Refractory headache: New knowledge review

Abstract

Most cases of intractable headaches are primary and functional in nature, and secondary headaches due to subarachnoid hemorrhage are not included in this category. Primary headache can be divided into the following two types: migraine and chronic tension-type headache. Moreover, if it is a chronic tension-type or an intractable headache, it is referred to as a refractory headache, which is more common in the elderly. This article aimed to describe the clinical differential diagnosis of intractable headache, latest management methods, risk factors associated with headaches, and other possible treatment options.

Keywords

• chronic daily headache (cdh)
• medication overuse headache (moh)
• refractory migraine (rm)
• stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (spaf)