Headache
General Introduction
There is no person who does not complain of a headache at various times throughout his life. Many factors, from stress in daily life to the common cold, from anemia to high blood pressure, may cause headaches.
For diagnosis, the information the patient provides about the pain is invaluable. Therefore, the following aspects are thoroughly investigated with questions to the patient:
- When did the pain start?
- How often does it occur?
- How long does it last?
- How severe is the pain?
- What is the nature of the pain? (throbbing? squeezing? dull? sharp?),
- What factors increase and decrease the pain?
- What other symptoms accompany the pain? (nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, etc.)
Additionally, changes in the patient's behavior during the pain, medical history, family history, and mental state should also be questioned. Answers to all these questions will lead the physician to a diagnosis, and appropriate treatment can be applied accordingly.
In evaluating a patient with a headache, a detailed history taking is essential. During this history taking , the following points should be investigated:
- What structures inside the skull cause pain?
- Where pain originating from these structures are felt?
- Which sensory pathways and upper centers are transmitted?
- What measures should be considered in treatment?
Classification of headaches
Headaches need to be classified in two ways.
• Acute Headaches: Headaches that are symptoms of various diseases.
• Chronic Headaches: Headaches as a chronic disease in themselves.
