Everyone experiences headaches throughout their lives. An unpleasant syndrome can appear sporadically or persist for years, and the solution seems simple - take a pill. Few people are able to think about the fact that painful discomfort at the bottom of the head or at the back of the head indicates a serious health problem.

Why does the back of my head hurt?

The prerequisites can be different - from overwork to spinal disease or neurological pathology. Severe throbbing pain in the back of the head serves as a signal for the need to urgently consult a medical specialist to find out exactly the cause of the ailment. Only isolated cases of pain on the back of the head, for example, a head injury, do not serve as a symptom of the disease. The following are considered common reasons for its appearance:

• arterial hypertension;
• chronic stress;
• excessive physical activity;
• osteochondrosis;
• brain cyst;
• osteophyte (deformation of the lateral processes of the vertebrae);
• increased intracranial pressure;
• cervical myositis(inflammation of the neck muscles).

Features of pain in the occipital region

One-time cases of pain in the occipital part of the head may not be a cause for serious concern, but if the nature of the pain syndrome is severe, aches and dizziness are observed, then hospitalization may be necessary. Difficulty of production correct diagnosis due to the fact that pain in the occipital region can occur periodically. To choose a treatment regimen, the doctor needs to know where the pain appears: in the head itself or cervical spine. An unpleasant feature of discomfort: pain can move from one area of ​​the back of the head to another.

On the right side

A headache in the back of the head, which is localized only on one side, may be a symptom of a disease of the brain, upper spine, or nerve roots. The appearance of painful discomfort with right side in the back of the head - no reason to suspect serious problem, because even an elementary draft can cause it. The situation should not be allowed to reach a critical state if there is a throbbing headache that recurs periodically along with a feeling of numbness in the back.

Such a case requires mandatory examination, and one of possible diagnoses– osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, for the treatment of which it is used complex therapy. People with cerebrovascular accidents may complain of throbbing pain on the right side of the back of the head, and the likely development of the pathology is a stroke. Just changing your lifestyle or taking a pill will not eliminate the cause; the headache on the right side will become more and more intense, and the feeling of heaviness at the back will become unbearable.

On the left side

Localization of pain in the back of the head can be a sign of neuralgia. Pain syndrome is the body's reaction to a pinched large nerve in this area of ​​the skull, with unpleasant pulsation on the left being less common than in the back of the head on the right. Frequent causes of the development of this pathology are previous injuries. On the left side of the back of the head, a migraine can cause pain: from the temple, a dull pain spreads to the back of the head.

Pain in the back of the head at the base of the skull

Discomfortable sensations that are constant often indicate the presence of cervical osteochondrosis. The cause of pain in the back of the head is considered to be sedentary lifestyle life and a long stay in an uncomfortable position, which over time leads to limited mobility at the base of the skull. If treatment for this disease is not started in a timely manner, its development will lead to disc protrusion and the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which will severely limit mobility.

What causes pain in the back of a child's head?

You can understand that your baby has a headache, and not his ears, only by observing his behavior. Young children cannot themselves accurately determine the area where pain occurs. When a child begins to whine and squeezes his head with his hands, these serve as clues for adults. If the fidget indicates that it hurts in the back of the head, then the cause may be too active actions, for example, somersaults, jumping, running. Prolonged exposure to the sun will also cause dull pain. Among other common reasons why it appears unpleasant symptom the following:

• difficulty in cerebrospinal fluid outflow;
• acute intoxication caused by bacterial or viral infection;
• severe cough;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• hypotension;
• meningitis;
• head injury;
• emotional stress;
• hormonal imbalance in teenagers.

Which specialist should I contact?

Only an experienced specialist can make an accurate diagnosis for pain in the back of the head. Appearance alarms that make themselves felt with moderate or intense pain is a serious reason to contact the following medical specialists: neurologist, cardiologist, traumatologist, physiotherapist, and for practical help – a massage therapist. It is dangerous to postpone a visit to the doctor if symptoms such as nausea, burning or dizziness appear along with pain.

Attempts to independently cope with regularly occurring pain syndrome in the back of the head will lead to the development possible pathology, because by relieving pain by taking medications, the patient does not treat the cause, but only temporarily eliminates the symptom. If the entire back of the head hurts, you will need complex treatment. Select an adequate regimen taking into account the symptoms and advise additional methods, procedures, remedies can only be performed by a practicing specialist.

What to do if you have a headache in the back of your head

You will not be able to cope with unpleasant sensations by taking medication alone. Periodic pain in the back of the head makes you feel worse, and physical and manual therapy methods help prevent this. The discomfort, taking you by surprise, goes away faster thanks to a light massage in supine position. Compresses, ventilation, sleep or lying down with your eyes closed to relax are good ways to speed up the effect of medications and headache in the back of the head will pass.

Massage

Therapeutic measures represent the whole complex different methods to eliminate the causes of a particular disease. If pain in the neck and back of the head is not associated with hypertension or spondylosis, then massage can significantly reduce discomfort and even slow down the development of pathologies. Ideally, it will be carried out in courses at intervals of one to two months by a professional massage therapist. Self-massage is considered a good alternative to this option: anyone can apply light pressure on the back of the neck with the pads of their fingers to reduce discomfort.

Physiotherapy

To make headaches in the occipital part of the head less uncomfortable, physical therapy is used. Complex special exercises selected to relieve tense muscles and improve blood circulation. The advantage of physiotherapy is the absence of contraindications, but an important condition for achieving a successful result is correct execution recommendations. With the help of electrophoresis, magnetic therapy and other methods of exercise therapy, you can get rid of pain due to osteochondrosis, spondylosis, and neuralgia.

Manual therapy

The dexterity of the doctor's hands is necessary when treating a herniated disc or eliminating muscle pain. This healing technique successfully used for integrated approach when a headache in the back of the head is caused by cervical osteochondrosis. Manual therapy with this diagnosis, it helps to more effectively resist the development of the disease and quickly relieves painful sensations than medicines. A combination with acupressure can enhance the positive effect, but if you have high blood pressure, it is better to avoid this method.

Medications

Sudden pain sensations will not take you by surprise if found suitable medications. The only condition is that taking medications when the head hurts in the back of the head periodically or the attacks are severe is allowed only in consultation with the doctor. Some medications have serious side effects, for example, Aspirin. It is better to relieve throbbing pain with paracetamol or Ibuprofen, sometimes antispasmodics (Solpadeine, Panadol, No-shpalgin) help well, and for prevention you should take sedatives or muscle relaxants.

Video: causes and treatment of pain in the neck and back of the head

Pain of various etiologies often spoils plans and interferes with work and rest. A condition where the back of the head on the left side of the head hurts quite often brings patients to the doctor. Sometimes it is difficult for a specialist to make a diagnosis, especially if there are no accompanying symptoms. Then you have to analyze the patient’s lifestyle, habits, and then conduct an examination of the whole body in order to find the reasons why the back of the head on the left side of the head hurts.

When pain appears in the head, occipital region, then this is a symptom of diseases of the spine, blood vessels, as well as neuralgia. Even if the pain occurs due to stress or sedentary work, then you need to accurately determine the reasons why this happens, especially with increasing and prolonged attacks.

Pain in the back of the head on the left side: causes, diagnosis and treatment

Features and types of pain

Doctors identify several features of pain in the occipital region:

1. Primary, which is not a disease and appears in 90% of cases.

2. Secondary, which appears as a result of inflammation and occurs in 10% of cases.
Approximately 4% of patients who complain of a headache in the back of the head are found to have serious illnesses, which can become a threat not only to general condition, but also for life.

Pain in the back of the head can appear in different directions and most often it occurs on the left.

As a rule, discomfort is observed during head movements, and some patients think that the symptom appears not in the head, but in the cervical region, after long work in a sitting position or severe fatigue.

There are several types of pain in the back of the head on the left side:

1. Acute. Starts as a result emotional stress, stress and depression.

2. Dumb. Unpleasant sensations appear, the person cannot touch the head. A similar condition is typical for osteochondrosis and arthritis.

3. Aching. The back of the head hurts due to spasm in the shoulders or neck. Often occurs during severe mental stress.

4. Pulsating. Pain in the back of the head when high blood pressure and often symptoms appear in the morning. In addition, white spots appear in the eyes and tinnitus.

Regardless of its appearance, an occipital headache on the left causes a lot of discomfort; a person cannot concentrate and work normally.

If symptoms appear regularly, then a high-quality and complete diagnosis is necessary.

Causes of pain

The reasons why the back of the head on the left side begins to hurt can be different and they are all presented below:

1. Diseases of the cervical spine, which include osteochondrosis, migraine, spondylitis.

2. Neuroses.

3. Pathologies of the neck muscles, for example, myositis and myogelosis.

4. Hypertension.

5. Increased tension in the blood vessels of the brain.

6. Staying in one position for a long time, after which the neck and head swell and pain appears.

7. Increased loads.

8. Diseases of the maxillotemporal joints.

9. Stressful situations and depression.

Any reasons should not be left to chance and wait until the headache in the back of the head passes.
This only worsens the condition, leads to nervousness and irritability, and can also aggravate the failure to diagnose the disease.

Details of reasons

For a more detailed understanding of why it hurts in the back of the head, we need to consider the most common causes and factors that provoke them.

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine that leads to rapid destruction of the cervical vertebrae.
The disease can have a destructive effect in several parts of the spine at once.

The main provoking causes of the pathology:

1. Office and other sedentary work.

2. Passive lifestyle, without simple physical activity.

3. Bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol abuse.

4. Obesity.

5. Incorrect posture during work, resulting in poor posture.

6. Heredity.

The first sign of osteochondrosis is pain in the back of the head on the left side, but many people refer to simple fatigue. If not used timely treatment, then possible negative consequences, which can no longer be corrected.

Spondylosis– a disease of the spine that begins after the degeneration of cells, the vertebral ligaments turn into bone tissue. Due to this spinal column growths begin that do not allow normal movement of the neck, and stiffness in movements occurs.

A pulsating pain appears in the back of the head, which radiates to the eye part of the head or to the ears. The development of the disease is often observed in older people, as well as in office workers.

Myositis– inflammation that begins in the muscles of the body and affects several bone tissues at once. In addition to the development of inflammation inside the body, the patient’s skin may change.

The main causes of the disease are as follows:

1. Infectious diseases.

2. Constant hypothermia.

3. Injuries of various kinds and frequent convulsions.

If the patient has myositis, pain in the occipital region on the left will be pulsating, but initially the attack occurs in the cervical region. Doctors use radiography to make a diagnosis.

In the early stages of myositis, treatment can be carried out with antibiotics, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. An additional measure would be the use of physiotherapy and massage. If the disease is advanced, treatment is only possible with surgical methods.

At hypertension a person’s blood pressure increases, causing a headache, and the attack is pulsating, squeezing in nature and appears on the left or right side. In some hypertensive patients, attacks appear immediately after sleep, and are also accompanied by dizziness, heaviness and general poor condition. The headache gets worse while moving. After vomiting, the sensations in the back of the head weaken.

For neuralgia inflammation of the occipital nerve begins; this problem often occurs due to hypothermia. The pathology is accompanied by burning and severe attacks in the back of the head, after which it radiates to other parts. Various movements and coughing can intensify the sensations. If a person does not move and is at rest, then a dull headache persists.

If diagnosed intracranial pressure That is, the patient has a headache in the back of the head all the time.
Often the condition is supplemented by floating pressure and fainting. The attacks intensify at night, and in the morning the patient feels nauseous and vomits.

In some cases, the back of the head hurts due to profession or stress. This is caused by the same type of body position for a long time, when the neck muscles are constantly tense. The symptoms are long-lasting, dull, and with rubbing the symptoms go away a little.

A similar problem occurs during stress, because in this state the whole body tenses and the blood begins to pulsate strongly, which leads to high blood pressure. Due to this, people may feel a pulsation in the back of the head on the left side of the head.

The most frequent illness- this is a migraine. In this case, the patient will experience the following symptoms:

1. Pain appears in the forehead, back of the head or temples.

2. Cloudiness appears before the eyes.

3. Adds tinnitus.

4. Patients cannot concentrate.

The attack becomes stronger if you press down in the area of ​​the spinal artery. Only a doctor can diagnose this condition.

Diagnosis

After a visit to the hospital, the doctor collects information from the patient’s words about the symptoms and factors that could cause discomfort in the left area of ​​the head.

After this is carried out laboratory diagnostics, which allows you to determine the exact causes of attacks.
The following methods are used for this:

1. An MRI of the head and neck is performed.

2. They do an ultrasound.

3. X-ray and electroencephalogram are used.

After receiving the necessary data, the doctor prescribes treatment and other possible therapy, which will relieve seizures in the head.

Treatment

When it hurts left side head from behind, then treatment depends on the identified cause. If the headache occurs as a result of a migraine, doctors may prescribe pain relievers. For additional treatment For migraines, various antidepressants and anti-seizure medications are used. Severe attacks can be relieved with acupuncture, massage or compresses.

If the cause is high blood pressure, then doctors recommend complete rest. If convulsions occur with hypertension, it is recommended to use more serious medications only as prescribed by a doctor; in addition, measures should be taken to reduce blood pressure, but not sharply.

If an attack occurs due to overwork, then you just need to improve your sleep, get more rest, and avoid stress. It is recommended to reduce the time spent working on computers.

If the back of the head on the left side hurts due to osteochondrosis, then long-term treatment with chondroprotectors should be used, also as prescribed by a doctor.

Many attacks appear as a result of unstable emotional and mental state.
This means that it is necessary to use measures to normalize work nervous system, and for this you can use ordinary medicinal herbs and medicines based on them.

The headache itself is in the left or right area can lead to frustration and depression, so if symptoms persist for a long time, you should consult a doctor.

To normalize the mental state, it is recommended to use the following herbs:

1. Valerian root and mint.

2. Motherwort.

3. Oregano.

4. Yarrow.

Also, headaches on any side can be relieved with the help of essential oils and the following are suitable for this:

1. Eucalyptus.

3. Rosemary.

4. Lavender.

The oil should be applied to the problem area and simply breathe or use ethers to create compresses.

If you have a headache or an attack in a certain part of the head, you should use some preventative tips. It is not always necessary to immediately take pills and other medications that can relieve symptoms; it is enough to follow the doctor’s advice:

1. Normalize sleep and sleep at least 7 hours a day, and also set aside time for rest.

2. Use more plant foods and dairy products in your diet.

3. As soon as the headache begins, you need to curtain the windows and lie in the dark.

4. Take walks outside every day, or at least ventilate the room.

5. Buy a device for humidifying the air in the house.

6. Eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption, and also give up cigarettes.

7. During an attack, you can use a compress from a crushed cabbage leaf.

8. Play sports or do exercises every day.

9. Monitor your emotional and psychological state.

Unpleasant sensations can be easily removed if you do light massage cervical region, heads or shoulder girdle, for 10 minutes. After this, the muscles will relax, the inflow and outflow of blood will improve, and spasms will disappear.

Study self-treatment no need, because this can aggravate the situation, the only exception is the inability to visit a doctor, call an ambulance, or if spasms appear as a result of stress.

Any drugs and folk remedies can relieve discomfort, but have no effect on the disease. published.

If you have any questions, please ask

P.S. And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together! © econet

It is perhaps easier to cure a headache in the back of the head than to deal with the factors that provoked it. Whether this is true or not, each of us has experienced acute, dull, pulsating, aching, piercing discomfort at least once in our lives. Doctors comment on this condition as follows.

(Video: “Why does the head hurt in the back of the head”)

A headache in the back of your head can easily occur due to:

Pain in the back of the head is often a companion to a number of ailments. The doctors highlighted the most important ones:

The algorithm of actions directly depends on the symptoms. For women with long hair We suggest you first loosen your hair. Also, take a horizontal position and close your eyes. Aromatherapy oils can help relieve the feeling of a vice on the back of your head. The ideal remedy to combat discomfort - essential oil lemon or coniferous trees. Smells quickly relieve spasms, calm the nervous system and relax. If you experience frequent headaches at work, we recommend placing cotton wool or sticks soaked in lemon and pine aromatic oils on your desk.

If a person is vomiting, then wash him with cold water, give him a slice of lemon to suck, drink mineral water. If you experience persistent vomiting and dizziness, call an ambulance.

If pain in the back of the head goes away without the above symptoms and is a fairly rare occurrence for you, then hold off on taking the pill for now. Self-massage helps a lot. Manual therapy is contraindicated only for hypertension. In other cases it is effective.

What to do? First, warm up your hands thoroughly. Then begin circular movements behind the ears clockwise and counterclockwise 3 times.

Tilt your head or even lay it on the table. Using your fingertips, gently massage the base of your neck, where it meets your head. You can press lightly, insert clockwise and in the opposite direction. Rubbing the back of the head helps a lot. As a rule, after such self-massage, even without a pill, it becomes easier.

Many people find it helpful to shower at room temperature with water jets directed at the back of the head. Massaging streams relax the skin, remove spasms and improve blood circulation. It would also be a good idea to drink a glass of water with lemon. Acid will dilute too much thick blood, making it easier for it to move through the vessels, and moisture will replenish the water balance.

Modern methods of treatment for pain in the back of the head and nausea

For chronic discomfort in the back of the head, along with nausea, dizziness and vomiting, the patient makes an appointment with:

• vertebrologist (specialist in diseases of the spine);
• neurologist (to determine the activity of the central and peripheral nervous system);
• an orthopedist or surgeon if there are suspected injuries, neoplasms of bone, connective, or cartilaginous tissue.

After diagnosis and consultation with specialists, the correction of the ailment begins:

1. The standard painkillers Analgin and Citramon are prescribed.
2. Courses of massage and self-massage, acupuncture.
3. Hydromassage sessions, contrast and Charcot showers.
4. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics if the discomfort is caused by infection or inflammation.
5. In case of intoxication, in addition to analgesics for pain in the back of the head, detox therapy is prescribed from activated carbon, Enterosgelya .

Also indispensable for chronic headaches in the back of the head are physical therapy and various types massage. They relax cramped areas skin And skeletal muscles, restore blood circulation and alleviate the human condition. For a stable result, at least 5 procedures are required.

If discomfort in this area of ​​the head appears regularly and is provoked by excitability, a strong reaction to stress, then relaxing techniques are indicated. For example, yoga, meditation and oriental breathing practices.

Preventive measures

There are no special or specific recommendations from neurologists. All the same classics: daily routine, physical activity, drink plenty of water a day and avoid eating unhealthy foods. And every day repeat the rule of Leopold the Cat: “Guys, let’s live together.” Then stress and neuroses will not interfere with you.

Update: October 2018

When a person can remember for sure that yesterday he sat in a draft and the wind blew on his neck, or that a day ago he had to work with his head bowed, then a headache in the back of the head is a natural consequence of these situations.

If this symptom appears for no apparent reason, if it is accompanied by other subjective manifestations, then it is imperative to look for the cause of this condition and eliminate it. Perhaps, of course, it is quite banal - fatigue associated with overload of the organ of vision. But it can also happen that the causes of pain lie in insufficient blood flow to the brain, and the symptom is.

Understanding the factors that caused the disease means eliminating it. Neuropathologists who work in clinics, hospitals and conduct private consultations deal with the problem of occipital headaches. The purpose of this publication is to consider the main diseases that cause this symptom, as well as the algorithm with which you can provide effective first aid.

What can hurt?

The occipital region of the head is closely connected on the one hand, with the temporo-parietal regions, on the other hand, with the neck, so the pain that occurs here is not always easy to localize: does it hurt in the back of the head or radiates to this area, or maybe the neck hurts. The anatomy of this department is as follows:

• Occipital bones

They form a bed for the occipital lobe of the brain, which is responsible for processing information coming from the eyes (it is in the brain that the image is formed). The brain itself does not hurt, but with inflammation or tumor in this area, the membranes of the brain will react to the increase in intracranial volume. With such pathologies, visual symptoms are also observed.

• Deep in the brain lies the pons

This is an education from white matter with splashes of gray. It is not fused with the occipital lobe, but is the second conditional continuation of the spinal cord into the cranial cavity (the first continuation, which directly passes into the spinal structures, is the medulla oblongata). They depart from the pons varoliev cranial nerves, carrying commands to the face (trigeminal, facial and abducens), as well as the nerve that carries information from the vestibular apparatus and inner ear. With pathology in this area, there will be a headache in the back and hearing impairment along with balance.

The cerebellum, an organ responsible for balance, muscle tone and coordination of movements, extends from the pons not downwards, but sideways, under the hemispheres of the brain. It consists of two hemispheres and a small area in the middle - the cerebellar vermis. If there is inflammation or swelling in this area, the head will hurt in the back, and there will be a lack of coordination and muscle tone.

• The pons enters the medulla oblongata

Here are the starting points of the four cranial nerves, which carry commands to the muscles of the pharynx, mouth and neck, coordinating the work of the heart, bronchi, lungs and intestines. On the surface of the medulla oblongata there is also the main path along which cerebrospinal fluid - a liquid that supports metabolic and nutritional processes between all parts of the brain and blood - passes from the cranial cavity to the spinal canal of the spine. If this road is blocked, cerebrospinal fluid will begin to accumulate in the cranial cavity and compress the brain. The first symptoms will be: headache in the back of the head, nausea, drowsiness and vomiting, which does not bring relief.

• The medulla oblongata passes into the spinal cord, and from the latter there are spinal nerves

This brain exits the cranial cavity through the foramen rotundum. All the cranial nerves formed in the area of ​​the pons and above exit next to it. There are also vessels here: arteries that bring blood to the occipital lobe of the brain and its trunk (this includes the pons, cerebellum, midbrain), veins and lymphatic vessels. If these structures are compressed from the outside or outside (bones, soft tissues, tumors), then the head also begins to hurt in the back, in the occipital area.

• Spinal cord

It is located inside a special canal in the spine, its membranes are located around it (the same ones surround the brain), and cerebrospinal fluid circulates between them. Compression of the spinal cord or the nerves that come from it by bony structures can cause pain in the back of the head and neck area. Basically, the symptom accompanies pinching or inflammation of the occipital nerve, which, formed from the fibers of several pairs of spinal nerves, provides sensitivity to the skin from the back of the head to the area behind the ears.

• The neck contains a large number of muscles

They can become inflamed and pinched by the bone structures of the spine. This is also accompanied by headache.

• Ligamentous apparatus

The spine is held in the required position with the help of ligamentous apparatus. It is especially developed in the cervical region, where the first two vertebrae are connected to each other and to occipital bone extremely unstable joint.

• The head and neck are covered with soft tissues: skin and subcutaneous tissue. Inflammation can also develop here, and this will cause pain.

Diseases accompanied by headaches in the back

Above we looked at which structures can hurt. Now let's name the reasons why the head hurts in the back, in the back of the head. These are the following diseases and conditions:

• Pathologies of the cervical spine:, spondylosis, spondylitis, fractures or fracture-dislocations of the cervical vertebrae. They cause a violation of the sympathetic regulation of vascular tone in the neck, and this leads to a condition called. If bone structures compress the vessels passing through the neck, feeding the occipital lobes and the brain stem, a pathology called vertebrobasilar insufficiency develops.
• Diseases of the kidneys, brain, adrenal glands, as well as a condition the cause of which is unclear (hypertension), accompanied by an increase blood pressure.
• Pathologies accompanied- concussion or contusion of the brain, subarachnoid hemorrhage, decompensation of hydrocephalus.
• Diseases of the neck muscles (myogelosis) or their overstrain during professional activities where you have to bow your head for a long time or frequently turn your neck. This also includes situations of overwork or stress that led to the person sleeping in a position with an unnaturally twisted neck.
• Pathology of regulation vascular tone – vegetative-vascular or neurocirculatory dystonia, when the vessels passing in the neck are spasmed.
• Pathologies of the vessels supplying the occipital lobes of the brain, its trunk and soft fabrics neck and occipital region of the head:
  • developmental anomalies;
  • blockage by thrombotic masses;
  • reduction in diameter due to overgrowth with lipid deposits during atherosclerosis;
  • change vascular wall with long-term arterial hypertension;
  • compression of blood vessels by the scalene muscles of the neck.
• Physical and mental stress, leading to the appearance of a pathology called “tension headache.”
• Migraine is a pathological regulation of vascular tone in the cranial cavity, leading to migraine - with or without aura.
• Arthrosis, arthritis- diseases of the temporomandibular joints arising from malocclusions and bruxism.
• Violation hormonal regulation vascular tone of the head. This occurs in rapidly growing adolescents, pregnant women and women during pregnancy.
• Incorrect posture.
• A sharp change in the living climate to the opposite of the usual one.
• Calcification of the ligaments that fix the cervical spine.
• Constant tension on the skin of the back of the head, pulling the hair into a ponytail or braid, leading to irritation of the occipital nerve.

Learn more about pathologies that cause pain

Let's look at the most common diseases.

Arterial hypertension

This is the most common reason this symptom. It can be suspected based on the following signs:

• the pain is mainly in the back of the head and temples, the neck does not hurt;
• a little nauseous;
• pressing on the vertebrae of the neck does not hurt;
• there may be “flies before the eyes”;
• feeling of heat in the face (and it often turns red);
• left chest pain.

First of all, you should think about increasing blood pressure:

• if the person is over 45 years old,
• or if it's full,
• likes to drink alcohol
• in cases where he suffers from kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus,
• notes swelling in the face or legs,
• if the pattern of urination or the type (color, smell) of urine has changed,
• suffered or had a stroke.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

This is the second most common cause of headaches in the back, in the back of the head. It is characterized by a disruption of the normal nutrition of the disc between the vertebrae; as a result, it wears out, its central shock-absorbing part is displaced and can leak into the spinal canal. In place of the thinned disc, as compensation for the decrease in the volume of this “layer,” bone “spikes” grow. It is they who can damage or pinch the nearby spinal nerves, as well as, precisely in this section, the vessels that feed the tissues of the head, neck and cranial cavity.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a common cause of conditions such as cervical migraine and vertebrobasilar syndrome.

Cervical migraine

It occurs when the vertebrae compress the nerves around them vertebral artery. Signs of this pathology are manifested by periodically occurring severe pain on one side - right or left - in the back of the head. It can radiate to the forehead and eye sockets and sharply intensifies when a person begins to do any work. At rest, especially lying down, the pain calms down a little.

If you tilt your head back, you will notice darkening of the eyes, severe dizziness, possibly fainting. In addition to these symptoms, nausea, a sharp “switching off” of hearing and vision for a short period, and the appearance of “spots” before the eyes are noted. Blood pressure remains unchanged or slightly increased.

If the disease is left untreated for a long time, migraine attacks become more frequent, and signs of personality changes are added: irritability, nervousness, depression and even aggression.

Syndrome of damage to the vertebrobasilar artery system

Here, in addition to headaches, there will be disturbances from those structures (and these are the brain and cranial nerves), which, as a result of compression by the altered osteochondrosis of the spine, have ceased to receive normal amount oxygen. These are the following symptoms:

• loss of visual fields;
• the appearance of “floaters”, “lights” before the eyes or a feeling of fog interfering with vision;
• strabismus;
• facial asymmetry;
• dizziness accompanied by nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, changes in blood pressure;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• difficulty swallowing;
• feeling of a lump in the throat;
• hoarseness of voice.

Cervical spondylosis

Spondylosis is the process of thinning and the appearance of fragility in the anterior and lateral regions intervertebral disc. As a result, the jelly-like center of the disc “pushes” the thin substance outward, and bone growths appear on the adjacent edges of the vertebrae. In addition, the long ligament running along the anterior edge of the vertebral bodies acquires bone hardness due to the deposits of calcium salts (lime) here.

The disease manifests itself:

• severe pain in the back of the head to the ears, shoulders, and sometimes in the eyes;
• pain does not go away with rest;
• makes it difficult to find a sleeping position at night;
• moving your neck is painful and difficult;
• the pain intensifies when throwing the head back.

Cervical spondylitis

Spondylitis is a disease in which the vertebral bodies are destroyed as a result of microbial (mainly tuberculosis) inflammation. The spine is deformed and compresses the neurovascular bundle. The disease manifests itself:

• pain in the neck and back of the head;
• numbness of the skin in the same area;
• increased temperature;
• weakness;
• stoop;
• difficulty in neck movements.

Myositis (inflammation) of the neck muscles

The muscles become inflamed due to hypothermia, sitting in a draft, or standing for a long time with the neck tilted or turned.

Usually the muscles become inflamed on one side; less often, myositis is bilateral. The following sign indicates myositis: when the movement of the neck involves sore muscle, pain occurs in the neck area. Then it spreads to the back of the head, the area between the shoulder blades and the shoulders. At rest, neither the neck nor the back of the head hurts.

Myogelosis

The causes of this disease are almost the same as those of myositis, but their list is a little wider. These are drafts, staying in an uncomfortable position, overexertion due to stress, prolonged sitting at the computer, doing physical exercise, which can lead to poor circulation in the neck muscles. Unlike myositis, here the muscles do not just swell - they become denser. The disease develops more often in women. It is accompanied by pain in the neck and back of the head, as well as other symptoms:

• the shoulders also hurt, it becomes difficult to move them;
• attacks of dizziness often occur.

Occipital neuralgia

This pathology occurs when the occipital nerve is compressed, inflamed, or irritated. The following reasons lead to this:

1. neck muscle tension;
2. osteoarthritis;
3. neck injury;
4. neck tumor;
5. inflammatory diseases (carbuncle,) soft tissues of the head and neck;
6. pathology intervertebral discs cervical region;
7. diabetes mellitus

Here intense pain occurs in the back of the head. It is so sharp that it resembles an electric shock that reaches the neck or radiates to the eye(s), lower jaw, ears and neck. It is also described as a severe, throbbing pain that shoots or burns. It can occur on the right or left, and can spread to 2 sides at once. Her neck movements intensify.

The skin of the occipital region acquires increased sensitivity to touch and temperature changes.

Vascular spasm of the cranial cavity

The condition caused by vasospasm of the arterial bed is accompanied by:

• pain in the back of the head;
• soon the pain also affects the forehead;
• it intensifies with movement;
• decreases at rest.

When a problem occurs in the venous bed, and the outflow of blood from the cavity becomes difficult, the following signs appear:

• pain appears in the back of the head;
• “spreads” to the temples and further throughout the head;
• character – dull, bursting, can be described as a “feeling of heaviness”;
• it intensifies if you lower your head;
• the pain becomes more intense when coughing and lying down;
• may be accompanied by swelling of the lower eyelids.

Tension headache

The basis of the pathology is overstrain of the muscles of the neck, back of the head, eyes, tendons that form the covering of the head from the forehead to the back of the head. Pain here can be triggered by changes in weather conditions, overwork, drinking alcohol, being in a stuffy room, or working at night.

Tension headaches can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a week—this is episodic pain. It is not too intense, accompanied by anxiety, but not accompanied by nausea or vomiting. It is monotonous, wraps around the head like a hoop, and does not have a pulsating character; occurs after overexertion or stress.

If your head hurts monotonously for more than 2 weeks a month, it is a chronic tension headache. It does not stop, and its character does not change under load. It can change a person’s personality: he becomes withdrawn, depression develops, and social activity is disrupted.

The diagnosis of tension headache is made if tension is detected in the trapezius and neck muscles, pain when pressing on the points corresponding to the transverse processes of the vertebrae of the neck and chest. In this case, there is no facial asymmetry, no goosebumps, no sensitivity disturbances or motor activity muscles of the face, neck, limbs. An MRI of the brain, its trunk, including the cervical spine and spinal cord does not show any pathology.

Intracranial hypertension

With prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels, traumatic brain injury, impaired venous outflow from the cranial cavity, low blood pressure, meningitis, decompensated hydrocephalus or subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial pressure increases.

This dangerous condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• severe headache;
• worsens at night and before getting up;
• accompanied by nausea;
• there may be vomiting (one or several times), spontaneous, not bringing relief;
• sweating;
• pain in the eyes when looking at the light;
• pain intensifies with loud sounds;
• sensitivity to changes in weather conditions;
• feeling of heartbeat;
• fatigue;
• increased nervousness.

If intracranial hypertension arose as a result of meningitis, intracranial tumor, encephalitis or hemorrhage into the cranial cavity, the person’s condition progressively worsens. Drowsiness increases, periodically he is agitated, he can express crazy ideas, stops complaining of headaches. If help is not provided, coma may occur, accompanied by difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Temporomandibular joint diseases

These pathologies (arthrosis, arthritis) can also be accompanied by pain in the back of the head. Such pain is usually one-sided, spreads to the ear and crown area, begins during the day, intensifies in the evening. In this case, there is pain in the joint area (in front of the ear), and a crunching or clicking sensation may be felt.

The cause depends on the location of the pain

If there is pain in the back of the head and temples, this may indicate:

• increased blood pressure, which is also accompanied by the appearance of “spots” or disturbances before the eyes, chest pain on the left, dizziness;
• cervical migraine – the most frequent complication cervical osteochondrosis. Here, any more or less sudden throwing back of the head leads to darkening of the eyes, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes loss of consciousness;
• Cervical osteochondrosis, not complicated by entrapment of the vertebral artery, manifests itself as pain in the occipital part of the head and temples, as well as in the neck. Here, movements of the neck may be accompanied by a crunching sound, and pain may be accompanied by dizziness, hearing loss, the appearance of a “veil” before the eyes, double vision;
• Meningitis also manifests itself as pain in the temples and back of the head. In addition, there will be nausea, vomiting, body temperature rises, and photophobia is noted.

Pain in the neck and back of the head is typical:

• for cervical osteochondrosis (it is described in the previous paragraph);
• for cervical spondylosis. The latter is manifested by severe pain, which may not even stop. This pain intensifies with any turning or tilting of the head. It takes a lot of effort to find a position in which to fall asleep;
• for inflammatory diseases of the back of the head and neck: carbuncle, boil. In this case, when examining the disturbing localizations, you can see redness and swelling, which will be very painful and from where (when they mature) pus will be released.

Pain in the occipital part of the head, spreading to the temples, crown and forehead at once, indicates:

• tension headaches: then they appear after overexertion, squeeze with a “hoop”, without nausea and vomiting;
• increased intracranial pressure: appear for no apparent reason, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, drowsiness;
• spasm of the vessels of the cranial cavity: accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the head, intensifies when tilting the head, has a dull, bursting character;
• increased blood pressure. There will be one or more additional symptoms: heart pain, weakness, spots before the eyes, nausea.

If the pain radiates to the back of the head, and its “center” is the neck or shoulders, this indicates a pathology of the neck muscles:

• myositis: pain is usually one-sided, occurs when moving the neck to the side, spreads to the shoulders and interscapular area. This pain is provoked by physical exercises that involve the neck, drafts and hypothermia;
• myogelosis: pain not only in the neck and back of the head, but also in the shoulders, while the latter are difficult to move, and when palpated, all these muscles - the neck, shoulders, shoulder blades - are tight. Occurs after stress, physical exertion, long stay in an awkward position.

Others

• Pain radiating to the back of the head, which is accompanied by difficulty chewing, opening the mouth, crunching in the area in front of the ear, when this painful area can be found, indicates the pathology of the temporomandibular joint.
• Severe, throbbing pain from the neck, radiating to the back of the head, accompanied by numbness, “pins and needles” or increased sensitivity of the skin of the neck and back of the head indicates occipital neuralgia. It is usually one-sided and worsens with neck movements.

Unilateral pain – in the left or right back of the head is typical for:

• cervical osteochondrosis;
• left cervical migraine;
• myogyelosis of the right trapezius or sternocleidomastoid muscle on the left;
• neuralgia of the left occipital nerve;
• spondylitis;
• injuries to the left occipital region;
• irritation of the sympathetic nerve nodes on the left;
• development of purulent-inflammatory diseases of soft tissues on the left side of the back of the head.

There are no specific diagnoses when pain occurs in the right back of the head, just like for the left. Above we have listed those diseases in which occipital pain will be one-sided.

Possible cause depending on pain characteristics

Throbbing pain is typical for:

• increased blood pressure;
• neuralgia of the occipital nerve;
• hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and also in adolescents.

Severe pain is typical for:

• increased intracranial pressure;
• spasm of arterial vessels;
• cervical spondylosis;
• neuralgia of the occipital nerve;

If the pain is described as sharp, most likely, the examination will reveal either complicated cervical osteochondrosis, or myogelosis of the cervical spine, or occipital neuralgia, or cervical migraine.

Diagnostics

If you have a headache, you need to determine the cause. To do this, they turn to a therapist, and he refers either to a cardiologist or a neurologist. If there was a head injury, you need to visit a traumatologist, and if a painful formation is detected on the skin, then you need to see a surgeon.

When examining, narrow specialists use the following diagnostic methods:

• Dopplerography of the vessels supplying blood to the neck and brain;
• MRI of the head and neck;
• radiography of the cranial cavity;
• X-ray of the temporomandibular joint.

Algorithm for first self- or mutual help

• Measure your blood pressure; if it is above 140/99, take the emergency drug Captopres (1/2 tablet), and consult a therapist the next day to select therapy.
• You can take a pill or another pain reliever to which you have not been allergic.
• Massage – only on the shoulders and only with an assistant: you cannot touch the neck, as pain can be caused by pathologies in which the cervical spine is unstable (poorly fixed). In this case, hand movements can lead to further imbalance of bone structures, as a result, important structures can be pinched and lead to such dangerous violations, as a violation of the rhythm of breathing, the tone of all blood vessels in the body and the normal heartbeat.

If, in addition to pain in the head, a crunching sound is heard in the back of the head when turning the neck, or the pain syndrome appeared after an injury (especially in a car or public transport), when the head “shakes”, you need to either call an ambulance. Or, if there is no dizziness, no nausea, no loss of consciousness, first ask a family member to buy a Shants collar or other orthosis at the pharmacy for a similar case, and only then contact a neurologist. While the neck brace has not yet been purchased, you must not move your neck while in a sitting position with support on the back. You cannot lie down until the cervical spine is fixed and a specialist is consulted.

In cases where the pain is shooting, intensifies when tilting the head and moving the neck, apply it to the neck dry heat, relax in a quiet room, ask a family member to massage your neck muscles.

The same can be done if pain occurs that squeezes the head with a “hoop.”

If you don’t hear a crunch when moving your neck, the pressure is normal, to relieve pain you can perform the following exercises:

Starting position	Exercise
Sitting on a chair with a straight back	Let your head bow under its own weight, stay in this position for 20 seconds, return to the starting position for 20 seconds
Sitting on a chair, raise your arms up, clasp your head so that your thumbs rest on your cheekbones and the rest on the back of your head.	Inhale - throw your head back, resisting with your fingers lying on the back of your head. Stay in this position for 10 seconds, while looking up. Exhale (7-8 seconds) – maximum tilt of the head, without muscle tension. Look down. Repeat 3-6 times.
Sitting on a chair	Feel the point on the back of the head between the skull and 1 cervical vertebra, along the midline. Using your two thumbs, massage the point in a clockwise circular motion – 15 times. Then just press on this point for 90 seconds. Rest for 2 minutes. Do it all over again

What do doctors prescribe?

It depends on the identified pathology. So, for osteochondrosis, spondylosis and neuralgia of the occipital nerve, the following medications are prescribed:

• painkillers: , Ibuprofen, Rofika;
• muscle relaxing drugs: , Sirdalud, Baclofen;
• vitamin B complex: Neurorubin;
• drugs that eliminate dizziness: Betaserc, Vestibo, Betahistine.

Novocaine blockades can be performed, and also - in cases of instability of areas of the spine and the threat of infringement of the spinal cord, as well as in cases of severe neuralgia that cannot be controlled by medications - various types can be performed surgical interventions. Physiotherapy procedures are also prescribed here: ultrasound treatment.

If the back of the head hurts due to myositis or myogelosis, painkillers and decongestants, a course of massage and physiotherapy are prescribed: , .

Vascular pain requires treatment with drugs that eliminate arterial spasm and improve venous outflow from the cranial cavity.

Treatment of meningitis, encephalitis and hemorrhages into the cranial cavity is carried out only in a hospital. It includes the prescription of antibiotics, hemostatic drugs, drugs that improve communication between the affected areas of the brain, and oxygen therapy.

Suppurative diseases of soft tissues are treated surgically.

For occipital neuralgia, tension headaches and cervical osteochondrosis in addition to medication doctors They may also prescribe a course of acupuncture.

Headache prevention

If the back of your head hurts at least once, it means that your body is signaling that you need to take measures to improve the oxygen saturation of your brain. To do this:

• Try to sleep on an orthopedic pillow.
• Do not overcool your neck and neck.
• Try to move more, do morning exercises.
• Take 10-minute breaks every hour you work at the computer.
• Learn to meditate to make it easier to cope with stressful situations.
• Monitor your blood pressure.
• When working, the computer should be at eye height.
• Every day, perform self-massage of the muscles of the neck and shoulders using gentle pressure or various auxiliary devices.

Nausea is a tool that helps the body mobilize all its strength and resources, and is an indicative symptom of disorders of higher nervous activity. When combined with a headache, it takes on a truly sinister meaning and requires special attention.

The nervous system controls function, level and speed metabolic processes, nutrition, blood supply to the body as an integral system, balances it with the external environment.

And the mechanism of disease occurrence is most often associated with reflex disorders. Any pathogenic agent affects the body by irritating nerve receptors, special “buttons”, the sensitivity of which is many times higher than the sensitivity of any elements of any tissue. Figuratively speaking, receptors act as nervous signals.

Through the central nervous system (CNS), the body forms responses to pathogenic influences coming from the internal environment or from the outside.

Types of responses:

1. pathological (for example, the development of inflammatory, purulent processes);
2. protective-physiological (nausea and vomiting, reflex muscle contraction when withdrawing the hand from a hot object);
3. warning (development of coma or fainting as a protective prohibitive inhibition of brain activity);
4. eliminating harmful agents (increase in temperature);
5. restoring impaired functions (redistribution of functions to replace those lost due to brain damage or partial removal of the intestine).

Thus, the complex central nervous system is a real observation and command post of the entire organism.

Causes of headaches

The state of higher nervous activity can not only affect the nature of pain, but also independently cause it. Pain in the back of the head is a clear sign pathological mediated reaction of the central nervous system to processes occurring in the brain. Its nature and intensity depends on the cause and individual characteristics body.

Damages to the nervous system are caused by external and internal reasons, although they have a close relationship, and therefore such a division is very arbitrary.

External factors that can cause pain in the back of the head:

• traumatic (impacts, concussions, strong pressure) and their delayed consequences;
• mental trauma, emotional experiences, causing overstrain of the central nervous system;
• chemical (poisoning with toxic or narcotic substances);
• changes in oxidative processes in the brain associated with disturbances in the pressure or composition of atmospheric air;
• nutritional disorders (starvation, unbalanced diet).

Internal factors:

1. circulatory disorders (sclerosis, spasm or pinching of blood vessels);
2. congenital vascular defects - aneurysms or narrowings, deformations;
3. accumulation of toxic metabolic products (as a result of infections, diabetes and other endocrine diseases, kidney or liver failure).

This clearly illustrates clinical sign in the form of nausea.

Increased intracranial pressure

The spinal canal and the entire space of the cranium, where the brain is located, are a closed system filled cerebrospinal fluid(liquor). It is produced by the membranes and some structures of the brain, the inner surface of blood vessels, and softens the mechanical effects on the central nervous system, protecting the brain from hard contact with the walls of the skull.

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) occurs when the balance between the production and reabsorption of cerebrospinal fluid is disturbed. Its excess creates conditions for compression of the brain and disruption of the central nervous systems:

• visual impairment;
• headache of undetermined localization;
• nausea and vomiting not related to digestive problems;
• specific muscle disorders;
• increasing the sensitivity of certain parts of the body;
• back pain due to increased pressure in the spinal canal.

An increase in ICP is not independent disease, but a complication or symptom of a number of diseases:

1. severe toxicosis of pregnant women;
2. severe infectious diseases (meningitis, encephalitis);
3. neoplasms localized in the cervical spine and brain;
4. mutual enhancement of the effect of medications taken;
5. increased blood pressure;
6. hormonal imbalances.

CSF examination is important diagnostic event: substances penetrating into it from the blood make it possible to make an accurate conclusion about the rupture of cysts localized in the brain, to identify the nature of meningitis and encephalitis, liver damage, and neoplasms.

Hypertension

Hypertension is a disease associated with increased blood pressure, which has a number of stages. Its characteristic features:

• dull pain localized in the back of the head;
• brief dizziness;
• flashing dots in the eyes;
• redness of the face or cheeks;
• overexcited state.

A sharp increase in pressure is often accompanied by an attack of nausea and vomiting, and a short-term loss of consciousness is possible.

Important! Sharp decline blood pressure is unacceptable.

The most dangerous complication of hypertension is a stroke, which can develop within a few minutes, and an increase in ICP, which develops relatively slowly.

Encephalopathy

Encephalopathy - congenital or acquired - is the common name large quantity disorders of brain activity for which it is impossible to insure and are not related to inflammatory processes: from regular migraines to severe damage to brain tissue. The cause of degenerative changes in the brain is prolonged oxygen starvation of cells nerve tissue.

Mechanisms of development of encephalopathy:

1. ischemic (as a result of blockage of a vessel) and hemorrhagic (as a result of hemorrhage) strokes;
2. complicated course of inflammatory diseases;
3. self-poisoning of the body, which affects the composition of nervous tissues (during removal of a kidney, liver dysfunction);
4. respiratory disorders (long-term operations, clinical death, epileptic seizure);
5. heart failure, infringement of blood vessels or nerve fibers (large tumors, for example), causing disruptions in the flow of blood to the brain.

The consequences of encephalopathy are death, swelling, irreversible degeneration or atrophy of entire areas of nervous tissue. There is no specific treatment for encephalopathy: symptoms are relieved and only the disease that causes it is treated.

Cervical osteochondrosis

This term is used to refer to irreversible changes in the cartilage tissue of the spine. Squeezing large blood vessel or ganglion, deformed or ossified tissue restricts blood supply to the brain. Herniated intervertebral discs and (or) their displacement (protrusion) lead to the same consequences.

Concussion

Concussions are the most common consequences mechanical injuries or sudden changes atmospheric pressure(for example, when ammunition explodes), which can cause abnormal blood flow to the brain and hemorrhage.

Signs of a concussion:

• loss or temporary confusion of consciousness;
• muscle paralysis;
• slow, shallow breathing;
• weakening of heart activity;
• nausea and vomiting;
• seizures of an epileptic nature.

Concussions that are not accompanied by visible impairment are especially dangerous: they are often ignored if the symptoms are brief.

Should I call a doctor?

Symptoms requiring emergency medical attention for pain in the back of the head combined with nausea:

1. unbearable nature of pain;
2. prolonged nausea or uncontrollable vomiting;
3. sudden emotional instability of a person, inadequate reactions;
4. noise or ringing in the ears;
5. a single episode of dizziness;
6. impaired sensitivity of body parts;
7. disorders of coherent speech, hearing, swallowing, loss of coordination;
8. inability to concentrate, double vision (pathology of the optic nerve);
9. increased body temperature above 38ºC, body twitching (with meningitis).

Extensive lesions are characterized by violent symptoms.

Pay attention! Until clarification clinical picture diseases with severe nausea Vomiting should not be stimulated, as muscle tension can cause a stroke or heart attack.

What to do

• if possible, control body temperature and blood pressure: the doctor should obtain a comprehensive list of symptoms;
• If possible, the person should be given small sips of water to prevent dehydration, but if the person is very nauseous, you can limit yourself to rinsing the mouth.

A weakened person should be laid on his side, covered, but ensure an influx of fresh air and stay with him constantly: in a semi-fainting state, he can easily choke on vomit.

Drug therapy

The method to relieve pain depends on the cause that caused it. If your blood pressure rises, you do not need to wait for the ambulance to arrive to take a pill. But in the vast majority of cases, pain in the back of the head accompanied by nausea is complex cases requiring medical qualifications.

A diagnostic hypothesis is put forward based on a set of symptoms, taking into account the lifestyle, age and medical history of the patient, and the circumstances preceding the attack.

Traditional medicine

Arsenal of funds traditional medicine in severe emergency cases is extremely limited. Decoction herbal remedy ineffective in case of hypertensive crisis or purulent meningitis, When we're talking about about human life.

The use of traditional medicine can harmoniously complement drug therapy when the person’s condition is stable, and is reduced to taking sedatives and/or diuretics as indicated.