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.
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
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Insurance companies
Ask your MIVI centre for information on the agreements with insurance companies.
