What should you know about chronic daily headache?

A headache may be continuous or may return repeatedly during the day. The pain can be pressure-like, throbbing, one-sided or spread across the head. Nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, neck discomfort or visual symptoms may accompany it. Common contributors include migraine, tension-type headache, poor sleep, dehydration, heat, stress, sinus problems and frequent use of pain medicines. A headache pattern alone does not identify one cause, so a clinician may ask when it began, how long each episode lasts, what makes it worse and whether your usual function has changed.

Keep a brief diary of pain timing, location, severity, sleep, meals, fluids, menstrual changes, medicines and accompanying symptoms. Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed, and do not repeatedly add over-the-counter pain relief without advice because frequent use can maintain headaches. Regular meals, adequate fluids, a stable sleep schedule, shade or cooling in hot weather and gradual stress reduction may help. Arrange a medical review if headaches are recurring, changing or affecting work, study or sleep.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, loss of vision, a stiff neck with fever, or a headache after a significant head injury. Prompt assessment is also needed for a new headache during pregnancy, with persistent vomiting, or with a marked change from your usual pattern.

Ask whether the pattern fits migraine, tension-type headache or another cause; whether any medicine could be contributing; which warning symptoms matter for you; and how to record and treat attacks safely.