MIGRAINES AND OTHER HEADACHES - AN APPROACH TO DIAGNOSIS AND CLASSIFICATION

Headache is a symptom that accounts for over 18 million visits to phys icians each year. In an effort to resolve inconsistencies and problems with the differentiation of specific types of headache, the internati onal Headache Society (IHS) has established a classification system. F or each major type of headache, the IHS classification specifies diagn ostic criteria and recognized subtypes where appropriate. Migraine hea daches are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Recognition and accurate diagnosis of migraine headache depend on a thorough history, appropriate physical examination and diagnostic testing.