What diseases cause headaches in the forehead and eyes?

Manifestations of headache and accompanying symptoms

We call any pain in the head area a headache, but the mechanism of its occurrence varies. It is caused by irritation of pain receptors in the dura mater, as well as blood vessels, nerves - trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, vagus, skin nerves, head muscles, cervical spinal roots. It can also manifest itself in different ways: it can be dull, pulsating, squeezing, bursting; can concentrate in the forehead, temples (on one or both sides), back of the head, crown of the head. Attacks can be strong, moderate or weak, and vary in duration and frequency. Pain may be accompanied by other symptoms (nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, dizziness, increased or decreased blood pressure, etc.). All these characteristics are important for making a diagnosis.

Research methods

Headache is a symptom, not a pathology. This symptom is not specific, and for this reason, its presence is difficult to make a correct diagnosis. It is necessary to take into account the accompanying manifestations and perform diagnostics using appropriate equipment to identify the underlying cause of this condition. The following procedures are prescribed for diagnosis:

• Blood pressure measurement.
• MRI of the brain.
• Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head.
• Laboratory blood analysis.
• Cardiogram.
• CT scan of the skull and brain.
• Dopplerography.

Causes of headaches

There are primary and secondary headaches. Primary pain is considered to be pain that is not an accompanying symptom, but is an independent disease. In this case, it is the headache that is the main problem. Secondary headache is one of the manifestations of a disease that is not limited to headache. Severe headaches can be accompanied by infectious diseases and poisoning of various natures (both toxic substances entering the body from the outside and those produced inside the body, for example, toxins that are formed as a result of the activity of viruses and pathogenic microbes in the body). A headache can occur as a result of stress, weather changes, hypothermia or overheating of the body, lack of sleep, hunger, overeating, lack of oxygen - the cause can be anything that leads to disruption of the metabolism necessary for brain activity.

So, if you have a headache, it does not necessarily mean that you are sick: it may simply be the result of a random factor. However, if the headache occurs periodically or persists for a long time, then most likely there is some kind of disease. In 95% of such cases, there is a primary headache, and only in 5% of cases is it secondary.

Combined with nausea

Severe headache and nausea are signs of migraine, meningitis, and hypertensive crisis.
Often the cause of these symptoms is sinusitis, sinusitis, or intoxication of the body. Nausea, headache, and dizziness are also symptoms of traumatic brain injury and infectious diseases. Patients complain of headache, nausea, weakness at the initial stage of influenza and acute respiratory infection. In this case, the body temperature rises to high numbers. The development of a migraine can be signaled by ripples in the eyes, nausea and headache. With a migraine, the patient's appetite disappears, an aversion to strong odors appears, nausea, irritability, photophobia, and numbness in certain parts of the body occur.

Headache and dizziness also occur when wearing incorrectly selected glasses or lenses or disruption of the vascular system. Headaches and spots in the eyes appear due to fatigue and nervous exhaustion, during weather changes, after stress. These symptoms occur in people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal injury or disease.

Headache and flashing spots before the eyes appear during a hypertensive crisis. Its variety - hyperkinetic crisis - begins abruptly with headache, nausea, flickering of spots before the eyes and vomiting. The patient feels hot. His sweating and heart rate increase. Trembling is felt throughout the whole body. High blood pressure can cause hypertensive encephalopathy. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• Very severe headache;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• The flickering of flies in the eyes.

The patient may lose consciousness and die if medical care is not provided in a timely manner.
Headaches that occur in the morning after sleep can be a manifestation of a brain tumor, abusive cephalalgia, tension pain, or migraine. Overuse headache occurs with long-term use of analgesics. It gets worse in the morning. The intensity of the pain constantly changes throughout the day. Overuse headaches are aggravated by stress, mental tension, excessive physical activity, and also by stopping a drug that relieves pain. Abuse cephalgia becomes permanent if the patient suffers from depressive syndrome, is often irritated, and is very tired. Due to constant headaches, a person’s concentration and performance decrease. He sleeps poorly and constantly feels tired.

Primary headache. Major diseases.

The most common forms of primary headache are “tension pain” and migraine, more rarely – cluster headache and other forms.

Tension headache (TTH)

can occur in anyone. This is the most common form of headache and is often characterized as a “normal” or “regular” headache. Attacks can last from 30 minutes to several days. The frequency of attacks varies from person to person, and it can also vary from one person to another during different periods of his life. The pain is described as squeezing, squeezing the head like a hoop or tight hat, usually bilateral, and moderate. In some people it can become chronic (chronic pain is diagnosed if there are more days with a headache than without it). A person experiencing chronic headaches becomes irritable. Weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, and sleep disturbances may occur. The cause of TTH is physical tension in the muscles and ligaments of the head and neck - the so-called “muscle stress”, which can be a consequence, for example, of working in an uncomfortable position. TTH often occurs in those who work at a computer or whose work involves the need to look at details (jewelers, watchmakers, assemblers of electronic equipment, masters of artistic embroidery, etc.). The emotional factor is also important: emotional tension caused by stress or a state of increased anxiety can also lead to pain.

Migraine

characterized by severe and painful attacks of headache, which are often accompanied by nausea (and in some cases vomiting), as well as intolerance to light and sound. The perception of smells changes, thermal sensations are disrupted. Migraine attacks last from 4 hours to 3 days and can be repeated with a frequency of 1-2 times a year to several times a month. During an attack, so-called “precursors” may be observed - irritability, depression, fatigue, occurring several hours or even days before the onset of pain. In a third of cases, pain is preceded by phenomena called “auras”: 10-30 minutes before the attack there may be visual disturbances (blind spots, flashes, zigzag lines in front of the eyes), tingling and numbness starting from the fingertips and spreading up the body and etc.

Predisposition to migraine is congenital and is associated with disorders in the brain structures responsible for pain and other sensations. Every seventh adult suffers from migraines, with women three times more likely than men. In girls, migraines usually begin during puberty.

Factors that contribute to the development of migraine attacks: chronic fatigue, anxiety or stress, in women - menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

But a predisposition to seizures does not mean that an attack will definitely happen. There are factors that act as a “trigger” for an attack. An attack can be triggered by: skipping meals, insufficient fluid intake, certain foods, sleep disturbances, physical activity, changes in weather, sudden changes in emotions.

Cluster (or beam) headache

characterized by one-sided sharp (“dagger” or “drilling”) pain. The intensity of the pain rapidly increases within 5-10 minutes, and the attack itself lasts from 15 minutes to 3 hours, during which the patient cannot find a place to rest. The pain is usually localized in the eye area, and the eye may become red and watery. Recurrent attacks form a cluster (that is, they follow each other), the duration of the cluster is from 6 to 12 weeks. This form of pain occurs five times more often in men than in women. However, those who smoke a lot or have smoked in the past are more susceptible to it.

Diagnostics

A neurologist is involved in determining the cause of pain. According to indications, the patient is referred for consultation to an otolaryngologist, ophthalmologist, and other specialists. The doctor finds out when the symptom first appeared, how often it appeared, how it changed over time, and what manifestations it was accompanied by. Collects a life history, clarifies the presence of chronic diseases that could cause pain.

During the examination, it is sometimes possible to detect external changes, for example, lacrimation, redness and swelling of the face, but in most cases the physical examination is not very informative. To make a final diagnosis, the following are prescribed:

• Otorhinolaryngological examination.
  Along with the standard techniques used during a general examination, the doctor conducts an examination using mirrors and special instruments. For sinusitis, rhinoscopy is indicative, confirming the presence of edema, hyperemia, serous or purulent discharge. Sinusoscopy requires expansion of the natural openings of the sinuses, so it is rarely performed for diagnostic purposes.
• Ophthalmological examination
  . Includes visometry, ophthalmoscopy, measurement of intraocular pressure, refraction studies, eye biomicroscopy, and other studies. Helps determine the nature of visual impairment, the preferred correction option, and the need for surgical intervention.
• Neurological examination
  . Involves assessing the symmetry of the palpebral fissures, pupils, facial features, examining the sense of smell, checking the integrity of the function of the facial muscles, and palpating the exit sites of the branches of the trigeminal nerve. The doctor examines movements, sensitivity, reflexes in the torso and limbs. Identifies pathological symptoms (for example, meningeal).
• Radiography
  . For sinusitis, radiography of the paranasal sinuses is indicated. The study reveals the accumulation of dense masses, and in a chronic process - deformation of the bone walls of the sinuses. To increase information content, it can be carried out with contrast. X-ray of the skull is required if a TBI is suspected. With long-standing intracranial hypertension, “finger impressions” are visualized.
• Ultrasound techniques
  . During echoencephalography, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, displacement of midline structures due to tumors, hematomas, and other space-occupying processes are determined. Duplex scanning and Doppler sonography are recommended for patients with vascular lesions. They allow you to get an idea of ​​the speed of blood flow and the state of blood circulation in various parts of the brain.
• Tomography
  . Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain provide complete information about structural changes in brain tissue, size, and location of pathological foci. Used at the final stage of diagnosis. To assess the condition of blood vessels, differentiation of tumor processes is performed with contrast enhancement. and MRI of the paranasal sinuses are required when the basic diagnostic procedures are insufficiently informative; they confirm the presence of sinusitis and other pathologies (tumors, cysts).
• Lumbar puncture.
  It is carried out to determine the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid, detect hemorrhages, and inflammatory processes. During subsequent microscopic examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid is clarified. For bacterial and viral infections, a microbiological analysis or PCR test is performed.

In some cases, special samples are required. For example, ganglionitis of the pterygopalatine ganglion is confirmed if the symptoms disappear after lubricating the nasal cavity with a solution of dicaine and adrenaline. For a number of pathologies, laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the inflammatory process and determine the pathogen.

Neurological examination

Secondary headache and diseases in which it occurs

In general, primary headache, although it disrupts the normal course of life during attacks, does not have serious consequences for a person’s general health. And secondary pain, despite the fact that it occurs much less frequently (in 5% of cases), can be a consequence of a dangerous disease.

Headache is necessarily present among the symptoms of the following diseases:

• vegetative-vascular dystonia (headaches can be combined with dizziness, nausea, fluctuations in blood pressure);
• hypertension (pain is mainly localized in the occipital region, there may be dizziness, noise in the head, spots before the eyes, heat in the head, pain in the heart);
• stroke;
• traumatic brain injury;
• meningitis;
• encephalitis;
• eye diseases (for example, glaucoma);
• diseases of the ear and nasopharynx (otitis media, sinusitis);
• neuralgia;
• diabetes;
• renal failure;
• oncological diseases.

Rehabilitation and lifestyle restoration

After suffering a serious illness, it is often difficult for a person to return to normal life and everyday activities and work. Rehabilitation programs are aimed at gradually gaining self-confidence.

Reference. Rehabilitation after headache is carried out according to a program drawn up taking into account treatment recommendations, taking into account neurological limitations.

Activities within an individual program usually consist of:

• doctor consultations;
• diagnostics;
• necessary procedures for recovery (electrophoresis or electrotherapy, dry spinal traction, manual therapy and others).

All stages of treatment, from diagnosis to recovery, can be completed within one clinic.

The center is equipped with the best modern expert-class equipment for patient recovery. Monitoring their condition is ensured by the constant supervision of highly qualified personnel, who regularly undergo training in new methods and improve their skills.

When should you see a doctor for a headache?

Many people prefer to simply take popular painkillers and not see a doctor. However, self-medication can lead to excessive use of such drugs, which can cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, as well as chronic headaches caused by taking medications. In addition, without undergoing a medical examination, you may miss the development of a dangerous disease. And a momentary effect obtained with the help of a random drug will still not be a solution to your problem.

You should definitely consult a doctor:

• if pain occurs for the first time in life (especially important for people over 50 years old);
• with very severe headaches;
• if the pain continues for a significant time (more than a week);
• if the pain intensity increases over time;
• when a headache occurs or worsens after a change in position or sudden movement of the head;
• if there are cases of loss of consciousness, memory impairment, changes in personal qualities;
• if the pain does not go away after taking antipyretic and painkillers.

Treatment

Headaches cannot be tolerated, so during attacks you should take analgesics. These can be drugs based on paracetamol, ibuprofen, ketorol and others that help a particular patient.

The main treatment for headaches is always aimed at their cause. If there are serious pathologies of internal organs, hormone therapy or chemotherapy, drugs for migraines or epilepsy, and drugs for heart disease are prescribed. Treatment is selected individually, taking into account the results of the examination and the general condition of the patient.

Dear patients!
Remember that only a qualified doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the causes and nature of the disease, and prescribe effective treatment. You can make an appointment with our specialists or call a doctor at home by calling 8-(4822)-33-00-33 Be healthy and happy!

Which doctor should you see if you have a headache?

If you complain of a headache, you should first contact your physician. To make it easier for the doctor to understand your disease, it is advisable to prepare answers to the following questions before visiting the doctor:

• How long has the pain been present?
• How often do the attacks recur?
• How long do they last?
• How severe is your pain (mild, moderate, severe, intolerable)?
• What is its character (pressing, bursting, pulsating)?
• In what part of the head is the pain concentrated?
• Are there any accompanying symptoms and what are they?
• At what point does pain occur (what contributes to its occurrence)?
• Do you manage to relieve pain (prevent attacks) and how do you do it?
• Do your relatives have similar complaints?

In the occipital region of the head

In the back of the head, cephalgia occurs when blood pressure increases, the cause of which is osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, anomalies in the development of blood vessels in the head or neck.
Severe pain in the back of the head occurs after nervous strain, as a result of spasm of the neck muscles, arteries of the head and neck, and disruption of the outflow of venous blood from the head. It worries patients suffering from occipital neuralgia, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, spinal diseases, and migraines. A sharp headache in the back of the head often occurs with the development of a hypertensive crisis. Sharp, bursting, pulsating headaches in the back of the head are accompanied by pallor of the patient’s face, generalized hyperhidrosis, dry mouth, heart pain and tachycardia.

Chronic arterial hypertension with a slight increase in blood pressure is also characterized by the development of pain mainly in the occipital part of the head. The headache bothers the patient immediately after waking up, intensifies with physical activity, and is often accompanied by swelling of the lower eyelids. Pain is caused by a violation of the outflow of venous blood from the vessels of the head.