Headaches that may occur due to minor reasons such as stress, insomnia or tension; Sometimes it can occur in serious situations such as migraine, meningitis, and severe infection.
Headache is at the forefront in influenza infection
Developing simultaneously with infection; Acute headaches, which become more evident as the disease worsens and regress with treatment, are considered to be related to infection. Infection can trigger tension or migraine headaches, and can also cause headaches by increasing blood pressure.
The nose also gets blocked in sinus infections
In sinus infections, tenderness on the relevant sinus, pain mostly on the forehead, nasal bridge and root, tenderness, nasal congestion, nasal and postnasal drip, and severe pain that increases with bending and exertion are described. In ear infections, you may experience pain behind and above the ear and in the jaw, and in throat infections, you may experience pain in the neck, ear and around the ear.[1]
In infections, especially flu infections, widespread muscle pain and muscle involvement may occur, and muscle spasms in the shoulder and neck area may cause pain in the back of the head, behind the ear, and above, in the temple areas.
If there is fever along with pain, be careful!
When headache and fever occur together, causes of intracranial infection (Bacterial meningitis, abscess; fungal, parasitic, viral meningitis, encephalitis) or extra cranial infection (eye, ear, nose, sinus, throat) are tried to be excluded. If there are no signs or symptoms of these and a headache that begins with the infection, it is considered a headache secondary to a systemic infection (viral, bacterial, fungal).[2]
Meningitis causes pain and stiffness in the neck
Headache associated with meningitis is common throughout the head but is more pronounced in the nape of the neck and is accompanied by symptoms of neck stiffness. Stimulation of sensory nerves in the brain membrane by bacterial toxins and substances such as prostaglandins, cytokines and bradykinin released as a defense response initiates pain.[1] Even if encephalitis, that is, inflammation of the brain, develops, the increase in intracranial pressure further increases the pain.[3]
If the headache is very prominent and severe, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, and neck stiffness is detected, meningitis should definitely be considered. Encephalitis should be considered if it is accompanied by mental and behavioral changes, seizures, and some additional neurological symptoms.
Headache may also occur in Covid 19 infection
Headache alone is not considered evidence of Covid 19 infection. It can be considered as one of the symptoms in the presence of complaints such as fever and cough, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath and fatigue along with headache.[4]
The main causes of headaches are:
Headache can be caused by many different reasons. Here are the causes of headaches, according to scientific research:
- Sinus Problems: Sinus infections or sinusitis can cause headaches.
- Eardrum Problems: Eardrum inflammations can also cause headaches.
- Infections: Inflammations of the meninges or other infections can cause headaches.
- Damage to Blood Vessels: Damage to blood vessels, aneurysms or vascular occlusions can trigger headaches.
- Metabolic Diseases: High blood pressure or metabolic diseases can also cause headaches.
- Mental Health Factors: Mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression can also affect headaches.
- Digital Media and Technology: Mobile phones, computers and constant internet use can also increase headaches.
- Eating Habits: Fast food, foods containing monosodium glutamate, and garbage foods can also contribute to headaches.[5]
How to relieve headache?
Here are some suggestions to relieve headaches:
- Hot or Cold Compress: You can apply hot or cold compresses to your head. This can reduce headaches by relaxing tense muscles.
- Rest and Sleep: It is important to get enough sleep. Irregular sleep patterns can increase headaches. Try to rest in a dark and quiet room.
- Avoid Stress: Stress can trigger headaches. Try to stay away from stressful situations.
- Massage: Gently massaging the back of your neck can relieve headaches.
- Medications: You can use simple painkillers or muscle relaxants recommended by your doctor.[6]
What are the 6 main symptoms of cluster headache?
Cluster headaches are described as unbearable pain felt on one side of the head, usually around the eyes. Abnormalities in the body’s biological clock are thought to play a role.
It is stated that, unlike migraines and tension headaches, cluster headaches are not associated with triggers such as foods, hormonal changes or stress.
It is more common between the ages of 20-40
Cluster headache is the most common primary headache type after migraine and tension-type headache, and its cause is not fully known. Although it can be seen at any age, it occurs more frequently in people aged 20-40 and in men. Smoking is another risk factor. Alcohol use can also trigger the onset of pain. Cluster headache is a type of headache that is characterized by unilateral, short-term and severe headache around the eyes, and recurs in attacks at certain periods. Severe pain often occurs at night, waking up from sleep.
Cluster occurs in the form of periods
Pain in cluster headache typically lasts between 15-180 minutes and may recur 1 to 8 times during the day. Attacks usually occur in cluster periods lasting weeks or months (often 1-3 months), separated by headache-free periods lasting months or years. The duration and timing of pain periods may be constant in individuals. In a smaller number of patients, the headache continues without improvement and is then called persistent cluster (chronic cluster).
It hits the eyes the most
Cluster headache occurs with unilateral, severe pain that manifests itself mostly around the eyes. Another typical feature of the pain is that it usually starts at night or in the morning and at the same time.[7]
The following symptoms accompanying pain should also be taken into consideration:
- Bloodshot, tearing or stinging sensation in the same side eye
- Congestion or runny nose in the same side of the nose
- Sweating on the same side of the forehead or face
- Drooping eyelid on the same side
- Facial and eye edema
- Agitation and restlessness
Need to move around when pain begins
The person experiencing cluster headache usually cannot sit down and feels the need to move around due to increasing restlessness. Sometimes there may be light sensitivity, as in migraine-type pain. During a pain attack, bradycardia (decrease in heart rate), hypertension (increase in blood pressure), and increase in gastric secretion production may also occur.
It is important to eliminate triggers
Treatment steps can be classified as elimination of triggers, attack treatment and long-term protection, that is, prophylactic treatment that prevents attacks.
First of all, patients need to reduce or stop the use of triggers such as smoking and alcohol. Exposure to extreme heat and exercise, which may trigger attacks, should be avoided. Unlike migraine attacks, food sensitivity, hormonal and stressor factors do not trigger attacks in these people.[8]
If your headache is severe or persistent, it is important to consult a specialist.
References:
- Sinus Headaches Medically Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on February 22, 2023 Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors.
- Burstein R, Blake P, Schain A, Perry C. Extracranial origin of headache. Curr Opin Neurol. 2017 Jun;30(3):263-271. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000437. PMID: 28248698; PMCID: PMC6051727.
- Christian Waeber, Prostanoids and Other Inflammatory Mediators, GRBT050-18 Olesen- 2057G GRBT050-Olesen-v6.cls August 18, 2005
- Tana, C., Bentivegna, E., Cho, SJ. et al. Long COVID headache. J Headache Pain 23, 93 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-022-01450-8
- NHS, Headaches: How you can ease headaches yourself. Page last reviewed: 09 February 2021
- Heidi Godman, Headache remedies to help you feel better, Harvard Health Publishing; Harvard Medical School, September 27, 2016
- Cluster Headaches, The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System (January, 2024)
- Martin PR, MacLeod C. Behavioral management of headache triggers: Avoidance of triggers is an inadequate strategy. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009 Aug;29(6):483-95. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.05.002. Epub 2009 Jun 7. PMID: 19556046.