Headaches and Facial Pain

Abstract

History: Obtaining a careful and thorough history of the headache is the most important part of the evaluation. You should establish the following as you are taking the history:

• Age at onset of headache.

• Onset of headache: whether it is acute, subacute, or chronic.

• Severity and frequency of the headache.

• Characteristics of the pain as described by the patient.

• Location and duration of the headache.

• Any associated symptoms or signs.

• What the aggravating or relieving factors are.

• Have there been any recent changes of headache type?

• Any relation to menstrual period or season?

• How often are medications used or how was the response to previous treatment?