What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Headache Attributed to Disorder of Homoeostasis
• Headache due to Disorder of Homeostasis
• Headache due to Disorder of Homoeostasis

What is Headache Attributed to Disorder of Homeostasis? (Definition/Background Information)

• Headache Attributed to Disorder of Homeostasis is a headache disorder that occurs secondary to homeostasis disruption. Homeostasis may be defined as a healthy body state maintained by the various physiological and biochemical pathways that brings about a dynamic equilibrium in the body despite changes in the external environment
• The headache may be a “new” headache, or the exacerbation of a pre-existing headache may take place, which then becomes chronic. The headache is known to improve and regress on undertaking suitable management of the underlying disorder. Similarly, a progression of the disorder in the absence of adequate treatment can worsen the headache
• The following subtypes of Headache Attributed to Disorder of Homeostasis are recognized:
  • Headache Attributed to Hypoxia and/or Hypercapnia
  • Dialysis Headache
  • Headache Attributed to Arterial Hypertension
  • Headache Attributed to Hypothyroidism
  • Headache Attributed to Fasting
  • Cardiac Cephalalgia
  • Headache Attributed to Other Disorder of Homoeostasis

The criteria for diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Disorder of Homeostasis as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• A disorder of homoeostasis known to be able to cause headache has been diagnosed
• Headache fulfilling the criterion below

Evidence of causation demonstrated by at least two of the following:

• Headache has developed in temporal relation to the onset of the disorder of homoeostasis
• Either or both of the following:
  • Headache has significantly worsened in parallel with worsening of the disorder of homoeostasis
  • Headache has significantly improved after resolution of the disorder of homoeostasis
• Headache has characteristics typical for the disorder of homoeostasis

Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)