Headache is the most prevalent neurological condition in the general population and one of the most common pain conditions in the world. Headache can also be a symptom of various neurological and medical diseases.1 Migraine, a primary headache disorder, affects over 1 billion people in the world, and approximately 39 million Americans suffer from migraine.2,3 Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent neurological disorder worldwide.4 Headache disorders including migraine and TTH can be debilitating and associated with impaired quality of life. Healthcare providers often encounter patients with various headache conditions in clinics, on wards, and in urgent care centers or emergency rooms. Headache disorders are commonly diagnosed and managed by neurologists in the United States, but internists, family physicians, and specialists from other medical specialties may also be involved in the care of patients with headache. Advanced practice practitioners including nurse practitioners and physician assistants have been extensively involved in the evaluation and management of patients with headache disorders in the United States. The chief complaint of headache accounts for up to 19% of outpatient neurology office visits and is among the top three chief complaints presenting in the emergency rooms and leading to neurological consultation.5 Headache diseases or syndromes have been recognized as an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) neurological core milestone. The neurology residents are expected to gain and document proficiency in headache disorders during their residency training.
The book covers epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of primary and secondary headache disorders and facial pain disorders described in the third and latest edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) (Table 1).6 The ICHD-3 is synchronized with the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The headache classification provides operational diagnostic criteria, with explicit rules regarding the combinations of features or symptoms required to establish a correct diagnosis. Other topics covered are anatomy and physiology of headache pain, special treatments, and procedures. Finally, headache in special populations and special topics are also presented in the book. Each chapter finishes with a chapter summary (bullet points), relevant references and web links if applicable.