HEADACHE

Headache is an universal complaint. Most headaches are benign, and can be safely treated with minimal investigations. Headache can be divided into primary and secondary headache disorders depending upon its etiology. Primary headache disorders do not have secondary organic etiology. Primary headaches lasting more than four hours include migraine, tension headaches, persistent daily headaches, and hemicrania continua. Primary headaches lasting less than four hours include chronic cluster headaches, neuralgiform headache attacks, and primary stabbing headaches. Secondary headaches can be serious and life-threatening. To prevent serious damage or death, it is necessary to identify, assess, and treat these potentially dangerous secondary headaches.