An occasional headache may be caused by another illness, such as a cold or flu, or a reaction to a certain food or smell. These types of headaches will usually resolve on their own once the cause is removed. However, if you are experiencing headaches on a regular basis it may be a warning sign of an underlying medical problem. It may also be due to your lifestyle choices. If you are having headaches on a regular basis, talk to your doctor about which of the many causes of constant headaches you may have. You can then work to find the best treatment approach.
Stress and Anxiety
The most common form of chronic headache is called a tension headache and it is not caused by an underlying medical condition says the National Headache Foundation. This type of headache is persistent and occurs when the muscles in the back of the head and neck are tight and contracted. You may feel the pain on both sides of the head, in the forehead or in the back of the head and neck. Your symptoms may be worse if your sleep is interrupted or you are anxious or depressed. These types of headaches may be relieved through establishing regular sleep and rest periods and by taking antidepressants which act as pain relievers. It is also important to identify the source of the stress which may be emotional or physical. Stress and tension headaches can be from poor posture or work habits as well.
Too Much Pain Medication
According to the Mayo Clinic, those who are frequently taking pain medication for their headaches or another reason may develop what is called a rebound headache. Taking pain medication more than three times a week increases the risk. This is true for both prescription and over-the-counter medications. You also need to be on the lookout for medications that contain caffeine. Too much caffeine in medications or consumed on its own may contribute to chronic headaches. While the reasons for rebound headaches are not well understood, it may be that over taking pain medication may cause your body to adapt to the drug. This may interfere with your body's normal responses to pain. The solution is to reduce the amount of medication you are taking or change your treatment approach. This can be challenging as your headache pain may get worse for while. You and your doctor will need to work together to find the best solution.
Diet
If you are having constant headaches, you may need to take a look at your diet. As mentioned above too much caffeine can be a culprit. However many other foods can be as well warns the Healthy Me website. Going to long without food, consuming chocolate, alcohol and certain chemicals in foods may cause a temporary dilation of the blood vessels in the brain which can trigger a headache or migraine. In some cases, the trigger food is easy to identify such as drinking too much. At other times, it may be harder to detect. Common hidden culprits include nitrites, MSG and tyramine (found in ripened cheeses and other foods). Your reaction to these substances may be worse if you are also tired or exposed to other triggers, such as sounds or smells at the same time. Since everyone responds differently you may need to eliminate the foods you think might be causing your headaches and then try adding one at a time back in to see which ones are your trouble foods.
Inflammation
If there is inflammation in the brain from a medical condition, you may experience a constant headache. If you have allergies, asthma, sinus problems or suffered a stroke there may be inflammation in or near the brain that can increase pressure on the brain and cause a headache. The American Headache Society states that in many cases patients often self diagnose themselves incorrectly and mistake a sinus headache for a migraine. They stress that it is important to have the cause of your headache properly diagnosed. In some cases it could signal a serious condition such as meningitis or be a warning sign of an impending heart attack or stroke. If a medical condition is causing your headaches, the first step is to treat the underlying cause.
