Throbbing Headaches

There is nothing more disturbing than a headache. When you get a throbbing headache, your life becomes a total mess. You are unable to focus on your work as you cannot think properly. The worst part is that the pain often gets extended to the neck and upper part of the back as well. Some people get headaches when they sit in front of computer for long hours, some may get it if they spend some time in a noisy place, and others may get when their mind is under a lot of stress.

Causes

The main causes of throbbing headaches are as follows:

Tension Headache: This is a constant dull headache. It is caused when the muscles of the scalp, shoulder and neck area get contracted due to tension. Initially, one gets throbbing pain in the back of head which may get spread to other areas. It is mostly related to stress and hidden anxiety. Those who over exert themselves and work continuously for a long time holding the head in the same position are likely to get such kind of headache. Lack of sleep or incorrect sleeping position can also make these muscles tensed and give throbbing headache.

Migraine: There are many people who get severe headaches due to migraine. The exact caused behind such pain has not yet been identified but it is believed that some irregular activity inside the brain trigger off such pain. It is found more in women than in men and it could be hereditary. It is often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances and sensitivity towards light. Some people get the throbbing pain due to migraine only on one side of the head. This pain worsens with activities.

Cluster Headache: This is an extremely painful, chronic condition that can give throbbing headaches daily for several months. Then one may stop getting it for a brief period of time. It is found more in men that in women. It gives a sudden headache on one side of the head. It mostly affects adolescent people and middle aged people. The exact caused behind cluster headache has not yet been ascertained but researchers believe that release of antibodies like histamine may cause this kind of headache. Smokers and drinkers are prone to cluster headache. It is often accompanied by other symptoms like excessive tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion.

Other Causes: Sinus infection can also give throbbing headache. This pain is felt at the front part of the head. Those who are above the age of 50 and start getting sudden headaches, then it could be due to temporal arteritis. It is caused as a result of inflammation or damage in the blood vessels that send blood to the head. Other rare causes are brain tumor, stroke or infection in the brain like meningitis or encephalitis. These are serious condition and requires immediate medical treatment.

Headache Relief

When you are suffering from a throbbing headache, the first thing that need to be done is to take some rest for about half an hour in a quiet, dark room. This can relax the muscles and you will feel better. Place an ice bag on the forehead while lying down to reduce the pain. You can take some pain relieving medicines that are found over the counter to get pain relief. However, do not use them for a long time as they tend to have side effects in the long run. A good massage of neck and scalp can reduce the stress from the area and relieve the pain instantly. It should be followed by a hot bath for best effects. However, if the headache is accompanied by symptoms like lack of balance, slurred speech, vision problems etc. then you should not try any self medication and seek medical help as early as possible.

When you get throbbing headaches quite frequently, try to keep yourself in a relaxed state of mind. Eat very light foods that are easily digestible. Certain foods like chocolates and cheese may trigger headaches, and hence should be avoided. Also, stay away from alcohol as long as you get such headaches.