Headache is familiar to almost every adult. However, it is very different. When you go to the doctor, be sure to describe the symptoms very carefully, otherwise it will be almost impossible to make a correct diagnosis. Pressing sensations in the frontal lobe can indicate migraines, acute pain in the temples - problems with blood vessels, and why does heaviness appear in the back of the head? An unpleasant feeling, as if the skull was filled with lead, thoughts lose their clarity, and performance decreases to almost zero. Let's figure out together what can cause and how to deal with this phenomenon.
Dealing with Feelings
What is the first thing a doctor asks? Where it hurts and how it hurts. The answers to these questions should be as accurate as possible; the entire further process of diagnosis and subsequent treatment depends on this. Heaviness in the back of the head is far from all that can be said about her character. Most often, the doctor will try to find out what still hurts, the head or neck.
The fact is that this particular area is distinguished by a huge number of nerve endings, and therefore the pain that occurs in the upper sectionspine, easily given to the head. It may be vice versa, therefore, only a specialist can make a diagnosis, based on the results of the diagnosis, as well as his own examination. The only thing you can do at home is to try to localize the pain. To do this, ask someone close to give you acupressure of the head, neck and shoulder girdle. So you will understand exactly where the source of pain is, and you will be able to orient the doctor. Heaviness in the back of the head is a very vague symptom, and until we find out exactly what the cause is, we will not move any further.
If your neck hurts
Most often, the preliminary diagnosis in this case is cervical osteochondrosis. If it is not confirmed during the diagnosis, then the vector may have been chosen incorrectly, and the cause must be sought precisely inside the head. In modern life, osteochondrosis is confirmed in almost every second. The reason for this is a sedentary lifestyle and busy work schedule. As a result, first there is heaviness in the back of the head, and then unpleasant and rather severe pain.
If you are on duty for hours in one position, and the work schedule exceeds the allowable norms, then this problem may affect you. Programmers and cashiers, office workers and drivers are at risk. Unpleasant sensations will intensify with head movement. To make a diagnosis, it is extremely important to visit a neurologist or vertebrologist and do therapeutic exercises.
Spondylosis and myogelosis
You need to carefully examine the upper spine,if you regularly experience heaviness in the back of your head. The reasons can be very different, but the sooner the doctor gets to them, the more effective the therapy will be. Let's look at the most common options:
- Cervical spondylosis is a chronic disease in which cracks and tears appear in the cartilage discs. Progression will gradually lead to the development of an intervertebral hernia. Usually in this case, a person is haunted by a sharp pain that permeates the shoulders, back of the head and neck. A sedentary lifestyle can be a catalyst for the development of the disease.
- Myogelosis or muscle hardening. The frantic work rhythm today makes many people give up morning exercises and visits to the training room in the evenings. As a result, the muscles simply petrify, there is pain in the neck, which also radiates to the head, stiffness of movements and dizziness. If at the workplace you sit in an uncomfortable position, the air conditioner is constantly working nearby or there is an open window, and in addition, you regularly experience stress, then do not be surprised that after a while there will be heaviness in the back of the head. There may be other reasons, but all these factors cannot be discounted.
Cervical migraine
This disease is very insidious. It is quite difficult to diagnose, because it does not have specific symptoms (does not cause changes that can be traced by analysis). Usually such a diagnosis is made on a residual basis, when no other causes are found. But today new methods of studying the spine have become available, induring which the condition of the arteries can be determined. If pathological changes in the bone cartilage structures cause its compression, then the blood supply to the occipital lobes is disturbed. As a result, a person experiences heaviness in the back of the head and neck.
This disease manifests itself quite clearly, causing severe pain, hearing loss and dizziness. For the treatment of this disease, it is recommended to consult a neurologist. It usually includes medication and massage.
Pinched muscles
If you regularly go in for sports, this does not mean at all that heaviness in the back of the head and neck will never visit you. Yes, these problems are most often associated with physical inactivity, but improper exercise can cause excessive muscle tension. The result is pain, dizziness and foreign body sensation. If you feel worse after a workout, then try fixing your neck with a special collar. Mobility restriction for a while should bring relief.
Physical or mental strain
In our age, the need to set records no longer surprise anyone. The pace is increasing, and we need to keep up. As a result, one person has a bias towards physical activity, as a result of which there is no time even to read a book, while others cannot afford to walk from work to home, because it is faster to do it by car. No wonder, because you need to sit down to finish a new project.
As a result, one fine morning, there is pain and heaviness in the back of the head. This is not a disease yet, but just a signal that you should be more attentive to your he alth. Go to the doctor in time, get an examination and loosen the grip of the rhythm of your life a little.
Mental strain and stress
Also a common phenomenon. Everything seems to be in order, but some kind of protracted situation does not give you rest. The more you worry about this (especially for significant events on the development of which you are not able to exert any influence), the more pronounced will be the manifestation of symptoms such as heaviness in the back of the head and nausea. The likelihood of developing such symptoms against the background of a stressful situation increases by the age of 30, and in women it is higher than in men. What to do if the cause cannot be removed? It remains to change your attitude towards her. This will require the help of a psychologist or psychotherapist. Do not be surprised, in some cases two or three professional consultations can solve more problems than all the painkillers that you probably already take every day.
Vascular disease
Very often, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head appears if the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. This is the most important organ of our body, which is extremely sensitive to malnutrition and oxygen metabolism. Any spasm of the cranial arteries leads to the appearance of throbbing pains. They are characterized by strengthening at the slightest attempt to move their head. But in a staterest, in the twilight, the state becomes more bearable.
This condition is characterized by the fact that starting from the back of the head, the pain gradually covers the frontal part. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the development of symptoms. Neurologists highlight another point that needs to be taken into account. If the inflow of fresh blood is disturbed, then a similar process is observed with the outflow of venous blood. The patient experiences a dull, bursting heaviness in the back of the head, pressure. Within a few hours, the symptoms spread over the entire head, and are aggravated by coughing and lowering the head. Often the big one complains that he cannot lie down, as the symptoms become even stronger. Often, pain begins in the morning and is accompanied by swelling of the eyelids.
Increased, intracranial pressure
This is the most common diagnosis for young children. When we grow up, the problems do not go away, but the cranium becomes larger, and if the excess pressure was associated with mechanical squeezing of the vessels (for example, by water-filled ventricles), now there is enough space for both.
But not all problems are solved so easily, there are enough reasons for increasing intracranial pressure. Those who have been diagnosed with such a diagnosis are familiar with arching pains in the occipital region. The sensations are intensified by bright lights and loud noises, so being at work is much harder. Heaviness in the head is accompanied by pain in the eyeballs and vomiting. The last one brings no relief.
Hypertension
Diagnosis maysound differently, in more advanced cases, doctors talk about hypertension. However, the roots here are the same, this is excessive blood pressure in the vessels. Hypertensive attacks are characterized by the appearance of arching pains, which are accompanied by pulsation. They can increase during the day or appear immediately after a night's sleep. Heaviness of the head in the back of the head is not the only symptom. It is joined by general weakness, dizziness, palpitations, increased pain when trying to tilt the head. In this case, patients note that the pain goes away after vomiting, so if you feel nausea, but do not restrain yourself.
The risk of developing this disease increases with age. In addition, increased pressure contributes to hereditary predisposition, smoking and alcohol abuse, stress and overweight. The disease is controllable, but it is necessary to follow a he althy lifestyle and give up bad habits. Equally important is proper nutrition. Eliminate s alt, canned food and processed foods, eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible.
Diagnostic measures
If heaviness in the back of the head and dizziness are frequent guests, then you should definitely go to the hospital and undergo an examination. There are too many causes to make a correct diagnosis based on the description alone. In addition to taking an anamnesis about the nature, time and intensity of pain, diagnosis may include examination by a doctor, measurement of blood pressure, ultrasound of the head, electroencephalography, MRI and fundus examination.ophthalmologist. In some cases, additional information may be required. This applies to suspected tumors. Then the person will need to visit a neurosurgeon.
Treatment measures
Heaviness in the back of the head lends itself well to correction using home methods. This does not eliminate the need to visit a doctor or undergo a prescribed course of treatment, but it may be one of the keys to solving the problem. First of all, ventilate the room, the influx of fresh air will immediately alleviate the condition. Lightly massage the neck and back of the head and lie down on the floor. Now all you need to do is relax. Try to get out of your head all the problems that haunted you during the day. In most cases, this is enough to ease the pain a little.
To enhance the effect, it is recommended to beat a cabbage leaf and apply it to the head, wipe the temples, forehead and neck with a piece of ice, and breathe deeply. If folk remedies do not lead to relief of the condition, you can take painkillers. Do not forget that they should also be prescribed by the attending physician, because the range of drugs on the market is very large. The pharmacist can offer hundreds of different names, ranging from "Analgin" and ending with "Summamigren". Which one is right for you?
Recipes of traditional medicine
They cannot replace a full-fledged treatment, but they have proven themselves well as additional funds. Essential oils are known for their good pain-relieving properties. They perfectly boost immunity and have a positive effect onrespiratory system. Lavender, rosemary and peppermint oils can be rubbed into the temples and the base of the skull, accompanied by a light massage. Aromatic baths can provide relief. You can add basil and sage oil to the water.
Corrective actions
All of the above, you can do at home and on your own. However, in some cases, patients continue to be haunted by heaviness in the back of the head and dizziness. The reasons need to be clarified at the consultation with a doctor, only in this way the treatment can become effective. A neurologist can choose an individual treatment plan that will be aimed at correcting the underlying disease, which causes pain symptoms. It includes:
- Physiotherapy, electrophoresis and magnetotherapy.
- Massage course.
- Exercise therapy, which allows you to activate blood flow and relieve muscle tension.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment and diagnostic blocks.
- Drug therapy.
Spectrum may be expanded as deemed necessary by the attending physician. If a brain tumor was found during the examination, the patient is referred to the appropriate services, which are engaged in further examination and treatment. These are oncology dispensaries.
Instead of a conclusion
There are a lot of causes of headaches, and the symptoms can be both obvious and hidden. Therefore, if you regularly experience discomfort, then do not self-medicate. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment will allow you to quickly restore your he alth and preventfurther development of the disease. Despite the fact that headaches are considered a banal symptom, they can be a wake-up call for the development of a formidable disease.
