Algorithm-based approach to headache

One of the most commonly encountered scenarios in any healthcare setting is a patient presenting with a headache. Yet, the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders can be challenging and burdensome for even specialist doctors in medicine, psychiatry, oto-rhinology, neurology and so...

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Main Authors: Jayaprakash R. Ravan, Jigyansa I. Pattnaik, Swayanka Samantray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-09-01
Series:Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1553_22
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author Jayaprakash R. Ravan
Jigyansa I. Pattnaik
Swayanka Samantray
author_facet Jayaprakash R. Ravan
Jigyansa I. Pattnaik
Swayanka Samantray
author_sort Jayaprakash R. Ravan
collection DOAJ
description One of the most commonly encountered scenarios in any healthcare setting is a patient presenting with a headache. Yet, the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders can be challenging and burdensome for even specialist doctors in medicine, psychiatry, oto-rhinology, neurology and so on. Apart from saving patient’s and doctor’s time as well as money, this article will buy leading time for better outcome and management of certain difficult headache disorders. The aim of this review is to simplify the approach to headache diagnosis for an early and proper referral. Literature search was done on PubMed and Google Scholar using key words. Only studies which were in English were considered. Sixty-one articles published from 1975 to 2022 were reviewed after screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria. It is very essential that a primary care physician is aware of the classification of headache. Red flag signs of high-risk headaches are essential for proper referral. It is also essential that we rule out secondary headaches as they are more life threatening. Vulnerable populations such as geriatric and paediatric populations require expert attention in case of headache disorders.
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publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
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spelling doaj-art-b673b6f5c4e84ac2aad306479c5d96c82024-11-11T11:10:56ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Family Medicine and Primary Care2249-48632278-71352023-09-011291775178310.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1553_22Algorithm-based approach to headacheJayaprakash R. RavanJigyansa I. PattnaikSwayanka SamantrayOne of the most commonly encountered scenarios in any healthcare setting is a patient presenting with a headache. Yet, the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders can be challenging and burdensome for even specialist doctors in medicine, psychiatry, oto-rhinology, neurology and so on. Apart from saving patient’s and doctor’s time as well as money, this article will buy leading time for better outcome and management of certain difficult headache disorders. The aim of this review is to simplify the approach to headache diagnosis for an early and proper referral. Literature search was done on PubMed and Google Scholar using key words. Only studies which were in English were considered. Sixty-one articles published from 1975 to 2022 were reviewed after screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria. It is very essential that a primary care physician is aware of the classification of headache. Red flag signs of high-risk headaches are essential for proper referral. It is also essential that we rule out secondary headaches as they are more life threatening. Vulnerable populations such as geriatric and paediatric populations require expert attention in case of headache disorders.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1553_22clusterheadachemigraineprimary caretension typetreatment
spellingShingle Jayaprakash R. Ravan
Jigyansa I. Pattnaik
Swayanka Samantray
Algorithm-based approach to headache
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
cluster
headache
migraine
primary care
tension type
treatment
title Algorithm-based approach to headache
title_full Algorithm-based approach to headache
title_fullStr Algorithm-based approach to headache
title_full_unstemmed Algorithm-based approach to headache
title_short Algorithm-based approach to headache
title_sort algorithm based approach to headache
topic cluster
headache
migraine
primary care
tension type
treatment
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1553_22
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AT jigyansaipattnaik algorithmbasedapproachtoheadache
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