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Suggest Treatment For Low Grade Headache And Balancing Issues
Question: I've had a low grade headache for a month. It begins at the upper forhead and extends back above my ears. This morning I felt euphoric. Might vision and balance have not been affected.
Brief Answer:
Tension type or sinus headache more probable.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since you mention vision and balance not to be affected I am assuming you don't have other neurological signs like weakness of the limbs. The pain also appears to be on both sides, correct me if I am wrong. Other characteristics like character of pain (throbbing, constant, pressure like etc), exacerbating factors (light, noise, time of day, lack of sleep, physical exertion etc), previous headache history or any other signs might be useful if you can add them.
Reading at that description the most probables cause in my opinion is tension type headache. It is the most common type of headache. It is a primary headache (primary meaning without an identifiable cause). Often it is triggered or exacerbated by stress and anxiety.
Treatment is with pain killers like the Ibuprofen you mentioned and relaxation techniques and exercises. Rarely is preventive daily treatment with antidepressants like amitriptyline warranted for chronic cases.
Another very common cause for that pain distribution might be sinus headache. Probability of that being the cause is higher if you have also nasal congestion, nasal discharge.
In that case diagnosis must be confirmed by examination, at times imaging with x-ray or CT. Treatment consists on nasal decongestants and if persistent antibiotics.
If the symptoms worsen progressively a neurological exam is recommended to check for possible signs of brain involvement which you might have missed, but judging by those symptoms alone a brain lesion doesn't seem likely.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Tension type or sinus headache more probable.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since you mention vision and balance not to be affected I am assuming you don't have other neurological signs like weakness of the limbs. The pain also appears to be on both sides, correct me if I am wrong. Other characteristics like character of pain (throbbing, constant, pressure like etc), exacerbating factors (light, noise, time of day, lack of sleep, physical exertion etc), previous headache history or any other signs might be useful if you can add them.
Reading at that description the most probables cause in my opinion is tension type headache. It is the most common type of headache. It is a primary headache (primary meaning without an identifiable cause). Often it is triggered or exacerbated by stress and anxiety.
Treatment is with pain killers like the Ibuprofen you mentioned and relaxation techniques and exercises. Rarely is preventive daily treatment with antidepressants like amitriptyline warranted for chronic cases.
Another very common cause for that pain distribution might be sinus headache. Probability of that being the cause is higher if you have also nasal congestion, nasal discharge.
In that case diagnosis must be confirmed by examination, at times imaging with x-ray or CT. Treatment consists on nasal decongestants and if persistent antibiotics.
If the symptoms worsen progressively a neurological exam is recommended to check for possible signs of brain involvement which you might have missed, but judging by those symptoms alone a brain lesion doesn't seem likely.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Have no congestion. The pain is not in the area of the maxillary or frontal sinus. More toward the very top of my head finding a home in the occipital area in the evening. Have never had a feeling like this before. Not a pulsing pain, but a constant nagging ache. My job has been filled with tension forever, but headaches resulting from that kind of stress has been of the cluster variety, midface.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for bringing some more info. Having mentioned the upper forehead I had considered frontal sinus headache a likely cause, but after reading that additional information I agree that it is not likely.
Tension type headache which I described above remains an alternative on the other hand, the location and character are typical.
Among other causes to be considered would be high blood pressure, some repeat measurements are advised if not already done.
Also some routine blood tests are recommended like complete blood count to rule out anemia, blood glucose, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes.
As I said if pain is persistent and progressive, a neurological exam and possible brain imaging with CT or MRI would become necessary.
I hope you will feel better soon.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for bringing some more info. Having mentioned the upper forehead I had considered frontal sinus headache a likely cause, but after reading that additional information I agree that it is not likely.
Tension type headache which I described above remains an alternative on the other hand, the location and character are typical.
Among other causes to be considered would be high blood pressure, some repeat measurements are advised if not already done.
Also some routine blood tests are recommended like complete blood count to rule out anemia, blood glucose, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes.
As I said if pain is persistent and progressive, a neurological exam and possible brain imaging with CT or MRI would become necessary.
I hope you will feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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