Headache is a complex condition that can be challenging to diagnose, even for healthcare professionals. This article is designed to help you, as a patient, understand what you should prepare to help your doctor or headache expert make the right diagnosis.
Headache is a condition that can vary greatly in symptoms and causes. There are more than 200 different headache diagnoses, and each one has its own unique characteristics. The International Headache Society has developed a classification system, called the International Classification of Headache Diseases (ICHD), to help healthcare professionals diagnose headaches.
In summary
- Headache is a complex condition with many possible causes and symptoms.
- By writing down detailed information about your headache, you can help your doctor or therapist make the right diagnosis.
- Even if you have gathered a lot of information, it is still up to your doctor or therapist to make the diagnosis.
What should you write down?
Remember that your doctor will use ICHD-3 to make a diagnosis. This system takes into account a number of factors, including the type of pain, duration and frequency of the headache, accompanying symptoms, and response to treatment. To help your doctor make the right diagnosis, it’s therefore important that you write down the correct information about your headache.
Here are some points you should include:
Beginning and cause
When did your headache start? Was it sudden or gradual? Was there a specific event that triggered it, such as an infection, a blow to the head, or a period of high stress?
Description of the pain
How does the headache feel? Is it pulsating, sharp, stabbing, pressing, or throbbing?
Where is the pain?
Is the pain localized to a specific area of the head, or is it more general?
Duration and frequency
How long does the headache last? How often do you experience headaches? Are there certain times of the day when the headache is worse?
Accompanying symptoms
Do you experience other symptoms along with the headache, such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound? Are there flashes in your field of vision, tingling in your face, arm or legs before or during attacks? Does your eye water, is your eyelid swollen or drooping, is your eye red, or do you have a feeling of pressure in your nose or ear during attacks?
Triggers
Are there specific triggers that seem to set off the headaches, such as certain foods, physical activity, stress, or lack of sleep?
Exacerbating factors
Are there specific activities, situations or factors that seem to aggravate when you already have a headache?
Mitigating factors
Are there specific activities, situations or treatments that seem to relieve your headaches?
Medication
What medications do you take and how many days per month do you take them? Have you noticed any change in your headaches since you started taking them?
Here are some examples of symptoms and information that can be used to reach a diagnosis:
Beginning and cause:
Migraine attacks can start suddenly or gradually, and can sometimes be linked to specific triggers such as stress, certain foods, or hormonal changes.
Description of the pain:
Migraine pain is often pulsating or throbbing and is usually localized to one side of the head.
Duration and frequency:
Migraine attacks typically last 4-72 hours and the frequency can vary from person to person.
Accompanying symptoms:
Many people with migraine experience accompanying symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity and sound sensitivity.
Exacerbating factors:
Many migraine patients report that their headaches get worse with physical activity.
Beginning and cause
Tension headaches can also start suddenly or gradually, and can be linked to stress or muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.
Description of the pain
The pain of a tension headache is often described as a pressing pain on both sides of the head, like a tight band around the head.
Duration and frequency:
Tension headaches can last from 30 minutes to 7 days. The frequency can vary, but to be classified as chronic, the headache must be present for at least 15 days per month for more than 3 months.
Accompanying symptoms
Tension headaches are usually not associated with the accompanying symptoms typical of migraines, such as nausea and light sensitivity
Exacerbating factors
Tension headaches often get worse during periods of stress or poor posture.
Mitigating factors
Unlike migraines, tension headaches often improve with light physical activity.
Beginning and cause:
Post-traumatic headaches usually occur after an injury or trauma to the head or other parts of the body.
Description of the pain:
The pain of post-traumatic headache can vary, but is often described as constant and may be localized to the area of injury. It can also move and change character. It is important to establish whether the headache is reminiscent of a migraine, tension headache or other type of headache.
Accompanying symptoms:
Symptoms can include nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity, depending on the severity of the injury.
Exacerbating factors:
Post-traumatic headaches can be aggravated by physical activity or stress.
Remember:
- Correct diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.
- Collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals is the key to success.
- Don’t hesitate to seek further investigation or specialist assessment.
What happens next?
Once you’ve gathered this information, take it to your doctor, a headache expert or other qualified healthcare professional. They will use this information, along with a physical examination and possibly other tests, to make a diagnosis. Remember, even if you’ve gathered a lot of information, it’s still up to your doctor, therapist or headache specialist to make a diagnosis.
Good luck to you!
