Most people experience headaches from time to time, but having a headache every day is not normal. If you are having frequent headaches, it is important to make an appointment with your primary care provider for a review. In the meantime, it is a good idea to keep a headache diary to help identify any potential triggers. Chronic daily headaches (CHR) are much less common and more severe than occasional headaches.
They can disrupt your work or personal life and may be a sign of illness or injury. It is important to recognize when a headache may be a sign of a bigger problem and when urgent care is needed. Primary headaches, such as migraine, can be debilitating but are not life-threatening. If you are taking pain relievers, either over-the-counter or prescription, for more than 10 to 15 days a month, you may have medication overuse headaches.
The headache specialists at Scripps help people who suffer from chronic recurrent headaches by combining traditional and complementary care with a focus on prevention and lifestyle changes. These types of headaches are caused by hardening or straining of the muscles of the head, neck and scalp. Pain relievers can help relieve the headache, but overuse can also cause a constant headache. This type of headache should always be evaluated by a doctor, whether it is associated with other symptoms or not. Continuous hemicrania also differs from other types of headaches in that it is associated with autonomic symptoms.
To determine your headache pattern and identify your triggers, you may want to keep a headache diary to share with your doctor.
