A continuous headache for 3 days may be a symptom of short-term dietary and lifestyle factors and physical and mental health conditions. These may include:
- being dehydrated
- not eating enough food
- not getting enough sleep
- having fever
- having a viral infection, such as the common cold or the flu
- drinking too much alcohol
- having muscular tension, such as strain of the neck or shoulder muscles
- being stressed or anxious
- taking too many pain relievers
- experiencing hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstruation
In many cases, these headaches can go away on their own once the underlying causes are addressed. For instance, drinking water if you’re dehydrated may help.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers may also help, as long as you haven’t overused them and you don’t take them more than 15 days per month.
That said, a headache that lasts longer than 3 days may be a symptom of an underlying health condition that might require medical treatment, such as migraine, traumatic brain injury, eye conditions, or brain tumor.
As such, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if your headache doesn’t improve with OTC remedies or you experience other symptoms, such as:
- vomiting
- confusion
- blurry vision
- other neurological symptoms, such as unilateral weakness or sensory loss
They could examine your symptoms to provide a proper diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Medically reviewed by Susan W. Lee, DO
Dr. Susan W. Lee is an ABMS board certified neurologist with fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology. She currently practices in Los Angeles, California, and her subspecialty interests include the management of epilepsy and headache disorders.