Three to five percent of adults today are sufferers of chronic headaches. A chronic daily headache is labeled as such when it lasts multiple days without relief. Being able to find the cause of these chronic headaches can greatly benefit headache sufferers everywhere. These headaches are extremely draining and debilitating, which causes a lower immune system. There are four subtypes of these chronic headaches; new daily persistent headaches, hemicrania continua, chronic tension-type headaches, and chronic migraine headaches.
There is about 3-5 percent of the adult population who suffer from chronic headaches. Four types exist; hemicrania continua, chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, and new daily persistent headache. Due to the nature of these headaches being a continuous pain, this makes them the most debilitating type around.
This kind of chronic headache ranges from moderate to severe intensity and never eases up. Due to its severity, this type of headache even causes swelling of the face on the side of the headache. The swelling will cause redness of the eye and nasal congestion / running. The fourth subtype is a new daily persistent headache, which starts suddenly and lasts multiple days in a row. There isn't a throbbing pain involved, but a tight feeling on both sides of the head. This chronic headache might bring about sensitivity to light and sound or even nausea.
A chronic tension-type headache is usually more of a pressing sensation on the sides of the head. Sometimes there is nausea or light and sound sensitivity. Chronic migraines are the type of headaches that have throbbing pains, there is usually vomiting or nausea involved. Sensitivity to sounds and bright lights are also common.
Causes Found- Many types of causes include inflammation in blood vessels near or inside the brain, meningitis or other infections, tumors on the brain, pressure inside the cranium that is too high or too low, any type of brain injury caused by trauma, as well as pinched nerves in the neck. Not all causes of these chronic headaches have been found and listed, but these are the many known causes as of now.
Risk Factors Involved- The risk factors found to be involved with chronic headaches include; snoring and obesity, anxiety and depression, as well as many disturbances during sleep. Overusing pain medication or caffeine can also be risk factors that will increase chances of chronic headaches. These factors may come individually with each person, or many all together. Women have been known to be affected more often than men in studies performed on chronic headaches.
Diagnosis of Headaches- For a doctor to diagnose the cause of a chronic headache, he/she will have many questions to ask. These questions will enable the doctor to determine what the underlying cause may be. X-rays, CT scans or MRIs may be run to see an image of the brain and check for abnormalities. Sometimes, even a urine or blood test is ran to find out if any medical condition might be detected as the cause of these chronic headaches.
Forms of Treatment- If a medical condition is the cause for a chronic daily headache, medication can be given to curb the attacks. When there isn't a medical condition involved, preventing headaches from ever occurring is the ultimate goal. This can be achieved by keeping the risk factors discussed previously to a minimum. - 30453
There is about 3-5 percent of the adult population who suffer from chronic headaches. Four types exist; hemicrania continua, chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, and new daily persistent headache. Due to the nature of these headaches being a continuous pain, this makes them the most debilitating type around.
This kind of chronic headache ranges from moderate to severe intensity and never eases up. Due to its severity, this type of headache even causes swelling of the face on the side of the headache. The swelling will cause redness of the eye and nasal congestion / running. The fourth subtype is a new daily persistent headache, which starts suddenly and lasts multiple days in a row. There isn't a throbbing pain involved, but a tight feeling on both sides of the head. This chronic headache might bring about sensitivity to light and sound or even nausea.
A chronic tension-type headache is usually more of a pressing sensation on the sides of the head. Sometimes there is nausea or light and sound sensitivity. Chronic migraines are the type of headaches that have throbbing pains, there is usually vomiting or nausea involved. Sensitivity to sounds and bright lights are also common.
Causes Found- Many types of causes include inflammation in blood vessels near or inside the brain, meningitis or other infections, tumors on the brain, pressure inside the cranium that is too high or too low, any type of brain injury caused by trauma, as well as pinched nerves in the neck. Not all causes of these chronic headaches have been found and listed, but these are the many known causes as of now.
Risk Factors Involved- The risk factors found to be involved with chronic headaches include; snoring and obesity, anxiety and depression, as well as many disturbances during sleep. Overusing pain medication or caffeine can also be risk factors that will increase chances of chronic headaches. These factors may come individually with each person, or many all together. Women have been known to be affected more often than men in studies performed on chronic headaches.
Diagnosis of Headaches- For a doctor to diagnose the cause of a chronic headache, he/she will have many questions to ask. These questions will enable the doctor to determine what the underlying cause may be. X-rays, CT scans or MRIs may be run to see an image of the brain and check for abnormalities. Sometimes, even a urine or blood test is ran to find out if any medical condition might be detected as the cause of these chronic headaches.
Forms of Treatment- If a medical condition is the cause for a chronic daily headache, medication can be given to curb the attacks. When there isn't a medical condition involved, preventing headaches from ever occurring is the ultimate goal. This can be achieved by keeping the risk factors discussed previously to a minimum. - 30453
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