Headache in the forehead – causes, treatment and prevention

Headache in the forehead

Headaches in the forehead are also known as frontal pain. They usually appear in the form of tension pain or a feeling of pressure. The extent and nature of the complaints vary greatly. There are a variety of causes, so that detailed medical examinations are often necessary. In addition to harmless triggers, serious diseases can also be considered for the pain in the forehead.

What is a headache in the forehead?

Headaches in the forehead or forehead pain are understood to be complaints that occur in the upper front section of the skull below the hairline. Forehead pain is not an independent disease, so it is counted among the symptoms. Headache is one of the most common health complaints. In Germany alone, between 4 and 5 percent of all Germans suffer from headaches every day.

Around 70 percent experience chronic or paroxysmal pain. Around 90 percent complain of tension headaches and migraines, which are attributed to the primary headache. Modern medicine knows over 250 different types of headache, including pain in the forehead. In addition to the primary form, there is also the secondary form of headache, which occurs as a result of underlying diseases such as tumors, bleeding or head injuries.

causes

One of the most common causes of headaches in the forehead area is migraine, which affects around 10 percent of the population. This leads to intense, sometimes unbearable, pain in the forehead, in the temple area and in the eye region. In addition, there are often other symptoms such as sensitivity to noise or light , visual disturbances , nausea and vomiting . Sometimes there are signs of paralysis or speech disorders.

The migraine occurs in several phases. The headache phase is characterized by severe pain in the forehead, eyes and temples and usually only occurs on one side of the face. When moving, the forehead pain is usually intensified. In the dark and quiet, however, they decrease. Unilateral headaches in the forehead are so-called cluster headaches. They occur in the lower forehead area as well as on the temples and eyes and often take on unbearable proportions. In contrast to migraines, those affected do not long for rest.

Instead, they need to move, which occurs primarily at night, about an hour or two after falling asleep. Cluster headaches last anywhere from 15 minutes to about three hours. Attacks of pain are also possible during the day. This can lead to up to eight headache attacks per day. Because a migraine-like aura also occurs before the attack, it is not easy to differentiate between cluster headache and migraine. So far, it has not been possible to determine what causes cluster headaches.

Another common cause of forehead pain is a tension headache. The pain can extend over the entire head, which also includes the forehead. The severity of the headache in the forehead ranges from mild to moderate. Tension headaches sometimes take a chronic course and occur on at least 15 days a month. The pain is often accompanied by sleep disorders , anxiety and depressive moods.

In some cases, certain diseases are also responsible for the occurrence of a headache in the forehead. These triggers include zoster ophthalmicus. This means shingles in the face and eye area. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which initially triggers the childhood disease chickenpox. After this infection clears up, the virus remains in the body for the rest of life. If the immune system is weakened, this leads to a renewed infection in the form of a belt, which can be associated with burning forehead pain.

Another condition responsible for headaches in the forehead is sinusitis. It is caused by nasal diseases and is also associated with a runny nose, fever, tiredness and feelings of pressure in the skull area. This basic disease is triggered by viruses or bacteria . Other possible causes of forehead pain are trigeminal neuralgia, lack of sleep , muscle tension, neurological diseases, brain tumors, injuries to the frontal bone, eye strain or diseases, and side effects of medication.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

If headaches in the forehead lead to regular pain attacks, a doctor should be consulted. Cluster pain can hide behind the pain, which can lead to multiple attacks a day. If the symptoms persist for several days or if the pain increases, you should also consult a doctor. The cause must be determined so that appropriate countermeasures can be initiated.

Before taking any over-the-counter pain medication, it is always advisable to consult a doctor. Painkillers have strong side effects and can lead to addiction. The right medicine can only be found out by talking to a doctor. If you have other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or dizziness , you should consult a doctor. There can be colds caused by bacteria or viruses. These spread within a short time and can contribute to a deterioration in the state of health.

If functional failures such as impaired consciousness or vision problems occur, a doctor must be consulted immediately. There is a risk of brain injuries that need to be investigated. If the person concerned is in a particularly stressful situation or is under increased stress, a change in their circumstances can be initiated without medical support. Adequate rest and recovery is helpful. If the symptoms persist, it is advisable to ask a doctor for help.

diagnosis and course

A disease is not always responsible for the headache in the forehead, so that a doctor’s visit is not necessary. However, the situation is different if the forehead pain is severe or occurs repeatedly. In such cases, you should go to the doctor. This also applies to additional symptoms such as cramps, dizziness, impairment of nerve function, visual disturbances or changes in personality.

The doctor first looks at the medical history of the patient and any underlying diseases. He also asks the patient how long the frontal pain lasts and whether it is pressing, stabbing, throbbing, or dull. Computed tomography (CT) , magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , an ultrasound examination , electroencephalography and examinations of cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine can be used as further diagnostic methods. Examinations at the ENT doctor, ophthalmologist and dentist can also be useful. The course of forehead pain depends on its triggers. However, the symptoms are often harmless and easily treatable.

complications

Headaches in any form are a burden for those affected. Irrespective of the intensity of the pain, the general lifestyle is impaired. Attention is diminished and perception diminished. In addition, responsiveness is limited. Headaches in the forehead cause vision problems to appear. The visual system is not directly affected, but due to the location of the pain, the eyes are often screwed up. This reduces the number of recorded visual stimuli. Blurred vision or blurred vision are the consequences.

A headache in the forehead can be a harbinger of a migraine. In addition, there is a possibility that the pain may spread further beyond the head. Taking painkillers causes side effects. The most common include stomach pain , circulatory problems or diarrhea. The headache can lead to nausea and vomiting. Other illnesses, such as a cold, inflammation or a tumor are possible. There is an uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the head and behind the eyes. Loss of appetite and listlessness set in. Food intake is reduced and participation in social life is restricted. The headache in the forehead makes it difficult to concentrate. The execution of professional and private obligations suffers or has to be stopped. The general performance level is clearly limited.

treatment and therapy

How the forehead headache is treated depends on the cause responsible. If the doctor does not succeed in finding the cause of the forehead pain, the patient is usually given medication with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties . In mild cases, massages or relaxing exercises such as autogenic training can also help .

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods such as acupuncture and physical therapy are also considered helpful, but a specialist doctor is required for their use. If you often struggle with forehead pain, you should drink plenty of fluids and make sure you get enough sleep. It is also important to avoid unnecessary stress. There are also some homeopathic remedies available to treat forehead pain. These are the preparations Lachesis muta, Iris versicolor, Sanguinaria canadensis and Ruta graveolens.

prevention

Headaches in the forehead can be prevented. This is best done by avoiding responsible causes such as overload, stress and noise in everyday life. When doing sports, individual limits must be observed. Getting enough sleep and avoiding nicotine and alcohol are also important.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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