Why Do I Have a Headache Every Day? Understanding Chronic Daily Headaches

Most people experience headaches occasionally. However, if you find yourself with a headache more often than not, you might be experiencing chronic daily headaches. This condition isn’t a specific type of headache but rather a categorization encompassing various headache subtypes that occur frequently.

The persistent nature of chronic daily headaches can be significantly debilitating, making effective management crucial. Prompt and aggressive initial treatment, followed by consistent long-term management strategies, can help reduce pain and decrease the frequency of these headaches.

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Symptoms

Chronic daily headaches are defined by their frequency: occurring 15 days or more per month for over three months. Primary chronic daily headaches are not caused by an underlying medical condition.

These headaches can be categorized as short-lasting or long-lasting, with long-lasting headaches persisting for more than four hours. Types of long-lasting chronic daily headaches include:

Chronic Migraine
Chronic Tension-Type Headache
New Daily Persistent Headache
Hemicrania Continua

Chronic Migraine

Chronic migraine often develops in individuals with a history of episodic migraines. Key characteristics of chronic migraines include:

Pain on one or both sides of the head
Pulsating or throbbing pain
Moderate to severe pain intensity
Presence of at least one of the following:
- Nausea, vomiting, or both
- Sensitivity to light and sound

Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Chronic tension-type headaches are characterized by:

Pain affecting both sides of the head
Mild to moderate pain level
Pain described as pressing or tightening, but not pulsating

New Daily Persistent Headache

New daily persistent headaches are distinct due to their sudden onset, often in people without a prior headache history. They become continuous within three days of the initial headache. Features include:

Pain often on both sides of the head
Pressing or tightening pain, not pulsating
Mild to moderate pain intensity
Potential overlap with features of chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headache

Hemicrania Continua

Hemicrania continua headaches are defined by:

Pain localized to one side of the head only
Daily and continuous pain with no pain-free periods
Moderate baseline pain with severe pain spikes
Responsiveness to the prescription pain reliever indomethacin (Indocin)
Potential to worsen with migraine-like symptoms

Furthermore, hemicrania continua headaches may be associated with at least one of the following accompanying symptoms:

Tearing or redness of the eye on the affected side
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Drooping eyelid or pupil constriction
Restlessness

When to Seek Medical Advice

Occasional headaches are a common experience and usually don’t require medical intervention. However, it’s advisable to consult your doctor if:

You experience headaches two or more times per week regularly.
You take pain relievers for headaches on most days.
Over-the-counter pain medications no longer provide relief, or you need to exceed the recommended dose.
Your headache patterns change, or headaches worsen in intensity or frequency.
Headaches become disabling and interfere with daily activities.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a headache that:

Is sudden and severe in onset.
Is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties.
Occurs after a head injury.
Worsens despite rest and pain medication.

Request an appointment

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Causes

The precise causes of many chronic daily headaches remain unclear. Primary chronic daily headaches do not have an identifiable underlying cause. However, secondary chronic daily headaches can be attributed to various conditions, including:

Inflammation or abnormalities of blood vessels in and around the brain, such as stroke.
Infections, like meningitis.
Abnormal intracranial pressure (either too high or too low).
Brain tumors.
Traumatic brain injuries.

Medication Overuse Headache

Medication overuse headache (MOH), also known as rebound headache, is a significant concern for individuals with episodic headache disorders, particularly migraine or tension-type headache. Frequent use of pain medications, even over-the-counter drugs, can paradoxically lead to chronic headaches. If you are taking pain medication more than two days a week or more than nine days a month, you are at increased risk of developing MOH.

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Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing frequent headaches:

Female gender
Pre-existing anxiety disorders
Depression
Sleep disorders
Obesity
Snoring
Excessive caffeine consumption
Overuse of headache medications
Presence of other chronic pain conditions

Complications

Living with chronic daily headaches increases the risk of developing other health issues, including:

Depression
Anxiety
Sleep disturbances
Other psychological and physical health problems

Prevention

Adopting self-care strategies can be instrumental in managing and potentially preventing chronic daily headaches.

Identify and Avoid Headache Triggers: Keeping a detailed headache diary is a valuable tool for pinpointing your headache triggers. Record specifics about each headache, such as the time of onset, preceding activities, and duration. This can help you recognize and avoid potential triggers.
Prevent Medication Overuse: Be mindful of your pain medication usage. Regular use of headache medications, including over-the-counter options, more than twice a week can exacerbate headache frequency and severity. Consult your doctor for guidance on safely reducing medication use, as abrupt withdrawal can lead to serious side effects.
Prioritize Sufficient Sleep: Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night, which is the recommended average for adults. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up around the same time each day. If you experience sleep disturbances like snoring, discuss them with your doctor.
Maintain Regular Meal Schedules: Eat nutritious meals at consistent times each day. Avoid dietary triggers such as caffeine or specific foods that seem to provoke your headaches. If you are obese, weight loss may be beneficial.
Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular aerobic exercise can improve both physical and mental well-being and effectively reduce stress. After consulting your doctor, choose enjoyable activities like walking, swimming, or cycling. Begin gradually to prevent injuries.
Manage Stress Levels: Stress is a common headache trigger. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Improve organization, simplify your schedule, and cultivate a positive outlook.
Limit Caffeine Intake: While caffeine is present in some headache medications due to its potential to alleviate headache pain, it can also worsen headaches in the long run. Minimize or eliminate caffeine from your diet.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Chronic daily headaches care at Mayo Clinic