ACUTE HEADACHE

Course overview

HEADACHE IS A NEARLY UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT. MOST HEADACHES ARE BENIGN, AND THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS CAN BE SAFELY TREATED AND DISCHARGED WITH MINIMAL WORKUP. HOWEVER, THERE ARE ALSO MANY SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS WHICH MAY PRESENT WITH HEADACHE. RECOGNITION, EVALUATION, AND APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT OF THESE DANGEROUS SECONDARY HEADACHES ARE CRITICAL TO PREVENT LONG-TERM DISABILITY OR DEATH. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ASSESSING AND APPROPRIATELY TREATING PATIENTS WITH THIS CHIEF COMPLAINT, WITH SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON DIFFERENTIATING BENIGN FROM CONCERNING PRESENTATIONS.