Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Headache
Posted on
Thu, 17 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 17 Sep 2015
Answered on
Wed, 7 Oct 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I've had a headache for a day and a half. It's on the top of my head, generally a rush of pain when I move my head quickly, then subsides. During the night, it only hurts when I turn over or really stretch my legs so that there's pressure in the spine, then subsides. What is this? Never had this type of headache before. I do get migraines very occasionally, but have had two in the last week and a half.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description fortunately there are no worrying signs which might lead into doubting a brain lesions (such as stroke, brain tumor, infections etc). Such signs might be very acute sudden onset of headache (we call it thunderclap headache), nausea and vomiting, weakness of the limbs on one side, visual issues, difficulties with balance and coordination, fever, history of trauma. Please inform me if there are such symptoms as they might warrant urgent evaluation. Also information such as giving birth lately, other prior conditions and treatments, family history of thrombotic conditions, oral contraceptive use might be relevant.
In the meanwhile I would say the most probable cause would be tension type headache. It is by far the most common type of primary headache, primary meaning without a detectable cause, often triggered by stress and anxiety. So the advised management would be simple pain killers and rest.
However it usually is improved by Ibuprofen or Exedrin which you mention to have tried. For that reason other causes must be considered. One such cause would be high blood pressure, so a blood pressure measurement is recommended. If there are signs like nasal congestion and discharge sinusitis might be another probable cause. Other possibilities might include sleep deprivation, lack of nutrition.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description fortunately there are no worrying signs which might lead into doubting a brain lesions (such as stroke, brain tumor, infections etc). Such signs might be very acute sudden onset of headache (we call it thunderclap headache), nausea and vomiting, weakness of the limbs on one side, visual issues, difficulties with balance and coordination, fever, history of trauma. Please inform me if there are such symptoms as they might warrant urgent evaluation. Also information such as giving birth lately, other prior conditions and treatments, family history of thrombotic conditions, oral contraceptive use might be relevant.
In the meanwhile I would say the most probable cause would be tension type headache. It is by far the most common type of primary headache, primary meaning without a detectable cause, often triggered by stress and anxiety. So the advised management would be simple pain killers and rest.
However it usually is improved by Ibuprofen or Exedrin which you mention to have tried. For that reason other causes must be considered. One such cause would be high blood pressure, so a blood pressure measurement is recommended. If there are signs like nasal congestion and discharge sinusitis might be another probable cause. Other possibilities might include sleep deprivation, lack of nutrition.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your prompt response! haven't given birth in 4 yrs, not taking birth control, no familial history of thrombotic conditions that I'm aware of. I did have a spinal fusion several years ago, not sure that would be relevant at all. I have taken some new supplements in the last week, but I stopped them about 2 days before the headache started (creatine, digestive enzymes, glucosamine chondroitin, R-ALA). My migraines started when I was pregnant with my first child. They were diagnosed as complex migraines. I have an aura beforehand, usually numbness in one hand, and at one point I had disorganized speech. Like I said before, I get them very rarely, but in the last week to week and a half I've had two. The pain is much like a normal headache, not severe. The best way I can describe this headache is like this...your driving your car, turn a corner, and the gas light comes on because the fuel has shifted in the tank and it's all on one side. Once the car levels out, the gas light turns off. It feels like my movement causes something to shift so that there's excessive pressure, then I "level out" and the pain subsides. My BP is usually on the low side, but I will take a measurement today to be sure.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional detailed information. It is reassuring to know you have no predisposing factors.
In my opinion tension type headache remains the most probable cause of your headache. As I said before it is pretty common and it usually subsides in a few days if not relieved already by painkillers. It is common for people suffering from migraine to have a higher percentage of other types of headache.
If the pain persists for over a couple of weeks though I would say a consult with a neurologist to check for other possible signs you might have missed is advisable with possibly scheduling a head MRI, especially if you've never had one (perhaps you had one when your migraine with aura was diagnosed).
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional detailed information. It is reassuring to know you have no predisposing factors.
In my opinion tension type headache remains the most probable cause of your headache. As I said before it is pretty common and it usually subsides in a few days if not relieved already by painkillers. It is common for people suffering from migraine to have a higher percentage of other types of headache.
If the pain persists for over a couple of weeks though I would say a consult with a neurologist to check for other possible signs you might have missed is advisable with possibly scheduling a head MRI, especially if you've never had one (perhaps you had one when your migraine with aura was diagnosed).
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
