HEADACHE AS A PRESENTING SYMPTOM OF NEUROLOGICAL EMERGENCIES

Аннотация:

Headache as an initial manifestation of neurological emergencies represents a major clinical challenge, as it may be the first indicator of serious, life-threatening conditions requiring urgent intervention. Headaches are broadly classified into primary and secondary forms. Primary headaches, including migraine and tension-type headache, occur independently and are not associated with structural or systemic disease. In contrast, secondary headaches arise as a consequence of underlying pathological processes such as intracranial hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accidents, and central nervous system infections. Identifying specific headache features—particularly clinical “red flags” that suggest a secondary cause—is crucial for prompt diagnosis and timely management, ultimately improving patient outcomes.