Migraine is one of the disabling and common conditions reported in around 12% of the population. According to a study Migraine the Global Burden of Disease by the WHO (World Health Organization), updated in 2013, migraine was found to be the sixth highest cause worldwide of years lost due to disability. Migraine attacks sometimes increase in frequency over time which is also known as chronic migraine.

(People Also Like To Read: 19 Symptoms of Viral Fever – How to protect yourself?)

Type of Migraine Headache:

Headache experts divide this process of transition of headache into four different states:

• No migraine

• Low-frequency episodic migraine, which is less than 10 headache days per month

• High-frequency episodic migraine, which is 10-14 headache days per month

• Chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days every month; meaning that people with it have a migraine or headache more often.

Episodic vs. Chronic Migraine

Migraines are an extremely painful, often debilitating form of headache. People who feeling migraines often require medical treatment or prescription medication to cope with their symptoms. A simple over-the-counter pain killer is rarely effective for treating migraine.

Migraines can be categorized as episodic or chronic. A typical episodic migraine (EM) can persist for hours. Then, sometimes several weeks or even months can pass between migraine episodes. On the other hand, chronic migraine lasts longer and occur more frequently.

Risk Factors for Chronic Migraine

Chronic migraine is linked with well-recognized, potentially treatable risk factors. Some examples of risk factors of the problem include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Other pain disorders

• Obesity

• Asthma

• Snoring

• Stressful life events

• Head/Neck injury

• Caffeine

• Acute medication overuse

• Persistent, frequent nausea

(You Might Also Like To Read: 8 Best Foods to Help Prevent Iron Deficiency)

Diagnosis of Chronic Migraine

To diagnose chronic migraine, it is necessary to know the exact number of days of each month that a person feels a headache of any kind. The best way to do this, maintain a record in the paper. Usually, when the doctor asked how many headaches you have, people can report only their most severe headaches. By reporting their severe headaches only, you may give you the doctor a false impression of their true headache burden and consequently, a diagnosis of chronic migraine may be missed.

People who are suspected of chronic migraine should be carefully evaluated by the doctor to exclude other potential causes of frequent headaches like secondary headaches (meaning headaches caused by an underlying condition or disease) or other forms of chronic daily headache including chronic tension-type headache, hemicrania continua, or new daily persistent headache.

What is the Treatment of Chronic Migraine?

Treating chronic migraines may be treated by involving a mix of medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative remedies.

Medication

If you’re dealing with the chronic migraines, your doctor may recommend that you take a prescription medication. Depending on your condition, you can be given medication which you take as a migraine sets in or that you take daily to prevent or lessen the severity of migraine attacks.

Lifestyle Changes

Certain changes in the lifestyle may also help prevent migraines. Increasing relaxation and Reducing stress can help prevent migraines in the people around you. Mindful meditation can also help with this.

Alternative remedies can also be used to help treat migraines. It can include acupuncture, massage, and increased B-2 vitamins. Biofeedback is another alternative method that can help prevent migraines.

Summary

Chronic Migraine is considered when people have 15 or more headache days each month, with a minimum 8 of those days meeting criteria for migraine. It can be a very disabling condition. If you are dealing with the same you should discuss your doctor for the proper medication.

(People Also Like To Read: How to Stop a Stroke in Progress)