Treatment of vascular headache

Headache of vascular origin occurs as a result of disorders in the functioning of the vessels of the head and neck or changes in cerebral blood circulation. It may have a pulsating, compressing or bursting character, be combined with dizziness, tinnitus or visual disturbances. To choose treatment tactics, it is important to establish the cause of the symptoms.

At the Oxford Medical medical center, diagnosis and treatment of different types of headache are carried out, in particular those associated with vascular disorders. After a comprehensive examination, the doctor determines the possible cause of the symptoms and selects individual treatment tactics. You can make an appointment for a consultation with a neurologist by phone or through the online appointment form on the clinic's website.

Vascular headache may occur as a result of impaired regulation of vascular tone, changes in cerebral blood circulation or diseases that affect the blood supply to the brain. As stated in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), it belongs to secondary headaches, that is, it occurs as a result of vascular pathology.

The most common causes may be:

• arterial hypertension or sharp fluctuations in arterial blood pressure;

• atherosclerotic vascular lesions;

• impaired venous outflow;

• diseases of the vessels of the head and neck;

• autonomic dysfunction;

• previous diseases of the brain.

Provoking factors may include lack of sleep, prolonged psycho-emotional stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and low physical activity. They are not the direct cause of pain, however they may worsen the condition and contribute to the appearance or intensification of symptoms.

Doctors of Oxford Medical note: in some cases, pain may intensify during physical exertion, emotional stress or an increase in arterial blood pressure. If it occurred suddenly, increases quickly or is accompanied by speech impairment, weakness in the limbs or loss of consciousness, it is necessary to seek medical help immediately.

In case of recurrent headache, it is important to consult a neurologist. During the consultation, the doctor analyzes the complaints in detail, clarifies the nature of the pain, its localization, duration and the circumstances under which it appears or intensifies.

If necessary, the following may be prescribed:

• ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck;

• MR angiography;

• CT or MRI of the brain;

• laboratory tests.

After assessing the symptoms and examination results, the doctor performs differential diagnosis with migraine, tension headache, as well as other neurological and vascular diseases. This allows establishing the exact cause of the symptoms and selecting the most effective treatment tactics.

Doctors of Oxford Medical recommend not postponing the examination if attacks recur, pain becomes more intense or is accompanied by new symptoms. Timely diagnosis helps identify the cause of pain and start treatment in a timely manner.

Treatment of vascular headache depends on the cause of its occurrence. The main task of therapy is not simply to temporarily reduce pain, but to influence the disorder because of which it appears. Therefore, the treatment scheme is selected individually after examination.

Depending on the established diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe:

• pain-relieving agents for short-term relief of symptoms.

• drugs for controlling arterial blood pressure;

• agents for improving cerebral blood circulation;

• drugs for correcting vascular tone.

If the pain is associated with a specific disease, therapy is directed primarily at its treatment or control. This may concern arterial hypertension, impaired venous outflow, atherosclerotic changes or other vascular disorders.

Doctors of Oxford Medical explain that independent intake of “vascular” drugs may be ineffective or dangerous. For the correct choice of treatment, it is necessary to understand which exact mechanism causes the pain.

Prevention of headache of vascular nature consists primarily in controlling factors that may negatively affect the condition of vessels and blood circulation. For prevention, it is recommended:

• to regularly control arterial blood pressure;

• to maintain a sufficient level of physical activity;

• to follow a sleep schedule and fully rest;

• to eat a balanced diet and give up smoking;

• to timely treat diseases that may affect the condition of vessels.

Doctors of Oxford Medical recommend not ignoring recurrent attacks, even if they quickly pass on their own. Timely consultation with a specialist, control of arterial blood pressure and following the doctor's prescriptions help reduce the risk of recurrence of symptoms and maintain vascular health in the long-term perspective.

Headache of vascular origin may be a manifestation of various diseases, so before starting treatment it is important to establish its cause. The further treatment tactics depend precisely on the results of the examination.

Current prices for doctors' consultations can be viewed here. During the appointment, the doctor will determine which examinations are necessary to clarify the diagnosis and assess the condition of the vessels, and will also orient you regarding the cost of the necessary medical services. At Oxford Medical, you can undergo comprehensive diagnostics, including CT and MRI, on expert-class equipment. To make an appointment for a doctor's consultation, leave a request through the online appointment form on the website or contact the clinic's contact center.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

Sources:

• International Headache Society
• US National Library of Medicine
• National Institutes of Health