HA Flashcards
Three classifications of HA disorders
1) primary
2) secondary
3) cranial neuralgias
Most common kind of HA
primary
Red flags for HA
SNOOP
S: systemic symptoms and secondary risk factors (HIV, cancer)
N: neurologic signs
O: onset is abrupt, peak <1 min
O: >50 yrs old
P: postural, positional, papilledema (looking at things that signal an increase in ICP)
is a positive family hx of similar primary HA comforting or concerning
comforting
Name the three kinds of primary HA
1) tension
2) migraine
3) TAC/cluster
What is the most common type of primary HA
tension
subjective: tight band around the head is what kind of HA?
tension HA
is tension HA unilateral or bilateral?
Is nausea generally associated with it?
Is it always related to muscle tension?
bilateral
No nausea or light sensitivity
Not always related to muscle tension
Four characteristics for a migraine you 2/4 to conclude migraine
AND
at least one of what two things
1) unilateral
2) pulsing
3) moderate to severe pain
4) aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine PA
1) nausea and/or vomiting
2) photophobia and phonophobia
migraines onset?
hours to days
What % of patients
1/3 of migraine patients
Spreads graudually, takes <60 minutes, usually precedes HA, and is fully reversible
Migraine aura
True or false, you can only have a visual aura?
false: visual, sensory, language, motor and brainstem
Differential dx btwn migraine and stroke
migraine has a gradual onset, stroke is not gradual
Cortical spreading depression/neurologic deficit creates what?
migraine aura
Trigeminocervical complex
Where is it?
What happens here?
It is in the brain stem
This is the point where both central and peripheral input converges and is sent up to the cortex. Accounts for fatigue and photophobia being coupled with pain from HA
Prodrome
before HA
Prodrome –> aura–> HA –> postdrome
Is a migraine just a HA?
NO
prodrome: irritability, mood changes etc.
aura
HA
postdrome: fatigue, lethargic
Are migraines more common in men or women?
What age group has highest prevelance?
3:1 female
22-55 yrs
Two reasons someone w/ hx of HA should get imaging?
significant or abrupt change in pattern (higher frequency, not responding to tx like normal, different location, constant HA)
new neurologic symptoms
True or false, lifestyle modifications are important for tx of migraines
true, comprehensive tx is important
Migraine pharmalogical tx two kinds
Acute/abortive medications: stop once its already started (the sooner the better)
Preventive/prophylactic: to decrease frequency
First line of pharma tx for acute migraines, why?
Triptans: migraine specific
Who is triptans contraindicated in?
individuals with vascular disease