Headache is one of the most common problems all over. More than 90% people have experienced at least one episode of headache in their lifetime. It is a common reason for loss of working hours.
Two main types of headache are – Primary headache (headache itself is the problem) and Secondary headache (headache is due to some other reason like Brain tumor, raised pressure inside the head, meningitis, blood clots in the brain venous system etc.
Main types of primary headache are – Migraine, Tension Type Headache and Cluster Headache. Tension Type Headache is the commonest type of headache overall. It is usually managed by people with home remedies, over the counter medications and self imposed lifestyle changes. While Migraines (and the subtypes) are the commonest primary headache we see in the OPD clinics. Cluster Headache is also seen in our Opds. It is a very severe form of primary headache.
In secondary headache, a cause is found for the headache such as an intracranial tumor, infection of the brain or it’s coverings, increase in the intracranial pressure, thrombosis of the venous sinuses of the brain etc. Some of these conditions can be fatal.
We look for red flags / warning symptoms and signs when a new patient of headache walks in. We basically need to identify secondary headaches. We have to be quick in evaluating a patient with secondary headache. While for primary headache the treatment strategy is entirely different.
More to follow…