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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you may be experiencing a variety of head pain known as chronic daily headaches.

An estimated 3 percent to 5 percent of adults worldwide experience chronic daily headaches. The most common type of chronic daily headaches is divided into four subtypes:

  • Chronic migraine
  • Chronic tension-type headache
  • New daily persistent headache
  • Hemicrania continua

The incessant nature of chronic daily headaches makes them among the most disabling headaches. Aggressive initial treatment and steady, long-term management may reduce pain and lead to fewer headaches.

Symptoms

DS00646

Feb. 21, 2008

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