Is it possible to have a headache everyday

In most cases, they are mild to moderate in severity and occur infrequently. But a few people get severe tension headaches, and some are troubled by them for three or four times a week. The typical tension headache produces a dull, squeezing pain on both sides of the head. People with strong tension headaches may feel like their head is in a vise.

The shoulders and neck can also ache. Some tension headaches are triggered by fatigue, emotional stress, or problems involving the muscles or joints of the neck or jaw. Most last for 20 minutes to two hours. If you get occasional tension-type headaches, you can take care of them yourself. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen Tylenol, other brands and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories NSAIDs such as aspirin, naproxen Aleve, other brands , or ibuprofen Motrin, Advil, other brands often do the trick, but follow the directions on the label, and never take more than you should.

A heating pad or warm shower may help; some people feel better with a short nap or light snack. If you get frequent tension-type headaches, try to identify triggers so you can avoid them. Don't get overtired or skip meals. Learn relaxation techniques; yoga is particularly helpful because it can relax both your mind and your neck muscles. If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night, a bite plate may help.

If you need more help, your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication or a muscle relaxant to control headache pain. Many people with recurrent tension-type headaches can prevent attacks by taking a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline Elavil, generic.

Fortunately, most people with tension-type headaches will do very well with simpler programs. Migraines occur less often than tension headaches, but they are usually much more severe. Neurologists believe that migraines are caused by changes in the brain's blood flow and nerve cell activity. Migraine triggers. Although a migraine can come on without warning, it is often set off by a trigger.

The things that set off a migraine vary from person to person, but a migraine sufferer usually remains sensitive to the same triggers. The table lists some of the most common ones. Migraine symptoms. Migraines often begin in the evening or during sleep. In some people, the attacks are preceded by several hours of fatigue, depression , and sluggishness or by irritability and restlessness.

Because migraine symptoms vary widely, at least half of all migraine sufferers think they have sinus or tension headaches, not migraines. Visual complaints are most common. They may include halos, sparkles or flashing lights, wavy lines, and even temporary loss of vision. The aura may also produce numbness or tingling on one side of the body, especially the face or hand.

Some patients develop aura symptoms without getting headaches; they often think they are having a stroke, not a migraine. The majority of migraines develop without an aura.

In typical cases, the pain is on one side of the head, often beginning around the eye and temple before spreading to the back of the head. The pain is frequently severe and is described as throbbing or pulsating. Nausea is common, and many migraine patients have a watering eye, a running nose, or congestion. If these symptoms are prominent, they may lead to a misdiagnosis of sinus headaches.

P is for pulsating pain O for one-day duration of severe untreated attacks U for unilateral one-sided pain N for nausea and vomiting D for disabling intensity. Without effective treatment, migraine attacks usually last for four to 24 hours.

When you're suffering a migraine, even four hours is far too long — and that's why early treatment for a migraine is so important. Migraine treatment. If you spot a migraine in its very earliest stages, you may be able to control it with nonprescription pain relievers. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and a combination of pain medications and caffeine are all effective — if you take a full dose very early in the attack.

When prescription drugs are needed, most doctors turn to the triptans, which are available as tablets, nasal sprays, or as injections that patients can learn to give to themselves. Examples include sumatriptan Imitrex , zolmitriptan Zomig , and rizatriptan Maxalt. Some patients require a second dose within 12 to 24 hours.

Patients with cardiovascular disease and those who take a high dose of certain antidepressants need to discuss the risks of using them with their doctor. Work with your doctor to find the migraine treatment that works best for you.

Remember, though, that overuse can lead to rebound headaches and a vicious cycle of drugs and headaches. So, if you need treatment more than two or three times a week, consider preventive medications.

Migraine prevention. According to some estimates, only 10 percent of headaches have a known cause. But there are contributing factors that can trigger chronic headaches, such as:. Chronic headaches can also be linked to other disorders, including depression, anxiety, sinus infections , allergies and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, also known as TMJ. In order to figure out your headache pattern and identify your triggers, you may want to keep a headache diary to share with your doctor.

The National Headache Foundation provides a handy template. But for some people, they occur almost every day. Tension headaches affect both sides of your head with a pressing, moderate pain.

Instead, you may want to try meditation, relaxation techniques or heat therapy. These headaches come on suddenly, usually in people without a headache history. They become constant within three days of your first headache. Occasional headaches are common, and usually require no medical attention. However, consult your doctor if:. The causes of many chronic daily headaches aren't well-understood. True primary chronic daily headaches don't have an identifiable underlying cause. This type of headache usually develops in people who have an episodic headache disorder, usually migraine or tension type, and take too much pain medication.

If you're taking pain medications — even over-the-counter — more than two days a week or nine days a month , you're at risk of developing rebound headaches.

If you have chronic daily headaches, you're also more likely to have depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other psychological and physical problems. Chronic daily headaches care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Most people have headaches from time to time.