Headaches: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Headaches is a pain in the head that can appear gradually or suddenly. Headaches pain can appear on one side of the head, be concentrated in a specific point, or spread to all parts of the head. Characteristics of pain in headaches can range from sharp, stabbing pain, dull pain, constant pain, to pain accompanied by a throbbing sensation.
Causes of Headaches
Based on the cause, headaches are divided into primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not associated with any particular disease. This condition can be triggered by tension headaches, migraines or migraines in children.
Symptoms
The symptom of a headaches is pain in the head that can radiate to the face, neck, and shoulders. Pain may also be more dominant in certain parts of the head, such as the forehead or the front of the head, the left or right side of the head, or the back of the head.
Headaches Diagnosis
Describe the location of the pain, the characteristics of the pain, the duration of the pain, the severity, the factors that exacerbate or relieve the pain, the symptoms that accompany the headache, and when the pain usually occurs. If there is a suspicion that the headache is caused by an illness, the doctor can carry out a number of ongoing examinations such as blood tests, CT scans, etc.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment of headaches depends on the cause. Treatment methods vary, ranging from the consumption of drugs to surgery. If there are no other dangerous symptoms, headaches can be relieved with drugs such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
However, if the headache feels worrying, consult a doctor to get an examination and appropriate treatment.
Types of headaches
- Tension headache is a type of headache characterized by pain and tension in the forehead or behind the head and neck. Tension headaches are often described as like a string tied tightly around the head.
- Cluster headache is a type of headache that can occur repeatedly, with a certain cycle or period. These headaches generally come on suddenly around the eye on one side of the head, and cause very severe pain.
- Migraine is a headache that feels throbbing and usually occurs on one side of the head. Migraines can last for hours or even days.
To prevent headaches due to daily behavior, apply healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as getting enough rest and exercising regularly. Meanwhile, if the headache is caused by a certain disease, the best prevention is to treat the cause.