Definition essay migraines

The medications, if any, the patient has been taking are also important, along with dosage and frequency of that medication (Gillies, 2009). When headaches are the presenting symptom, there are often very few physical signs other than the history of headaches (Welch, 2005).

Headaches can be either primary (i.e., not a symptom of another underlying cause), or secondary (as a result of another disorder) (Kemick, 2011). Primary headaches include migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and “thunderclap” headaches (time from onset to severe pain less than 5 minutes) (Gillies, 2009) .

Migraines include headaches not due to other causes and with multiple (at least 5) events with long duration (min. 4 hours to 3 days if untreated); at least 2 of unilateral location, pulsating, moderate to severe intensity, sufficiently severe to impact daily activities; and either nausea/vomiting or avoidance of light and sounds (Kemick, 2011).

Secondary headaches derive from other disorders such as vascular problems, tumors, high intracranial pressure, trauma, infection, or activity-related (sex or exercise) pain (Kemick, 2011).