Whether it’s stinging or throbbing, everyone gets headaches, although some people get it more often than others. But what to do if the headaches keep coming? We explain when migraines are a sign of illness.
Headaches and migraines are unpleasant and can severely limit the quality of life of those affected. Whether someone is prone to headaches or not can be hereditary, but lifestyle also plays a big role. If the pain is intermittent, it is usually nothing to worry about. But what if you get headaches too often ?
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Causes of Headaches
In general, various factors can cause headaches. These include a lack of fluids or sleep, stress , alcohol consumption, hormonal changes or the use of certain medications. If it is a dull, pressing pain, this can also indicate neck tension. The same triggers can also lead to migraines, which are usually a one-sided, throbbing headache. One also speaks of migraine when, in addition to the pain, side effects such as sensitivity to light, smell or noise, nausea or vomiting occur.
Constant headaches: when migraines are a sign of illness
Headaches as a sign of cold, flu and Co.
A headache is one of the common symptoms of a cold or flu, along with a runny nose, sore throat and cough. Cold and flu headaches often appear in the forehead region, but they can also spread to the back of the head. The main cause of headaches is usually an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which is often caused by inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
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Headaches as a sign of eye problems
Eye problems can also be responsible for headaches. These can be harmless symptoms such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness, but also serious illnesses. For example, headaches can be an early sign of temporal arteritis, an inflammation of the temporal artery that usually occurs in older people. But headaches can also become noticeable with glaucoma or cataracts. If you have a headache associated with eye problems, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Headaches as a sign of neurological diseases
In rare cases, headaches can also indicate serious neurological diseases. These include, for example, cerebral vein thrombosis , cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis or a brain tumor. For this reason, anyone who gets new, very severe headaches should always see a doctor as soon as possible. Especially if other symptoms such as dizziness, coordination disorders, visual disorders, speech or sensory disorders or acute paralysis also occur.
Headaches can also be a symptom of high blood pressure
In addition to dizziness, headaches can also occur as a symptom of high blood pressure. Since high blood pressure is also a serious condition that can cause complications such as a stroke, you should consult a doctor if you suspect hypertension.
