Headaches Flashcards
What are primary headaches?
Source of headache is in the head - Migraines, cluster or tension
What are secondary headaches?
Source of headache is not from in head - referred pain, sinuses, eyes
What are CLUSTER HEADACHES?
- Sharp unilateral periorbital pressure
- Headaches are in a cluster, repeat attacks
- Autonomic features - sweating and crying on one side
What are subarachnoid haemeorrhages?
Only 1% of headaches presenting to ED
* Very rapid onset + vomiting, faint, stiff neck
* 50% of SAH present with mild headache that worsens or a sudden headache
resolving
What are neoplastic headaches?
Headaches due to brain tumour
What are some symptoms of neoplastic headaches?
Headache or pressure in the head that is worse in the morning. Headaches that happen more often and seem more severe. Headaches that are sometimes described as tension headaches or migraines.
What is temporal arteritis?
Temporal arteritis is a serious condition where the arteries at the side of your head (the temples) become inflamed.
What are some symptoms of temporal arteritis?
-Abnormalities of vision
-Tiredness whilst chewing
-Pain whilst chewing
-Thickening/redness/tortured temporal artery
-Headache
-Malaise
-Anorexia
-Weight loss
-Anaemia
-Pyrexia
-Polymyalgia rheumatica
What are tension headaches?
- Most common type (approx. 80%)
- Provoked by stress or fatigue
- Generalised, or posterior/occiput
- No focal neurology
How do you treat cluster headaches as a paramedic?
High flow o2, pt will become reliant on it so will have to go into a&e.
What are symptoms of occipital neuralgia?
Shooting pain, feels like back of head on fire
What is a treatment for occipital neuralgia?
Nerve block
What are some symptoms of subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Thunderclap headache
Vomiting
Fainting
Stiff neck
Mild headache that worsens and will then resolve.
What is the first sign of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Headaches
If someone with raised ICP complains of a headache, where will it be?
Back of the head
