What causes intermittent pain in the back of the head?

The back of the head usually refers to the posterior occipital region. Intermittent pain in this area may be caused by muscle tension, lack of sleep, migraines, cervical spondylosis, hypertension, or other reasons. It is recommended that patients promptly visit a hospital and receive treatment under medical guidance. The analysis is as follows:

1. Muscle tension: Maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods can keep the muscles in the posterior occipital region in a state of continuous contraction, leading to muscle fatigue and tension, which causes pain. It is advised to correct poor postures, and applying heat or cold therapy may help relieve muscle tension.

2. Sleep deprivation: Chronic sleep deprivation due to staying up late, fatigue, or poor sleep quality may affect cerebral blood supply, thereby triggering pain in the posterior occipital region. Patients should rest in time and avoid excessive exertion.

3. Migraine: Migraine is a chronic neurovascular disorder potentially related to abnormal neuronal discharges in the brain, often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. During an attack, cerebral blood vessels may dilate or constrict, causing paroxysmal pain in the back of the head. Patients should take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, or Tianma headache pills under a doctor's guidance to aid recovery.

4. Cervical spondylosis: This condition results from degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral discs and secondary alterations. During onset, disc protrusion or bone spurs may compress cervical nerve roots, causing pain to radiate along the nerve pathway to the posterior occipital region. Some patients may also experience neck stiffness, limited mobility, or numbness in the upper limbs. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as celecoxib capsules, micronized purified flavonoid fraction tablets (e.g., Venoruton), or Huoxue Zhitong capsules to alleviate symptoms.

5. Hypertension: Poor diet, obesity, and other factors may trigger hypertension. Elevated blood pressure increases vascular stress, possibly causing intermittent pain in the posterior occipital region. Patients often experience accompanying symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and chest tightness. Prompt treatment with antihypertensive medications such as nifedipine sustained-release tablets, amlodipine besylate tablets, or irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide tablets should be followed as prescribed by a physician.

In daily life, it is important to develop healthy habits, avoid long-term smoking, and engage in appropriate physical activities such as jogging or hiking, which contribute to overall health.