If you’re experiencing constant headaches, chances are they’re either tension or migraines.
Technically, for your headaches to be considered chronic, they need to go on for 15 days or longer per month, for at least three consecutive months, SELF reported previously. That being said, if you have recurring headaches for, say, two weeks, that doesn’t mean you should discount your pain—you should still see your doctor.
The causes of constant, headaches—whether tension or migraine—range from totally minor to pretty major. Here are 10 things your headaches could reveal about your health.
You’re stressed
“Unresolved stress can really contribute to headache,” Dr. Hutchinson says. As mentioned, tension headaches happen when the muscles of the neck and scalp tense up, and this can be a physical response that your body has to stress and anxiety, MedlinePlus explains.
If you’re suffering from headaches, stop and think about what’s going on in your life. How stressed are you? And are you just pushing your stress under the rug instead of dealing with it?
You’re dehydrated
“With any kind of headache, a person needs to look at their health habits,” Dr. Hutchinson says. One important thing to look at is water intake, as dehydration can cause headaches. The exact connection is unknown, but experts believe it has to do with the way blood volume drops when you’re not getting enough water. Lower blood volume means less oxygen is getting to the brain.
You’re anemic
Anemia is a condition where you lack enough red blood cells to properly transport oxygen to tissues throughout your body, the Mayo Clinic explains. It can bring on symptoms including fatigue, feeling weak, shortness of breath, and others. “More severe anemia can cause headache,” Dr. Hutchinson says.
There are different causes of anemia, including having an iron deficiency, having lower-than-normal levels of B-12 and/or folic acid, or having a chronic health condition that leads to anemia.
You have a chronic disease
Headache is a common side effect of many chronic health conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, and diabetes.
If you have chronic headaches, it’s always worth talking to your doctor if anything feels off with your body to figure out if an underlying condition could be causing your issues. Even if you’re unsure and think it may be something minor, don’t delay seeking medical attention and be your own health advocate.
You’re dealing with hormonal issues, like menstruation
Thanks to the drop in estrogen right before menstruation, many women experience PMS-related headaches. In fact, menstruation is one of the biggest migraine triggers for women.
But it’s not the only time a change in estrogen levels can cause a headache—both perimenopause and postpartum periods are marked by a significant drop in estrogen, and as a result, often come with headaches. Pregnancy, too, affects estrogen levels, so you may notice that your headaches worsen (or disappear in some cases) during this time, the Mayo Clinic says. “Any time of hormonal change is a vulnerable time for headaches,” Dr. Hutchinson says.
For short-term headache relief around your period, typical headache remedies can help, like using ice or a cold compress, practicing relaxation techniques, or taking an over-the-counter pain relief medication.
It’s worth noting that if you’re dealing with chronic headaches during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor first about what solutions make sense for you, as some headache medications are not safe for pregnant people, the Mayo Clinic says.
You have a sinus problem
Sinus headaches are not that common, Dr. Hutchinson notes. “Most sinus headaches are just migraines with sinus symptoms,” she says. So if you have recurrent headaches in your sinus or facial area, chances are it’s a migraine. In fact, studies have shown that approximately 90 percent of people who see a doctor for sinus headaches are found to actually have migraines, according to the Mayo Clinic.
But if your headache is paired with fever, phlegm, or any other indication you might be sick, an underlying sinus infection may be to blame.
Your body clock is off
Ever wake up for a super early flight and notice a nagging pain in your head? Disrupting your body’s schedule can trigger headaches, Dr. Hutchinson says.
Getting up earlier (or later) than usual can throw off your circadian rhythm. “Travel in general is a trigger,” she adds. The stress of traveling, change in barometric pressure, change in time zones, and just being at an airport can all trigger a headache.
You drink too much caffeine
Caffeine causes vasoconstriction in your blood vessels, meaning they get a little narrower. If you drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks every day, your body gets used to it, Dr. Hutchinson explains. So when you skip it one day, your blood vessels don’t become constricted and can make your head hurt. It becomes a vicious cycle, slugging back a mug to find relief, and just further deepening your need for caffeine.
You’re taking too many headache meds
Headache treatments can potentially backfire. “Sometimes, the thing you’re taking for headache starts working against you,” Dr. Hutchinson says. Overdoing it on painkillers can actually make the pain worse—and the caffeine in some medications like Excedrin can cause withdrawal headaches, compounding the effects. Overuse of any pain medication to treat headaches can cause what’s called a rebound headache.
In rare cases, constant headaches could be a sign of a brain tumor
Googling your headache symptoms may result in a self-diagnosis of brain tumor. Rest assured: They’re rare, so chances are you don’t have one. But it’s a possibility, and something you don’t want to miss, Dr. Hutchinson says. “If a patient’s had a regular headache pattern [for months] and it hasn’t changed, it’s usually not a red flag,” she says.
If headaches are a new thing for you, are the most severe you’ve ever experienced, or are changing or worsening over time, these are signs your doctor may order a brain scan. But if you’re ever worried about what’s causing your headaches, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.