There are various lifestyle, health and environmental factors that trigger chronic headaches. These factors include stress, a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, dehydration, hormonal fluctuations, certain disorders and infections. Headaches usually should go away on their own or after taking over-the-counter painkillers. If you're experiencing chronic headaches, it's essential to seek a diagnosis from a physician. Below are the key signs that indicate that you need to see a doctor about your headaches.
Poor response to painkillers
Pain medication works either by changing how your body responds to pain or by blocking pain messages in the brain. When you take painkillers, your body should respond to them and effectively get relief from the pain. However, sometimes headaches may fail to respond to pain medication. This situation may occur if you use painkillers every day or every other day for a prolonged period. In this case, you need a diagnosis to facilitate proper treatment.
Chronic geriatric headaches
According to research, headaches such as migraines become less frequent with age. The prevalence of migraines increases between ages 12 and 40 and declines as one grows older. Therefore, if you start experiencing chronic headaches or new headache patterns in your 50s or later, see a doctor. Chronic geriatric headaches can occur due to health conditions such as temporal arteritis, arthritis, meningitis and cerebrovascular disease. Consulting a doctor can help pinpoint potential underlying conditions for prompt management and treatment.
Headaches with accompanying symptoms
Headaches are often accompanied by symptoms such as shoulder tension, eyestrain, light sensitivity and fatigue. However, the following symptoms may be a cause for alarm:
If you suddenly start experiencing the above symptoms together with headaches, you should seek treatment. Sometimes, gut problems such as food poisoning can trigger nausea and vomiting. However, if the above symptoms only appear when you have a headache, seek help to establish the exact cause of the problem.
Reduced motor skills
It's normal to experience general body weakness when suffering from a headache. However, if the headache causes a loss of motor function, you need to get a diagnosis. Some types of headaches can lead to tremors, difficulty walking, problems shuffling your feet and involuntary jerks. These symptoms may be harmless, but they can also signal a problem with your nervous system. The only way to find out is to get checked.
Different health conditions can trigger various types of headaches. Some require lifestyle and dietary changes, while others may necessitate medical treatment. Don't allow headaches to affect your quality of life. Visit a medical centre for diagnosis and treatment.
Share25 May 2021
Yo! Welcome to my blog. The most important thing you have in life is your health. You can have a big car and a nice house and a great career but without your health, all of this is worth nothing at all. I didn't realise this until my dad became unwell and a man who seemed like a giant among the men of this world was suddenly stuck in a hospital bed. I nursed my dad and supported him throughout his recovery. During this time, I learnt a lot about the health and medical world. I hope you like this blog.