Burning painfull pressured headaches

Hi im 23 and for the past 3 months have been gettin headaches. most of the time it just feels like someone is putting pressure on my head and ive been told this is likely to be stress. But it also feels like my scalp is burning sometimes and i get alot of pressure around the top of my head but also on my cheeks and nose and around my ears which almost feels like im wearing a helmet and sometimes my hearing feels as though its blocked i also get shooting and throbbing pains in my temples and across the left side of my head most days but only for a few mins here and there could it be high blood pressure? or is it likely to be more serious as its really worrying me.

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

There are several causes of headaches. Headaches can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary headache disorders are headaches without a direct cause. These are diagnosed after secondary causes have been excluded. Secondary headache disorders are due to an underlying problem, there are many many causes but some include medication side effects, systemic illness, nervous system infection, tumors, bleeds in the brain or clots in the veins of the brain, and others. Elevated blood pressure could potentially cause headaches but would be much less common in your age group.

Primary headache disorders are much more common than secondary ones. There are several primary headache disorders, over 50 different types.  For example  migraines, which usually a pulsating throbbing one-sided pain with nausea and discomfort in bright lights that lasts several hours. Tension headaches can cause band-like or pressure like pains, and when muscle tension is present, sensitivity if the scalp such as in your case can occur. There are several other types of primary headache disorders.

Without further information about your headache, it is difficult to provide you with adequate information, and to determine whether or not your headache is a primary disorder due to stress or otherwise, or whether or not it could be more serious. However, it is important for you to understand that if you have not experienced headaches in the past and you are now having new head pains, seeing a neurologist is a good idea, just to make sure there is nothing serious causing this pain. Imaging of the brain and sometimes neck may be indicated depending on your exact symptoms, your physical examination, and other factors.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[grgsub]

A related discussion, neurological was started.