Headaches can be extremely distressing, more so if you do not know what’s causing it. Although minor headaches are easily treatable with increased fluid intake and/or Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications, recurrent and severe headaches can make it difficult for you to go about your daily life. A headache that subsides in a matter of one day or after a rest may not be anything serious, but if it occurs daily, at the same time, it may be due to an underlying cause. We spoke to Dr Aparajita Chatterjee, Consultant-Neurologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, to get some answers.
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Types Of Headache
“A headache is a discomfort in the head or face, commonly described as dull-aching, which can be continuous or intermittent, and acute or chronic," says Dr Chatterjee. The kind, severity, location, and frequency of headaches can vary significantly for everyone. According to the doctor, headaches can be of various types depending on the location of pain.
Tension headaches
These headaches typically cause a lingering, aching pain that wraps around the head, usually involving the whole head (holocranial), says Dr Chatterjee.
Migraine headaches
Migraines are more intense and throbbing, which usually occurs on one side of the head. Other symptoms that might come along with the pain include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and vision problems.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches cause severe, piercing pain around one eye or temple. They usually occur in clusters, with periods of intense pain followed by periods of remission, as per the doctor. It may also cause the affected eye to become red, watery, or droopy.
Sinus headaches
Dr Chatterjee says, “Sinus headaches are associated with sinusitis or inflammation of the sinuses. The pain is typically felt in the front of the face, around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. It may worsen with bending forward or sudden head movements. These headaches are often worse in the mornings, immediately after a patient wakes up and subsides as the day passes.”
Cervicogenic headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from neck or cervical spine issues. The pain is usually felt on one side of the head or face, starting from the neck upwards, often characterised by stiffness in the muscles of the neck and back of the head.
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What It Means To Have Headaches Everyday At The Same Time?
According to Dr Chatterjee, when a headache is localised and occurs every day at the same time, it could be indicative of a specific type of headache known as a "chronic daily headache." The International Headache Society (IHS) defines chronic daily headaches (CDH) as "15 or more headache episodes per month for at least three months."
The IHS reports that chronic headaches occur in 1 to 4% of the entire population. It states that approximately 3.9 crore people in the United States and 100 crore people worldwide are affected by it, with a higher prevalence rate among women than in men. As per Dr Chatterjee, there are several subtypes of chronic daily headaches. These include:
- Cluster headaches
- Migraine Headaches
- Hemicrania continua, a rare type of headache that causes continuous, moderate to severe pain on one side of the head
- Paroxysmal hemicranias, a headache type characterised by recurrent episodes of severe, stabbing pain on one side of the head
How To Know The Cause Of Your Headache?
The first step is to consult a doctor, who assesses your complete medical history, including the frequency, duration, characteristics of headaches, and any associated symptoms. Next, the doctor may physically examine you to identify any potential underlying causes or contributing factors. Depending on the suspected cause of the headaches, the doctor may order additional tests, such as blood tests, imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scan, or a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to rule out specific conditions.
What you can do on your part is keep a headache diary that can help track patterns and triggers. Patients are asked to note down the time, duration, intensity, associated symptoms, and any potential triggers or relieving factors.
Bottomline
To get proper treatment, diagnosis is extremely crucial. Working closely with the doctors can help you achieve that. A healthcare professional can help you develop an individualised treatment plan based on the specific diagnosis. In addition, regular follow-up appointments will allow for adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary. According to Dr Chatterjee, most primary headaches can be well-controlled by a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications, allowing the patient to live a normal, productive life free from disabling symptoms.
