HA- History and Red Flags

Question 1

Important thing to remember about headache history

Answer 1

Don’t overlook potentially serious, life-threatening causes!

Question 2

Things to ask about in a HA history

Answer 2

Patient history (family Hx, caffeine/alcohol consumption, occupation, medical history, current meds, how long the HAs have been occurring)

Location

Frequency

Severity of the pain

Triggers

Other symptoms

Impact on daily living

What relieves the HA

Question 3

Acronym for HA red flags

Answer 3

SSNOOP

Question 4

The first S in SSNOOP

Answer 4

Systemic symptoms and signs (like a fever, myalgia, weight loss)

Question 5

Second S in SSNOOP

Answer 5

Systemic disease (like malignancy, AIDS)

Question 6

N in SSNOOP

Answer 6

Neurologic symptoms/signs

Question 7

First O in SSNOOP

Answer 7

Onset sudden (thunderclap HA)

Question 8

Second O in SSNOOP

Answer 8

Onset after the age of 40

Question 9

P in SSNOOP

Answer 9

Progressive HA with loss of HA-free periods, change in HA type