Headache - Ishmael Flashcards
What are the four main types of headaches?
- Sinus
- Migraine
- Cluster
- Tension
Which type of headache is more common in men, where the pain is centered behind the eye?
Cluster headaches
Which headache is characterized by pain, nausea, and visual changes most classically?
Migraine headache
Which headache is described by pain in the head similar to a hat band squeezing the head?
Tension headache
Which headache has pain behind the forehead and/or cheekbones?
Sinus headache
Which headache may be a secondary headache?
sinus headache is usually secondary to a bacterial infection
What differentiates migraines from other headaches?
The associated symptoms
What could be some causes of secondary headaches?
Infection Head injury Vascular condition Tumor Substance abuse/withdrawal GI disorders
What is the most common primary headache, and is normally associated with stress, anger, and fatigue?
The tension headache
With tension-type headaches, is pain usually associated with nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia?
Not usually nausea, but maybe photophobia or phonophobia (but not both).
Is a tension headache usually worse upon exertion?
No.
How long does a tension headache last if untreated?
30 minutes to days.
What non-pharmacologic treatments could be used for a tension headache?
- Palpation of muscles
- Stress management (behavioral treatment, relaxation training, biofeedback)
- 33-64% reduction in HA activity
What pharmacologic treatments are available for tension headaches?
- OTC simple analgesics (APAP, ASA, NSAIDS) with or without caffeine (may help analgesic be absorbed in the brain)
- high dose NSAIDS
- Combination with butalbital (barbiturate) or codeine (opiate)
How long should you use medications containing butalbital?
Less than 4 days a month
How long should you use combination analgesics?
Less than 10 days a month
How long should you use NSAIDS?
Less than 16 days a month
What symptoms must you have in order to have a migraine?
Recurrent attacks of pain plus associated symptoms during the pain: either 1) nausea and/or vomiting or 2) photophobia and phonophobia
What migraine and cluster headaches have in common?
They are vascular headaches (superficial vessel dilation)
How long do untreated and unsuccessfully treated headaches last?
From 4 to 72 hours
How are migraines described?
Unilateral pain that is pulsing, moderate to severe intensity, aggravated by routine physical stimuli.
How are hormone levels a factor in migraines.
They are more common in women than men, and up until puberty, they are just as prevalent in boys as girls. After puberty, they are three times higher than girls than boys. After menopause, symptoms may improve.
What would hormone therapy do to migraine prevalence in women, theoretically?
It would even out fluctuations and act as prophylaxis ..r reduce risk of migraines.
What is an aura?
- When symptoms preceded headache by 10-30 minutes (60 max) and include sensory warning signs.
At least one of the following symptoms must be included: - Reversible visual symptoms
- Reversible sensory symptoms
- Reversible speech disturbances
Usually composition of headache is similar from attack to attack.