A recent study examined 100 patients who were admitted to a neurological unit with recent onset headaches (described as a headache that “appeared for the first time ever in the last twelve months. Patients with past history of headache were excluded from this study unless a change in character of the previous headache had been the reason for the referral). 90% of the subjects had headaches for the very first time, while 10% had previous - but now different - headaches.

A physician examined each patient and each was given a CT scan with and without intravenous contrast. Some patients were given a lumbar puncture, blood tests, an MRI, and magnetic resonance angiography if needed.

It is reported that the neurological examination was normal in 80% of the patients in this study. Further investigations, however, turned up some very serious conditions: Intracranial neoplasm (21%); subacute meningitis (5%); intracranial hematoma (3%); and hydrocephalus (2%). In all, “Headaches were considered organic in 39 (39) of the 100 patients and in 21 (26%) of the 80 with normal neurological exam.”

With recent onset headache, a CT or MRI should be obtained if the headache is severe or occurs with vomiting, nausea, or abnormal signs. However, as in the example of the 4 patients with intracranial tumors, there was no vomiting or nausea or other abnormal symptoms.

Chiropractic care may help with some types of headaches and seeking a Montgomery chiropractor may be a good option for someone experiencing migraines or tension headaches. This study suggests that neuroimaging studies should be performed in all adult patients with “non-vascular headache of recent-onset and no previous history of headache,” so if you are experiencing these or other headache symptoms, contact your primary care physician or a Montgomery chiropractic clinic for information on what to do next.

Duarte J, Sempere AP, Delgado JA, et al. Headache of recent onset in adults: a prospective population-based study. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 1996;94:67-70.