What causes pain in the back of the head?
Disease description:
I have been waking up recently with a headache at the back of my head. May I ask what could be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Pain in the back of the head, medically referred to as occipital headache, may be caused by various factors. The main causes include the following:
1. Muscle tension: Maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods, such as looking down at a phone or computer, can cause tension in the neck muscles, leading to headaches.
2. Mental stress: Long-term mental stress or excessive mental exertion may cause sustained contraction of the head and neck muscles, resulting in pain at the back of the head.
3. Cervical spine problems: Conditions such as cervical spondylosis or cervical disc herniation may also cause pain in the back of the head.
4. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerosis may lead to insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the brain, causing pain in the back of the head.
5. Common cold due to wind-cold: During a cold caused by wind-cold, inflammation may stimulate the nerves in the brain, resulting in pain at the back of the head.
6. Trauma: If the back of the head has experienced impact or injury, nerves under the skin may be stimulated, potentially causing pain symptoms.
If the pain persists and is accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea, or balance problems, prompt medical attention is advised to rule out more serious conditions such as increased intracranial pressure, brain infection, or tumors.
