Headache
Headache due to arterial hypertension
Source: Diana Hysi
In this topic (18)
Symptoms
Headache due to Arterial Hypertension are usually felt in the back of the head (occipital region). The pain is felt as an extreme tension in this region, and it usually affects the patient mostly at lunch hours and in the afternoon.
While the headache spell is ongoing, the arterial pressure is high, the patient appears flushed, their veins are bloated, the patient complains of throbbing pain in the temples, excessive noise and vertigo.
What can High Blood Pressure Cause?
High blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms for years. It can develop slowly a few physical symptoms earning the name ‘silent killer’. High blood pressure can cause severe hypertension headaches, but usually is not the cause of recurrent headaches.
- Headaches by high blood pressure may be caused when a person have a blood pressure of 200/100 or higher to trigger a headache episode, this can acquire immediate attention as a medical emergency.
The intensity may vary from mild to severe depending on how high a person’s blood pressure is at the onset of the headache. Headaches due to arterial hypertension are dull, occipital localized, accompanied by throbbing noise in the ears, confusion, blurred vision. Patients may experience also headaches when they undergo hypertension treatment.
Treatment
Some of the medications used to treat hypertension can cause headaches.
A physician should determine if the pain is caused by the hypertension or not. Blood pressure can also increase when you are in pain.
- In a patient who complains of headache and a high blood pressure is detected, it is crucial to review drugs and ask the patient about cocaine and other drug abuse (cocaine, amphetamine, oral contraceptives, beta-blockers, clonidine, alcohol) especially when interacting with tyramine-containing foods.
Preventing Headaches related to High Blood Pressure
Treating or preventing headaches related to high blood pressure requires proper diagnosis. This is why it is important to consult a doctor whenever you are hypertensive and experience headaches, in order to receive proper treatment for both high blood pressure and headaches that come with in.
The treatment of hypertension headaches is an etiology treatment going directly to the cause of the problem.
- Patients are recommended to begin a healthy diet, exercise and strictly controlled hypertension medication, which can help to regulate blood pressure and the occurrence of headaches.
Articles for Headache
Classification of headaches
Headaches are an important public health issue that impact the lives of a significant of the world’s population, affecting patients with severe pain, nausea and sometimes visual impairment. Common headache types include tension headaches, cluster headaches, rebound headaches, sinus headache, and migraine.
Headache due to arterial hypertension
These headaches are usually felt in the back of the head (occipital region). Patients may experience also headaches when they undergo hypertension treatment. Some of the medications used to treat hypertension can cause headaches.
Headache due to intracranial hypertension
Intracranial hypertension (IH) is the medical name for a build-up of pressure around the brain. It can come on suddenly for example, as the result of a severe head injury, stroke, or brain abscess. One of the most common symptoms of intracranial hypertension is headache. The cause of intracranial hypertension is unknown.
Headache due to toxic substances
Headache due to Toxic Substances are headaches that may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, benzol, nitroglycerine, etc. This type of headache may also be experienced if the patient is suffering from conditions such as, kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic conditions, etc.
Headaches after lumbar puncture
Following a lumbar puncture, the patient may develop a headache. This type of pain may be bearable, moderate or severe. It may spread from the head to the neck, and further down the patient’s back. This type of pain is alleviated when the patient lies down, or puts their feet up.
Headaches due to dental conditions
These are types of headaches which occur more rarely. These are headaches caused by dental conditions. The pain is not throbbing nor is it intermittent.
Headaches due to ear canal Infection (purulent otitis)
Usually this is a type of short, bursting, stabbing pain felt in the part of the head which bears the infected ear. The diagnosis is usually determined upon an examination of the ear by a specialist.
Headaches due to irritation of the meninges
These headaches occur as a result of an inflammatory process, like for example Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges, lining layers of the brain) or due to another condition such as a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage. Diagnosis is confirmed via lumbar puncture.
Headaches due to neuralgia or neuritis
Headaches due to Neuralgia or Neuritis are severe types of intermittent pain, which are localized in the area of the affected nerve. These conditions include trigeminal neuralgia and other conditions.
Headaches due to psychological pressure
Introduction
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, but most aren't serious and are easily treated. In many cases, you can treat your headaches at home with over-the-counter painkillers and lifestyle changes, such as getting more rest and drinking enough fluids.
Migraine
A migraine is characterized as an intermittent pulsative pain on one side of the head. While migraine is a fairly common symptom, which affects women more so than men. The onset of migraines usually occurs in early adulthood, and rarely after 40 years of age. Migraines may be accompanied by symptoms such as; Photosensitivity, Enhanced sensitivity to sound, Nausea, Vomiting.
Morbus horton (temporal arteritis)
Morbus Horton is a vascular disease characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels. The intensity of pain is mild. The pain is located in the temporal region and the vessels in that area can be tender.
Rebound headache
Rebound Headaches are a type of headaches caused by long term use of analgesic agents. These analgesics may decrease the intensity of pain for a few hours. The rebound headache may feel like a dull, tension-type headache or a more severe migraine like headache.
Sinus headache
Sinus headaches are usually associated with constant pain and tenderness over the affected sinus. You may feel pressure around eyes, cheeks and forehead. The mucosa of the nose swells, the patient secretes foul-smelling, colored mucous (nasal discharge).
Tumoral headache
This type of pain occurs during the night or early in the morning. The headache can be an early or late symptom of a brain tumor, depending from the location of the tumor. Most brain tumors are accompanied by neurological symptoms such as; seizures, personality change or weakness.
Vascular headaches
Vascular headaches refer to a group of headache conditions such as migraine headaches, cluster headaches and toxic headaches. Under this classification are usually headaches throbbing in character, pulsating and physical exertion increasing the pain.
Viral infection headache
Many acute viral infections can cause headache as a response of the immune system combating the viral infection. Headache may be associated with viral infections that affect the upper respiratory tract (common cold), brain and its coverings (encephalitis and meningitis) or ear (otitis).
