The majority of individuals with a daily headache exhibit the characteristics of a transformed migraine. They report a history of episodic migraine that over the years has become more frequent until the headaches began occurring daily or almost daily. It is as if a tension-type headache is superimposed on a migraine. A chronic tension-type headache occurs 15 or more days a month without a history of migraine. These headaches are usually diffuse, bilateral, and pressing or tightening in quality.
Severity ranges from mild to moderate.
The back of the head and neck is the location of pain. Individuals with chronic daily headache have been reported to use excessive amounts of pain medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen. Discontinue medication taken daily or near daily. Begin medication in a different drug category than the analgesic used daily. Recognize and avoid precipitants of headache 2.