headache Flashcards
what percentage of people have migraines?
1 in 10
what perecentage of people people seen in Neurology clinics have benign headaches?
1 in 10
if the onest of the headache is sudden, what does that indicate?
Vascular problem
SAH/Intra-cerebral haemorrhage/coital/thunderclap
if the onset of headache evolves over hours to days what does it indicate?
Infection/inflammatory/↑ICP ( intra cranial pressure)
if the onset of headache evolves over weeks to months(chronic) what does it indicate?
Chronic daily headache/ ↑ICP
if the headache is constant and does not stop what is that a indication of?
Medication overuse/chronic migraine/hemicrania continua
If the headache is episodic in periodicity what is that a indication of?
Migraine /Cluster headache
what is hemicrania continua? How do you treat it?
is a persistent unilateral headache responds to indomethacin
what are the assoicated symptoms of headaches?
Diurnal variation/postural element
Nausea and vomiting
Photophobia/ phonophobia
Autonomic features (lacrimation/Horners/red eye) runny nose
what are the red flags for headaches?
Cognitive effects Seizures Fever Visual disturbance Vomiting Weight loss
if a patient who has a headache lies down in a dark room to help relieve the pain what is that a indicate of?
migraine
if a patient who has a headache is agitated and paces to help relieve the pain what is that a indicate of?
cluster headache
is migraine familial?
yes
on examination of someone with a headache what are you looking for?
ever/rash/neck stiffness/↑BP/organomegaly
Fundal changes (papilloedema)
Cranial nerve signs/Horners Syndrome
Focal abnormalities
Long tract signs intracerebral space occupying lesion
what are the primary headache syndromes?
Migraine Tension headache Cluster headache Paroxysmal hemicrania Exertional headache Ice-pick headache Coital headache Hypnic headache
what are the secondary headache syndromes?
SAH Intra-cerebral haemorrhage/Stroke Meningoencephalitis Intracranial venous thrombosis Giant cell arteritis Tumour with raised ICP Benign intracranial hypertension
what is hypnic headache?
headache that wakes a person up at night
when does Coital headache occur?
during sexual activity
what is Cluster headache ?
a type of severe headache in which the pain is usually limited to one side of the head, tending to recur over a period of several weeks
what are symptoms of SAH?
Awoken with severe, sudden onset (seconds) head pains
Back of head
Vomitting and confused
Clinically apyrexial, refusing fundoscopy and globally hyper-reflexic
Ocular movements appear impaired –> SO and LR unnoposed –>right oculomotor nerve palsy
what is the most common cause of SAH?
Coiling/clipping berry aneurysm (85% of cases)
if the Ct scan of a person with suspected SAH what is the next step?
Lumbar puncture by experienced hand(>/= 12 hours)
Xanthochromia (bilirubin released from lysing red cells)
when should CT scan be done for a person with SAH??
95% sensitive if done within first 48 hours
why would you not give morphine for someone with SAH?
morphine increase ICP