Headache will not go away

What to Do If a Headache Won’t Go Away

Everyone experiences a headache from time to time. It’s even possible to have a headache that lasts for more than one day. There are many reasons why a headache can last a while, from hormonal changes to more serious underlying conditions.

While it can be alarming for a headache to last a long time — so long that you may not be able to sleep it off — most headaches aren’t life threatening. But it’s no fun when a lingering headache affects your ability to do the things you enjoy.

Let’s take a look at what can cause these headaches and how you can get relief.

If you’ve been experiencing the same headache for more than one day, it’s possible that you could have a more serious underlying condition that requires emergency medical care. Seek medical attention right away if you’re experiencing:

a severe headache that began abruptly (within a few seconds)
a migraine that has lasted several days, or even weeks
any new symptoms you haven’t previously experienced along with the headache (disorientation, loss of vision or vision changes, fatigue, or fever)
kidney, heart, or liver disease with a headache
a severe or ongoing headache in pregnancy, which could indicate complications like preeclampsia
HIV or another immune system disorder along with a headache
headache associated with fever and stiff neck

There are multiple conditions that can cause a persistent headache that lasts for more than a day. Some of those include:

Rebound headaches

Regularly taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication for your headaches can actually cause your head to hurt between doses. While this type of headache often doesn’t hang around, it can recur over the course of a day or more.

Migraine

Migraine can be a severe type of headache that can last for days, or even weeks, at a time. They start with a feeling of general illness that takes hold one or two days before the headache begins. Some people experience aura, or bright, flashing vision changes before the pain begins.

Then, there’s the headache itself, with symptoms that may include:

throbbing pain on either side (or both sides) of your head
pain behind your eyes
nausea
vomiting
light and sound sensitivity
sensitivity to odors and fragrances

After your migraine lifts, you may experience a hangover-like feeling of fatigue and exhaustion.

Headaches related to stress or mood disorders

Anxiety, stress, and mood disorders can trigger headaches that linger for more than a day. Specifically, those with panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder tend to experience prolonged headaches more often than those without.

Cervicogenic headaches

Sometimes your headaches actually aren’t coming from your head at all. They’re coming from your neck.

In cervicogenic headaches, pain is referred to your head from an area in your neck. You may not even realize where it’s originating from. And if the underlying cause — the problem in your neck — isn’t treated, your headache won’t go away.

Cervicogenic headaches can be caused by injuries, arthritis, bone fractures, tumors, or infection. Your posture or falling asleep in an awkward position could cause a cervicogenic headache. It’s also possible that disc-related wear can also cause these types of headaches.

Concussions and other head injuries

If you’ve recently experienced a concussion or similar head injury, you could be dealing with an ongoing headache. This is called post-concussion syndrome, and it’s a mild injury to your brain caused by the initial trauma. It can last for months after a concussion — possibly up to a year.

Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include:

recurrent or ongoing headaches
fatigue
dizziness
periods of irritability
difficulty concentrating
short-term memory issues
anxious feelings
ringing sensation in your ears
difficulty sleeping
sensitivity to sound and light
blurred vision
sensory disturbances like a lessened sense of smell and taste

A variety of treatment options, including home treatments and medical care, can help relieve symptoms of a prolonged headache.

Rebound headaches

Overusing OTC pain medications can actually cause headaches. These headaches are known as rebound or medication overuse headaches.

If you’re experiencing ongoing rebound headaches, you can start addressing your symptoms at home by reducing the amount of OTC medications you take.

You shouldn’t take medicine for pain for more than 15 days out of every month, and prescription pain medications shouldn’t be used for more than 10 days out of every month.

Your doctor or pharmacist can guide you regarding medication ingredients and potential side effects.

If you continue to experience chronic headache pain, your doctor may be able to help. Make an appointment to speak with them about preventative medicines.

Ask your healthcare professional for alternative treatment options for headaches and migraine, like antidepressants for headaches caused by chronic tension.

Waiting until your headache starts could keep you in a cycle of OTC treatment, so prevention is key.

Migraine

To address your migraine symptoms at home consider building a predictable schedule that minimizes stress and keeps you in a routine. Focus on adhering to regular mealtimes and a solid sleep schedule.

Exercise can help prevent migraine attacks, but be sure to warm up slowly before diving right in, as too much strenuous exercise can cause a headache.

Prescriptions containing estrogen, like the birth control pill, could also contribute to your migraine. You might need to speak with your doctor about stopping or changing those medications.

Your doctor may prescribe medications specifically for migraine that can prevent the headaches from occurring. They may also prescribe pain medications that are stronger than OTC options to stop your symptoms once they’ve begun.

Anti-nausea medication or corticosteroid treatments are sometimes prescribed by physicians for migraine symptoms as well.

Headaches related to stress or mood disorders

Work to reduce stress and promote relaxation in your environment. Self-massage or massage therapy may help ease the tension that causes ongoing headaches. You may also benefit from reducing stimuli and resting in a dark, quiet room.

Your doctor can help you address your stress, anxiety, or mood disorder through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication.

Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications that can help relieve the tension and stress causing your prolonged headaches. Some medications for anxiety also work to reduce the number or intensity of headaches.

Cervicogenic headaches

Because cervicogenic headaches can be caused by injuries or issues in the neck, the underlying cause must be addressed to relieve your headache. Your doctor will examine you to rule out other types of headaches arising from other sources, like tension headaches.

Once the cause of pain is identified, your doctor may prescribe pain medication or nerve blocks to manage pain. They may also recommend physical therapy or a therapeutic exercise routine for pain management.

Concussions and other head injuries

While post-concussion syndrome does not have a specific treatment regimen, your doctor will work with you to address your specific symptoms. You can also take comfort measures at home to reduce your pain, like resting and limiting stimuli when you’re hurting.

Your doctor might advise you to take OTC medication for mild pain, or they may prescribe stronger pain management medication for headaches.

However, remember that overuse of pain medication can contribute to rebound headaches. So discuss with your doctor if you feel you’re taking too much.

Unexplained or general headaches

For unexplained, ongoing headaches, you may be able to manage or ease your symptoms at home through comfort measures, rest, and responsible use of medication.

Massage therapy can ease muscle tension that contributes to headaches, or you can perform self-massage techniques at home.

Managing your stress can help reduce your pain. Also, consider reducing the intensity of your exercise schedule or focusing on your form while exercising.

If your headache continues to persist, see your doctor. You may have an underlying condition that they can diagnose. With proper treatment, you’ll be able to address your persistent headache pain and return to your normal quality of life.

You may be able to prevent persistent headaches before they begin by taking a few steps every day. These include:

drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
exercising regularly
avoiding environmental triggers
getting needed support for your mental health
seeking hormonal support, particularly if you’re premenopausal or experiencing menopause
reducing stress

Headaches that won’t go away are alarming, but they usually aren’t serious. It’s important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

With the appropriate diagnosis and the right approach to treatment, you can get relief from your persistent headache and return to your usual quality of life.

Headache that won't go away: Causes and treatments

When a headache lasts for a long time or does not go away after taking medication for it, daily tasks can become difficult or even impossible. However, most lingering headaches will clear up eventually and are not serious.

Headaches are common neurological conditions. In fact, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimate that nearly 90% of adults will experience a headache at some point in their life.

Headache pain can range from mild to severe and may last for several hours. Although resting and taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can treat most headaches, some people experience headaches that last for longer than a day.

In this article, we discuss what causes headaches that do not go away, when to see a doctor, and how to get relief.

Migraine, head injuries, and medication misuse can cause head pain that lasts for several hours or days.

Types of lingering headache can include:

Intractable migraine

Share on PinterestIf a person has a persistent headache, they may be experiencing intractable migraine.

Migraine is a type of headache.

Intractable migraine, also known as status migrainosus, is a severe migraine headache that lasts for longer than 72 hours.

The defining characteristic of this type of migraine is its duration. Intractable migraine causes the same symptoms of a typical migraine, but the pain does not improve with standard migraine treatment.

Migraine episodes usually follow a predictable pattern. People can experience prodromes, or auras — which can manifest as visual, physical, auditory symptoms — before the onset of an intense, throbbing headache on one or both sides of the head.

Other symptoms of migraine include:

sensitivity to light and sound
nausea and vomiting
fatigue
dizziness
changes in mood or behavior
confusion

Typical migraine treatments, such as sleep and medication, may not be able to stop an episode of intractable migraine.

Learn how to tell the difference between headache and migraine here.

Rebound headaches

People who regularly take OTC or prescription pain relief drugs for their headaches can develop medication overuse headaches, otherwise known as rebound headaches.

Rebound headaches tend to occur on a recurring basis. The International Headache Society (IHS) describe a rebound headache as one that occurs on 15 or more days per month in people with a preexisting primary headache disorder and a history of medication overuse.

The symptoms vary from person to person, but they usually follow the same pattern as the preexisting primary headache.

Rebound headaches usually develop in the morning, after waking. Although pain relievers can reduce headache pain, the relief is temporary. It often returns once the medication wears off.

Cervicogenic headaches

Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches that result from structural problems in the head, neck, and spine.

These structural issues may be due to:

whiplash
fractures
infections
arthritis
malformations present at birth

Typically, people with cervicogenic headaches experience pain that begins in the neck and back of the head and spreads to the front of the head.

Cervicogenic headaches can worsen over time, potentially resulting in damage to the central nervous system.

Some cervicogenic headaches recur regularly, while others linger until a person receives treatment.

Head injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI), or concussion, can lead to many long term complications, such as the development of new or worsening headaches.

TBIs usually develop after a person sustains a blunt force or penetrating injury to the head. This can occur from:

sports injuries
falls
motor vehicle accidents
gunshot wounds

Persistent headaches are among the most common symptoms following a mild TBI, according to a recent article in the journal NeuroRehabilitation.

Moderate or severe TBIs can cause lingering headaches that do not go away or worsen over time.

Additional TBI symptoms may include:

enlargement of the pupil in one or both eyes
nausea or vomiting
slurred speech
numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
dizziness or loss of coordination
behavior or personality changes
changes in mental status, such as confusion or memory loss
temporary or prolonged loss of consciousness
tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
sensitivity to light or sound

People should seek immediate medical care if they experience a head injury, even if they do not notice any symptoms right away.

Stroke

Stoke is a serious neurological condition that results from a sudden interruption in blood flow to the brain, such as blood clots or a ruptured blood vessel.

Up to 23% of people develop a persistent headache following a stroke.

Post-stroke headaches often develop in the eyes or on the side of the head where the stroke occurred.

According to the IHS, people can experience headaches that persist for longer than 3 months after recovering from a stroke.

Share on PinterestA person should talk to their doctor if they experience headache “red flags.”

People may want to contact their doctor if they experience the same type of headache many times in 1 month, or if their headaches last for longer than a day.

See a doctor for a headache that never goes away, and for a constant headache that keeps occurring in the same area of the head.

People should seek immediate medical attention if they experience the following:

a sudden, severe headache
a headache accompanied by neck stiffness
a migraine headache that has persisted for several days
the onset of new symptoms, such as vision loss, confusion, or fever

The American Migraine Foundation provide guidelines on headache “red flags,” which indicate when a person should see a doctor.

People can use a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes to treat a lingering headache. Some potential treatment options are as follows:

Medication

A wide variety of OTC and prescription medications can help reduce headache symptoms.

People should only take medication as indicated by the manufacturer or a doctor. Overusing mediation, even OTC pain relievers, can cause rebound headaches.

Common types of medication to treat or prevent lingering headaches include:

OTC treatments, such as acetaminophen or Excedrin
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
prescription migraine medications, such as triptans, ergotamine, beta-blockers, or calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists
antiseizure drugs, such as topiramate (Topamax) or gabapentin (Neurontin)
antidepressants, such as tricyclics antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Botulinum toxin, or Botox, injections offer a safe and effective treatment for people who have chronic migraine headaches that do not respond to traditional medication.

Although most studies used 12-week treatment intervals, the effects of this treatment vary from person to person.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on addressing behaviors and thoughts that may negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health.

With the help of a trained mental health practitioner, people can develop effective strategies to manage their symptoms and prevent future headaches.

Biofeedback

This mind-body technique uses electrical sensors to monitor brain waves, body temperature, heart rate, and muscle tension.

Using the information gained from one or more biofeedback session, people can gain a greater awareness of how their body responds to various things.

For example, a person might learn that the muscles in the head and neck tighten in response to stress, which may contribute to their headaches.

Over time, people can learn to control their physical responses to reduce the intensity or duration of their headache. Some people may even be able to prevent headaches altogether.

Lifestyle changes

Share on PinterestRegular exercise may help prevent headaches.

Factors such as sleep deprivation, caffeine or alcohol consumption, and dehydration can cause frequent headaches. Smoking tobacco can also cause headaches.

A doctor might suggest making the following lifestyle changes to help a person manage their symptoms and prevent headaches in the future:

getting enough sleep
limiting caffeine intake
drinking plenty of water
quitting smoking, or not starting
exercising regularly
lowering stress

A lingering headache that lasts for several hours or days can be debilitating and significantly reduce a person’s ability to function.

People who have a headache that does not respond to typical treatment methods, such as resting and taking OTC pain relievers, may want to consider discussing other treatment options with their doctor.

A variety of medical treatments and lifestyle changes can help people manage their symptoms and prevent headaches in the future.

HEADACHE WILL NOT GO BY ITSELF

The country's leading neurologists specializing in the treatment of headaches (these are also called cephalologists) will soon arrive in the southern capital. Russian doctors will share their many years of experience with colleagues at a discussion meeting of experts "An innovative approach to the problem of migraine", which will be held on September 22 at the Regional consultative and diagnostic center (Pushkinskaya street, 127). – During the meeting, a new method for the treatment of episodic and chronic migraine, aimed at the pathogenesis of the disease, - explained the head of the Regional Pain Center OKDC, candidate of medical sciences, neurologist of the highest category Elena Shestel.

Elena Anatolyevna devoted more than one year to the study of such a pathological condition as migraine. That's what a member of the Russian Society for the Study of Headache and The International Headache Society reported on the forum program: – We will discuss in detail the specific forms of headache with a detailed description issues of their epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention, as well as talk about comorbid, that is, concomitant, conditions. At the conference, doctors will have an exceptional opportunity not only to get acquainted with the reports of leading Russian cephalologists, but also to express their opinion on this issue during a scientific discussion.

The guests of honor of the expert platform will include the Chairman of the Russian Society for the Study of Headache (Moscow) Guzal Rafkatovna Tabeeva, Professor of the Department of Nervous Diseases of the First Moscow State Medical University named after Sechenov Elena Glebovna Filatova, Professor of the Department of Neurology of the First St. Petersburg Medical University named after Pavlov, member of the Presidium of the Russian Society for the Study of Headache Alexander V. Amelin ...

The theme of the conference is of particular relevance. According to the results of international studies, during the year, 90 percent of the world's population at least once experience headache. Almost every inhabitant of the Earth is faced with this disease! Headache is not only a medical but also a social problem. She reduces mental and physical performance, negatively affects relationships in the family and at work, significantly worsens the quality of life. But, unfortunately, a headache is so common that not everyone with this symptom goes to the doctor.

- Only 30 percent of these patients attend specialized medical centers. Most self-administer analgesics to relieve headaches at least once a week. Yes, it gives a short-term positive result, but does not affect the mechanisms of the pain syndrome! - emphasizes Elena Anatolyevna. – As a result of such irresponsible behavior, the pain returns again and again. The number of analgesics that the patient takes is growing, which leads not only to the development of side symptoms, but also to the appearance of paradoxical reactions: dependence on painkillers in itself provokes a headache.

In this regard, the doctor has a difficult task: it is necessary not only to identify the nature of the disease, but also to develop the correct tactics for managing the patient, relieve the patient of the pain syndrome, and also prevent the development (or start treatment in a timely manner) of more severe pathologies.

Headache may be the leading and sometimes the only complaint in more than 45 different diseases. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment are a general medical, interdisciplinary problem that deserves the attention of physicians of all specialties and, above all, neurologists.

- The doctors of our Center have a high level of professional training, the opportunity to examine the patient on modern expert-class equipment, adhere to the principles of completed diagnostics and follow European standards of treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, - said the head of the Regional Pain Center of the OKDC E. A. Shestel.

In what cases is it necessary to sign up for an examination? If the pain is significant reduces the quality of life if you have to drink analgesics more than once a week, if the head began to hurt in a new way, for example, only on one side - all these are reasons for immediate medical attention!

Make an appointment with an experienced neurologist E.A. Shestel, as well as to others specialists of the Regional Pain Center OKDC can call 8 (863) 227-00-00.

Svetlana FEDOREVSKAYA, Vecherniy Rostov newspaper.

In the picture: Head of the Regional Pain Center OKDC E.A. Shestel recommends to patients in the event of an obsessive headache immediately sign up for an examination.

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What should I do if my head hurts all the time?

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

We all experience headaches, although not as often. But what if the head hurts constantly, and not three times a month? The reason can be both in lifestyle and in poor health.

How lifestyle affects headaches

If you suffer from regular headaches, pay attention to your habits. Discomfort can come from fatigue, hunger, lack of sleep, overexertion or stress. To get rid of the pain, try changing your routine for at least a couple of weeks:

Go to bed early - a person needs at least 8 hours of sleep to rest. But don't sleep more than 10 hours. In this case, the level of oxygen and sugar in the blood will decrease and cause a headache.
If you sit at books or a computer for a long time, or your work is connected with looking at small details, take a break every half hour. Get up, warm up, do not strain your eyes for at least a couple of minutes.
Stop drinking alcohol. It affects blood pressure and affects the state of the vessels of the head.

Try to avoid stressful situations and negative emotions. If the headache is not caused by diseases, then these simple tips will help you avoid it.

To relieve pain, you can take an analgesic (which medicine is right for you, the doctor will help you choose), have a snack, lie down to sleep for half an hour, ventilate the room and do a head massage.

When to go to a neurologist

There are very few diseases that affect nerve tissue and the brain. Headache can cause:

Neuralgia of the facial and trigeminal nerves - when the nerve fibers are pinched and inflamed, because of which you can constantly feel pain;
Neoplasms. Both benign and malignant tumors put pressure on blood vessels and increase intracranial pressure. The head hurts only on the side where the tumor is located. The disease can be suspected by a general deterioration in the condition, fever, lethargy and fatigue.

If the causes of the headache are not clear, the neurologist will refer you to an MRI or CT scan of the brain - they will quickly determine the cause of the discomfort. And if everything is in order with the brain itself, a competent neurologist will be able to find the source of pain and refer him to a doctor of the required specialty.

Heart and spine as the cause of pain

Headaches are often caused by problems with the heart and blood vessels. Usually the elderly are affected, but some diseases are also common among young people:

High and low blood pressure. The head hurts when the weather changes, with a sharp rise, dizziness may begin and it will darken in the eyes. This is due to vascular tension and oxygen starvation of the brain.
Vascular diseases. With them, the pain lasts for several hours in the eye area, blood can flow from the nose.
Sclerosis and vascular entrapment are inevitable companions of atherosclerosis and scoliosis. Due to the reduced lumen of blood vessels, less oxygen enters the brain, the head starts to hurt either over the entire area, or in the back of the head and temples.
Stroke - thrombosis or rupture of cerebral vessels. A severe dull pain appears, a person may lose mobility on one side of the face or body, and cease to distinguish between familiar objects. At the first symptoms of a stroke, it is urgent to call an ambulance - in a few hours the brain will begin to die.

To detect problems with pressure, you just need to control your condition. It is no coincidence that at each appointment with a therapist, you must have your blood pressure measured. Don't be alarmed if one day it changes: it's perfectly normal. But vascular diseases can only be seen on MRI of the brain or magnetic resonance angiography. You will be referred for these examinations in order to accurately establish the diagnosis if it was not possible to make it right away.

If you have back problems, then your head most likely hurts because of them. Any curvature of posture, an increase in bone tissue on the vertebrae, hernia and protrusion lead to pinching of blood vessels. And because of this, oxygen and nutrients cannot enter the brain, which causes pain, fatigue and drowsiness. Much less often, pain from the spine radiates to the head. This happens with injuries, hernias and curvatures of the cervical and upper thoracic regions.

Neurologist and orthopedic surgeon deal with spinal problems. The doctor will pay attention to the curvature of the back first of all at a simple visual examination. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe an X-ray, MRI or CT scan of the damaged spine.

Headache after injuries and diseases

Two types of injuries can cause pain: damage to the skull and spine. The reason for their discomfort is different:

With craniocerebral injuries, a hematoma is formed, which increases intracranial pressure. It pinches blood vessels and nearby parts of the brain. If the skull is damaged, its fragments can get inside and cause bleeding. Pain in this case occurs some time after the injury. It will darken in the eyes, dizziness and nausea will begin. There is pain all over the head, but it is especially strong at the site of the injury.
In case of spinal injuries, large vessels are clamped, which causes oxygen starvation. If the neck is injured, then the head will hurt simply from the proximity of the injury.

In both cases, a doctor should be consulted immediately. To clarify the nature and extent of the injury, the doctor may do an X-ray or MRI, but only after the acute phase has passed.

Diseases can affect headache both directly and indirectly:

Severe infections can lead to inflammation of the brain structures, thinning of the walls of blood vessels and destruction of the meninges.
Influenza, colds, tonsillitis and any other respiratory diseases cause breathing problems. And due to the smaller amount of incoming air, oxygen starvation and headache begin.

In these conditions, it makes no sense to go to a neurologist complaining of a headache. It is better to tell your doctor about it so that he can analyze the situation, adjust the treatment or refer you for hospitalization.

Are there other possible causes of constant headache?

Possible and even very likely! Headache can be caused by:

Medications . In many drugs, pain is listed as a side effect.
Hormonal imbalance . It can be both physiological (pregnancy, adolescence, menopause) and pathological (disorders in the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries). Hormones control our entire body, and when their concentrations change, well-being will inevitably worsen.
Mental illnesses and pathological conditions . With neurosis, panic attacks and depression, headaches are not uncommon. From the point of view of physiology, they are also caused by hormones and oxygen starvation, however, in order to get rid of pain, you will have to cope with mental ailments.
Constant exposure to allergens can cause headaches due to nasal congestion (and therefore lack of oxygen) and pressure changes.
Constant exposure to toxic substances causes respiratory failure and irritates mucous membranes.

There may be rarer diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or parasite infestation that destroy brain tissue.

At the first appointment, the doctor will ask you about everything that may be related to the cause of the pain. He will probably refer you to another specialist: an endocrinologist, a psychotherapist, an allergist. In case of an incorrectly selected medicine, the doctor will be able to prescribe an analogue without side effects. Diagnosis may require: