Headache History

• CC
  • Site: uni\bi-lateral? Band-like? Around the eyes? Radiates anywhere else?
  • Onset: first time? When? Gradual\sudden? Continuous\intermittent? Getting better\worse?
  • Duration: how long does each episode last?
  • Timing: specific time of the day\night? How frequent?
  • Character: throbbing\pulsating? Pressure? Burning?
  • Relieving\aggravating factors: medications?
  • Severity: 1-10 scale? Wakes you up at night? Interfering w\ ADL? Worst pain of your life?

• Associated sx:
  • Constitutional: fever, fatigue, wt loss, loss of appetite, night sweats, chills?
  • Neurological: numbness, weakness, loss of consciousness, seizures?
  • Meningitis: stiff neck, vomiting, rash?
  • Migraine: N\V, visual changes, photo\phono-phobia, associated w\ menstruation?
  • Cluster: Eye symptoms: pain\swelling\lacrimation?
  • Tension: neck\shoulder pain, worse at end of the day, associated w\ stress?
  • Eye: blurred\double vision? Wear glasses?
  • Sinusitis: runny nose, recent URTI\ear infection, facial pain, pain worse w\ bending?
  • TMJ: jaw pain, ear pain, locking of the joint, difficulty chewing, tooth pain?
  • Anemia: palpitation

• PMHx:
  • Diseases:
    • Chronic ds (HTN, DM, DLP)
    • Neurological
    • Malignancy, infections
  • Medications: NSAIDs, anticoagulants
  • Surgery, hospitalization, trauma
  • Blood transfusions, IV drug use, tattoos
  • Allergies

• FMHx:
  • Similar complaint?
  • Same diseases as in PMHx?

• Social Hx:
  • Occupation, marital status, children?
  • Smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, caffeine?
  • Travel Hx, contact with sick pts
  • Diet, exercise

Download the PDF version: here