Productivity in school and work can be affected by chronic migraines problem. A worker may skip his job for a day due to migraines. Habitual absenteeism can result from migraine headaches in many students. But how do you know you have chronic migraines?
What is Chronic Migraines?
Chronic migraines are headaches experienced by an individual for more than fifteen times each month in a span of three months. Chronic migraines are severe enough to be disabling such that the affected person may not be able to work for half a month or more. Chronic migraines are considered more disabling than paraplegia angina, acute psychosis and blindness and of the same level of disability as dementia and quadriplegia. Therapies are usually not enough to reduce the impact brought about by the chronic migraines.
What Triggers Chronic Headache?
There is no sole cause for chronic migraines but some triggers such as lack of sleep, lack of food intake, bright lights and caffeine have been identified. Headaches are said to progress steadily until the frequency reaches for about 15 times a month and severity increases to consider it as chronic. Each year, a considerable number of people with just an episodic type of migraine develop chronic migraines. However, the chronic migraines regress back as episodic migraines to almost the same number of persons whose migraines progress to chronic levels.chronic headache.
Chronic Headache Symptoms
Symptoms of a chronic migraine are moderate to severe pain affecting one side of the head. A throbbing, pulsating sensation at one side of the head. The headache is worsened when the same person performs a physical activity such as cleaning and walking.
Chronic migraines can be treated in the same way that episodic migraines are cured. The cure involves the oral intake of prescription painkillers, over the counter painkillers and specific drugs such as triptans.
Causes of Chronic Headaches
Other causes of chronic migraines include a disorder in the central nervous system, chemical imbalances, vascular irregularities and genetic factors.
A neurological condition can trigger chronic migraines. An interruption of the nerve pathway and the matching of all chemicals for proper brain function can also cause a chronic migraine. The existence of a close family member such as a parent or sibling who has experienced chronic migraines can also increase your risk of experiencing the same headaches. Problems in the shape and size of the blood vessels as well as to the blood flow to or within the brain can cause migraine headaches.