A vascular headache is a term which is used to describe certain forms of headaches that are associated with swelling and increase circulation of blood in the head, which may result in pain. This term is no longer used to classify headaches, although some physicians continue to use this term.
Though not recognized as an official classification by the International Headache Society, vascular headache refers to a group of headaches that are associated with congestion and hyperemia in the head. Under the new classification, vascular headaches comprise of cluster headaches, migraine and toxic headaches.
What Is A Vascular Headache?
Vascular headaches are a group of headaches that are primarily associated with abnormal functioning of the blood vessels and vascular system of the brain. The most common cause of vascular headaches is migraine which is characterized by severe pain on either sides of the head, nausea and vomiting and disturbed vision along with varying degree of intolerance to light.
Depending upon the occurrence of the symptoms, vascular migraine headaches can be classified into classic and common. Classic vascular headaches are associated with an aura which is typified by visual disturbances.
What Are The Causes Of Vascular Headaches
There are several factors that are responsible for vascular headaches,
- Family history of migraine is a common factor responsible for migraine vascular headaches. The reason for the genetic predisposition is not known but it is found to be more common in females compared to males.
- Certain trigger factors have been identified, which are commonly associated with vascular headaches, especially migraine which includes lack of sleep and fasting. Sudden exposure to sparkling lights and prolonged exposure to the computer screen or television screen are also identified as risk factors.
- Certain foods and beverages are known to trigger vascular headaches.
- Toxic vascular headaches are often associated with underlying infection anywhere in the body. The most common infections associated with toxic vascular headaches include measles, tonsillitis, pneumonia and mumps.
- Elevated levels of psychological stress have also been identified as a causative factor associated with vascular headaches.
Symptoms Of Vascular Headache
Vascular headache may or may not have an aura phase which is associated with visual disturbances in the form of flashes of light. However, some of the other common symptoms related to vascular headaches include,
- Severe and distressing pain along the sides of the head, which often radiates down to the nape of the neck. In some cases the pain spreads to the back of the neck.
- Generalized weakness in the arms and the legs along with sensation of tingling numbness on the face and the arms.
- Confusion and irritability along with mental fuzziness are some of the common mental symptoms linked to vascular headaches.
- Visual disturbances may be present along with the headache which may comprise of flashes of light or black spots in the visual field. Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) is also a common symptom.
- Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting along with difficulty to speak due to generalized muscular weakness and fatigue.
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