severe headaches

[TeeDee38930]

I have been having headaches for some years and they are all around my head and sometimes they hurt so bad that if I am standing I must sit down or I will fall.  What's going on?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

How are you? Do you still have these headaches? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive, usually painless medical test that allows physicians to better evaluate parts of the body and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography. This is used to diagnose:  tumors of the brain, developmental anomalies of the brain, and vascular anomalies of the head, disorders of the eyes and the inner ear, stroke, trauma patients, disease in the pituitary gland, certain chronic disorders of the nervous system. (http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=headmr&bhcp=1)

Take care and regards.

[TeeDee38930]

what's the purpose of mri of the brain?

[Dr Santos]

How are you? Are there other symptoms present? Was there an injury in your head? Tension-type headache is the most common headache and caused by contractions of the neck and shoulders. It feels like a tight band pressing around the head. Tension-type headache is characterized by dull, continuous pain. It develops on both sides of the head. In some cases it also radiates to the area around the eyes and the occipital region, comprising the back, middle and lower parts of the head. The main causes are stress, diet, hormonal changes, the weather and the environment, odors, noise and changes in the sleep-wake cycle.Over the counter pain relievers could help with the pain. But if this persists, it would be best to see your doctor for proper evaluation and management.

Take care and keep us posted.