Chronic headaches are a common health issue that affects individuals' daily lives. These types of pains may not only cause physical discomfort but also have adverse effects on a person's mental health. Individuals with chronic headaches often experience sleep problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and decreased work performance. When headaches become frequent and persistent, it is necessary to identify the underlying cause and initiate an appropriate treatment process.
What is Chronic Headache?
Chronic headache is defined as a headache that lasts for more than 15 days a month and persists for at least 3 months. These types of headaches can complicate an individual's life both psychologically and socially. Chronic headaches may develop due to tension-type headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, or secondary causes.
What are the Types of Chronic Headaches?
There are different types of chronic headaches. Common types of chronic headache include migraines, tension-type headaches, and cluster headaches.
- Migraine: A severe, throbbing headache usually felt on one side. It can be accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound, or odors, and symptoms like nausea.
- Tension-Type Headache: A mild to moderate pressure or squeezing type of headache felt on both sides of the head. Factors such as stress, tension, and poor posture can lead to this type of headache.
- Cluster Headache: An extremely severe headache felt on one side. Symptoms such as redness of the eye, tearing, and nasal discharge may also be observed.
Psychological Headaches and Emotional Factors
Psychological headaches are a common health issue where emotional factors play a significant role. Continuous mental pressure, high anxiety levels, uncontrolled anger, or suppressed emotions are among the triggers of psychological headaches.
In individuals with anxiety disorders, headaches can appear as both a cause and an effect. Over time, this can turn into a cycle, weakening the person's psychological resilience.
Managing psychological factors can be a crucial step in reducing headaches. Assessing the emotional states of individuals experiencing headaches and seeking professional support if necessary can be effective in the treatment process.
What is the Impact of Chronic Headaches on Quality of Life?
Chronic headaches can affect a person's quality of sleep. Issues such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night, or waking up with a headache in the morning can reduce a person's energy in daily life.
In work life, headaches can lead to concentration problems, performance loss, and frequent absenteeism. Inability to focus in meetings, decreased productivity in front of the computer, and similar situations can affect both the individual and their colleagues.
In social life, fatigue, irritability, and reluctance related to headaches can be observed. The individual may withdraw from social settings and avoid spending time with loved ones.
Treatment Approaches for Chronic Headache
The treatment of chronic headaches begins with accurately determining the underlying cause. Neurological evaluation, physical examination, imaging methods, and psychiatric consultations if necessary can shape the treatment plan.
For tension-type and psychological headaches, cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management techniques, and relaxation exercises are recommended along with medication treatment.
For migraines and nerve-originated pains, specific medications and lifestyle changes are applied. Establishing a regular sleep pattern, regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, and habits such as controlling screen time play an important role in managing headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tension-type headache and a migraine?
While a tension-type headache is felt as pressure on both sides of the head, a migraine is usually unilateral, pulsating, and accompanied by sensitivity to light. Migraines occur in attacks, while tension-type headaches are more consistent and long-lasting.
What are the symptoms of psychological headaches?
Headaches without a physical cause, starting during stressful or anxious periods, and progressing parallel with emotional changes may be psychological in origin. These types of headaches are usually felt as pressure and may be resistant to medication treatments.
What happens if chronic headaches are not treated?
Untreated headaches can become more frequent over time and reduce a person's quality of life. They can also lead to issues such as depression, sleep disorders, and loss of workforce.
What causes continuous headaches from the neck?
Headaches originating from the neck are usually indicative of muscle tension, posture problems, or issues with the neck vertebrae. Rarely, serious causes such as hypertension or nerve compression may also be underlying; therefore, evaluation is necessary.
