Persistent headache causes: what to know

Clinicians consider the headache's onset, location, quality, duration, triggers, and accompanying symptoms. Common contributors include dehydration, missed meals, poor sleep, stress, neck or jaw tension, migraine, viral illness, and frequent use of pain medicine. Vision problems, high blood pressure, hormonal changes, and medication side effects may also matter. A brain tumour, brain metastases, or glioblastoma can produce headache in some people, but a persistent headache is not enough to diagnose any of these conditions.

A new pattern, steady progression, headache worse after waking, pain with coughing or straining, or neurological symptoms deserves particular attention. These features do not name a diagnosis; they help determine how promptly an examination should happen.

Keep a diary showing when pain begins, where it is felt, what you were doing, sleep and meals, medicines used, and symptoms such as nausea or visual change. Maintain hydration and regular meals, protect sleep, and take medicines only as directed. Book an appointment for a new or ongoing headache, especially when it is changing or disrupting ordinary activities. A clinician may check your vital signs, eyes, neck, and nervous system before recommending tests.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, weakness or numbness, speech trouble, confusion, seizure, fainting, repeated vomiting, new vision loss, or severe difficulty walking. Prompt assessment is also needed with fever and a stiff neck, after a significant head injury, or when the headache is rapidly worsening.

Ask which causes best fit your pattern, whether any medicine or health condition could contribute, and what examination or tests are appropriate. Confirm which changes should lead you to seek urgent care and how to use a headache diary.