Experiencing a headache now and then is a common occurrence for most people. However, when headaches become a near-daily event, it can significantly disrupt your life. If you find yourself asking, “Why Do I Have Headaches Everyday?”, you might be experiencing chronic daily headaches.
Chronic daily headaches aren’t a specific type of headache, but rather a term encompassing various headache subtypes that occur frequently. The term “chronic” refers to the frequency and duration of these headaches, making them a particularly challenging and disabling condition. Understanding why you might be experiencing headaches every day is the first step towards finding relief.
Symptoms of Chronic Daily Headaches
By definition, chronic daily headaches occur 15 days a month or more, for a period exceeding three months. These are primary chronic daily headaches, meaning they are not caused by an underlying medical condition. Chronic daily headaches can be categorized by their duration: short-lasting (less than 4 hours) and long-lasting (more than 4 hours). Long-lasting chronic daily headaches include several types:
- Chronic Migraine
- Chronic Tension-Type Headache
- New Daily Persistent Headache
- Hemicrania Continua
Chronic Migraine
Chronic migraine often develops from episodic migraines. Key characteristics include:
- Pain on one or both sides of the head
- Pulsating or throbbing pain
- Moderate to severe pain intensity
- Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or both
- Sensitivity to light and sound
Chronic Tension-Type Headache
This is another common type of chronic daily headache, often described as:
- Pain affecting both sides of the head
- Mild to moderate pain levels
- Pressure or tightening sensation, not pulsating
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)
NDPH is distinct because of its sudden onset, usually in individuals without a prior headache history. It becomes persistent within 3 days of the first headache. NDPH is characterized by:
- Frequently affecting both sides of the head
- Pressure or tightening pain, not pulsating
- Mild to moderate pain intensity
- Can sometimes exhibit features of chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headache
Hemicrania Continua
Hemicrania continua is a persistent headache with unique features:
- Strictly one-sided head pain
- Daily and continuous pain without pain-free periods
- Moderate baseline pain with severe spikes
- Responds effectively to the medication indomethacin
- Can escalate to include migraine-like symptoms
Additionally, hemicrania continua may be associated with:
- Tearing or redness of the eye on the affected side
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Drooping eyelid or pupil constriction
- Restlessness
When to Consult a Doctor for Daily Headaches
Occasional headaches are rarely a cause for concern. However, daily headaches warrant medical consultation. Seek medical advice if:
- You experience headaches two or more times per week.
- You regularly use pain relievers for your headaches.
- Over-the-counter pain medications are no longer effective.
- Your headache pattern changes or worsens.
- Headaches are impacting your daily life and function.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a headache that is:
- Sudden and extremely severe.
- Accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties.
- Following a head injury.
- Worsening despite rest and medication.
What Causes Daily Headaches?
The exact causes of many chronic daily headaches are not fully understood. Primary chronic daily headaches lack an identifiable underlying cause. However, secondary chronic daily headaches can be linked to conditions such as:
- Blood vessel issues: Inflammation or abnormalities in blood vessels in and around the brain, including stroke.
- Infections: Conditions like meningitis.
- Intracranial pressure problems: Either high or low pressure within the skull.
- Brain tumors: Abnormal growths in the brain.
- Traumatic brain injury: Head injuries.
Medication Overuse Headache (MOH)
A significant cause of daily headaches is medication overuse. This often develops in individuals with pre-existing episodic headache disorders, like migraine or tension-type headaches, who overuse pain medications. Regular use of pain relievers, even over-the-counter drugs, more than two days a week (or more than nine days a month) can lead to rebound headaches, also known as medication overuse headaches.
Risk Factors for Chronic Daily Headaches
Several factors can increase your risk of developing frequent headaches:
- Female sex: Women are more prone to headaches.
- Psychological factors: Anxiety and depression.
- Sleep disorders: Disturbances in sleep patterns.
- Obesity: Excess body weight.
- Snoring: A potential indicator of sleep apnea.
- Excessive caffeine intake: Overconsumption of caffeinated beverages.
- Overuse of headache medications: As discussed earlier.
- Other chronic pain conditions: Co-existing pain conditions.
Complications of Chronic Daily Headaches
Living with chronic daily headaches can lead to various complications that impact overall well-being:
- Depression and Anxiety: Increased risk of mental health disorders.
- Sleep Disturbances: Further disruption of sleep patterns.
- Other physical and psychological problems: Reduced quality of life and overall health.
Prevention Strategies for Daily Headaches
Taking proactive steps can help manage and potentially reduce the frequency of chronic daily headaches:
- Identify and Avoid Headache Triggers: Keeping a headache diary is a valuable tool. Record details of each headache – when it started, activities preceding it, and duration. This can help pinpoint triggers to avoid.
- Avoid Medication Overuse: Limit the use of headache medications, including over-the-counter options, to no more than twice a week. Consult your doctor for guidance on safely reducing medication use if you suspect medication overuse headaches.
- Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Address any sleep disturbances, such as snoring, with your doctor.
- Maintain Regular Meal Schedules: Eat healthy meals at consistent times each day. Identify and avoid dietary triggers like caffeine or specific foods. Manage weight if obesity is a factor.
- Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular aerobic exercise improves physical and mental health and reduces stress. Choose enjoyable activities like walking, swimming, or cycling, after consulting your doctor. Start gradually to prevent injury.
- Manage Stress Levels: Stress is a significant headache trigger. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi. Improve organization, simplify your schedule, and maintain a positive outlook.
- Limit Caffeine Intake: While caffeine can be found in some headache medications for pain relief enhancement, it can also aggravate headaches. Minimize or eliminate caffeine consumption.
By understanding the types, causes, and preventative measures for chronic daily headaches, you can take informed steps towards managing your condition and improving your quality of life. If you are experiencing daily headaches, seeking medical advice is crucial for proper diagnosis and a personalized management plan.
Chronic daily headaches care at Mayo Clinic
April 09, 2019
References:
- Garza I, et al. Overview of chronic daily headache. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 16, 2018.
- Chronic daily headache: An overview. American Migraine Foundation. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/chronic-daily-headache-an-overview/. Accessed Jan. 16, 2018.
- Yancey JR, et al. Chronic daily headache: Diagnosis and management. American Family Physician. 2014;89:642.
- Chronic daily headache and chronic migraine. American Headache Society. https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/NAP_for_Web_-_CDH___Chronic_Migraine.pdf. Accessed Jan. 16, 2018.
- Headaches and complementary health approaches. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/pain/headachefacts.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2018.
- Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 15, 2017.
