Is Your Headache a Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis?

A headache is one of the most common health issues that almost every person occasionally experience in their lifetime. The reasons behind them may vary, and most of them do not need serious intervention as they can be treated with simple medications. However, not all headaches are normal.

Some of the recurring ones may indicate the possibility of something serious. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one such serious health complication which is linked to headaches. Hence, to be on the safer side, it is vital that people must be aware of such possibility as well as the ways they can determine if their headache is really a symptom of multiple sclerosis.

Types of Headaches

There are potentially three types of headaches that are said to be connected to the occurrence of multiple sclerosis:

Migraine

It has been evaluated that a migraine is one of the most common symptoms identified in people who have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Some of the characteristics of such migraines are as follows:

• Throbbing pain in the head
• Sensitivity to sound or light
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Residual pain and discomfort
• Blurry vision and anxiety

Tension-type Headache

This type of headache occurs among many people and is often mild and moderate. Tension-type headaches may happen at any time of the day and feel like a bandlike-sensation squeezing over the eyebrows and the head.

Cluster Headache

It is marked by severe burning sensations in eyes and nose and mostly last for 15 to 180 minutes. Below are some of the characteristics of cluster headaches:

• Affects only one side of the face
• Happens suddenly
• Occurs at the same time of a day
• May lead to a runny nose, watery eyes and drooping eyelids

How Are Headaches Related to Multiple Sclerosis?

Dr. Amitaabh Varma, Senior Director - Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, says, as mentioned above, headaches can be caused by many health conditions other than multiple sclerosis. According to a study conducted by International Journal of MS care, headaches have a high occurrence in the people who have multiple sclerosis. These headaches may vary on the basis of the location of the lesions and MS form. Migraines with aura and sharp pain may be the consequence of flares of MS.

If a person is suffering from such migraines for a long period of time, they must consult a neurologist to determine its cause. We at Max Healthcare, have a dedicated Neurology Department that offers the best multiple sclerosis treatment by renowned doctors. 

Other Symptoms

Apart from a headache, other signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:

• Fatigue
• Tingling and numbness
• Stiffness in muscles
• Anxiety and depression
• Bladder problems
• Difficulty in speech
• Issues with bowel movements
• Trouble in thinking

The above-listed symptoms may vary from person to person and can also indicate some other health complication. Diagnosis is the best way to determine the cause of these symptoms. We at Max Healthcare, have a world-class diagnostic process and multiple sclerosis treatment options that give accurate results under the supervision of trusted and experienced professionals.

When to See a Doctor?

In cases where a migraine affects the patient too often and does not seem like a usual one, consultation with a doctor is advised. Before meeting the doctor, patients should note down other symptoms that accompany a headache and how often it affects them.

Such listed information helps our doctors in diagnosing the accurate reason behind recurrent headaches. If in case, a patient is diagnosed with MS, our dedicated team of doctors strives hard to give the best multiple sclerosis treatment for a fast and healthy recovery.