Headaches are reported in 10% of cases 7 to 9 months after COVID-19 infection, and 9.8% of cases at 12 months. With the Omicron variant, headaches are reported in 4% of cases 3 months after primary infection.
People who suffer from post-COVID headaches say that it feels as if their head is being squeezed or feel tightness around their head. These are usually tension headaches. After discussion with your primary care physician, a sleep disorder assessment and an ophtalmologic test should be carried out to identify any associated symptoms and rule out other causes. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain should be done only if recommended by the doctor in specific cases and is not routinely recommended in post-COVID condition.
How is it treated?
Anti-inflammatory drugs or paracetamol may be prescribed as a first-line treatment.
If your headaches are frequent, do not respond to painkillers or are persistent or debilitating, a chronic daily treatment may be suggested. In this case, you will need to see a neurologist and you should keep a headache diary to track the development and duration of symptoms, as well as any factors that trigger or relieve the headaches.
Hypnosis, acupuncture or biofeedback (a mind-body technique that aims to help you improve your health by gaining control of some of your body’s functions) can be useful for people with post-COVID headaches. These methods are also used for tension headaches unrelated to COVID-19. Migraine treatments such as tryptans are also used if post-COVID headaches meet the criteria. Amytriptyline taken at bedtime is often used as a chronic treatment if needed, and also helps with sleep. Cefaly, a device for external nerve stimulation intended primarily for migraines, can also be used. Research is being conducted on the use of some dietary supplements to treat or prevent headaches; they include butterbur (a medicinal plant), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and magnesium.
