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.
