Headaches: The underestimated widespread disease
Headaches are one of the most common complaints and one of the most frequent reasons for visiting the doctor. It is estimated that about 60-80% of the population suffers from headaches at least once a year. However, despite their frequency, headaches are often dismissed as a trivial and insignificant complaint. In fact, they can cause considerable impairment in everyday life and in some cases they can also be a warning sign of serious illness.
Headaches can have various causes, although most are primary headaches, i.e. headaches without an underlying disease, such as migraine or tension headaches. Stress, lack of sleep, unbalanced diet and lack of exercise can also trigger or exacerbate headaches.
One of the most common types of headache is tension headache, which is often felt as a dull, pressing pain that wraps around the head. It usually occurs because of muscle tension in the neck and shoulders and can be relieved by improving posture, regular exercise and relaxation techniques.
Another form of headache is migraine, which is often accompanied by severe, pulsating pain that is usually concentrated on one side of the head. Migraines can be caused by a variety of triggers, such as certain foods, stress or hormonal fluctuations. There are several drug therapies to treat migraines, but non-drug approaches such as relaxation techniques, acupuncture and yoga can also help.
To prevent headaches, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, get regular sleep, eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation can also help reduce or prevent headaches.
In some cases, however, headaches can be a symptom of serious conditions, such as meningitis or a stroke. If a headache is sudden and severe, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or visual disturbances, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Overall, it is important to take headaches seriously and not dismiss them as an insignificant complaint. A healthy lifestyle and relaxation techniques can help reduce and prevent headaches, while timely diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions can be lifesaving.
