7 Causes of heavy head and what to do

The feeling of a heavy head is a relatively common sensation of discomfort, which usually arises due to episodes of sinusitis, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia or after drinking large quantities of alcoholic beverages, for example.

However, when it is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and malaise it can indicate more serious problems, such as labyrinthitis or vision disorders.

Thus, when this sensation is constant and is accompanied by other symptoms, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner or neurologist to investigate the cause by conducting tests, which may be tomography, MRI or blood tests. The treatment must be indicated by the doctor and depends on the diagnosis of the disease, however, the use of some medications to relieve the symptoms may be advised.

Thus, the main causes of heavy head are:

1. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation that occurs in the sinuses, which are around the nose and eyes and in the skull region. These sinuses are composed of air and have the function of heating the inspired air, reducing the weight of the skull and projecting the voice, however, when they become inflamed, due to infection or allergy, they accumulate secretion.

The accumulation of secretion in these areas leads to the feeling that the head is heavy and other symptoms such as a stuffy nose, yellow or greenish discharge, cough, burning eyes and even fever. See more how to confirm the diagnosis of sinusitis.

What to do: When these symptoms appear, you should consult a family doctor or otorhinolaryngologist to recommend medications to relieve pain, to reduce inflammation and antibiotics, if sinusitis is caused by bacteria. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and flush your nostrils with saline, as this helps to soften and eliminate the secretions accumulated in the sinuses. Check out how to do the nasal wash for sinusitis.

2. Low pressure

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a situation that happens when blood pressure gets too low and this is due to reduced blood flow in the heart. Generally, the pressure is considered low when the values ​​are less than 90 x 60 mmHg, better known as 9 by 6.

The symptoms of this alteration can be heavy head, blurred vision, dizziness and nausea and they happen because of the decrease of oxygen in the brain. The causes of low blood pressure can be diverse, such as sudden changes in position, use of antihypertensives, hormonal changes, anemia or infections.

What to do: in most cases, low blood pressure resolves by lying the person and raising the legs, however, if the values ​​are too low, it is necessary to seek medical attention quickly, as it may be necessary to apply medication or perform procedures to normalize the pressure.

People who have high blood pressure and use medication should undergo medical monitoring, as in some cases, low blood pressure can be a side effect of antihypertensive drugs. See more what to do when the pressure is low and how to avoid it.

3. Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is characterized by a decrease in blood sugar levels, usually below 70 mg / dl and this is verified by examining capillary blood glucose. This situation causes symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, cold sweat and heavy head and in severe situations, it can lead to fainting and loss of consciousness. Check out more other symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can appear after a person has fasted for a long time, does physical activity without eating, drinking alcohol excessively, increasing the dose of medications to control diabetes on their own, using fast-acting insulin without having eaten or using some types of medicinal plants, such as aloe vera and ginseng.

What to do: When symptoms of hypoglycemia appear, it is necessary to immediately consume foods and drinks with a high sugar content, such as honey, canister juice or you can dissolve 1 tablespoon of sugar in a glass of water. In cases where the person passes out and becomes unconscious, you should immediately call SAMU, on phone 192.

4. Vision problems

Some vision problems cause a feeling of heavy head and other symptoms such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, tremor, redness and watery eyes. These problems can be caused by different reasons, from genetic causes to habits or lifestyle, the most common changes being known as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. See more about the most common vision problems.

What to do: the diagnosis of vision problems is made by an ophthalmologist and the main treatment consists of wearing glasses with prescription lenses. However, some habits can relieve symptoms and help improve vision, such as wearing sunglasses to avoid the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and avoid spending too much time in front of a TV or computer screen.

5. Use of medicines

The use of some types of medication can lead to the appearance of a heavy head and dizziness, and these medications can be, for example, antidepressants, anxiolytics and tranquilizers. Generally, the drugs used to treat depression cause a heavy head at the beginning of the treatment, but over time this symptom disappears, as the body gets used to it, so it is important not to abandon the treatment in the first days.

What to do: if taking medication of this type, or any other, and this causes the appearance of a heavy head, dizziness and nausea, it is necessary to inform the doctor who made the prescription and follow any recommendations that are made.

6. Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is the inflammation of the labyrinth, which is the organ inside the ear and responsible for the balance of the body. This inflammation can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies or high blood pressure, however, they do not always have a specific cause. See more other causes of labyrinthitis.

This condition leads to the appearance of symptoms such as heavy head, dizziness, imbalance, hearing problems and vertigo, which is the sensation that the objects are rotating. These symptoms are very similar to what happens in motion sickness, which is motion sickness, very common in people who travel by boat or plane.

What to do: if these symptoms are very frequent, you need to consult an otolaryngologist to indicate the performance of some tests to define the correct diagnosis and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which in most cases, consists of the use of medications, such as dramin, meclin and labirin, to relieve symptoms.

7. Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety are feelings that cause fear, nervousness, excessive and anticipated worry that are linked to a specific situation or may just be a sign of the habits and lifestyles that involve performing many tasks in daily life and little time for leisure activities.

The most common symptoms of stress and anxiety are a racing heart, a heavy head, cold sweat and problems with concentration, which can get worse over time if left untreated. See more other symptoms of stress and anxiety and how to control.

What to do: To alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety on a daily basis it is important to adopt measures that promote well-being and follow up with a psychologist, do acupuncture, meditation and physical activities. When symptoms do not disappear even with a change in lifestyle and leisure activities, it is necessary to consult a psychiatrist, who can recommend the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs.

Check out the video on how to control stress and anxiety:

When to go to the doctor

It is important to seek medical attention quickly if in addition to the feeling of a heavy head, other symptoms such as:

• Loss of consciousness; High fever; Numbness on one side of the body; Difficulty speaking and walking; Seizures; Purple fingertips; Asymmetrical face; Bloated speech or memory loss.

These symptoms indicate serious conditions and some diseases, such as stroke, so to avoid complications and start treatment quickly, you should call the SAMU ambulance at 192 or go to a hospital emergency room.