Headache Treatment Options

Abstract

Family medicine physicians often see headache as the chief complaint when meeting patients within their practice. The goal is to try different treatment modalities without having to send the patient to a specialist. Headaches affect different individuals during their lifetime. Before any treatment begins, it is best that one rules out possible causes of the headache, for example, drug interactions or structural cerebrum conditions. Nonpharmacological treatment is recommended first before attempting a stepwise approach to cost-effective pharmacological treatment options. Pharmacological treatment options should include preventive and on-demand options. A family physician has all the resources to assist patients with different types of headaches.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Behavior Therapy; Cluster Headache; Headache; Migraine; Neuromodulators; Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment; Pain; Pharmacology; Tension Headache; Triptans.