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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.

Primary Headaches
Primary headaches are those that exist independent from any other medical condition. This is in contrast to http://secondary headaches that are a result of an underlying medical issue or condition. The International Headache Society has classified over 150 different types of headaches, both primary and secondary. Here is a list…

Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches are headaches caused by some other underlying condition. Primary headaches, such as migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches, exist independently from other medical conditions, although they can certainly be affected by them. Here is a list of some medical conditions and issues that can cause secondary headaches.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cluster Headache Information
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.

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.

Is Working At My Computer Causing My Headaches?
An article that outlines some of the issues surrounding computer use and headache

Primary Headaches
Primary headaches are those that exist independent from any other medical condition. This is in contrast to http://secondary headaches that are a result of an underlying medical issue or condition. The International Headache Society has classified over 150 different types of headaches, both primary and secondary. Here is a list…

Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches are headaches caused by some other underlying condition. Primary headaches, such as migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches, exist independently from other medical conditions, although they can certainly be affected by them. Here is a list of some medical conditions and issues that can cause secondary headaches.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cluster Headache Information
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.

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.

Is Working At My Computer Causing My Headaches?
An article that outlines some of the issues surrounding computer use and headache

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