Types of headaches that last long
Usually, headaches subside in an hour or two, but if they last more than four hours, they are long-lasting. Such headaches are chronic daily headaches (CDH).
If you have CDH, you might experience 15 or more episodes of headache per month for at least three months.
Here are some types of CDH:
1. Chronic migraine
This type of headache is often characterised by unilateral pain (occurring on one side). However, some people might have bilateral pain (occurring on both sides).
People might feel moderate to severe pain. This pain can last for hours or even days. People with chronic migraine experience 15 headache episodes per month.
Some common symptoms of chronic migraine are:
- Sharp, pulsating pain (usually on one side of the head)
- Photophobia (Light sensitivity)
- Phonophobia (Sound sensitivity)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Aura (visual disturbances such as blind spots or light flashes)
Chronic migraine may occur due to:
- Family history
- Stress
- Environmental factors, such as weather changes
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Caffeine or alcohol consumption
Women may also experience migraine due to hormonal changes as well. Also, chronic migraine occurs in people who already have a history of episodic migraines.
2. Chronic tension-type headache
Another long-lasting type of headache is chronic tension-type headache. It involves mild to moderate pain on both sides of the head.
Unlike migraine, chronic tension-type headache has no associated symptoms like nausea. However, some other symptoms include:
- Dull, pressing pain
- Pressure or tightness around the head
- Pain on both sides of the head (bilateral)
- Tenderness in the scalp, neck, or shoulder muscles
Chronic tension-type headaches primarily cause muscle tension in the neck, scalp, or head. This muscle tightness can occur due to:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Injury or trauma
- Poor posture
- Fatigue
- Overexertion
- Sleep disturbances
3. New daily persistent headache
These headaches start suddenly in people with no known history of headaches and become constant within three days of onset. They might be similar to chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headaches.
Symptoms often include:
- Pain on both sides of the head
- Tightening or pressing pain
- May feel sensitivity to light or sound
- Some people might also feel nausea or dizziness
New daily persistent headaches can be primary or secondary. In the primary PDH, the exact cause is unclear. Conversely, the secondary persistent daily headache may be caused by:
- Stress
- Trauma
- Viral infections
- Neurological problems
- Overuse of medications
This is a rare headache and refractory to treatment, so it doesn’t respond to standard therapies.
4. Hemicrania continua
It is also a rare headache that causes pain only on one side of the head. This pain is constant and often occurs daily with no pain-free days. People experience constant moderate pain, with a few episodes of severe pain.
Hemicrania continua is similar to migraine. However, migraine occurs in episodes (may come and go) while hemicrania continua is constant. Other symptoms may include:
- Tearing or redness on one side of the eye
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
- Restlessness and nausea
- Light and sound sensitivity
The exact cause of hemicrania continua is not fully understood.
What are the warning signs (red flags) of headaches?
All types of headaches are not severe, but there are some signs that you might notice if you have a headache. These are:
- Sudden onset of severe pain (thunderclap headache)
- Headache associated with nausea, vomiting and confusion
- Headache with high-grade fever and neck stiffness
- Headache with loss of consciousness
Management of all types of headaches with ANF Therapy®️:
History:
Your ANF Therapist will ask you questions about your headaches during the history. These include:- What is the onset and duration of your pain?
- What is the nature and quality of the pain?
- What is the location of pain?
- Are there any aggravating and relieving factors of pain?
- Do you have any previous medical illness?
Physical examination:
During physical examination, your ANF Therapist will examine your head and neck to check for the abnormality. They will also palpate your sinuses to check for warmth and tenderness.Neurological examination:
In neurological examination, your ANF Therapists will assess your cranial nerves, visual field, and reflexes to look for abnormalities.Application of ANF Devices:
After the history and examination, your ANF Therapist will make a personalised treatment protocol for your symptoms. They apply different types of ANF Devices to the affected areas of your body. These include anti-inflammatory devices with positive and negative charges that help reduce inflammation, the leading cause of headaches. Along with anti-inflammatory devices, antioxidants help your body fight free radicals and remove oxidative stress.
Most headaches are also caused by tension in the neck, shoulder, and upper back. This therapy helps release tension and alleviate pain. It aims to stabilise the neurological frequencies and improve the body’s biochemical functions. Moreover, this therapy uses mental calm devices that aim to reduce anxiety and depression associated with headaches. Melatonin devices are meant to regulate your circadian rhythm and promote normal sleep.
Expected outcome:
According to Dr Mikel H-G Hoff, most patients’ pain begins to fade soon after the application of ANF Devices. However, the outcome can vary from person to person, depending upon the type of headache and severity of the disease.
Follow-up:
ANF Devices are changed after three days of application. Your ANF Therapists will create a personalised treatment plan for you and educate you about the changes.
Regular follow-ups are essential in treating all types of headaches. Your ANF Therapist will guide you on the number of follow-up sessions and treatment duration.
