Key Chapter Points
Primary headaches are more common in younger than older adult patients. Adults >50 years old presenting to the ED with headache will require a more detailed evaluation for secondary headache than younger adults. Common secondary headaches in adults >50 years old may include a wide range of disorders, including vascular conditions, acute angle-closure glaucoma, medication side effects, carbon monoxide poisoning, primary and metastatic neoplasm, infection, and trauma. Giant cell arteritis is a medical emergency requiring definitive, presumptive treatment initiation in the ED.
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Marcus, D.A., Bain, P.A. (2012). Treatment of the Older Adult Patient (>50 Years Old) with Acute Headache in the ED. In: Practical Assessment and Treatment of the Patient with Headaches in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinic. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0002-8_7
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