What can this type of headache tell you? Check important symptoms urgently!
“Headache” may seem like a minor issue that everyone experiences, but did you know that sometimes it can be a silent warning sign from the body? If ignored, it may lead to unexpected serious diseases. In fact, different types of headaches can indicate hidden health problems inside the body more than you think, including stress, insufficient rest, muscle problems, and even brain-related disorders.
This article will guide everyone to check headache symptoms which, if carefully observed, will help you recognize the disease early and take proper care of yourself to prevent serious problems from severe illnesses at an early stage.
Checklist: What does pain in this part of the head indicate?
Sometimes headaches can be an important warning sign in life. Many people may have noticed that when they have a headache, it often hurts in specific spots. Some days it hurts at the temples, some days at the back of the head, and sometimes it feels like a dull, heavy pain. Each pain location can hint at the cause or underlying symptoms. Let’s observe the symptoms to see what a headache in this area might reveal about your health.
Pain at the back of the head
When experiencing pain at the back of the head spreading widely over the head, this type of headache usually indicates tension headache caused by muscle tightness and fatigue in the neck and shoulder area, or from sitting and working for long periods without changing posture. It may also be caused by abnormalities in the cervical vertebrae, which can cause pain radiating from the back of the head to the entire head.
Forehead and cheekbone pain
Pain in the forehead and cheekbone area is often caused by sinusitis, which results from infection or allergies causing the sinus lining to swell or become blocked. This leads to pressure inside the sinus cavities, causing a tight, painful sensation in the face and head, especially around the eyes, beside the nose, and the cheekbones.
Headache around the head like being squeezed
If you observe that the headache is not localized to one spot but surrounds the entire head and feels like being squeezed, this type of pain is caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. It is often related to stress, lack of rest, and poor posture, which cause muscle stiffness. This is the most common type of headache.
What diseases are these headache types at risk of?
Headache symptoms are not all the same because the pain characteristics vary. Some people may have pain on one side only, while others may have additional symptoms. Each type can indicate different diseases or health conditions. Sometimes it may just be stress, but other times it can be a warning sign of serious diseases that should not be overlooked. Understanding the characteristics of each headache type helps to know what diseases you might be at risk for and prepare to manage them properly.
One-sided headache
Many people experience one-sided headaches but did you know that this symptom does not only indicate “migraine”? It could also be cluster headache. Both conditions have different pain characteristics as follows:
- Migraine headache: usually has a throbbing pain on one side of the head and worsens when exposed to triggers such as bright light, loud noise, or very hot weather, which intensifies the pain. It may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
- Cluster headache: or Cluster Headache, the pain is similar to migraine but differs in that it usually causes severe one-sided headache that comes and goes, lasting about 5 minutes to 3 hours. It is often accompanied by eye pain, red eyes, tearing, or sweating on the painful side of the head. However, cluster headaches are not very common.
Sudden headache with B – E – F – A – S – T symptoms
This is a headache caused by cerebral blood vessels, usually characterized by sudden severe pain unlike any previous headache, accompanied by B – E – F – A – S – T symptoms such as numbness on one side, facial drooping, slurred speech, weakness in arms or legs, or unsteady walking. These symptoms should be taken very seriously as they may be related to cerebral artery stenosis, blockage, or hemorrhage, which are causes of stroke.
Headache with double vision
If you observe that the patient has a headache lasting more than 15 days continuously for about 3 months, especially if accompanied by morning vomiting and beginning to show physical abnormalities such as double vision, weakness in arms or legs, abnormal movements, or slurred speech. Some may have seizures without a prior history of seizures or experience abnormal balance. All of these may be warning signs of brain tumor because the mass presses on parts of the brain that control various body functions, causing abnormal symptoms.
Headache with fever
If you have a headache accompanied by high fever, be sure to observe other symptoms as well because it may be a sign of infection in the body such as influenza, dengue fever, or in some cases, severe inflammation of the meninges (meningitis).
Therefore, do not be complacent just because you think “I often have this kind of headache” or “medicine always helps” because if you observe that the headaches become more frequent and severe or have unusual symptoms, especially those never experienced before, this may be a warning sign from your body that there is a serious problem hidden inside. You should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis immediately.
Brain abnormality screening with MRI Screening: Clear diagnosis, prevention possible!
Although self-observation of headache symptoms can help detect diseases to some extent, some headaches may be more than just stress or office syndrome. Detailed brain examination with MRI Screening is a method that helps accurately identify causes, covering abnormalities of brain tissue, blood vessels, and early-stage tumors. Early detection and treatment help prevent major problems before they occur. You can come for brain abnormality screening through the MRI Headache package at Phyathai 1 Hospital.
This program scans the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including MRI, MRV, and MRA, which help detect brain abnormalities or assess tumor size, as well as stenosis, blockage, or other abnormalities that may cause headaches in detail. The examination is conducted by a team of brain and neurological specialists who are ready to provide consultation and appropriate treatment planning because detailed examination directly with specialists
Not only for peace of mind and knowing the true cause, but also to prevent major problems before serious diseases develop. You can make an appointment and inquire for more details at the Brain and Neurology Center, Phyathai 1 Hospital, Building 3, 5th Floor, Tel. 02-201-4600 ext. 2688 – 2690
