Causes of Frontal Headache

Although the location of a headache is not a reliable way to diagnose its cause, it can serve as a starting point to identify the root of the problem. Read on to learn more about the causes of frontal headaches in detail.

Causes of Frontal Headache

A headache that occurs in the front of the head, characterized by pain around the forehead and eyebrows, is known as a frontal or frontal-lobe headache. Generally, this type of headache is rarely associated with brain problems. Instead, it is often linked to one of the following headache types or issues:

1. Tension Headache

Tension headaches are one of the main causes of frontal headaches and the most common type of primary headache (headache not caused by an underlying health condition). They are often associated with stress, anxiety, and depression, but may also result from muscle strain, fatigue, or neck muscle issues.

Most people experience this type of headache at some point in their lives. It causes mild and persistent pain that may be felt throughout the head, typically starting at the front, particularly around the forehead, temples, and behind the eyes. However, the pain can be severe and may last between 30 minutes and several hours, sometimes even days.

Pain from tension headaches can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers, stress reduction techniques like yoga or massage, gentle neck exercises, a hot bath, or applying warm towels to the neck and forehead. Avoiding headache triggers, such as certain foods, lack of sleep, and skipping meals, is also helpful.

2. Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches are a rare type of headache, causing intense pain on one side of the head, typically at the front, around the eyes or forehead. This type of headache is accompanied by other symptoms like nasal congestion, discharge, and swelling around the eyes.

These headaches usually occur as recurring attacks that may last weeks to months before stopping for a period, which could last months or years.

There is no cure for cluster headaches, but treatments aim to reduce pain, shorten headache duration, and prevent new attacks. Treatment options include oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, sumatriptan, lithium, and local anesthetic injections at the back of the head.

3. Sinus Headache

Another cause of frontal headaches is sinus headaches, which occur due to swelling and inflammation of the sinuses following a flu or cold. This type of headache causes pain around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes, along with fever, nasal congestion, and toothache.

The headache generally resolves once the sinus infection is cured, but it is essential to consult a doctor if the pain persists for more than a week.

4. Eye Strain

Eye strain can also lead to frontal headaches, often due to prolonged reading, computer use, or focus, or due to stress, tension, or poor posture. This type of headache feels similar to a tension headache.

Taking regular breaks from visual activities, sitting properly at a desk, and stretching the neck, arms, and back regularly can help alleviate eye strain.

5. Other Causes

Other causes of frontal headaches include:

• Ice Cream Headache: Also known as brain freeze, this headache occurs when consuming something cold like ice cream, as it causes blood vessels in the mouth to constrict, leading to a sharp, sudden pain at the front of the head, especially around the forehead, lasting a few minutes.
• Temporal Arteritis: This type occurs when the arteries supplying blood from the heart to the scalp, located around the temples, become inflamed.

How Is the Cause of a Headache Diagnosed?

Based on the symptoms experienced, their frequency, and a physical exam, a doctor will order a series of medical, neurological, and diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of the headache. Common tests include:

1. Complete blood count, iron, ferritin, and certain vitamin tests such as magnesium and B12, thyroid hormones, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
2. Neurological tests to evaluate mental state, motor strength, and vision.
3. MRI scans to examine the internal parts of the head and neck.
4. CT scans.

Blazma offers all the tests that may be required by a doctor to diagnose the cause of a headache, including Complete blood count, Ferritin Test, vitamin levels like Magnesium, Thyroid tests Package, and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.