It’s not unusual to get a headache every now and then. Whether it comes after a stressful day at work, a night of restless sleep, or an intense workout, headaches come and go. When they come and go repeatedly, you’re dealing with chronic headaches, and those are not normal.
What Causes a Chronic Headache?
There are many different kinds of headaches with many different causes. This is also the case for chronic headaches, which is what you’re dealing with when you get headaches 15 or more days a month. Even within the larger category of chronic headaches, there are different kinds, including tension, chronic, and hemicrania continua.
The symptoms of chronic headaches vary depending on the type you deal with. Short-lasting chronic headaches don’t typically have an underlying cause, but headaches that last four hours or longer are usually attributable to other issues. These can include the inflammation of blood vessels, viral infections, and traumatic injuries to the brain. Chronic headaches can also be an early warning sign of a brain tumor.
Overusing pain medication, including over-the-counter pain relievers, can also cause chronic headaches. Using OTC and prescription pain meds for more than nine days a month can cause recurring headaches. In addition to helping relieve headache symptoms, regular chiropractic adjustment can also reduce your reliance on pain relievers.
How to Get Rid of Headaches
Your first instinct if you suffer from chronic headaches may be to keep a bottle of aspirin on hand. However, because medication overuse can exacerbate headache symptoms and have other harmful side effects, you should seek other, more natural means.
If headaches occur frequently enough, be more mindful of when they start and what you’re doing around that time. This might help you identify stimuli that trigger headaches and avoid them. Common headache triggers include lack of sleep, overuse of caffeine, too much stress, too little exercise, and poor nutrition. Establishing a healthier lifestyle can save you from more pain in the future. That includes considering the potential benefits of regular chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care Can Help You Manage Chronic Headaches
Chronic headaches are not normal, and you don’t have to live with unchecked pain. Livingston County Chiropractic is a resource for natural pain relief and management in Pontiac, IL. If you suffer from frequent headaches or another debilitating condition, contact us today and we’ll tell you how chiropractic adjustments can help.
