❦ Headaches are one of the most common non-respiratory symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. In fact, for most, a headache was the first initial symptom of the infection.
For many, the headaches resolve after recovery from the acute infection.
However, headaches are also one of the most common symptoms experienced by those with Long COVID.
These migraine-like headaches can often last for weeks or even months, leaving many unable to perform routine daily activities.
❦ Headaches are a main symptom of acute COVID-19
While originally considered a respiratory virus, respiratory symptoms are not always the first indicator of a COVID infection.
For example, for many, the first symptom is the loss of taste and/or smell ('anosmia').
Researchers believe that this may occur due to the virus entering the nasal cavity and crossing over into the brain.
In this same way, many people often experience a severe headache in addition to the anosmia.
❦ How is a COVID headache different to a migraine?
Many describe a COVID headache as crushing pain spread throughout the skull that can cause a pulsing or pressing pain.
This pain typically worsens with physical activity or movement of the head. For this reason, many often refer to it as a migraine.
However, a migraine is considered a primary headache. A COVID headache, on the other hand, is considered a secondary headache due to an underlying condition – in this case, the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.
While both types of headaches produce moderate to severe pain intensity, there are some differences between a traditional migraine and a COVID headache.
COVID headache vs. migraine:
❦ Missing common additional symptoms ~
Migraines often come with nausea, vomiting, and a sensitivity to light and sound. In addition, many often experience an aura before headache onset.
None of these symptoms typically accompany a COVID headache.
❦ Different pain ~
In many cases, migraines occur unilaterally, or on one side. COVID headaches are typically bilateral and affect the entire head.
❦ Do not respond to medication ~
If you have a history of migraines and take prescribed medication, you may find the COVID headache does not respond.
In fact, a COVID headache is unlikely to respond to traditional headache medications in general, including over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Headaches continue with Long COVID
Lingering headaches are not uncommon after viral infections, so it was no surprise to see headaches become a symptom associated with Long COVID.
However, the persistence and severity of headaches with Long COVID has been different than with previous viral infections.
While many of these headaches do improve on their own over time, many people continue to struggle with severe headaches that can last for weeks or months.
In many cases, people will have a baseline headache that gets worse from time to time, along with other Long COVID symptoms.
What is causing COVID headaches?
[At the time of writing (24 Feb 2022)] the exact cause of these COVID headaches is unknown. However, researchers and clinicians have some theories.
1. Researchers propose that the trigeminal nerve endings in the nasal cavity may sustain direct viral damage that activates the trigeminovascular system, resulting in headaches, as well as other cognitive symptoms.
2. Studies are showing that many COVID patients are experiencing unusual microclots in their blood after recovering from the acute infection.
These microclots can prevent adequate oxygen transportation throughout the body and contribute to Long COVID symptoms, including headaches.
3. Neurological damage has been seen in many COVID and Long COVID patients, but the exact cause of this damage is still unknown.
Some theories believe that the virus may be able to cause direct damage to the brain by entering through the olfactory bulb or through the bloodstream or nerve endings.
In addition, as your body fights the virus, your immune system often goes into overdrive, creating autoantibodies that attack healthy cells within the body and cause damage.
4. Jaw or dental concerns.
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📖 Related: (19 July 2021 ~ Nature / Scientific Reports) Frequency and phenotype of headache in Covid-19: a study of 2194 patients ➤
📖 Related: (15 May 2020 ~ Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain) COVID-19 is a Real Headache! ➤
📖 Related: (9 May 2022 ~ Preprint) Combined triple treatment of fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in individuals with Long COVID / Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) can resolve their persistent symptoms ➤
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📖 (24 Feb 2022 ~ RTHM) Long COVID: Migraines and Headaches ➤
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