Table 2 Headache characteristics
Variables | Frequency |
|---|---|
Headache subtypes | |
 The primary headaches | 445 (89) |
 The secondary headaches | 51 (10.2) |
 Painful cranial neuropathies, other facial pain and other headaches | 4 (0.8) |
Comorbid conditions | |
 No comorbid conditions | 484 (97.6) |
 Hypertension (HTN) | 12 (2.4) |
 Diabetes mellitus (DM) | 2 (.4) |
 Hypothyroid | 1 (.2) |
 Hepatitis C virus | 1 (0.2) |
Headache that awakens the patient from sleep | 193 (38.6) |
Family history of migraine | 20 (4) |
Use caffeinated substances | 114 (22.8) |
Past history of motion sickness | 35 (7) |
Precipitants | |
 No precipitating factors | 11 (2.2) |
 Odors | 90 (18.0) |
 Exercise | 8 (1.6) |
 Too little sleep | 63 (12.6) |
 Too much sleep | 46(9.2) |
 Alcohol | 2 (0.4) |
 Fatigue | 65 (13.0) |
 Sunshine | 15 (3.0) |
 Cold days | 6 (1.2) |
 Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) | 5 (1.0) |
 Loud noises | 25 (5.0) |
 Anxiety or stress | 153 (30.6) |
 Bright lights | 5 (1.0) |
 Sexual activity | 5 (1.0) |
Abortive treatment | |
 Not using any drugs | 76 (15.2) |
 Simple analgesia including paracetamol and NSAID | 224 (44.8) |
 Using more than one type of simple analgesia | 179 (35.8) |
 Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) receptor agonists (Triptans) | 16 (3.2) |
 Vasoconstrictors like ergot preparations | 5 (1.0) |
Preventive treatment | () |
 Not using any drugs | 98 (19.6) |
 Simple analgesia including paracetamol and NSAID | 79 (15.8) |
 Using more than one type of simple analgesia | 74 (14.8) |
 Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) receptor agonists (Triptans) | 2 (0.4) |
 Vasoconstrictors like ergot preparations | 5 (1.0) |
 Antidepressants including amitriptyline and SSRI’s | 85 (17.0) |
Antiepileptic agents | |
 Topiramate | 51 (10.2) |
 Valproate | 21 (4.2) |
 Carbamazepine | 14 (2.8) |
Antihypertensive | |
 Propranolol | 31 (6.2) |
 Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors | 8 (1.6) |
 Natural remedies (like Feverfew) | 16 (3.2) |
 Multivitamin preparations | 5 (1.0) |
 Chlorphenamine (nasal decongestant) | 11 (2.2) |