Shoots in the head: causes and consequences

Possible reasons

Shooting pain in the head on the right is a symptom of many diseases. They can appear in any healthy person, in the absence of organic disorders of the nerves and blood vessels. In this case, the pain is caused by nervous tension, fatigue after physical exertion, alcohol intoxication or food poisoning. They go away after proper rest. However, headaches can be highly intense or occur with a certain frequency - these types require more detailed diagnosis.

Shooting pain in the head associated with nerve diseases

Unilateral shooting pains in the head (lumbago) are a sign of inflammation or mechanical impact on nerve fibers. On the right side is the trigeminal nerve. It innervates the soft tissues and mucous membranes of the head, upper and lower jaws, as well as the dura mater of the brain. It is represented by the fifth pair of cranial nerves. Its inflammation or mechanical impact causes attacks of neuralgia - nerve pain. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• shooting unilateral pain that covers half of the head, intensifies and decreases in certain positions;
• the duration of the attack is from 10 seconds to several minutes, the rest of the time discomfort may be felt along the nerve;
• additional symptoms, including nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate.

Neuritis is an inflammation of the nerve that can occur in a chronic form. Among its causes are hypothermia, decreased immune defense, especially in the off-season, injuries and mechanical pressure on the nerve. The disease requires timely treatment, as it can lead to disruption of the innervation of soft tissues and internal organs, and the membranes of the brain.

Migraine

Another cause of lumbago on the right side of the head is migraine. This is an attack of headache that occurs without an exact cause and is characterized by a certain periodicity. It is accompanied by additional symptoms that occur simultaneously with the headache or precede it. These include:

• dizziness, nausea and vomiting;
• increased sensitivity to light, lacrimation;
• decreased hearing and vision;
• numbness, deterioration of sensitivity of the fingers.

You can relieve migraine symptoms at home with painkillers. However, if this syndrome occurs frequently, specific medications are prescribed that should be taken regularly.

Cluster headaches

Cluster pain is highly intense, but is rarely diagnosed. The exact cause of their appearance remains unknown, but a vascular component is likely. Shooting pain in the head on the right or left side occurs without warning and is accompanied by additional symptoms:

• muscle weakness, drooping of the upper eyelid on one side;
• shortness of breath, which manifests itself even in the absence of physical activity;
• increased sweating, increased heart rate;
• sensitivity to bright light, lacrimation.

Cluster headaches can appear with a clear frequency, occurring at the same time over several weeks or even months. An acute attack lasts no more than 5–10 minutes, but the aching pain and discomfort then continues for several more hours.

Concussion

Impacts to the right side of the head are the main cause of closed head injuries and concussions. Falls and bruises lead to impaired blood circulation in certain areas of the nervous tissue and the appearance of signs of ischemia. The headache associated with a concussion is sharp, shooting, and very intense. Additional signs are also observed:

• blurred vision, appearance of black dots and circles before the eyes;
• nausea, vomiting;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• decreased sensitivity of the limbs;
• fainting.

Headaches can occur long after a traumatic brain injury. The time for complete recovery depends on the size of the damaged area, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Increased intracranial pressure

Periodic increases in intracranial pressure occur in most of the population, regardless of gender and age. However, it is impossible to accurately measure this indicator at home. It represents the total pressure of all fluids that are in the cranium: the contents of the cerebral ventricles, blood in the vessels, and the brain tissue itself. The diagnosis is made based on indirect signs:

• headache, which can be concentrated on the right side of the head, often has a girdling character;
• soreness in the eye area and behind the eyes, blurred vision;
• nausea, disorders of the digestive system;
• heart rhythm disturbance.

Intracranial hypertension manifests itself in attacks. It may be associated with a lack of oxygen in the room, intense physical activity, stress and tension.

Ear diseases

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear. The disease can be acute or chronic and manifests itself as pain on one side of the head. Depending on the location of the source of inflammation, external, middle and internal otitis are distinguished. Its cause is hypothermia, infectious diseases and acute respiratory viral infections, as well as injuries. It is important to treat otitis media in the early stages, since the disease is dangerous due to the addition of a bacterial component and the development of purulent inflammation. In the later stages, without timely treatment, the infection may spread to the membranes of the brain and develop meningitis.

Diseases of the cervical spine

Pain on the right side of the head can be caused by poor circulation. A common cause is diseases of the cervical spine, in which compression of the arteries supplying the brain occurs. The following disorders can be diagnosed in this area:

• curvature of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis);
• osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which damage to intervertebral cartilage occurs, narrowing of the space between the vertebrae and compression of blood vessels;
• spondylosis is a pathological fusion of two adjacent vertebral segments, which occurs as a result of the proliferation of bone tissue;
• intervertebral hernias are the result of protrusion of cartilage due to displacement of the vertebrae, uneven load and incorrect posture.

Shooting pain in the right side of the head is the result of a lack of oxygen in certain areas of the brain. Chronic ischemia is dangerous to health and can lead to stroke. The pain goes away after its underlying cause is eliminated.

First aid

A characteristic feature of cranialgia is the inability to calm it with medication. Therefore, on the one hand, it is useless to swallow pills, but on the other hand, such a malaise becomes unbearable.

Before the doctor’s visit, all parts that can act as a provocateur are eliminated. Bright lights, loud sounds, stale air.

You can do a light massage, on the right or left side, on the crown or back of the head, with careful, gentle movements, and use folk remedies.

Constant, excruciating attacks of shooting pain should be immediately diagnosed by a specialist and subjected to careful and systematic treatment.

Diagnosis of shooting pain in the head on the right side

The Clinical Brain Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of headaches. If it bothers you often or occurs with high intensity, it is recommended to consult a therapist. Based on the results of the examination and medical history, additional consultation with an ENT doctor, neurologist and other specialized specialists may be required. To determine the cause of headache, the following examination methods are prescribed:

• blood tests (clinical and biochemical) - will indicate an increase in the concentration of leukocytes (indicators of inflammation), an imbalance of microelements, an increase in glucose levels and other pathologies;
• MRI, CT of the brain is a modern technique, thanks to which you can obtain a three-dimensional image of the area under study, identify areas of ischemia, neoplasms, and blood supply pathologies;
• ECG (electroencephalography) - analysis of bioelectrical conductivity of nervous tissue;
• ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck;
• special examination techniques by an otolaryngologist to exclude otitis media and other hearing diseases.

Timely and accurate diagnosis is the key to correctly prescribing a treatment regimen. At the Clinical Brain Institute you can undergo a full examination using modern equipment and get the most accurate results.

What to do

It is imperative that if you start having problems with your ears, you should consult a specialist. In this case, it is worth checking everything carefully. Inaction in case of inflammation of any part of the ear will lead to the development of a chronic course of the disease.

It is important to remember that if the eardrum has ruptured on its own due to the pressure of pus, you should still consult a doctor. Although this usually results in relief, the pain goes away, and the temperature drops if it rose due to the accumulation of pus in the cavity. The doctor should monitor how the cut or ruptured membrane heals. There are situations when it closes prematurely, but the pus has not yet come out, and then the situation will repeat itself again.

In addition, it is worth understanding that the ear should be properly cared for in case of an arbitrary rupture or paracentesis. An open wound in the membrane is an entry point for a bacterial infection: it can easily enter the injured area from dirty hands, which a person uses to clean his ears, or when swimming in a pond.

Note to swimmers. How to prevent otitis Read more

Treatment methods

Doctors will select an individual treatment regimen that will help relieve not only the pain syndrome, but also its cause. Depending on the cause and nature of the headache, the patient’s age and the presence of concomitant diseases, the following techniques may be prescribed:

• drug treatment: for mild headaches, use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen), as well as painkillers (Analgin);
• antibiotics - indicated for purulent otitis and other diseases that are accompanied by bacterial infection;
• physiotherapy - a course of procedures designed to improve blood circulation and innervation of certain areas;
• nootropics are substances that improve blood supply to the brain and are used as an addition to the main therapy regimen.

The Clinical Brain Institute provides treatment for headaches of various origins in inpatient or outpatient settings. Therapy is carried out under the supervision of specialists, with constant assessment of its effectiveness and the dynamics of the patient’s condition. Doctors warn that self-medication can be dangerous and lead to complications, so at the first symptoms it is important to seek medical help.

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Prevention

Dystonics, in order to prevent the sensation of an electric shock in the head in the future, also need to remember several points regarding preventive measures.

1. If possible, you should try to avoid getting into stressful situations. Even occasional psychological discomfort can develop over time into serious disorders accompanied by severe symptoms. You should seek professional help at the first unpleasant manifestations.
2. You should also avoid mental and physical fatigue and properly organize your work and rest schedule. In addition, it is very important to take care of the quality and sufficient duration of your sleep. Before going to bed, it is advisable to ventilate the room well.
3. It is necessary to walk in the fresh air as often as possible, exercise, and drink the right amount of water daily. Equally important is a proper diet. The body must receive all the vitamins and microelements it needs.
4. All patients with VSD are advised to give up bad habits and frequent consumption of caffeinated drinks. In addition, dystonics should stop using medications uncontrollably - such behavior can provoke a deterioration in both physical and psychological well-being. Strong drugs (antidepressants and tranquilizers) can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist.

The feeling of an electric discharge in the head during VSD is a condition that signals that a person needs to take care of his health as soon as possible. In this case, it is best to seek professional help - a specialist will find out the reasons for the deterioration in health and prescribe individual treatment for the patient. It is strictly not recommended to ignore the problem - if discomfort in the head occurs regularly, a significant increase in the number of panic attacks can occur. In addition, the situation may be complicated by the development of severe neuroses and phobias. The sooner a dystonic person solves his problem, the faster he can achieve recovery and return to a full rhythm of life.