Headaches are common and unavoidable. Many people might have experienced this painful sensation at some point in life. Headaches can vary in intensity; sometimes, they are more severe than usual, and otherwise, they will be mild. There are times when headaches last longer than the usual bouts of pain. If it happens, it indicates an underlying health concern necessitating treatment. Read further to learn about the common trigger factors of such long-lasting headaches.

Migraine
Migraines are headaches lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. People can experience migraine due to various trigger factors, including stress, lack of quality sleep, unhealthy nutritional habits, and hormonal changes. Common symptoms of migraines include light and sound sensitivity, visual disturbances, and nausea.

Tension headaches
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches. These are usually caused by poor posture, tension in the shoulders and neck, and stress. Tension headaches can last for a few hours or sometimes even for days.

Cluster headaches
Custer headache is characterized by severe pain experienced on one side of the head. A rare form of headache, it is usually accompanied by symptoms such as watery eyes and nasal congestion and can last for a few weeks or even up to a few months.

Sinus headaches
As the name suggests, sinus headaches are caused by the inflammation of the sinuses. These headaches can last for several days or go on for weeks. The identifying symptoms of sinus headaches include facial pain, fever, and nasal congestion.

Warning signs of long-lasting headaches
Some other red flags could indicate a more severe underlying health condition that requires a healthcare professional’s intervention. These include-

• A severe or sudden headache that might feel like a thunderclap
• Headaches that result from a head injury or after a concussion
• Headaches accompanied by weakness, vision disturbances, and numbness of one side of the face
• Headaches accompanied by stiff neck, fever, confusion

If any of these symptoms persist or the pain lasts more than three days despite trying remedies and treatments, it is advised to seek a health expert’s advice.

Managing prolonged headache episodes
There are various ways to alleviate headache pain if it lasts more than three days. The basics include staying hydrated and getting proper rest and sleep. Health experts might also suggest prescription treatments to manage the pain.