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What is chronic daily headache, its types, and how to treat

Dealing with headaches is one of the annoying things that we face, especially if the headache is chronic on a daily basis, and the pain can range from mild to severe, and sometimes it never disappears, these types are called chronic daily headaches, and while they can come in different forms, they share In one thing: it negatively affects the daily life of those who suffer from it, in this report we learn about the types of chronic daily headaches and their treatment, according to the “Cleveland Clinic” website.

What is chronic daily headache?

Dr. Payal Sonne, a neurologist at Cleveland Clinic, USA, said that a chronic daily headache is any headache that occurs for 15 days or more of a month and lasts for three months or more. He added, “Chronic daily headache is a major headache disorder, which means that it is not caused by another disease.”

She noted that people of any age are prone to chronic daily headaches. Some risk factors for headaches include:

Obesity

-Sleep Apnea.

Anxiety.

-Depression.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic back pain.

She recommends keeping track of your headaches. “It may be helpful to keep track of your headaches or keep a journal so that you have a good idea of ​​how often.”

This information can also be helpful when you see your healthcare provider because it can be difficult to remember each headache you have over the course of several days or weeks.

The notes you take about your headache – where it occurs, and other associated symptoms – can also help determine the type of chronic daily headache you’re dealing with.

Types of chronic daily headaches

There are 5 types of chronic daily headaches, according to Dr. Sony:

Migraines The chronic.

Chronic tension headache.

Chronic post-traumatic headache.

A new daily headache.

Persistent migraine headache

1- Chronic migraine

Dr Sonny says that chronic migraines are similar to occasional migraines. We know that migraines are a genetic disorder that includes imbalance of neurotransmitters, inflammation and stimulating electrical activity in the brain.

While migraines are generally an episodic disorder – meaning you’ll have a migraine followed by periods when you don’t feel pain – they can potentially move to a chronic migraine.

There are epidemiological studies that claim that occasional migraines become chronic for about 2.5% of migraine patients every year. It’s just kind of a normal course of disease. “

Another possible cause of transmission is lifestyle factors, for example, the overuse of prescription or over-the-counter headache medications can lead (OTC) To what’s known as medication overuse headaches.

As your body adjusts to the continued use of these medications to control pain, headaches become more frequent and more severe, and develop into an almost daily event.

Some research suggests that there may be a genetic predisposition to developing chronic migraines, but this reason is not yet well understood.

2- Chronic tension headache

Dr Sonny said, like chronic migraines, chronic tension headaches often start as an occasional headache but move into chronic headaches, which separates this type of headache from migraine headaches are the symptoms.

Tension headaches are usually mild to moderate in terms of pain and do not interfere with a person’s daily life in the same way that the intense pain associated with a migraine can. In addition, a tension headache is more like a pressure or pressure than a throbbing and affects both sides of the head or the entire head.

Some migraine symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and noise, as well as nausea and vomiting, are not present with this tension headache.

3- Chronic post-traumatic headache

Chronic post-traumatic headache is a recurring headache that develops after some type of head trauma.It doesn’t have to be severe trauma either, but if you already have a history of migraine or tension headaches this may put you at risk of developing a chronic headache pattern after a trauma such as a concussion.

Dr Sonny said: “Traditionally, post-traumatic headache is present after an injury but resolves in a few weeks to a few months, but some patients develop a prolonged course as it becomes a more chronic pattern.”

4- New daily persistent headache

Dr Sony said this type of headache is a constant headache that starts without any real warning. “It’s a new daily headache that has been going on from the start, with no pain-free period.”

5- Constant migraine headache

While other types of chronic daily headaches are more common, persistent migraine headaches are a fairly rare headache disorder, according to Dr.Sony. “One of the features of this particular type of headache is that it involves only one side of the head,” she notes. “And the pain is continuous and daily from the beginning.”

It also differs from other types of headache in that it is related to involuntary symptoms. “This could include a tear or redness in the eye on the same side as the pain, or a drooping eyelid on the same side as the pain,” said Dr. Sonny. “It can also involve nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side as pain.”

Regarding the causes of this rare headache, Dr. Sony says the exact cause is unknown.

Daily chronic headache treatment

When you get a headache, take the over-the-counter medications of your choice (aspirin, Tylenol, etc.) and carry on with your day.

With this type of chronic headache, Dr. Sony said it’s all about beating the headache primarily with preventative treatment.

Preventive treatment is usually the medications you take every day, regardless of whether or not you have a headache that day. The goal is to reduce the total number of headaches you have. “

He added that if you take over-the-counter medication more than two days a week to manage your headache pain, you need to talk to your healthcare provider about switching to this preventative medication.

It is important to get a good idea of ​​what is causing your headaches, especially migraines, because not everyone has the same triggers. Identifying the most common things – things like your diet or specific stressors – can help you avoid them.

Changes in your routine can also be triggers

Your brain likes to stick to a routine, especially as we get older. ”Adhering to a routine, regardless of whether it’s a weekday or weekend, can really help maintain good sleep.

Diet is also important. Avoiding processed or packaged foods to improve your diet can be a positive step in addition to staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

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