The COVID-19 pandemic has caused panic among many of us. Of course, no one is immune to the virus. Although we often associate this disease with symptoms that affect the lungs, another symptom has been reported to be headaches. That’s why it’s understandable, now more than ever, to worry that you suddenly start experiencing “weird” sensations and pain in your head.
In this article, your Aventura pain management specialist shares possible causes of your head pain. More importantly, we’ll discuss whether your symptoms are a cause for concern.
What are the most common strange head sensations?
When we talk about strange feelings in the head, each of us may be referring to a different experience. Often, people describe this feeling as “weird” because it’s not entirely painful and doesn’t compare to the typical types of headaches most of us are familiar with.
Strange head sensations you may experience include:
- Head pressure as if you were underwater
- It feels like your head is being clamped
- your head feels heavy
- A tingling, pins-and-needles feeling
- wave feeling
- It feels like my head is stuffed with cotton wool
- Your head feels “empty” or “puffy”
If you have any of these or similar feelings, know that you are not alone. Many people also complain and are curious about these strange feelings. Now, what do they mean?
Because we are surrounded by COVID-19 in the media 24/7, it is natural to think that your symptoms may be related to it. However, before jumping to conclusions, you should consider that your symptoms may actually be the result of another, unrelated condition, which we will now outline below:
Pressure-related head sensations and pain
Many patients who come to our pain management doctors complaining of headaches report that their symptoms include pressure and tightness in their head. The severity and duration of these feelings vary from person to person. Additionally, some patients experience pressure throughout their head, while others experience it only in certain areas, such as the temples, forehead, or sides of the head.
The causes of head pressure may vary depending on where it is felt:
- Whole head – tension headaches, head injuries, or concussions
- Sides of the head – migraines, dental problems, or ear problems
- Forehead – Tension headache or sinus headache
- Top of head – tension headache
- Neck or back of head – Tension headaches, dental problems, head injury or concussion
- Eyes or eyebrows – sinus headache
- Cheeks or jaw – Tension headaches, sinus headaches, or dental problems
- Temples or ears – Tension headaches, sinus headaches, dental problems, or ear problems
What are the most common causes of head pressure?
There are several potential causes of pressure in the head, but the most common are tension headaches and sinus headaches.
- Tension headache – The pain caused by a tension headache is usually mild to moderate. This type of headache can make you feel like an invisible band is squeezing your head. It is associated with stress, poor posture, anxiety and fatigue.
- Sinus Headache – If you feel pressure in your jaw, nose, ears, cheeks, and forehead, you likely have a sinus headache. This is caused by sinus inflammation caused by colds, allergies, and sinus infections (sinus infections). It is often accompanied by other symptoms, depending on the situation that caused it. For example, if it’s the flu, you may also have a fever.
- Ear Problems – If you feel a constant, dull pressure in your ears, temples, chin, or sides of your head, you may have an ear problem. This could be as simple as an earwax blockage or as serious as a ruptured eardrum.
- Migraines – These are one of the most common reasons why patients in South Florida come for pain treatment, as migraines tend to come back. Migraines can also bring along many other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. Migraines can also be severe and disabling. Unfortunately, the exact cause of migraines is not fully understood.
- Head Injury or Concussion – Have you recently been in a situation or accident that caused your head to bounce, shake, or twist? If so, your headaches may be caused by head trauma or a concussion. If you think you may have sustained a head injury from a sudden impact or sprain, it’s important to get immediate attention. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, it is recommended that you go to a car accident clinic as soon as possible.
Other situations that need attention
The above conditions are among the most common causes of head pressure, but there are other issues to be aware of. These include:
- hunger and dehydration
- fatigue
- drug side effects
- neck muscle strain
- Infect
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Stroke or mini-stroke
- brain aneurysm
- brain tumor
In fact, some of these cases are serious, but there is no need to panic. The first thing you should do is consult the right expert. They will assess your symptoms and order tests before diagnosing and recommending treatment.
Head-related pain? Get reliable pain management at Florida Pain Care Specialists
If you’re experiencing strange sensations in your head and you’re not sure where they’re coming from, it’s a good idea to see a pain management doctor. Our Florida pain care specialist, Dr. Luis Escobar, has the qualifications and years of experience required for professional pain management. Professional interventional pain management at 3 convenient locations
Our pain specialists will work to identify and treat the source of your symptoms and pain.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation with a doctor at any of our three locations.
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice and does not substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your health, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
