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What Are the Causes of Constant Headaches?

According to the Mayo Clinic, 3 to 5 percent of adults experience constant headaches---at least 15 headaches a month for longer than three consecutive months. Such constant headaches include chronic migraines or tension headaches, hemicrania continua and what are called "new daily persistent headaches."

  1. Symptoms

    • For a constant headache to be a chronic migraine, it must cause either nausea/vomiting or sensitivity to sound or light, and at least two of these symptoms, says the Mayo Clinic: pain that is moderate to severe, only on one side of the head, made worse by physical activity, and/or throbs or pulses. Chronic tension-type headaches also include sensitivity to sound or light and mild nausea, but the pain affects both sides of your head and is described as tightening or pressing.

      The Mayo Clinic defines a new daily persistent headache as mild to moderate pain on both sides of your head that occurs daily no more than three days after your first such headache---accompanied by mild nausea and sensitivity to sound/light. Hemocrania continua is a ceaseless headache on just one side of your head that alternates between moderate and severe. It must also include one of these symptoms: stuffy or runny nose, eye redness or tearing on the affected side of the head, and eyelid drooping or swelling.

    Causes

    • Constant headaches can be caused by an underlying medical condition, reports the Mayo Clinic, such as brain inflammation, infection, tumor or injury. Lifestyle factors, such as drinking and smoking, can also lead to constant headaches, or if you experience high amounts of stress and tension, with little exercise and poor eating habits. Even taking too much pain medication for a prolonged period of time can cause such headaches.

    Diagnosis

    • Your doctor will perform a physical exam and eye exam, and discuss your personal and family medical history. According to the Neurology Channel, diagnostic tests may be ordered, including blood and laboratory tests to check organ function and for underlying conditions. Sleep studies, X-rays, and scans---such as MRIs and CTs---may be used to examine your brain functioning and activity.

    Treatment

    • If an underlying medical condition is causing your constant headaches, treatment will focus on the cause, then your symptoms. If no cause is discovered, treatment is directed at prevention and pain relief. According to the Mayo Clinic, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, beta-blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may stop constant headaches. Some patients benefit from trigger point injections, in which a local anesthetic is injected around a nerve.

    Complications

    • Constant headaches may increase your risk of further health problems, such as depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, and other physical and psychological issues, reports the Mayo Clinic.

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