How many headaches are too many in a week?
It’s a common question – just how many headaches are too many in a week?
We’ll get into the details in a moment, but first let’s give the simple answer and explain why.
The answer is – 1.
Yes, one headache a week is too many. You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?
Why is 1 too many? Because, contrary to popular belief, headache are neither “normal” nor “benign”. They should not happen, in many cases can be treated, and can cause long-term damage.
That being said, here are some tips if you’re wondering just when you should be concerned.
First, if you’re getting 1 or more headaches a week, and this is new, you need to see a doctor right away. In fact, any new symptoms, or a “worst ever” headache, could be a sign of something very dangerous.
If you’re getting one or two headaches a week, it’s probably having a significant impact on your life – your relationships, productivity, and enjoyment. You should be cautious about jumping into a preventative medication, however you do need to have a serious talk with your doctor about treatment. At 1-2 a week, headache is becoming something serious.
If you’re having more than 2 attacks a week, you’re at increased risk of developing other conditions that could be related to the headaches. This is “high frequency”. It’s time to find a specialist, and it’s time to seriously consider preventative medication and other treatments that are especially for your type of headache. Not all headache treatments are the same.
If you have more than three headaches a week, you may have a chronic condition. And without proper treatment, things could get worse. You’ll need proper ongoing treatment from a specialist to avoid more serious disability in the future.
One thing to remember is that one headache a week (which is already too many) can very easily lead to many more if not properly treated in the beginning.
How many headaches are too many in a week? Are you really getting one or more headaches every week? It’s time to take action, and fight back.
For an examination of migraine frequency in particular, check out this issue of HeadWay. If you’re not already subscribed to HeadWay, you can subscribe for free here.
1 November 2013 @ 3:47 pm
Wow! just groundbreaking, absolutely groundbreaking. *sigh*
2 November 2013 @ 10:03 pm
1
8 November 2013 @ 6:00 am
Mine can last a week so 1 is too much
19 May 2015 @ 2:08 pm
I get at least one a day
29 March 2016 @ 9:16 pm
One a week is too many. However, when you’ve been dealing with 3-4 a week for 40+ years (not attributed to MOH) and Botox treatment finally drops you down to only once a week, it can feel like a miracle. Everyone is different. Only this one preventive ever made a significant dent in migraine frequency or severity. Looking forward to getting my hands on one of the new CGRP-blocking preventives just as soon as possible in the hopes of knocking off even more.
6 October 2016 @ 9:44 pm
I gst a headache at least every other day
5 December 2016 @ 5:10 pm
I have had headaches every single day of my life for at least the last 10 years. Prior to that I had them several days a week as far back as I can remember. I am now 46. I have been on many different types of medications over the years and have been diagnosed with both chronic tension and migraine headaches . So far none of the migraine medications have worked at all. Tricyclic Antidepressants are the only thing that did ever work but after years it no longer worked. Cant work so I really hope my new neurologist can do something with these headaches cuz its a miserable life.
27 July 2018 @ 9:53 pm
The answer isn’t pills or medicine. The answer is chiropractic care. I’m 22 and have had instances where I’ve experience headaches once or twice a week. Since going to a chiropractor once a month I’ve felt so much better. Have I had headaches? Sure, I won’t say chiropractic care cures headaches but it sure does help.