Otitis

Why does the back of my head hurt so much? Headache in the back of the head and its causes

Pain in the back of the head on the left is the main symptom of diseases of the spine and blood vessels, hypertension, neuralgia. Even if sedentary image life and stressful situations provoke spasms, it is necessary to establish the main causes of the pain syndrome, especially if the intensity of the attacks gradually increases. Any delay can only aggravate the course of the pathology and worsen general condition patient.

Experts identify the main types pathological condition:

primary – not related to other diseases (about 90%);
secondary condition – accompanied by inflammatory processes (up to 10%)

But, only about 4 percent of pain in the back of the head is a sign of a serious illness that threatens not only the health, but also the life of the patient.

Pain syndrome affects various parts of the head: temporal, frontal, occipital and parietal.

Spasms in the back of the head on the left: types

A painful syndrome may appear with slight movement. Some patients believe that it is not their head that hurts, but their neck after prolonged work at the computer, due to overexertion.

There are several types of this syndrome:

Acute pain: depression, negative emotions, stress.
Dumb. Characterized by unpleasant discomfort. It is impossible to touch the problem area. Similar symptoms are observed in people suffering from osteochondrosis and arthritis.
Aching. The pathological condition occurs due to spasms of the shoulder and neck muscles. Very often it is observed with increased intellectual load.
Throbbing pain is a consequence high blood pressure, most often occurs after waking up in the morning. Accompanied by “white spots” before the eyes and extraneous sounds in the ears.

Regardless of the type of syndrome, pain in the occipital part of the head causes a lot of inconvenience and does not allow you to concentrate on performing daily duties. Therefore, if the attacks are systematic, it is recommended to undergo examination.

Origin of the painful syndrome: types of diseases

The causes of the pathological condition can be different:

diseases cervical region spinal column: spondylitis, osteochondrosis, migraine, spondylosis, etc.);
neurosis of the occipital nerve endings;
diseases of the cervical muscles: myogelosis, myositis;
hypertension, intracranial pressure;
overstrain of cerebral vessels;
prolonged stay in the wrong position;
muscle strain during exercise;
pathologies of the maxillotemporal joints;
stress and depression.

Regardless of the reasons behind headaches, they cannot be ignored, as they can significantly worsen the quality of life, as a result, a person becomes irritable, nervous, and indifferent to problems.

A disease of the spine in which rapid destruction of the vertebrae of the neck and intervertebral capsules is observed. Pathological process can capture several simultaneously various departments spinal column.

The main causes of osteochondrosis:

Sedentary (office) work.
Sedentary lifestyle.
Alcohol abuse, smoking.
Excess body weight.
Incorrect posture and body position during rest.
Hereditary predisposition.

The first signs of the disease are a headache in the back of the head; some patients believe that they are simply overtired. Late provision medical care, can lead to irreversible processes in the body.

A disease of the spinal column resulting from the degeneration of ligament cells into bone tissue. Growths form, neck mobility decreases, patients note stiffness when bending their head. There are constant throbbing headaches from behind, spreading to the eyes and ears (they intensify with movement).

Spondylosis develops in older people and in those whose activities involve sedentary work.

Cervical myositis

Inflammatory process occurring in the skeletal muscle tissue. It affects several groups at once bone tissue. Besides internal problems, the patient may have changes in the skin.

Causes of myositis:

pathologies of an infectious nature;
systematic hypothermia of the body;
injuries, sprains and muscle cramps.

The disease is accompanied by dull pain in the neck, gradually spreading to the back of the head. To make a diagnosis, an x-ray examination is performed.

On initial stages Pathology is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and anthelmintic medications. Physiotherapy and massage are indicated. In advanced forms of myositis, surgical intervention is required.

Hypertension and neuralgia

High blood pressure is almost always “adjacent” to bursting, throbbing pain in the left or right side of the back of the head. Often the patient feels unpleasant discomfort upon waking up. Headaches may be accompanied by heaviness, dizziness, tachycardia, and general malaise. As you move, the intensity of the spasms increases. Often, after vomiting, the symptoms of migraine disappear.

The inflammatory process of the occipital nerve is the main companion to osteochondrosis, as well as other diseases of the cervical spine. Neuralgia can occur due to hypothermia.

The disease makes itself felt by burning, strong paroxysmal spasms in the back of the head, spreading to the neck, ears, back and jaw. Any movement, coughing, sneezing, increases discomfort. At rest, the pressing, dull pain persists.

Intracranial pressure

If you have this pathology, your head hurts constantly. Attacks become more frequent at night and in the morning, accompanied by a feeling of nausea and vomiting. Patients experience unstable blood pressure and fainting.

Occupational pain and stress

Such discomfort can bother people who are forced to spend a lot of time at work in one position, in which the neck muscles are constantly under tension. Very often, office workers and drivers have headaches in the back. The nature of the sensations is prolonged, dull attacks, which are relieved by rubbing the back of the head, neck and turning the head.

Under stress internal systems The body works under tension, the blood pulsates, which can increase blood pressure. All this can cause an unpleasant, painful pulsation in the back of the head.

Migraine cervical

The most common disease in which the patient complains of the following symptoms:

Pain in the forehead, temples, and back of the head.
Fog before the eyes.
Extraneous sounds in the ears.
Lack of attention.

The pain intensifies with pressure on the vertebral artery. Put accurate diagnosis only a specialist can.

A thorough, comprehensive examination will help determine why your head hurts. Based on its results, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis of painful syndrome

The examination begins with a consultation with a specialist and obtaining an appropriate referral for diagnostics. The following methods will allow you to determine an accurate diagnosis:

MRI of the head, cervical spine;
Ultrasound of soft tissues, vessels of the neck and head, thyroid gland;
electroencephalogram;
X-ray examination;
neuromyography, etc.

At the first symptoms of migraine, you should seek help from a neurologist, who will not only prescribe comprehensive examination, but also correct treatment or recommend that the patient consult a highly qualified specialist.

When the back of the head hurts on the left or right side head – this is not a reason to urgently take antispasmodics. Mild attacks can be easily eliminated by following simple recommendations:

Complete rest for about 8 hours.
Consumption of plant and dairy products.
During migraine attacks, it is recommended to darken the room.
Walking, free access fresh air.
Systematically moisten the room.
Limit the amount of alcohol, stop smoking.
Compress made from young cabbage leaves.
Physical activity.
Control over emotions and psychological state.

Attacks are easily eliminated by massage of the neck and back of the head, the main task of which is to relax the muscles of the cervical-collar area and head as much as possible.

For recovery psychological state small courses of therapeutic and preventive herbal therapy are shown:

valerian and mint;
oregano, motherwort;
yarrow.

Excellent pain relief essential oils: rosemary, lavender, lemon, fragrant orange, eucalyptus leaves. They can be mixed with massage cream, simply applied to a problem area, or used as one of the components of inhalations and compresses. Cool water procedures effectively help cope with cramps.

Drug treatment of painful syndrome

Treatment for headaches depends on the immediate cause of the attacks. If spasms are observed in the context of a migraine, then the doctor may recommend the following medications to the patient:

"Pentalgin".
Medicine "Aspirin".
"Solpadeine."
"Sumatriptan."

For the treatment of headaches arising from migraine, as complementary therapy Antidepressants and anticonvulsants are prescribed. Acupuncture, massage, and cold compresses help eliminate severe spasms.

In case of hypertension, it is recommended that the patient be provided with complete rest and prescribed antihypertensive drugs: "Captopril", medicine "Nifedipine". In case of severe attacks, the drug Lasix is indicated. A convulsive condition requires a more radical intervention - the use of Seduxen. The pressure must be reduced gradually.

If spasms occur as a result of fatigue, it is recommended to restore sleep, protect yourself from stress, and try to spend less time working at the computer. For osteochondrosis, a long course of chondroprotectors is prescribed. Drugs from the NSAID group will help quickly relieve pain: Ibuprofen, Diclofenac.

Almost all headaches arise due to mental and emotional stress. Therefore, patients are advised to avoid stress and not fall into a state of depression. Restore nervous system will allow medicinal herbs, which when consumed in moderation are completely safe for the patient.

Headaches themselves are a real stressor for human body, which often becomes the reason mental disorders. Therefore, if pain in the back of the head on the left side occurs quite often, it is recommended to urgently seek help from a doctor.

Pain in the back of the head is a very common symptom, and the causes of such pain can range from blood pressure problems to a brain tumor. Pain in the back of the head is usually transient and can be easily treated at home. However, severe pain in the back of the head, especially if it does not go away when taking conventional painkillers (analgin, ibuprofen), or if attacks recur frequently, is a reason to visit a doctor. During your doctor's appointment, you may be asked to have blood tests or x-rays to determine the cause of your back pain. The doctor uses these tests to rule out diseases and conditions such as meningitis, tumors, and stroke, which may also cause this type of pain and cannot be treated at home.

Causes of pain in the back of the head

1. Common reasons

Cervicogenic headache

Cervicogenic headaches are, in some ways, one of the most unusual types of headaches because the source of the pain is not actually in the head. Cervicogenic headache is referred pain (i.e., pain that occurs in a different location than its source) felt in the head even though the cause is in the neck (eg, intervertebral hernia in the cervical spine, posterior osteophyte, spondylolisthesis, etc.).

Cervicogenic headache is one of the most common types of back pain. This pain is usually felt on one side of the head and can radiate to the temple, eye or forehead. Postural problems, neck injuries, and other minor injuries often precede the onset of this type of pain.

Most often, such pain occurs with discogenic pathology of the spine (protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc).

Although cervicogenic headaches also occur in young people, they are more often diagnosed in older people and people whose profession involves working on a computer.

Occipital neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia is a condition associated with cervicogenic headache. An alternative name is occipital neuralgia. Often occurring on one side of the head, it is acute and can radiate to the forehead and eye.

Migraine

Although migraine pain is not typically located in the back of the head, nearly 40% of patients report pain in the back of the head to varying degrees expressiveness. Often such patients also experience neck pain. Treating neck pain in these cases may help relieve some of the symptoms associated with migraines.

Stabbing headache (pain like an ice chip)

A stabbing headache is a sharp, stabbing pain that usually lasts only a few seconds. Although this type of pain can be felt in any part of the head, it can also be located in the back of the head.

Headache from exposure to cold stimuli ("cold" headache)

Cold headaches are caused by exposure to low temperatures(such as being cold, eating ice cream, or drinking cold drinks). Typically, this type of pain is localized in the temples, but a small percentage of patients may experience pain in the back of the head.

Severe paroxysmal headache with periodic relapses

Severe, paroxysmal headaches with periodic relapses are a type of migraine and can be localized in any part of the head. More than a quarter of patients report pain in the back of the head.

Tension headache

Recent research indicates that people who suffer from tension headaches appear to have an increased sensitivity to pain. This can cause tension in the neck muscles, which can result in pain in the back of the head.

Sinusitis

If you've ever had sinusitis, you know that the pain is usually localized in different areas of the face and forehead. However, when severe inflammation Patients often experience pain in the back of the head.

Shingles (herpes zoster virus)

Shingles can cause burning pain in the neck and head, usually one-sided. With herpes zoster, pain in the back of the head usually precedes a rash, which is an indicator of the onset of an exacerbation of the disease.

2. More serious problems

There are several serious reasons pain in the back of the head that requires urgent medical attention.

Dissection (dissection) of the vertebral artery

Delamination vertebral artery accompanied by very strong and sudden pain in the back of the head. This pain differs from the much more common cervicogenic headache in that the pain of vertebral artery dissection begins suddenly and can be truly excruciating.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Bleeding in or around the brain, called subarachnoid hemorrhage, is a very dangerous condition, requiring immediate medical intervention. At the same time, it is recorded in almost 10% of patients complaining of severe pain in the back of the head. People suffering from this condition usually describe the pain as the worst headache they have ever experienced. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and partial blackout are symptoms associated with this condition.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes

Any infection in the head is characterized by inflammation lymph nodes on the back of the head and neck. Scalp infections ear infections, infections in the nose and throat - all of them can be accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes in the back of the head and neck also often become inflamed with childhood rubella. Inflamed lymph nodes in the neck and back of the head can be very painful.

Meningitis

Pain in the back of the head caused by meningitis is the result of nerve damage due to infection, as well as the severe neck stiffness that typically occurs with this condition. One of the defining symptoms of meningitis is very high temperature, combined with pain in the head and neck.

Pinched nerve

Sometimes pain in the back of the head can be caused by damage to nerve tissue. More often we're talking about O hypoglossal nerve, upper cervical nerves or accessory nerves.

Periarteritis nodosa

Several arteries supply blood to the back of the head. Periarteritis nodosa is a difficult-to-diagnose condition caused by inflammation of the arteries in the head. This is a very rare condition and is treated with steroid medications.

3. Physical stimuli

Sometimes pain in the back of the head can be caused by internal or external physical stimuli.

Height

Headache- enough common symptom in people who are not used to high altitude. Among those who experience headaches at high altitude, only about 4% of people reported pain in the back of their heads. Most feel the pain as generalized.

Cough

For some reason not entirely clear, coughing can cause headaches. In approximately 35% of cases, patients reported pain in the back of the head.

Cardiac cephalgia

One of the rather strange causes of pain in the back of the head can be heart attack or ischemic disease hearts. Although studies on the subject have conflicting statistics, one study found that approximately 33% of people who had a heart attack experienced pain in the back of their heads. Opening coronary arteries should solve this problem.

Neck muscle damage

One very common cause of neck pain is damage to the neck muscles, which occurs, for example, with whiplash. In this case, the pain usually begins in the neck or shoulders and radiates to the back of the head.

Low blood pressure

Low blood pressure headaches are most often located on the sides of the head, but many people may also experience pain in the back of the head, which gets worse during periods of activity. In addition to pain, low blood pressure may cause hearing problems and ringing in the ears.

4. Rare diseases

There are some diseases that can cause pain in the back of the head. Such diseases require treatment, incl. and in surgery.

Brain tumor

About 25% of people with a brain tumor experience pain in the back of the head. This symptom is rarely the leading one.

Parkinson's disease

For some reason unknown reason, more than a third of patients with Parkinson's disease complain of pain in the back of the head and neck.

Dengue fever

Dengue fever causes severe headache and high body temperature. About 20% of patients complain of pain in the back of the head.

Thyrotoxicosis

Thyrotoxicosis is often called hyperthyroidism. Most often, Graves' disease (Graves' disease) is diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis. With this disease, pain in the back of the head is a common symptom. Graves' disease can be treated with medication and removal thyroid gland(thyroidectomy).

Treatments for the conditions and diseases listed above vary widely. Some of them require hospital treatment, while others can be managed at home.

Every person has experienced a headache in the back of his head at least once in his life. The nature of this pain varies. A sharp headache in the back of the head or a dull, throbbing, pressing, aching headache may occur. The pain may be constant or occur periodically. The nature of the pain is related to the factors that cause it. However, regardless of the cause of a headache in the back of the head, it is always quite painful, and a person must get rid of it. But, as you know, in order to cure a disease, you must first determine its cause.

The main causes of headaches in the back of the head

Pain in the back of the head can indicate the presence of many diseases. The most common of them are:

occipital neuralgia;
diseases of the cervical spine, such as spondylitis, osteochondrosis, spondylosis, cervical migraine etc.;
spasm of cerebral vessels;
increased intracranial pressure;
hypertension (high blood pressure);
staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
stressful conditions;
excessive muscle tension due to physical activity;
diseases of the temporomandibular joints or malocclusion.

The nature of headaches in the back of the head in various diseases

Cervical osteochondrosis. This disease causes changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by constant pain in the back of the head, neck and temples. Often painful sensations accompanied by nausea, dizziness, decreased hearing, and loss of coordination. There may be a feeling of a “veil” before the eyes, double objects. When the head is thrown back or there is a sudden movement, the patient falls and loses the ability to move for some time, although he remains fully conscious. Often, with cervical osteochondrosis, the patient experiences a cervical migraine, which is accompanied by a sharp headache in the back of the head, spreading to the temples and superciliary area.
Cervical spondylosis. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of bone growths on the spine, which significantly impair the mobility of the neck. The patient experiences very frequent headaches in the back of the head, sometimes almost non-stop. With any turns or tilts of the head, the pain intensifies. Because of constant pain The patient's sleep is disturbed.
Hypertension. Often, high blood pressure is accompanied by the appearance of throbbing, frequent headaches in the back of the head. Headaches in the back of the head are often accompanied by palpitations, general weakness, dizziness and sudden nausea.
Cervical myositis. This disease often occurs as a result of hypothermia, injury, or prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position. The main symptom is headache in the back of the head when moving (turning or tilting) the head. In this case, the pain often radiates to the shoulders, back of the head and interscapular area. This disease is characterized by asymmetry of pain, that is, on one side it is more pronounced.
Myogelosis of the cervical spine. This disease Characterized by the appearance of painful lumps in the neck muscles, which is accompanied by dizziness and sharp headaches in the back of the head.
Occipital neuralgia often causes headaches in the back of the head. The pain is paroxysmal different character, they hit the neck, back, ears, lower jaw. Any movement of the head, coughing or sneezing increases the pain. Patients with this disease describe the pain as “shooting.”
Vascular pain caused by spasm of the arteries. The patient complains of pain in the back of the head, mainly occurring with movement and subsiding when sitting or lying down. At physical activity pain in the back of the head also occurs due to vascular pathology. At the same time, frequent headaches in the back of the head occur with increased physical activity and are accompanied by a sensation of “goosebumps” on the scalp.
Occupational pain. They often occur in people who are forced by duty to remain in one position for a long time. Thus, professional pain in the back of the head occurs in drivers and office workers.
Increased intracranial pressure. Mostly with this disease, the patient experiences pain along the entire circumference of the head, but sometimes it is localized in the back of the head. The pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and a feeling of heaviness in the head. Often these symptoms are accompanied by sharp pain in the eyes in bright light.
Malocclusion. If malocclusion is not treated, it often leads to various negative consequences, including the occurrence of a dull pain in the back of the head, which intensifies significantly in the evening. In this case, the pain can last from several hours to several days in a row.

Treatment of headaches in the back of the head

In order to prescribe adequate treatment for a headache in the back of the head, it is necessary to find out why it arose. To do this, the patient must undergo a preliminary examination, which includes an x-ray of the cervical spine.

The most common treatment for headaches in the back of the head is the following specialists: traumatologist, neurologist, chiropractor, doctor physical therapy, massage therapist, physiotherapist.

If pain in the back of the head is caused by neuralgia of the occipital nerve, cervical osteochondrosis, stress, myogelosis, intracranial pressure, or is of a professional nature, manual therapy and massage will effectively help.

For spondylosis and high blood pressure, hard massage is strictly contraindicated. But light self-massage can have positive action for any type of pain in the back of the head.

Physiotherapy (magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound or laser treatment) has a good effect in treating headaches in the back of the head. Physiotherapy is especially indicated for spondylosis, cervical osteochondrosis, myogelosis, increased intracranial pressure, vascular pain, neuralgia of the occipital nerve.

Physical therapy will be useful for all patients with headaches in the back of the head, except for pain caused by malocclusion (only an orthodontist can help here).

Folk remedies for headaches in the back of the head

For mild headaches, the following may have a positive effect: folk remedies:

regular ventilation of the room, humidification of the air using special devices;
hot compress on the back of the head and a hot drink;
a compress of cabbage leaves, previously crushed in your hands;
compress of chopped onion and grated horseradish;
warm tea made from high primrose herb or linden flowers. A mixture of herbs is also effective: meadowsweet, sage, peppermint.

For headaches in the back of the head, it is recommended to avoid the use of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, since they contribute to its strengthening. At occupational pain it is recommended to adjust workplace so that you can sit comfortably. You can also purchase an orthopedic pillow. Sleeping on it will promote maximum relaxation of the neck muscles at night.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

When the back of the head hurts, it brings a lot of inconvenience to a person. Headache is a rather unpleasant symptom in itself that occurs for many reasons. An unpleasant sensation in the back of the head is most often combined with nausea and dizziness. The nature of the sensations in the occipital part are pulsating, aching, squeezing and dull.

An unpleasant set of manifestations in the back of the head, pain can appear in various reasons. Common reasons pain symptoms in the neck and back of the head there are overstrained muscles due to incorrect head position during sleep. An accompanying symptom is nausea. The pain is aching, interfering with a person’s normal functioning.

Loads on cervical region provoked by the specifics of work and exercises. Even when in a calm position, the symptoms remain. The pain is not migraine-like, not throbbing. Often with back The head is bothered by the area of the temples of the head and forehead. Any movement causes an increase in manifestations.

Unpleasant sensations in the back of the head, cervical region, bother the ears and eyes with spondylosis. This disease cannot be treated at home. You can eliminate the symptoms with the help of a specialist. The disease is characterized by the formation of osteophytes along the edges of the vertebrae. Symptoms appear even in a calm state.

Sensation in the back of the head along with possible losses consciousness, dizziness with nausea are not just a one-time syndrome. A complex of manifestations may be the cause of cervical osteochondrosis.

Possible diseases

Diagnostics

Carrying out diagnostics requires care. First of all, the specialist conducts a conversation in which the patient talks about the symptoms. Important has a frequency, location, character of sensations.

If available bright severe symptoms, which include an unpleasant symptom of the back of the head, vomiting, fear of light, sounds, you should immediately go to a neurologist.

Diagnostic methods used to establish a diagnosis for nausea and pain in the back of the head:

Magnetic resonance imaging can help check the brain for tumors.
Using tonometry, a specialist determines blood pressure.
The pressure inside the skull is measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
Echoencephaloscopy helps to assess the displacement of brain structures.
Electroencephalography is performed to diagnose migraine attacks.

Remedies

Depending on the cause of the disease, the method of treatment changes. For cervical osteochondrosis, stress, and occipital neuralgia, massage is suggested. You should not use manual therapy if you have high blood pressure.

widespread, effective means Experts consider physiotherapy, which includes laser treatment, electrophoresis with magnetotherapy. Prescribed for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, high pressure inside the skull. Physical therapy is used for some of the listed ailments.

Traditional medicine

Medicines are prescribed only by a specialist, depending on the diagnosis. If you felt sick and sick occipital part due to increased blood pressure, Hypothiazide, Captopril and Cordipine are prescribed.

Sibelium, Pyrroxan and Redergin are prescribed for headaches due to vascular pathology.

Headache means integrated approach, where medications are combined with manual therapy. From medical supplies Antidepressants are prescribed, as well as muscle relaxants designed to relieve tension from the neck muscles.

Folk remedies

Methods alternative medicine in this case are not effective. Folk remedies for pain in the back of the head, which have a different nature, require individual consultation. The presented methods should be used as preventative or additional to medications, manual therapy. If a person serious problem, ways traditional therapy will be ineffective.

For mild pain in the back of the head, apply a hot compress. Use it in tandem with drinking hot drinks. A common compress option for neck discomfort is a cabbage compress. To complete this you will need cabbage leaf, crushed by hands. It should be applied to the sore spot. A compress made from a mixture of two components: onion and horseradish is considered effective. Mix grated horseradish with chopped onion, and place the resulting mixture on cotton fabric, roll it up and apply it to your neck.

To improve the condition and eliminate unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, pain, it is worth consuming a decoction of herbs. Linden tea or a mixture of mint, sage and meadowsweet are often used.

Prevention

Heaviness in the neck and nausea will decrease if you follow the actions prescribed by a specialist: taking medications, undergoing a massage and conducting independent physical therapy. For separate disease separate recommendations are assigned.

The first thing to do to eliminate symptoms is to give up alcoholic drinks and cigarettes for the reason that they cause increased pain. If the cause is the consequences sedentary work, it is worth restructuring the workplace so that it becomes comfortable. It’s worth reviewing the schedule and adjusting it. A person with this diagnosis should spend time outdoors.

Achieve positive effect, you can improve your sleep with the help of an orthopedic pillow, which will help relax the muscles of the neck and head during sleep.

Any occipital pain, whether it is painful, dull and prolonged or sudden, strong and shooting, brings physical and emotional discomfort to a person. The cause of pain in the back of the head, which does not allow for proper rest and daily activities, must be sought in pathologies associated with the most important systems of the body - nervous, vascular and vertebral.

Why does the back of the head hurt: causes of pain and its types

In most cases, the systematic appearance of occipital pain or its constant presence signals disorders occurring in the vascular, nervous or spinal system, as well as the formation of tumors or hematomas in this area. Also, a headache in the back of the head can be provoked by non-pathological factors: weather dependence, air travel, uncomfortable sleeping position, nervous overstrain.

Severe headache in the back of the head

Severe occipital pain is evidence of acute inflammatory processes flowing in this area. It can develop if there is the following pathologies:

Neuralgia of the nerve located in occipital region– intense burning and paroxysmal pain covers the entire back of the head and can spread to the cervical region, muscles of the upper back, ears, and lower jaw. In most cases, pain syndrome develops from the inflamed nerve.
Meningitis - a severe infection accompanied by very severe pain the head, including the occipital part. Associated symptoms of the disease include high fever, vomiting, convulsions and, in severe cases, unconsciousness.

Headache in the back of the head and nausea

A frequent companion to occipital pain is. It may arise as a accompanying symptom one of the following diseases:

and other forms of TBI - occipital pain appears after a traumatic impact on the brain structures located in this area. The formation of hematomas, bruises of brain tissue or intracranial hemorrhages create pressure on the brain centers, thereby causing nausea and other unpleasant symptoms.
localized in the back of the head - the pathology is characterized by almost persistent dull pain. Nausea in such cases occurs due to the pressure of the tumor on the brain structures and the toxic effects of growing cancer cells on the body.

Throbbing pain in the back of the head

The main reasons for the appearance of pulsation in the back of the head are:

Arterial hypertension - throbbing pain, dizziness, double vision occur against the background of increased blood pressure, when blood flow cannot circulate freely through the vessels of the brain.
Vascular spasms - with severe spasm of blood vessels located in the back of the head, a person may experience pulsation varying degrees intensity. Throbbing pain occurs in the back of the head, after which it spreads to the temporal and frontal parts of the head. In a calm state, the pulsation is moderate, but with movement it intensifies.

Sharp headache in the back of the head

The occurrence of sudden sharp pain can be caused by the following reasons:

Cervical myositis - sharp pain caused by inflammation of the neck muscles. Pain attack intensifies with bending, movements of the neck and arms, and in a calm state its intensity decreases.
- manifests itself in the form of sharp occipital pain unilateral in nature, often a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis. Painful sensations accompanied by dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances and other signs of a common migraine.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is one of the dangerous and rare types of stroke, characterized by the appearance of a sudden sharp occipital pain and its subsequent spread to other parts of the head. With this pathology it is important first aid doctors to save the life of a patient.

Constant headache in the back of the head

The cause of occipital pain that becomes protracted or permanent and accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, May be:

Cervical osteochondrosis - under the influence of age, injury or during prolonged work in a stationary position, the spinal system begins to pathological changes intervertebral disc tissue. As a result, the patient almost constantly experiences stiffness in the neck and shoulders, dull pain head, localized in the occipital part.
Cervical spondylosis - bone growths that appear on the vertebrae under the influence of age-related or occupational factors, reduce neck mobility and compress blood vessels, which significantly impedes blood circulation through them. As a result, the patient constantly feels a dull headache in the back of the head, which intensifies even with minor physical exertion.

Pain in the back of the head and dizziness

Headache in the back of the head rarely occurs without accompanying symptoms. Quite often it is accompanied by dizziness, which may indicate the presence of the following diseases:

Is something bothering you? Illness or life situation?

Cervical osteochondrosis - occipital pain is present almost constantly, and with bending and active movements of the head and neck it is supplemented. The reason for the development of this symptom is a violation of the blood supply to the brain caused by squeezing blood vessels in places of deformation of the cervical vertebrae.
Arterial hypertension - dizziness acts as a concomitant symptom against the background of throbbing and bursting pain in the back of the head.
Cervical myogelosis is a disease in which blood flow in the neck muscles and as a result of this, compactions occur. Symptoms of the pathology include pain in the back of the head, neck and shoulders, prolonged dizziness, and stiffness of movement.

Shoots in the back of the head

Severe paroxysmal pain characteristic of occipital neuralgia is often called “shooting.” It can occur after hypothermia, exposure to drafts, exacerbation chronic stage osteochondrosis. Pain syndrome intensifies with movements of the neck and head, due to which the patient’s condition is significantly aggravated.

Presses the back of the head

The causes of constant or paroxysmal pressing pain localized in the back of the head are:

Tension pain – appears with mental fatigue, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, frequent stressful situations and the resulting increase in blood pressure. The occurrence of tension pain is often associated with an occupational factor. So, discomfort observed in people who work in a sitting position - drivers, PC operators, office workers.
– the disease is characterized by paroxysmal pressing pain, which can cover both the entire head and a separate part of it (for example, the back of the head). In addition to feeling pressure on the back of the head, the patient experiences nausea, vomiting, dizziness, a number of visual and psycho-emotional disorders, and limb cramps.

What to do if the back of your head hurts: diagnosis and treatment

A systematically manifested headache in the back of the head is a symptom of a particular disease. Before starting its treatment, you need to undergo examination by specialized specialists to determine the cause of its occurrence. pathological signs. After initial examination A therapist may prescribe the following types of tests for a person suffering from occipital pain:

examination by a neurologist, vertebrologist or oncologist as indicated;
study spinal system by radiography, CT or MRI;
assessment of the state of blood vessels using an encephalograph.

After undergoing research, the following types of treatment may be recommended to the patient, depending on the diagnosis:

Drug therapy - prescribed in case of acute inflammatory processes or exacerbation chronic diseases. For hypertension or vascular diseases The patient is prescribed medications that normalize the condition of blood vessels and improve blood supply. In case of inflammation of the nerve endings or acute infections It is necessary to take anti-inflammatory and painkillers, and in severe cases, antibiotics.
Physiotherapy – sessions of magnetic therapy, ultrasound and electrophoresis are prescribed after drug therapy for osteochondrosis, inflammation of the occipital nerves, myogelosis, cervical spondylosis, intracranial hypertension.
Therapeutic exercise is effectively used to treat occipital pain in cases of disorders of the spinal system caused by traumatic effects or age-related deformation.
Manual therapy, acupuncture, cranial osteopathy, folk remedies and other methods of alternative medicine are recommended to be used after making a clear diagnosis and agreement with the treating specialist.

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If pain in the back of the head appears regularly and taking painkillers only temporarily alleviates the condition, you need not only to consult a doctor and undergo a course of treatment, but also change your daily lifestyle, giving up bad habits and balancing time active work with hours of rest.