Headaches with pulsation: symptoms and causes

Everyone has experienced headaches (cephalalgia). The cause of the occurrence can be absolutely anything: from serious disturbances in the functioning of the body to minor ones. But it is worth noting that painful pulsation in the head is a “bell” in order to go for a diagnosis.

This type of pain may indicate serious problems.

The main causes of cephalalgia

Acute pain in the head and throbbing prevents a person from living a normal life and doing business. If pain appears once, this does not necessarily indicate the presence of dysfunction in the body. In cases where a person experiences cephalalgia more and more often, and the pain lasts longer and longer, there really is a problem in the body. It needs to be eliminated, and only a specialist can handle it.

Doctors identify a number of main reasons that cause this symptom, namely:

VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia);
atherosclerosis;
sinusitis, sinusitis;
migraine;
eye diseases;
hematomas;
tumors;
neuralgia;
stress.

Vegetovascular dystonia

Pulsating pain is called background pain. It occurs due to a decrease in the tone of cerebral vessels, stagnation of blood, and spasms of the arteries. The difference between pain that appears due to VSD is that “jolts” do not depend on the person’s pulse.

Atherosclerosis

If a patient has problems with the vascular system, he begins to suffer from pulsation in the temporal and occipital areas of the head. But the zones can change, and the sensations can become oppressive over time.

Sinusitis, sinusitis

The reason lies in the cold you suffered, namely its complications. In order not to encounter cephalalgia, it is imperative to cure all viral and infectious diseases. The same applies to a runny nose.

Migraine

Migraine is manifested by a pulsation, which patients describe as if it were pounding right under the skin, and the pain is localized in one part of the head at the top.

Scientists have not yet proven the definitive causes of such pain, and the exact forms of manifestation of the disease have not yet been determined.

But still, there are several possible causes of migraine development, namely:

food products (several types of cheeses and sausages);
weather sensitivity;
smells of ammonia, ammonia, perfume;
serious physical activity;
emotional outburst;
uncomfortable body position for a long time.

A migraine can torment a person for more than one day. There are cases when the pain lasts 3 days. Most often, cephalalgia caused by this problem manifests itself in unbearably severe pain, and can go away after a few hours. Doctors note the fact that females suffer more from this.

At the end of a migraine attack, a person notes that he has severe weakness and a tendency to sleep.

Eye diseases

The following reasons that can provoke pulsation are eye diseases. A large number of people turn to specialists with complaints such as blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, photophobia, and acute pain radiating to the eye. A competent doctor will immediately determine that these are symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma - high intraocular pressure.

Cephalgia can develop due to tension in the optic nerve, which occurs due to incorrectly selected diopters of glasses or lenses. But in such cases, dizziness also appears.

Hematomas, tumors

Pulsating pain of a strong nature, which is clearly localized in one of the areas of the head, may indicate the presence of damage or a neoplasm. Also in this case, it is worth noting the presence of nausea and vomiting.

If such symptoms are noticed, you must quickly contact a specialist to diagnose a tumor or other problem and begin to treat it.

Stress

All overwork and emotional turmoil can result in severe headaches. Constant nervous tension and stress can create a “fellow traveler” for you for the whole day, namely cephalgia.

Neuralgia

Another common reason why such unpleasant sensations occur in the temple and head area. Dental problems, trigeminal neuralgia - all this provokes pain.

Other causes of cephalalgia

Osteochondrosis and a number of other problems associated with the cervical spine can provoke throbbing pain.

In winter, pulsation in the back of the head often occurs. This is explained by hypothermia and a sharp narrowing of blood vessels.

Lack of normal rest, disruption of sleep quality and routine can cause headaches.

Bad habits are also included in this list of “provocateurs”. They not only harm health, but can also cause discomfort to a person in the form of cephalgia. If a person often drank coffee and decided to abruptly stop, this can also provoke this problem, since the blood vessels are not able to return to normal so quickly.

Not everyone knows, but what we eat can also cause throbbing in our temples. These products include: chicken liver, cheeses, sausages, bacon, nuts, yogurt.

Throbbing in the neck

Pulsation in the neck often acquires great diagnostic value in various vascular and cardiac pathologies, but it can also be normal. Fluctuations in the walls of blood vessels are noticeable to the naked eye in thin adults and crying children, but this does not necessarily indicate a disease; however, it always requires clarification of the cause if the pulsation becomes constant and clearly visible to others, and accompanies headaches or arrhythmia.

In the neck, both venous pulsation is possible, most often associated with cardiac problems, and pulsation of the arteries with damage to the vascular walls themselves, hypertension, etc.

Pulsation of the cervical arteries

The most likely reasons for the very noticeable

arterial pulsation is considered to be an aortic aneurysm (local expansion of the lumen of the vessel), formed in its initial section, arch, thoracic part, arterial hypertension, thyrotoxicosis with tachycardia and hypertensive crises, aortic valve insufficiency, when part of the blood returns to the left ventricle, creating additional pulsation of the carotid arteries and their branches, visible to the naked eye.

Aortic valve insufficiency can occur in elderly people with atherosclerosis, after rheumatism or syphilitic damage to the vascular wall and valve. This defect has a rather characteristic feature - the so-called “carotid dance”, when the carotid arteries on the side of the neck contract synchronously with the rhythm of the heart. In addition to the carotid arteries, the temporal, brachial arteries, vessels of the arms and even the feet also pulsate during aortic valve insufficiency. Against the background of pulsation of the carotid arteries, swaying movements of the head appear in time with the beating of the heart.

Pulsation of neck veins

Defects such as tricuspid valve insufficiency, narrowing of the mouth of the superior vena cava, as well as severe rhythm disorders (paroxysmal tachycardia, complete AV block) provoke pulsation of the veins of the neck, however, it can also be noticed under severe stress and anxiety.

Pulsation of the cervical venous trunks often accompanies pathology that occurs with an increase in central venous pressure. In healthy people, venous pulsation can also be seen on the side of the neck 4 cm above the angle of the sternum, but only in a supine position with the head of the bed raised. When standing up, venous pulsation normally disappears, and if it persists, then one can think about the pathology of the right half of the heart with its expansion and the formation of stagnation in the veins of the systemic circulation.

Venous congestion in the neck is accompanied by expansion of the lumens of the vessels, their swelling and pulsation visible to the eye in accordance with heart contractions, which is considered to be a consequence of the return of venous blood from the ventricle to the atrium through an incompetent tricuspid valve.

The pulsation of the veins of the neck can be called a positive venous pulse; it differs from the oscillation of the walls of the carotid arteries by less force and the inability to feel it when palpated. Clinical pulsation of the veins of the neck is manifested:

Swelling and pulsating vibrations of the venous walls in the neck to the lower jaw;
Expansion of the lumens of the veins when inhaling, pressing on the right hypochondrium;
Combination with swelling of the tissues of the neck, pulsating heart beats, pulsation in the epigastric region.

The most likely causes of pulsation of the venous vessels of the neck are considered to be heart defects, especially tricuspid valve insufficiency, pericarditis, heart failure with venous congestion, hemotamponade, pulmonary pathology (emphysema, pneumothorax), superior vena cava syndrome, large retrosternal goiter.

Cephalgia in children

Pulsating discomfort in a child that is not accompanied by fever, cough and runny nose should alert parents. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor. Such manifestations may indicate problems with the child’s health.

The phenomenon can be triggered by:

disease of the vascular system;
neuralgia;
migraine;
injury;
emotional condition;
poor nutrition;
the presence of provoking external factors.

What to do if there is noise in the ears and head?

Noise can be caused by various diseases and external factors. Some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants and drugs that have a sedative effect provoke hearing impairment and ear ringing. You cannot self-medicate; you must seek medical help.

A neurologist will help with noise in the head. For consultation with an experienced specialist, you can make an appointment at the SmartMed clinic. The neurologist has extensive clinical experience and access to modern computer equipment. He will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis aimed at identifying the cause and prescribe treatment, after which all unpleasant manifestations will disappear.

Treatment can only be effective when the cause of the noise is known.

You cannot tolerate noise in your head, engage in activities that provoke its intensification, for example, parachute jumping, diving, etc. You need to give up bad habits, normalize your rest and sleep patterns, and do everything to alleviate your condition.

Cephalgia and pregnancy

Most often, girls in this position suffer from migraines, and the illness appears from physical activity, food, lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue. There are also other reasons that cause throbbing pain in women in the position:

VSD;
blood pressure problems;
problems with blood supply;
voltage;
disorders in the brain;
sinus inflammation;
glaucoma.

For pregnant women suffering from cephalalgia, there are recommendations to combat discomfort, namely:

do a light massage;
restful sleep;
take a contrast shower.

Regarding pain relief with medications, in this case it is important to consult a specialist, since not all painkillers are approved for pregnant women.

Diagnosis of shooting pain in the head on the right side

The Clinical Brain Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of headaches. If it bothers you often or occurs with high intensity, it is recommended to consult a therapist. Based on the results of the examination and medical history, additional consultation with an ENT doctor, neurologist and other specialized specialists may be required. To determine the cause of headache, the following examination methods are prescribed:

blood tests (clinical and biochemical) - will indicate an increase in the concentration of leukocytes (indicators of inflammation), an imbalance of microelements, an increase in glucose levels and other pathologies;
MRI, CT of the brain is a modern technique, thanks to which you can obtain a three-dimensional image of the area under study, identify areas of ischemia, neoplasms, and blood supply pathologies;
ECG (electroencephalography) - analysis of bioelectrical conductivity of nervous tissue;
ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck;
special examination techniques by an otolaryngologist to exclude otitis media and other hearing diseases.

Timely and accurate diagnosis is the key to correctly prescribing a treatment regimen. At the Clinical Brain Institute you can undergo a full examination using modern equipment and get the most accurate results.

Elderly age

The older a person is, the more often he suffers from throbbing pain in the head, and most often this is associated with pressure and changes in the cervical spine. But there are also a number of reasons that pose a danger to older people, and these include:

presence of a tumor in the brain;
presence of hematomas in the brain;
trigeminal neuralgia;
temporal arteritis;
intoxication;
presence of infectious diseases;
stroke.

Pain in the head can also be a consequence of menopause in women, weather sensitivity, which occurs in any gender, and depression.

Primary headache. Major diseases.

The most common forms of primary headache are “tension pain” and migraine, more rarely – cluster headache and other forms.

Tension headache (TTH)

can occur in anyone. This is the most common form of headache and is often characterized as a “normal” or “regular” headache. Attacks can last from 30 minutes to several days. The frequency of attacks varies from person to person, and it can also vary from one person to another during different periods of his life. The pain is described as squeezing, squeezing the head like a hoop or tight hat, usually bilateral, and moderate. In some people it can become chronic (chronic pain is diagnosed if there are more days with a headache than without it). A person experiencing chronic headaches becomes irritable. Weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, and sleep disturbances may occur. The cause of TTH is physical tension in the muscles and ligaments of the head and neck - the so-called “muscle stress”, which can be a consequence, for example, of working in an uncomfortable position. TTH often occurs in those who work at a computer or whose work involves the need to look at details (jewelers, watchmakers, assemblers of electronic equipment, masters of artistic embroidery, etc.). The emotional factor is also important: emotional tension caused by stress or a state of increased anxiety can also lead to pain.

Migraine

characterized by severe and painful attacks of headache, which are often accompanied by nausea (and in some cases vomiting), as well as intolerance to light and sound. The perception of smells changes, thermal sensations are disrupted. Migraine attacks last from 4 hours to 3 days and can be repeated with a frequency of 1-2 times a year to several times a month. During an attack, so-called “precursors” may be observed - irritability, depression, fatigue, occurring several hours or even days before the onset of pain. In a third of cases, pain is preceded by phenomena called “auras”: 10-30 minutes before the attack there may be visual disturbances (blind spots, flashes, zigzag lines in front of the eyes), tingling and numbness starting from the fingertips and spreading up the body and etc.

Predisposition to migraine is congenital and is associated with disorders in the brain structures responsible for pain and other sensations. Every seventh adult suffers from migraines, with women three times more likely than men. In girls, migraines usually begin during puberty.

Factors that contribute to the development of migraine attacks: chronic fatigue, anxiety or stress, in women - menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

But a predisposition to seizures does not mean that an attack will definitely happen. There are factors that act as a “trigger” for an attack. An attack can be triggered by: skipping meals, insufficient fluid intake, certain foods, sleep disturbances, physical activity, changes in weather, sudden changes in emotions.

Cluster (or beam) headache

characterized by one-sided sharp (“dagger” or “drilling”) pain. The intensity of the pain rapidly increases within 5-10 minutes, and the attack itself lasts from 15 minutes to 3 hours, during which the patient cannot find a place to rest. The pain is usually localized in the eye area, and the eye may become red and watery. Recurrent attacks form a cluster (that is, they follow each other), the duration of the cluster is from 6 to 12 weeks. This form of pain occurs five times more often in men than in women. However, those who smoke a lot or have smoked in the past are more susceptible to it.

Causes of pain by nature and location

You can determine the cause of throbbing pain in the head by analyzing the place where the patient feels it. Sensations can move around the skull, but most often they appear in a specific part.

Pain in the back of the head

Pain in this part of the skull is characteristic of high blood pressure. It also manifests itself as a pressing character, becoming more pronounced if you turn and tilt your head. It is worth noting that such a sensation in the back of the head can warn of the development of a stroke.

But there are also such provoking factors that cause pain in the back of the head as diseases of the cervical spine, namely:

scoliosis;
osteochondrosis.

The pain disappears when the cause is eliminated, and with it the patient feels a relieved state in the shoulders and neck, cramps disappear, and sleep improves.

Pain on the left

Characteristic of migraine. Associated symptoms:

visual impairment;
disturbance of consciousness;
dizziness;
nausea;
photophobia;
loss of orientation.

Pain on the right

Pulsation of a jerking nature indicates trigeminal neuralgia. The pain affects the area of the eye, forehead, temple and jaw. In cases where the pain persists, you need to consult a doctor.

Discomfort in the temporal region

A number of diseases can manifest themselves in this way, for example:

trigeminal neuralgia;
migraine;
increased blood pressure;
intoxication;
VSD.

Frontal region

Pain in the frontal part of the head is accompanied by convulsions, disturbances of consciousness and blurred vision. They may indicate increased intracranial pressure.

Also, pain in the forehead can be caused by sinusitis, respiratory infections and eye diseases. It may also be the result of the development of a malignant brain tumor.

Discomfort when moving your head

If unpleasant pulsating sensations in the head become more pronounced while moving the head, this may indicate diseases such as:

neuritis;
osteochondrosis;
inflammation of the sinuses.

Symptoms typical for such cases are:

nausea;
prostration;
dizziness;
fever;
partial paralysis

Patients with such complaints are promptly sent for hospitalization and treatment.

Pain and nausea

The cause of such changes in the body may be food poisoning. Throbbing in the head and nausea indicate changes in the brain or nervous disorders. The attack can also be triggered by head injuries.

Pulsation in the head without accompanying pain

The most common cause of such changes is disruption of the central nervous system or cardiovascular system.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures are carried out by a neurologist. If indicated, patients are referred to rheumatologists, allergists, psychiatrists and other specialists. During the interview, the doctor finds out the time of appearance and the nature of the pulsation in the temples, clarifies the duration, intensity and frequency of occurrence of the symptom. Determines the features of the clinical picture of the disease, the dynamics of its development over time.

As part of the physical examination, the specialist assesses the pulse, measures blood pressure, identifies edema due to kidney disease, signs of changes in the arteries due to temporal arteritis, external manifestations characteristic of endocrine disorders, etc. A neurological examination helps to detect the presence of relevant disorders: strengthening or weakening of reflexes, sensitivity disorders and movements. Additional examination includes procedures such as:

Ultrasonography.
For vascular pathologies, Dopplerography and duplex scanning are informative. To establish the causes of secondary hypertension, ultrasound of the kidneys, sonography of the adrenal glands, and ultrasound of the thyroid gland may be prescribed.
Other hardware methods.
To identify signs of intracranial hypertension, tumors, infectious lesions, strokes, and head injuries, radiography of the skull, CT and MRI of the brain are performed. For vascular diseases, MR angiography may be recommended.
Lumbar puncture.
Necessary for head injury, hydrocephalus, neuroinfections. Allows you to confirm an increase in ICP and the presence of blood impurities in the cerebrospinal fluid. To clarify the nature of the disorders, the cerebrospinal fluid is examined by microscopy and PCR.

In patients with migraine, imaging and laboratory techniques are not helpful. The main role in making a diagnosis is played by the presence of typical symptoms in the absence of signs of other pathologies.

How to quickly relieve an attack of cephalalgia

In cases where a headache does not appear frequently or systematically, and a person definitely does not have diseases that can provoke it, then you can deal with the discomfort on your own. To do this, it is not necessary to use strong medications and call a doctor.

When you feel a severe headache, forget about bad habits, such as smoking and give up alcohol. You should also not apply ice or increase the dose of the analgesic yourself unless your doctor recommends it.

There are a number of actions that need to be taken so that a person with a headache begins to feel better, namely:

Bring fresh air into the room.
Free the patient from tight clothing and constricting jewelry, unbutton the shirt collar and raise his legs so that they are higher than head level.
Reduce indoor lights and sounds to a minimum.
Give water, it can also be a decoction of soothing and relaxing plants.
Take a warm foot bath and apply a compress to your head.
It is necessary to warm a person in cases where the pain intensifies and there is chills.
Lightly massage the temple area, neck, head, while the person should lie down.

If the above methods do not help within 30 minutes, and only get worse, give the patient an analgesic. If this does not help, then call the ambulance doctors.

Treatment of headaches

The treatment regimen will include steps to relieve symptoms and eliminate the causes of the headache. It is prescribed only after an examination, when it becomes known why pain and discomfort occur with sudden movements. It may include the following methods:

drug treatment - includes taking antibiotics, muscle relaxants, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
therapeutic exercises – at home it is useful to perform exercises to strengthen and relax the neck muscles;
physiotherapy - targeted effects of a magnetic field, electric current, heat on painful areas;
massage - the procedure must be performed by a specialist.

Doctors at the Clinical Brain Institute warn that self-medication can lead to dangerous consequences and the gradual development of chronic diseases. The effectiveness of the prescribed regimen depends not only on taking medications, but also on the implementation of other prescriptions: a therapeutic diet, exercises at home and other procedures.

When to contact a specialist

The appearance of a throbbing headache is already a “bell” that you need to see a doctor and get checked. And few people know that there are situations that oblige the patient to contact a specialist to alleviate the condition, and sometimes even save a life.

If you notice that:

The pain lasts for more than one hour, and medications do not help.
The pulsation becomes stronger, despite the fact that the patient does nothing.
Pain in the occipital region appears immediately after a person wakes up or awakening occurs due to unbearable sensations that do not allow doing anything.
A buzzing sensation is often felt in a certain area of the head.
The pain causes dizziness, nausea, vomiting, partial paralysis, clouding of consciousness, and inability to speak normally.
Intense pulsating beats that do not stop for several days.
Changes in blood pressure, which are accompanied by headaches.
The nature of the throbbing pain constantly changes.

If you notice any of the above changes, you should immediately consult a doctor or an ambulance, as serious problems may be hidden behind this.

Modern methods of treatment

Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis.
Tension headaches.

They are usually treated with painkillers, massage and sometimes meditation. However, frequent tension headaches require medical supervision.

Migraine.

Treatment for this disease includes painkillers and rest in a darkened room. Doctors often recommend lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, and anti-migraine medications such as triptans to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Returning pain.

The best treatment for this type of pain is to stop taking painkillers. Yes, at first the headaches get worse, but they go away quickly.

In severe cases, you should consult a doctor - physical or behavioral therapy may be required to break the habit of using analgesics.

Occipital neuralgia.

It can be treated with heat compresses, rest, massage, physical therapy or painkillers. Severe pain may require oral muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, steroid injections, or local anesthesia. In rare cases, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the nerves or block pain impulses to that part of the body.

Pain during physical activity.

Taking painkillers before exercise can solve this problem. In addition, it is important to avoid stress, eat right and get enough sleep.