9.2.2 Primary Headache Disorders & Secondary Causes Flashcards
What are the most to least common types of headache?
Tension-type (primary)
Migraine (primary)
Medication over-use (secondary)
Cluster (primary)
Who is affected by tension-type headaches?
Females > males
Common
Young(teenagers) and young adults, 20-39
What age is presentation of tension-type headaches unusual?
> 50 years old
What causes tension-type headaches?
Tension in muscles of head and neck
What are the features of tension-type headaches?
- Generalised pain in frontal and occipital regions
- Tight, band-like, constriction, may radiate to neck
- Mild-moderate intensity
- Worse at the end of the day
- Recurrent 30m-1hour
- Stress, poor posture, lack of sleep aggravates
- Responds to simple analgesics
- Few associated symptoms, may be slight nausea
- Normal clinical examination
Get Me Really Strong Analgesics For Terrible Days
Generalised pain
Mild-moderate intensity
Recurrent 30m-1hour
Stress, poor posture, lack of sleep
responds to simple Analgesics
Few associated symptoms
Tight, band like constriction
end of the Day
Who is affected by migraines?
Female > Male
(1 in every 5 females)
Common (15 in every 100)
Presents early to mid-life
Most have first attack by 30
What is the pathophysiology of migraines?
(Unclear)
Neurogenic inflammation of trigeminal sensory neurones innervating large vessels and meninges
Alters way pain is processed, brain becomes more sensitive to stimuli that would normally be ignored
What are the features of a migraine?
- Unilateral, temporal or frontal
- Can respond to simple analgesics, may need triptans, tend to want to lie down
- Severe-moderate
- Triggers
- Throbbing, pulsating
- Disabling, need to lie down
- Prolonged, between 4-72 hours
- Normal clinical examination
Usually Care Stops Terrible Throbbing D*ck Pain
How long do migraines last?
4-72 hours
What triggers migraines?
Certain foods
Menstrual cycle
Stress
Lack of sleep
Familial links
What symptoms can be associated with migraines?
- Photophobia
- Phonophobia
- Nausea
- Aura- period of vague neurological signs
Who is affected by medication over-use headaches?
Females > Males
30-40 years old
Headache present on at least 15 days/month (constant)
Occurs in patients with pre-existing headache disorder
Using regular analgesics, at least 10 days/month
-headache not responding
What are the features of medication over-use headaches?
Variable character- can be dull, tension-type or migraine-like
Co-exists with depression and sleep disturbance
How can medication over-use headaches be treated?
Discontinue medication
Headache will worsen before it improves
Typically resolved by 2 months
What is the pathophysiology of medication-overuse headaches?
Upregulation of pain receptors in meninges due to analgesics e.g.
Codeine and cocodamol