Why am i getting headaches everyday all of a sudden
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Summary
9 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that sudden daily headaches could be due to New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH), various other etiologies, or conditions like idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous intracranial hypotension.
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Sudden Onset of Daily Headaches: Understanding the Causes
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)
Characteristics and Diagnosis
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) is a condition where a headache starts suddenly on a specific day and persists without remission. This type of headache can be highly disabling and is often resistant to treatment. NDPH can present with features similar to migraines, such as sensitivity to light and noise, or it can resemble tension-type headaches, which are milder and bilateral. The diagnosis of NDPH is clinical and requires the headache to persist for at least three months without any underlying medical cause .
Potential Triggers and Pathophysiology
The exact cause of NDPH is unknown, but it may be triggered by viral illnesses, stressful life events, or surgeries involving the head. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and cervicogenic issues might also play a role in its development. Despite extensive testing, including blood tests and imaging, no specific cause is often found.
Thunderclap Headache and Other Sudden Onset Headaches
Thunderclap Headache (TCH)
Thunderclap headaches are sudden and severe, often described as the worst headache of one's life. They can indicate serious conditions like subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but most cases are benign . Common causes include cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes, infections, and intracranial pressure disorders . Immediate medical evaluation with CT scans and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination is crucial to rule out life-threatening conditions.
Intracranial Pressure Disorders
Headaches can also arise from changes in intracranial pressure, either hypertension or hypotension. These conditions can cause severe, disabling headaches and may require specific diagnostic tests like ophthalmoscopy, neuroimaging, and CSF pressure measurement. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is common, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation.
Migraine and Chronic Daily Headaches
Migraine Pathogenesis
Migraines are neurovascular reactions to environmental changes, influenced by a hereditary threshold. They involve an unstable trigeminovascular reflex, leading to excessive discharge in the trigeminal nerve and its connections, causing the characteristic throbbing pain.
Chronic Daily Headaches
Chronic daily headaches, including transformed migraines and hemicrania continua, are often difficult to classify and treat. The International Headache Society (IHS) has been working on better classification systems to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Conclusion
Sudden onset of daily headaches can be alarming and may indicate conditions like NDPH, thunderclap headaches, or intracranial pressure disorders. Proper diagnosis often requires extensive testing to rule out serious underlying causes. Understanding the potential triggers and pathophysiology of these headaches is crucial for effective management and treatment. If you experience sudden and persistent headaches, it is essential to seek medical evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
8
Current concepts of migraine pathogenesis.
8
92 Citations
1993