When it comes to headaches, the only thing worse than a migraine is a migraine that keeps coming back. Painful and exhausting, migraines can be fully debilitating. Chronic migraines are headaches that occur on 15 days or more per month for three months or longer, with a minimum of eight days per month being headaches with migraine symptoms.1,2,3,4 The reality for chronic migraine sufferers is that days without headaches are less common than days with them.1,2,3 Chronic migraines often start out as less-frequent episodes that develop into a chronic condition; in fact, between 2.5% and 3% of those who experience episodic migraines will develop chronic migraines.1,3
Migraine headaches present with moderate to severe levels of pain, and are often pulsing or throbbing and localized on one side of the head.7 Migraine headaches can be accompanied by symptoms like weakness or nausea and may cause sensitivity to light and sound.7 Research indicates that there are a number of potential migraine triggers, including stress, flashing lights, caffeine consumption, hormonal changes, and lack of sleep.7 As mentioned above, if a person experiences headaches on upwards of 15 days per month for three months or longer, with a majority of those headaches presenting migraine symptoms, their migraines are considered chronic migraines.1,2,3,4
Causes
Although research is still being done, there are a few recognized risk factors that may influence the likelihood that a person will develop chronic migraines. These elevated risk factors include mood disorders like depression, caffeine overconsumption, frequent nausea, ongoing disrupted sleep, and overuse of acute medication.1,3
It’s important to underscore the risk of medication overuse. Often, those who suffer from headaches or episodic migraines will turn to medications with barbiturates or narcotics to help manage headache pain.3 Over-consuming prescription medications, as well as overusing over-the-counter pain relievers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and acetaminophen, can lead to chronic medication.3
Striking the right balance when it comes to treating migraines—both chronic and episodic—is critical. Episodic migraines that are improperly managed or untreated can turn into chronic headaches with periodic migraine symptoms.6 In order to avoid triggering chronic migraines talk to your doctor about developing a migraine treatment plan.4,6
Treatment
Treating chronic migraines is similar to treating episodic, less-regular migraines.1 While there is no cure for migraines, there are a number of methods for pain relief you can try.7 Drinking plenty of fluids, closing your eyes and resting in a dark and quiet room, and placing something cool on your forehead like a cloth or ice pack are all ways to help manage migraine pain.7,8
Taking pain-relieving medication during a migraine attack, known as acute treatment, or taking preventative pain relievers are also options to help manage or prevent migraine symptoms.8 As mentioned above, however, it’s important not to overuse acute medication, as this can result in more serious issues.1,6 Talk to your doctor about pain relief medication options and how frequently you should be taking them for your headaches and migraines.
