Headache: Assessment and Pain Management

Headaches are the symptoms of pain in the area of head and neck. They can be broadly classified into primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are recurrent headaches that are not caused by any underlying disease or structural problems. A few examples of primary headaches are migraines, cluster-type headaches and tension-type headaches. Migraine can be managed by improving the lifestyle. Tension-type headaches are treated with NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Verapamil is often recommended for the treatment of cluster headaches. They may be recurrent and may cause significant pain, but they do not pose any long term danger. Secondary headaches can be either harmless or dangerous. They may be caused by other serious conditions such as meningitis and brain tumor. Severe headaches often increase the risk of depression. The most common causes of headaches include common cold, head injury, viral infections, effects of medications, sleep deprivation, stress and dental or sinus issues. This book provides comprehensive insights into headache and pain management. It will also provide interesting topics for research which interested readers can take up. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.