When a headache is present for multiple days at a time, this is known as a type of chronic daily headache. These headaches are so extreme at times that they wear a person down. Knowing what the cause of a chronic headache is will enable a person to gain relief from this disabling condition. Chronic headaches affect 3 to 5 percent of adults and fall into one of four categories. These types are; chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, hemicrania continua, and new daily persistent headache. All these headaches have specific symptoms and causes, as well, as common risk factors.
Signs and Symptoms- Chronic migraines affect just one side of the head. The pain is a throbbing sensation, which triggers nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to bright lights and sound. Headaches known as chronic tension-type headaches affect both sides of the head. These can tend to cause nausea, as well as sensitivity to noise and lights. One type of headache that is extremely draining is a hemicrania continua.
This kind of chronic headache ranges from moderate to severe intensity and never eases up. Due to its severity, this type of headache even causes swelling of the face on the side of the headache. The swelling will cause redness of the eye and nasal congestion / running. The fourth subtype is a new daily persistent headache, which starts suddenly and lasts multiple days in a row. There isn’t a throbbing pain involved, but a tight feeling on both sides of the head. This chronic headache might bring about sensitivity to light and sound or even nausea.
There is sometimes nausea or vomiting included, as well as being sensitive to light and noises. Chronic tension-type headaches are generally a pressing feeling on both sides of the head and there might be nausea or sensitivity to light and sound, but not always. New daily persistent headaches have a sudden start and last up to three days. Both sides of the head hurt and it is a tightening feeling, not throbbing. There might be either nausea or sensitivity included also.
Risk Factors to Avoid- Reports and studies over the years have shown women are affected more often than men are by chronic headaches. The risk factors are the same, whether the person suffering is a man or a woman. Risk factors can include obesity, anxiety, or snoring.
Risk Factors- Chronic headaches are more prevalent in women than in men. No matter what the sex is of the person, the risk factors of developing such headaches are the same. These factors include; snoring, obesity, overuse of caffeine or pain medication, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. A combination of any of these will only increase the chances of having chronic headaches on a daily basis.
Diagnosis of Headaches- For a doctor to diagnose the cause of a chronic headache, he/she will have many questions to ask. These questions will enable the doctor to determine what the underlying cause may be. X-rays, CT scans or MRIs may be run to see an image of the brain and check for abnormalities. Sometimes, even a urine or blood test is ran to find out if any medical condition might be detected as the cause of these chronic headaches.
Forms of Treatment- If a medical condition is the cause for a chronic daily headache, medication can be given to curb the attacks. When there isn’t a medical condition involved, preventing headaches from ever occurring is the ultimate goal. This can be achieved by keeping the risk factors discussed previously to a minimum.
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