headaches

Question 1

what are the characteristics of tension headaches?

Answer 1

• pressing or tightning pain
• often bilateral
• can extend from top of the cranium into the neck
• photo and phono phobia
• not worsened by mild physical activity

Question 2

what is tension headaches commonly caused by?

Answer 2

stress or fatigue

Question 3

what is migrain with aura?

Answer 3

described as visual disturbances like zigzags,lights and colourful spots.

Question 4

what does it mean if you see migrain aura with white flashers?

Answer 4

this might siggest retinal issues such as retinal deteachment. this is typically unilateral

Question 5

migrain aura is accomponied by what symptoms?

Answer 5

• fatigue
• mood changes
• sleep disturbances

Question 6

what is the cause of aura activity?

Answer 6

• increased cortical activity in the brain causing vasoconstriction
• the vasoconstriction causes temporary hypoxia and nerve irritation

Question 7

after the aura vasoconstriction, migrains occur, often due to what?

Answer 7

vasodilation

Question 8

the migrainal vasodilation effects which cranial nerve?

Answer 8

the trigeminal nerve

Question 9

the effects on the rigeminal nerve from the vasodilation causes sensitivity to what?

Answer 9

• hot/cold sensations
• pressure and touch
• movement to the jaw and face

Question 10

why might migrains present as more severe then they actual are?

Answer 10

migrains impact deep cortical structures in the brain such as
- brainstem
- autonomic centres
- affective positive sensory area

Question 11

what are hemiplegic migrains?

Answer 11

migrains that effect one side causing weakness or paralysis

Question 12

what are manegment considerations for hemiplegic migrains?

Answer 12

• treat it like a stroke until proven otherwise and preform a stroke assesment

Question 13

what is Ataxia?

Answer 13

impaired coordination or gait such as leg dragging

Question 14

what is the pathology behind a migrains influence on the RAS

Answer 14

the vasoconstriction induced hypoxia followed by vasodilation can cause temporary LOC

Question 15

how does migrain pain occur?

Answer 15

migrains “march” meaning they worsen overtime
- this is how you can differentiate between serious vs not serious.
- typically more serious conditions come abruptly

Question 16

what are common migrain triggeres?

Answer 16

• dietary
• hormonal changes
• lack of sleep
• illnesses

Question 17

what is abdominal migrain?

Answer 17

migrains that present with abdo pain but hve not systemic GI symptoms. common in children around 7yoa

Question 18

what are the pain characteristics of cluster headaches

Answer 18

• constant/severe pain around the eyes and temples.
• comes in clusters hence the name, episodes returning daily for several day and can interupt sleep

Question 19

how long do cluster headaches last?

Answer 19

15 mins - 3 hours

Question 20

what are associated symptoms with cluster headaches

Answer 20

• pupilariy constriction
• ptosis (drooping eyelid)
  *due to cranial nerve involvement

Question 21

explain Subarachnoid hemmorrhage?

Answer 21

• blood leaks into the meningeal space causing pain

Question 22

what are the symptoms of subarachnoid hemmorhage?

Answer 22

• neck stiffness
• difficulty flexing neck and chin
• brudzinski sign

Question 23

what is brudzinskis sign?

Answer 23

involuntary leg flextion when the the neck is flexed
- seen in menigitis and sub arachnoid hemorhage

Question 24

what are risk factors of contracting menigitis?

Answer 24

• travel
• being immunocompromised
• Hx of infections like viruses (measels mumps, west nile)

Question 25

what are the causes for subarachnoid hemorrhage SAH?

Answer 25

• trauma
• aneurysm rupture

Question 26

what are traction headaches?

Answer 26

headaches cause by pressure from an intracranial mass such as tumours,blood, pus

Question 27

what is the definition of an aeurysm?

Answer 27

a ballooning of a blood vessel caused by a wekening of the vessel walls

Question 28

what can potential rupture an aneurysm?

Answer 28

• exertion (pysical strain, yelling, trauma)
• substance abuse (sympathomemetics)
• chronic HTN
• alcohol abuse

Question 29

what are risk factors to strokes?

Answer 29

• alcohol abuse
• medication non compliance
• Taking sympathomemtics
• recent illnesses
  -HTN

Question 30

what is kernigs sign?

Answer 30

pain when extending the legs when hip is flexed
- seen in menegitis

Question 31

what is the difference with the pathogenesis of meningitis and subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Answer 31

• menengitis develops over days and presents with a fever
• SAH is sudden and has a severe thunderclap headach

Question 32

How long do abdominal migraines episodes last

Answer 32

18-72 hours

Question 33

Abdominal migraines are often associated with what?

Answer 33

Sleep disturbances or sleepwalking