A headache is one of the most common complaints in humans. When the problem occurs sporadically and subsides after a short period of time, it is not usually a cause for concern, however, this is not the case when the patient experiences long-term, persistent headaches. What are the causes and why are chronic headaches sometimes the result of... actions taken to make the problem go away?
Headaches are an unfamiliar problem for few people - it is estimated that more than 90% of the entire population experience at least one episode in their lifetime. It is usually those headaches that occur very frequently and that last for a long time that are cause for concern. The causes of such discomfort can vary - a closer look at the problem becomes necessary to find out what the source is.
One of the underlying pathologies that can be responsible for persistent headaches are migraines. In these cases, pain can accompany the patient for a very long time - a single migraine attack can last up to 72 hours. In some patients, the diagnosis of migraine headaches is relatively easy, as the pain is preceded by specific symptoms (known as migraine aura), which may include hypersensitivity to sound and light or nausea and vomiting.
Other possible causes of persistent, recurrent headaches may be:
- cervicogenic headaches (resulting from damage to, among other things, the structures that make up the neck or spine),
- post-stroke pain (occurring in up to one in five patients who have suffered a stroke),
- pain after a head injury.
Drug-induced headaches are a rather interesting problem. They mainly occur in those people who try to... treat the headache in the wrong way. They develop when the patient overuses painkillers - the moment they slowly stop working, the patient immediately develops pain again. A vicious circle mechanism develops, from which, unfortunately, it is not easy to break free. Doses of painkillers cannot be increased indefinitely, if only because of the risk of side effects. One of the reasons for this is the risk of drug-induced headaches, so if you are experiencing frequent pain, it is best not to try to treat it on your own, but rather to see a doctor.