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According to statistics, at least half of the people on the planet suffer from the regular occurrence of cephalalgia. Moreover, only 20% of them go to a professional with their problem, the rest try to cope with the pain on their own. Individuals predisposed to a symptom often know which medications and approaches can quickly relieve them of unpleasant sensations. But it happens that at some stage these methods of influence cease to give the desired result, and dangerous experiments begin. When asked what to do if you have a severe headache and popular pills don’t help at all, the attending physician will best answer. It is he who must decide how to deal with a chronic or new symptom.
Why does my headache not go away?
Modern medicine offers dozens of medications whose action is aimed at eliminating cephalgia. There are also a number of non-drug approaches that can provide the same effect. It sometimes happens that these options are successfully used by patients for months and years, and then cease to give the desired result. Attempts to change dosages or increase the intensity of exposure do not help as expected.
If you have a headache for several days and there is no relief, the reasons may be:
- drinking alcohol and smoking - these substances reduce the effectiveness of medications and aggravate the severity of symptoms;
- disrupted daily routine - lack of adequate sleep of sufficient duration can nullify the results of all therapeutic measures;
- eating fatty foods - these harmful foods reduce the quality of drug absorption and negatively affect the functionality of blood vessels;
- incorrect combination of medications – drugs can neutralize each other’s effects or cause headaches as a side reaction;
- the body has become accustomed to the medication due to excess dosages or violation of the schedule for taking it;
- The patient has developed another pathological condition that causes headache.
Doctors warn that the persistence of a headache throughout the day is an indication to seek medical help. Especially if attempts were made to alleviate the patient’s condition, but they did not produce a therapeutic effect.
You will learn more about the long-term course of cephalgia
The main causes of frequent headaches
There are many factors that can provoke the development of cephalgia. This list includes excessive physical and mental stress, lesions of the cervical spine, alcohol consumption and smoking, pathological increases or decreases in blood pressure, organic and other pathologies of the brain. The result of the treatment depends on the correct identification of the cause of the development of the symptom, so the diagnosis of the condition should be carried out by a professional.
Migraine
The chronic neurological condition most often occurs in women and can cause a lot of unpleasant sensations. Symptoms of migraine in the form of unilateral throbbing headache, mood swings, violent reaction to external stimuli, nausea and vomiting can last from 2-3 hours to 3 days. During a prolonged attack, the pain subsides on the second day, but still does not allow you to do your usual activities. To combat exacerbation of the disease, analgesics, NSAIDs, triptans, ergotamines, and combination drugs are used. They are prescribed only by a doctor and must be taken strictly according to plan.
Cluster headaches
The disease, which manifests itself in the form of a series of attacks of cephalalgia, is typical for middle-aged men with a strong build. The sensations are localized in one half of the head and radiate to the eyeball. This is a burning, boring, unbearable and increasing pain that lasts from 10 minutes to an hour. The picture is accompanied by lacrimation, irritability, nausea, nasal congestion, sweating and pale skin.
If your headache is severe, and the usual pills do not help with the next attack, you need to call an ambulance. Attempts to endure the exacerbation of the cluster sometimes lead to cases of suicide.
Headaches from stress
Chronic emotional, physical or mental overload leads to malfunctions in the body, which manifests itself in the form of cephalgia.
Severe and prolonged overexertion provokes spasm of blood vessels in the neck and brain. The tissues stop receiving oxygen and nutrients in the required volume, and toxins accumulate in them. Headaches in this case are girdling, they cover the skull like a hoop and radiate to the back of the head, temples, forehead, and lower jaw. Symptoms intensify after experiences or in the afternoon. Complemented by irritability, sleep disturbances, and decreased performance.
Poisoning
The entry of toxins into the body leads to a deterioration in overall health. Headache becomes one of the many symptoms. The nature of cephalgia is very intense, aching, growing. It is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, dizziness, intestinal disorders, drowsiness and weakness. Depending on the type of poison, more serious symptoms may appear - confusion or loss of consciousness, suffocation, collapse of blood vessels, heart failure, coma.
You can learn about the effect of poisoning on the development of cephalalgia.
Headache that occurs due to drug overdose
The phenomenon is characterized by severe headache due to intoxication. The clinical picture may vary and depends on the type of medications taken. In some cases, symptoms characteristic of food or chemical poisoning appear. In others, the emergency occurs as a violent allergic reaction. Regardless of the situation, you must call an ambulance. If the drugs were taken recently, you should try to flush the patient’s stomach before the team arrives.
What to do if pills don't help
The easiest way to get rid of an ailment that has arisen suddenly and distracts you from your usual activities is to take a pill for your headache. This may be an antispasmodic if there is a suspicion of cerebral vascular spasm: “Spazmalgon”, “No-Shpa” or “Baralgin”. NSAIDs have a good effect: Paracetamol, Citramon, Ibuprofen. If the listed tablets do not help with a headache attack, it is better to refrain from further taking medications until you visit a doctor.
Should I take painkillers?
Some people are ready to take medications all day long just to stop cephalalgia and not
visit a doctor at the same time. This tactic can lead to the development of drug addiction. NSAIDs, painkillers, triptans and ergotamines are good for pain relief, but their abuse or violation of established schedules can reduce the effectiveness of the drugs. Increasing the permissible dosage increases the risk of side effects.
If you take analgesics for headaches on your own and neglect the rules, you can provoke abusive cephalgia. This is a condition in which the use of medications does not relieve the symptom, but rather provokes its appearance. In this case, the treatment of the pathology is to stop taking medications. Within 1.5-2 months after this, the condition should normalize.
Traditional methods of treatment
A head massage has a good effect in the fight against cephalgia. Sometimes it helps even in cases where medications are useless. This can be a general or targeted effect for 5-10 minutes, or the use of massagers. In addition to this, it is worth considering folk recipes for remedies based on natural products. Before starting therapy, you should consult your doctor.
If you have a severe headache and pills and physical therapy don’t help, you should try the following approaches:
- cinnamon tincture - dilute a pinch of seasoning in a tablespoon of water, leave for half an hour and take. If there is no effect, the manipulation can be repeated after an hour;
- cabbage juice - chop the vegetable leaves, squeeze out the liquid. Soak a cloth in it and apply it to the sore spot;
- vinegar compress - mix a glass of vinegar juice and cool water. Moisten a scarf in the resulting solution, wring it out and pull her head tightly for 15 minutes;
- use of essential oils - rub menthol or mint oil into whiskey;
- soothing tea - a herbal mixture is made from lemon balm, mint and chamomile and poured with boiling water (a tablespoon per glass of liquid). You can drink after the drink has cooled to a comfortable temperature.
In some cases the best remedy for headaches - a few hours of sleep in a dark, cool and quiet room. You can also take a walk in the fresh air or take a contrast shower without a sudden temperature change.
Why is medical consultation necessary?
A headache that does not respond to pills may indicate the development of an emergency condition. A sharp increase in cephalalgia is characteristic of a stroke, infectious lesion of the brain, intracranial hematoma and a number of other dangerous phenomena.
In the event of an alarming symptom, it is necessary to call an ambulance or visit a clinic. To identify the problem, the doctor prescribes general and special diagnostic methods, based on the results of which a decision is made on further actions.
Prevention
If you are prone to persistent headaches that are difficult to relieve with medications, increased attention is paid to preventive measures. Their list depends on what disease you are predisposed to. Additionally, it is worth reviewing the principles of nutrition, quality of rest, and daily routine. The risk of cephalalgia will decrease if you regularly walk in the fresh air, harden your body, and set aside time for physical exercise. From time to time it is worth organizing days of relaxation: baths and soaks with essential oils, drinking herbal tea, massage.
Tablets can relieve headaches, but they cannot always eliminate its cause. Situations where even effective remedies do not help with prolonged cephalgia need to be assessed by specialists. Any experiments with health increase the likelihood of worsening the situation and developing complications. It’s better not to take risks and immediately seek help from professionals.
Headache is one of the signs of fatigue and ill health that requires rest and treatment. Frequent pain and discomfort are evidence of chronic pathology. Constant headache is a sign of an acute illness, pathological fatigue or exacerbation of a chronic illness. What to do if the headache does not go away? And how often can you take painkillers?
Why does pain occur?
Often headaches occur due to poisoning of brain cells. The causes of poisoning may be the following:
- External poisons and toxins.
- Internal poisons from foreign microorganisms (viruses, helminths).
- Internal own poisons - waste products from the cells themselves that were not removed due to impaired blood circulation.
- Injuries.
In this case, painful sensations can be aching or strong, constant or periodic, even or pulsating. The nature of the headache and its location, as well as the time of onset of painful sensations (during the day, after sleep or at night during sleep) may be a sign of one or another disease.
Should I take painkillers?
The first remedy for pain is painkiller tablets. They reduce sensitivity and bring relief. But they cannot be taken continuously (for a whole week, month or year). What to do? How to help your body? Let's take a closer look at the causes of headaches.
Discomfort and soreness indicate a problem. The pain can be temporary (for example, a person is overtired, the body requires sleep and rest). Then you can take a painkiller pill and go to bed. There will be no pain after sleep.
The discomfort may be frequent or constant. For example, when cerebral circulation is impaired. In this case, an analgin tablet removes external symptoms and leaves the cause of the disease unattended.
With frequent headaches, taking painkillers hides the need for examination and treatment from a person. An advanced disease will make itself known later; treatment will be complex, expensive and not always possible.
So what to do if the headache does not go away either after rest or sleep? Should I take analgin or endure the discomfort?
Medical consultation: why is it necessary?
Even if you are a supporter of traditional medicine, a visit to a doctor will help find out the cause of the pain. After a medical diagnosis, you will know what to deal with. And at your own discretion, turn to natural healing or pharmaceutical drugs.
For unhealthy digestion
What to do in case of unhealthy digestion? First aid remedy No. 1 is a cleansing enema. It removes fecal deposits (a source of toxins) from the intestines. As a result, the headache decreases or goes away completely.
Neurology
When blood vessels spasm or are pinched, relaxation remedies help:
Massage of the neck and shoulder area, upper back.
After the massage: hot shower on the back of the head, neck, and upper back.
Spinal stretching (hanging, stretching).
Why can't you ignore headaches? In neurology, the nutrition of brain cells is disrupted. If measures are not taken to normalize blood circulation, destructive changes are formed: some brain cells slowly die off, memory disappears.
Pressure
A persistent headache after sleep, accompanied by weakness and nausea, is a sign of low blood pressure. Natural remedies include coffee and nuts. In cases of low blood pressure, an injection of a drug to increase blood pressure allows you to forget about the headache for a long time.
If you have high blood pressure and a pressing headache (during wakefulness and sleep), medications to lower your blood pressure are needed. They not only bring relief, but also reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.
The causes of headaches are pathological processes inside human body. If you ignore the body's pain signals, the condition will worsen. Therefore, you cannot “treat” with painkillers or antipyretic tablets. We need to find out the cause and take measures to eliminate it.
Migraines and headaches occur for different reasons. Sometimes this is a natural result the morning after a party, and sometimes it is a symptom of a dangerous chronic disease. Headache: which pill is better to take? The choice depends on the individual characteristics of each person. In this article we will look at the most popular pharmacy
Causes of headaches
There are primary and secondary headaches. Primary is not an accompanying symptom, but a separate, independent disease. The main problem in this case is the pain itself. Secondary headache is a symptom of a chronic latent disease, which provokes migraine or sharp pain in the temples and back of the head.
A painful headache accompanies infectious diseases and constant alcohol intoxication. It can often be triggered by poisoning (both toxic substances entering the body from the outside, and those produced by the body tissues themselves). Common causes of headaches are atmospheric pressure, weather changes, chronic stress, depression of various etiologies, fasting and strict diets, hypoxia, sunburn or hypothermia. The reasons one way or another disrupt cerebral circulation and the metabolism habitual for the functioning of the brain.
Which medications should I choose?
If you have a headache, what pills can you take to help yourself? First of all, try to determine the cause of the discomfort. After this, choosing the optimal drug will be much easier. In the vast majority of cases (95%), patients are characterized by a primary headache, and only in 5% of cases by a secondary one.
What symptoms should you get tested for?
In the cases described below, you should contact a neurologist or therapist:
- sharp throbbing pain in the temples;
- nagging pain of an excruciating nature in the back of the head;
- a feeling of heaviness and tingling in the eye sockets, brow ridges;
- a feeling of numbness in the neck and shoulder girdle along with constant migraines;
- profuse nosebleeds accompanying migraines;
- if the headache begins from the very early morning and sleep at night does not have any effect on it;
- In parallel with migraine, nausea, vomiting, and short-term loss of consciousness occur.
All these symptoms are characteristic of various serious diseases. This is how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, arrhythmia, hypertension, and organic brain damage can manifest themselves.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
This is a huge group of pharmacological drugs that have an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect.
If you have a severe headache, what pill should you take when there is a change in atmospheric pressure? The following representatives of the pharmacological group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will have a rapid analgesic effect:
- "Piroxicam" and its derivatives;
- "Meloxicam";
- "Nimesil";
- "Celecoxib".
It should be noted that all these drugs have a high toxic effect on the kidneys and affect blood clotting. If they are taken regularly as an anesthetic, pathology of the urinary tract may develop, which over time will lead to chronic renal failure. Pregnant women and children are prohibited from taking it.
Antispasmodics for headaches
The principle of action is to reduce vascular tone and muscle relaxation (muscle relaxation). As a result, the symptoms of migraine are significantly reduced or it goes away completely. The effect occurs within twenty minutes after taking the tablet. Here are the most popular antispasmodics for those looking for which pill to take if they have a headache:
- "Drotaverine";
- "No-shpa";
- "Galidor";
- "Papaverine".
You can combine antispasmodics with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, in this case there may be a toxic effect on the kidneys. Contraindications to taking antispasmodic drugs are heart failure, chronic liver disease in the later stages, arterial hypotension, and individual intolerance to the components. What pills can you take when you have frequent and severe headaches? You can try the effective remedy "No-shpa".
Antidepressants for migraines
If the headache is caused by a psychosomatic condition or organic brain damage, then nootropics or antidepressants come to the rescue. This is a class of strictly prescription drugs that can be purchased at a pharmacy only with a doctor's prescription. The most common of these medications are: Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine, Zoloft, Stimuloton, Mexidol, Cerebrolysin, Sertraline, Piracetam, Cinnarizine.
In some cases, taking such psychotropic medications is the only way to get rid of the constant migraine that poisons the patient’s life. Before use, consultation with a doctor is required.
Analgesics for headaches
Perhaps the most popular means among the people. They not only have excellent anesthetic properties, but can also lower the temperature. Can be used for flu and colds.
- Aspirin is sold in tablet and effervescent form. People with kidney problems are better off choosing tablets. But if the liver is acting up, it is better, on the contrary, to prefer the effervescent form of release.
- Paracetamol is a powerful pain reliever and antipyretic. Its main disadvantage is its strong toxic effect on internal organs. Overdose can result in death. But if the patient is in a situation where he has a headache due to a hangover, what pill should he take in this case? A one-time dose of paracetamol is quite acceptable.
- Citramon is a cheap analgesic popular since Soviet times. Due to the caffeine content, it has an invigorating effect. Can relieve even the most severe headache within fifteen minutes.
- "Mig 200" is a modern, advertised analgesic. It is effective, but it is a little overpriced due to the constant rotation of advertising for this product on television and radio. After taking the pill, the headache subsides within ten to twenty minutes.
What headache pills should I take during pregnancy?
The “interesting situation” automatically eliminates most of the analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a woman due to their high toxicity. Which pill should I take if I'm a woman?
The ideal option in this case is “No-shpa” or “Drotaverine”. The dosage of the drug and the duration of its use can only be prescribed by your doctor. Despite the almost complete safety and low toxicity of such drugs, they are prohibited in a number of countries for use by pregnant women. The main reason for this is the assumption of a possible connection between excessive use of the drug and problems with delayed development of the child. However, if you follow the dosage and use the medicine only for unbearable headaches, there should be no problems.
You should avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for headaches during pregnancy. Due to the high toxic load on the kidneys, dehydration and the development of infections in the tissues of the urinary system are possible, which will have an extremely negative impact on the embryo.
How to get rid of headaches without pills?
Here are a number of effective tips that will help alleviate the condition without resorting to the help of pharmaceutical technologies:
- lightly massage your temples with your fingertips, alternating strong pressure with light stroking;
- stretch the neck muscles using rotational movements of the head alternately to the sides;
- drink hot, strong tea (preferably black) with plenty of granulated sugar;
- try to go to bed: the next morning, as a rule, there is no trace left of the migraine;
- eat a hearty meal: very often migraines are a consequence of fasting or a strict diet in girls;
- if symptoms of migraine begin in an apartment or office, go out into the fresh air and do breathing exercises to saturate the brain cells with oxygen.
What medications cure hangover headaches most quickly?
Many men are concerned about the question: if you have a headache after drinking alcohol, which pill should you take? Here are the top 7 remedies to relieve migraines after a wild party:
- Citramon will quickly and effectively relieve discomfort and give you energy for the rest of the day.
- Analgin, due to its effect on the nervous system, quickly stops the transmission of pain impulses. For a hangover, it acts not only as a pain reliever, but also as a mild antihistamine (reduces the toxic effect of ethanol).
- "Aspirin Upsa" also contains ascorbic acid, which is washed away by alcohol. It is used in the form of effervescent tablets and should be dissolved in a glass of clean water.
- "Pentalgin N" is a complex drug based on analgin, caffeine, codeine and phenobarbital. Relieves pain, reduces inflammation, normalizes sleep, and has a sedative effect.
- "Solpadeine" is a popular drug for headaches. It contains paracetamol, caffeine, and is a potent drug.
- "Tempalgin" quickly and effectively relieves headaches of any etiology. It has been popular with consumers for more than ten years.
- Paracetamol - can be used no more than once a month to avoid overdose symptoms. It has not only an anesthetic, but also an antipyretic effect.
What pill should I take? The answer to this question must be found by the patient himself, depending on his state of health. It makes no difference what was drunk - beer or other drinks. If there are no contraindications, you should try to relieve the pain with a citramone tablet. If you need a sedative effect, you can try Pentalgin N. Now you know the answer to the question, if you have a headache, what pill to take.
Sometimes the pain in the head is so strong and acute that it literally paralyzes a person. He experiences unpleasant discomfort when trying to blink, irritability appears, noises in his head, and his temples begin to pulsate. In this condition, the only thing you want to do is take a medicine that would help eliminate the unpleasant pain and normalize the condition. But in some cases, it happens that the head hurts and the pills do not help.
About 15 percent of people experience headaches in childhood. Doctors say that for every 100 people complaining of pain, about 5 of them regularly experience acute pain due to the presence of developing diseases in the body. It is important to remember that this symptom never appears just like that; most often it is associated with a migraine or severe overexertion.
This type of pain can occur as a result of subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding into the so-called subarachnoid space) or a hemorrhagic stroke of the brain. Patients say that such pain is the most severe, it is almost impossible to endure.
Migraine is also considered a form of pain; it provokes a strong dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. As a result, they greatly increase in size and put pressure on the sensitive receptors of the brain. These include vision problems, severe fatigue, sudden mood swings, aggressiveness, muscle weakness, and malaise like a cold.
Upon examination, the patient may be diagnosed with migraine. The neurologist prescribes the drug and the patient takes it with each attack, eliminating unpleasant sensations. At some point, a person notices that the medicine does not act as quickly as before. And then a situation arises when the drug does not eliminate the discomfort at all.
Increasing the dosage of the drug may temporarily help relieve headaches during an attack. But after a certain period of time, the medicine ceases to be effective. And when the next attack begins and the head hurts badly, the pills do not help even in a double dose.
If the pain does not go away for more than a day, you should consult a doctor.
Why is the headache not eliminated by prescribed medications? There may be several reasons:
- Bad habits. Alcohol and nicotine reduce the positive effect of the drug.
- Improper regulation of work and rest. The patient sleeps too little and overloads himself with work.
- The drug is taken in combination with fatty foods.
- The effect of an anesthetic drug is counteracted by another drug.
- A person develops another disease that provokes the development of cephalgia.
Is it worth enduring unpleasant sensations by haphazardly taking medications that do not bring relief? When you don’t know what to do, if you have a severe headache and pills don’t help, it’s best not to self-medicate, but to undergo an in-depth examination.
According to statistics, at least half of the people on the planet suffer from the regular occurrence of cephalalgia. Moreover, only 20% of them go to a professional with their problem, the rest try to cope with the pain on their own. Individuals predisposed to a symptom often know which medications and approaches can quickly relieve them of unpleasant sensations.
But it happens that at some stage these methods of influence cease to give the desired result, and dangerous experiments begin. When asked what to do if you have a severe headache and popular pills don’t help at all, the attending physician will best answer. It is he who must decide how to deal with a chronic or new symptom.
Modern medicine offers dozens of medications whose action is aimed at eliminating cephalgia. There are also a number of non-drug approaches that can provide the same effect. It sometimes happens that these options are successfully used by patients for months and years, and then cease to give the desired result. Attempts to change dosages or increase the intensity of exposure do not help as expected.
If you have a headache for several days and there is no relief, the reasons may be:
- drinking alcohol and smoking - these substances reduce the effectiveness of medications and aggravate the severity of symptoms;
- disrupted daily routine - lack of adequate sleep of sufficient duration can nullify the results of all therapeutic measures;
- eating fatty foods - these harmful foods reduce the quality of drug absorption and negatively affect the functionality of blood vessels;
- incorrect combination of medications – drugs can neutralize each other’s effects or cause headaches as a side reaction;
- the body has become accustomed to the medication due to excess dosages or violation of the schedule for taking it;
- The patient has developed another pathological condition that causes headache.
Doctors warn that the persistence of a headache throughout the day is an indication to seek medical help. Especially if attempts were made to alleviate the patient’s condition, but they did not produce a therapeutic effect.
Possible reasons
Painful sensations that appear in the head arise due to reasons completely different in nature. These can be external irritants, that is, toxins or poisons that enter the body from environment, as well as smoking, excess alcohol, overdose of medications or their poor quality.
A condition where the headache is very bad, pills do not help, can develop against the background of a sharp change in blood pressure, regardless of whether it decreases or increases. Headache can also occur due to osteochondrosis of the upper spine and cervical region.
Diseases of the brain itself are also an important factor in the manifestation of a condition when the head hurts very badly, the pills used do not relieve the symptoms. These naturally include brain tumors, and headaches are provoked by neoplasms, both malignant and benign.
A serious problem that is accompanied by severe pain in the head is direct head injuries, as well as viral or infectious diseases, for example, influenza, acute respiratory disease, sinusitis, and others.
But the most common in the modern world is the so-called tension headache. According to statistics, about 50% of people experience it. This pain is associated with tension in the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of specific areas, namely the forehead, back of the head and shoulder.
This type of headache mainly affects people who do sedentary work and experience overload of any kind (emotional, physical, intellectual, etc.). Stressful situations, frequent driving, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition influence the appearance of such pain.
Treatment for headaches should not begin with taking medications. The main thing is to find out why the pain syndrome appears. The problem often lies in impetuosity modern world, and this:
- Stress and overwork, climate change
- Regular lack of sleep and irregular working hours.
- Eye fatigue from working with a computer.
- Hyperthermia and sunstroke.
Note. Headache can be caused by cardiovascular diseases and problems with nervous system. If you have persistent headaches, you should consult a specialist.
Headache also appears:
- For migraines and during menstruation.
- Due to sinusitis and weather dependence.
You can cope with migraines, which most often occur in people who love wine and smoked foods, by changing your diet. What helps with migraine headaches? Creams or balms that contain menthol, for example, the well-known “star”. If the neck area is constantly under tension, a cervical migraine may develop. It is best to use herbal remedies and warming ointments.
The nice doctor from the wonderful film “Formula of Love” argued that the head is a dark matter and difficult to treat. The district doctor was right: in order for the treatment to be successful and lead to healing, it is necessary to establish the nature of the disease, its causes, and the course of the pathological process.
Headaches occur due to so many reasons that it is not always possible to determine which of them is genuine. As a rule, an attack begins due to irritation of the nerve endings in the walls of the vessels of the head or in the meninges. Pain varies in nature. In vascular diseases, it is more often pulsating, intensifying against the background of overwork, exposure to sharp stimuli (noise, odors, bright light).
“Shooting,” “tearing,” or “burning” pain in the face and back of the head occurs with neuralgia of the trigeminal and occipital nerves. A severe headache is an invariable companion to severe inflammatory and infectious diseases, ranging from sinusitis, measles and influenza to meningitis and smallpox. Alcohol hangover and food poisoning also cause excruciating headaches.
In a word, there are thousands of reasons for the appearance of a “nail” in the head; according to the unanimous opinion of doctors, this is the most common complaint of patients with which they cross the threshold of a doctor’s office.
To clarify who hammered this damned “nail” into the head, which causes a headache attack, a comprehensive examination is required, including examination of the fundus, measurement of intraocular pressure, identification of neurological symptoms, and radiography of the skull and cervical spine.
Sometimes it is necessary to do a blood and urine test, and be sure to monitor your blood pressure for several days. In some cases, additional examinations are carried out - echoencephalography, ultrasound examination of blood flow in the great vessels of the head, examination of the tone of cerebral vessels.
If the symptom “headache” appears regularly with great frequency, then it is necessary to find out the cause of the pain. The reasons for this condition are numerous. Taking medications may have no effect because it does not eliminate, and sometimes even aggravates, the cause of the painful condition.
The condition that is described by the words “headache” is not a disease, but an alarming signal indicating problems in some system of the body. This pain can be caused by a variety of problematic conditions. Accordingly, headaches occur in different ways: with different intensity, location and duration.
Factors that cause headaches may include the following:
- Stress, nervous and physical overload, anxiety, conflict situations, frequent suppression of emotions. In this case, pain can cause vasoconstriction.
- Alcohol abuse, smoking.
- Colds or various types of infectious diseases (for example, flu, sinusitis).
- Phenomena of rheumatism in the neck or upper spine.
- Changes in blood pressure (increase or decrease).
- Allergic reactions to certain foods, poisoning.
- Frequent eye strain.
- Exposure to a number of medications.
- A number of other reasons: too dry air, weather dependence, etc.
Some of these reasons are impossible to ignore. Poisoning or stuffiness in the room are episodes that are sometimes easy to cope with. And this is a way to get rid of a painful condition. But if you have a headache every day, and the pills do not help or their effect is short-lived, you should consult a specialist.
In addition, sometimes the headaches are caused by the medications themselves. Research by doctors in many countries around the world has shown that about 20% of patient visits with complaints of headache are treated by discontinuing analgesic medications. Such symptoms also appear after taking certain other types of medications, for example hormonal drugs.
More than half of spastic head pain occurs due to nervous fatigue. Often the cause of pain is stress, poor nutrition, colds, hypertension or hypotension, and alcohol intoxication. In these cases, we take any painkiller, and in case of hypertension we begin complex treatment. But what to do if you have a severe headache or the pain is chronic? This may be due to a serious illness.
Doctors conventionally divided characteristic headaches into:
- tension pain;
- migraine;
- cluster pain;
- temporal arteritis;
- intracranial bleeding;
- brain tumor.
The source of tension pain is a stress factor or injury to the muscle tissue of the head and neck. At the same time, compressive pain is felt in the upper part of the head. These characteristic spasms of the head appear after lunch and after using regular analgin, they disappear within an hour.
They say that only a woodpecker doesn't have a headache. And everyone else is forced to escape from this scourge, some with the help of an analgin tablet, some with a cup of coffee or a glass of cognac, others prefer a walk along a shady alley. But often these remedies do not help. According to some researchers, throughout history there has not been a single person on the planet who has not experienced an attack of severe headaches at least once in their life.
Headache occurs when the functioning of certain organs is disrupted or in the presence of serious diseases. It often appears due to severe nervous tension or stress. in this case, painkiller tablets will not give the desired result. The discomfort will not go away until the cause of the severe headache is eliminated. Most often it is observed in the following diseases:
If you have a severe, persistent headache, you should consult a doctor. This is especially necessary if it does not go away even after taking painkillers. It may be a symptom of a very serious disease that can only be diagnosed after testing. If appropriate measures are not taken, the disease can progress and even be fatal.
- stress caused by conflicts or anxiety;
- excessive physical activity;
- rheumatism in the neck;
- excessive use of alcohol or tobacco;
- changes in blood pressure;
- allergies or poisoning;
- drug exposure;
- weather dependence.
Development of migraine
Migraine is considered a serious cause of headaches. With this disease, the pain syndrome spreads to one part of the head. The symptoms are very pronounced, there is throbbing, acute pain, vomiting and nausea, a negative reaction to any sound and light signals. This condition can last for several hours or even days.
Migraine is a hereditary disease. It affects about 15 percent of all patients. Most often, it is women who are included here, but men also suffer from this defeat. Doctors assure that it is impossible to completely get rid of migraines, but there are methods that will help significantly reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms.
With migraine, pain in the head occurs due to the fact that the blood vessels of the brain greatly dilate, which leads to irritation of the receptors. Lack of sleep, problems in the production of hormones - all this can lead to vasodilation.
If a person often experiences migraine attacks, then it is important for him to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, as well as unhealthy foods: confectionery, red wine, processed foods, citrus fruits and smoked meats.
Eggs and cottage cheese can also provoke pain, so it is better to limit their consumption. You should not drink more than one cup of coffee per day. You can find it at the pharmacy a large number of medications for the head that will help eliminate migraine attacks and normalize a person’s condition.
Symptoms of the lesion
This condition usually occurs in people whose blood vessels have been severely damaged by a pathological process in the body. The main signs and first symptoms of a microstroke in a patient:
- pain in the head, which only gets worse over time;
- dizziness;
- weakness of the body;
- feeling unwell;
- problems with coordination;
- forgetfulness when speaking;
- attacks of nausea;
- blurred vision;
- numbness of parts of the face and limbs;
- black spots before the eyes.
The described symptoms are not typical for all patients.
Constant headache - what to do if you have severe frequent headaches - alternative treatment
According to the observations of doctors, migraines that began in childhood or adolescence bother people less and less over the years, and in old age the attacks may stop altogether. However, such a long-term prospect cannot satisfy all patients who have suffered from migraines for years.
During an attack, washing your hair with hot water, pulling your head with a scarf, and hot foot baths brings relief. However, these recipes, known for centuries, are not always effective.
The first includes analgesics that are used in the treatment of other types of headaches (analgin, baralgin, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and its derivatives, sedalgin, etc.).
The second group includes ergot drugs (ergotamine, ergotal, ditamine, dehydroergotamine), which have a powerful effect on the smooth muscles of the artery walls. However, these drugs often have side effects: pain in the heart, vomiting and diarrhea. They are contraindicated for hypertension and pregnancy.
The third group includes substances - serotonin antagonists. The most commonly used drug is sumatriptan (Imigran). Its effectiveness is quite high: after 20-30 minutes, the most severe attacks are stopped, and after two to three hours, performance is fully restored. However, this drug also has its contraindications: it should not be taken by children, and it is not recommended for people over 60 years of age.
For migraines, acupuncture, massage, and transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation are also used.
When treating migraines, the same prescriptions from the green pharmacy are often used as for headaches of other origins. In addition, other methods of relieving migraine attacks are recommended.
Take 1 tbsp. spoon of calendula officinalis flowers, peppermint leaves, 2 tbsp. spoons of common yarrow flowers, 1 tbsp. spoon of blood-red hawthorn flowers, rhizomes of valerian officinalis. Grind the collection components well in a meat grinder and mix. 3 tbsp. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over spoons of the mixture, pour into a thermos and leave for 12 hours. Strain the infusion. Take 1/3 cup of warm infusion every 2 hours for 3 days.
Take 3 tbsp. spoons of chamomile flowers, 2 tbsp. spoons of rhizomes of valerian officinalis, flowers of oregano, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sandy immortelle flowers. Chop and mix plants, 3 tbsp. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over spoons of the mixture and place on low heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, without bringing to a boil, then cool and strain. Take 1/2 cup of decoction 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
The famous physician and alchemist Paracelsus claimed that a migraine attack was relieved by drinking a glass of hot water in one gulp and wearing a tight hot bandage on the head. In addition, he believed that aquamarine and amazonite tamed headaches. Jewelry with these stones should be worn every day.
During the time of Catherine the Great, the aromas of essential oils such as marjoram, menthol, basil, rose, and lavender were widely used. The court ladies applied 2-3 drops of oil to a handkerchief and periodically inhaled the aroma.
Simpler people were treated with paraffin. To do this, 5 pieces of white paraffin about 1 cm in size were melted in a water bath, then allowed to cool slightly. Warm paraffin was applied with a brush to the forehead in a 1 cm layer, then covered with wax paper and cloth.
And of course, migraine treatment has never been complete without leeches, so beloved by previous generations of doctors. Typically, during an attack, 3-5 leeches were applied to the area of the temporal processes and behind the ears. Depending on the doctor’s diligence and the amount of the fee, such “bioprocedures” were carried out with a frequency of 1-2 times a day to more reasonable ones - every other day for 10 days.
Today, doctors have again increasingly begun to resort to treatment with leeches - hirudotherapy. It has been proven that the therapeutic effect of leeches for migraines consists of several factors: the leech injects saliva into the human body, containing a lot of biologically active substances; In addition, leeches have an effect similar to acupuncture.
Acupressure for headaches and migraine attacks is performed by rotating stroking each tonka for 2-4 minutes. Symmetrical points are massaged on both sides simultaneously. When performing a massage, the patient must sit or lie down. The impact on points 4, 6, 7, 8 is carried out using the tonic method, when the finger is pressed, rotating, or vibration for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Point 1 is symmetrical, located at the intersection of a horizontal line passing at the border of the upper part of the ear and a line 1.5 cm behind the border of the scalp (Fig. a). Massage simultaneously on the right and left.
Point 2 is symmetrical, located in the temporal part of the head near the border of the scalp (Fig. a). Massage similarly to point 1.
Point 3 is symmetrical, located in the center of the occipital cavity at the site of attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Fig. b). Massage like point 1.
Point 4 is symmetrical, located on the back of the hand between the I and II metacarpal bones, closer to the II metacarpal bone (Fig. d). Massage while sitting, alternately on the right and left, with the hand muscles relaxed.
Point 5 is symmetrical, located on the foot in the depression between the calcaneal tendon and the outer ankle at the level of its center (Fig. e). Massage simultaneously on the right and left while sitting.
Point 6 is symmetrical, located on the shin (Fig. c) below the patella and outward from the anterior edge of the tibia. Massage simultaneously on the right and left while sitting.
Point 7 is symmetrical, located on the forearm (Fig. d) above the middle fold of the wrist, in the depression at the styloid process of the radius. Massage alternately on the right and left, placing your hand on the table.
Point 8 is symmetrical, located on the foot under the inner ankle on the border of the dorsal and plantar surfaces (Fig. e). Massage on both sides simultaneously while sitting.
Margarita Pinchuk, neurologist, candidate of medical sciences
The next step to get rid of regular situations when your head hurts and pills don’t help can be normalizing your lifestyle. Lack of physical activity, constant stress, emotional stress, uncertainty or irritation, any type of overwork - such reasons cause pain.
After analyzing the circumstances that lead to the pain lasting for several days, you can notice this relationship. Measures to effectively cope with the problem are as follows: avoid anxiety (sometimes sedatives or antidepressants help, but not analgesics), eat well and properly, and support the body with vitamins.
If strong pain torments a person for more than one day - this may be a symptom of an infectious disease. This is how sinusitis and viral infections can manifest themselves. Analgesics in such cases bring very short-term relief (about 30 minutes), then the pain returns. Tonsillitis, sinusitis, and sinusitis cause increased pressure on the skull as a result of blockage of the nasal sinuses. This is the cause of the painful sensations. You can only get rid of suffering by curing the underlying disease.
Migraines are a serious condition in which an attack lasts several hours and sometimes more than one day. Migraine does not cover the entire head; often half of the face or one hemisphere “pulsates”. It is preceded by sensations that can be caught and remembered: isolation, reluctance to communicate, irritation arising from bright light or loud sounds.
Sometimes sudden attacks of nausea or vomiting occur. If migraine attacks are persistent, taking analgesics is often useless. In this case, the prescription of medications and other treatment methods must be entrusted to a doctor. A detailed examination is necessary to determine the nature of the disease and how to combat it.
A very common problem is the problem caused by surges in blood pressure. This can lead to dizziness, migraines and even strokes. These symptoms should not be ignored. It is necessary to seek the help of specialists. And treatment should be aimed at solving the underlying problem.
If the cause of the pain has already been clarified and the pain symptom is associated with mild fatigue or anxiety, then, in addition to a simple painkiller, you should take valerian tincture and get a good night's sleep. For preventive purposes, ventilation of the room, changing posture after 15-20 minutes during sedentary work, and neck exercises will help. After using medications, a light head massage may be an additional help.
If you have high blood pressure, taking medications prescribed by your doctor and resting your body will help. In this case, you can lie down with a warm scarf tied to your head. Headaches with low blood pressure can be relieved by drinking coffee. Medicines based on eleutherococcus and lemongrass can help. A few drops (usually 10) of these products should be diluted in 30 g of water. Massaging the active point under the occipital protuberance can also help.
Pain of varying intensity and frequency can be treated using traditional medicine. St. John's wort and blue cyanosis herbs and valerian root are suitable as medicines. To prepare the infusion, take one tablespoon of chopped herbs and pour 300 ml of boiling water. Leave in a thermos for 3 hours. Pharmacy forms of medicines will also help: alcohol tincture of peony, motherwort or valerian. The course of such treatment is 2-3 weeks.
A reliable method of treatment for migraines is to bandage the head for pain. So far, medicine cannot offer medications to completely cure migraines. However, it is worth remembering that there is nothing better as a preventative measure than:
- leisure;
- good sleep;
- physical education classes;
- balanced diet (in this case, migraine “provocateurs” should be avoided: mayonnaise, cheeses, smoked meats, spicy foods).
How to get rid of pain?
Let's find out how to relieve yourself of headaches with massage. There are special points on the head, face, forehead, arms and neck, touching which reduces headache attacks. The procedure can be carried out independently, twice a week is enough. Massage restores blood circulation and helps relax the body.
Our ancient ancestors noticed that when certain points of the body are influenced, a person becomes better. Even in ancient times, doctors could accurately answer the question of how to get rid of a headache, but at the same time they paid attention to the fact that massage should be performed by specialists.
It is advisable to resort to the services of qualified massage therapists, but a number of procedures can be done independently, including for headaches.
Important. Pregnant women should refuse any massage. Otherwise, you can cause irreparable harm to the unborn baby.
Self-massage
Carrying out self-massage requires compliance with special rules:
- The procedure should not be accompanied by pain or discomfort.
- When performing movements, ensure smoothness.
- At the end of the procedure, do not rush to immediately get up and start doing something. Rest is needed.
Headaches can be relieved by using a wooden comb. Just comb your head a few times. This will help calm the blood vessels.
An excellent massager is a tennis ball. It should be placed in a soft sock. When you lie on your back, the ball should be placed in the area of the occipital bone. Press your head against the ball. Try to endure the unpleasant sensations. Believe me, after some time the pain will decrease.
Finger massage
If you want to get rid of headaches, use finger massage. This procedure can be performed anywhere, which is very convenient: the pain usually comes suddenly. Finger massage is very relaxing and quickly relieves headaches.
Before massaging your head if pain occurs, rub your palms together until they become hot. They are also moistened with massage oil:
- Using the pads of the middle fingers, smooth the frontal part just above the eyebrows, first moving upward, then to the side to the place where the hair grows. Now massage the forehead a little higher. The actions are the same. Repeat twice. If you feel that the attack of pain is going away, continue the massage anyway.
- Place the heels of your palms on your temples and press lightly. Massage with circular movements in different directions. Repeat 6 times.
- You need to place your thumbs on the bones behind your ears, apply sharp pressure and immediately remove your fingers. Then massage your head at the base of the skull. We do it three times.
- Take a deep breath, tilt your head forward, hold it with your hand. The other hand at this time squeezes the muscles of the neck from behind, until you exhale. Requires three repetitions.
- Using your fingers, lightly massage the skin on your head, neck, and ears. When massaging, we use circular movements. This increases blood circulation and relieves tension. It is almost impossible to massage the neck and back in the occipital region on your own; ask your family for help.
As a result, a headache attack can be quickly stopped.
If the cause of your headache is sinusitis, you do not always need to take painkillers right away. First, massage the bridge of your nose, sometimes this is enough.
If a long-term headache is caused by a cold or poisoning, the patient can get rid of it by recovering, eliminating the main cause of the pain syndrome.
For migraine attacks, at first, people treat themselves on their own, relying on the recommendations of pharmacists in pharmacies. But the sooner the patient consults a doctor, the easier it will be to choose the optimal treatment regimen. It is advisable to visit a neurologist when a mild headache is replaced by unpleasant sensations of moderate intensity.
If the patient suffers from a headache and the pills do not help, first of all the doctor will suggest taking general tests to determine whether a serious disease is developing in the patient’s body, accompanied by an inflammatory process.
Since a regularly occurring headache that cannot be treated with analgesics may be a sign of tumor growth in the brain, the patient will have to undergo a comprehensive examination:
- Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head.
- CT and MRI of the brain.
- X-ray of the head
If a malignant tumor is detected, the patient is prescribed chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery may also be required.
If the cause of discomfort is that a person is accustomed to using a certain drug, a treatment regimen will be selected together with a neurologist. When a patient constantly has a headache and pills do not help relieve it, he may be offered a set of therapeutic measures. Appointed:
- Sedatives that relieve anxiety.
- Massage sessions to relieve tension.
- Physiotherapy – to restore normal blood circulation.
Some patients who constantly have headaches are advised to consult a psychotherapist. Together with your doctor, you can identify the main cause of headaches and eliminate it.
Aromatherapy
Headaches can be caused by colds. It terrorizes a person for hours, does not stop, no medicine helps. Using aromatherapy, you can quickly get rid of headaches and feel like a healthy person. To carry out the procedure, medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory properties are used. Headaches can be relieved by breathing in some herbs:
- 3 drops peppermint and lavender. They are added to the inhaler and inhaled for a while. Even medications and ointments do not give such an effect.
- Essential oils containing eucalyptus have the same effect.
- Peppermint has long been considered an excellent analgesic.
- Rosemary also contains essential oil. In addition to inhalation, it can be added to cosmetic cream and rubbed into the temple if you suffer from a migraine.
Headache remedies
For headaches, the use of tea with mint, viburnum, and cranberry is recommended. Ginger root is effective. It is advisable to take the infusion on an empty stomach.
Painful symptoms can be relieved with an infusion from an amazing healing collection. To do this, you need one tablespoon each of hawthorn fruit, dried knotweed, chamomile, calendula and motherwort. Pour everything into 1 liter of boiling water and leave for at least 6 hours in a thermos. Strain the mixture and add 0.5 liters of vodka.
Traditional healers advise using honey for headaches. You should eat two teaspoons before meals. For migraines, it is recommended to dissolve a teaspoon of honey and apple cider vinegar in a glass of water (boiled). Drink with meals. A mixture of honey and viburnum berries is considered a very effective folk remedy for headaches. This healing potion is taken throughout the day, but not more than 4 tablespoons. Relief will come in a couple or three weeks.
Finger massage
Herbs and fruits
There are many herbs that are faithful human helpers:
- Oregano leaves and flowers, ground into powder, are taken as tea leaves. You need to drink ½ glass three times a day. The powder can be snorted.
- Grind the Maryin root and pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew in a warm place and strain. Take 1 tablespoon before meals.
- White cabbage – excellent headache remedy. The leaves are removed from the fork, kneaded lightly and applied to the head. The leaf can be applied to your temple or simply placed on your head. After a while, the sheet will heat up and needs to be replaced with a fresh one. Hold until a feeling of comfort appears.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, relaxes blood vessels, which relieves headaches. The crushed root is used as tea leaves. It is advisable to drink the drink constantly. It has a sedative effect, and therefore relieves pain quickly.
- The pain in the head subsides if you eat a piece of apple with salt. After this you need to drink some water. You can also use apple cider vinegar. Pour 2 teaspoons into hot water and inhale the vapors for at least 10 minutes.
Traditional recipes for medicinal infusions
People have long used infusions of various plants that help, if not completely get rid of headaches, then at least relieve discomfort. Let's see what can help with headaches if there are no pills or you don't want to take them:
- We take thyme (it is also called creeping thyme, Bogorodskaya herb). Brew one spoon per glass of boiling water. After the composition has infused, you can drink it. Please note: the drink must be hot.
- Place valerian root (1 tablespoon) in a glass and pour boiling water (200 ml). It will take approximately 8 hours to infuse. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day.
- Pour boiling water (1 cup) over elderberry flowers (1 tablespoon). Leave for a third of an hour. Drink a quarter glass of infusion at one time, 15 minutes before meals.
“The best remedy for headaches is the guillotine,” said the famous figure of the Great French Revolution, Jean-Paul Marat, a doctor by training. Fortunately, modern doctors do not call for such radical means of revolutionary therapy - they have a powerful arsenal of drugs in their arsenal that allow them to get rid of a painful illness.
The traditional means of combating headaches have been and remain analgesics - drugs that relieve or eliminate pain. In therapeutic doses, these medications suppress only pain sensitivity and do not impair consciousness.
The leading position among analgesics is rightfully occupied by analgin and its derivatives (baralgin M, nebagin, spazdolzin, etc.). In addition to the analgesic effect, analgin also reduces body temperature well and is an anti-inflammatory drug. However, long-term use of analgin can lead to blood diseases and cause allergic reactions. Take 250-500 mg orally after meals 2-3 times a day.
Analgin is part of many combination drugs that also contain antispasmodics, caffeine, and phenobarbital. Thus, baralgin (maxigan, nebalgan, piafen, spazgan, trigan), produced in the form of tablets, solution in 5 ml ampoules, rectal suppositories, contains analgin, the antispasmodic pitofenone and the ganglion blocker fenpiverine.
Pentalgin tablets contain analgin and amidopyrine, codeine, caffeine-sodium benzoate and phenobarbital. Take 1 tablet orally 1-3 times a day.
Ketorolac (ketanov, ketorol, nato, toradol, torolac) is used intramuscularly, intravenously and orally. It is not recommended to take this drug for more than 5 days. Elderly patients should be treated with particular caution.
Another common remedy for headaches is paracetamol (aminadol, acetaminophen, bindard, dolomol, ifimol, calpol, mexalen, pamol, panadol for children, pyrimol, prodol, sanidol, febricet, efferalgan). Usually prescribed orally at 200-400 mg per dose 2-3 times a day.
There are almost more drugs that suppress headaches than the causes that cause them... But, alas, many of them are nothing more than counterfeits, manufactured in clandestine factories and do not meet the basic requirements of pharmacological control.
Unfortunately, this also happens in medical practice. A patient comes to see a doctor complaining of constant headaches. Upon careful questioning of the patient, the physician learns that the patient has acquired the habit of taking analgesics as often as he washes his hands. Some patients take analgin, paracetamol or baralgin up to eight to ten times a day!
Doctors have long sounded the alarm that the availability of over-the-counter drugs does far more harm than good. According to researchers from the USA, Germany, and Switzerland, in 20 percent of cases, headaches occur precisely after taking certain medications.
At the same time, patients note that such attacks are constant and torment a person from morning to evening. A significant increase in discomfort is observed with physical or intellectual stress. Doctors have calculated approximate doses of medications that can cause such an undesirable effect: aspirin - 3-4 tablets per day; caffeine - 15 g per month; ergometrine - 2 mg per day.
The simplest and most effective method of treating a medicinal form of headache is the complete and rapid withdrawal of all analgesics. It’s a good idea if a person keeps his own medical history, where for two to three months he will record all cases of headaches, indicating the intensity, location and duration of the attack. In this case, it will be much easier for the doctor to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate therapy.
Before you start treatment with medications, try to properly adjust your daily routine: you need to sleep at least eight hours a day, spend more time in the fresh air, and spend less time in front of the TV screen. An important place is given to a diet that excludes chocolate, cocoa, nuts, citrus fruits, beans, tomatoes, celery, cheeses, and alcohol.
We should not forget that in addition to tablets and injections, there are also remedies from the green pharmacy that can very effectively combat a variety of types of headaches.
Here are some healthy recipes.
Take 1 tbsp. spoon of chamomile flowers, lemon balm leaves, 2 tbsp. spoons of common yarrow flowers, 1 tbsp. Grind a spoonful of plantain leaves and rhizomes of valerian officinalis well in a meat grinder and mix. 3 tbsp. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over spoons of the mixture, pour into a thermos and leave for 12 hours. Strain the infusion. Take 1/3 cup of warm infusion every 2 hours for 3 days.
Take 3 tbsp. spoons of blood-red hawthorn fruits, chamomile flowers, 2 tbsp. spoons of St. John's wort herb, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of motherwort herb, 0.2 g mumiyo. Grind the components of the herbal mixture and mix well. 3 tbsp. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over spoons of the mixture and place on low heat for 20 minutes, without bringing to a boil. Strain the broth. Add mumiyo and mix well again until it is completely dissolved. Take half a glass 30 minutes before meals.
For persistent headaches, it is good to drink 1/3 glass of potato, strawberry or rosehip juice every day. It is advisable to replace black tea with green tea, and avoid coffee. Relieves nervous tension and helps eliminate headaches with a glass of warm milk drunk at night.
Honey is a good helper for headaches. With regular and long-term use, it helps even in severe cases. In 1 glass of warm water you need to dissolve 3 teaspoons of honey. Drink the solution 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Healing clay helps with night headaches. For the procedure, you need to pour 1/2 cup of medicinal clay powder into 1/3 cup of hot water in an enamel bowl and let it soak. Mix the resulting pulp with 100 ml of peppermint infusion until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Place a small amount of paste on a gauze napkin and apply for 15 minutes to the area of the head where the pain is felt.
Take 4 teaspoons of medicinal mud, 10 ml of lemon balm infusion, 1 lemon. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and mix with the dirt. Add lemon balm infusion to the mixture. Place the required amount of the mixture on a gauze pad and apply to the affected areas of the head for half an hour.
What else is used?
There are a number of alternative ways to drug treatment to get rid of the disease. This could be a massage or traditional medicine. An osteopathic doctor helps relieve spasmodic manifestations, which caused discomfort, and restores the correct position of the vertebrae and other organs.
The second method (folk recipes) often has both symptomatic and preventive effects. Chamomile decoction is used as a sedative or antiseptic. You can find tips on how to cure the disease with honey, garlic or bee venom. But still, it is better to coordinate the treatment method with a neurologist (or other specialist), who must obtain all the information about the history of the disease, its manifestations, and take into account the characteristics of the physical condition and age.
Before visiting a doctor, you need to do your own “research” well: write down for some time (more than a month) in which cases the attack occurred, what preceded it, how long it lasted. It is important to note the location of the discomfort. It is recommended to record which tablets the patient took and in what quantity. In this way, conditions can be created for a correct diagnosis.
Computed tomography can be considered one of the most informative and modern methods in this case. Its use allows for the timely detection of a large number of serious diseases.
First aid
The first remedy that is used in most cases when a headache is severe is painkiller tablets. They, of course, reduce sensitivity and, accordingly, bring some relief. After taking this pill, it is advisable to lie down and sleep. If the pain occurs due to fatigue, lack of sleep or other overload, then, as a rule, after rest and taking an anesthetic, the symptoms of pain are relieved.
The first aid for improper digestion is a banal enema. Having cleansed the intestines using this simple method, a person, as a rule, gets rid of headaches.
Another cause of headaches can be helminths that have chosen not only the intestines, but also other human organs. Fighting them with medication involves taking appropriate medications, in particular, “Decaris”, “Vermox”, “Vormila”, and others.
In case of surges in blood pressure, which is also a fairly common factor that provokes headaches, it is suggested to take medications that can stabilize the pressure. Appropriate medications are prescribed, if necessary, lowering or, conversely, increasing arterial blood pressure. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is required.
A condition where the headache is very painful and pills do not help may well be triggered by taking certain medications, for which headache is a side effect. In such cases, the simplest, but quite effective method of treatment is to stop taking medications that can have a side effect in the form of headaches.
Preventive measures
It is quite possible to change the pathological condition, when the headache is severe, and pills do not help, by changing your lifestyle. To do this, it is, of course, necessary, first of all, to analyze the circumstances under which headaches most often appear. An unhealthy lifestyle, when there are factors such as alcohol abuse, smoking, constant emotional and psychological stress, any kind of overwork, as a rule, sooner or later makes itself felt by the appearance of a headache.
It is quite natural in this situation to give up excess alcohol and smoking. A good start could be even reducing the amount of strong tea and coffee in your diet and replenishing it with vitamins and quality food instead of fast food. Adequate physical activity, positive emotions, normal sleep patterns, and regular walks in the fresh air can also be considered preventive measures that help reduce pain symptoms that occur in the head.
In the cold season, you should make sure that your head is covered with a hat. Even the mildest of them can reduce the intensity of pain or eliminate it altogether.
After work, you can use another effective remedy - water procedures. In some cases, a bath with salt or soft, gentle aromas is excellent. Sometimes a contrast shower helps.
A good preventive measure is self-massage of the frontal part of the head, the back of the head and the temporal region.
But if even after this the headache does not reduce its intensity and becomes a constant companion, then only a consultation with a doctor and an appropriate examination will reveal the main cause of the symptoms, and adequate treatment prescribed after this will change the situation and remove the pain syndrome.
Do you have a constant headache, but are you already tired of medications? Then you should think about prevention. There are a number of recipes that help keep the body in good shape.
If every day 20 minutes before breakfast you take water with honey (1 teaspoon) or apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons) dissolved in it, then the body will receive the required portion of beneficial glucose or ascorbic acid on time.
Chokeberry juice can also help prevent headaches and strengthen the immune system. Two tablespoons are enough, which you need to drink half an hour before meals.
If the headache is unbearable, and you are at home at that moment, then the problem can be solved by using a down scarf. Massage your neck (don’t forget to lubricate the skin with special oil) and cover it with a scarf. The result is a dry, warm compress that will help get rid of headaches in 30 minutes.
If you are prone to persistent headaches that are difficult to relieve with medications, increased attention is paid to preventive measures. Their list depends on what disease you are predisposed to. Additionally, it is worth reviewing the principles of nutrition, quality of rest, and daily routine.
Tablets can relieve headaches, but they cannot always eliminate its cause. Situations where even effective remedies do not help with prolonged cephalgia need to be assessed by specialists. Any experiments with health increase the likelihood of worsening the situation and developing complications. It’s better not to take risks and immediately seek help from professionals.
The human brain does not have nerve endings, so doctors can cut into a person's brain while he is conscious.
In the consultation section you can always get advice on your problem and ask questions that interest you. The consultation is led by Stanislav Leonidovich Pogrebnoy. Practicing physician, Neurologist. Work experience - 12 years. Employee of the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Advanced Training for Physicians, NSMU. Ask a doctor
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A headache diary kept by the patient allows the doctor not only to clarify the diagnosis, but also to plan more rational treatment or adjust the therapy already being carried out.
The causes of headache discomfort are varied. In most cases, they are associated with psycho-emotional shocks, physical fatigue or stress.
A person just needs to take pills that help eliminate pain. After this, my head doesn't hurt.
However, there are other causes of headaches associated with the progression of various pathologies.
If a person’s headaches do not go away after 2-3 days, there is a high probability that he is sick. In this case, painkillers do not help him.
Why does pain occur that cannot be relieved with medications? What needs to be done to eliminate it? Let's figure it out.
Reasons for this phenomenon
There are several types of headaches that cannot be treated with painkillers. The causes of their occurrence are associated with internal ailments.
Usually, discomfort with such ailments accompanies the patient even on the 3rd day. So, the main reasons for a very severe headache are:
- Tension pain.
- Migraine.
- Cluster pain.
- Hangover.
- Brain cancer.
- Temporal arteritis.
- Intracranial bleeding.
If a person has a severe headache, which even on the 2nd day does not help with painkillers, there is a high probability that he suffers from one of these ailments. Let's talk about each of them.
Tension pain
Tension causes of headaches are the most common. The difficulty in treating such discomfort is that it is difficult to diagnose the source of its occurrence.
In most cases, the reasons why tension pain occurs are associated with psycho-emotional shocks.
In today's fast-paced life, it is sometimes difficult to maintain multifunctionality.
With this disease, a person experiences severe discomfort, mainly in the upper part of the forehead. The eyeballs and upper facial muscles become very tense during a tension headache.
When the patient tries to relax his face, he does not feel better. The pain is very strong, sometimes throbbing. Attempts to stop it with medications do not bring results.
How long does this discomfort last? Usually, he makes himself known at lunchtime. It lasts about half an hour. If the patient is under stress, his discomfort increases.
What to do if it doesn’t go away on the second day? Unfortunately, painkillers rarely help eliminate this kind of discomfort.
Therefore, taking them, in this case, is not effective. To help the patient feel better, you should create a relaxing environment for him. It is important that nothing disturbs him.
A person suffering from this disease is recommended to take a lying position and apply a cold compress. The room in which it is located must be well ventilated.
If tension headaches do not go away on day 3, the patient should be given light painkillers, such as Paracetamol or Analgin.
However, if the process occurs in a chronic form, there is no point in taking these medications, because it will not alleviate the patient’s condition.
If the disease is chronic, he must undergo a medical examination. The doctor will determine the cause of the discomfort and also suggest a way to relieve it.
Migraine
Migraine is one of the most common causes of headaches. This disease mainly affects women.
During a migraine, the patient experiences a throbbing headache. She is the cause of his suffering. Discomfort can be localized in the temples, back of the head, and also in the forehead.
Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, dizziness and hallucinations. In most cases, these symptoms do not go away even on the third day.
A person suffering from this disease develops photophobia. He cannot be in a room where sunlight penetrates.
Before a painful attack begins, many migraine sufferers see various abnormalities, such as streaks of light. They also experience numbness in their limbs and a tingling sensation throughout the body.
Why does such a disease occur? The cause of migraine is a dysfunction of the brain.
This disorder causes blood vessels to dilate, which contributes to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Many external factors provoke this process. For example, a person often gets a headache if he listened to music too loudly, breathed cigarette smoke, or spent a long time in a room that smelled unpleasant.
What to do to get rid of migraines? On the first day of symptoms, the patient should distance himself from the irritating factor.
For example, if a person who is at a noisy concert has a headache, he should leave the event.
Can migraines be treated with analgesics? No, such pain cannot be relieved with analgesics. This pathology is treated with triptans.
Cluster pain
This is a fairly rare type of headache. Its appearance brings real suffering to the patient. Cluster discomfort is very difficult to bear. Most people suffering from this disease are men.
Characteristic signs of cluster pain:
- Severe headache, which is localized mainly on the right side.
- Discomfort in the eye area.
- Runny nose.
- Redness of the eyes. This symptom is explained by an increased amount of blood flowing to the eyes.
- The patient is unable to move and talk.
Many people, during a cluster pain attack, begin to scream loudly, unable to withstand the agony. Such headaches occur mainly at the same time. This attack lasts from 15 to 45 minutes.
What should the patient do to alleviate the condition? Unfortunately, this disease is difficult to treat. A person who suffers from it can take painkillers, such as analgesics.
For cluster discomfort, such drugs can only help with a placebo effect.
How long does the attack last? Cluster pain can last from 15 to 60 minutes. The exact reasons for its occurrence have not been established. Does such an attack pose a danger to human life?
Yes, there is such a danger, because during an attack, the patient experiences severe difficulty breathing. Therefore, if the patient is hospitalized, an oxygen mask is put on him.
After this, the attending physician prescribes appropriate pain medications to the patient.
Hangover
People whose bodies have been exposed to alcohol intoxication suffer from hangover syndrome. How does this happen? When a person drinks alcohol, a toxin enters his stomach.
Typically, toxins are eliminated from the body after 3-5 hours. However, if a person does not comply with the “drinking culture,” intoxication may occur.
Alcohol intoxication leads to poor health. A person experiences a severe headache, nausea, weakness, trembling in the hands, etc.
This process is difficult to eliminate with conventional tablets. Even traditional medicine does not always effectively remove hangover symptoms. What can you do to improve your well-being when you have a hangover?
The person needs to be induced to vomit. In most cases, nausea is accompanied by vomiting, because the body strives to export the pathogenic toxin that has settled in the stomach.
But if there is no vomiting, they need to be provoked. To do this, a person is advised to drink plenty of water.
Excess fluid in the stomach contributes to vomiting. After vomiting, the patient will feel better and the headache will disappear.
A migraine attack during alcohol intoxication is explained by the fact that alcoholic drinks contribute to dehydration of the body.
Some antipyretic pills, for example Paracetamol, help relieve discomfort caused by a hangover.
Brain cancer
With brain cancer, a person does not always have a headache. But if such a symptom makes itself felt, the disease is very difficult.
Headache caused by a brain tumor occurs due to increased intracranial pressure. The faster the tumor grows, the more pressure increases.
This discomfort occurs mainly in the morning. It is almost always accompanied by vomiting.
As the disease progresses, the frequency of pain attacks increases and the discomfort becomes stronger.
This leads to the patient quickly losing weight and having seizures. If you have symptoms of brain cancer, you should immediately contact an oncologist.
If the disease is diagnosed in time, the patient has every chance of recovery. However, if the cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, the chances of successful removal of the malignant tumor are very low.
Intracranial bleeding
The headache with intracranial bleeding hurts very much. Discomfort occurs suddenly. It is localized mainly on the right side of the head.
With such bleeding, other symptoms appear:
- Nausea.
- Loss of coordination.
- Deterioration of vision.
- Difficulty speaking.
The occurrence of such a headache is associated with injury to the blood vessels of the brain. Trauma causes bleeding in the brain.
This is a very painful process, and it is impossible to stop it with any medications at home.
It is worth noting that discomfort from intracranial bleeding may appear several hours after injury. This is explained by the fact that the walls of the damaged vessel do not thin out immediately.
A person with intracranial bleeding should be urgently hospitalized even if he does not have a headache. What help will he get?
First, the hospital will remove the blood that has accumulated in the skull. This must be done first, since the hematoma will put pressure on the brain.
After this, the doctor will begin to find out the cause of the hemorrhage, for this the patient will need to undergo appropriate examination.
Temporal arteritis
The occurrence of headaches with temporal arteritis is particularly intense. Symptoms of temporal arteritis:
- Loss of appetite. As a result, the patient suddenly loses weight.
- Insomnia.
- Lack of strength, fatigue.
- Depression, depressed psychological state.
The headache with this disease hurts so much that even the strongest painkillers do not help the person. It is the strong discomfort that contributes to the depressed psychological state of the patient.
A complication of temporal arteritis can be discomfort in the neck and shoulders. What factors provoke the occurrence of this disease?
In most cases, temporal arteritis occurs due to infection.
It can also appear with excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and with an overdose of medications.
If treatment for this pathology is not started in a timely manner, the patient may go blind.
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