Headache (cont.)
Medical Author:
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEMDr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MDJay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In this Article
 How are headaches classified?In 2005, the International Headache Society released its latest classification system for headache. Because so many people suffer from headaches and because treatment sometimes is difficult, it was hoped that the new classification system would help health care professionals make a specific diagnosis as to the type of headache and allow better and more effective options for treatment. There are three major categories of headache based upon the source of the pain:
What are primary headaches?Primary headaches include migraine, tension, and cluster headaches, as well as a variety of other less common types of headache.
Primary headaches can affect the quality of life. Some people have occasional headaches that resolve quickly while others are debilitated. While these headaches are not life-threatening, they may be associated with symptoms that can mimic strokes. Many patients equate severe headache with migraine, but the amount of pain does not determine the diagnosis of migraine. A full discussion of migraine headaches can be found in this article. Reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD on 5/16/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Headache - Causes
Question: What causes your headaches?
Headache - Nausea
Question: Do you have nausea associated with your headaches?
Headache - Effective Treatments
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your headache?
Headache - Symptoms
Question: What symptoms do you experience with your headaches?
Headache - Remedies
Question: What is your best headache remedy?
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