American Pain Society 4700 W. Lake Ave. The Invisible Handicap Suzanne E. Simons, MSMC BS Chronic headache is one of the leading causes of illness and disability in the United States today. According to recent polls, more than 45 million Americans endure headache on a recurrent basis. It is not surprising that headache is one of the most frequent disorders encountered by physicians in outpatient settings. Each year, Americans make 80 million visits to doctors' offices because of this disability.
Chronic headache is a complex health problem, often frustrating to diagnose and treat.
Commonly, headache sufferers bounce from doctor to doctor seeking a sympathetic practitioner, a consensus regarding diagnosis, and treatment expertise. The role of the physician The physician-patient relationship is critical in the management of those with chronic disease. Through a physician's guidance, a patient can assume responsibility for implementing and monitoring the therapeutic regimen and make needed changes to gain control over his or her disease. In addition to diagnosing and treating the patient's medical condition, the physician is also pivotal in providing education, communicating effectively, and offering reassurance and hope to the patient. The role of education Patients' reluctance to complain about pain is another barrier to effective relief.