Sport-Related Headache

Abstract

Headache occurring in a sports setting may be primary or secondary headache. Headache is the primary symptom reported after concussion. Cumulative incidence and prevalence of posttraumatic headache (PTH) are higher following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with moderate to severe TBI. Frequency is higher in those with more severe PTH. Migraine or probable migraine is the most common headache type after any severity TBI using primary headache disorder criteria. Management is empiric. Expert opinion recommends treating PTH according to clinical characteristics of primary headache. The most important factor in this approach is the recognition of the severity of headache.

Keywords: Concussion; Migraine; Postconcussive syndrome; Posttraumatic headache; Sports concussion; Tension-type headache.