Why do headaches occur?

Headaches occur due to several things, it is just not restricted to one particular reason. It can be due to flu or cold. Sometimes you can also get headaches due to hunger, stress, or even not drinking enough fluids. At times even bad posture and eye problems can also cause headaches. We know all the weird reasons can cause headaches. And you can get headaches for any reason. Reach out to a headache specialist in Coimbatore if your headaches seem frequent and interrupting your daily life activities.

What are the common types of headaches?

Tension headaches:

These are the most common type of headaches and are usually caused by muscle tension in the head and neck. They often present as a dull, steady ache on both sides of the head.

Migraines:

These are characterized by intense sharp pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes it can be associated with nausea and vomiting. Migraines are generally severe but not life-threatening in the majority of cases.

What are the common triggers for headaches?

Stress: 

Emotional or physical stress can cause tension headaches. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can help relieve symptoms.

Dehydration: 

Inadequate water intake can lead to headaches. Staying hydrated is important for overall health and can prevent headaches caused by dehydration.

Poor sleep:

Lack of sleep or irregular sleep patterns can lead to both tension headaches and migraines. Following a proper sleep pattern is extremely important to prevent these headaches.

How to tell if a headache is a brain tumor?

Here’s good news, not all headaches are brain tumors. And also not all headaches are due to brain tumors. In a normal healthy person, headaches are quite normal. But headaches are the most common symptom of brain tumors. Majority of people who have brain tumors can experience headaches at some point. The headache from a brain tumor is not directly caused by brain tumors, as the brain has no potential pain receptors. But usually headaches in brain tumors are generally caused by the pressure buildup in the brain nerves. This pressure build-up can press on the nerves causing severe pain in the form of headaches. It is also important to understand that headaches are just a symptom of brain tumor.

How to differentiate between headaches and cancer causing headaches?

Persistent and abnormal nature of pain:

Duration:

While common headaches usually get relieved with a few hours of rest or even in a day, headaches that take several days without relief may require immediate medical assistance.

Intensity:

Persistent headaches caused due to brain tumors can be way more severe and shooting when compared to normal headaches. In case your headache is severe and painful than usual then diagnosis may be recommended.

The symptoms accompanied with headaches in brain tumors:

Nausea and vomiting:

Headaches associated with persistent nausea vomiting, especially when there are no known triggers which can indicate an underlying issue.

Visual disturbances:

Changes in vision, such as double vision or blurred vision, may signal an underlying neurological condition, which should not be ignored.

Neurological symptoms:

Weakness, numbness, or difficulty with coordination are neurological symptoms that may be associated with a brain tumor. These symptoms should be taken seriously and immediate medical treatment is important.

Changes in the headache patterns:

Sudden onset:

While common headaches can usually have identifiable triggers, and in case your headache begins out of nowhere and without a trigger then it can be a reason for concern.

Changes in characteristics:

Usually normal headaches have similar patterns, but if you are experiencing headaches that are changing locations, severity, and frequency then you might need to talk to a doctor.

What are the types of headaches that a brain tumor can cause?

When the headaches are usually caused by brain tumor then it can show signs like:
  • No effect by painkillers
  • Worsens when you talk or bend over
  • It can worsen in the mornings