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Headache and face pain
1Institute of Neurological Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
The Medical Journal of Australia
|June 28, 2000
Summary
A thorough case history is key for diagnosing headache disorders. While common headaches are not life-threatening, urgent investigation is vital for acute or progressive headaches.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Primary Care Medicine
Background:
- Headache disorders are common and significantly impact quality of life.
- Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of systematic case history in headache diagnosis.
- To outline the diagnostic approach for different headache types.
Main Methods:
- Systematic case history as the primary diagnostic tool.
- Distinguishing between acute/subacute and common recurrent headaches.
Main Results:
- Acute/thunderclap headaches require urgent investigation due to potential serious causes.
- Common recurrent headaches (tension-type, migraine, cluster) are manageable with specific treatments.
Conclusions:
- General practitioners are well-positioned to manage most headache patients.
- Effective acute and prophylactic treatments exist for recurrent headaches.