Istanbul Headache Treatment Doctor

Headache is a general expression of any pain that occurs in the head area. Headaches can vary from person to person, depending on the underlying cause. While the pain that can be felt on one side of the head or on both sides of the head sometimes starts from one point and progresses, sometimes it can be felt as if there is pressure from both sides.

Headache can start sharply and suddenly, or it can be felt by gradually increasing. While the pain can last for a few minutes or hours, it can sometimes last for a few days.

Your doctor can determine the cause and determine the appropriate treatment by listening to your headache symptoms and type and performing various tests accordingly.

While many headaches are not caused by a serious illness, some may be caused by a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. There are more than 150 types of headaches.

Pain can be examined in two different groups as primary and secondary.

What are Primary Headaches (Primary)?

There is no underlying disease in primary headaches. These include tension-type, migraine, neuralgic and cluster-type pain.

Tension Type Pains

It is the most common type of headache in young and adult people. They cause mild to moderate pain and are temporary. Usually there are no other symptoms associated with it.

Migraines

It is often expressed as throbbing pain. It can usually last between 4 hours and 3 days, but it can be encountered 1-4 times a month. Along with pain, symptoms such as sensitivity to noise, smell and light, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain can be seen.

If a person has migraines, they may look pale, feel lightheaded, along with lightheadedness, blurred vision, fever, and stomach upset.

Neuralgic Pains

It is pain that gives a feeling of pins and needles in the areas where the trigeminal nerve is located in the face area. It may occur due to cold weather, circulatory disorders and stimulants.

Cluster Headaches

Headaches of this type are the most severe. There may be intense pain and chills behind or around the eye. These pains can be so bad that you cannot sit still and speed up your movements. The eyelid on the side of the pain droops, the eye becomes red, watery, and the pupil becomes smaller. At the same time, the nostril on the same side drains or swells.

What Are Secondary Headaches?

Secondary headaches are pains that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head, vary in intensity, and can be a symptom of a disease.

The causes of secondary headaches may be:

• Acute Sinusitis
• Brain Aneurysms
• Glioma
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Dental problems
• Ear infection
• Encephalitis (Brain Inflammation)
• Giant cell arteritis (Temporal arteritis)
• Glaucoma (eye pressure)
• Hypertension
• Flu
• Meningitis

Chronic Daily Headaches

Chronic headache refers to headaches that have been present for at least three months and are present more than 15 days in a month. The use of certain drugs may be the leading cause of these pains.

What Causes Headaches?

The pain felt during a headache is caused by a mixture of signals between the brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves. Blood vessels in the head and certain nerves in the muscles are activated and send pain signals to the brain. Common causes of headache include:

• Disease

Headache is a very common complaint in conditions such as flu, cold, sinusitis, throat and ear infections. In some cases, a blow to the head can cause a headache, as well as a serious illness.

• Stress

It can also play a role in stress headaches, which cause many health problems. Especially emotional stress and depression, as well as alcohol use, missed meals, sleep patterns and excessive drug use can cause pain. Posture disorders can also cause headaches along with neck and back.

• Genetic

Migraines, in particular, can be familial. 90% of young people who experience migraine may also have migraines in other people in their families. If both parents have migraine, the probability of having it in their child is around 70%. If only the mother or only the father has it, this risk is between 25-50%.

How is Headache Diagnosed?

If your headaches are not temporary but permanent, you should definitely consult your doctor. In addition to the physical examination, he or she will learn about your complaints, what kind of pain you experience and how often. Based on these, your doctor may request MRI and CT (computerized tomography) from you.

How to Treat Headache?

For this, first of all, the cause of the headache should be diagnosed as an examination. Appropriate treatment should be initiated after diagnosis. After diagnosing the cause, your doctor can advise on issues such as sleep patterns, exercise, healthy eating, as well as prescribing appropriate medications.

How Accurate Is It To Use Continuous Painkillers For Headaches?

Although painkillers play a major role in relieving your complaint, continuous drug use can actually cause damage to organs such as the stomach and kidneys. Therefore, it is not recommended to use painkillers continuously for persistent pain.

You should consult a neurologist, especially if you have a headache that requires you to take a lot of painkillers in a week.

Which Doctor / Department to Go to for Headache?

In our article, we have discussed many headache causes in detail. Of course, it is necessary to consult a doctor for the most accurate diagnosis of persistent headaches. People who have headache problems can apply to neurologists for the diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the pain.

Resources

https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-basics

https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/headache/basics/causes/sym-20050800

https://www.turkiyeklinikleri.com/article/en-kronik-gunluk-bas-agrisi-50903.