Headache Edition: Approach to the Evaluation of Headache

To claim credit for this episode, visit Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Headache Edition - Online CME Course.

Guest: Jerry W. Swanson, M.D., M.H.P.E.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Everyone has experienced a headache and for most of us, they are just a minor inconvenience. Unfortunately for some, headaches represent a major health problem. The pain can be intense and may result in major lifestyle changes including sudden change in plans, loss of productivity, and strained relationships. As primary care providers, patients with chronic, recurrent headaches can represent some of the most challenging patients we see. Fortunately, only rarely do headaches represent a serious threat to one’s life, but one still needs to be alert to potential clues indicating the possibility of the headaches representing a serious medical condition. There have also been numerous new treatments available for the management of migraines.

This will be the first in a series of podcasts dedicated to the topic of headache. We’re also going to honor one of the Mayo Clinic’s most prestigious physicians in the field of headache. Jerry W. Swanson, M.D., M.H.P.E. has been a neurologist at Mayo for 39 years and has been a specialist in the evaluation and management of patients with headaches. He brings experience and a wealth of knowledge to this topic.

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