Headacheds

Question 1

What are some possible causes of headaches?

Answer 1

• Tension headaches
• Migraines
• Ear, nose and throat infection
• Analgesic headache
• Problems with vision
• Raised intracranial pressure
• Brain tumours
• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• Carbon monoxide poisoning

Question 2

What is the most common type of headache?

Answer 2

Tension headache

Question 3

How does a tension headache present?

Answer 3

Band-like pressure around the head.

Question 4

How do tension headaches progress?

Answer 4

Come on and resolve gradually

Question 5

Are tension headaches symmetrical or asymmetrical?

Answer 5

They are typically symmetrical.

Question 6

What do tension headaches not affect?

Answer 6

Visual changes or pulsating sensations.

Question 7

How can tension headaches present in young children?

Answer 7

They become quiet, stop playing, turn pale or become tired.

Question 8

How long do tension headaches take to resolve in young children?

Answer 8

More quickly in children compared with adults

Often within 30 minutes

Question 9

What are possible triggers for tension headaches?

Answer 9

• Stress, fear or discomfort
• Skipping meals
• Dehydration
• Infection

Question 10

What is the management of tension headaches in young children?

Answer 10

Reassurance, analgesia, regular meals, avoiding dehydration and reducing stress

Question 11

What is a migraine?

Answer 11

Complex neurological condition that cause headache and other associated symptoms.

Question 12

How do migraines occur?

Answer 12

Attacks that often follow a typical pattern.

Question 13

What are the different types of migraine?

Answer 13

• Migraine without aura
• Migraine with aura
• Silent migraine (migraine with aura but without a headache)
• Hemiplegic migraine
• Abdominal migraine

Question 14

How do migraines present?

Answer 14

• Unilateral
• More severe
• Throbbing in nature
• Take longer to resolve

Question 15

What other symptoms are migraines associated with?

Answer 15

• Visual aura
• Photophobia and phonophobia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain

Question 16

What is the medical management for migraines?

Answer 16

Sumatriptan

Question 17

What is the prophylaxis for migraines?

Answer 17

Propranolol

Question 18

Who should propranolol be avoided in?

Answer 18

Asthmatics

Question 19

What is the alternative prophylaxis for migraines?

Answer 19

Topiramate

Question 20

Who should topiramate be avoided in and why?

Answer 20

Girls with child bearing potential need highly effective contraception as it is very teratogenic

Question 21

What is an abdominal migraine?

Answer 21

Episodes of central abdominal pain lasting more than 1 hour.

Question 22

When and in who do abdominal migraines occur?

Answer 22

in young children before they develop traditional migraines as they get older

Question 23

How does an abdominal migraine present?

Answer 23

• Nausea and vomiting
• Anorexia
• Headache
• Pallor

Question 24

What is a common cause of infection induced migraine?

Answer 24

upper respiratory tract infections

Question 25

What is useful for the symptomatic release of infection induced headaches?

Answer 25

Paracetamol and ibuprofen

Question 26

Which URTI is a common cause of headaches?

Answer 26

Sinusitis causes a headache associated with inflammation in the ethmoidal, maxillary, frontal or sphenoidal sinuses
This usually produces facial pain behind the nose, forehead and eyes.