Headache is one of the five most common chief complaints in the US, resulting in nearly 5 million visits to the ED (Lange, 2011). With great variance in quality, etiology, pathophysiology, and as a potential indicator of a serious underlying problem, it is critical that these headaches be accurately diagnosed, primarily for rapid identification of life threatening factors, but also to offer treatment and education specific to the particular type of headache the patient is experiencing. This will result in better outcomes for the patient through better control and will subsequently save health care dollars by reducing ED visits and unnecessary imaging
