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IHSDiagnosisICD-10
4.3Primary exertional headache G44.804  
Previously used terms Benign exertional headache
Coded elsewhere Exercise-induced migraine is coded under 1. Migraine according to its subtype.

Description:

Headache precipitated by any form of exercise. Subforms such as "weight-lifters' headache" are recognised.

Diagnostic criteria:

  1. Pulsating headache fulfilling criteria B and C
  2. Lasting from 5 minutes to 48 hours
  3. Brought on by and occurring only during or after physical exertion
  4. Not attributed to another disorder1

Note:

  1. On first occurrence of this headache type it is mandatory to exclude subarachnoid haemorrhage and arterial dissection.

Comment:

Primary exertional headache occurs particularly in hot weather or at high altitude. There are reports of prevention in some patients by the ingestion of ergotamine tartrate. Indomethacin has been found effective in the majority of the cases.

Headache described in weight-lifters has been considered a subform of 4.3 Primary exertional headache; because of its sudden onset and presumed mechanism it may have more similarities to 4.2 Primary cough headache.

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