Headache Flashcards
classification of headaches
- Primary: HA syndromes unto themselves (90%)
- Migraine
- Tension
- Cluster - Secondary: sx of other illness
- Meningitis
- Intracranial Mass
Most Important Questions for HA?
- Is this headache new or old?
- If old, is the headache typical?
what MHx/conditions are important for making a HA diagnosis?
HIV
Cancer
Pregnancy
HTN
Anxiety/Depression
FHx of HA disorders
Med Review: Overuse headache
Clues to other diagnosis
Danger signs of HA
SNOOP
-
Systemic sx, illness or condition
- F, wt loss, cancer, pregnancy, immunocompromised -
Neurologic sx or abnormal signs
- Confusion, altered consciousness, papilledema, meningismus, focal neuro signs, seizures -
Onset - new or sudden
- >40 y/o or “thunderclap” -
Other conditions or features
- Head trauma, illicit drug use, awakens from sleep, worse with Valsalva, precipitated by cough, exertion, or sexual activity -
Previous HA hx with progression
- Change in frequency, severity, or clinical features
Other Features Suggesting Secondary HA Source
- Impaired vision: halos around lights
- Visual fields defect
- Sudden, severe, unilateral vision loss
- Blurring of vision on forward bending or HA when awakening
- N/V, worsening with changes in body position, an abnormal neurologic exam, changes in pattern
PE for HA
- vitals - temp, BP, pulse
- HEENT
- Sinus tenderness
- Neck pain or stiffness, scalp tenderness, meningismus, muscle spasms
- Palpate temporal arteries and TMJ
- Signs of trauma
- Listen for bruits
- Examine spine and neck muscles
- Otoscope - eyes
- Fundoscopic exam
- Visual acuity
- EOM, Visual fields, Pupillary defects - Neuro
- Mental status testing
- Cranial nerves
- Symmetry on motor, reflex, cerebellar (coordination), and sensory
- Gait
- Walking on tiptoes, heals, tandem gait, and Romberg
- Reflexes
- Pronator drift
diagnostic studies for HA
- Most primary HA need no studies, esp normal neuro exam
- Used to r/o secondary or life-threatening causes
- neuroimaging if warranted
Clinical features which warrant neuroimaging
- Age of onset >40
- Focal neurologic s/s
- Onset of HA with exertion, cough, or sexual activity
- Change in pattern of HA
- Frequency or severity - has cancer, Lyme, or HIV
- worsening despite therapy
imaging choice for HA?
others?
- MRI - most sensitive and preferred
- CT may be used in ED setting or if r/o sinusitis or head injury
- LP if signs of meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Measure opening pressures with suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage - Basic lab studies
Misconceptions about HAs
- Acute/chronic sinusitis is an uncommon cause of recurrent HA
- Poor vision, or eye strain, is also rarely a cause of chronic HA
- HTN is not a likely cause of HA, unless the patient is in a HTN crisis
When to Hospitalize for HA
- Need for repeated doses of parenteral pain med
- expedited work-up requiring sequence of neuroimaging and procedures
- Monitoring progression and neurologic consultation when initial ER work-up is inconclusive
- Pain severe enough to impair ADLs or limit participation in f/u appointments or consultations
possible pathophys of migraines
neuronal dysfunction in trigeminal system
–> release of vasoactive neuropeptides (calcitonin gene-related peptide)
–> neurogenic inflammation, sensitization, and HA
(not the vasodilation/vasoconstriction theory)
epidemiology of migraines
MC type?
triggers for migraines?
- Affects up to 12% of the general population
- 10% of school aged children suffer from migraines - Women 3x; 25 – 55 y/o MC
- 90% +FHx
- Migraine w/o aura - MC type – 75%
- Triggers: stress, menstruation, visual stimuli, weather changes, nitrates, fasting, wine, sleep disturbances, aspartame
4 phases of migraines
- prodrome
- aura
- HA
- postdrome
- 60% of those with migraines report this phase
- Affective sx 24 – 48 hrs prior to next phase
- Euphoria, depression, irritability, food cravings, constipation, neck stiffness, and increased yawning
what is this phase of migraine?
prodrome
- Occur in 25% of migraines
- Attributed to cortical spreading depression
- Transient neurologic sx
- MC visual, but may be sensory, verbal, or motor - Develop gradually and typically last no longer than hr
what is this phase of migraine?
aura
- Unilateral, throbbing or pulsatile in quality
- may be bilateral or generalized in 40% - Associated sx
- Anorexia, N/V, photophobia, phonophobia, cognitive impairment, cutaneous allodynia and blurring of vision, hyperalgesia, blurred vision - Lasts hrs-days
- Typically 4 – 72 hours - Aggravated with routine physical activity
what phase of migraine is this
HA
Patient often feels drained or exhausted, but some report a feeling of mild euphoria
what is this phase of migraine
postdrome
what can lead to the triggering of a pain response from stimuli which do not normally provoke pain
allodynia
The ICHD-3 criteria for migraine w/o aura are the following:
(w/ aura - only 2 attacks for dx)
- At least 5 attacks fulfilling criteria B through D
- HA attacks lasting 4-72 hrs
- HA has at least 2:
- Unilateral location
- Pulsating quality
- Moderate/severe pain intensity
- Aggravation by/causing avoidance of activity - During HA, at least 1 of the following:
- N and/or V
- Photophobia and phonophobia
Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis
general management for migraines
- Preventative strategies
- Meds
- Avoiding triggers - Abortive (symptomatic) tx
- NSAIDS
- Triptans
- Ergotamines
- Antiemetics
types of NSAIDs for migraines
- OTC and inexpensive
- Acetaminophen
- ASA
- Ibuprofen - Ketorolac (Toradol)
- Naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox)
If one does not work, may try another
what medication has agonistic effects on serotonin 5-HT1b (meningeal arteries) and 5-HT1d (trigeminal nerve) receptors in cranial blood vessels.
They also inhibit proinflammatory neuropeptide release
5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists
what medication is Used at the start of the headache phase to abort attack
5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists
dosing routes for 5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists?
which is fastest?
SubQ: 10 – 15 min
nasal spray: 15 – 30 min
oral: 30 min
5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists have Greater benefit when used with ?
Naproxen (500 mg orally)
- Treximet (sumatriptan + naproxen sodium) - tab
what are the 5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex), also (Sumavel DosePro) - SubQ (auto injection device), nasal spray, rectal supp, tab, oral susp
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig) - Nasal spray, rapidly dissolving wafer, tab
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt) - Rapidly dissolving wafer, tab
- Eletriptan (Relpax) - tab
- Naratriptan (Amerge) - tab
- Frovatriptan (Frova) - tab
- Almotriptan (Axert) - tab
which 5-HT1b/1d receptor agonists provide the highest likelihood of consistent success
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
- Eletriptan (Relpax)
- Almotriptan (Axert)
Contraindications for triptans
- CAD, peripheral vascular disease
- Familial hemiplegic migraine and basilar migraine
- Ischemic stroke or RF for stroke (uncontrolled HTN, DM, prior TIA, hypercholesterolemia, obesity)
- IHD
- Prinzmetal’s angina
- taking Ergot compound meds
- > 65 y
cautions with triptans
- meds lowering HR(CCB, BB, MAOI’s)
- SSRI’s or SNRI’s = Serotonin Syndrome
- eletriptan with CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole) - don’t use w/n 72 hrs
- Preg Cat C – avoid breastfeeding for 12 hrs after tx
pt education for triptans
- Injectables – pain at site, tingling 30 min
- Do not use if had MAOI w/n 14 d
- Do not use w/n 24 h before or after using another migraine med
-
Wait 2 hrs after taking another
- Do not exceed 200 mg in 24 hrs.
- Do not exceed 40 mgin 24 hrs (nasal spray) - only tx the HA once it has begun, not prophylaxis
- may breastfeed 12 hrs after dose but discard any milk expressed within 12-hr span
- Avoid <18 or > 65
- impair thinking or reactions - caution with driving
Alkaloid obtained from ergot, derived from a fungus
what med?
Ergotamine (Ergots)
MOA of Ergotamine (Ergots)
- Acts as an agonist, producing peripheral vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow, but in large amounts, may be a vasodilator.
- structurally related to biogenic amines - norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin
- also acts upon serotonin receptors to cause vasoconstriction as well
what are the 3 ergotamines
- Cafergot (ergotamine tartrate 1m with caffeine 100 mg)
- Migergot with caffeine
- Dihydroergotamine (DHE) - ergotamine derivative
dosing for ergotamines
- 2 mg SL followed by 1-2 mg q 30 min until attack abated
- don’t exceed 6 mg/day and >10 mg/week (injection is 1 mg, repeat in 1 hr with no more than 6 mg/d)
SE of ergots
HTN, coronary vasospasm, peripheral vascular ischemia, dependency, headache exacerbation and rebound headache (with overuse and prolonged use), valvulopathy, N/V, abd pain, leg weakness, myalgia, numbness, intermittent claudication, photosensitivity
which medication has a BBW for peripheral ischemia when combined with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors?
why does this happen?
Cafergot (ergotamine/caffeine)
CYP3A4 - protease inhibitors and macrolide antibiotics
CYP3A4 inhibition elevates serum levels of Cafergot - risk for vasospasm –> cerebral ischemia and/or ischemia of extremities is increased
CI for ergots
Peripheral vascular disease, CAD, HTN, renal impairment, hepatic impairment, sepsis, pregnancy (previously Cat X), breastfeeding
caution with triptans in who?
Elderly
Those with cardiac disease risk
Those with valvular heart disease
Ondansetron (Zofran)
Antiemetics
Promethazine (Phenergan)
Antiemetics