Chronic daily headache

Natalia Murinova; Daniel Krashin

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2015.01.001

Chronic daily headache

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2015 May;26(2):375-89. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Mar 6.

Authors

Natalia Murinova¹, Daniel Krashin²

Affiliations

¹ Headache Clinic, Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: nataliam@u.washington.edu.
² Chronic Fatigue Clinic UW, Department of Psychiatry, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, USA.

PMID: 25952071
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.01.001

Abstract

Chronic daily headache (CDH) is a challenging condition to treat. CDH is often accompanied by significant comorbidities, such as chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, which further complicate treatment. Unrealistic expectations of treatment goals can lead to patient frustration, and, as a result, decrease treatment adherence. Patients often desire headache-free status, but this outcome is not realistic for many patients with CDH. By contrast, an effective treatment goal starts with establishing the correct diagnosis and creating a multimodal treatment plan to improve function and well-being. With proper comprehensive treatment, the condition improves in most patients.

Keywords: Chronic daily headache; Chronic migraine; Chronic posttraumatic headache; Chronic tension-type headache; Medication overuse headache.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Headache Disorders / diagnosis*
Headache Disorders / etiology*
Headache Disorders / therapy*
Humans
Life Style
Pain Management
Pain Measurement
Patient Education as Topic
Risk Factors