Chronic migraine is a distinct and relatively recently defined sub-type of Chronic Daily Headache. In addition, chronic migraine results in enormous expense to society. Treatment for an underlying condition often stops frequent headaches. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. If a sudden, severe headache comes on with the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately:© 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Depending on your condition, you may be given medication that you take as a migraine sets in or that you take daily to prevent or lessen the severity of migraine attacks.Triptan medications like almotriptan and eletriptan are acute migraine medications that are taken early on in a migraine attack to lessen the severity. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reducing future migraine. Quality Quality Access the Axon Registry®, quality measures, tools to help meet quality payment program requirements, and patient engagement handouts. A typical episodic migraine (EM) can linger for hours.

It causes significant reductions in quality of life and is even more disabling than episodic migraine .

If you start experiencing any new symptoms along with a migraine, you should also call your doctor.A sudden or unusual migraine can be a symptom of a medical emergency. Migraines can be episodic or chronic. The Basics of Chronic Migraine. If no such condition is found, treatment focuses on preventing pain.Prevention strategies vary, depending on the type of headache you have and whether medication overuse is contributing to your headaches. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is FDA approved for the preventative treatment of chronic migraine. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). The International Headache Society defines chronic migraine as more than fifteen headache days per month over a three month period of which more than eight are migrainous, in … Not all complementary or alternative therapies have been studied as headache treatments, and others need further research.Coenzyme Q10 supplements might be helpful in some individuals. Migraine is a common and disabling condition reported in approximately 12% of the population. And oral magnesium sulfate supplements might reduce the frequency of headaches in some people, although studies don't all agree.Ask your doctor if these treatments are right for you. The latest data show that users have, on average, 1.6 fewer migraines a month, but may experience double vision, drooping eyelids, and pain and tightness in the neck. Your doctor will likely examine you for signs of illness, infection or neurological problems and ask about your headache history.If the cause of your headaches remains uncertain, your doctor might order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to look for an underlying medical condition.Treatment for an underlying condition often stops frequent headaches. For people with chronic migraines, avoiding common migraine triggers may help reduce the likelihood of a flare-up of symptoms.Treating chronic migraines may involve a mix of medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative remedies.If you’re experiencing chronic migraines, your doctor will likely recommend that you take a prescription medication. If no such condition is found, treatment focuses on preventing pain. Summaries for neurologists and patients are available. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Some theories as to what causes migraine include:In some cases, chronic migraines may be an underlying symptom of another serious condition. All rights reserved. People who are susceptible to migraines may find that certain situations, behaviors, or environments set off a new migraine episode.