Abstract
Eds P Martelletti and T J Steiner, Springer, 760 pages, ISBN 978-88-470-1699-6
This is a comprehensive handbook with contributions from 90 headache experts from all over the world. Edited by Martelletti and Steiner, two well-known names in the headache world, the book is published on behalf of Lifting The Burden; The Global Campaign Against Headache.
Headache is one of the most common symptoms in the general population, with primary headache disorders, mainly tension-type headaches and migraine, comprising the vast majority. Every clinician, irrespective of their field of expertise, comes across these patients in day to day practice. The book, although intended for non-experts in headache in primary care, provides up to date research and a practical guide to management of primary headache disorders useful to general physicians, trainees in neurology, consultant neurologists and even headache experts.
The initial chapters highlight the burden of headache, direct and indirect, to the health economy and society in general, with up to date information from different parts of the globe. There are then chapters on the organisation of a quality headache service with a valuable insight into the current shortfalls and proposition of models for an ideal headache service to the general public. The section on causes has individual chapters on genetics, lifestyle and hormonal influences, and discusses the range of co-morbidities associated with headache disorders.
One of the major strengths of the book is a detailed section on establishing a timely and correct diagnosis with excellent tables and case histories, highlighting the fact that an accurate and well-taken history is all one needs to make the right diagnosis. A chapter is dedicated to the use of headache diaries crucial in recognising different sub-sets of chronic daily headache disorders. There are sections on migraine, tension-type and cluster headaches, with chapters on pathophysiology, treatment and prevention and how to communicate the diagnosis to the patient. There are sections on headaches in children and the elderly. Secondary headaches are covered only briefly with the main emphasis being on red flags to recognise them.
The chapters are well referenced, providing a thorough review of current literature, and the treatment sections are evidence-based. The editors have made a good use of comprehensive tables and a few illustrated graphs and figures, with a summary and conclusion section in every chapter to highlight the take-home message.
The book is well written, well referenced and provides up to date information on all primary headache disorders.