Pain above the back of the head. Headache in the back of the head: types of pain and causes. Treatment of pain in the back of the head with folk remedies. Damage to the nerve structures of the occipital region

The nature of pain in the back of the head, the causes of its occurrence. Traditional medicine in the fight against pain in the back of the head.

Perhaps every person has experienced headaches at least once in their life. Such sensations are very unpleasant and painful. With them, it is impossible to concentrate on anything and do anything.

Sometimes it is possible to get rid of pain in the back of the head only with the help of medication. However, before taking any measures, it is necessary to find out what caused these very sensations.

Causes of headaches in the back of the head

Various types of disorders and damage to the muscles of the neck, back and shoulders can provoke the appearance of pain in the back of the head. Besides this, being sick occipital part head may also be due to heart disease, vascular system and neurological disorders.

The most common causes of such painful sensations are:

  • violations in the area cervical region spine
  • change in blood pressure
  • occipital nerve problems
  • intracranial pressure
  • spasm of cerebral vessels
  • transferred nervous tension and stress
  • prolonged stay of the body in an unnatural and uncomfortable position
  • muscle strain
  • pathology of bite or diseases of the temporomandibular joints
  • poisoning and intoxication of the body
  • infection or cold
  • high body temperature

The cause of occipital pain can be determined by its nature, intensity and frequency of occurrence.

Pressing pain in the back of the head, causes



The most common causes of pressing pain in the back of the head are cervical osteochondrosis, cervical spondylosis or intracranial pressure.



  • This disorder is provoked by the destruction of intervertebral discs. As a result, a person experiences constant pressing headaches in the back of the head, temples and neck. Often such pain is also accompanied by dizziness, nausea, loss of orientation and hearing loss.
  • Cervical osteochondrosis is sometimes accompanied by double vision and fog in the eyes. A person suffering from cervical osteochondrosis, throwing his head back, may fall and be immobilized for some time. At the same time he will be fully conscious


  • This disease is caused by ossification of the connective ligaments of the spine. Bone growths block normal turns and movements of the neck, which provokes the appearance of constant pain in the neck and back of the head, especially aggravated when turning the head
  • Sudden movements of the neck cause increased pain, and after they are completed, a regular pressing dull pain remains
  • One more a clear sign cervical spondylosis is sleep disturbance or its complete absence


  • Intracranial pressure is caused by an increase or deficiency cerebrospinal fluid, cerebral edema, the appearance of a tumor or an increase in blood concentration in the vessels of the brain
  • This disease is accompanied by pressing or bursting pain in the back of the head, temples, forehead during sleep, and aggravated upon waking up.
  • Pain in the occipital part of the head may be pulsating in nature, and may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness.

Acute pain in the back of the head, causes



Acute pain in the back of the head is observed with cervical migraine, cervical spondylosis, myogelosis of the cervical spine and neuralgia.



  • Cervical migraine itself is a consequence of diseases of the cervical spine
  • The pain of cervical migraine is often sharp and burning. Such pain can be either constant or throbbing

Myogelosis



Myogelosis of the cervical region
  • Myogelosis often occurs under the influence of drafts, stress, incorrect posture, and is a thickening in the neck muscles
  • In addition to acute pain, myogelosis may cause dizziness, fatigue and stiffness in the shoulder area.


This disease often occurs in patients with osteochondrosis or spondyloarthrosis. They start to feel strong sharp pains V cervical vertebrae, spreading to the eyes, ears, back and back of the head.

Dull pain in the back of the head, causes



Often, a dull pain in the back of the head occurs due to cervical osteochondrosis, cervical spondylosis and malocclusion.

Bite problems



  • It would seem so simple, and at the same time quite common dental problem, as a malocclusion, can provoke discomfort and even human pain
  • During the chewing process, a patient with malocclusion often experiences pain in the neck area, reflected dull ache in the back of the head
  • These sensations can last from several hours to several days.
  • Malocclusion is a problem that can lead not only to constant pain, but also to many other complications (impaired speech, gum disease and facial distortion)

Throbbing pain in the head, pain in the back of the head, causes



The causes of pulsations in the head and back of the head can be many factors and diseases:

  • hypertension
  • neurology of the cervical spine
  • intracranial pressure
  • diseases of the vascular system
  • cervical migraine
  • tumors
  • incorrectly selected glasses or lenses
  • diseases of the nose and ear
  • menstruation

Hypertonic disease



  • Hypertension is one of the most frequent illnesses occurring in people with heart disease
  • Hypertension occurs due to a predisposition to vasoconstriction
  • This disease is often accompanied by strong pulsation in the back of the head, rapid heartbeat, general malaise, dizziness and spontaneous nausea.


  • Pulsation in the back of the head quite often occurs due to spasm of blood vessels passing inside or outside the skull
  • Throbbing pain can spread to both the back of the head and frontal part heads
  • When moving, the pain increases, and when at rest, it decreases.

Tumors



  • Brain tumor, meningitis and others serious violations brain quite often manifest themselves in the form of a throbbing headache
  • In addition to pain, such diseases have a number of other accompanying symptoms: nausea, vomiting, weakness and dizziness

Glasses



  • If glasses or lenses are chosen incorrectly, a person will have to strain their eyes repeatedly throughout the day.
  • Such stress can cause pulsations in the eyes, head, neck, as well as a feeling of tightness on the scalp.

Diseases of the nose, ear



  • Sinusitis, rhinitis, sinusitis and otitis are quite common causes of headaches in children and adults.
  • They can cause pulsation, nagging pain or a sharp headache in the occipital and frontal parts

Pain in the right side of the head, causes. Pain in the left side of the head, causes

Often, pain localized in one or another part of the head is caused by the use of very cold water or food, alcohol, drugs or nicotine, as well as a disease such as myositis.



  • The causes of myositis include hypothermia, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, or various types of neck injuries.
  • Headache with myositis, it mainly appears during head movement and neck turns



  • Very often, some athletes or, on the contrary, people far from sports, during intense physical exertion, may feel pain in the back of the head, frontal part, goosebumps or tingling in the head area
  • Some people experience some head pressure. It seems as if the head was tied with a rope, or a tight hat was put on it
  • All these signs appear due to a sharp spasm of blood vessels arising from severe physical stress

Treatment of headaches in the back of the head with traditional methods



Before moving on to more complex ones, radical means traditional medicine, you need to try to get rid of headaches with the help of basic things:

  • ventilate the room
  • eliminate all annoying loud sounds
  • try to increase the humidity in the room
  • take a walk in the fresh air
  • stop using alcohol, nicotine, drugs
  • cleanse the intestines
  • massage the entire surface of the head, including the temples
  • aromatherapy
  • massage of temples, forehead and neck with aromatic oils of lavender, rosemary and mint
  • tonic and relaxing herbal teas and infusions
  • compresses

Here are some of the most effective traditional methods relief from headaches:

Infusions



  1. St. John's wort infusion. Take a glass of boiling water and pour a large spoonful of St. John's wort into it. Infuse the herb and take one third of a glass before meals
  2. Decoction of odorous chamomile without tongue. Pour a large spoonful of chamomile into a glass of water and boil it for five minutes. After steeping the broth for twenty minutes and straining it, take a third of a glass after meals.
  3. Tincture of evasive peony. We take crushed peony roots and fill them with vodka in a ratio of one to ten. Take a small spoon of infusion before meals
  4. Decoction of herbal collection. Take two tablespoons of the collection of rustling clover, white lilac flowers and rattle (proportions 4:4:2) and fill it with half a liter of boiling water. After steeping the decoction for half an hour, strain the infusion. We take the decoction about six times a day, half a glass
  5. Herbal decoction No. 2. Take a tablespoon of the collected flowers of common lilac, pink meadow cornflower and thyme. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let them brew for an hour. Drink the entire decoction in two doses, an hour apart.
  6. Infusion onion peel. Pour a glass of boiling water over the onion peel and leave for an hour and a half. We drink the resulting infusion in half a glass twice. It is recommended to brew a new infusion every day
  7. Propolis tincture. Add twenty grams of propolis to one hundred grams of alcohol or vodka. We take the infusion forty drops at a time. You can drip them directly onto the bread
  8. Valerian infusion. Take twenty grams of valerian roots and pour them into a glass of boiling water. Heat the mixture in a water bath under the lid for fifteen minutes. Let it brew for about forty-five minutes and strain. Take two large spoons of valerian infusion thirty minutes after meals.

Compresses and wraps



  1. At high blood pressure we cut fresh cucumber circles and place it on the eyes
  2. Dip the rye crumb in vinegar, wrap it in a bandage, and put it on sore spot
  3. Pour a large spoonful of salt into a liter jar of water and stir it thoroughly. Ten grams camphor oil pour in one hundred grams of ammonia ten percent alcohol, shake everything well. We pour all two solutions into one vessel, cover with something and chat until the flakes formed when combining the mixtures disappear. We heat the mixture in a water bath and make a compress from it on the sore spot overnight
  4. Dissolve a large spoonful of salt in half a liter of water. We soak a wool-based fabric in a salt solution and apply it to the lower back. Wrap the compress in a warm scarf and leave it overnight
  5. Apply the peeled lemon peel to your temple. Let the crust sit until it starts to bake.

Unusual ways to get rid of headaches



  1. We put a green scarf on our head
  2. We determine which nostril in the nose breathes cleaner by closing each one in turn. If the nostril from which the pain comes is breathing better, you need to close the breathing nostril and breathe with the one that is breathing worse.
  3. We stand in front of a large mirror and, without blinking, repeat to our reflection in it: “On the count of three, headache, go away!” Once! On the count of three, headache, pass! Two! On the count of three, headache, pass. The headache goes away. The headache is gone. Three!"
  4. Tap on the bridge of the nose thumb from five to twenty minutes. After a couple of hours we repeat the ritual
  5. We brew ourselves some tea in a cup. Dip a small spoon into hot tea and apply it to the nose on the side where the pain is located. When the spoon has cooled, repeat the procedure. Afterwards, we apply the spoon removed from the hot tea to the earlobe on the same side. Finally, warm your fingertips on a hot cup and drink your tea

It is worth noting that no matter how effective folk remedies are, it is first necessary to find out the cause of the pain. Only by eliminating it can you get rid of it once and for all.
from excruciating headaches.

Shoshina Vera Nikolaevna

Therapist, education: Northern medical University. Work experience 10 years.

Articles written

IN modern world Many people experience pain in the back of the head. Why does the head hurt in the back, what causes such pain, how to get rid of this disease - such questions concern many.

Pain in the occipital part of the head can arise from incorrect body position during sleep or serve alarm signal about the presence of serious diseases in the patient’s body.

When the back of the head hurts, the pain can be very different, here are the most common.

Why does the back of my head hurt?

Headache in the back of the head often occurs when various types problems, let's look at them in more detail.

Pain with cervical osteochondrosis

This disease is one of the types of problems with the spine; it consists of rapid aging and deformation of the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral space. Often complications occur in several parts of the spine at once. Lesions localized in the cervical region are often accompanied by pain in the back of the head. The disease develops due to the following factors:

  1. Sedentary, sedentary image life.
  2. Overweight.
  3. Bad habits (alcohol, cigarettes).

Pain with cervical spondylosis

This is a disease spinal column represents the following: the patient’s entire cervical area spine, deformation of the vertebrae in the neck occurs, neoplasms appear on them, which constantly cause a person severe pain not only in the cervical region, but also on the back of the head. Cause of the disease:

  1. Sedentary lifestyle.
  2. Advanced age of a person.

Pain with cervical myositis

Inflammatory reactions in the skeletal muscles with lesions bone tissue- this is how this disease is characterized. When it occurs, one of the symptoms is a headache (severely) from the back of the head. Factors contributing to the occurrence of the disease:

  1. Complications after an infectious disease.
  2. Hypothermia of the body.
  3. Spinal injuries, sprains.

The disease is accompanied by constant aching pain in the neck area, which also covers the back of the head.

Pain due to hypertension

Narrowing of the arteries, leading to increased blood pressure, loss of vascular tone - this is hypertension. The disease has no specific signs, but symptoms may include a headache in the back of the head. What causes the disease most often:

  1. Stressful conditions.
  2. Genetic predisposition.
  3. Excessive physical activity.

With myogelosis of the cervical area

The disease occurs due to the formation of a seal in the neck muscles. Symptoms are: feeling tired, dizzy, feeling stiff, headache in the back of the head. The provocateurs of the disease are:

  1. Nervous overstrain.
  2. Frequent stress.
  3. Incorrect posture.
  4. Colds.

In case of malocclusion

Incorrectly positioned teeth affect the gums and chewing functions; over time, the process of chewing food can become painful, which leads to a person having a headache in the cervical and occipital regions.

With increased intracranial pressure

This condition is characterized by severe and constant pain in the back of the head. The pain may intensify and is often accompanied by vomiting or attacks of nausea. The causes of pain are an increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid and surges in blood pressure.

Cervical migraine

This disease, widespread in the modern world, is characterized by headaches in the back of the head and frontal lobe, the patient has a feeling of fog when looking at something, in the ears, and has difficulty concentrating.

If the back of your head hurts, the pain can also be caused by:

  • pathologies in the cervical spine due to a person’s professional activity;
  • experienced stressful situations;
  • vascular diseases in the neck area, accompanied by pressure surges;
  • neuralgia.

Characteristics of pain and most common locations

Pain in the back of the head is usually localized on both sides of the head, affecting the following parts of the body:

  • part of the cervical spine at the back,
  • frontal lobe
  • eyes, ears, facial muscles, jaws,
  • upper back.

Pain that occurs in the back of the head is usually paroxysmal in nature. While pain in the temple area, eyeballs or ears can rather be called sharp and shooting. Often, any touch to the back of the head only intensifies the attack.

When pain in the back of the head may occur:

  • with sudden bending of the body,
  • when turning your head,
  • during a coughing attack,
  • after the postponed infectious diseases,
  • at night or early in the morning,
  • after suffering a head injury,
  • with a sharp change in blood pressure,
  • in unstable weather conditions,
  • while chewing food.

Pain in the back of the head during pregnancy

Expectant mothers quite often experience discomfort in occipital region. There is no pathology in this, it’s just that the body of a pregnant woman is subjected to additional stress, affecting the musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems. Occipital pain is often a consequence of fatigue, physical and emotional stress.

If the pain is not constant, a pregnant woman should rest more and do special exercises, helping to relieve muscle tension. If you experience persistent pain, you should immediately consult a specialist.

Actions of a person experiencing pain in the back of the head

If attacks of pain in the back of the head are isolated in nature, there is no need to sound the alarm; most likely, bad people are to blame for this weather, overexertion or uncomfortable posture during sleep. But, when the back of the head constantly hurts, and the reasons are unknown, what should a person do?

Of course, without delaying to consult a specialist, only a competent doctor will be able to find out why the headache hurts, what treatment should be prescribed to the patient.

What examinations are usually prescribed upon application:

  • visual examination with mandatory blood pressure measurement,
  • a series of analyzes
  • brain tomography,
  • examination by an ophthalmologist,
  • X-ray examinations of the spinal column,
  • brain.

This is the only way a doctor can determine correct diagnosis and discover the cause of the pain. Based full examination The patient is prescribed therapeutic treatment. Independent and uncontrolled use of painkillers can only temporarily relieve symptoms, but will not help cure the disease.

If the back of the head hurts very strongly and often, you need to visit a neurologist; also, the causes of painful attacks can be discovered by doctors such as a cardiologist (if problems with blood vessels are suspected) and a traumatologist (and cervical spine).

How to avoid back pain

If you have a headache (sometimes) in the back of the head, you need to try to get rid of the factors that cause attacks of pain, as well as:

  1. Adjust your daily routine by highlighting right time for a good rest.
  2. Choose a comfortable pillow in cases where pain occurs after a night's sleep.
  3. Give up bad habits (drinking alcohol, smoking).
  4. Perform sets of physical exercises aimed at stretching the muscles of the cervical spine.
  5. Try to sit on a chair with a high back.
  6. Introduce foods containing fatty acid to avoid inflammatory processes.
  7. Maintain proper posture.

Procedures that can alleviate or completely eliminate pain symptoms

To relieve pain, you can take medications that help relieve pain. These are mainly drugs containing such active substance like ibuprofen. The most effective are: Pentalgin, Paracetamol, Citramon. All medications must be taken strictly according to the instructions; if they do not help, you must consult a doctor so that adequate therapeutic treatment can be prescribed.

In the treatment of pain in the back of the head, in addition to therapeutic treatment, the following procedures are often prescribed to significantly alleviate the patient’s condition:

  • Physiotherapy.

Electrophoresis is one of the most effective physiotherapeutic procedures, which is often prescribed to patients with pain in the head and neck. The principle of action is to improve blood flow in blood vessels and muscles, increase lymph drainage.

  • Massage courses.

Especially "collar", is also considered in an effective way get rid of pain in the head and neck area.

Massage should be done in courses, at least ten sessions per course. Massage procedures not only help relieve pain and tension, but are also an excellent preventive measure.

  • Manual therapy.

Appeal to chiropractor often leads to complete relief from pain after just a few sessions, but in cases where the pain does not go away, it is still necessary to undergo a full examination.

  • Physical exercise.

For a disease such as osteochondrosis, a special set of physical exercises is often prescribed ( physiotherapy), helping to relieve muscle tension and reduce headaches. The exercises should be performed under the supervision of a specialist.

ethnoscience

There are many recipes to reduce pain symptoms in the back of the head:

  • We drink green tea with mint. Good green tea, supplemented with fresh mint or a few drops of mint ether, helps improve the tone of the whole body, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and reduces pain. You should only drink a freshly brewed drink, adding a small amount of honey to it;
  • preparing healing decoction from medicinal herbs. For preparation you will need: dried fruits hawthorn, dried valerian root, motherwort, dried bearberry. Pour two parts of hawthorn, motherwort and bearberry into a glass container, add one part of valerian, pour boiling water over it, let it brew for an hour. Strain the broth and take half a glass before meals 2-3 times a day. This drink, taken regularly, will relieve tension and reduce pain;
  • we use essential oils. Essential oils of rosemary, peach, and mint will help reduce pain in the back of the head. A few drops of ether should be applied to the back of the head and begin to gently rub it in a circular motion;
  • We make contrast compresses. Sometimes contrast compresses help relieve pain in the back of the head. A warm or cool damp cloth is alternately applied to the back of the head; this procedure helps the person relax and reduce pain.

When the back of the head hurts, it brings a lot of inconvenience to a person. Headache is a rather unpleasant symptom in itself that occurs for many reasons. An unpleasant sensation in the back of the head is most often combined with nausea and dizziness. The nature of the sensations in the occipital part is pulsating, aching, squeezing and dull.

An unpleasant set of manifestations in the back of the head, pain can appear in various reasons. Common reasons pain symptoms in the neck and back of the head there are overstrained muscles due to incorrect head position during sleep. An accompanying symptom is nausea. The pain is aching, interfering with a person’s normal functioning.

Loads on the cervical spine are caused by the specifics of work and exercises. Even when in a calm position, the symptoms remain. The pain is not migraine-like, not throbbing. Often with back The head is bothered by the area of ​​the temples of the head and forehead. Any movement causes an increase in manifestations.

Unpleasant sensations in the back of the head, cervical spine, disturb the ears and eyes with spondylosis. This disease cannot be treated at home. You can eliminate the symptoms with the help of a specialist. The disease is characterized by the formation of osteophytes along the edges of the vertebrae. Symptoms appear even in a calm state.

Sensation in the back of the head along with possible losses consciousness, dizziness with nausea are not just a one-time syndrome. A complex of manifestations may be the cause of cervical osteochondrosis.

Possible diseases

Diagnostics

Carrying out diagnostics requires care. First of all, the specialist conducts a conversation in which the patient talks about the symptoms. Important has a frequency, location, character of sensations.

If available bright severe symptoms, which include an unpleasant symptom of the back of the head, vomiting, fear of light, sounds, you should immediately go to a neurologist.

Diagnostic methods used to establish a diagnosis for nausea and pain in the back of the head:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging can help check the brain for tumors.
  • Using tonometry, a specialist determines arterial pressure.
  • The pressure inside the skull is measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
  • Echoencephaloscopy helps to assess the displacement of brain structures.
  • Electroencephalography is performed to diagnose migraine attacks.

Remedies

Depending on the cause of the disease, the method of treatment changes. For cervical osteochondrosis, stress, neuralgia occipital nerve They offer massage. You should not use manual therapy if you have high blood pressure.

widespread, effective means Experts consider physiotherapy, which includes laser treatment, electrophoresis with magnetotherapy. Prescribed for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, high pressure inside the skull. Physical therapy is used for some of the listed ailments.

Traditional medicine

Medicines are prescribed only by a specialist, depending on the diagnosis. If you feel sick and have pain in the back of your head due to high blood pressure, Hypothiazide, Captopril with Cordipine are prescribed.

Sibelium, Pyrroxan and Redergin are prescribed for headaches due to vascular pathology.

Headache means A complex approach, where medications are combined with manual therapy. From medical supplies Antidepressants are prescribed, as well as muscle relaxants designed to relieve tension from the neck muscles.

Folk remedies

Methods alternative medicine in this case are not effective. Folk remedies for pain in the back of the head, which have a different nature, require individual consultation. The presented methods should be used as preventative or additional to medications and manual therapy. If a person has a serious problem, ways traditional therapy will be ineffective.

For mild pain in the back of the head, apply a hot compress. Use it in tandem with drinking hot drinks. A common compress option for neck discomfort is a cabbage compress. To complete this you will need cabbage leaf, crushed by hands. It should be applied to the sore spot. A compress made from a mixture of two components: onion and horseradish is considered effective. Mix grated horseradish with chopped onion, place the resulting mixture on a cotton cloth, roll it up and apply it to your neck.

To improve the condition and eliminate unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, pain, it is worth consuming a decoction of herbs. Often used lime tea or from a mixture of mint, sage and meadowsweet.

Prevention

Heaviness in the neck and nausea will decrease if you follow the actions prescribed by a specialist: taking medications, undergoing a massage, and performing self-medication. physical therapy. For separate disease separate recommendations are assigned.

The first thing to do to eliminate symptoms is to stop alcoholic drinks and cigarettes for the reason that they cause increased pain. If the cause is the consequences sedentary work, it's worth rebuilding workplace so that it becomes comfortable. It is worth reviewing the schedule and adjusting it. A person with this diagnosis should spend time outdoors.

You can achieve a positive effect and improve your sleep with the help of an orthopedic pillow, which will help relax the muscles of the neck and head during sleep.

Headaches are familiar to every person. And if they do not constantly pursue, but appear only occasionally, then in most cases this phenomenon is quite normal. If a person is worried about localized painful sensations, for example, pain in the back of the head on the right, then this may indicate serious problems in organism. Therefore, if this symptom appears repeatedly, it is necessary to consult a doctor to find out the causes and prescribe treatment.

Pain in the back of the head should alert you when it accompanies a person constantly or quite often. It is recommended to see a doctor if the pain intensifies with exercise, lasts for several days, or appears suddenly in the morning even when standing still.

Often pain in the back of the head is not the only symptom of the disease, and it may be accompanied by:

  • Noise in the head, stuffy ears and darkening of the eyes.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Numbness of the limbs.
  • Dizziness and loss of coordination.

In addition to accompaniment various symptoms Pain in the occipital part of the head also differs in the nature of its course. She may be:

  1. Pulsating and constant.
  2. Intensifies with movement of the head or the whole body.
  3. Strong (with impact to the lower jaw).
  4. Sharp and paroxysmal.

Depending on the nature of the pain in the back of the right head, the doctor will be able to determine what this condition may be associated with.

Causes

Pain in the back of the head does not occur on its own; there are many reasons that can cause it. There are a number of diseases in which such painful sensations are important symptom. But there are also a number of factors that can cause this symptom, these include:

  • Overexertion, severe or prolonged stress.
  • Mental disorders.
  • Lack or excess of sleep.
  • Too much physical activity, especially if it is aimed at the cervical spine.
  • Improper, unbalanced nutrition, especially diet abuse.
  • Bad habits (smoking, alcohol).

If pain in the back of the head is associated with these factors, then you can get rid of the unpleasant sensations simply by changing your daily routine, sleep and diet, or eliminating stress that provokes painful sensations.

A number of diseases that are often associated with pain in the occipital region on the right:

  • Injuries and pathologies of development of the cervical spine.
  • Neuralgia.

All these conditions require treatment, otherwise it is impossible to get rid of pain in the back of the head.

This disease is one of the most common causes of pain in this localization. Syndrome vertebral artery(another name for the disease) may occur due to various reasons, including osteochondrosis, spinal injuries, atherosclerosis, muscle spasms and others. When the disease occurs, there is a significant disruption in the flow of blood to the brain through one or both arteries. In this case, blood circulation is not impaired to such an extent that strokes occur, but sufficiently so that unpleasant symptoms in the form of headaches in the occipital part, deterioration of coordination, decreased level of vision.

Cervical migraine is also accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Transfer of pain to temples, eyes, ears.
  • High sensitivity of the skin in the back of the head on the right.
  • Dizziness.
  • Noise in ears.
  • Numbness of limbs, tongue.

Myositis is inflammatory process, which flows in the muscle. If myositis occurs in the muscles of the cervical spine, then a headache begins in the back of the head on one side, and the pain is quite strong and intensifies when turning the head. Also, with this disease, painful sensations may appear in the temples, ears, and shoulders, as a reflection of pain in the occipital part of the head on the right.

Myositis appears due to hypothermia, muscle spasms, and various infectious diseases. The disease can also be triggered by the patient having diabetes.

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can lead to headaches in the back of the head. An increase in ICP occurs when cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in one area, which can occur due to many reasons, including pathologies of pregnancy and childbirth, strokes, infectious diseases, tumors, cysts in the head, as well as when taking certain medications. ICP is one of the most common causes of pain with right side back of the head

Often, painful sensations in the back of the head due to intracranial pressure are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, muscle paralysis, and dizziness.

Neuralgia

Neuralgia can occur in almost anyone, even healthy person. This disease causes pain along the nerve, but is not associated with inflammation. Neuralgia may appear after a prolonged uncomfortable position, for example, during sleep, hypothermia, infectious diseases, osteochondrosis and other factors that provoke the disease. In this condition, the pain persists constantly and intensifies when moving the head; it can be either mild or very severe.

Diagnosis and treatment

Headache usually does not cause serious concern for a person, as it is often caused by wrong mode day, sleep and rest, unbalanced diet and other similar problems. If a headache in the back of the head on the right side appears frequently, then there is a high probability that the person has certain health problems. And you can find out why it hurts only with the help of a specialist - a neurologist, etc. In order to identify the causes of pain, the doctor not only collects a complete medical history, but also conducts diagnostic measures– blood pressure measurement, magnetic resonance imaging, rheoencephalography, computed tomography and other methods if necessary.

There is no symptomatic treatment for pain in the right side of the head - painkillers only help temporarily relieve discomfort. To get rid of periodic or constant pain, it is imperative to eliminate the cause. Therapy is prescribed depending on the identified disease. In most cases it is enough drug treatment, which is often a complex medicines, and for neuralgia and cervical migraine, physiotherapy is also indicated. If the disease is associated with spinal pathologies, it may be recommended manual therapy, which also shows high efficiency.

Some diseases may also require surgical intervention, but such situations happen quite rarely. For example, increased intracranial pressure may be caused by a tumor, and in order to normalize it, it is necessary to remove such a formation.

Prevention

In order not to know the sensations when the back of the head hurts, it is recommended to follow preventive measures on an ongoing basis. Such measures include:

  • Avoiding hypothermia and being in a draft.
  • A moderate amount of physical activity (both overexertion and refusal to exercise can cause illness).
  • Maintaining a sleep and rest schedule (adults are recommended to sleep for 8 hours at night).
  • Avoiding stressful situations.
  • Quitting bad habits, including smoking.
  • Limit the consumption of fatty, fried foods.
  • Sleeping on a hard bed or orthopedic mattress.

Such simple preventive measures will help minimize the likelihood of pain in the right side of the back of the head.

Pain in the head is often not paid attention to - it is considered something familiar, ordinary. But pain in the back of the head on the right side may mean not just an uncomfortable sleep the previous night or stress at work, but also serious illness, requiring emergency treatment. Therefore, repeated painful sensations should definitely be a signal to contact a specialist to find out the reasons behind the pain, and then prescribe adequate therapy. In no case should treatment be delayed by dulling the pain with analgesic drugs - such behavior can cause complications or aggravate the course of the disease.

All information on the site is provided for informational purposes. Before using any recommendations, be sure to consult your doctor. Self-medication can be dangerous to your health.

Not everyone knows what diseases cause pain in the back of the head, the reasons, what to do in this situation, what kind of pain there is. Head pain is a common complaint of patients when visiting a doctor. In one case, headache is the only symptom, while in others it is combined with nausea and other symptoms. Pain in the back of the head is not always a symptom of the disease. They can occur due to overvoltage. What are the causes of headaches?

Mechanism of symptom appearance

If the back of your head hurts, you need to establish the exact cause of this condition, because a headache is just clinical symptom. Millions of people around the world suffer from of this disease. Modern man lives in the era of scientific and technological progress. Massive use of computers, phones, tablets, increased background noise, active development of industry - all this negatively affects the condition nervous system And of cardio-vascular system. Pain in the occipital part of the head can be caused by the following pathological processes:

  • brain damage;
  • muscle damage in the neck area;
  • high blood pressure;
  • long-term static load;
  • neuralgia.

Development mechanism pain syndrome different. In the head area there are ligaments, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. In this regard, pain in the back of the head is not always a symptom of brain disease.

Types of disease

Headache in the occipital region is divided into several types. The following types of headaches are distinguished:

  • for migraines;
  • tension headache;
  • cluster;
  • infectious etiology;
  • vascular;
  • metabolic;
  • post-traumatic;
  • with brain pathology;
  • medicinal.

Pain in the occipital part of the head can be primary or secondary. Primary is characterized by the fact that it is the main symptom of the disease. A typical example is migraine pain. Secondary pain differs in that it occurs against the background of another somatic pathology (tumor, stroke). Secondary pain may occur when using large quantity caffeine If the back of your head hurts, this may indicate taking certain medicines or their sudden cancellation.

Pain in the back of the head can be dull, throbbing, squeezing, or sharp. They can be spotty or diffuse. There are 3 degrees of pain intensity: mild, moderate and severe. The pain syndrome can bother a person every day or it occurs periodically. Sometimes, before the onset of pain, its precursors appear. The pain syndrome is most pronounced against the background of inflammation of the hard meninges, blood vessels and nerves.

Main etiological factors

Pain in the back of the head can be a manifestation of the following diseases and pathological conditions:

If you have a headache, the reason may lie in your professional activity. There are many professions in which workers assume a forced, uncomfortable body position. The risk group includes programmers and people involved in small manual work (seamstresses, watchmakers, jewelers). They are working in the wrong position. Pain in the occipital region of the head is a sign malocclusion. At the same time, such people are bothered by dull, constant pain. It may get worse in the evening. Pain in the back of the head, especially in women, often occurs against the background of emotional experiences. Sometimes pressure in the head and pain are observed in the background physical activity. Vascular pathology contributes to this.

If the back of your head hurts, the cause may lie in a pathology of the neck. The most common cause is cervical osteochondrosis. Almost every person after 25 years suffers from this disease. Some people have a disease long time is asymptomatic, while others experience pronounced periods of exacerbation. Osteochondrosis is called chronic illness spine, which affects intervertebral discs. Wherein cartilage tissue becomes less durable and elastic. Over time, the cartilage discs can wear away completely. There are 4 stages of development of this pathology. Pain in the back of the head can appear already at stage 1 of osteochondrosis.

Highlight following reasons development of this disease:

  • incorrect body position while writing or working at a computer;
  • spinal column injuries;
  • circulatory disorders.

Predisposing factors include physical inactivity, low physical activity, stress, hereditary predisposition, long stay in a sitting position, congenital anomalies development, bad habits. Pain in the back of the head is the most common symptom of cervical osteochondrosis. It is most pronounced in the later stages of the disease in the presence of complications (vertebral artery syndrome).

Vertebral artery syndrome is caused by compression of the vessel and disruption of the blood supply to the brain. The pain is intense and throbbing. Pain can also be felt in other areas (left or right in the parietotemporal region). Head pain, burning, dizziness, nausea, fear of noise and light are often observed. The appearance of pain in osteochondrosis without complications is caused by spasm of the muscles located at the back of the neck. Sometimes the pain is felt in the arms. This occurs when the nerve roots become inflamed.

Migraine pain syndrome

A sharp headache in the back of the head is the main symptom of migraine. This is a disease in which constant or recurrent headaches are observed. They can be localized in any area: on the left or right in the temples, in the back of the head or in the forehead. Migraine is a disease unknown etiology. The following are distinguished: trigger factors development of this pathology:

  • influence of factors external environment(strong odors, consumption of certain foods);
  • lack of sleep;
  • sleep in daytime days;
  • stress;
  • severe fatigue;
  • smoking;
  • brainwork.

There are 2 types of migraine: with and without aura. An aura is a collection of symptoms that appear immediately before a headache. Migraine headaches have the following characteristics:

  • intense;
  • pulsating;
  • often unilateral;
  • often accompanied by nausea;
  • intensify when a person moves;
  • are gradually increasing.

Often headaches are pressing. They are so painful that they make everyday activities difficult. A sharp headache in the back of the head is caused by the narrowing and expansion of blood vessels in the head area. Migraine headaches without aura can last for several days continuously. Migraines can also occur in children. In this case, it most often has a bilateral localization. Most common reason- a child has a lot of mental stress.

Occipital neuralgia

The neck and back of the head may hurt with occipital neuralgia. Pain syndrome occurs when a nerve is pinched. IN severe cases the process involves the nerve roots in the neck. The following reasons for the development of occipital neuralgia are distinguished:

  • sedentary work;
  • stress;
  • tumors;
  • traumatic injury to the spinal column;
  • herniated discs;
  • cervical osteochondrosis;
  • hypothermia;
  • gout;
  • endarteritis;
  • tuberculous spondylitis.

Most common symptoms neuralgia are:

  • pain in the back of the head, lower neck or ears;
  • increased sensitivity to bright light;
  • difficulty turning the neck.

Pain in the back of the head tends to intensify when turning the head. Increased pain is observed if you touch the occipital region. In some cases, pain is felt in the eye area. The pain is shooting, but can be burning. Such patients are forced to turn their head in one direction to alleviate their condition. Pain syndrome occurs periodically. Hypothermia often contributes to its appearance. Neuralgia occurs in people who do not wear scarves and hats winter time of the year. If the neck or back of the head suffers from neuralgia, then a violation of skin sensitivity in this area is often observed.

Vascular diseases

If you have pain in the back of your head, the reasons lie in cardiovascular diseases. Not everyone knows why hypertension hurts and dizziness occurs. Normally, blood pressure does not exceed 139/89 mm. rt. Art. Often the pressure reaches 200 mm. rt. Art. and more. The following reasons for the development of hypertension are identified:

  • complicated heredity;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • poor nutrition;
  • smoking;
  • alcohol consumption;
  • stress;
  • overweight;
  • physical inactivity.

In persons suffering hypertension, with a significant increase in pressure, the back of the head may begin to hurt severely. The pain can be throbbing or bursting. It can intensify when a person tilts to the side. The occurrence of pain is caused by a narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels that supply the brain. Additional symptoms diseases are dizziness, weakness. In severe cases, the headache is combined with nausea or vomiting. After vomiting, pain may decrease. Severe headache is often a sign of a hypertensive crisis.

Diagnostic and therapeutic measures

When there is pain in the occipital region, you should consult a doctor. In this situation, consultation and examination by a neurologist may be required. Treatment is prescribed after a thorough examination of the patient. Diagnostics includes:

  • identification of complaints at the time of contacting a doctor;
  • collecting anamnesis of the disease and life history;
  • computer or magnetic resonance imaging of the skull;
  • general and biochemical analysis blood;
  • neurological examination;
  • conducting electroencephalography;
  • definition lipid spectrum blood (if atherosclerosis is suspected);
  • measurement of intracranial pressure;
  • blood pressure measurement;
  • electromyography;
  • ECG and ultrasound of the heart;
  • angiography;
  • X-ray examination of the cervical spine.

Treatment depends on the underlying disease. What to do if you have a headache due to a migraine? Treatment of migraine involves the use of painkillers such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Pentalgin, antipyretics (Solpadeine), serotonin receptor agonists (Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan), and ergot drugs. Anticonvulsants and antidepressants may be prescribed. To eliminate pain, massage, acupuncture, and placing cold compresses on the head can be performed.



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