Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you might have chronic daily headaches.
Rather than a specific headache type, chronic daily headaches include a variety of headache subtypes. Chronic refers to how often the headaches occur and how long the condition lasts.
The constant nature of chronic daily headaches makes them one of the most disabling headache conditions. Aggressive initial treatment and steady, long-term management might reduce pain and lead to fewer headaches.
?? SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES ?
By definition, chronic daily headaches occur 15 days or more a month, for longer than three months. True (primary) chronic daily headaches aren't caused by another condition.
There are short-lasting and long-lasting chronic daily headaches.
Long-lasting headaches last more than four hours. They include:
??Chronic migraine
This type typically occurs in people with a history of episodic migraines. Chronic migraines tend to:
?Affect one side or both sides of your head
?Have a pulsating, throbbing sensation
?Cause moderate to severe pain
And they cause at least one of the following:
Nausea, vomiting or both
Sensitivity to light and sound.
??Chronic tension-type headache
These headaches tend to:
?Affect both sides of your head
?Cause mild to moderate pain
?Cause pain that feels pressing or tightening, but not pulsating
??New daily persistent headache
These headaches come on suddenly, usually in people without a headache history. They become constant within three days of your first headache. They:
?Often affect both sides of your head
?Cause pain that feels like pressing or tightening, but not pulsating
?Cause mild to moderate pain
However, consult your doctor if:
?You usually have two or more headaches a week
?You take a pain reliever for your headaches most days
You need more than the recommended dose of over-the-counter pain remedies to relieve your headaches
?Your headache pattern changes or your headaches worsen
?Your headaches are disabling
Seek prompt medical care if your headache:
?Is sudden and severe
?Accompanies a fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
??CAUSES OF CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES ?
The causes of many chronic daily headaches aren't well-understood. True (primary) chronic daily headaches don't have an identifiable underlying cause.
?Conditions that might cause non-primary chronic daily headaches include:?
?Inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain, including stroke
Infections, such as meningitis
Intracranial pressure that's either too high or too low
?Brain tumor
Traumatic brain injury
Medication overuse headache
This type of headache usually develops in people who have an episodic headache disorder, usually migraine or tension type, and take too much pain medication.
If you're taking pain medications — even over-the-counter — more than two days a week (or nine days a month), you're at risk of developing rebound headaches.
?More Information?
??Factors associated with developing frequent headaches include:?
?Female sex
?Anxiety
?Depression
?Sleep disturbances
?Obesity
?Snoring
?Overuse of caffeine
?Overuse of headache medication
?? PREVENTION
?Avoid headache triggers:
Keeping a headache diary can help you determine what triggers your headaches so that you can avoid the triggers. Include details about every headache, such as when it started, what you were doing at the time and how long it lasted.
?Avoid medication overuse:
Taking headache medications, including over-the-counter medications, more than twice a week can increase the severity and frequency of your headaches.
?Get enough sleep:
The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep a night. It's best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Talk to your doctor if you have sleep disturbances, such as snoring.
?Don't skip meals:
Eat healthy meals at about the same times daily. Avoid food or drinks, such as those containing caffeine, that seem to trigger headaches. Lose weight if you're obese.
?Exercise regularly:
Regular aerobic physical activity can improve your physical and mental well-being and reduce stress. With your doctor's OK, choose activities you enjoy — such as walking, swimming or cycling. To avoid injury, start slowly.
?Reduce stress:
Stress is a common trigger of chronic headaches. Get organized. Simplify your schedule. Plan ahead. Stay positive. Try stress-reduction techniques, such as yoga, tai chi or meditation.
?Reduce caffeine:
While some headache medications include caffeine because it can be beneficial in reducing headache pain, it can also aggravate headaches. Try to minimize or eliminate caffeine from your diet.
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