Headaches

Abstract

A 30 year old lady was seen by her family doctor during a busy clinic complaining of three episodes of left-sided headache over the previous four months. The pain was usually throbbing in nature and it increased slowly in intensity over about an hour. She usually would have to lie down in a dark room to obtain some relief. Nausea, vomiting and blurred vision usually accompanied the headache. She had had headaches in the past but usually less severe and relieved by two to four paracetamol tablets per day. She reported no family history of headaches and had not started any new medication. What would you do and what issues does this consultation raise?