More than a Headache: When to See Your Doctor About Constant Headaches

Headaches are a common nuisance — something that nearly everyone experiences at some point. Dehydration, lack of sleep, drinking too much alcohol, or a viral illness like the flu can trigger a headache. In most cases, headaches go away when you address the root cause, for example, fighting off the viral infection, drinking more water, or getting a good night's sleep.

When they become frequent, they can signal something more serious. Headache disorders, which include migraine headache disorder, affect 3.1 billion people around the world. So, how do you know if you’re dealing with a run-of-the-mill headache or something more?

If you find yourself reaching for pain relievers more often than not, it may be time to talk to our team of experts at Link Neuroscience Institute. 

In the meantime, here are some signs it’s time to see your doctor about constant headaches.

Why do you keep getting constant headaches?

It’s not always easy to know why you have a headache. That’s because frequent headaches can stem from various conditions, including:

Headache disorders

Headache disorders include:

• Migraine headache disorder, which is often accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting
• Tension headaches, usually caused by stress, muscle tension, or poor posture
• Cluster headaches

Some people experience multiple types of headache disorders. For example, you may experience a tension headache from wearing your hair too tightly and then later have a migraine attack after smelling a strong perfume. 

Medication rebound headaches

Medication rebound headaches occur when frequent use of pain relievers makes your body dependent on them, which leads to a cycle of recurring pain. Our team can help break this cycle with a personalized treatment plan to manage headaches safely and effectively.

Underlying conditions

Underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, infections, tumors, or neurological disorders can also trigger headaches.

Our team works with you to pinpoint the source of your headaches and, if applicable, your specific triggers. For example, bright lights, wine, and skipping a meal can all trigger a migraine attack. You may find that keeping a journal of your symptoms, food intake, and daily activities can help you spot your own triggers.

Our team will carefully review your headache journal, take a detailed medical history, assess your symptoms, and, if needed, order imaging tests to determine the exact type of headache you're experiencing. With an accurate diagnosis, we can develop a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief and improve your quality of life.

When to be concerned about headaches

Occasional headaches are normal, but if they start affecting your daily life, become more intense, or become chronic (15 or more headache days per month), it’s time to talk to your Link Neuroscience Institute provider. 

If you recently hit your head and now have headaches, you might have a concussion or another injury that needs to be checked. Concussion symptoms, for example, may not appear right away. They can appear hours or days later.

When headaches are an emergency

In some cases, a headache may warrant a trip to the emergency room. Pay attention to these warning signs:

• You have severe pain and would describe it as the worst headache you’ve ever had
• Your headache is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as vision changes, weakness, numbness, confusion, or difficulty speaking 
• You have a seizure

These symptoms could be signs of a brain bleed, traumatic brain injury, tumor, or stroke. Call 911 if you suspect that you’re having a medical emergency.

How we can help

The reality is that headaches are common, but you don’t have to deal with them on your own. Once we’ve determined the root cause of your headaches, our team can walk you through your treatment options.

Here in our Camarillo, Santa Barbara, and Oxnard, California, locations, we offer several different treatments for headaches, including:

• Medication
• Medical Botox® injections
• Nerve blocks 
• Cervical spinal cord stimulation
• Peripheral nerve stimulation

In addition to treating headache disorders, our team also specializes in managing neurological conditions that can cause headaches. We provide expert care for ongoing stroke recovery, neuro-interventional surgery, and seizure management.

Don’t let chronic headaches control your life — schedule an appointment with Link Neuroscience Institute today and take the first step toward relief.