chronic daily headaches hemicrania continua
Chronic Daily Headaches – Hemicrania Continua
Do you have a headache nearly every single day? If you do, you are not alone. As many as 5% of the entire population is thought to experience chronic headaches. There are many types of chronic headache conditions including, migraines, chronic tension headaches, “new daily persistent headache” and “hemicrania continua.”
Hemicrania continua is a headache that:
- May occur in 2% of headache sufferers
- Is more frequent among women
- Occurs more than 15 times per month
- Causes pain on one side of the head
- During an attack the level of pain will fluctuate up and down
- Sometimes additional jabs of pain are felt
- Sometimes the pain can migrate from one side of the head to the other, or to the neck, shoulders, or face
- Symptoms are made worse by exercise
- Additional symptoms may be noticed on the same side of the head as the pain such as a runny nose, tearing eyes, swollen eyelid as well as nausea, and sensitivity to light
What Causes Hemicrania Continua?
The cause of hemicrania continua is still unknown as research is still limited. Some studies show a possible connection between hemicrania continua and brain stem lesions and strokes. However, other studies show that many people have perfectly normal brain scans. The only thing that’s known for sure is that more research is needed.
Treatments for Hemicrania Continua
Hemicrania continua headaches all share one common link – they can be treated by a powerful anti-inflamatory medication called indomethacin. A few doses of indomethacin has been known to resolve the symptoms of hemicrania continua – however many people are not able to take this medication over the long term due to very unpleasant digestive system side effects including - pain, ulcers, and bleeding. The side effects of indomethacin are not limited strictly to the GI system – many people also experience fatigue, bruising, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, and constipation.
The severe side effects of indomethacin have pushed researches to look for safer alternatives. Currently two known alternative treatments include melatonin and topiramate.
Melatonin is an herbal supplement that one can buy in any health food store. Melatonin is known to be chemically similar to indomethacin but in form that naturally occurs in the body. Be sure to notify your doctor before trying this supplement as some people have been known to experience significant side effects.
Topiramate is a prescription drug used to treat seizure-related conditions such as epilepsy. While some people have experience relief with this medication, it is not without significant side effects. Topiramate is known to impair one’s ability to think and concentrate, increase the risks of kideney stones and osteoporosis, and impair one’s natural ability to sweat.
