Headache as a presenting symptom.

Headache is a common presenting complaint in most family physicians' practices. Anxiety and depression (the ache of living) are at the root of most cases. A significant minority suffer from vascular headaches and a few cases harbor organic lesions.Headaches due to eyestrain, sinusitis, trigeminal neuralgia and hypertension are greatly overdiagnosed. The precise diagnosis of all cases of headache is important in choosing the appropriate therapy. Often the greatest benefit achieved is the discontinuation of inappropriate and potentially harmful treatment or self-medication.