Is It Possible to Prevent Chronic Headaches?
When you have a headache, it's hard to ignore it. A headache is not only a distraction that steals your attention away from every activity you do, but it can also be a major source of pain, especially chronic daily headaches.
Chronic daily headaches are headaches that occur 15 or more days out of the month and last for at least three months. They come in a few different types:
Chronic tension headache - A tension headache is not as severe as a migraine. It is called a "tension" headache because it causes you to feel tension in your head like squeezing or pressing. With this headache, it may be possible for you to continue with daily activities.
Chronic migraine - A migraine is a strong throbbing, pulsing headache that is often felt on one side of the head. You may experience nausea as well as light or sound sensitivity.
New daily persistent headache - A new daily persistent headache is a headache that seems to come out of nowhere and is frequent and persistent. There's no obvious cause to this kind of headache, but it keeps coming over and over again.
Chronic post-traumatic headache - A post-traumatic headache occurs after you experience an injury to the head. These kinds of headaches are possible even if the injury is not very severe.
Hemicrania continua - Hemicrania continua is a type of severe, persistent chronic headache that usually affects one side of the head. There are also other symptoms, such as eye and nasal irritation.
How can you stop chronic daily headaches? You may think that the best way to take care of your headaches is by popping a bottle of over-the-counter pills. The problem is, if you depend on them to cure your headaches every time, that method can backfire. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “As your body adapts to the constant use of these medications to manage the pain, the headaches become more frequent and more severe, developing into an almost daily occurrence."
I myself made the same mistake. I used to think that medicine was the only answer, and my chronic headaches were just something I'd have to live with. Then, I finally realized that I wasn't properly nourishing my brain and body. The Mayo Clinic mentions that some of the risk factors for chronic headaches include anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. This shows that stress management and mental health care are crucial for people who suffer from chronic headaches.
Also, don't underestimate the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. For a healthier diet, try to cut down on alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods. Exercising 2.5 hours a week is ideal, but exercising less than that can still benefit you. If you get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, your body will have plenty of time to rest and heal, which helps prevent headaches.
Taking medicine and hoping your headache goes away isn't always the best option. Consistently living a healthy lifestyle makes it less likely that you'll have chronic daily headaches. It's good to talk with your doctor about the best ways you can improve your lifestyle. Chronic headaches don't have to control your life -- you are in control of your life!
