Headaches are often caused by overwork, stress, cold exposure, and lack of sleep. Rest and sufficient sleep can make them disappear, so they are not taken seriously. However, headaches caused by certain diseases are signals that cannot be relieved even with rest, and should be taken seriously. Especially in the case of headaches in the elderly, it is important to pay attention. Let's take a look at some common knowledge about headaches in the elderly.
Causes of Headaches
Hypertensive Crisis
This condition includes accelerated hypertension, hypertensive crisis, and hypertensive encephalopathy. Although headaches are relatively rare in people with hypertension, if present, they are usually accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, nausea, palpitations, and even limb weakness, mental abnormalities, etc. At this time, the headache is unbearable, with a bursting and heavy feeling, full head pain, sudden rise in blood pressure, and may even be a precursor to a stroke.
Cervical Spondylosis
The incidence of this disease is also high. Some patients say that they are fine when they go to bed at night, but when they turn over, they feel dizzy. Some patients feel dizzy when they wake up in the morning. These symptoms may be caused by cervical spondylosis.
High Blood Lipids
Excessive nutrition or high blood lipids due to metabolic problems can cause fat to accumulate in the blood vessels. Over time, the accumulated fat will clog the blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood and nutrients, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, and memory loss.
Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
This disease causes insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in symptoms of headaches and dizziness. If the brain is not adequately supplied with blood, mild cases may go unnoticed and can only be detected through examinations. Severe cases may present with headaches and dizziness. If the condition worsens, the blood vessels may become blocked, leading to a lack of blood supply to a part of the brain, which can have serious consequences, including brain cell death.
Solutions for Headaches
1. When experiencing a headache, reduce activity and rest quietly. If necessary, a small amount of sedatives or sleeping pills can be used.
2. If sudden severe headaches occur with vomiting and high blood pressure, emergency treatment for conditions like cerebral hemorrhage should be sought as soon as possible.
3. If the headache may be caused by acute glaucoma, do not blindly take painkillers. Seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist to save vision. Otherwise, blindness may occur quickly.
4. Taking painkillers such as paracetamol, lidocaine, or aminopyrine can only provide temporary relief. Excessive use of painkillers can mask the condition. In addition, allergic skin rashes caused by painkillers are also common.
In conclusion, headaches in the elderly are not a minor condition. If discovered, seek medical attention promptly and undergo regular physical examinations to maintain good health.
