Table of Contents
Chronic Headache
Headache -Most people get pains from time to time. But if you have a headache for several days, you may have chronic daily headaches.
Daily chronic headache does not include a specific type of headache but many subtypes. Regular refers to how often headaches occur and how long the condition lasts.
The persistent nature of daily chronic headaches makes them one of the most disabling headache conditions. However, aggressive initial and consistent long-term treatment can reduce pain and result in fewer headaches.
Symptoms
By definition, chronic daily headaches occur on 15 or more days per month for more than three months. Another condition does not cause valid daily (primary) chronic headaches.
There are daily chronic headaches of short and long duration. Prolonged headache lasts more than four hours.
These include:
- Chronic migraine
- Chronic tension headache
- New persistent daily headache
- Migraine continues
- Chronic migraine
This type usually occurs in people with a history of episodic migraines.
Chronic migraine tends to:
- Hit one side or both sides of the head
- Experience the throbbing and throbbing sensation
- Causes moderate to severe pain
And they call at least one of the following:
- Nausea, vomiting, or both
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Chronic tension headache
- These headaches tend to:
- Hit both sides of the head
- Causes mild to moderate pain
This causes pain that feels like pressure or stiffness but does not throb.
New persistent daily headache
These headaches come on suddenly, usually in people with no history of headaches. They become permanent within three days of the first headache. They are:
- They often affect both sides of the head.
- This causes pain that feels like pressure or squeezing but does not throb.
- Causes mild to moderate pain
- It may have features of chronic migraine or chronic tension headaches.
- Migraine continues
These headaches:
- It only affects one side of the head
- They are daily and continuous without pain-free periods
- Causes moderate pain with peaks of intense pain.
- In response to the prescription of the analgesic indomethacin (Indocin)
- It may become severe with migraine-like symptoms.
- Chronic headache treatment
There are many possible treatments for persistent headaches. The doctor will work with you to determine which treatment is best for you. Your treatment will depend on the type of headache you are experiencing.
Also Read: Know About Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Treatment For Persistent Headaches
- Medications can be used to avoid or treat persistent headaches. However, suppose overuse of over-the-counter drugs or prescribed pain relievers contributes to constant headaches. In that case, your doctor will likely recommend you stop taking this medication to break the headache cycle.
- Often ongoing headache treatment aims to prevent headaches from occurring. This may reduce the need for pain medication. Some examples of drugs that can help avoid persistent headaches include:
- Antidepressants called tricyclics, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, can prevent headaches and help manage the anxiety or depression that can come with constant headaches.
- Antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin (neurontin) and topiramate (topamax)
- Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor)
- Monoclonal antibodies against a calcitonin gene-related peptide such as erenumab (moving), fremanezumab (above), eptinezumab (vyepti), atonement (Gupta), and rimegepant (nurses), which prevent migraine attacks, and galkanezumalitis, which can prevent migraine attacks. And cluster medications, such as the calcium channel blocker verapamil (Verelan) or the lithium mood stabilizer, can help prevent cluster headaches.
- Botox injection is an injection of a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria that causes botulism (botox may also be an option for people who cannot tolerate daily medications)
Drug Treatment
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve)
- Triptans, such as sumatriptan (imitrex) and rizatriptan (maxalt)
- Ergot derivatives such as dihydroergotamine
- However, as a general rule, use pain relievers in moderation. This is because they can lead to drug overuse or rebound headaches.
- Non-drug therapy
Your doctor may also recommend other treatments, possibly in combination with medications.
Non-drug treatments
Individual or group therapy sessions with a mental health specialist are available. You can talk about headache management in treatment and learn about the cognitive consequences of headaches.
- Using monitoring equipment and biofeedback, you may learn to comprehend and manage body processes like blood pressure, heart rate, and muscular tension.
- They stimulate the nerves. Delivering electrical impulses to target nerves is the method used in this method. For instance, occipital and vagus nerve stimulation are effective treatments for migraines and cluster headaches.
- This procedure involves inserting tiny, skinny needles into specific points on the body.
- Massage can help you relax and reduce muscle tension.
- Options such as butterbur or feverfew can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Lifestyle changes
Your doctor may suggest making some lifestyle changes to help manage your headache.
They may include things like:
- Avoid things that can cause headaches
- Make sure you get enough sleep
- Try to eat more regularly
- Control weight if you are overweight or obese
- Explore ways to reduce stress levels
- Do regular exercise
- Limit or avoid caffeine or alcohol
- Stop smoking
Conclusion
Persistent or chronic daily headache occurs when you have headaches for 15 or more days per month. Many types of headaches can become permanent, including tension headaches and migraines.
A variety of treatment options be to treat persistent headaches. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms to get the correct diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
