Why Do I Get Frequent Headaches?

Frequent headaches can happen for many reasons. Common causes include migraine, tension headaches, medication overuse and certain medical conditions. Lifestyle factors, such as dehydration, poor sleep, skipping meals, stress and hormonal changes can also contribute.

Doctors first determine whether headaches are primary or secondary.

Primary headaches are not caused by another medical condition. They include migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches.

Secondary headaches result from another health problem, such as a head injury, sinus infection, meningitis or medication overuse. Less commonly, they may be linked to a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical care.

Most headaches are not a medical emergency. But frequent or worsening headaches shouldn’t be ignored.

Make an appointment with your doctor if your headaches:

• Happen more often or get worse
• Disrupt your work or daily activities
• Do not improve with treatment
• Require pain medicine several days a week

Seek emergency medical care immediately if your headache:

• Begins suddenly and reaches maximum intensity within seconds
• Follows a head injury
• Occurs with fever, stiff neck or confusion
• Causes weakness, numbness, vision changes or trouble speaking
• Occurs with a seizure or loss of consciousness

Headaches may be episodic (occasional) or chronic. In general, chronic headaches occur on 15 or more days each month for at least three months.

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They typically cause mild to moderate pain or pressure on both sides of the head and are often described as feeling like a tight band. Stress, poor posture, muscle tension, lack of sleep and prolonged computer use may contribute to tension headaches.

Migraine is a common headache disorder that can be disabling. It often causes moderate to severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. A migraine can last four to 72 hours if left untreated.

Migraine can also cause nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Some people experience an aura, which may include vision changes or other neurological symptoms before or during an attack.

Women are about three times more likely than men to experience migraine, and it often runs in families.

Common migraine triggers include dehydration, skipped meals, poor sleep, stress, hormonal changes, alcohol, certain foods, bright lights, strong smells and weather changes.

“Migraine triggers can vary from person to person,” Dr. Zhu says. “Identifying your triggers and treating migraine attacks early can often reduce how often they occur and how severe they become.”

Cluster headaches are less common than migraine and tension headaches but are among the most painful headache disorders.

They typically cause severe pain around or behind one eye and occur in clusters, with repeated attacks over weeks to months followed by headache-free periods.

Individual attacks usually last 15 minutes to three hours and may cause tearing, nasal congestion, sweating, a drooping eyelid or restlessness.

Alcohol is a common trigger during a cluster period.

Taking headache or migraine medicine too often can lead to medication overuse headaches, also called rebound headaches. Over time, these medicines can actually contribute to more frequent headaches.

Common medications that can contribute include:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Combination pain relievers
• Triptans

If you need them more than two or three days a week, talk with your doctor. You may need a different treatment plan to prevent headaches and avoid medication overuse.

A neurologist can identify the type of headache you have, determine possible triggers and recommend the most effective treatment.

Your doctor may recommend keeping a headache diary to help identify patterns and possible triggers. Record when headaches start, how long they last and how severe they are. Also note where the pain is, symptoms, possible triggers, medications you take and whether they help.

Treatment depends on the type of headache, how often it occurs and its severity.

If migraines are frequent or affect your daily life, your doctor may recommend preventive treatment to reduce how often they occur or how severe they become.

Preventive treatment options may include:

• Medications that block calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)
• Botox injections for chronic migraine
• Certain blood pressure medications
• Some anti-seizure medications
• Some antidepressants

Taking medication at the first sign of a migraine can help relieve symptoms and shorten the attack.

Treatment options may include:

• Triptans
• CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Anti-nausea medications

Healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce headache frequency and improve quality of life.

Managing stress, getting regular exercise, staying hydrated, eating regular meals and getting enough sleep may help prevent headaches. Limiting alcohol and avoiding medication overuse can also reduce the risk of frequent headaches.

Some people find that certain foods trigger headaches. If you notice a pattern, identifying and avoiding those triggers may help reduce headaches.

Foods that may trigger headaches include:

• Aged cheeses
• Alcohol, particularly red wine
• Artificial sweeteners
• Cured or processed meats
• Foods with certain additives
• Foods that cause an individual allergy or sensitivity

Some people also benefit from integrative therapies. Biofeedback may help reduce some types of headaches by teaching people how to better control physical responses, such as muscle tension. Acupuncture may also help reduce migraine frequency for some people.

Frequent headaches may be caused by migraines, tension headaches, medication overuse, poor sleep, dehydration, stress or another condition. If they occur often or affect your daily life, see your doctor to identify the cause and recommend treatment.

Yes. Stress is one of the most common headache triggers and can contribute to both tension headaches and migraine. Managing stress through regular exercise, relaxation techniques, adequate sleep and other healthy habits may help reduce headache frequency.

If you have headaches several times a week or they disrupt your daily life, talk with your doctor. Finding the cause can help you get the right treatment.

Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent frequent headaches. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, eat regular meals, manage stress and avoid known headache triggers. Keeping a headache diary can also help you and your doctor identify patterns, recognize triggers and develop an effective treatment plan.