Can a headache be fake?

Many people in Hong Kong suffer from chronic headaches, but have you ever considered that a headache might not be a "real" headache? The headache you're experiencing might be a manifestation of problems originating elsewhere in the body. One such condition is cervicogenic headache, a headache caused by cervical spine issues.

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Causes

Cervicogenic headache refers to a headache caused by irritation and compression of cervical nerves due to chronic strain, such as injury to soft tissues in the neck or misalignment of facet joints in the cervical spine. It is usually characterized by unilateral pain, originating from the occipital region and radiating to the frontal and orbital areas, accompanied by symptoms such as radiating neck pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and a feeling of pressure in the head. Cervicogenic headache is a syndrome, not a disease.

The sensory nerves of the upper cervical spine converge with the trigeminal nucleus before entering the brain. When this area is constantly stimulated by discomfort and pain from the upper cervical facet joints, intervertebral discs, muscles, fascia, and other soft tissues, it sends erroneous signals to the brain, causing the brain to mistakenly perceive it as a headache.

Symptoms

Head pain is often unilateral, or bilateral with one side being significantly more pronounced. The pain is often described as pulling or a dull ache, accompanied by neck pain and stiffness. The pain typically extends from the back of the head to above the ears, forehead, or eye sockets, and sometimes even to the arm on the same side. Symptoms often worsen after twisting, tilting the head, or maintaining the same posture for a long time.

Since the headache is caused by the brain receiving incorrect signals, traditional headache symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or visual disturbances are less common.

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Impact

Cervicogenic pain can restrict the range of motion in the neck. If you rotate or tilt your neck towards the affected side, you will feel restricted movement and increased headache. If there are tender points in the neck muscles on the affected side, pressing them will also worsen the headache.

Some patients may experience stiffness in the soft tissues of the upper neck; some may experience localized numbness, and some may have reduced sense of smell, taste, and sensation in the tongue and cheek on one side. Since cervicogenic pain is caused by cervical spine problems, patients usually also have other neck problems.

Prevention

Avoid prolonged periods of looking down at your desk, and refrain from leaning forward for extended periods. Control your screen time for television and mobile phones to reduce cervical spine fatigue and prevent cervical spondylosis.

Sleeping positions are generally best on your back or side. The pillow should not be too high or too low; the height of the pillow after compression should be about the size of an upright fist.

Engage in consistent and regular exercise to strengthen your body and slow down the rate of bone and ligament degeneration.

Excessive mental work and prolonged mental stress are common characteristics of patients with cervicogenic headache and are important triggers for its onset. Therefore, maintaining a relaxed mood is crucial for preventing cervicogenic headaches by avoiding excessive tension.

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*The above does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for general conditions or any individual persons or patient cases, nor should it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Date of Publication: January 9, 2023. If you wish to receive regular free health information, please subscribe to us.

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