Headaches in Somerset West: Causes, Types and When to Seek Help
A headache can be much more than a minor inconvenience. Whether it’s a dull pressure that makes it difficult to concentrate, a pounding migraine that forces you to lie in a dark room, or a headache that seems to return every few days, persistent head pain can have a real impact on your work, sleep, exercise and quality of life.
Headaches are extremely common, but that doesn’t mean you should simply put up with them.
If you’re looking for information about headaches in Somerset West, this guide will help you understand the basics.
What causes headaches?
A headache isn’t necessarily a sign that something is seriously wrong. Headaches can have many different causes and can occur as a primary condition or as a symptom associated with another problem.
Common factors that may contribute to headaches include:
- Stress
- Poor or disrupted sleep
- Dehydration
- Skipping meals
- Alcohol
- Certain medications
- Prolonged screen time
- Muscle tension
- Hormonal changes
- Illness or infection
- Neck and upper-body musculoskeletal problems
Different types of headaches
Not all headaches are the same. Two people may both say they have a “bad headache” while experiencing completely different sensations.
Some of the most common headache disorders include tension-type headaches and migraine. Other headache disorders, including cluster headaches, are less common but can be particularly severe.
Tension-type headaches
Tension-type headaches are among the most common headache disorders.
People often describe them as:
- Pressure or tightening around the head
- A band-like sensation
- Dull or aching pain
- Pain on both sides of the head
- Pressure around the forehead or temples
- Discomfort that may extend towards the neck
They are generally not described as a throbbing or pulsating pain in the way migraine often is. Stress, fatigue and prolonged periods in one position may contribute to symptoms in some people. Musculoskeletal factors involving the neck and upper back can also be relevant in certain headache presentations.
Migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition and is different from an ordinary tension-type headache.
A migraine attack can involve:
- Moderate to severe pain
- Pulsating or throbbing pain
- Pain often affecting one side of the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Symptoms lasting several hours or longer
Some people also experience an aura before or during a migraine. This can include visual disturbances, tingling or other temporary neurological symptoms. If your headaches regularly involve these symptoms, discussing them with a chiropractor is important.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are less common but can be extremely painful.
They typically occur in attacks or “clusters” and often cause severe pain around one eye or one side of the head.
Other symptoms can occur on the same side, such as:
- A watery or red eye
- A blocked or runny nose
- Drooping or swelling around the eye
- Restlessness during an attack
If you experience severe or unusual headaches, appropriate assessment is important.
Can your neck contribute to headaches?
This is a common question and the answer is sometimes. Certain headache presentations are associated with the muscles, joints and other structures around the neck and upper back.
You may notice that your headache occurs alongside:
- Neck stiffness
- Shoulder tension
- Reduced neck movement
- Upper-back discomfort
- Prolonged computer work
- Long periods of driving
- Frequent phone use
- Previous neck injury
Can stress cause headaches?
Stress is a common factor associated with headaches. When you’re under pressure, you may unconsciously tense your jaw, neck and shoulders. You may also sleep less, exercise less, spend more time at a computer or forget to drink enough water.
All these factors can potentially influence how often you experience headaches. This doesn’t mean that your headache is “just stress”, rather, stress can be one piece of a much bigger picture. Managing headaches often involves looking at the combination of physical, lifestyle and environmental factors that may be contributing to them.
Can dehydration cause headaches?
It can. Not drinking enough fluids may contribute to headache symptoms, particularly in hot weather or after exercise.
If you’re experiencing a headache, consider whether you’ve had enough water throughout the day. However, don’t assume that dehydration is responsible for recurring or severe headaches. If headaches keep coming back, it’s worth understanding why.
Can chiropractic care help headaches?
At Schafer Chiropractic and Associates, the assessment should begin with understanding your symptoms.
You may be asked:
- When did your headaches begin?
- How frequently do they occur?
- Where do you feel the pain?
- How long do they typically last?
- What seems to trigger them?
- Do you experience neck pain or stiffness?
- Do you experience nausea or sensitivity to light?
- Have you had any previous injuries?
- What medications or treatments have you tried?
Keeping a headache diary can help
If you’re experiencing headaches regularly, consider keeping a headache diary for a few weeks.
Record:
- Date and time
- How long the headache lasted
- Where the pain occurred
- What the pain felt like
- How severe it was
- What you had eaten and drunk
- How well you slept
- Your stress levels
- How much screen time you had
- Exercise or physical activity
- Any medication you took
- Other symptoms such as nausea, visual changes or sensitivity to light
You may start to notice patterns that weren’t obvious before. A headache diary can also provide useful information when discussing your symptoms with your chiropractor.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience a headache that:
- Comes on suddenly and is extremely severe
- Follows a significant head injury
- Occurs with weakness or numbness
- Causes difficulty speaking
- Causes difficulty walking or significant loss of balance
- Is associated with confusion or loss of consciousness
- Is accompanied by significant vision changes
- Occurs with fever and a stiff neck
- Is substantially different from your usual headaches
You should also seek professional assessment if headaches are becoming increasingly frequent, severe or disruptive to your everyday life.
Let’s look at some general habits that can support overall headache management:
- Stay hydrated- drink water regularly throughout the day, particularly when exercising or spending time in hot weather.
- Don’t regularly skip meals- long gaps between meals may contribute to headaches for some people.
- Prioritise sleep-aim for a consistent sleep routine and address factors that may be interfering with your sleep.
- Move regularly- if you spend a lot of time sitting, take regular movement breaks.
- Manage screen time- give your eyes and body regular breaks from prolonged close-up screen work.
- Exercise- regular physical activity can support general health and may be beneficial for some people who experience recurrent headaches.
- Understand your triggers- a headache diary can help identify patterns specific to you.
Headaches in Somerset West
If you’re experiencing recurring headaches, you don’t necessarily have to accept them as something you simply have to live with.
The first step is understanding what type of headache you’re experiencing and whether there are any underlying factors that need attention.
At Schafer Chiropractic and Associates, the focus is on individual assessment and understanding the person behind the symptoms.
Take your headaches seriously. A headache might be something that passes within an hour, or it might be a recurring problem that has been affecting your life for months. Either way, understanding your symptoms is worthwhile.
If you’re based in Somerset West, Paardevlei, Strand, Gordon’s Bay or the surrounding Helderberg area and would like to discuss your headaches, contact Schafer Chiropractic and Associates to book an appointment.
