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