- headache disorders are classified by the ICHD-II as (1)
- primary headache disorders:
- migraine
- tension type headache
- cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic cephalagias
- other primary headache disorders
- secondary headache disorders
- these include a new headache occurring with another lesion capable of causing it.( e.g., headache attributed to intracranial tumour)
- migraine is a common disabling primary headache disorder
- it is the most common cause of recurrent disabling headache in the population.
- migraine is a syndrome characterised by:
- periodic headaches with complete resolution between attacks
- an attack may be composed of the following stages:
- prodrome
- aura
- headache
- resolution
- the frequency of attacks is variable:
- as high as several per week
- as low as several per lifetime
- a prodrome is a vague change in mood or appetite
- an aura is a clear neurological symptom:
- visual disturbance
- motor or sensory disturbance
- in
children, migraine is a diagnosis of exclusion (3).
Reference:
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