Chronic migraines

• Chronic migraine is a form of migraine which causes headaches for more than 15 days per month
• Chronic migraine usually occurs in people who already had episodes of migraine in the past
• Chronic migraine treatment focuses on prevention and relieving symptoms 

Chronic migraine is a type of migraine that lasts for a longer period of time. These recurring headaches can become quite disabling, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms of this condition and talk to your general practitioner about treatment options. This guide by Ada’s medical team provides more information on chronic migraine, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Chronic migraine is a type of migraine that lasts for a longer period of time. It is characterized by experiencing headaches for at least 15 days per month. For at least 8 of those days, chronic migraines also cause additional symptoms such as visual disturbances, nausea, and vomiting as well. If this persists for at least 3 months, then you may be suffering from chronic migraine. 1

The symptoms of chronic migraine are the same as with regular migraine, with the exception that they occur much more frequently.

The most common symptoms of a chronic migraine include: 2

• Throbbing, pulsating pain on one side of the head. This pain may affect the eye area but can occur anywhere in the head or the neck.
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and/or smell
• Vision changes
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Besides these common symptoms of a migraine, it’s also possible to experience: 

• Loss of appetite  
• Muscle tenderness  
• Impaired concentration  
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Other symptoms

Chronic migraine causes are not yet fully understood by scientists. It often appears in people who have already experienced episodes of migraine in the past. A number of conditions can increase your risk of getting a migraine, such as: 1

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Sleep apnea
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

It’s important to know that the misuse of migraine medication may lead to daily migraine as well. Some medications against migraine, such as triptans or over-the-counter painkillers should not be taken excessively. It’s important to seek advice from your healthcare provider regarding your use of medication. 1

Chronic migraine lasts for three months and upwards. If you have chronic migraine, then you won’t always have migraine every day, although in order to be diagnosed with the condition, you must have a headache for at least 15 days during each month. Some people get better on their own within 2 years after developing chronic migraine. Others may find that the symptoms stay the same or even get worse. 1

To diagnose chronic migraine, your physician will ask you questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing and your medical history. You may be asked to keep a headache diary in order to understand your symptoms and what’s triggering your headaches. To be diagnosed with chronic migraine, you will need to experience migraine for at least 15 days per month, out of which you experience additional symptoms of migraine for 8 days per month.

Apart from the questions your physician may ask you, there is no specific test to diagnose chronic migraine. Your physician may perform a neurological examination or run additional tests in order to rule out other conditions that may be the cause of your headache.

Daily migraines can be treated in various ways. The best form of treatment is a preventative treatment, which aims at relieving your symptoms and reducing the amount of days that you experience headaches. Prevention for chronic migraine can take on many forms: 1 4 5

1. Preventive chronic migraine medication such as beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-epilepsy drugs, and candesartan.
2. Botox for chronic migraines can help reduce muscle tension to relieve your symptoms.
3. Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies, which is a medication that blocks the release of certain substances during an episode of migraine in order to reduce the frequency and severity of chronic migraine.
4. Greater occipital nerve block which is an injection around the occipital nerve, which reduces the level of pain for some time.

In moments when you can feel that your chronic migraine is getting worse, you could opt for over-the-counter painkillers and triptans. It is, however, important to not use these too frequently, as they may induce recurring headaches as well. 2

Consistent migraines can also be improved by making lifestyle alterations. You may benefit from:

• Developing techniques to manage and reduce stress, such as deep breathing exercises and regular physical activity
• Keeping a diary to identify migraine triggers, such as exposure to strong smells, which can then be avoided if possible
• Sleeping well, and establishing a consistent sleep cycle
• Staying hydrated, by drinking water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day
• Establishing regular meal times, and adopting a healthy, balanced diet
• Devising a new medication plan with the healthcare provider if any medications that a person takes regularly are thought to be causing the headaches

Following a safe weight-loss program is recommended, for obese people affected by migraine headaches

Chronic migraine can cause headaches for more than 15 days per month, out of which 8 of those days you can also experience additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and vision changes. Treatment can vary, but most often it’s a combination of lifestyle alterations and preventative medication that can decrease the frequency and severity of your headaches. 

Q: Why do I keep getting migraines every day? 
A: Getting migraines every day can be a symptom of chronic migraine. This is a type of migraine in which you can experience migraine headaches over 15 days per month, often combined with other migraine symptoms.

Q: Is chronic migraine a disability? 
A: Chronic migraine is a valid reason to apply for disability, as its symptoms can have a severe impact on your daily activities and quality of life. 

Q: Can you get rid of chronic migraines? 
A: In about 20% of people, chronic migraines go away on their own within 2 years. Others may continue to experience symptoms. There are however treatment options available to relieve your symptoms and the intensity of the headaches you’re experiencing. 

Q: What causes chronic migraines? 
A: The exact cause of chronic migraines is not known. There are however some conditions such as anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia which may contribute to the development of chronic migraines.