Headache

HEADACHEs
BRIDGE THE GAP TO YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT 

Headache

  

Headache is the second most disabling chronic illness in the developed world (WHO). It is very common and can be due to any of the pure headache disorders or caused by something else.


The incredible advance in migraine treatment with CGRP drugs since 2016 has made specific migraine treatments available including #Aimovig (Erenumab), #Emgality (Galcanezumab), and #Ajovy (Fremanezumab). Newer oral treatments like #Vydura (Rimegepant) are also available both as an acute treatment and preventative. 


The key to managing headache is to have a clear diagnosis of the headache disorder, for example Migraine. It is unusual for non-specialists to make a clear headache diagnosis, and even in an Emergency Department setting, only 20% of patients are given a clear diagnosis

nurse holding the had of an elder man suffering from dementia

In evaluating your headache, your neurologist/headache specialist will look for any red-flag features, diagnostic features for a pure headache disorder (eg #migraine, #cluster headache), and do any appropriate investigations. Most people with headache don’t have anything pathological other than the headache. Neuroimaging is usually normal which means no brain tumours, or bleeds, or brain malformations. Your doctor will probably recommend imaging if you have new #chronic migraine, focal features or #vestibular migraine.


Headache can lead to many days of missed work, cancellation of social activity, inability to engage with family life, and feeling unable to live life normally. There are not often immediate solutions once a headache disorder is diagnosed, but getting on the right track early can get control faster, thus ensuring you get your life back sooner rather than later.


If you are getting headaches frequently, fill in a #Headache Diary. Many are available as Apps or downloads, but for a doctor the best is a Month to View simple diary like the one I have attached here


Some other useful links include:

www.bash.org.uk (British Association for the Study of Headache)

www.migrainetrust.org (Migraine)

www.ouchuk.org (Cluster Headache)

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