Diagnosing Headaches and Migraines
While migraines are debilitating and common, not all headaches are migraines. Reviewing signs and symptoms, being examined by a physician, and undergoing appropriate medical testing are all things that help to narrow the diagnosis.
Diagnosing Headaches - Sharing Symptoms Helpful in Diagnosing…
Diagnosing headaches does not need to be a complicated matter. In order for your physician to properly diagnose your headache and prescribe an adequate treatment, it is important to relay symptoms in an orderly and logical format. Share how you organize your thoughts to effectively discuss your headaches with your physician.
Diagnosing headaches does not need to be a complicated matter. In order for your physician to properly diagnose your headache and prescribe an adequate treatment, it is important to relay symptoms in an orderly and logical format. Share how you organize your thoughts to effectively discuss your headaches with your physician.
Headache Types
There are a variety of headache types, including migraine headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and tension headaches. Each of these are due to very different causes, but all of them can be very troublesome. Understanding the distribution of pain and characteristics of each headache type will help you properly assess and treat your condition.
There are a variety of headache types, including migraine headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and tension headaches. Each of these are due to very different causes, but all of them can be very troublesome. Understanding the distribution of pain and characteristics of each headache type will help you properly assess and treat your condition.
Diagnosing Headaches
In order for your physician to properly diagnose your headache and prescribe an adequate treatment, it is important to relay symptoms in an orderly and logical format.
In order for your physician to properly diagnose your headache and prescribe an adequate treatment, it is important to relay symptoms in an orderly and logical format.
Classifying Headaches
Headaches come in a variety of types, each with its own group of typical symptoms. Organizing these signs and symptoms can help classify your headache and properly treat it.
Headaches come in a variety of types, each with its own group of typical symptoms. Organizing these signs and symptoms can help classify your headache and properly treat it.
Cluster Headache Information
This patient handout from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) provides useful information about cluster headaches.
This patient handout from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) provides useful information about cluster headaches.
The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire
The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was developed to measure the effect migraine headaches have on your daily function. It tries to determine how many days of your life were affected to the point that you were unable to function in a way to which you are accustomed. MIDAS takes into account the past three months when asking the questions.
The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was developed to measure the effect migraine headaches have on your daily function. It tries to determine how many days of your life were affected to the point that you were unable to function in a way to which you are accustomed. MIDAS takes into account the past three months when asking the questions.
PedMIDAS (Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Test)
The PedMIDAS tool is for use with children ages 4 to 18. It is a way to characterize the impact migraine headaches have on children. It is a valuable tool for reporting information to your child's health care provider.
The PedMIDAS tool is for use with children ages 4 to 18. It is a way to characterize the impact migraine headaches have on children. It is a valuable tool for reporting information to your child's health care provider.