Headache and facial pain

Headache (any pain involving the neck and upwards, including the face) is the commonest neurological presentation, accounting for >25% of new outpatient neurology referrals. It makes up a significant proportion of GP and A&E attendances, and costs the health service more than Parkinson’s disease, neuromuscular disease and other neurological conditions combined. Understanding the presentation and management of headache disorders is important in timely diagnosis, excluding worrying secondary causes, limiting morbidity and reducing unnecessary or lengthy hospital admissions.