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Why Does My Head Feel Heavy

Why Does My Head Feel Heavy

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Head Feel Heavy

    Patients often ask, “why does my head feel heavy and dizzy?” The following article will help you understand the problem, its causes, symptoms and treatment options. 

    Your head weighs about a few pounds and comprises the skull, brain tissue and other factors. Therefore, it is a considerably heavy task to hold up the head. According to the journal Surgical Technology International, the weight of an adult head in the upright position is between 10-12 pounds. But sometimes, the weight of your head might feel heavier than it usually is. 

    Why does your head feel heavy sometimes? It can be a result of the mechanics of the spine and neck. It may also arise due to some medical conditions. But you do not need to panic or seek emergency treatment.

    What are the causes?

    Here are the causes that might make you wonder why does my head feel heavy: 

    Balance Disorders: Sometimes, the balance of the head is affected by dizziness and lightheadedness, which in turn can cause your head to feel heavier. It can also be a sign of a balance disorder. Some of the balance disorders are:

    • Meniere’s disease. 
    • Positional Vertigo. 
    • Vestibular Neuronitis. 

    Each of these symptoms may make you wonder, “why do I feel my head heavy.”

    Myasthenia Gravis: It is a condition that results in the weakening of the muscles, more than usual. Fatigue in the neck muscles and weakness are consequences of Myasthenia Gravis. 

    It can also make simple functions like chewing, talking or even holding up the head more difficult. These symptoms are also known as bulbar weakness symptoms. 

    Poor Posture: Did you know that if you tilt your neck and your head by about 15 degrees, the weight of your head can feel like 27 pounds? The head can weigh around 60 pounds at an angle of 60 degrees or looking down at the ground. 

    Suppose you wonder, “why do I feel my head heavy” you should check how you are holding it. For example, if you are not holding it in an upright or neutral posture for a prolonged period, your head might feel heavy. 

    Sinus Headaches: A headache caused due to the sinus can result in pain and pressure, which makes you wonder why my head feels heavy and dizzy. It happens when the sinus passages in front of your face are swollen. 

    Bacterial or viral infection can affect the sinus passages, which leads to inflammation, yellow discharge or stuffiness in the nose. 

    Tension Headaches: It is a common kind of headache that occurs frequently. It makes you feel like your head is squeezed, and you will observe mild pain. In addition, it can result in shoulder and neck muscle tension which makes your head feel heavier than usual. The headache can last between 20 minutes to 2 hours. 

    If you happen to think, “why does my head feel heavy and dizzy” or you are facing any of these symptoms, then you may reach out to Ujala Cygnus Hospital and get in touch with an expert doctor. 

    Associated Symptoms

    The symptoms associated with your head feeling heavy can depend upon the following causes:

    You might experience tension in the muscles of your head and neck. It can make your neck stiff, making it difficult for you to move your head from side to side. 

    Other consequences include headaches on both sides of your head. These are some of the reasons that make you think, “why my head feel heavy and dizzy.” 

    Treatment Options 

    If you think, “why does my head feel heavy and dizzy,” you should try to take a break from looking down. You should cut down on activities like typing, texting or trying to stretch your neck. You must keep your head upright and in the neutral position as much as possible. 

    If a headache is making your head feel heavier, you should take medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen. These will help the pain to subside. 

    If you are experiencing a tension headache, you must figure out the reasons that are causing it. Some of the causes can be hunger, lack of enough sleep, or grinding the teeth at night. You must avoid the habit causing the headache or seek treatment to get over them. It will help you overcome tension headaches. 

    Some medications that help to treat balance headaches are:

    • Anticholinergics- It includes scopolamine, which is primarily used to treat seasickness. 
    • Antiemetics- It is used for treating dizziness caused due to nausea. For example, the combination of dexamethasone (Decadron) and ondansetron (Zofran). 
    • Antihistamines- It helps in reducing the feeling of motion sickness. Examples are meclizine (Antivert), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and promethazine (Phenergan). Some of the antihistamines can also be purchased online. 
    • Benzodiazepines- Apart from helping to subside motion sickness and vertigo, these medications help in reducing anxiety. Examples are diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin) and alprazolam (Xanax). 

    Other treatments include some exercises to avoid dizziness. For example, Epley Manoeuvre helps treat dizziness related to the inner ear. 

    If you want to treat any of these problems, you should consider consulting a doctor at Ujala Cygnus Hospital.

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