What should I do if I have a headache but cannot find out the cause?
Recently, the topic of “unexplained headaches” has sparked widespread discussion on social media and health forums. Many netizens reported that they have been suffering from headaches for a long time, but hospital examinations could not find the specific cause. This article will combine the hot content of the entire network in the past 10 days to sort out possible causes and solutions for you.
1. Data statistics on topics related to headaches that are hotly discussed across the Internet
| Topic keywords | Discuss the popularity index | Main groups of concern |
|---|---|---|
| Migraine | 87,000 | Women aged 25-40 |
| tension headache | 62,000 | office worker |
| Cervical spondylosis causes headaches | 55,000 | Sedentary people |
| Anxiety, depression and headache | 48,000 | high pressure people |
| Unexplained headache | 79,000 | all ages |
2. Analysis of common causes of headaches with no abnormal findings
1.psychological factors: Recently, many neurology experts from tertiary hospitals pointed out on short video platforms that about 40% of chronic headaches are related to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression.
2.lifestyle issues: A survey initiated by Weibo Health V@Health Guide shows that 68% of headache patients suffer from problems such as lack of sleep, drinking too little water, and using electronic products for a long time.
3.cervical spine problems: The popular science video released by Douyin rehabilitation doctor @ Spine Guardian received 500,000 likes, pointing out that the straightening of the physiological curvature of the cervical spine in modern people is an important cause of headaches.
| Possible reasons | Typical symptoms | Self-examination method |
|---|---|---|
| tension headache | Tight feeling in head, pain on both sides | Is there any obvious tenderness when pressing the scalp muscles? |
| cervical spondylotic headache | Pain in the back of the head, worsened by turning the neck | Check cervical spine mobility |
| steroid headache | Attacks before and after menstruation | Record the relationship between menstrual cycle and headaches |
| medication overdose headache | Taking painkillers more than 10 days a month | Record medication frequency |
3. Solutions for headaches with no known cause
1.Create a headache diary: Record the time, intensity, duration, triggering factors, relief methods, etc. of each headache. This is the most popular method in recent Zhihu medical topics.
2.Try physical therapy: There are more than 20,000 notes on Xiaohongshu sharing ways to relieve headaches such as hot compresses, cervical spine exercises, and acupoint massage. Among them, "Fengchi point massage" is the hottest topic.
3.psychological assessment: Bilibili Psychiatrist UP suggested that headaches that last for more than 3 months should undergo professional psychological evaluation. The latest data shows that about 30% of such patients have mild depression.
4.Rule out rare causes: Weibo medical V@Medical Detective reminds that when headache is accompanied by vision changes, limb weakness and other symptoms, abnormal intracranial pressure, autoimmune diseases, etc. need to be investigated.
4. Recent real cases shared by netizens
| Case | Symptom characteristics | final diagnosis |
|---|---|---|
| Case 1 | Headache every afternoon for 2 years | chronic tension headache |
| Case 2 | hemi-pulsatile headache | Migraine with anxiety state |
| Case 3 | Tingling pain in the back of the head | Cervical facet joint disorder |
| Case 4 | Swelling and pain in the whole head, normal examination | somatization disorder |
5. Latest recommendations from professional medical institutions
1. Professor Wang from the Department of Neurology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital emphasized in a recent live broadcast: “For headaches whose cause cannot be found, it is recommended to undergo multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment (MDT), especially joint evaluation by neurology, pain, and psychology.”
2. Data from the headache clinic of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital show that about 25% of patients admitted in 2023 were eventually diagnosed with "primary headaches." Although this type of headache has no abnormality in examination, it can be effectively controlled through standardized treatment.
3. The latest research from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou points out that regular aerobic exercise can reduce the frequency of chronic headache attacks by 40%, which is currently the most cost-effective intervention method.
Summary:There is no need to be overly anxious about headaches for which no cause can be found, but neither should we take it lightly. It is recommended to systematically record the characteristics of symptoms, investigate from multiple aspects such as lifestyle, mental state, cervical spine health, etc., and seek help from a professional medical team when necessary. Remember, not being able to find a cause does not mean there is no cause, but it does require more careful observation and a more comprehensive evaluation.
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