It’s common to experience a headache now and then. However, if you find yourself asking, “Why Do I Keep Getting Headaches Everyday?”, it’s crucial to understand that this is not normal and may indicate a more serious underlying issue. Frequent headaches, occurring more days than not, could signify chronic daily headaches (CDH), a condition encompassing various headache types, many of which can significantly disrupt your daily life.
Chronic daily headaches are defined as headaches occurring 15 days or more per month for over three months. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and understanding the different types of CDH is the first step towards finding relief.
Types of Chronic Daily Headaches
While the umbrella term is chronic daily headaches, there are distinct categories, each with unique characteristics:
Chronic Migraine Headaches
Chronic migraines are often debilitating and can affect one or both sides of your head. The pain is typically described as throbbing and ranges from moderate to severe. Beyond the intense pain, chronic migraines can also bring on nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia).
Chronic Tension Headaches
Unlike migraines, chronic tension headaches usually present as a more constant, pressing, or tightening pain affecting both sides of the head. The pain intensity is generally mild to moderate and lacks the throbbing nature of migraines. Think of it as a persistent band of pressure around your head.
New Daily Persistent Headaches (NDPH)
NDPH are characterized by their sudden onset. They appear out of nowhere, often in individuals without a prior history of frequent headaches. Typically affecting both sides of the head, NDPH pain is described as pressing or tightening and is usually mild to moderate in intensity. The ‘new’ and ‘persistent’ nature of these headaches is a key diagnostic feature.
Hemicrania Continua
Hemicrania continua is a continuous headache that always affects the same side of the head. Unlike other CDHs that may have pain-free periods, hemicrania continua is constant, although the pain level can fluctuate, with spikes of severe pain. This type of headache is uniquely responsive to a specific prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug called Indocin. Furthermore, hemicrania continua is often associated with at least one of the following accompanying symptoms on the affected side:
- Tearing or redness of the eye
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
- Drooping eyelid or narrowing of the pupil
- Restlessness or agitation
Uncovering the “Why”: Potential Causes of Chronic Headaches
The exact reasons behind chronic daily headaches remain somewhat elusive. Medical professionals are still working to fully understand the underlying mechanisms. However, several factors and conditions are known to potentially trigger or contribute to their development:
Medical Conditions
Certain underlying medical conditions can manifest as chronic daily headaches. These include:
- Blood Vessel Issues: Inflammation or other abnormalities affecting blood vessels in and around the brain can be a contributing factor.
- Stroke: Conditions like stroke, where blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to blocked blood vessels, can lead to chronic headaches.
- Infections: Infections of the central nervous system, such as meningitis, can trigger chronic headaches.
- Intracranial Pressure Imbalances: Both high and low pressure within the skull can result in persistent headaches.
- Brain Tumors: While less common, brain tumors can be a cause of chronic daily headaches.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Head injuries can sometimes lead to the development of chronic headache disorders.
Medication Overuse
Paradoxically, one of the most common culprits for chronic daily headaches is the overuse of pain medication itself. This is often referred to as medication overuse headache (MOH) or rebound headache. Regularly using over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, even for headaches, can lead to a vicious cycle where the medication starts triggering more frequent and severe headaches.
Proactive Strategies: Preventing and Managing Chronic Headaches
While the causes of chronic daily headaches can be complex, there are proactive steps you can take to potentially prevent them or reduce their frequency and intensity:
Identify and Avoid Headache Triggers
Keeping a headache diary can be incredibly helpful in pinpointing your personal headache triggers. Track factors such as:
- Diet: Note specific foods or beverages consumed before headache onset. Common culprits include caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and certain food additives.
- Activities: Pay attention to activities preceding headaches, such as strenuous exercise, prolonged screen time, or stressful situations.
- Environment: Observe environmental factors like weather changes, strong odors, or exposure to allergens.
Once you identify potential triggers, consciously try to avoid or minimize them.
Medication Management: Mindful Use of Pain Relievers
Be mindful of your pain medication usage. Overusing headache medications, defined as more than two days a week, can significantly worsen headache frequency and severity. If you are regularly taking pain medication for headaches, consult with a doctor about strategies to reduce or wean off these medications safely. Abruptly stopping some medications can be harmful.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Headache Reduction
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can play a crucial role in headache prevention:
- Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up around the same time daily, even on weekends. If you experience sleep difficulties, seek medical advice.
- Regular Meal Schedule: Avoid skipping meals. Maintain a balanced diet and identify any food-related headache triggers. Weight management, if you are overweight or obese, can also be beneficial.
- Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, as cleared by your doctor. Exercise can improve both physical and mental well-being and reduce stress levels. Choose activities you enjoy, like walking, swimming, or cycling.
- Stress Management: Stress is a significant headache trigger. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or tai chi.
- Caffeine Awareness: While caffeine can sometimes provide temporary headache relief and is found in some headache medications, it can also be a headache trigger or worsen existing headaches. Consider reducing or eliminating caffeine intake to see if it impacts your headache frequency.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
Occasional headaches are usually not a cause for concern. However, it’s essential to consult a doctor if you experience any of the following:
Situations Warranting a Doctor’s Visit
- Frequent Headaches: If you consistently have headaches two or more times per week.
- Regular Pain Reliever Use: If you find yourself taking pain relievers for headaches on most days.
- Increased Medication Needs: If over-the-counter medications are no longer effective, or you need to exceed the recommended dose for relief.
- Changes in Headache Patterns: If you notice a change in the pattern, frequency, or severity of your headaches, or if they are progressively worsening.
- Disabling Headaches: If your headaches are significantly impacting your daily life, work, or social activities.
Emergency Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical care if your headache:
- Sudden and Severe Onset: Comes on abruptly and is intensely painful.
- Accompanied by Other Symptoms: Is associated with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.
- Post-Head Injury Headache: Occurs after a head injury.
- Worsening Despite Rest and Medication: Continues to worsen even after rest and taking pain medication.
Take Charge of Your Health
If you are experiencing sudden, severe headaches accompanied by any of the emergency symptoms listed above, call emergency services immediately. For more common chronic daily headaches, it’s crucial to consult with your doctor for proper diagnosis and management. Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice to understand why you keep getting headaches everyday and find effective strategies for relief and improved quality of life.
