Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, with pain presenting in different ways.

1 May 2021 | 5 Min. Reading Time

Overview

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, with pain presenting in different ways. A distinction is made between two kinds of headache, i.e. primary headaches and secondary headaches. A primary headache isn't caused by another disease, while a secondary headache can be caused by an accident or another disease.

Symptoms

Primary headache

Tension headache

Frequency: occasionally to daily
Location: occurs on both sides of the head and affects specific regions, such as the forehead, temples or skull
Intensity: slight to medium

Migraine

Duration: 4 - 72 hours
Frequency: occasionally to several times a month
Location: one-sided 60% of the time
Character: pulsing, nagging, pounding
Intensity: medium to severe
Accompanying symptoms: nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise

Cluster headache

Duration: 30 - 180 minutes
Frequency: several times a day, then disappears for several months
Location: strictly one-sided, behind the eye
Character: stabbing
Intensity: severe pain that worsens rapidly
Accompanying symptoms: eye waters, turns red and swells up, nose is blocked or running, sweat on forehead

Secondary headache

Varies according to the disease or type of accident

Character: pulsing, dull, stabbing, pounding, nagging or throbbing
Location
- Affects one or both sides of the head
- Forehead or neck, radiating
- Affects all of one side of the face
Worsened by movement, cold or food
Accompanying symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and fainting
- Fatigue and reduced concentration
- Visual disturbances and hearing problems
- Speech disturbances
- Paralysis

Causes and treatment

Causes (excerpt)

Primary headache

Stress
Hormone fluctuations
Dehydration
Lack of sleep
Lack of fresh air, overheated rooms
Poor posture, muscle tension
Smoking, alcohol
Painkillers
Changes in the weather

Secondary headache

Musculoskeletal diseases
Cold and flu
Sinusitis, meningitis
Diseases of the ear, nose and throat
Cardiovascular diseases (e.g. high blood pressure, arrhythmia)
Stroke, seizure, brain tumours
Allergies, inhalation of fumes (chlorine, solvents, dyes)
After an accident (immediately or with a delay)

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

Different tests, depending on the symptoms and suspicions

Physical examination
Blood test
Blood pressure
Measurement of brain waves (EEG)
Imaging procedures
- Ultrasound of the organs of the throat and blood vessels
- Examination of cerebral blood vessels using a contrast agent (angiography)
- X-ray of head and spine
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- CT scan (computed tomography)

Possible therapies:

Painkillers
Reduction of light and noise
Other treatment by a specialist, depending on the cause of the underlying disease

What can I do myself?

Make enough time for sleeping and relaxation
Sufficient fluid intake (> 2 litres/day)
Balanced wholefood diet
No alcohol or cigarettes
Keep a pain diary (type of pain, duration, intensity)
Sufficient exercise and sport
Relaxation and reduction of stress
Avoid regular use of painkillers
- Risk of medication-induced headache
- Long-term side effects
Household remedies
- Lightly massage the temples (lavender or peppermint oil)
- Put fresh lemon slices on the painful area
- Lavender tea
- Sufficient fresh air when sleeping