Ayurvedic Name: Shiroroga
Description:
Headaches are typically caused by an imbalance in Vata and Pitta doshas. Vata’s erratic movement can lead to tension and constriction in the head, while Pitta’s heat may cause inflammation and increased pressure. In Ayurveda, headaches are often related to digestive disturbances (mandagni), stress, and emotional imbalance, leading to Ama accumulation. Pitta-type headaches are usually sharp and intense, while Vata-type headaches are more dull and can be caused by tension or dehydration. Treatment involves balancing the doshas, improving digestion, and using herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and Shankhapushpi to calm the mind and relieve pain.
Signs & Symptoms:
Shira Shoola (Head Pain): Intense, throbbing pain in the head, often associated with migraines or tension-type headaches.
Trishna (Thirst): Increased thirst is common due to dehydration caused by prolonged headaches or medications.
Sphurana (Pulsing Sensation): A pulsing or throbbing sensation in the head, often felt around the temples or forehead during migraines.
Ghabrahat (Anxiety): Anxiety or irritability often accompanies headaches, especially in tension-type headaches.
Pravah Daurbalya (Weak Pulse): A weak pulse can occur due to stress, dehydration, or circulatory changes caused by the headache.
Shwasa (Breathlessness): Difficulty breathing may arise if the headache is associated with high blood pressure or sinus congestion, which may affect normal breathing.
Diagnosis:
Clinical exam with neurological evaluation and patient history to differentiate between tension, migraine, or secondary causes such as sinusitis or hypertension.
Risk Factors:
1. Dietary Factors
High caffeine intake: Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to withdrawal headaches or increase the frequency of migraines.
Skipping meals: Not eating regularly can lead to low blood sugar levels, triggering headaches or migraines.
2. Lifestyle Factors
Stress: Emotional or physical stress is a common trigger for tension-type headaches and migraines.
Poor posture: Sitting or standing with poor posture can lead to muscle tension and tension headaches, especially in the neck and shoulders.
3. Medical Conditions
Hypertension: High blood pressure can lead to headaches, particularly if it is uncontrolled.
Sleep disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea or insomnia can trigger chronic headaches or migraines due to poor quality of rest.
Complications:
Chronic Migraines (Shiroroga) – Recurrent, severe headaches may lead to chronic migraines, causing frequent and debilitating pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light.
Vision Problems (Netra Vikruti) – Persistent headaches can cause strain on the eyes, leading to blurred vision or even temporary vision loss during acute attacks.
Stroke (Bhrama) – In some cases, particularly with hypertension, severe headaches can indicate an increased risk of stroke due to blood vessel damage.
Tension and Anxiety (Manas Vikruti) – Chronic headaches, particularly tension-type headaches, can contribute to anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life.
Medication Overuse Headache (Aushadhi Vikruti) – Overuse of headache medications can lead to rebound headaches, where pain worsens with the frequent use of pain-relieving drugs.
Epidemeology:
Affects around 50-75% of the population, with tension-type headaches being the most common.
Migraines affect approximately 12-15% of the global population, more commonly in women and those with a family history.
Higher rates are observed in individuals experiencing high levels of stress, poor sleep, or chronic conditions like hypertension.
The prevalence of headaches increases with age, particularly in individuals under 40.