Why chronic headache is different
Frequency itself becomes the disease: high medication days, sleep and mood factors, and multiple headache types coexist. A headache calendar and careful medication review — including over-the-counter agents and caffeine — are central, alongside red-flag assessment.
- 15+ headache days/month, variable severity
- Medication-overuse risk when acute meds used 10+ days/month
- Sleep, mood, caffeine and posture contributors often coexist
Related: Headache → · Dr. Jitendra Knowledge Hub → · ICHD-3 Topic →
Evaluation focus
Diary, examination and targeted investigations only when indicated. Management addresses the underlying headache type, corrects medication overuse when present, and pairs education with individualized follow-up — not reflexive imaging.
| Common overlap | Clue |
|---|---|
| Chronic migraine | 8+ migrainous days/month among 15+ |
| Medication-overuse | Analgesic days ≥10–15/month |
| Tension-type | Band-like, bilateral, mild photophobia only |