Tools for Sufferers

Headache FAQ

Answers to some of the most common questions about headache.

Talking to Your Headache Doctor

This article by Dawn A. Marcus, MD, describes the importance of establishing strong communication with your healthcare provider.

When to See a Physician for Your Headache

There are times when headaches or uncharacteristic migraine symptoms are indications of something that needs medical attention. Some individuals are reluctant to call their doctors or go to an Emergency Department because they don’t want to arrive only to learn that nothing out of the ordinary is wrong. Please, don’t be concerned about that; get medical attention if you think you fit the following criteria.

Ten Steps for Better Communication

Effective physician/patient communication is increasingly important given  today's time constraints for office visits and the variety of new treatment  options available.

Inpatient Headache Units

This is a list of inpatient headache units within the United States. 

Multimedia Tools

NHF podcasts, slide presentations, and case study videos.

Patient Assistance Programs

View a list of assistance programs available throughout the country.

Management Tools

Access treatment forms, headache diaries, and other useful tools for managing your headache pain.

Consult Your Healthcare Provider If Your Headache…

• is sudden and severe
• occurs with fever, stiff neck, or uncontrollable vomiting
• causes confusion or loss of consciousness
• is persistent, when previously you’ve been headache free
• is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or vision loss
• begins after the age of fifty years
• begins after head injury or other trauma
• interferes with your ability to function normally at work or in social situations
• requires medication more than two days per week.

Pregnancy Registries

• For Amerge® and Imitrex®, contact Charles River Laboratories for GlaxoSmithKline at 800-336-2176 (toll-free), outside of the U.S. at 910-256-0549 (call collect).
• For Maxalt®, contact Merck & Company, Inc.'s National Service Center at 800-986-8999 (toll-free).
• For Zomig®, contact AstraZeneca at 800-236-9933 (toll-free).