I am experiencing mild to moderate tension-like headache (mostly frontal) and lightheadedness and dizziness when I am talking or chewing. It started about three weeks ago. First, my doctor thought it was a sinus issue. He prescribed antibiotic and steroid treatments, which did not help. I did a CT scan of the head, which was normal. However, the symptoms have persisted. My neurologist did not find any obvious neurological issues. Any ideas or treatment suggestions will be appreciated.
Hi guest. Here is an overview of your condition:
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Tension-Type Headaches: These are often described as a constant, dull, achy feeling on both sides of the head. Stress, muscle strain, or anxiety can sometimes trigger or worsen these headaches. They might also be associated with tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles.
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Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ): Since you mentioned symptoms while talking or chewing, TMJ disorders are worth considering. These can cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. TMJ can also lead to headaches and a feeling of lightheadedness in some cases.
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Sinus Issues: While your initial treatment for a suspected sinus issue didn't provide relief, it's still possible that sinus pressure or inflammation could be contributing to your symptoms, especially if the headache is frontal.
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Cervicogenic Headaches: These originate from disorders of the neck and are often precipitated by neck movement or sustained awkward head positioning. They can be mistaken for tension-type headaches or migraines.
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Medication Overuse Headache: If you've been using pain relief medication frequently, this could potentially lead to medication overuse headaches, which are chronic headaches caused by regular, long-term use of headache medication.
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Ear, Nose, and Throat Issues: Sometimes, problems in the ENT region can manifest as headaches and dizziness.
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Lifestyle Factors: Stress, poor posture, lack of sleep, or inadequate physical activity can contribute to or exacerbate these symptoms.
For treatment and management:
- Physical Therapy: If the cause is related to muscle strain or posture, physical therapy could be beneficial.
- Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises can be helpful in managing stress-related headaches.
- Ergonomics and Posture Correction: If your symptoms are related to posture, particularly while working or using digital devices, ergonomic adjustments can be beneficial.
- Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being, which might help alleviate some symptoms.
Hope this helps.