By the time most patients come to their doctor with complaints of headache, they
have likely been suffering for years.1 Chronic Migraine is a type of
headache, but there are many different kinds of headaches—and there are different
treatment options, depending on the type. If you think you are experiencing Chronic
Migraine, it's important to recognize it early, with a diagnosis from your doctor.1
Review the headache types below. Once you and your
doctor define the headaches you are experiencing, you can explore treatment options
together with more confidence.
Click on the links below to get definitions of each type of headache:
Migraine is a headache with pain that can last from 4 hours to 3 days.
2
- Pain is usually moderately to severely intense, pulsating, and often occurring on
1 side of the head
- Telltale signs of migraine may be nausea and/or vomiting, and sensitivity to light
and sound
- Changes in vision or hearing, called aura, may come just before or just as the migraine
begins2
Migraine can be defined by how often headaches happen.
- One type of migraine occurs with fewer than 15 headache days per month, some of
them being migraine. This is called episodic migraine
- The second type is when headaches occur 15 or more days per month with headache
lasting 4 hours or longer for at least 3 months, some being migraine. This is called
Chronic Migraine2-4
This is the most common type of primary headache, affecting anywhere between 30%
and 78% of the general population.2 It may be possible for those with
migraine to be misdiagnosed as having tension-type headaches, and vice versa.2
This is defined as an attack of severe pain on 1 side of the head, lasting 15 minutes
to 3 hours, and occurring from once every other day to 8 times a day. A cluster headache
may be associated with forehead and facial sweating, restlessness or agitation,
nasal congestion, and other symptoms.2
Headaches in this category include stabbing headache, coughing-related headache,
headache brought on by physical exertion, thunderclap headache, and other headaches
that cannot be described as migraine, tension, or cluster.2
I have migraines.
What do I need to know?
If you suspect you suffer from Chronic Migraine, or if you've already been diagnosed, know that you are not alone. To confirm a diagnosis, talk to a Headache Specialist. Haven't seen a Headache Specialist yet?
Find one near you.
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