Chronic headache - if you complain of headaches every day

Chronic headache - if you complain of headaches every day

What type of headache is noticeable?

Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you might have chronic daily headaches.

Aggressive initial treatment and steady, long-term management might reduce pain and lead to fewer headaches.

Symptoms

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
  • Chronic tension-type headache
  • New daily persistent headache
  • Hemicrania continua

When to see a doctor

Occasional headaches are common, and usually require no medical attention.

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
  • Follows a head injury
  • Gets worse despite rest and pain medication

Causes

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 nonprimary 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

 

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-daily-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20370891