We’ve all had headaches, but what happens when that dull throb or sharp pain refuses to go away? Long-lasting headaches can drain your energy, disrupt your day, and leave you searching for relief.
You might wonder though, why do some headaches linger, becoming a constant companion? For the past month or two, I’ve been experiencing a one-sided headache in my right temple, it comes and goes (and no, I have never had a head injury) and I’ve even stopped taking medication for it.
With the help of health experts and relevant publications, let’s try and dig into the hidden culprits behind persistent headaches. The Mayo Clinic says that chronic daily headaches, which occur more days than not, are a disabling condition that includes various subtypes. “Chronic daily headaches occur 15 days or more a month, for longer than three months. True (primary) chronic daily headaches aren’t caused by another condition.”
It is further stated that there are short-lasting and long-lasting types of headaches, including chronic migraine, tension-type headaches, new daily persistent headaches, and hemorrhagic headaches to name a few.
According to the Global Nerve Foundation, migraines and cluster headaches are linked to the body’s circadian rhythm, which is how our body responds throughout the day. Migraines are caused by genetic and environmental conditions, with women more frequently affected than men, the publication adds.
“These headaches are thought to be caused, at least in part, by irritation of the trigeminal nerve. This hypothesis is supported by research papers that have shown successful treatment through decompression of the trigeminal nerve.”
Tension-type headaches, which “Typically features mild to moderate pain that feels like a tight band around the head”, triggered by stress, are believed to be caused by heightened sensitivity to pain, their exact cause is not fully understood, according to Everyday Health.
Also see: How to prevent screen headaches
