Condition- Tension Headaches Flashcards
1
Q
How can tension headaches be categorised?
A
- Episodic: <15 days of the month
- Chronic: >15 days of the month
2
Q
Which parts of the head can the pain be felt during a tension-headache? + what is a common presenting phrase?
A
- By the occipital and frontal regions
- “Feels like a tight band aorund the head”
3
Q
List some triggers for tension headaches
A
- Stress/ anxiety
- Squiting
- Poor posture
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Dehydration
- Missing meals
- Noise
- Bright light
NOTE: They are PRIMARY headaches
4
Q
Summarise the epidemiology of TH headaches
(age, gender, occurance in population)
A
- Most COMMON type of headache
- More common in WOMEN
- More common in YOUNG ADULTS
5
Q
Describe some of the presentng symptoms of Tension Headaches… (SOCRATES)
A
- S: Bilateral pain- bitemporal/occipital
- O: Gradual Onset
- C: Non-pulsatile, dull ache, ‘tight band)
- R: Scalp muscle tenderness, shoulder and neck
- A: photo/phonophobia + stress
- T: Variable duration. 3-4hrs
- E: Responsive to OTC meds
- S: mild-moderate
6
Q
How would you manage a patient with Tension Headaches?
A
- Reassurance
- Reduce triggers- stress, dehydration
- Avoiding meds that cause tension type headaches (e.g. opiods)
- Simple analgesia (paracetamol, Ibuprofen, aspirin)
- TCAs considered if chronic headaches