Signs of a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache with a cold are quite common, especially in the cold season. They are accompanied by an increase in temperature, drowsiness, weakness, chills, aching joints. Moreover, the discomfort in the head area can be quite intense. How to cope with unpleasant sensations, and what should be done for a speedy recovery?

Features:

Pain in the head associated with a cold can be localized in the frontal bone and the occipital part of the skull. Sometimes discomfort is observed in the temporal, parietal region, in the area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe eyes and ears. A headache with acute respiratory viral infections, provoked by the influenza virus, can be:

•        bright or faint;
•        constant, wavy, periodic;
•        dull or harsh;
•        pulsating, pressing, shooting;
•        bursting, penetrating.

Soreness can manifest itself when turning, tilting the head, sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, accompanied by photophobia, lacrimation, a pronounced reaction to noise and bright light.

Possible causes of discomfort

With a disease that affects the upper respiratory tract, there is weakness, lethargy, chills. The headache often goes away after recovery. Experts identify the following reasons why the patient’s condition worsens:

A sharp jump in intracranial pressure

The congestion of the upper respiratory tract leads to a slowdown in blood circulation. As a result of impaired blood supply in certain parts of the brain, the vessels expand, and when the nerve receptors are irritated, shooting pains are felt.

After the patient begins to be treated, intracranial pressure is normalized. However, it is worthwhile to be wary if he begins to vomit, vomit in the morning, his sleep is disturbed, his eyesight falls, frequent attacks of dizziness occur , and pain medications stop helping.

General intoxication

Disease-causing bacteria and viruses cause a protective reaction from the body. As a result of their death, decay products of pathogenic cells are formed, which are very toxic. Poisonous elements enter the brain, irritate the nerve endings and cause symptoms of the common cold that are familiar to every child and adult:

•        fever;
•        drowsiness;
•        fatigue;
•        headache .

Runny nose

Abundant mucous secretions lay the paranasal sinuses, provoking an inflammatory process and worsening the general condition of the patient. As a result, it is noted:

•        general malaise;
•        spasm in the area of ​​the shoulders and cervical spine;
•        an attack of dizziness.

If you have a headache with a cold without fever, but with symptoms of a runny nose, you can associate it with inflammation in the paranasal sinuses. This creates a feeling of bursting pain that spreads to the face area.

Body temperature rise

If your head starts to hurt against the background of a common cold, then you need to measure your body temperature. Her performance may exceed normal. So the body defends itself against viruses, preventing their active reproduction.

The increased temperature activates the immune system, improves blood circulation, accelerating the synthesis of cells that help destroy pathogens. But fever also has significant disadvantages. A complication of prolonged high temperature in the form of seizures is especially dangerous. Therefore, at very high rates, one should act quickly and begin to treat the patient immediately.

Fever manifests itself in different ways:

•        a rapid rise in temperature, which is characteristic of a viral infection;
•        intense pain spreading throughout the head, combined with chills, indicating the development of influenza;
•        not decreasing elevated temperature without sudden changes, which indicates the onset of lobar pneumonia;
•        significant temperature fluctuations, which usually provoke bacterial infections.

A fever that lasts longer than a month may indicate protracted infectious processes (for example, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis).

Healing activities

In order not to develop complications, it is necessary to carry out the correct treatment. Prescribing medications that will relieve headaches with acute respiratory viral infections and influenza are therapists. He recommends:

•        take drugs according to a certain scheme;
•        observe bed rest;
•        avoiding irritants (such as bright light, noise, cold drinks and food);
•        drink plenty of fluids;
•        undergo physiotherapy sessions (if necessary).

If a person has a very bad headache when a cold begins, and the doctor has not yet prescribed treatment, you should:

•        take an anesthetic;
•        drink warm tea with lemon and honey;
•        ventilate the room;
•        facilitate nasal breathing;
•        provide complete rest.

Medication

To effectively and quickly stop unpleasant symptoms help:

•        Hot drinks Pharmacitron, Ferveks. The powder mixture is dissolved in hot water, stirred thoroughly and taken after meals. Reception is carried out 2-3 times a day for 3-5 days.
•        Nimesulide is an effective remedy for any pain, chills, joint aches. Powder granules are dissolved in warm water and taken 2-3 times a day for a maximum of 5 days.
•        Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nurofen – quickly relieve pain in the head, quench heat, relieve the condition with a cold. They are taken every 4-6 hours.
•        Spazmalgon relieves vasospasm. The drug is taken 1 tablet 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days. If the pain persists, you should consult a specialist.

As soon as the signs of a cold disappear, taking painkillers is impractical, since prolonged use of such drugs negatively affects the condition of the liver and the digestive tract.

Folk recipes

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of medications is not recommended. The active components of many drugs pass into breast milk and get to the baby. In addition, the required pharmaceutical preparation is not always nearby. Therefore, when you have a headache with ARVI or a cold, you can use alternative methods of treatment that are easy to carry out at home:

•        lubricate the temporal region and the bridge of the nose with Asterisk balm;
•        apply a compress of potato mass to the problem area. To do this, grate raw potatoes and spread them on a cloth. A cabbage leaf can replace potatoes. It is washed, crumpled to make the juice stand out, and applied to the head;
•        use a lotion of grated lemon peel wrapped in a cloth;
•        drink decoctions of rose hips, pharmacy chamomile, calendula, cranberries, dried fruits, oregano;
•        relieve nasal congestion. This will help washing the nose with a solution of laundry soap;
•        periodically inhale the aromas of essential oils, which will free your breath;
•        make a head massage, pressing lightly on the bridge of the nose and temples. You can rub your earlobes, massage your neck. This method of treatment saves not only from colds headaches, but also from migraine attacks.

If a person has not caught a cold, but his head starts to press, ache, then this may be a sign of migraine. A compress will help get rid of it: on the back of the head – hot, and on the forehead and temples – cold.

What not to do

ARVI is a respiratory symptom complex that includes diseases of the upper respiratory organs, provoked exclusively by viruses. ARI is an acute respiratory condition caused not only by viruses, but also by bacteria. Both types of pathologies can cause pain in the head area in a person, and in advanced cases they can be quite dangerous.

The patient during the treatment period should take into account several recommendations:

•        quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Harmful elements provoke vasospasm in the brain , which increases pain in the skull; 
•        do not self-medicate, since some drugs, with prolonged use, cause an abusal headache;
•        do not replace the medicines prescribed by the doctor with folk remedies;
•        limit the use of fatty, fried, spicy foods and give preference to vegetables, fruits, boiled meat, fish;
•        do not visit the gym, sauna, pool during a cold.

Why the head hurts with a cold, the attending physician can explain in detail. To prevent an unpleasant symptom from returning, patients should engage in strengthening the immune system and carefully monitor their health. To do this, you need to eat right, lead an active lifestyle, avoid stress, hypothermia, overeating.

Simple ways to quickly get rid of a headache with a runny nose

70-80% of the population suffers from headaches, of which about 50% – at least once a month. Although in most cases, a runny nose and headache are not signs of a serious illness, these symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life. Their most common causes are allergies, SARS, sinusitis.

Types of rhinitis

Since rhinitis is caused by various viruses, bacteria, allergens, it has a number of different manifestations: from severe headache, pressure in the sinus area, to transparent or green nozzles. Signs depend on the type of cold and the stage of the disease.

Vasomotor rhinitis

The vasomotor type of rhinitis is not caused by illness or allergies, but by a physiological reaction, for example, to rapid changes in temperature. Its reasons are the use of spicy food, changes in body position, physical activity. This rhinitis usually goes away quickly because it is not caused by an infection.

Watery coryza

Most inflammation of the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa begins with a discharge of watery clear mucus from the nose. This is the initial stage of infection when viruses and bacteria do not spread. But in most cases, watery rhinitis develops into mucous or even purulent.

Mucous coryza

The mucus that accumulates in the cavities exerts unpleasant pressure, as a result of which the frontal part of the head hurts with a cold. For treatment, it is important to dilute mucus, because with a long stay in the body, viruses, bacteria multiply.

Purulent rhinitis

Purulent rhinitis is a complication of the “usual” rhinitis accompanying a cold, acute respiratory infections. The structure, color of mucus changes, it is difficult for the patient to blow his nose. If symptoms worsen, see a doctor. When complications recede within a week, home treatment is sufficient.

Purulent rhinitis can be caused by several different complications of infection, many of which require antibiotic therapy.

Unpleasant complications of rhinitis

It is no coincidence that the ENT department deals with problems of the nose, ears and throat. These organs are interconnected, the disease of one of them can lead to the disease of the other. This is the reason why a headache, throat, ears or even neck (back of the head) hurts with a cold.

Sometimes the infection spreads and the problem requires medication. But in other cases, there is only pressure in the ears, dry throat caused by breathing through the mouth.

Ear pain

Soreness in the ears, headache with a runny nose may indicate inflammation, most often in the middle ear. The disease is caused by edema of the Eustachian tube located between the cavities. It always opens when swallowing or yawning, ensuring equalization of pressure between the muscles of the nasopharynx. Puffiness prevents opening. Gradually, air is consumed in the Eustachian tube, a vacuum is created, drawing in the eardrum.

For treatment, it is enough to use nasal drops that relieve puffiness and provide an analgesic effect. Antihistamines can help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane.

Ears congestion

Ear congestion is caused by uneven pressure in the cavities. Therefore, when taking off on an airplane, you often have to yawn to balance the pressure. Pressure equalization reflexes are usually induced by the body, but sometimes help is needed.

If the ear gets blocked with a runny nose, it is most likely the cause. Try to fix the problem as you would with “normal” ear congestion. Yawn, chew, swallow, while healing rhinitis.

It is recommended to take vitamins and drink plenty of fluids. In case of pain in the ears, it is advisable to use drops that reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane, helping to open the Eustachian tube.

Otitis media

In children, in particular, nasopharyngeal infection can spread to the ear, causing otitis media. Middle ear inflammation can be identified by pressure, ear and head pain caused by excess fluid pushing the eardrum.

If a child has a fever, sleep disturbances, or complains of ear pain, consult a doctor. Otitis media is a painful disease that can lead to serious consequences if left untreated.

Chronic rhinitis

Despite medical jokes that rhinitis lasts 7 days during treatment and a week without therapy, a calm and healthy lifestyle is desirable during this illness. Otherwise, a runny nose can turn into a bacterial disease or a chronic form.

A runny nose is considered chronic if it does not go away for more than 2 months. There may be some slight improvement, but the condition never recovers completely. If the head hurts with a runny nose on an ongoing basis, the patient needs specialized help.

Difference in therapy

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa is a common cause of headaches from a runny nose. What to do in this case? First of all, determine the cause. Many patients suffering from this problem are migraines. Therefore, if you suspect a cold origin of symptoms, an examination is required. Treatment for sinus pain and other types of headache varies greatly.

Accurate diagnosis

Causes of headaches include allergic rhinitis, sinus problems. They have a common denominator, inflammation. It can be of a different nature; in addition to the nasal mucosa itself, inflammation sometimes affects the nasal cavity. They are located in several bones of the skull, in particular in the frontal bone. This causes diagnostic difficulties – for example, migraines are often accompanied by headaches in the forehead, temples, eyes, and weakness. Determining the cause of symptoms is not an easy task for the layperson, so it’s best to see a doctor. Each condition requires a different approach.

Important indicators

The criteria for diagnosing headache caused by sinusitis are as follows:

1.     Headache in the forehead, cheeks, ears, teeth (often on one side). 
2.     Laboratory and clinical signs of sinusitis.
3.     The simultaneous occurrence of headache and manifestations of inflammation.
4.     Head and / or facial pain that occurs within 7 days of successfully treating the inflammation.

Many people who attribute their problems to sinusitis are actually suffering from migraines. There is also some connection between migraines and allergies. Evaluation of all possible contexts, determining the exact cause, belongs to the physician.

Sinus problems

Inflammatory processes on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and sinuses, in which snot flows and a head hurts, are called rhinosinusitis. They are classified as acute and chronic.

Bacteria are the most common cause of acute inflammation. In allergic conditions, the problem is mediated by nasal congestion, which prevents mucus from flowing out, which accumulates in the nose and promotes the growth of bacteria. The irritated cells of the nasal mucosa in response secrete even more mucus, the pressure in the cavities increases, and a dull pain occurs in the bridge of the nose. Soreness can be given to other parts of the head, intensified when blowing his nose (sometimes the patient may not be able to blow his nose normally).

It is recommended to take antibiotics against a bacterial infection; corticosteroids, decongestants help reduce swelling.

Allergic diseases (most often rhinitis, asthma) are found in 40-50% of people with chronic sinusitis. A characteristic feature is tearing; cough, nausea may be present.

When allergic causes are identified, treatment is directed to their suppression. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are prescribed. Treatment involves avoiding the causing allergen and desensitizing it with desensitizing therapy.

How to get rid of a runny nose and associated headache

With rhinitis, as with all diseases, rest is recommended, the absence of a strong load. Sick leave is not required, but bed rest is important after work. It is advisable to support the head, allowing mucus to flow out.

Homeopathy and medicines

Frequent blowing of your nose will prevent the virus from multiplying, making the infection worse.

You can treat rhinitis, reduce swelling of the mucous membrane with nasal drops. But beware: they are addictive, counterproductive with long-term use. In addition, some drugs are not recommended during pregnancy, so pregnant women need to consult a doctor before treatment.

Zinc tablets, which prevent the multiplication of viruses, will help cure a viral disease. Also, depending on the type of rhinitis, other homeopathic remedies can be used:

•        Allium cepa 9ch;
•        Dulcamara 9ch;
•        Kalium biochromicum 9ch.

Homeopathy when treating adults and children should be discussed with a doctor.

Increasing immunity with folk remedies

Of course, the best treatment for a common cold and the accompanying headache is the use of pharmaceuticals. But for uncomplicated conditions, folk methods will also help. They rely on the experience of their ancestors who knew about the healing power of nature, able to make the most of everything that grows around them.

Liquids

Having enough fluid will help the body fight off existing infections while maintaining immunity against other potential pathogens. A well-known recipe for the treatment of a cold and headache is herbal teas, in particular, chamomile. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and sweetening with honey enhances its disinfecting effect. This plant is suitable not only for drinking but also for inhalation.

The use of milk and dairy products is impractical, because this leads to excessive mucus production.

Bath

Viruses kill high temperatures, so you can take a hot bath, then quickly get dressed, go to bed. An artificially induced fever and increased sweating will occur. It is a desirable condition that helps kill viruses. After half an hour, you can change into dry warm clothes.

Chicken bouillon

It is recommended to drink strong homemade chicken broth 2-3 times a day to relieve symptoms. Besides good taste, it has strong mucus-thinning effects.