| The term 'prolonged' can refer to a | | | | relaxation techniques or other coping |
| long-lasting headache episode or a prolonged | | | | mechanisms to address stress in your life. |
| period of time over which many headaches | | | | |
| occur. Headaches alone can be quite painful | | | | Prolonged Chronic Daily Headache |
| but for those who experience prolonged | | | | |
| headaches the pain can be even more | | | | Any prolonged or frequent headache is usually |
| distressing and exhausting. | | | | classified as chronic. A small percentage of |
| | | | people will experience chronic headaches; |
| On rare occasions, a prolonged headache may | | | | these daily headaches may last for many |
| also indicate a serious ailment. They | | | | years. It can be frightening for those who do |
| sometimes will occur following skull or brain | | | | suffer from chronic headaches, as they may |
| injury and can be difficult to treat. If your | | | | worry that a serious disease is causing the |
| headaches have recently started or are | | | | headache pain. Fortunately, this is not |
| abnormally intense or long lasting, it is | | | | usually the case. Triggers such as |
| suggested that you see your healthcare | | | | dehydration, intense smells and allergies are |
| provider. | | | | thought to be common causes of chronic |
| | | | headaches so you may wish to try to identify |
| Status Migraines | | | | and avoid these triggers. Medication overuse |
| | | | is also implicated in prolonged headaches and |
| A status migraine is a prolonged migraine | | | | if you suspect this is the case, consult with |
| headache that occurs for more than | | | | your doctor immediately. |
| seventy-two hours. If a migraine occurs over | | | | |
| a long period of time, an inflammatory | | | | Unfortunately, prolonged headaches can really |
| response is triggered. This form of headache | | | | disrupt an individual's daily life. |
| can potentially be very serious and a | | | | Maintaining work, home and social life can be |
| sufferer may even require hospitalization. | | | | a challenge and the stressful anticipation of |
| Vomiting may often occur and dizziness and | | | | lengthy headache pain itself can trigger a |
| visual problems may be present. One class of | | | | prolonged headache. The impairment of |
| drugs that may be recommended are | | | | activities can also lead to emotional |
| corticosteroids. These drugs have potent | | | | problems such as depression and anxiety. If |
| anti-inflammatory effects and can aid in | | | | this is the case, your doctor may ultimately |
| alleviating the headache. | | | | prescribe anti-depressants. |
| | | | |
| Intense pain and digestive discomfort such as | | | | Other medications commonly used to treat |
| nausea may accompany a status migraine. The | | | | chronic headaches are over-the-counter |
| various triggers for migraines may have | | | | preparations containing ibuprofen, |
| stronger effects in some individuals, | | | | acetaminophen or triptans. Counselling and |
| prompting a status migraine. You may wish to | | | | support groups are other options for dealing |
| keep a headache diary to pinpoint those | | | | with the emotional tension that may evolve |
| triggers that cause status migraine onset. | | | | from prolonged pain. Knowing that there are |
| | | | others who share your challenges may help you |
| Although reducing triggers is a typical | | | | to learn new ways of treating your prolonged |
| approach, elimination of a trigger may be | | | | headaches and obtaining relief. If headaches |
| required due to the extreme pain and | | | | are prolonged and frequent and are ultimately |
| intensity of a status migraine. It is thought | | | | interfering with your day-to-day life, it is |
| that stress is a common trigger for status | | | | time to seek treatment. |
| migraines and you may wish to seek out | | | | |