Book contents
- Emergency Headache
- Emergency Headache
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Epidemiology of Headache in the Emergency Department
- 3 Approach to History Taking and the Physical Examination
- 4 Approach to Investigations
- 5 Thunderclap Headache in the Emergency Department
- 6 Other Secondary Headaches in the Emergency Department
- 7 The Migraine Patient in the Emergency Department
- 8 The Patient with a Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgia in the Emergency Department
- 9 Other Primary Headache Disorders That Can Present to the Emergency Department
- 10 Medication Overuse Headache in the Emergency Department
- 11 Approach to the Pediatric Patient with Headache in the Emergency Department
- 12 Approach to Pregnant or Lactating Patients with Headache in the Emergency Department
- 13 Approach to the Elderly Patient with Headache in the Emergency Department
- 14 Preventing Emergency Department Visits in Primary Headache Patients and Prevention of Bounce-Backs to the Emergency Department
- Index
- References
13 - Approach to the Elderly Patient with Headache in the Emergency Department
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 October 2017
Book contents
- Emergency Headache
- Emergency Headache
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Epidemiology of Headache in the Emergency Department
- 3 Approach to History Taking and the Physical Examination
- 4 Approach to Investigations
- 5 Thunderclap Headache in the Emergency Department
- 6 Other Secondary Headaches in the Emergency Department
- 7 The Migraine Patient in the Emergency Department
- 8 The Patient with a Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgia in the Emergency Department
- 9 Other Primary Headache Disorders That Can Present to the Emergency Department
- 10 Medication Overuse Headache in the Emergency Department
- 11 Approach to the Pediatric Patient with Headache in the Emergency Department
- 12 Approach to Pregnant or Lactating Patients with Headache in the Emergency Department
- 13 Approach to the Elderly Patient with Headache in the Emergency Department
- 14 Preventing Emergency Department Visits in Primary Headache Patients and Prevention of Bounce-Backs to the Emergency Department
- Index
- References
Summary
Abstract
The approach to the assessment and management of elderly patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with headache is similar to the general approach to headache in this setting, in that the initial focus should be on differentiating primary vs. secondary headache and initiating an appropriate work-up where necessary. However, the index of suspicion for secondary headaches should be higher in this population, especially in the case of a new headache. Once secondary headache has been ruled out, the choice of pain interventions in this population requires a relatively greater emphasis on medication contraindications, side-effects, and medication interactions, given the general medical profile of the elderly patient. Unfortunately, evidence-based treatment recommendations are precluded by a lack of evidence specific to this population. In this chapter, we provide a general overview of the approach to the elderly patient with headache and a review of common secondary headaches in this population, and we discuss treatment options for primary headaches in the elderly.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Emergency HeadacheDiagnosis and Management, pp. 141 - 148Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2017
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