We know that headaches can be a pain and dampen your spirit — especially if they linger for hours or even days. If you’re struggling with persistent headaches, our expert neurology teams are here to help you find the relief you’re longing for and provide personalized treatment that helps you get back to the life you love, pain-free.
Keep reading to learn more about headaches, including their causes, the different types and how to manage them.
Why Does a Headache Happen?
Headaches are classified as a neurological condition that many of us have likely experienced. But did you know that according to the National Library of Medicine, more than 50% of people worldwide have some form of headache disorder? This can range from an annoying headache that won’t go away to debilitating pain that leaves you seeking immediate relief.
Our brain is intricately interconnected with our body and its senses. But what’s going on behind the scenes during a headache? The pain we experience during a headache happens when multiple mechanisms activate nerves that affect our muscles and blood vessels. These nerves then send pain signals to our brains, resulting in a headache.
Types of Headaches and Their Causes
For some, headaches come and go with minimal pain. But others experience headaches that just won’t go away. There are several causes for long-lasting headaches, including:
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Head injuries
- Migraines
- Rebound headaches
- Stroke
It’s important to identify the root cause of your headaches so you can seek proper treatment. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Structural problems in the head, neck and spine cause these headaches. They can be caused by arthritis, infections, whiplash, fractures or malformations at birth. It’s typical for those with these types of headaches to begin with pain in the neck and back of the head that later spreads to the front of the head. If they worsen over time, it could damage your central nervous system. It's important that you seek help right away if you suspect you’re experiencing this type of pain.
Head Injuries
It’s common for those who’ve experienced a concussion or other head injuries to develop new or worsening headaches after the incident. This could be from sports injuries, falls, motor vehicle accidents and many others. Talk to your doctor to make sure any underlying conditions or undiagnosed injuries are not the cause of your persistent pain. Headaches caused by head injuries can often be treated using over-the-counter medication or physical therapy.
Migraines
A migraine is a severe headache that can last for several hours, days or weeks, often leaving you struggling to function. They can cause throbbing pain on either side of your head, nausea, vomiting, pain behind your eyes and sensitivity to light. It’s estimated that about 12% of Americans experience migraines. While it’s unknown what causes them, there are several triggers, including stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, changes in sleep patterns and overexertion, among others.
Rebound Headaches
If you often take over-the-counter medications to treat your headaches, you can develop medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches. This means your body gets used to the medication that’s preventing pain, so when it wears off, your headache returns. These can occur frequently, often appearing in the morning. This condition is very treatable and preventable with guidance from a neurologist.
Stroke
According to the National Library of Medicine, 29% of those with a cortical stroke (a type of stroke that affects the cerebral cortex) experience severe headaches. Stroke-associated headaches are often described as the worst headaches ever experienced and frequently show up before the stroke happens. Although this isn't pleasant, it shows early warning signs of stroke so you can get lifesaving emergency care fast. It’s also common for post-stroke headaches to occur in the eyes or close to where the stroke occurred.
How to Treat and Prevent Headaches
There are a variety of methods to treat headaches, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Drinking enough water
- Getting enough sleep
- Lifestyle changes
- Limiting caffeine
- Over-the-counter or prescribed medication
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing stress
- Regularly exercising
However, it’s important that you speak with your doctor regarding your pain to properly identify its cause and create a treatment plan based on your unique health history and risk factors.
When You Should Seek Help
If you’ve tried to reduce your headaches, but they aren’t going away, it’s time to see your doctor. If you experience more severe headaches, conventional treatment methods may not relieve your pain. Other signs that it’s time to see your doctor about your pain include:
- Experiencing the same type of headache multiple times in one month
- Headache associated with a fever and stiff neck
- Headache that never goes away
- Severe headache brought on abruptly
For unexplained headaches, your doctor may recommend an imaging test to rule out tumors and other brain abnormalities.
We’re Here to Ease Your Mind
At AdventHealth, we care for you in body, mind and spirit. If you’re stuck with unresolved headaches, know that you aren’t alone. Our expert neurologists are here to help you find the relief you need so you can get back to the life you love. Visit us here to learn more about our neurology and neurosurgery care services, or learn more about our virtual care here.
