Pain mistaken for toothache

Causes of high blood pressure

High blood pressure is divided into 2 types:

• primary (essential) hypertension (or hypertension) is the most common type of high blood pressure, often has no cause, develops over many years, the risk increases with age;
• secondary hypertension occurs against the background of the development of any disease (kidneys, endocrine system organs, sleep apnea) or taking certain medications.

Causes of high blood pressure include:

• old age (the older a person is, the higher the likelihood of developing hypertension);
• family history of the disease (high blood pressure in parents or other close relatives);
• unhealthy diet - diet high in salt and fat;
• lack of physical activity;
• overweight, obesity;
• sleep disorders;
• chronic diseases (chronic kidney disease, endocrine disorders, diabetes, high cholesterol);
• race (eg, African Americans have a higher risk);
• gender (in middle age, high blood pressure develops more often in men, in old age - in women; women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy are more prone to arterial hypertension in old age);
• certain medications (contraceptives, decongestants, NSAIDs, antidepressants);
• stress;
• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• non-compliance with sleep schedule, night shift work.

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” due to its lack of noticeable symptoms. In some cases (especially when blood pressure levels reach dangerously high levels), a person may complain of headache, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath. Many people do not associate these symptoms with abnormal blood pressure readings because they are not in the habit of periodically monitoring their blood pressure with a doctor or at home.

Blood pressure readings

• Normal pressure is from 90/60 mm Hg. Art. up to <120/80 mmHg Art.
• Prehypertension (risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension) - 120–129 mm Hg. Art. / <80 mmHg Art.
• Arterial hypertension 1st degree - 130–139 mm Hg. Art. or 80–89 mm Hg. Art.
• Arterial hypertension 2 degrees - ≥140 mm Hg. Art. or ≥90 mm Hg. Art.*

*American Heart Association classification.

Online blood pressure calculator on the NHS website.

American College of Cardiology online cardiovascular risk (stroke, heart attack and other diseases) calculator (risk of complications for patients with high blood pressure over the next 10 years and beyond).

High blood pressure and headaches: together or apart?

Hypertension is deceptive. It can be completely asymptomatic - it’s not for nothing that it’s called the silent killer.

At the same time, many are sure that they will certainly feel it if the pressure “jumps.”

And a headache in the back of the head is secretly the leader among those considered classic signs of hypertension. Does high blood pressure really cause headaches?

Blood Power

To understand how hypertension can manifest itself and why, it would be good to understand what happens in the body when pressure increases.

So, when the heart contracts, blood is pushed into the vessels - through them it penetrates into the tissues. In order for blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to reach every cell of the body, it must be ejected from the heart with a certain force, which, in turn, puts pressure on the blood vessels. It is this force that is considered blood pressure.

The level of pressure is determined by many factors. It depends on the force with which the heart pumps blood into the vessels, the volume of blood entering the arteries, the elasticity of the vessels and many other aspects. Therefore, the famous norm is 120/80 mm Hg. can vary both downward and upward.

However, if the threshold of 140/90 mmHg is exceeded. blood pressure is considered abnormally elevated.

If blood pressure rises regularly, arterial hypertension develops. It “approaches” imperceptibly: usually the numbers increase gradually, and the body adapts to the change in the force with which the blood presses on the walls of the blood vessels. Therefore, even with constantly high blood pressure, a person often feels great, which is confirmed by data from numerous studies studying the relationship between hypertension and its possible manifestations, including headaches.

Does not hurt…

In fact, many scientific studies have shown that there is no connection between headaches and increased blood pressure. Moreover: it has been proven that regular headaches do not affect the condition of a patient with hypertension.

Thus, the American Journal of Hypertension published the results of a large-scale study in which 1914 patients with arterial hypertension participated. Scientists observed them for three long decades, recording the symptoms, course and complications of the disease.

The results of the experiment showed that there is no connection between the regular occurrence of headaches and the likelihood of cardiovascular death.

This indirectly confirms that headache is not related to hypertension.

The lack of connection between headaches and hypertension is confirmed by many cardiological organizations, for example, the American Heart Association. Its experts have published data showing that patients with arterial hypertension are less likely to experience headaches than those with normal blood pressure. And yet there is an opposite opinion.

...or does it hurt?

The fact is that a sudden and sharp increase in blood pressure, known as a hypertensive crisis, can cause an increase in pressure inside the skull - in the sinuses of the brain, ventricles of the brain and other structures. This may result in a headache that is different from a “traditional” tension headache or migraine attack.

According to some experts, this pain is pulsating in nature and can intensify with physical activity. It is often felt in the back of the head, although its location may be different.

Some other symptoms may indicate a significant increase in blood pressure, in particular:

• Facial redness
• Weakness
• Dyspnea
• Visual impairment
• Chest pain, palpitations, irregular heart rhythm
• Nausea
• Severe anxiety or, conversely, lethargy
• Sweating
• Nose bleed.

If you experience a severe headache along with blurred vision and confusion, you should immediately call the emergency room - the combination of these symptoms may indicate organ damage and the need for emergency medical care. But in other cases it is better not to hesitate.

What to do?

For headaches that occur against the background of a hypertensive crisis, it is important to take measures to lower blood pressure as quickly as possible. We must not forget that a sharp drop in it is just as undesirable as a sudden increase. During the first two hours, pressure should be reduced by no more than 25%, and target values ​​(i.e. normal) should be achieved within 2-6 hours after the onset of the attack.

How often should you check your blood pressure readings?

Blood pressure is usually measured when visiting a doctor (for example, a therapist). There is no need to specifically visit a specialist for this; it is enough to ensure that the pressure is measured at least once every 2 to 5 years, starting from the age of 18 (with normal blood pressure and no increased risk of cardiovascular diseases).

People over 40 years of age, and people 18–40 years of age at risk of high blood pressure, should have their blood pressure checked at a healthcare facility at least once a year. If a diagnosis of arterial hypertension has been established or a person has other risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases, it is recommended to measure blood pressure more often and not neglect monitoring at home. Your doctor will help you choose a device for measuring blood pressure (tonometer).

For children 3 years of age and older, blood pressure is measured regularly during annual routine examinations.

Caution: The American Heart Association does not recommend the use of wrist- or finger-worn blood pressure monitors, which are less accurate.

If recommended, measure blood pressure at home twice a day on the left and right arm: in the morning before breakfast (but not immediately after waking up) and before taking any medications, and in the evening, preferably at the same time. In each case, you need to measure the pressure 2-3 times (at short intervals, 1-3 minutes) for a confident, accurate result. 30 minutes before, do not smoke, do not eat, do not drink coffee (and alcohol), do not exercise, and empty your bladder. During the measurement, you must sit in a comfortable position, leaning back in a chair or armchair, do not cross your legs and ankles, and do not talk. The arm on which the cuff is worn must be freed from clothing and held at heart level; it is most convenient to place it on a table or armrest of a chair. Don't forget to write down your measurement results.

Why can teeth hurt?

Toothache can have a variety of causes, including hot and cold foods or drinks. Another - although not the most common - factor that can cause tooth pain is a cold or sinus infection. Increased pressure in the sinuses can cause discomfort in the area of ​​the teeth, since the roots of the latter are located close to the sinuses. One way or another, it is important to find out whether this discomfort has more serious causes that require medical intervention.

How to find out why your teeth hurt?

If you have symptoms of a cold, flu or sinus infection, such as nasal congestion and sinus pressure, then it is likely that your toothache is related to this condition. The frontal sinuses are located close enough to the roots of the teeth and their nerves that pressure and pain in the sinuses can be transmitted to the structures of the oral cavity. As otolaryngologists explain, pain in the teeth of the upper jaw is a common symptom of sinusitis. Talk to your doctor about treatment for sinusitis or other respiratory illness that may cause nasal congestion. On the Medportal information website you will find a detailed description of many respiratory diseases and their symptoms, including a runny nose, sore throat and frequent dry cough.

Often with colds and flu, there is stuffiness in the ears, obstruction of the Eustachian tubes, and otitis media develops. Pressure in the ear can cause discomfort in the chewing teeth and roof of the mouth. If your ear and teeth on the same side of your head hurt at the same time, the cause of the toothache may be irradiation of pain from the ear, explain experts from the St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I. P. Pavlov. In the absence of an ear infection, ear congestion is treated in the same way as sinus or nasal congestion. If your ears hurt and feel as if they are full of fluid, you feel pressure on your eardrums and hear frequent clicking sounds, consult a doctor to rule out inflammation of the middle ear, which may require antibiotics to treat.

If your teeth hurt, but there are no symptoms of a common cold, and you do not know what the cause of the pain is, then the best thing to do is to visit a dentist for an accurate diagnosis. Some conditions that provoke toothache are fraught with serious consequences and require immediate medical intervention. Direct or indirect causes of toothache can, of course, be dental diseases and conditions such as periodontitis, caries, enamel erosion, loss of hard dental tissues and involuntary grinding of teeth during sleep (bruxism).

How to relieve toothache caused by a cold

If your toothache is caused by nasal congestion caused by a cold, flu, or sinusitis, try reducing the pressure in your sinuses. To do this, you can use over-the-counter vasoconstrictors and mucus thinners. Rinsing the mouth with a decoction or tincture of sage, chamomile and other medicinal herbs can also relieve toothache. You can also resort to over-the-counter pain relievers. In addition, the following can help reduce toothache:

• rest and long sleep
• warm drinks and soups
• cold medicines that thin the mucus that causes nasal congestion
• cough drops or tea with honey to relieve throat irritation caused by sinus discharge

As additional means for use at home, specialists from the Scientific Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology named after L. I. Sverzhevsky recommend using a humidifier and rinsing the nose. If you experience pain in your sinuses or a feeling of strong pressure in them when you tilt your head in different directions, you should definitely consult a doctor, especially if the pain does not go away for a long time and/or is accompanied by an increase in temperature - this may be a sign of a serious sinus infection, or sinusitis.

Teeth can also hurt due to increased sensitivity. If pressure and contact with cold or hot foods and drinks cause acute, short-term pain in your teeth, a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help. If your toothache is not related to a cold or sinus infection, be sure to consult with your dentist, who can make the correct diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

Is it possible to normalize high blood pressure and what to do?

Yes, with the help of lifestyle modification (influencing modifiable factors), treating the underlying disease, taking medications that normalize blood pressure.

Lifestyle modifications include proper nutrition, including avoiding fatty foods and reducing salt intake (the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan recommended by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is preferred); weight normalization; quitting smoking and alcohol; regular physical activity; stress management (for example, mastering relaxation techniques).

If you have persistently high blood pressure due to a medical condition (such as diabetes) or caused by taking certain medications, it is recommended that you consult your doctor. Control of the underlying disease, refusal of drugs (or their replacement) that increase blood pressure, make it possible to stabilize the patient’s blood pressure and condition.

Nonmodifiable risk factors associated with high blood pressure include age and family history.

Myths about COVID-19 vaccination

Adverse events are normal possible consequences of receiving any vaccine. But in addition to the usual and carefully studied effects, there is an opinion that Sputnik V may cause unexpected long-term consequences:

Myth #1: Vaccines cause infertility.

None of the known vaccines affects the reproductive function of men or women. The issue of safety for offspring remains one of the most important for developers of medicines, including vaccines. This is considered a serious adverse event. Therefore, if there is minimal doubt, the drug will not pass phase 1 of clinical trials on laboratory animals. In this case, further development will be stopped. Vaccines that have passed the second and third phases are guaranteed to be safe for future parents.

There is no evidence that any vaccine causes fertility problems. But how a pregnant woman’s body will react to a coronavirus infection is a big question.

Myth #2: Vaccines affect DNA

None of the vaccines registered today are capable of integrating into DNA. Vaccines do not penetrate the cell nucleus, where the DNA is located. Therefore she is safe. The origin of this myth is unknown to science.

Myth No. 3: You can get infected with coronavirus from the vaccine and get a positive PCR test

The vaccine does not cause active disease, but stimulates specific immunity in other ways. PCR after vaccination will be positive only if you become infected before vaccination. The sooner you get vaccinated, the faster specific immunity will form. The only risk I see is a short-term increase in body temperature. It can be detected, for example, at the airport and prevent departure. Therefore, ideally, you should get vaccinated two to three days before your flight.

Myth No. 4: You can’t get vaccinated if you have chronic diseases.

In this case, it is better to consult with your doctor before vaccination. If a chronic disease worsens, vaccination may need to be postponed. Or perhaps not. But chronic diseases themselves are not contraindications. On the contrary, they greatly increase the risk of severe coronavirus infection. In this case, it is safer to get vaccinated and protect the weakened body.

Treatment of high blood pressure

Treatment of arterial hypertension is based on lifestyle modification, constant monitoring of blood pressure, and the use of antihypertensive drugs (medicines that lower blood pressure) - one or more, based on the patient's individual situation.

Medicines prescribed for high blood pressure include: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, beta blockers, alpha blockers, alpha beta blockers. In most cases, these medications do not cause side effects. However, you should not self-medicate; you should consult a doctor who will select an effective drug and prescribe a regimen for its administration. It is important to follow all recommendations, observe the dosage and not skip taking the drug(s).

When diagnosing arterial hypertension, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides an accurate idea of ​​the patient’s blood pressure levels. ABPM also excludes the factor of chance, distortion of real blood pressure readings (the so-called “white coat” syndrome or “white coat” hypertension), and registers imperceptible changes in blood pressure (for example, during sleep). This test is recommended by the American Heart Association to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.