What are the types of headaches that can last for hours? What causes these types of headaches? What are the symptoms to look out for? How are they diagnosed and treated? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Common Types of Headaches that Can Last for Hours

There are several common types of headaches that can last for hours, including tension headaches, migraine headaches, cluster headaches, and chronic daily headaches. Tension headaches are the most common, causing mild to moderate pain that comes and goes over time. Migraine headaches are often described as pounding, throbbing pain that can last from 4 hours to 3 days and are accompanied by other symptoms like sensitivity to light, noise, or smells, nausea or vomiting, and upset stomach. Cluster headaches are the most severe, causing intense burning or piercing pain behind or around one eye, and tend to happen in groups, with each attack lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours. Chronic daily headaches occur 15 days or more per month for longer than 3 months and can be one of several subtypes, including chronic migraine, chronic tension headache, new daily persistent headache, and hemicrania continua.

Less Common Types of Headaches that Can Last for Hours

In addition to the more common headache types, there are also some less common types that can last for hours, such as sinus headaches, posttraumatic headaches, exercise headaches, and hemicrania continua. Sinus headaches are caused by inflamed sinuses and come with other sinus symptoms like a runny nose and fever. Posttraumatic headaches start 2-3 days after a head injury and can last for a few months. Exercise headaches are caused by increased blood flow to the head and neck muscles during physical activity. Hemicrania continua is a chronic, ongoing headache that always affects the same side of the face and head.

Rare Headaches that Can Last for Hours

While less common, there are also some rare types of headaches that can last for hours, such as new daily persistent headaches (NDPH). NDPH are chronic, daily headaches that start suddenly and persist without remission. They are not well understood and can be difficult to treat.

Causes of Headaches that Can Last for Hours

The causes of headaches that can last for hours vary depending on the type of headache. Tension headaches are often caused by stress, poor posture, or muscle tension. Migraines can be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, certain foods, and environmental factors. Cluster headaches are thought to be caused by a dysfunction in the hypothalamus. Chronic daily headaches can be caused by overuse of pain medication, stress, poor sleep, and other factors. Sinus headaches are caused by inflamed sinuses, usually due to a sinus infection. Posttraumatic headaches are caused by a head injury. Exercise headaches are caused by the increased blood flow and swelling of blood vessels during physical activity.

Getting a Diagnosis for Headaches that Last for Hours

To get a diagnosis for a headache that lasts for hours, your doctor will likely ask about your medical history, symptoms, and any potential triggers. They may also perform a physical exam and order tests like CT scans or MRIs to rule out any underlying conditions. It’s important to provide your doctor with as much detail as possible about your headaches, including the frequency, severity, and associated symptoms.

Treatments for Headaches that Can Last for Hours

The treatment for headaches that can last for hours will depend on the type of headache. Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help relieve the pain of tension headaches and migraines. Prescription medications like triptans, ergots, and CGRP inhibitors may be used for more severe migraines. For cluster headaches, oxygen therapy, injectable medications, or nerve block injections may be used. Chronic daily headaches may require a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies like acupuncture or biofeedback.

What Happens After Starting Treatment for Headaches?

Once you start treatment for a headache that can last for hours, it’s important to closely monitor your symptoms and work closely with your doctor to find the most effective treatment plan. It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies that provide the most relief. Some headache types, like migraines and cluster headaches, may require ongoing management to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.