Chronic Daily Headache Diagnosis

There is no one test that can be used to diagnose chronic daily headache. When performing an assessment³¹, your healthcare provider will likely begin by asking about your personal and health histories, as well as whether you have a history of frequent or severe headaches.

Your healthcare provider will also determine whether an underlying issue might be causing your symptoms, such as an illness, infection, or neurological problem. They may do so by ordering imaging tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, to detect any pre-existing conditions.

Some forms of chronic headaches may have specific diagnostic criteria. In order to be diagnosed with chronic migraine³², for example, you must meet the following criteria defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders:

• Presence of chronic daily headache for at least three months
• On more than eight days each month for at least three months, your headaches must meet the criteria for classic migraine (without aura) and/or be successfully treated with triptan(s) or ergots
• No secondary cause, including medication overuse, has been identified as causing your CDH