A circular headache, more accurately described as nummular headache (coin-shaped cephalgia), is a headache characterized by pain felt exclusively in a small, rounded or elliptical area on the head, typically 2-6 cm in diameter.
Understanding Nummular Headaches
Nummular headache is a relatively rare type of headache disorder. The key characteristics are:
- Localized Pain: The pain is strictly confined to a small, well-defined area. Imagine someone has placed a coin on your head and the pain is only felt under that coin.
- Size: The painful area is typically small, usually ranging from 2 to 6 centimeters in diameter.
- Nature of Pain: The pain is usually described as mild to moderate in intensity and is often pressure-like. However, other sensations such as itching, burning, or stabbing can also occur.
- Location: The pain can occur anywhere on the head.
- Chronicity: The headache can be episodic (occurring in attacks) or chronic (present most days).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of nummular headache usually involves:
- Clinical Examination: A thorough neurological examination by a doctor.
- Ruling Out Other Conditions: It's important to rule out other potential causes of localized head pain, such as skin conditions, structural lesions, or other types of headaches.
- Imaging Studies: In some cases, imaging studies like MRI may be performed to rule out underlying structural problems.
Treatment
Treatment for nummular headache may include:
- Medications: Pain relievers, such as NSAIDs, or other medications that target nerve pain.
- Topical Treatments: Creams or lotions applied directly to the painful area.
- Nerve Blocks: Injections to block the nerves in the affected area.
- Other Therapies: Physical therapy or other therapies may be helpful in some cases.
In Summary
A "circular headache" likely refers to a nummular headache, which is defined by localized, coin-shaped pain on the head. It requires careful diagnosis and management to differentiate it from other conditions and provide appropriate relief.
