Headache & Migraine
Also: migraine · tension headache · thunderclap headache
Headache is extremely common and usually benign, but a few presentations signal serious causes such as subarachnoid haemorrhage or meningitis. Decision rules help target investigation, while migraine and tension-type headache need specific management.
The relevant rules, drugs and pathways are gathered here.
Calculators & scores
- Ottawa SAH Rule for Headache EvaluationSubarachnoid Haemorrhage
- Fisher Grade (SAH)Neurosurgery
- Modified Fisher Scale for SAHSubarachnoid Haemorrhage
- Hunt and Hess Classification for SAHPrognosis
- MIDAS — Migraine Disability AssessmentHeadache
- RCVS₂ Score for RCVS vs CNS VasculitisStroke
- MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment)Headache
- Hunt and Hess Scale for Subarachnoid HaemorrhageSubarachnoid Haemorrhage
- BER Score (Benign vs Epileptic vs Other Paroxysmal Events)Headache / Epilepsy
- HIT-6 — Headache Impact TestHeadache
- Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)Functional GI Disorders
- New Orleans / Charity Head CT RuleHead Injury
Decision pathways
Drugs
- Sumatriptan with naproxenTriptan + NSAID combination
- Propranolol hydrochlorideNon-selective β-blocker
- PropranololBeta-Blocker — Infantile Haemangioma (Airway)
- NaproxenNSAID (Non-selective COX Inhibitor)
- AmitriptylineTricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
- Propranolol (Portal Hypertension)Antihypertensive
- SumatriptanTriptan (5-HT1 agonist) / Antimigraine
- TopiramateAnticonvulsant (Multiple Mechanisms)
- Amitriptyline (Neuropathic Pain / Migraine)Tricyclic Antidepressant / Neuropathic Pain Agent
- Propranolol (Migraine Prevention)Beta-Blocker — Migraine Prophylaxis
- RizatriptanSelective 5-HT1B/1D agonist (triptan)
- Amitriptyline (Orthopaedic — Neuropathic Pain)Tricyclic Antidepressant — Neuropathic Pain Agent
Decision support only. These tools are aggregated by topic to aid navigation — always apply clinical judgement and the relevant national or local guideline.