Too many people in this world just lives with chronic head aches. But the fact that they settle for it is a problem. You shouldn’t accept that this is the way it is. Just because you are the type of person that gets chronic migraines, doesn’t mean that this is how the rest of your life has to be. There are things that you can do to try and help this type of pain. Here are some tips for overcoming chronic head aches and leading the type of normal life that you have always dreamed of.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches usually present themselves as a tight band of pain that feels like it is wrapped around your head. A dull ache or pressure may be felt. They will probably cause a mild to moderate pain on either side of your head but probably would not be described at chronic head aches. These types of headaches are usually triggered by strain on the neck, malnutrition, depression, stress, anxiety or insomnia. Even though the pain is not intense sometimes, if they happen more than 15 days out of the month, they are thought to be chronic.
In order to treat this type of head ache, you should get over the counter medications such as tylenol, ibuprofen or aspirin, depending on your condition and what your doctor advises. Alternative treatments are mediation, relaxation, biofeedback, massage and heat therapy.
Migraine Headaches
These chronic pain headaches affect everyone differently. Typically, the pain is classed as moderate to severe and can pulsate at times. Depending on the severity of the pain, migraines might cause nausea or vomiting as well as an intense sensitivity to light and sound. Either or both sides of the head could be affected and will only get worse if you try to ignore it.
In order to prevent migraines, you’ll need to find out what triggers the head aches and avoid those things. However, if one has already started, then you can try to relieve the pain by resting in a quiet and dark room with hot or cold compress on your head and neck. Small amounts of caffeine might help as well as light massage. You can try taking over the counter medication but if that fails, you may need a prescription from your doctor.
Other Chronic Head Aches
Any headache that you have 15 or more days a month is classed as a chronic headache. Other kinds of these headaches are:
- Hemicrania continua – a headache on one side of the head that feels similar to a migrane.
- New daily persistent headache – a headache that varies in severity but happens to people that do not typically have headaches and starts happening every day.
- Cluster headaches – these are only sometimes classed as chronic. They seem to happen for several days at a time or for a prolonged period and then go away and are not heard from again for awhile and then they are back again.
There are so many types of headaches that people go through that it would be impossible to cover everything one. They range in their frequency and duration and severity. Symptoms and characteristics are even different depending on the person as well as the headache itself. Sometimes, even a recurring head ache in the same person can present itself different each time, making it difficult to determine which type of headache it is. However, most head aches are usually treated through nutritional changes, better sleep patterns and medication.
If you have tried all of these and have found no relief, you may need to visit a pain clinic in order to receive serious help. There may be a neurological problem that needs to be seen through through alternative medicine or surgery. Talk with your doctor regarding your chronic head aches and find out what he or she suggests for you. The great thing about doctors is that they understand what you are going through because they know your medical history and body and how you respond to things. Trust your doctor’s recommendations and suggestions and see what they can do for you. If you find a conservative doctor you will be able to exhaust all options before considering any surgery.