Secondary headaches differ from primary headaches. They are caused by an underlying medical condition that triggers pain in the neck or the head region. Primary headaches have no underlying causes. These generally include migraines or headaches caused by stress. One should be able to identify secondary headaches because they can sometimes be life-threatening. Sudden, severe headaches must be reported immediately to a doctor. In India, some of the best neurology doctors are in Delhi.
What can cause a Secondary Headache?
Secondary headaches generally occur due to another existing medical issue. They can range from mild to acute, depending on the medical ailment causing the headache.
A few causes of non-critical secondary headaches are mentioned below:
- Hangovers
- A sinus infection
- A brain freeze, or what is also called an ice cream headache
- Insomnia
- Dehydration
Serious illnesses that could cause secondary headaches are as follows:
- An aneurysm
- A brain tumor
- Severe hypertension
- Overuse of pain medications
- Sinusitis
- Bacterial or viral meningitis
- An injury in the neck or the brain
- An infection in the brain, such as encephalitis
- Hydrocephalus
- Issues with blood vessels
- Strokes
Mental issues can also cause secondary headaches, such as:
- Anxiety attacks
- Depression
What are the symptoms of a secondary headache?
The symptoms of a secondary headache can be very similar to a primary headache. However, if a person is experiencing an unusual headache, he/she must visit a doctor because the headache may be pointing to another medical condition. On the Max healthcare website, the best neurology doctor in Delhi have listed some of the symptoms of a secondary headache which you need to look out for:
- A person experiencing fever, stiffness in the neck, personality change, or abnormal neurological symptoms
- A sudden, new, or different headache is experienced in a person over 50 years old
- A headache that becomes more acute with a change in posture, due to exertion, or coughing
- A headache that leads to weakness, dizziness, a sudden loss of balance, or which makes a person fall
- A headache that leads to a feeling of numbness or tingling, paralysis, difficulty in speech, mental confusion, or seizures
In general, if a person is experiencing a headache that is unusual or that cannot be explained, it is recommended that he/she consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend further examinations or tests to locate the underlying condition causing the headache.
What are the treatments of a Secondary Headache?
Through examinations and diagnostics, doctors can identify the condition causing the secondary headache. Once the condition is determined, it can be treated directly. The treatment for a secondary headache depends on its cause. For instance, if a secondary headache is caused by a sinus infection, then the doctor will recommend over-the-counter medication to treat the infection, which should resolve the headache issue as well.
It is therefore important to consult a doctor to locate the cause of the headache so that the right treatment may be prescribed as soon as possible.
The Best Neurology Doctors in Delhi
Mentioned below is a list of some of the best neurologists in Delhi:
| Prof. (Col.) Dr. Bipin Walia | He is the Principal Director heading the Neurosurgery Department at the Max Complex of Neurosciences, Saket, New Delhi. |
| Prof. (Dr). V. K. Jain | He is the Principal Director of the Department of Neurosurgery at Max Hospital in Delhi. |
| Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji | He is the Principal Director and Head of the Department of Neurology. |
| Dr. Sanjeev Dua | He is a Senior Director of the Department of Neurosurgery. |
| Dr. Amitabh Goel | He is a Senior Director of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Institute of Neurosciences. |
| Dr. Sanjay Saxena | He is a Senior Director and HOD. |
| Dr. Puneet Agarwal | He is a Director in the Department of Neurology specializing in Strokes and Dementia. |
| Dr. Vikas Gupta | He is a Director specializing in Neuro and Spine Surgery and Interventional Neurology. |
| Dr. K K Jindal | He is a Director in the Department of Neurology. |
| Dr. Vivek Kumar | He is a Senior Director in the Department of Neurosciences and Neurology. |
| Dr. Rajashekar Reddi | He is a Director specializing in Headaches and Neuromuscular Disorders. |
| Dr. Arun Saroha | He is a Director and Head in the Department of Neurosurgery, in Saket and Gurgaon. |
Do not Ignore Strange Headaches:
If a person does not know the cause of a headache, or if a headache is unexplained or sudden, it is recommended that a doctor must be consulted. A headache can be painful and impact the daily life of a person. A secondary headache may be caused by a condition that is not dangerous, but at times, it can originate from an underlying condition that may be life-threatening. The best neurology doctors in Delhi are here to help you.
Make sure you get a doctor’s consultation for any unusual or sudden headaches to avoid any escalated health issues.
