Chronic migraine is diagnosed when headache occurs on at least 15 days a month for more than three months, and at least 8 of those days have migraine features. This kind of pain clearly limits everyday functioning and requires planned treatment under the care of a neurologist.
Chronic migraine — treatment by a neurologist, including botulinum toxin
Chronic migraine is diagnosed when headache occurs on at least 15 days a month for more than three months, and at least 8 of those days have migraine features. This kind of pain clearly limits everyday functioning and requires planned treatment under the care of a neurologist.
About the problem
Chronic migraine often develops gradually from episodic migraine. Contributing factors may include frequent use of painkillers, sleep disorders, chronic stress and obesity.
Treatment usually combines acute treatment of attacks with prevention aimed at reducing the number of headache days. The choice of method depends on the course of the condition, coexisting conditions and previous treatment.
One preventive option in chronic migraine is botulinum toxin type A. It is given as a series of small injections into specific muscles of the head and neck, including the back of the neck, usually about every 12 weeks.
Most common symptoms
- headache on most days of the month
- throbbing, often one-sided pain that worsens with physical activity
- nausea and sensitivity to light and sound
- frequent use of painkillers
- difficulty with work, study and daily tasks
When to see a doctor
- when headaches occur on more than a few days a month
- when you take painkillers on 10 or more days a month
- when your current preventive treatment is not helping
- urgently — when the pain is sudden and very severe, different from before, or accompanied by limb weakness, speech or vision problems