Monitoring
Follow-up monitoring of MOH is important because patients can have both short- and long-term relapses.[27] Ongoing use of the preventative medication, supported by regular follow-up consultations, is important to reduce the risk of relapse into renewed overuse of the acute headache medication.[10]
Focus the follow-up on both the underlying headache disorder and the MOH.
Monitor adherence to the preventative medication and progress with withdrawal of the overused medication(s).[10]
Ask the patient to keep a headache diary to evaluate the success of treatment. This can be used to assess the monthly number of headache days and intensity of symptoms, and the number of days on which acute medication is used and its effectiveness.[10][27] The Migraine Trust: keeping a headache diary Opens in new window British Association for the Study of Headache: headache diary Opens in new window
During clinic visits, be alert to any change in headache pattern, or the development of any red flag that may be suggestive of a new primary or secondary headache and that might require further investigation.
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