Headache Every Day — What Is Causing It?
A headache on 15 or more days per month is chronic daily headache — a specific condition with specific causes, and highly effective treatments when diagnosed correctly.
Chronic daily headache (CDH) — headache occurring on 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months — affects approximately 3–4% of the adult population and is one of the most disabling conditions a person can have. It is also one of the most mismanaged — because most patients are simply told to take more painkillers, which frequently makes it worse. Dr. Anand Karnam at Sri Anand Hospital specialises in the evaluation and management of complex chronic headache disorders.
Seek Emergency Care Immediately If You Have:
- 1New severe daily headache that started suddenly and is progressive
- 2Daily headache with visual changes, vomiting on waking, or worse on coughing/bending
- 3Change in a longstanding headache pattern — new features, different character
- 4Daily headache with fever, neck stiffness, or rash
- 5Daily headache after a head injury
Possible Causes of This Symptom
Chronic Migraine
Migraine occurring on 15+ days per month (at least 8 of which meet migraine criteria). The most common cause of CDH. The progression from episodic to chronic migraine is driven by medication overuse and modifiable risk factors.
Medication Overuse Headache (MOH)
The most important reversible cause of CDH. Taking painkillers (paracetamol, NSAIDs, triptans, opioids) on 10–15+ days per month perpetuates daily headache. The only treatment is supervised medication withdrawal.
Chronic Tension-Type Headache
Bilateral pressing/tightening headache daily or near-daily, not accompanied by nausea. Typically associated with poor sleep, stress, neck muscle tension, and poor posture.
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)
A headache that starts on a specific date and becomes continuous from that point. Distinct from migraine — does not respond to typical migraine treatments. Requires specialist investigation.
Secondary Cause (Always Exclude)
Any new or changed headache pattern — including CDH — requires exclusion of structural causes: raised intracranial pressure, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, mass lesion.
How We Diagnose the Cause
Headache Diary Analysis
A 4-week headache diary (frequency, severity, duration, medication used) is the most valuable diagnostic tool. It immediately reveals medication overuse and pattern.
Secondary Cause Exclusion
Clinical examination for red flags. Brain imaging if indicated. Ophthalmological assessment for IIH (raised intracranial pressure).
Medication Review
Detailed review of all medications taken for headache — type, frequency, dose — to identify medication overuse.
Your Treating Specialist
Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center, Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad
In-house EEG and NCS — same-visit diagnosis, no referral delays
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
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Sri Anand Child & Neuro Hospital · Open 24/7 · Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad