Experiencing headache after a long day? Experts decode what it means

Headaches can be experienced by people at different times of the day and in varying intensity It is especially common at the end of a long or stressful day While sometimes a headache can occur as a result of stress at other times it can signal a deeper issueMechanism of headachesThe cause and impact of a headache often depends on its timing which is guided by several factors Dr Aakash Agrawal Consultant Neurophysician Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar informs ldquoThe timing of a headache is mostly guided by our internal clock or circadian rhythm and managed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in our brain This is a shared rhythm that dictates when that kind of headache is most likely to happenrdquoldquoTensiontype headaches TTH for instance tend to occur later in the day or evening while migraines peak in theenspearly morning Another type called cluster headaches can be extraordinarily painful and usually strike around midnight during a headache bout much like hypnic headaches that subsequently wake patients from sleep These patterns are associated with the personrsquos circadian rhythm similar to the timing of heart attacks or strokesrdquo he further explainsWhile the timing of a headache can signal its cause it doesnrsquot always tell you how bad it isldquoHeadaches related to increased intracranial pressure eg from tumors tend to occur upon waking or at night In contrast lowpressure headaches like those from a cerebrospinal fluidenspCSF leak tend to get worse as the day goes on Primary headaches including migraines can be affected by your lifestyle and may present later in the day depending on the issue that triggers the problem such as an afternoon nap or coffee in the eveningrdquo states Dr AgrawalHeadache after a long daySeveral factors can cause headaches towards the end of the dayDr Amrut S D Associate Consultant Neurology Manipal Hospital Goa explains ldquoThey may be caused by stress lack of water intake excessive straining of the eyes or slouching Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches arising from neck and scalp muscle contraction due to prolonged working and screen timerdquoShould one be concerned One needs to consult a neurologist when headaches are associated with certain symptoms and signs Doctors take several factors into consideration to properly diagnose and treat certain headache typesldquoThe red flags like headaches associated with vomiting blurring vision impaired awareness fever and double vision need urgent evaluation Headaches in elderly patients above 65 years of age onesided severe headaches associated with loss of speech weakness or balance issues many need urgent imagingrdquo says Dr AmrutPrevention and managementA headache without red flags can be managed using a combined approach ldquoMedications can be used for acute pain relief However drinking plenty of water avoiding screen time having regular meals cutting extra sugar salt caffeine and getting good sleep with healthy lifestyle practices like morning walks for at least 30 minutes meditation yoga and breathing exercises can helprdquo advises Dr AmrutDisclaimer This is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice Kindly consult a qualified medical expert for personalised guidance