Causes of headaches and when they are dangerous
There are many different causes of headaches. A headache can be dangerous or benign and it is important to be able to identify the difference.
A headache is felt in your head but does not originate from the brain tissue or skull as they do not have nerve endings and can therefore not register pain. Headaches can originate from blood vessels and tissues that surround the brain as well as the scalp, sinuses, muscles in the head, neck, jaw, upper back and teeth.
Headaches can be caused by
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Muscular tension
- Triggered by caffeine withdrawal
- Triggered by eating certain foods
- Abrupt cessation of medication
- Smells, flashing lights
- Poor eye sight or incorrect glasses
- Sinus infection
- Tooth ache
More serious causes of headaches
- High blood pressure
- Systemic infection
- Tumour
- Chronic bleeding
Below is a list of warning signs that you should seek further medical attention.
Headache WARNING signs
- First develop over the age of 50
- Constant and steadily get worse
- Causes a change in mental function
- A headache that is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, neurological symptoms, slurred speech, weakness, numbness or seizures
- A headache accompanied by a red eye that is painful
- A headache after being hit in the head
- The inability to complete your daily activities
- A headache that comes on abruptly and wakes you up
- A headache when you have an associated weakened immunity or cancer
Majority of the time your headaches can be resolved within a few hours or worst case in 2-3 days. Headaches can be eased and prevented with regular stretching, managing stress, correct ergonomics and strengthening your neck and upper back muscles. Regular chiropractic treatment helps to relieve muscular tension in the head, neck, jaw and upper back and maintains movement through the spine. This helps prevent irritation on spinal facets, discs and nerves.
If you have a headache that is different to what you have experienced before, or you experience any of the above warning signs then you will be referred to the appropriate medical professionals for further investigation.
