Daily Headaches: How Common Is It?
Hello there! I experience headaches nearly every day! At 22 years old, standing at 5'6" and weighing 160 pounds, I identify as white according to Brazilian standards, which typically refer to a diverse background but outwardly appears Caucasian. I wear glasses due to astigmatism (0.5 in each eye) and I take a daily dose of escitalopram (20mg) to manage anxiety. My blood pressure tends to be on the lower side, but it doesn’t significantly affect my daily routine apart from needing to eat regularly to avoid feeling dizzy. Currently, I’m in the final stretch of my engineering studies at UFMG, a challenging federal university, set to graduate in a year and a half. My internship, which is quite demanding, also keeps me busy; I usually leave home around 7 AM and return around 10 PM. Some of my friends believe my headaches could be linked to stress, which I find puzzling. I experience headaches almost daily—six days out of the week on average. Some days are more intense than others; there are times when I feel like I need to relieve the pressure with a pen! A cup of coffee combined with an ibuprofen can sometimes alleviate the pain, but typically I rely on dipyrone (metamizole) to ease my discomfort, although there are moments when the pain is overwhelming before it kicks in. My friends frequently express concern about my persistent headaches, insisting that this isn’t typical. Despite facing similar stress, they do not suffer from chronic pain like I do. My mother, however, is just like me; she’s the one who introduced me to various coping techniques like dimming the lights, closing my eyes, snuggling under a blanket, and praying while waiting for the medication to take effect. My younger brother, who's 18, lately has also been experiencing severe migraines. I suspect my headaches have always been a part of my life, but they intensified during my high school entrance exams at 18. During the pandemic, as I prepared for ENEM (the Brazilian equivalent of the SAT), I would often find myself crawling to grab two ibuprofens with coffee before breakfast in the morning. It seems adulthood has exacerbated the issue! Wheneve I discuss this with doctors, they seem rather indifferent. My blood tests appear normal, and given my extensive screen time—inevitable with a job that requires constant use of computers—my headaches are often blamed on that. However, it’s strange because they can occur unexpectedly while I’m out with friends or at random times. I attempted to track my headaches, but I have yet to find any correlation regarding the timing or activities that may trigger them. I’ve tried numerous remedies: staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet to keep my blood pressure stable, and wearing my glasses as needed, but none of these have prevented the headaches from occurring. Other than the headaches, I don’t report any symptoms that would suggest a brain tumor. I'm quite proactive about checking my coordination and do the clock test periodically to ensure my cognitive functions are intact. I believe my brain is functioning well. Could this be a result of stress? Should I be concerned, and if so, to what extent?
Answers (1)
7/18/2025, 11:50:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you have been facing daily headaches that are significantly impacting your life, and it's understandable to be concerned about their frequency and intensity. Given your situation, your headaches could be influenced by a combination of factors, including stress, lifestyle, and possibly other underlying issues.
Understanding Your Headaches: Chronic headaches, especially when they occur frequently, can be caused by several factors including tension, stress, fatigue, changes in sleep, dietary habits, and even medication side effects. The fact that your friends also see a difference in their headache experiences compared to yours may point to individual variations in how stress affects each person.
However, since you have not responded fully to lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications, it may be worth considering more comprehensive strategies.
Next Steps:
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Identify Triggers:
- Continue to track when your headaches occur and any potential triggers, such as lack of sleep, stress, certain foods, or excessive screen time. Aim to be as detailed as possible.
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Routine Changes:
- Make sure to incorporate short breaks during your study or work times to reduce eye strain. ***
- Practice good hydration and nutrition. Maintain a regular eating schedule to prevent dips in blood sugar and related dizziness.
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Stress Management:
- Since stress could be a significant factor, consider trying relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These can help reduce overall stress and anxiety levels.
- Depending on what you enjoy, activities like regular exercise can also relieve stress and improve your mental health.
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Consultations:
- Although you mentioned past experiences with indifferent doctors, consider seeking a second opinion, preferably from a neurologist or a headache specialist who may provide more focused management strategies. There are specific treatments tailored for chronic headaches that might not have been discussed previously.
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Health Monitoring:
- Keep monitoring your symptoms and how they respond to different changes in your routine and lifestyle. Documenting this over time may reveal patterns that can be important for you or a health professional.
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Medication Review:
- If you haven’t already, discuss your headache management with a healthcare professional, especially since you’re taking escitalopram, which could interact with your pain management strategy. Also, evaluate whether using ibuprofen or dipyrone might contribute to rebound headaches over time.
It's commendable that you're reflecting on your health and seeking solutions. While the headaches are concerning, there are avenues to explore and potential strategies to implement which can help improve your situation. If you find any sudden changes in symptoms or new concerning signs, please consider following up with a medical professional promptly.
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