Clin Med - Headache Flashcards
What 7 factors must you determine for each type of HA
- frequency
- duration
- intensity
- type of pain (throbbing, sharp, etc.)
- Presence of GI sx
- Visual sx (aura)
- other neuro sx
what is one of the most important diagnostic tools for HA
History
Other neuro sx common associated with HA
- tinnitus
- hearing loss
- dysarthria *
- dysphagia *
- weakness *
- sensory loss *
- LOC *
- aphasia/dysphasia *
*could be signs of emergent condition (stroke, aneurysm)
Headache intensity classification
- disabling: can’t get out of bed
- severe: limits activity 50-90%
- moderate: limits activity 25-50%
- mild: does not limit activity at all
6 types of HA
- migraine
- tension
- cluster
- HA with head trauma
- HA with vascular disorders
- HA with nonvascular intracranial issue
- HA with substance abuse/withdrawal
- HA with infection (meningitis)
- metabolic HA
- HA from cranial structure
- cranial neuralgia
- other facial pain
- psychogenic HA
- HA: not otherwise classified
Two types of HA classified by cause
- primary - idiopathic
2. secondary - organic, related to other disease state
Two types of secondary/organic HA
- intracranial
- extracranial
Three types of primary HA
- migraine
- cluster
- tension
Common causes of secondary HA
- toxic (CO poisoning)
- metabolic
- vascular
- infectious
- tumor/mass lesion
- trauma
- heredo-degenerative
What is very important in diagnosis toxic exposure HA
HISTORY
- exposure
- profession (exposure)
- etc.
Examples of toxic causes for HA
- organic compounds: solvents, drugs
- inorganic compounds: lead, arsenic, cadmium, etc.
- gases and fumes: H2S, CH4, CO, H2O, formaldehyde
Drugs that cause HA
- oral contraceptives
- nitro
- fluoxetine
- opioid pain meds
MANY others
Causes of metabolic HA
- renal failure
- hepatic failure
- acidosis
- alkalosis
- CO2 retention
- anemia
- hypo- and hyperthyroid
- cushing
- hyperparathyroid
Vitamin deficiency cause of HA
- Niacin - pellagra
- Thiamin - beri beri
- vitamin C - scurvy
- B12 - combined system disease
One common cause of infectious HA
meningitis
- history and PE important to look for other sx of meningitis
Parenchymal infectious causes of HA
- bacterial
- brain abscess
- spirochete: syphilis
- viral
- HIV
- fungal
etc etc
Extracranial mass lesions that can cause HA
- sinus carcinoma
- mastoid tumor - cholesteatoma
- head and neck carcinoma
- carotid body tumor
Migraine epidemiology
- F>M
- onset generally 2nd or 3rd decade of life
- fam history common
Migraine pathophys
- exact mechanism unknown
- maybe dt genetic abnormality that makes neuromuscular system hyperexcitable
- a trigger is usually involved
What happens when a trigger activates a migraine?
- cortical spreading depression which may or may not lead to aura
- release of neuropeptides (serotonin, cytokines, etc.) which bind to intracranial blood receptors = vasodilation
Common migraine triggers
- red wine
- skipping meals
- excessive afferent stimuli (flights, odors)
- weather changes
- sleep deprivation
- stress
- hormonal factors
- certain foods
Two types of migraine
- migraine with aura (25%)
- migraine without aura
When does aura occur during migraine phase?
- can proceed migraine
- during migraine
characteristics of a aura headache
- development
- how long last
- gradual development
- last less than one hour
Positive migraine aura symptoms
- visual (bright lines, shapes, objects) MC
- auditory (tinnitus, noises, music)
- somatosensory (burning, pain, paresthesia)
- motor (jerking, repetitive rhythmic movements)
Negative migraine aura symptoms
- absences or loss of function
- loss of vision, hearing, feeling, ability to move part of body
Most common sx of migraine
- pain
- photophobia
- phonophobia
- nausea
Visual sx of migraine
- scintillating scotoma (MC)
- blurred vision
- visual loss
- diplopia
- and many less common features
Mood/behavior changes due to migraine
- mood changes
- irritability
- depression
- euphoria
*before, during, after migraine
Things to consider when dx-ing migraine
- TIA
- CVA
- intracranial hemorrhage
- hypoglycemia
MANY MORE