The aim of treatment is to keep the unpleasant impact of the pain to a minimum and to keep the patient's functional state in daily activities stable.
Hemicrania continua is a one-sided headache that lasts for most of the day (more than 15 hours a day) and continues for at least three months. The pain is usually of moderate intensity.
Symptomatic treatment is usually ineffective, because the pain is continuous. Preventive approaches form the basis of treatment — the use of anticonvulsants (topiramate, gabapentin) and antidepressants (for example amitriptyline).
In some cases local botulinum toxin injections may be used, particularly where the headache is chronic and continuous. Among non-drug methods, reducing stress, biofeedback, physiotherapy and relaxation techniques may be helpful.