Resumen:
Chronic headaches encompass different types of headaches (primary and secondary). Proper clinical history and detailed physical and neurological exam are required in order to perform additional diagnostic tests. Most of the patients suffer primary headache syndromes. Sometimes, pain becomes chronic by the abuse of analgesic drugs. In patients older than 50 years of age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate has to be performed in order to rule out temporal arteritis diagnostic. When warning signs or suspicious of atypical headaches are present, brain imaging tests are required. Underlying cause determines the treatment. Sympthomatic pain treatment is required, but analgesic drugs must be limited. In order to reduce the intensity and frequency of bouts, prophylactic treatment is indicated for chronic primary headaches.
