Headache

Classification[edit | edit source]

The most recognised classification for headache is from the International Headache Society[1]. The 3rd edition of International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) is an in-depth hierarchical classification of headaches containing explicit diagnostic criteria for headache disorders. They classify headaches into primary, secondary, Painful cranial neuropathies, other facial pain and other headaches outlined below:

Primary Headaches[1][edit | edit source]

Secondary Headaches[1][edit | edit source]

  • Headache attributed to trauma or injury to the head and/or neck
  • Headache attributed to cranial and/or cervical vascular disorder
  • Headache attributed to non-vascular intracranial disorder
  • Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal
  • Headache attributed to infection 10. Headache attributed to disorder of homoeostasis
  • Headache or facial pain attributed to disorder of the cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cranial structure
  • Headache attributed to psychiatric disorder
  • Headache attributed to head and/or neck trauma - Cervicogenic Headaches
    • Acute post-traumatic headache
    • Chronic post-traumatic headache
    • Acute headache attributed to whiplash injury
    • Chronic headache attributed to whiplash injury
    • Headache attributed to traumatic intracranial haematoma
    • Headache attributed to other head and/or neck trauma
    • Post-craniotomy headache
  • Headache attributed to cranial or cervical vascular disorder
    • Headache attributed to ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack
    • Headache attributed to non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage
    • Headache attributed to unruptured vascular malformation
    • Headache attributed to arteritis
    • Carotid or vertebral artery pain
    • Headache attributed to cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT)
    • Headache attributed to other intracranial vascular disorder
  • Headache attributed to non-vascular intracranial disorder
  • Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal
  • Headache attributed to infection
  • Headache attributed to disorder of homoeostasis
  • Headache or facial pain attributed to disorder of cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cranial structures
  • Headache attributed to psychiatric disorder

Painful cranial neuropathies, other facial pain and other headaches[1][edit | edit source]

  • Painful lesions of the cranial nerves and other facial pain
  • Other headache disorders

Resources[edit | edit source]

The International Headache Classification (ICHD-2)

WHO Factsheet on Headache Disorders

AHS Guidelines and Position Statements

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. (2018). Cephalalgia38(1), 1–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102417738202