Coping with chronic daily headache
Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you may be experiencing a variety of head pain known as chronic daily headaches. The most common type of chronic daily headaches is divided into four subtypes:
- Chronic migraine
- Chronic tension-type headache (TTH)
- New daily persistent headache
- Hemicrania continua
The causes of chronic daily headaches are not well understood. Some may be caused by various underlying diseases or conditions, including inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain, infections, such as meningitis, intracranial pressure that's either too high or too low, pinched nerves in the neck, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury etc. In most cases, however, chronic daily headaches do not have an underlying physical cause. They may occur if you develop a heightened response to pain signals or if the part of your brain that suppresses pain signals is not working properly. Many people who have chronic daily headaches are actually experiencing a rebound effect from taking pain medication too frequently. If you are taking pain medications — even over-the-counter analgesics — more than two days a week, you are at risk of developing rebound headaches. Risk factors
Chronic daily headaches are more common in women than in men. Various factors may increase the risk of developing chronic daily headaches, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, obesity, snoring, overuse of caffeine, overuse of pain medication. When to seek medical advice
Occasional headaches are common. But it is important to take headaches seriously. Consult your doctor if you usually have three or more headaches a week; you take a pain reliever for your headaches every day or almost every day; you need more than the recommended dose of over-the-counter pain remedies to relieve your headaches; your headache pattern changes; your headaches are getting worse. Seek prompt medical care if your headache is sudden and severe; accompanies a fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking; follows a head injury; gets worse despite rest and pain medication. If you have chronic daily headaches, you are also more likely to experience depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other psychological and physical problems. Prevention
Taking good care of yourself can help prevent chronic daily headaches. * Avoid headache triggers. If you are not sure what triggers your headaches, keep a headache diary. Include details about every headache. When did it start? What were you doing at the time? What did you eat that day? How did you sleep the night before? What is your stress level? How long did the headache last? What, if anything, provided relief? Eventually, you may begin to see a pattern — and be able to take steps to prevent future headaches. * Get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day — even on weekends. If you're not tired at bedtime, read or watch television until you become drowsy and fall asleep naturally. *Don't skip meals. Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Eat lunch and dinner at about the same time every day. Avoid any food or drinks, such as those containing caffeine, that seem to trigger headaches. *Exercise regularly. Physical activity causes your body to release chemicals that block pain signals to your brain. With your doctor's OK, choose activities you enjoy — such as walking, swimming or cycling. To avoid injury, start slowly. * Stop smoking. Smoking can trigger chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headaches. Higher levels of nicotine are also associated with increased anxiety and depression. * Reduce stress. Get organised. Simplify your schedule. Plan ahead. Stay positive. * Relax. Try yoga, meditation or relaxation exercises. Set aside time to slow down. Listen to music, read a book or take a hot bath. Coping skills
Chronic daily headaches can interfere with your job, your relationships and your quality of life. But you can cope with the challenges. * Take control. Commit yourself to living a full, satisfying life. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that works for you. Take good care of yourself. Do things that lift your spirits. Set aside time for your loved ones — and yourself — every day. * Seek understanding. Don't expect friends and loved ones to instinctively know what's best for you. Ask for what you need, whether it is time alone or less attention focused on your headaches. * Check out support groups. When your head is throbbing, companionship may be the last thing on your mind — but perhaps it is just what you need. A support group can put you face to face with people who share your physical symptoms and emotional responses. You may learn useful coping strategies — or help others by sharing some of your own. * Consider counseling. A counselor or therapist can help you manage stress and maintain your emotional balance. Through therapy, you can learn to change behavior that is not good for you and reinforce behavior that's helping you manage your headaches. Complementary and alternative therapies
For many people, complementary or alternative therapies offer welcome relief from headache pain. It is important to be cautious, however. Not all complementary or alternative therapies have been studied as headache treatments, and others need further research. They include acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, massage, herbs, vitamins and minerals, chiropractic care, injection of botulinum toxin and so on. If you would like to try a complementary or alternative therapy, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
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