Chronic Headaches

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?

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.


  • Tension HeadachesTension headaches are mild to moderate pains experienced in your head similar to the effect of a tight band wounded around your head.
  • Sinus Headache SymptomsPain and pressure experienced as part of sinus headache symptoms is described as a deep and constant pain particularly in the bridge of the nose, forehead and cheekbones.
  • Common Types of HeadachesThe common types of headaches are tension headache, cluster headache and a migraine.
  • Migraines in ChildrenMigraines in children are very common such that about 10 percent of school age kids experience a bad headache. A migraine, also considered as a neurological disorder is a head pain accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light as well as sound, odors and touch. Onset of Children Migraines Half of children ... Read more
  • Why Do I Get Migraines? The exact reason why migraines happen is still unknown. However, theories of migraine being a result of an abnormal brain operation that affect nerve signals, blood vessels and chemicals in the brain have been established. Many possible triggers for migraines have also been established and these factors are either hormonal, physical, dietary, emotional and medicinal.
  • Foods that Trigger MigrainesDo you notice that your migraines worsen even when you’re not hungry? If skipping meals can cause migraines, it can also be the foods that you eat which trigger your headache. Amino acid in your food Foods that trigger migraines includes chocolates, soy foods, fermented cheese, citrus fruits and vinegar, either red or balsamic. All ... Read more
  • Headaches After Physical ExertionDo you regularly suffer headaches after times of physical exertion? While these headaches can be quite painful, the reasons you get them are usually not life threatening. These headaches are generally caused by what are know as “benign” headache causes, which means that although they are painful, they are not a sign something major is ... Read more
  • Depression Are your headaches a result of depression? If you suffer headaches daily or have a headache as soon as you wake up in the morning which last most of the day and have troubled you for months, you may be suffering from depression-linked headaches. If you suspect you suffer from depression triggered headaches, over-the-counter medication will only treat the symptoms, not the root of the problem. Your doctor will be able to prescribe a treatment plan that will help relieve your headaches.
  • Concussions If you have suffered an injury to the head that was severe enough to knock you unconscious, you are probably familiar with concussions and their associated headaches.
  • Migraine Headache in Children and Adolescents Do children also get headaches? This is one of the common questions that parents ask when their children complain of pain in the head.
  • Cluster HeadacheCluster headaches start suddenly. The pain is usually behind or around one eye and is very severe.
  • Migraine Aura: A Genetic Link?One of the more profound effects of migraine headaches is the aura. These manifestations are neurological disturbances, which precede and sometimes accompany the onset of an attack. They can involve ringing in the ears, visual impairments such as flashing lights or blind spots and can occur up to an hour before the actual pain. Recent ... Read more
  • Migraine Clinical TrialsMigraine headaches affect about ten percent of the population. Many migraine sufferers experience their first headache some time during adolescence, most by the time they are forty; but migraine headaches can strike at any age. Research indicates that, fortunately, in most cases, as the patient ages, the migraines lessen in severity and frequency. Migraines typically ... Read more
  • Migraine Myths and Facts Approximately 14 million people suffer from migraines, but are not diagnosed. They think that their bad headaches can't be migraines because they believe common migraine myths that doctors know are incorrect. It's important to get the facts straight. It can help your doctor determine if your headaches are migraines and help you get the treatment you need.
  • Migraine TriggersMany people report that their migraines have specific triggers, which may be different for each person. Some patients seem to have no specific triggers. By familiarizing yourself with the most common potential triggers, you can learn about causes that may contribute to your migraine attacks. Here are 11 of the most common migraine triggers reported ... Read more
  • Migraine Symptoms, Types, and CausesIn addition to the headache, people may experience photophobia, vomiting, nausea, dizziness and even partial paralysis.
  • Headache ResourcesIn addition to the information that we provide on this website, we encourage you to check out other authoritative websites that may provide additional information about headaches, their causes, symptoms, and the newest breakthrough developments in headache relief. National Headache Foundation: Provides information on headache causes and treatments, a support group list, a state list ... Read more

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