The headache is one of the most common causes of discomfort and absenteeism.
We all can have a headache at any given moment, without this meaning that we suffer from any disease.
Lack of sleep, stress, hormonal changes in relation to the menstrual cycle, cervical contractures, high blood pressure and visual defects without correction (myopia, astigmatism, glaucoma, eyestrain) may be responsible for headaches a punctual moment.
In these cases, it is usual to self-medicate with some mild analgesic, such as acitaminophen and ibuprofen, which we usually have at home, without it being of greater importance.
However, the headache can also be a disease in itself, in the case of suffering migraines, tension headache, in clusters, sinusitis, etc., or be the manifestation of more serious diseases, such as a tumor, a meningitis or a cerebral ischemia.
Headache may be caused by stress or lack of sleep, being in itself a disease or be the manifestation of more serious diseases.
When do I have to consult my doctor about my headaches?
It is necessary to consult with the doctor, in principle, when the headaches are recurrent (more than 15 days in a row with him), prevent sleep, or are associated with other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, drowsiness, blurred vision, loss of strength in extremities or do not give up with usual analgesics (paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories).
In these cases, it is important not to self-medicate and try to correct the possible triggers, such as visual defects, muscle contractures or lack of sleep.
When our doctor indicates it, we must go to a specialist (neurologist) in case there is indication to perform complementary examinations (analytical, imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT or Magnetic Resonance, lumbar puncture) and make a more strict and supervised treatment than It may even require hospital admission.
Most headaches are primary, that is, they do not obey any underlying pathology, and many of them are inherited as migraines or migraines (synonymous terms) and with proper treatment can be completely corrected.
Therefore, although the headache is a very frequent pathology, we should not get used to living with it, since with an adequate treatment it can be solved. We must not self-medicate. Although in most cases it does not constitute a serious health problem, it can sometimes conceal some other important pathology.
Do not live with a frequent headache. If you have any doubt, go to your doctor to indicate the guidelines to follow.
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