What Are the Causes of Headache?

Update Date: 2024-05-17 Source: Network

Headache, commonly known as pain in the head, is a frequently encountered condition. Headaches can range from mild to severe. Mild headaches often resolve with rest, while severe ones are often caused by underlying medical conditions and can significantly impact daily life and work. It is crucial to take notice of frequent headaches, promptly identify their causes, and provide targeted treatment. What are the common causes of headache?

1. Headache caused by vasodilation.

Inflammation inside or outside the skull, such as intracranial abscess and meningitis, can lead to intracranial vasodilation and subsequent headache due to the involvement of relevant pathogens. Other conditions like poisoning, brain trauma, and epilepsy can also trigger intracranial vasodilation and headache.

2. Headache caused by abnormal intracranial pressure.

Certain brain diseases, such as encephalitis, cerebral edema, and hydrocephalus, can obstruct the cerebrospinal fluid circulation, resulting in increased intracranial pressure and headache. Procedures like lumbar puncture and spinal anesthesia can also lead to decreased intracranial pressure due to increased cerebrospinal fluid outflow, causing headache.

3. Headache caused by irritation of the meninges.

Exudates from brain inflammation and blood from cerebral hemorrhage can irritate the meninges, leading to headache. Cerebral edema can also affect and stimulate the meninges and blood vessels, causing headache.

4. Nervous headache.

Compression or traction of nerves in the brain or neck can trigger nervous headache.

5. Headache caused by muscle spasms in the head and neck.

Diseases affecting the muscles of the head and neck, such as muscle tension and cervical spondylosis, can lead to muscle spasms and headache.

6. Headache caused by pathological changes in organs near the head.

Conditions affecting the eyes, ears, nose, and teeth, such as conjunctival disease, external otitis, and sinusitis, can potentially cause headache.

7. Headache caused by other reasons.

Headaches can also be triggered by low mood, mental stress, and poor sleep quality.

Headaches can be classified as physiological or pathological. Pathological headaches are caused by underlying medical conditions and can sometimes be severe, requiring prompt medical attention. Generally, pharmacological treatment is prescribed for pathological headaches, and in severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.