Is Headache a common Health Problem?

Dr.Madhukar Bhardwaj, 3 mins read

The most common health problem experienced by many people is Headaches. We need to recognize the causes that can lead to headaches and take action accordingly. Severe headaches frequently might affect a person’s physical and mental health as well. Headaches can affect and cause pain in any part of the head. Let us look at some of the factors that can lead to headaches.

• Emotional factors like anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Physical issues like any past or present injury.
• Environmental factors like weather conditions.
• Medical issues like migraine or high blood pressure.

The level of pain due to headaches differs from one person to another. The experts have categorized headaches into two different types: primary and secondary.

PRIMARY HEADACHES:

Primary Headaches are the ones where the brain is structurally and clinically normal. MRI Brain is typically not done for Primary Headaches. This can also happen due to excessive use of medication. Primary headaches can be due to the following uncontrollable activities:

• Blood vessels
• Muscles
• Nerves
• Brain Chemicals
• Specific parts of the brains

SECONDARY HEADACHES

There can be many causes for secondary headaches which are mostly affected by health issues. The issues are:

• Stroke
• Pregnancy
• Brain tumor
• Infection
• Hypothyroidism

As headaches can have serious effects on your health, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible. Recognize if your headache is severe, occurring frequently, persistent, no improvement despite medication and other symptoms like fever, neck stiffness, and sensory problems. You shouldn’t take any symptoms lightly, always call the medical helpline in case of any problem or visit your nearest doctor.

Doctors and health experts recommend pain relievers for minor headaches. Some medications will require a prescription by the doctors and some will be available without it. If your headache is regular, it is always advisable to visit a doctor. Because overuse of any medication is also not good for your health. It might worsen your headache.

Even though pain relievers are sage, it is recommended to follow some instructions before going for them. There are some tips you can follow while you are on headache pain relievers:

• It is very important to know the active ingredients of the pain relievers.
• Never exceed the dosage limit that is given on the cover.
• Follow the instructions given. How to have them, how much, and when to have them.
• Check if you have any kidney or liver problems with your doctor.
• Check with your doctor if you have any bleeding problems, asthma, undergone or going for surgery.
• Do not take more than 4 Pain Killers in a month
• If you need more than 4 painkillers in a month. Seek a Neurologist’s opinion immediately.

Also, Read: Headache: Could It Be a Brain Tumor?