HIT-6 Survey Is A Simple Tool For Use In Migraine Diagnosis

Jan. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Migraine is a very complex disease and far more than simply a bad headache. Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraines yet less than half have received a medical diagnosis. There are numerous and disparate reports about the causes and triggers of migraines but there is an easy to use headache diagnostic tool that is frequently used by neurologists, primary care physicians, and dentists, the HIT-6 ™.

HIT is an acronym for "Headache Impact Test ™ " & the questionnaire contains 6 questions. The questionnaire was developed by an international team of headache experts to determine the impact headaches have on your daily life. Take the test or share it with someone who suffers from headaches.

1.   When you have headaches, how often is the pain severe?

           Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Very Often     Always

2.   How often do headaches limit your ability to do usual daily activities including household work, work, school, or social activities?

          Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Very Often     Always

3.   When you have a headache, how often do you wish you could lie down?
   
          Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Very Often     Always

4.   In the past 4 weeks, how often have you felt too tired to do work or daily activities because of your headaches?
                 
         Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Very Often     Always

5.   In the past 4 weeks, how often have you felt fed up or irritated because of your headaches?
         
         Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Very Often     Always

6.   In the past 4 weeks, how often did headaches limit your ability to concentrate on work or daily activities?

        Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Very Often     Always

When grading your test score, assign the following point system to your answers:

•   Never – 6 points each
•   Rarely – 8 points each
•   Sometimes – 10 points each
•   Very Often – 11 points each
•   Always – 13 points each

Upon completing the scoring portion of the HIT-6 ™ test, you can determine the impact headaches are having in our life by using this simple grading diagnostic tool. Then you should make an appointment with a physician to discuss your results.

•                    If you scored 60 or more
Your headaches are having a very severe impact on your life. You may be experiencing disabling pain and other symptoms that are more severe than those of other headache sufferers.

•   If you scored 56 – 59
Your headaches are having a substantial impact on your life. As a result, you may be experiencing severe pain and other symptoms, causing you to miss some time from family, work, school, or social activities.

•   If you scored 50 – 55
Your headaches seem to be having some impact on your life. Your headaches should not make you miss time from family, work, school, or social activities.

•   If you scored 49 or less
Your headaches seem to be having little to no impact on your life at this time. We encourage you to take Hit-6 monthly to continue to track how your headaches affect your life.

If you Hit-6 ™ score is 50 or higher, your life-disrupting headaches may be migraines. Again, share these test results with your doctor. Research has shown that when doctors understand the negative effect headaches are having on your quality of life, they are more likely to provide a detailed, successful treatment plan.

To learn more about headaches, migraines, and the most effective prevention option, visit www.TheHeadacheRemedy.com

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Jason Tierney has consulted with thousands of dentists regarding the dentistry's role in parafunctional control, splint therapy, and oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing.