Recurring Headache Causes

When it comes to recurring headache causes, the most common is migraine. This does not mean YOUR headaches are migraines, just that they are very common.

See if you have two of the following symptoms for migraine headaches:

• Throbbing headache lasting 4-72 hours
• Light bothers you
• Loud sounds or strong smells like perfume, bother you.

Additionally you probably have one of the following:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Loss of appetite during the headache
• Vertigo (or dizziness)

If so the diagnosis is migraine.

Take the migraine quiz to see how severe your headaches are.

Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches, are a second recurring headache cause and occur mostly in men. They tend to last less than two hours.

Spring and Fall seem to be the most popular times for this and I can predict every year when the clinic will be crowded with my "usuals" coming in with their cluster headaches.

Cervicogenic Headache

Another cause of headache that many are unfamiliar with, is cervicogenic headache. Simply put: it's a pain in the neck. Literally. Many times physical therapy and a short course of medication relieves the problem. This headache is closely related to tension headache.

Analgesic Rebound Headache

Additionally, there is over use of over the counter medications like Tylenol Sinus or Excedrine Migraine. These medications used more than three times a week are a definite cause of recurring headache. One in particular that I refer to is the Claritin D Sinus Headache. When in pain you will reach for anything to take the headache away.

With over use, now the condition is analgesic rebound headache syndrome. At times it is also caused by Fiorcet or butalbital and is called a butalbital headache.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Although somewhat rare, trigeminal neuralgia can reoccur years after the first bout of neuralgia. What is neuralgia? Just means pain in a nerve. Specifially the nerve which runs along the side of the face and the jaw.

Most of the time this is provoked by a virus or dental work but sometimes the cause is unknown. Read more about trigeminal neuralgia symptoms, and treatment for trigeminal neuralgia.

Atypical Headaches

• Headache during sex
• Temporal Arteritis
• Post traumatic brain injury
• Types of neuralgia

Read about other types of recurring headache causes. There are so many headache types it is a little difficult to get it all on one page!