Head and Facial Pain: A Comprehensive Review

Head and facial pain is a problem that is frequently encountered in daily life and can be caused by many different reasons. The type, severity and duration of pain may vary depending on the underlying cause. In this article, we will present a comprehensive review of headaches and facial pains, and try to write down the most common causes, diagnosis and treatment methods.

Causes of Head and Facial Pain:

Primary Headaches:

• Tension-type headache: It is the most common type of headache. It is caused by reasons such as stress, insomnia, fatigue and eye strain. The pain is usually felt in the back of the head, neck and shoulders and is mild to moderate in intensity.
• Migraine: A type of headache that causes a throbbing pain and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity. Pain is usually felt on one side of the head and can last from 4 to 72 hours.
• Cluster headache: It is a type of headache that usually occurs in a cluster, causing severe pain around the eyes and temples. The pain usually lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours at night and may recur every day for a month or two.

Secondary Headaches:

• Sinusitis: Headache and facial pain caused by inflammation of the sinuses. Pain is usually felt in the forehead, cheeks, and bridge of the nose and may be aggravated by bending or coughing.
• Dental problems: Dental problems such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and abscesses can cause headaches and facial pain. Pain is often felt around the tooth and can cause sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.
• Eye problems: Eye problems such as glaucoma and dry eye can cause headaches and facial pain. Pain is usually felt in the eyes and may be accompanied by light sensitivity and blurred vision.
• Neck problems: Neck problems such as muscle spasms, hernia, and arthritis can cause headaches and facial pain. Pain is usually felt in the back of the head, neck and shoulders and may be aggravated by neck movements.
• Brain tumor: Although it is a rare condition, brain tumor can also cause headache and facial pain. The pain is usually worse in the morning and increases in intensity over time. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and seizures may also occur.

Diagnosis:

To diagnose headache and facial pain, the doctor listens to the patient’s history and performs a physical examination. He or she may also order imaging and laboratory tests if necessary. Imaging tests include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Laboratory tests include blood tests and electroencephalography (EEG).

Treatment:

Treatment of head and facial pain depends on the underlying cause. Medication and physical therapy are often recommended for primary headaches. For secondary headaches, the underlying cause must be treated. For example, antibiotics may be recommended for sinusitis, tooth extraction or filling for dental problems, and surgical treatment for a brain tumor.