CA Headache and Migraine Clinicals Flashcards
For antiepileptic drugs, test drug levels only when:
1.
2.
3.
- Assessment of compliance to therapy for pts w refractory epilepsy
- Assessment of symptoms due to possible antiepileptic drug toxicity
- Titration of phenytoin dose
What is the pathophysiology of headaches and migraines?
Vasodilation of in intracranial extracerebral blood vessels → activation of perivascular trigeminal nerves that release vasoactive neuropeptides to promote neurogenic inflammation → headache/ migraine
Central pain transmission may activate other brainstem nuclei → associated symptoms (N/V, photophobia, phonophobia)
What are the possible causes of hyper-responsiveness of a patient’s brain during a migraine headache
Inherited abnormality in overactive Ca and/or Na channels and Na/K pumps → regulate release of serotonin (5-HT) and other neurotransmitters → regulate cortical excitability
Explain why is serotonin an important mediator of migraine headache?
Serotonin is an agonist of vascular and neuronal 5-HT1 receptor → vasoconstriction of meningeal blood vessels and inhibition of vasoactive neuropeptide release and pain signal transmission → reduce vasodilation, reliever pain → reverse pathophysiology process of migraines
List 3 triggers of tension-type headaches.
- Physical/ emotional stress
- Activities that cause the head to be held in one position for a long time
- Alcohol, caffeine
- Cold/flu or sinus infections
- Dehydration
- Hunger
List 5 red flags for secondary headaches.
Germ: not in learning outcomes, so maybe not tested for CA?? (cross fingers)
SNNOOP10 GUIDE:
* Systemic symptoms including fever
* Neoplasm in hx
* Neurologic deficit/ dysfunction
* Onset of headahce is sudden/ abrupt
* Older age, >50yo
* Pattern change/ recent onset of headache
* Positional headache
* Precipitated by sneezing, coughing, or exercise
* Papilledema
* Progressive headache with atypical presentation
* Pregnancy/ post-partum
* Painful eye with autonomic features
* Post-traumatic onset of headache
* Pathology of immune system such as HIV/ immunocompromised
* Painkiller overuse/ new drug at onset of headache
What are the durations of:
1. Tension-type headache
2. Migraine
3. Cluster headache
- 30mins to 7 days
- 4 to 72 hours
- 15 to 180 minutes
True or false?
Tension-type headaches are bilateral, while both migraine and cluster headache are unilateral
False
Migraine can be bilateral too
True or false
The pain of a tension-type headache can be described as pressing/ tightening, while that of migraine is pulsating/ throbbing.
True
What are some pharmacological, acute and prophylactic, treatments for tension-type headaches?
Acute:
* Paracetamol (alone/ w caffeine), aspirin
* NSAIDs: ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen
Prophylactic:
* Amitriptyline (1st line)
* Mirtazapine, venlafaxine
Which are some non-pharmacological methods used to treat tension-type headaches and migraines? There is more than one answer.
A. Cognitive behavioural therapy
B. Alcohol
C. More Sleep
D. Meditation
E. Crying
A, C, D
Cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, relaxation (meditation)
Physical and/or occupational therapy
Lifestyle modification (include sleep hygiene)
Match the duration to the correct phase of a migraine attack. I.e. prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome
A. 5-60mins
B. 4-72 hours
C. A few hours to days
D. <12-24 hours
Prodrome: C
Aura: A
Headache: B
Postdrome: D
What is the pathophysiology of the prodrome phase of a migraine attack?
Activation of ________ and ____________
Hypothalamus and neuropeptides
What are the symptoms experienced during the prodrome phase of a migraine attack?
A. Fatigue
B. Cognitive difficulties/ difficulty concentrating
C. Nausea and/or vomitting
D. Photophobia
E. Phonophobia
F. Sensory and speech disturbance
G. Motor symptoms
H. Food cravings
I. Mood changes
J. Neck pain/ stiffness
A, B, H, I, J
Non-pain / n/v
What is the pathophysiology of the aura phase of a migraine attack?
Slow-spreading ________ in cortex → ________ activity → ________ activity and blood flow → activate ________ → aura symptoms
Slow-spreading neuronal depolarization in cortex → inhibit cortical activity → ↓ synaptic activity and blood flow → activate trigeminovascular system → aura symptoms
What are the symptoms experienced during the aura phase of a migraine attack?
A. Fatigue
B. Cognitive difficulties/ difficulty concentrating
C. Nausea and/or vomitting
D. Photophobia
E. Phonophobia
F. Sensory and speech disturbance
G. Motor symptoms
H. Food cravings
I. Mood changes
J. Neck pain/ stiffness
F, G + visual aura