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The Use of Diaries in the Management of Headache

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Handbook of Headache

Abstract

The diagnosis of primary headache depends mostly on a detailed history and a normal physical examination. In clinical practice, patients often have difficulty recalling their headache characteristics, especially if they experience several types of headache. Headache diaries and calendars make it possible to record precisely, in a contemporaneous manner, the characteristics of every attack, thus minimizing recall bias and increasing accuracy in the description of attack frequency and characteristics. Several types of diagnostic diaries can be used, depending on the purpose of monitoring and the type of headache. They represent a useful tool, for both the doctor and the patient, in the diagnostic process as well as in the management of the disease.

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Correspondence to Vera Osipova .

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© 2011 Lifting The Burden

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Osipova, V., Jensen, R., Tassorelli, C. (2011). The Use of Diaries in the Management of Headache. In: Martelletti, P., Steiner, T.J. (eds) Handbook of Headache. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1700-9_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1700-9_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1699-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1700-9

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