One of the most popular medical complaints is a headache. It can be both a symptom of a disease, and the result of ordinary overwork. It is very important to consider the place and type of pain. Let's look at the pains in the temples and in the back of the head, why they arise and how to treat them.
What is pain?
If you characterize this feeling, then this is primarily an uncomfortable sensation, which is characterized by reflex changes in the functions of internal organs. It is associated with real or potential tissue damage, accompanied by emotional experiences. The pain can be caused by activation of the peripheral nervous system or be a result of damage to the brain or spinal cord, peripheral nerves. If the pain persists for a long time, it is characterized by changes in physiological parameters. What are the pains in the temples and in the back of the head? What is the reason for this?
Features and types of pain
Pain may be:
- Primary nature.
- Secondary.
Migraine, pain from overwork, pain in the head, in which the brain is not damaged, is primary. Secondary is pain, which is a symptom of a disease. For example, pain after a head injury, due to vascular disease, infectious diseases of the nose, throat, ears and so on.
It is worth paying attention to the intensity of pain in the temples and in the back of the head, its duration.
- Pain that occurs periodically or is chronic, most often can not be a signal of dangerous infections. This is a sign of chronic illness.
- The rapidly increasing pain, which arose unexpectedly and is very severe, is most likely a sign of a dangerous disease. Possible meningitis, swelling, or hemorrhage, and so on.
Also, pain can be:
- Stupid.
- Sharp.
- With a burning sensation.
- Compressive.
- Throbbing.
- Permanent or periodic.
Depending on what type of pain, the nature of its manifestation, the doctor prescribes an examination.
Diagnostics
If you often have a headache in the temples and neck, you need to consult a physician or neurologist. Upon examination, the doctor will find out the nature and duration of the pain. The following examinations can be assigned to determine the cause:
- X-ray computed tomography of the brain. Examines the cranial cavity for abnormalities in development, circulatory disorders, new formations.
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine. Examines not only the brain, but also the spinal cord for the presence of tumors, foci after a stroke, trauma, hernia, and much more.
- Magnetic resonance angiography. An examination that assesses the condition of blood vessels, veins, arteries, detects changes in aneurysm.
- Blood pressure monitoring. With the help of this study, latent arterial hypertension is detected, which can provoke pain in the temples and neck.
- Blood tests are given to detect infection or inflammation.
- It is necessary to undergo examination by an ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, dentist. Perhaps the cause of the pain is associated with an illness of the ears, eyes, or teeth due to a chronic infection.
Causes of Pain
Why does the pain in the temples and the back of the head appear? Reasons may be caused by:
- Vascular disease.
- Psychogenic factors.
- Neuralgic disorders.
- Liquorodynamic changes.
- Intoxication of the body.
Of great importance will be the intensity and location of the pain, as well as its duration. Consider some types and causes of pain.
Strong pain
If severe pain in the back of the head and temples suddenly appears, this is a very dangerous symptom. It is urgent to consult a doctor. This may be a sign of the following conditions:
- meningitis;
- development of sepsis;
- a stroke;
- cervical migraine.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the accompanying symptoms:
- dizziness
- fever;
- vomiting
- sand in the eyes;
- increased blood pressure.
Very often, severe pain can be a symptom of a hypertensive crisis.
If the back of your head hurts and gives in whiskey - this does not exclude problems with cervical vertebrae or occipital nerve neuralgia. Due to inflammation of the nerves, the symptoms mentioned above are possible. It occurs as a result of hypothermia. Dull pain between attacks of severe pain persists for a long time. The occipital region becomes very sensitive.
Be careful, pain in the temples can cause hearing or vision loss, behavior changes, and depression.
Vascular and Infectious Diseases
One of the common diseases is migraine. It is characterized by the development of throbbing pain on the one hand, as well as the following symptoms:
- photosensitivity;
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- sound sensitivity.
The pain can appear for no reason and just as suddenly pass.
Hypertension is one of the diseases in which the head hurts in the temples and the back of the head. It is especially pronounced at high pressure. A pulsating pain is characteristic, and also:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- dizziness;
- reel;
- noise in ears.
Infectious diseases include not only meningitis, but also acute viral infections and dental diseases. Blood thickens, it is difficult to supply the brain with oxygen. The resulting gum flux on the left side can easily cause pain in the left temple and neck.
Psychogenic and neurological causes
Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, as a rule, is characterized by pain, which is localized on one side, but can give off to the occipital region.
Neurological diseases are characterized by sharp pain in the back of the head and temples, alternating with dull pain.
It should be noted that diseases of the vascular nervous system, disorders in the cervical spine, atherosclerosis are exacerbated by nervous and physical stress. Often, pressing pain in the back of the head and temples worries children at the end of the school year. Since the body is weakened and there is a lack of strength for the active work of the vessels of the brain. Vascular pathology may also contribute to this, but this condition is also characteristic of adults. When overstressed, there is a feeling of pressure on the back of the head, temporal region, possibly tingling. The pain is mild, with no vomiting, nausea, or chills. Pressure indicators remain within normal limits.
Very often, throbbing pain in the temples and the back of the head can be a symptom of hormonal changes in the body. It can be in pregnant women, adolescents, women.
It may also be the first symptom of intoxication. Since a large number of dyes and preservatives are currently added to food and medicines. It is a well-known fact that the use of chocolate and cocoa can also trigger a migraine attack, headache.
Treatment
First of all, it is worth noting that if you are concerned about the pain in the temples and the back of the head, the reasons for this condition can only be determined with the doctor. Do not self-medicate. It is necessary to undergo a full examination for effective treatment.
However, there are several recommendations that need to be taken if pain occurs in the temples and in the back of the head:
- Try to relax, take a comfortable position.
- Better to retire in a dark room. Provide relaxation to the eyes.
- If possible, go out into the fresh air, especially if you have been indoors for a long time.
- It is allowed to use a cold compress on the forehead and whiskey.
- Drink peppermint tea or with chamomile.
- Make a light massage of the head of the temporal region.
- Take a drug that will anesthetize or relieve spasm, for example, Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Tempalgin.
If the pain persists, then you must call a doctor.
For pain caused by osteochondrosis, the following are indicated for treatment:
- Physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Massage.
- Therapeutic exercises after the removal of pain symptoms.
Folk recipes
There are also alternative methods of treating headaches. Here are some of them:
- It is recommended to make a compress on the back of the cabbage leaf, before this, the sheet must be wrinkled.
- You can make a compress of grated horseradish or onion.
- For headaches, it is recommended to drink tea from a collection of herbs, which includes peppermint, linden, meadowsweet.
- Rub your palms vigorously and place one on the back of the head and the other on the forehead for a few minutes.
- It can be cut along the leaf of aloe and applied to the temples for 30 minutes.
- Viburnum berries are very popular. They are ground with honey and taken 4 times a day for a tablespoon.
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a liter of cold water. Dampen the tissue and attach to the forehead.
- It is useful to drink tea from rose hips, chamomile and honey.
Prevention
To prevent headaches, you should follow a few simple rules:
- Lead a healthy lifestyle, do not overcool, daily walk in the fresh air.
- If you are working at a computer, take a 15-minute break every hour. The screen should be located at eye level, you must correctly select the height of the chair.
- If you are hypertensive, monitor your blood pressure regularly, take medications, and see a doctor.
- Avoid conflict situations, learn to cope with stress, and also relax.
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress, this will help to properly relax the spine.
- Monitor the freshness and purity of food.
If you have a headache in the temples and back of the head, do not disregard this. It is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner to find out the cause and undergo treatment.