Is a headache at the back of your head serious?

Pain in the back of the head is most commonly caused by tension headaches, which are common and typically not a cause for concern. However, sudden, severe, or recurrent headache pain in this area of the body could be a sign of a serious underlying condition and should be evaluated by a doctor.

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When should I worry about headaches in the back of my head?

See your provider soon if: Your headaches wake you up from sleep, or your headaches make it difficult for you to fall asleep. A headache lasts more than a few days. Headaches are worse in the morning.

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Why do I have a bad headache in the back of my head?

Tension headache.

This is the most common type of headache. It happens when the muscles in your scalp and neck tighten. This causes pain on the sides and back of your head. Usually it's a dull pain that doesn't throb.

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What kind of headache is it when it hurts in the back of your head?

Neck and back of the head

If you experience headaches that radiate from the neck to the back of your head, you may have a cervicogenic headache. A cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache, which means that it is caused by another illness or physical issue.

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What are the symptoms of a brain tumor in the back of the head?

General symptoms of a brain tumor
  • Headaches, which may be severe and worsen with activity or in the early morning.
  • Seizures. People may experience different types of seizures. Certain drugs can help prevent or control them. ...
  • Personality or memory changes.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Fatigue.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Memory problems.

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How to Get Rid of Headaches at the Back of Your Head

38 related questions found

What are the number 1 symptoms of a brain tumor?

In general, the most common symptoms of a brain tumor may include:
  • Headaches.
  • Seizures or convulsions.
  • Difficulty thinking, speaking or finding words.
  • Personality or behavior changes.
  • Weakness, numbness or paralysis in one part or one side of the body.
  • Loss of balance, dizziness or unsteadiness.
  • Loss of hearing.
  • Vision changes.

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How do I get rid of a headache in the back of my head?

Ease muscle tension

Or apply ice or a cool washcloth to the forehead. Massage also can relieve muscle tension — and sometimes headache pain. Gently massage your temples, scalp, neck and shoulders with your fingertips, or gently stretch your neck.

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How do you get rid of a headache that's at the back of your head?

How to ease a tension headache
  1. use painkillers like paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen – paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant, and children under 16 should not take aspirin.
  2. try doing activities to help you relax like exercise, yoga and massage.

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Where is a dehydration headache?

As brain tissues pull away from the skull, the resulting pressure on nerves creates the pain we associate with headaches. Dehydration headache locations can be all over the head, or at one spot like the front, back, or sides of the head. The pain from a dehydration headache can be mild or extreme.

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What your headache is trying to tell you?

If you're experiencing a headache located in the forehead, it may be another sign of a tension headache. If the pain is only affecting one side of the forehead it may be an indicator of a migraine or cluster headache. Forehead headaches are also commonly caused by infection of the Frontal sinus.

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What is a headache at the base of the skull and neck?

Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms

A cervicogenic headache presents as a steady, non-throbbing pain at the back and base of the skull, sometimes extending downward into the neck and between the shoulder blades. Pain may be felt behind the brow and forehead, even though the problem originates from the cervical spine.

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Why won't my headache go away in the back of my head?

What causes a persistent headache? A persistent headache can result from an injury or a structural problem in the spine, such as arthritis. It can also affect people who have migraine or have had a stroke. The overuse of pain relief drugs can also cause an ongoing headache.

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Should I go to the hospital if the back of my head hurts?

If the sudden onset of a headache prevents you from performing daily tasks, is significantly debilitating, or is accompanied by the following symptoms, you should seek emergency treatment near you: Difficulty walking. Fever. Neurological symptoms including weakness, numbing, slurred speech and blurred vision.

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How long should a headache last before seeing a doctor?

Seek immediate medical attention if you're experiencing the worst headache you've ever had, lose vision or consciousness, have uncontrollable vomiting, or if your headache lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free.

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How do I know if my headache is from stress?

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Stress and muscle tension are often factors in these headaches. Tension headaches typically don't cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. They do cause a steady ache, rather than a throbbing one, and tend to affect both sides of the head.

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What does a stroke headache feel like?

The easiest way to differentiate between the two is to pay attention to sensations. A migraine headache produces sensations like auras, flashing lights, or tingling skin, while a stroke-related headache causes sensations to be lost, such as a loss of vision or feeling.

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What are the red flags of a brain tumor?

Symptoms of a brain tumour

seizures (fits) persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness. mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality. progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.

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What is first stage brain tumor?

Grade 1 brain cancer: The tumor grows slowly and rarely spreads into nearby tissues. It may be possible to completely remove the tumor with surgery. Grade 2 brain cancer: The tumor grows slowly but may spread into nearby tissues or recur.

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What is early stage of brain tumor?

Some of the most common symptoms of a brain tumor include: headache episodes. seizures. changes in personality.

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Could I have a tumor in the back of my head?

A tumor may be at the base of the brain or on the back of the skull. It may be growing in the front — near the eye sockets in the nose and sinuses — or in the pituitary gland, among other locations.

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How can you rule out a brain tumor at home?

Here's what to watch out for.
  1. Seizures. Regardless of your type of tumor, seizures are often one of the first signs of trouble. ...
  2. Clumsiness. ...
  3. Numbness. ...
  4. Changes in memory or thinking. ...
  5. Nausea. ...
  6. Vision changes. ...
  7. Not usually headaches. ...
  8. Everything else you need to know.

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When should you suspect a brain tumor?

Diagnosing brain tumors. We sometimes find brain tumors when otherwise healthy people suddenly have a seizure, unusual weakness or speech problems. If you have these symptoms, go to an emergency room. If ER doctors suspect a brain tumor, they may send you to us for a full evaluation.

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How long is too long for a headache?

How long is too long for a headache? Headaches usually go away within 4 hours, but it's not uncommon for the head pain to persist for longer. If your headache persists for longer than 72 hours, however, you should seek immediate medical attention.

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