom of some other disease. For example, you can block the nerve endings in the neck and if this stops the headache, then the problem is in the neck.
Modern treatments
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis.
Tension headaches. They are usually treated with pain medication, massage, and sometimes meditation. However, frequent tension headaches require medical supervision.
Migraine. Treatment for this disease includes pain medication 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.
Return pains. The best treatment for this type of pain is to stop taking painkillers. Yes, at first the headaches get worse, but quickly pass.
In severe cases, see a doctor – physical or behavioral therapy may be needed to break the habit of using analgesics.
Occipital neuralgia. It is treated with heat compresses, rest, massage, physical therapy, or pain medication. Severe pain may require oral muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, steroid injections, or local anesthesia. Rarely, surgery is needed to relieve pressure on the nerves or block pain signals from reaching that part of the body.
Pain during physical exertion. This problem can be solved by taking painkillers before training. In addition, it is important to avoid stressful loads, eat right and get enough sleep.
Prevention of pain in the back of the head in an adult
If you slouch while sitting or standing, the muscles in the back of your head, upper back, neck, and jaw can tighten. It can also put pressure on the nerves in these areas. As a result, poor posture can cause tension headaches and pain in the back of the head.
Standing or sitting straight can help get rid of headaches due to poor posture.
Popular questions and answers
For questions related to headache in the back of the head, we asked to answer neurologists Olga Zincheva and Elena Gaivoronskaya.
● concomitant increase in body temperature;
● weakness, awkwardness;
● numbness and tingling in the limbs or in one limb;
● prolonged increase in pressure, difficult to reduce;
● severe headaches;
● headaches are accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
● double vision, impaired consciousness.
● you had a headache for the first time for no apparent reason;
● pain last for several days;
● there are concomitant diseases.
You should immediately go to the hospital if the headache came on 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, facial distortion, speech disorder, impaired coordination. For other worrisome symptoms, you should consult a doctor routinely. You should also visit a neurologist if you are taking too many painkillers or if a headache reduces your quality of life.