Management of chronic headache

Aust Fam Physician. 2014 Mar;43(3):106-10.

Abstract

Background: Headache remains the most common cause of neurological consultation in clinical practice for which correct diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Objective: This article provides a review of headache presentation and management, with an emphasis on chronic headaches and the differentiation between migraine and tension-type headache (TTH).

Discussion: By far the most important diagnostic tool for proper headache diagnosis is the taking of a concise and representative history of the headaches. Migraine and TTH exist along a continuum and identification of the patient's position on this continuum has important implications for management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Cluster Headache / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Family Practice
  • Headache Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Headache Disorders / drug therapy
  • Headache Disorders / etiology
  • Headache Disorders / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis
  • Post-Traumatic Headache / diagnosis
  • Tension-Type Headache / diagnosis

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Analgesics
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic