Headache & seizures Flashcards

1
Q

What is a headache?

A
  • called cephalgia
    two types: primary and secondary
  • causes significant discomfort and can interfere with activities and lifestyles
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2
Q

What is a primary headache?

A

no known organic cause and includes migraine, tension headache, and cluster headache

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3
Q

What is a secondary headache?

A

symptom with an organic cause such as a brain tumour or aneurysm

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4
Q

What is some headache triggers?

A

stress, anxiety, time of day, routine, sleep, body tension, weather, exercise, activity level, mood, behaviour, diet, emotions, thoughts

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5
Q

What are the four main classifications of headache?

A
  1. tension-type
  2. migraine
  3. cluster
  4. sinus
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6
Q

What is a sinus headache?

A

pain is usually behind the forehead and/or cheekbones

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7
Q

What is a cluster headache?

A

pain is in and around one eye
- rare, repeated headaches that occur for months or weeks with periods of remission
- most severe forms
- sharp, stabbing, intense pain around eyes radiating to temple, forehead, cheek, nose or gums

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8
Q

What is a tension headache?

A

bilateral pain, band-like squeezing the head
- not brought on by physical activity
- most common, mild or moderate
- massage and heat packs can help

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9
Q

What is a migraine?

A

pain, nausea, and visual changes are typical of classic form

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10
Q

What is the etiology and pathophysiology of tension-type headaches?

A

Result of sustained and painful contraction of scalp and neck muscles

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11
Q

What is the S&S of tension-type headache?

A

Pressure or tightness, mild to moderate, bilateral, worsens with physical activity, photophobia, phonophobia

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12
Q

What is the diagnostic test used for a tension-type headache?

A
  • hx
  • electromyography
  • resistance while moving head
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13
Q

What is the etiology and pathophysiology of a migraine?

A
  • family hx
  • reoccurring, unilateral or bilateral throbbing pain
  • triggering event or factor
  • vascular, muscular, and biochemical factors are involved
  • exact cause is unknown
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14
Q

What is an aura in a migraine?

A

preceded factor before a migraine
-sensory dysfunction, motor dysfunction, dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness

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15
Q

What is the four phases in a migraine?

A
  1. prodrome
  2. aura
  3. headache
  4. recovery
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16
Q

What are the S&S for a migraine?

A

Generalized edema, irritability, pallor, nausea, vomiting, sweating
- steady, throbbing pain that matches with the pulse
- people like to “hibernate”

17
Q

What is a diagnostic test for migraines?

A
  • no specific test
  • diagnosis is made from test
  • neurological and diagnostic examinations are normal
18
Q

What kind of medications can be used for headaches?

A

prophylactic medications

19
Q

What is a seizure?

A
  • neurological disorder that affects the brain
  • Paroxysmal, uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in brain interrupting normal function
20
Q

What is the etiology and pathophysiology for a seizure by age?

A

6 mth or less: birth injury, birth defects, infections inborn errors of metabolism
2-20: birth injury, infection, trauma, genetic factors
20-30: structural lesions
50+: cerebrovascular lesions, metastatic brain tumours
- abnormal firing is unclear

21
Q

What is the two major classes of a seizure?

A
  1. generalized
  2. partial
22
Q

What is a partial seizure?

A

begin in one part of the brain

23
Q

What is a general seizure?

A

involve the whole brain

24
Q

What are the two types of partial seizures?

A
  1. simple partial
  2. complex partial
25
Q

What is a simple partial seizure?

A

consciousness remains intact

26
Q

What is a complex partial seizure?

A

impairment of consciousness
- has an aura

27
Q

What are the four types of general seizures?

A
  1. tonic-clonic(grand mal)
  2. typical absence (petit mal)
  3. myoclonic
  4. atonic
28
Q

What is a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

tonic phase: Patient falls - muscles contract and consciousness is lost. horse cry at start, chest muscle contract
than convulsions
clonic phase: muscles relax and air rushes into the body causing vigorous jerky movements. frothing at mouth(could be red if they bite their tongue)
- no memory of seizure, sore muscles, and feel abnormal for days

29
Q

What is a typical absence seizure?

A
  • most common in children and adolescents
  • precipitated by hyperventilation and flashing lights
  • staring spell for couple seconds and usually goes unnoticed
  • eyes may blink rapidly or turn upwards for a moment
  • brief loss of conscience
30
Q

What is a myoclonic seizure?

A
  • There is no loss of consciousness
  • Often associated with single or repetitive jerking motions of the muscles (myoclonus).
  • Myoclonic seizures are primarily observed in young children and infants. They are rarer in adults
31
Q

What is an atonic seizure?

A
  • Often called drop attacks/seizures.
  • Characterized by sudden loss of muscle tone, resulting in an inability to sit or stand.
  • Usually rare in adults.
32
Q

What is status epilepticus?

A

generalized seizures that occur without full recovery of consciousness between attacks; continuous clinical or electrical seizures lasting at least 30 minutes, even without impairment of consciousness
- CALL 911 if does not stop within 5-10 mina
- can cause severe brain damage and even loss of life

33
Q

What is the diagnostic studies for a seizure?

A
  • health hx
  • EEG
    -CBC, serum chemistries, liver and kidney function, UA to rule out metabolic disorders
  • CT or MRI in new onset seizure to rule out structural lesion
  • Cerebral angiography, SPECT, MRS, MRA, and PET in selected situations
34
Q

What is the collaborative care for a seizure?

A
  • Drug therapy aimed at prevention
  • Primary drugs for treatment of generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures
  • Status epilepticus treated with IV lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium)
  • Antiseizure drugs should not be discontinued abruptly, as this can precipitate seizures
  • Side effects include diplopia, drowsiness, ataxia, and mental slowing
35
Q

What are some possible medications for a seizure?

A

antiseizure, Ativan, valium
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- clonazepam (Rivotril)
- phenobarbital (Luminal)
- phenytoin (Dilantin)
- valproic acid (Depakene)

36
Q

What is the long term effect of dilantin?

A

gingival hyperplasia (swollen and tender gums)