Chronic Headache

The people suffering from ongoing and repeated problems related to headache are known as chronic headache. About four to five percent of people suffer from chronic headache. This type of headache is classified as primary or secondary headache. Primary chronic headache develops in people on their own and includes migraine or tension headaches and increases gradually. Secondary chronic headache is caused due to some injury or other conditions.

Causes

Changes in the nervous system due to frequent headaches
Injury or painful stimulation of the upper spine
Medication overuse
Sleep disorders
Inflammation of the arteries and blood vessels
Infection
Genetic predisposition to increased pain sensitivity

Types

Chronic migraine headache – Chronic migraine headache is caused due to changes in surrounding blood vessels and changes in brain and affects about 15 percent of the population.

Chronic tension headache – This type of headache mainly affects both sides of the head and may include mild nausea and dizziness.

Signs and Symptoms

Chronic headaches lasts for more than 15 days in a month and symptoms depend on the type of chronic headache.

Chronic migraine headache – The patient experiences headache in one or both sides of the head or in neck and face. This type of headache leads to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.

Chronic tension headache – This headache lasts for days, weeks or years and involves headache in both sides of the head and back of the head and neck.

Risk Factors

Various factors can increase the risk of chronic headaches and they are:-

Obesity
Overuse of caffeine
Anxiety
Overuse of pain medication
Snoring
Sleep disturbances

When to seek medical advice

If headaches are worse
If headaches persists for three or more weeks
If more of over the counter pain remedies are taken to relieve the headache
If headache is sudden or severe
If follows a head injury

Diagnosis

The doctor first of all does a physical examination of the patient to determine the signs of infection, illness or neurological problems. Various tests such as CT scan, MRI, blood test, urine test and X-ray are done for identifying the correct symptom of the disease.

Treatment

The patients are given the following pain killers during the treatment such as:-

Beta blockers – These drugs are given to treat the high blood pressure and migraine chronic headache which includes metoprolol, timolol etc.

Muscle relaxants – It includes tizanidine which is helpful in treating this disease.

Antidepressants – Nortriptyline and fluoxetine are some of the antidepressants which are taken to reduce the causes of chronic headache.

Prevention

Reduce stress
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep
Avoid smoking
Avoid headache triggers

Hair Loss Doctor