Table 4 Diagnostic questions to ask in the history
From: Aids to management of headache disorders in primary care (2nd edition)
How many different headaches types does the patient have? A separate history is needed for each. | |
|---|---|
Time questions | • Why consulting now? • How recent in onset? • How frequent, and what temporal pattern (episodic or daily and/or unremitting)? • How long do headache episodes last? |
Character questions | • Manner and speed of headache onset (abrupt, progressive over minutes, hours, days or longer)? • Intensity of pain? • Nature and quality of pain? • Site and spread of pain? • Associated symptoms? |
Cause questions | • Predisposing and/or trigger factors? • Aggravating and/or relieving factors? • Family history of similar headache? |
Response questions | • What does the patient do during the headache? • How much is activity limited or prevented? • What medications are used, and how frequently? |
State of health between attacks | • Completely well, or residual symptoms? |