Lightheadedness and Headaches

The causes of lightheadedness and headaches could be varied in nature and many complexities are associated with them. It is important to understand the different causes of lightheadedness and headaches in order to keep these problems in control.

Lightheadedness
It is an unpleasant feeling of dizziness or weightlessness of head which might cause a person to faint. Lightheadedness might last for a short time (transient) or it could be recurrent or chronic in its form. In some cases, an individual might experience vertigo i.e. the feeling of the spinning or whirling of things surrounding him. The lack of blood supply to the brain is one of the major causes of lightheadedness. Anemia and low blood sugar are also responsible for lightheadedness. In some cases, lightheadedness is the symptom of medical conditions like heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythm, circulatory shock, stroke, etc. The additional symptoms of lightheadedness in the above mentioned conditions are the loss of speech, racing heart, chest pain, change in vision, etc. Lightheadedness might also develop with age and can occur when an individual rises quickly from the seating or lying position. Read more on common causes of dizziness.

Replenishing the body with water and other fluids helps in minimizing the occurrence of lightheadedness. The immediate step to be taken after experiencing lightheadedness is sitting or lying down. Avoiding bright light and sudden changes in the posture as well as some exercises can go a long way in preventing lightheadedness. Read more on lightheadedness after exercise.

Headaches
The headache is not a medical condition in itself but, a symptom of several medical conditions or diseases. Pain in the head and sometimes the upper neck comes under the category of headache. Headaches might be associated with stiff neck, convulsions, fever, etc. Generally, headaches are classified as acute and chronic. The International Headache Society has categorized the different forms of headaches as primary, secondary and other types (facial pain, cranial neuralgia and other headaches). Tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches are the types of primary headache. The tension headaches result from the tightening or contraction of muscles present in the scalp or neck. It is a common form of headache found in almost 90% of the headache patients worldwide. The symptoms of this headache are dull aching of the front and sides of the head, fatigue, irritability and sensitivity to light and noise, etc. The secondary type of headache is caused by structural problems in the head or the upper neck region. Brain tumors, internal bleeding in the brain and other problems like meningitis & encephalitis are responsible for secondary headaches. Cranial neuralgia is the result of inflammation of nerves present in the head and upper neck.

The acute headaches do not require specialized medical attention and could be dealt with by the use of painkillers like acetaminophen. Medicines like diclofenac, aspirin and ibuprofen could also be used for the treatment of acute headaches. Chronic headaches are treated by stimulating the brain with electrodes. It helps in relieving the pain caused by cluster headaches. Acupuncture is one of the treatments used for migraine and tension headaches.

Lightheadedness and headaches might occur simultaneously and the above mentioned factors are responsible for it. The different health problems become complicated and result into the problems like headaches and lightheadedness.

Lightheadedness and headaches are the health issues of common occurrence and could be dealt with by taking appropriate measures. Medications though, are available for these health problems, measures like regular exercise, living a stress free life, etc. help in dealing with them efficiently.