headaches Flashcards
what are the characteristics of tension headaches?
- 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
what is tension headaches commonly caused by?
stress or fatigue
what is migrain with aura?
described as visual disturbances like zigzags,lights and colourful spots.
what does it mean if you see migrain aura with white flashers?
this might siggest retinal issues such as retinal deteachment. this is typically unilateral
migrain aura is accomponied by what symptoms?
- fatigue
- mood changes
- sleep disturbances
what is the cause of aura activity?
- increased cortical activity in the brain causing vasoconstriction
- the vasoconstriction causes temporary hypoxia and nerve irritation
after the aura vasoconstriction, migrains occur, often due to what?
vasodilation
the migrainal vasodilation effects which cranial nerve?
the trigeminal nerve
the effects on the rigeminal nerve from the vasodilation causes sensitivity to what?
- hot/cold sensations
- pressure and touch
- movement to the jaw and face
why might migrains present as more severe then they actual are?
migrains impact deep cortical structures in the brain such as
- brainstem
- autonomic centres
- affective positive sensory area
what are hemiplegic migrains?
migrains that effect one side causing weakness or paralysis
what are manegment considerations for hemiplegic migrains?
- treat it like a stroke until proven otherwise and preform a stroke assesment
what is Ataxia?
impaired coordination or gait such as leg dragging
what is the pathology behind a migrains influence on the RAS
the vasoconstriction induced hypoxia followed by vasodilation can cause temporary LOC
how does migrain pain occur?
migrains “march” meaning they worsen overtime
- this is how you can differentiate between serious vs not serious.
- typically more serious conditions come abruptly
what are common migrain triggeres?
- dietary
- hormonal changes
- lack of sleep
- illnesses
what is abdominal migrain?
migrains that present with abdo pain but hve not systemic GI symptoms. common in children around 7yoa
what are the pain characteristics of cluster headaches
- constant/severe pain around the eyes and temples.
- comes in clusters hence the name, episodes returning daily for several day and can interupt sleep
how long do cluster headaches last?
15 mins - 3 hours
what are associated symptoms with cluster headaches
- pupilariy constriction
- ptosis (drooping eyelid)
*due to cranial nerve involvement
explain Subarachnoid hemmorrhage?
- blood leaks into the meningeal space causing pain
what are the symptoms of subarachnoid hemmorhage?
- neck stiffness
- difficulty flexing neck and chin
- brudzinski sign
what is brudzinskis sign?
involuntary leg flextion when the the neck is flexed
- seen in menigitis and sub arachnoid hemorhage
what are risk factors of contracting menigitis?
- travel
- being immunocompromised
- Hx of infections like viruses (measels mumps, west nile)
what are the causes for subarachnoid hemorrhage SAH?
- trauma
- aneurysm rupture
what are traction headaches?
headaches cause by pressure from an intracranial mass such as tumours,blood, pus
what is the definition of an aeurysm?
a ballooning of a blood vessel caused by a wekening of the vessel walls
what can potential rupture an aneurysm?
- exertion (pysical strain, yelling, trauma)
- substance abuse (sympathomemetics)
- chronic HTN
- alcohol abuse
what are risk factors to strokes?
- alcohol abuse
- medication non compliance
- Taking sympathomemtics
- recent illnesses
-HTN
what is kernigs sign?
pain when extending the legs when hip is flexed
- seen in menegitis
what is the difference with the pathogenesis of meningitis and subarachnoid hemorrhage?
- menengitis develops over days and presents with a fever
- SAH is sudden and has a severe thunderclap headach
How long do abdominal migraines episodes last
18-72 hours
Abdominal migraines are often associated with what?
Sleep disturbances or sleepwalking
