All about headache

Causes of headache

Headache is one of the most common neurological symptoms. It can have multiple causes, from occasional factors such as stress or lack of sleep, to more complex neurological diseases. The most common causes of headache include include:

Muscle tension or emotional stress
Hormonal changes (such as those associated with the menstrual cycle)
Dehydration or prolonged fasting
Visual problems or poor ergonomics
Sleep disorders
Excessive caffeine consumption or its withdrawal
Infections, sinusitis or fever
Cranial traumas
Use of certain drugs
Neurological disorders (such as migraines or neuralgias)

Identifying the cause is key to effective and personalized treatment.

Primary and secondary headaches

Primary headaches

They are those in which the pain is the disease itself, without an identifiable underlying cause. The most frequent are:

MigraineMigraine: throbbing pain, usually unilateral, which may be accompanied by nausea, photophobia and phonophobia.
Tension headacheTension headache: sensation of pressure or banding around the head, usually related to stress or fatigue.
Cluster headache (cluster)very intense pain localized around the eye, in recurrent and brief episodes.

Secondary headaches

They are due to another pathology or underlying condition. Some causes of secondary headache are:

Sinusitis
Viral or bacterial infections
Arterial hypertension
Cranial traumas
Cervical spine disorders
Tumors or intracranial lesions
Abuse of analgesic drugs

It is essential to rule out serious causes when pain is persistent, sudden or accompanied by other neurological symptoms.

Headache prevention

Adopting certain healthy habits can help prevent the onset or reduce the frequency of headaches. We recommend:

Maintain good sleep sleep hygiene
Regular physical exercise
Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
Taking care of your diet and avoiding long fasting periods
Correct bad posture and avoid cervical overexertion.
Learning stress management techniques (mindfulness, relaxation, etc.)
Identify and avoid personal triggers (noises, intense lights, certain foods, etc.).

In cases of recurrent or disabling headaches, it is important to consult a specialist.

Types of headaches

Migraines

The migraine is a form of cephalea (headache) that usually manifests itself in an intense and incapacitating way. In addition, it is usually accompanied by other manifestations such as vomiting, intolerance to light, sound, among others. The pain is usually located in the frontal or lateral part of the head, it is usually recurrent (episodic), throbbing and affects one part of the head with more intensity.

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Trigeminal Neuralgia

The trigeminal nerve is the largest cranial nerve in the human body and one of the most important from a functional point of view. Its name refers to its structure, since it is composed of three main branches: the ophthalmic nervethe maxillary maxillary nerve and the mandibular nerve. This nerve has a mixed function mixedwhich means that it participates in both sensory sensory transmission as well as in the motor innervation. On the one hand, it picks up the sensitivity of almost the entire face, and on the other hand, it activates the muscles in charge of chewing. In addition, it also plays an important role in the control of the muscles that contribute to the ventilation of the middle ear. ventilation of the middle earThis explains why an alteration in the mandibular musculature can influence discomfort or dysfunction at the level of the ear. Due to its size and complexity, the trigeminal nerve can be involved in multiple clinical conditions affecting the cranial, cervical and mandibular region. cranial, cervical and mandibular region..

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Arnold's neuralgia

The Arnold’s neuralgia is a pain that produced in the cervical region manifests itself especially in the occipital region. It usually presents as a constant stabbing pain in the form of an electric shock or numbness perceived in the occipital part of the head.

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Facial Neuralgia

Atypical facial neuralgia, also called persistent idiopathic facial pain, is a pain that is often confused with trigeminal neuralgia and that is why many patients have this incorrect diagnosis that leads to treatments that are not entirely correct.

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Diagnosis and treatments for headache

Diagnosis

At MIVI Salud we perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause and type of headache:

Detailed medical history
Neurological and cervical examination
Complementary tests if a secondary cause is suspected (MRI, CT scan, blood tests, etc.)

A proper diagnosis is the first step in addressing treatment effectively.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the type of headache and its cause. At MIVI Salud we apply a comprehensive approach that may include:

Pharmacological treatment

Migraine-specific analgesics (triptans)
Anti-inflammatories
Preventive medication for frequent headaches
Supplements or adjuvant medication

Physiotherapy and manual therapy

Techniques for treating cervicogenic headaches
Manual therapies and myofascial release
Dry needling and postural exercises
Movement reeducation and ergonomics

3. Interventional pain treatment

Occipital or cervical nerve blocks
Image-guided infiltrations
Radiofrequency in chronic and refractory cases

Real relief for your headache at MIVI Salud

Not all headaches are the same, and at MIVI Salud we know that. That’s why we offer you a multidisciplinary team with experience in the medical, neurological and physiotherapeutic approach to headaches.

Recover your quality of life with a personalized and evidence-based treatment.

Make an appointment with our specialists and start living without pain.

Here begins your life without pain

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AML L

1 day ago

Muy buenos profesionales , atentos , amables y con calidad humana . Destacar también recepción que reciben con una sonrisa . Las instalaciones limpias . Al día de hoy mi experiencia en esta clínica es excelente . La clinica está siempre a tope y aún así las /los fisioterapeutas que me trataron tienen trato profesional y amabilidad . Encantada con el servicio recibido 👍

Martina Paladini Hidalgo

6 days ago

Paola Fernandez

6 days ago

Tuve la gran suerte que me atendiera la Dr Laura Ortiz, una fisioterapeuta extraordinaria, me ha aliviado mi dolor lumbar y Ciática, con una gran amabilidad, paciencia, sonrisa, profesionalismo y empatía. Desde luego gracias a esta gran profesional, recomiendo a todas las personas que venimos sufriendo con ansiedad, dolores y síntomas que vengan a este centro. De nuevo decir que estoy muy agradecida.

Wuilmar Galue

2 weeks ago

JAVIER MIGUEL SALVAT

2 weeks ago

Sergio Carbonaro

2 weeks ago

Excelente atención, con profesionales de primera linea, tanto como el equipo medico, administrativo y del Dr. Algarra

Roser Hurtado

2 weeks ago

Encantada con la Dra.Natàlia Neira. Empàtica y cercana.Me he sentido comprendida. Muy hábil con la eco grafía, su infiltración ha marcado un antes y un después. Gracias Dra.Neira.

Detlef Neumann

3 weeks ago

Ich wurde sehr gut und kompetent behandelt

Merche

3 weeks ago

Quiero destacar el gran trabajo de Nicolás. Después de años arrastrando molestias por un accidente del que nunca llegué a recuperarme completamente, y tras sufrir otro más reciente que me provocó fuertes dolores lumbares, había pasado por varios terapeutas sin encontrar una solución real. Nicolás fue el primero en identificar el origen de mi problema. Me explicó claramente qué estaba causando el dolor y comenzó a tratarlo de forma específica. Desde entonces estoy notando una mejoría importante y, por primera vez en mucho tiempo, siento que estoy avanzando de verdad. Muy agradecida por su profesionalidad y por haber encontrado la causa de unas molestias que llevaba años arrastrando. Totalmente recomendable.