Constant headache: what can it be? It’s normal?

headache , also known as headache, is very common among Brazilians. The Brazilian Headache Society (SBCE) estimates that 70% of the population often suffers from the problem.

Often people only seek medical help when the headaches are severe. It is a common behavior that can aggravate or delay a correct diagnosis.

In addition, the problem is usually alleviated by the patients themselves, who tend to report it as a common or not very uncomfortable pain.

But the SBCE says that having headaches is not normal , no matter how often or how severe they are .

Every time that our organism has some alteration or complication, it sends signals. Among these signs is headache.

That is, it is an alert that something is not right.

Therefore, it is always recommended to seek a doctor, to find out exactly, the type, the causes and talk about the best treatment.

Read more: Understand what can cause headaches in childhood

Contents

What can be each type of headache?

The causes of headache may be related to the region in which it manifests:

  • Pain in the sides : migraine, poor diet and dehydration can be the causes for pain in this region;
  • Pain in the forehead and on the top of the head : this pain is usually caused by stress or excessive consumption of caffeine;
  • Pain in the back of the eyes : the discomfort is very likely to be caused by respiratory diseases, such as sinusitis. Vision problems can also cause pain there;
  • Pain in the back (near the back of the neck) : stress and tiredness can tighten the muscles in this region, which, in the vast majority of cases, causes headaches.

What causes constant headache?

Learn a little about the different possibilities that cause headache:

Tiredness and stress

In stressful situations, it is normal for the person to find it more difficult to relax and sleep.

These factors can contribute to the onset of constant headaches.

In addition, other symptoms can arise, because when you are very tired or tense, the body sends signals that you need to relax. These signs can be unregulated appetite, irritation, difficulty concentrating and low productivity.

In such cases, the best solution is to de-stress and rest.

Bathing, meditating, practicing light physical exercise (such as walking) or simply sleeping (even for a few minutes) can help to ease the headache.

Vision problems

Myopia , astigmatism and hyperopia can also be one of the causes of constant headache.

This is because, when presenting these problems, the person needs to force the vision to be able to see things, causing pain in the head and temples.

Read more: What are the symptoms of astigmatism?

Smoking

Cigarettes contain about 4,000 toxic substances that harm health, such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, ammonia and tar.

These substances, when inhaled, reduce the levels of oxygen and nutrients in the blood, tissues and brain.

In the long run, this can cause severe headaches, as the brain does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen.

Other parts of the body are also affected by smoking . Cancer , cardiovascular and respiratory problems and infertility are some complications caused by tobacco.

Read more: World No Tobacco Day: how and why to quit smoking?

Dehydration

The entire human body needs water to function properly. When that substance is missing, the organism suffers.

Dehydration has symptoms like headache, intense thirst, decreased urine (which also gets darker) and, in more severe cases, dizziness and low fever .

In this case, to improve the headache and other symptoms, drinking water is essential.

Remembering that the correct amount of water intake is 2L per day.

food

Frequent consumption of foods rich in caffeine, fats and sugars can cause headaches.

Once discovered, it is recommended that the person avoid eating this food and see a doctor to discuss the possibility of any treatment.

On the other hand, fasting for a long time can also be one of the causes of headache.

This is because when the body does not receive food, there is a drop in the amount of sugars in the blood ( hypoglycemia ).

This condition stimulates the production of hormones that cause pain, in addition to contributing to the feeling of weakness and dizziness.

If poor diet or fasting becomes habit, it can end up causing severe headaches and even migraines.

Respiratory diseases

Complications like flu , colds and the presence of viruses or bacteria can cause headaches.

In such cases, the headache is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, pain in other parts of the body, runny nose, indisposition, nausea and diarrhea .

Usually, the discomfort lasts throughout the treatment and disappears after the disease is cured.

However, if symptoms persist, including headache after being medicated, it is important to see a doctor again.

Hormonal changes

Hormones circulate through the blood, including blood vessels in the brain.

Therefore, hormonal changes, common in pregnancy and premenstrual tension (PMS) can also cause headaches.

In such cases, if the pain was very severe, medical advice should be sought that may prescribe the best treatment.

Is it normal to experience headaches every day?

There are several types of headache, some of which can be chronic and others of which are transient. But the reminder remains that it is not normal to experience headaches every day . It is important to find out what the causes are. Therefore, when experiencing headaches (at any intensity or frequency), seek medical help.

There are more than 200 types of headaches and each has its specificities. The best known are migraines and those caused by tension and sinusitis .

The treatments for each type vary according to personal medical history, severity and the presence or absence of other diseases and complications.

The idea that “having a headache is normal” can lead to self – medication and a late diagnosis of the real cause of headache.

So it is important to pay attention to signs of seriousness and know when to seek medical help:

  • Intense pains : discomfort and pain that hinder concentration and productivity;
  • Photophobia and phonophobia: sensitivity to lights and sounds;
  • Change in the manifestation: when there are changes in intensity, in the location of the head and in the frequency (for example, the pain was weekly and in the frontal part of the head and became daily and in the lateral part);
  • Other symptoms: headache accompanied by fever, speech problems, numbness or paralysis in the limbs, fainting, coughing, mental confusion, stiff neck and imbalance;

In some cases, the discomforts can be hereditary, meaning that children are more likely to develop headache if the father and mother suffer with frequent pain.

Other degrees of blood kinship (brothers, uncles, nephews, cousins) can also influence headaches.


Headaches are not normal and require a medical evaluation, as the Brazilian Headache Society (SBCE) warns us.

Read more: Contact with nature reduces stress in 20 minutes

Headache can arise from several causes and factors such as stress , tiredness , smoking and incorrect diet. The newsroom of Hickey solution brings a lot of information about health !

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