What are the causes of headache? How to treat it?

Viral or bacterial infections (such as influenza, colds, meningitis, etc.) can cause headaches. Brain tumor, intracranial hemorrhage, brain edema, intracranial infection may lead to increased intracranial pressure, cerebrovascular lesions (such as cerebral aneurysms, cerebral thrombosis, etc.) may cause headache. Sinus infections can cause headaches. The treatment of headache varies according to its cause and severity. Non-drug treatments such as cognitive therapy, biofeedback and nerve stimulation may be effective in relieving headache. These methods are designed to help patients learn to control and deal with headache triggers, and physiotherapy (such as massage, hot compress, cold compress and neck stretching) may help relieve muscle tension and pain. Avoiding known triggers (such as caffeine, alcohol, specific foods, etc.) may help reduce headaches. If the headache continues to be severe, frequent attacks or accompanied by other symptoms (such as fever, vomiting, visual problems, etc.).

There are many causes of headache, which can be classified into the following categories:

1. Primary headache: including migraine, tension headache and cluster headache. The causes of these headaches are not fully understood and may be related to heredity, neurotransmitter imbalance, angiopathy, and environmental and lifestyle factors.
2. Infectious headache: viral or bacterial infections (such as influenza, cold, meningitis, etc.) may cause headaches.
3. Increased intracranial pressure: brain tumors, intracranial hemorrhage, brain edema, intracranial infection may lead to increased intracranial pressure, leading to headache.
4. Cerebrovascular headache: cerebrovascular disease (such as cerebral aneurysm, cerebral thrombus, etc.) may cause headache.
5. Temporal arteritis: an immune disease that can cause headaches.
6. Sinusitis: sinus infections can cause headaches.

The treatment of headache varies according to its cause and severity. Here are some suggestions:

1. Medication: over-the-counter painkillers (such as ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen) are suitable for mild to moderate headaches. For migraine, specific migraine drugs (such as trigeminal calcium channel blockers, vasoconstrictor hormone receptor antagonists, etc.) can be used.
2. Preventive treatment: for patients with frequent migraine attacks, doctors may prescribe prophylactic drugs (such as beta-antagonists, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, etc.) to reduce the frequency and severity of headache attacks.
3. Non-drug therapy: cognitive therapy, biofeedback, nerve stimulation and other non-drug therapy may have a certain effect in relieving headache. These methods are designed to help patients learn to control and deal with the inducing factors of headache and reduce symptoms.
4. Physiotherapy: for muscle tension headaches, physiotherapy (such as massage, hot compress, cold compress and neck stretching) may help relieve muscle tension and pain.
5. Lifestyle adjustment: maintaining a good schedule, regular eating habits, adequate sleep and moderate exercise can help prevent headaches. In addition, avoiding known triggers (such as caffeine, alcohol, specific foods, etc.) may help reduce headache attacks.
6. Stress management: learn to deal with and manage stress, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, etc., to help relieve headaches.
7. Professional medical advice: if the headache continues to be severe, frequent attacks or accompanied by other symptoms (such as fever, vomiting, visual problems, etc.), please consult a doctor in time. Doctors may conduct detailed medical history inquiries, physical examinations and corresponding auxiliary examinations (such as head CT, MRI, cerebrospinal fluid examination, etc.) to determine the cause of headache and formulate a corresponding treatment plan.

For some patients with headache, surgical treatment may be an effective choice. However, it should be emphasized that surgical treatment is usually considered when conservative treatment is ineffective or serious. Here are some types of headaches that may require surgery and related recommendations:

1. Headache caused by a brain tumor: if the headache is caused by a brain tumor, surgery may be an effective treatment. The goal of the operation is to remove the tumor as much as possible to relieve symptoms and restore normal brain function. The specific surgical methods vary according to the type, location and size of the tumor.
2. Headache caused by intracranial hemorrhage: intracranial hemorrhage may lead to increased intracranial pressure and headache. In this case, the operation may include hemostasis, decompression and removal of hematoma.
3. Headache caused by cerebral aneurysms: surgical treatment may be necessary for cerebral aneurysms, especially ruptured ones. Surgical methods include clipping (placing a clip in the neck of the aneurysm to block blood flow) and cerebral vascular stenting (endovascular stent placement to strengthen the tumor wall).
4. Headaches caused by sinusitis: surgery may be an effective option for headaches caused by severe sinusitis. Surgery may include endoscopic surgery to remove infection and inflammation and improve sinus ventilation.
5. Special types of headache, such as trigeminal neuralgia: for uncontrollable pain, surgery may be needed. Surgical methods include microvascular decompression (relieving compression of the trigeminal root) and nerve destruction (cutting or destroying the nerve fibers that cause pain).

Please note that surgical treatment of headache is only suitable for specific situations and there is a certain risk. Before considering surgical treatment, be sure to fully communicate with your doctor about the indications, risks, and expected results of the surgery. In addition, please follow your doctor's advice and guidance to ensure safe and effective treatment.