Headaches are undoubtedly one of the worst afflictions you can have. They can arrive seemingly out of nowhere and even a mild one will make it hard for you to focus on normal tasks. When you experience more severe headaches and migraines they can be debilitating and prevent you from undertaking any day-to-day activities.
Severe migraines are often complicated with feelings of nausea. To make matters worse, while traditional painkillers may work on mild headaches, they will have no effect on migraines. Most people simply wait them out.
The positive news is that they do fade away, even if it takes lying in a dark room for several hours. But, what do you do when the headache won’t go away?
The general consensus is that once you have had a headache continuously for over a day it is a good idea to seek medical help. Your doctor should be your first point of call, they can refer you to a reputable neurosurgeon if required.
While it is always a good idea to be fully checked out, in many cases the headaches are not a sign of anything serious. It is time to discover the most common causes of headaches that won’t go away.
The Rebound
When you get a headache it is normal to reach for the paracetamol or a similar painkiller. However, while this can relieve the pain, it doesn’t stop the underlying issue. That means the headache returns as the medication wears off. This can be because the painkillers were simply masking their presence or because the painkillers themselves are creating a rebound reaction.
Depression
You may be surprised to learn that depression has been linked with headaches. Studies suggest that depression reduces your ability to maintain a routine. This reduces the amount of sleep you get and increases the likelihood of headaches. Of course, having a headache can make you feel more depressed and create a vicious cycle. It can be hard to break out of this.
Medical Condition
Headaches can be a side-effect of certain medications and you should check what medication you are currently taking. However, they can also be a sign of an array of medical conditions which you will need to seek help with.
For example, a persistent headache with a stiff neck and muscle pain, light sensitivity, nausea, and a rash can indicate meningitis. In rare cases, a headache that won’t go away is a sign of a brain tumor. These are often accompanied by nausea and the pain is worse first thing after waking up.
You can also get ongoing headaches after you have suffered a trauma, this can be indicative of damage to the brain although it can also be a temporary sue while your head heals.
What To Do
If you are suffering from a continuous headache for more than one day you need to seek medical advice. While it may not be anything serious, a professional will diagnose the issue and help you overcome the headaches, allowing you to lead a normal life again.