Questions to ask about headaches
These questions may help you discuss your headache or the treatments you have been offered with your healthcare team.
Diagnosis
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Can you give me more details about how my headache is diagnosed?
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Will I need to have any special tests?
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Is my headache a symptom of something else?
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Can you tell me more about the type of headache I have?
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Why do I get this headache?
Information and support
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Are there any support organisations in my local area?
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Can you provide any information for my family/carers?
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How will my headache affect my work or studies, and my social life?
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Is there any employment information available, or help to support me at school and through my exams?
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How will the headache affect me over the rest of my life?
For family members, friends or carers
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What can I/we do to help and support the person with headache?
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Is there any additional support that I/we as carer(s) might benefit from or be entitled to?
Treatment
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Is there a cure for my headache?
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Is there anything I can do to help myself, like changing my diet or lifestyle?
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What treatments are available for my headache?
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Can you tell me why you have decided to offer me this particular type of treatment?
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What are the pros and cons of this treatment? What will it involve?
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How will it help me? What effect will it have on my symptoms and everyday life? What sort of improvements might I expect?
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How long will it take to have an effect?
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How long should I take it for?
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Should I stay on this dose?
Side effects of treatment
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Are there any risks or side effects associated with this treatment?
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What are my options for taking treatments other than the one you have offered me?
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What should I do if I get any side effects? (For example, should I call my GP, or go to the emergency department at a hospital?)
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Are there any long‑term effects of taking this treatment?