Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Neurology COPIED > Headaches COPIED > Flashcards

Headaches COPIED Flashcards

1
Q

Primary headaches

A

tension

cluster

migraine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Secondary headaches

A
  • vascular
  • infectious
  • neo-plastic
  • drug induced cause
  • traumas
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Characteristics of migraines

A
  • often unilateral. Recurrent
  • usually pulsatile
  • builds up over minutes to hours
  • occurs with or with aura
  • associations include; nausea & vomiting, photophobia, sound sensitivity, family history
  • exacerbation with physical activity
  • triggers; cheese, chocolate, etc.

NB. neurological exam should be negative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Characteristics of cluster headaches

A

severe, unilateral, retro-orbital

clustered over time

variable duration (10-60 mins)

autonomic symptoms; tearing, red eye, nasal congestion.

attacks often at night

much more commen in MEN (9:1)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Characteristics of tension headaches

A
  • mild to moderate (fuzzy head); dull generalized headache
  • bilateral
  • non-pulsatile
  • exert bandlike pressure
  • no nausea

poor response to over the counter analgesia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Symptoms of temporal arteritis

A

visual loss; blood supply to retina is affected.

One-sided headache, very tender scalp; tender brushing hair

Typically new and continuous headache with those over 50 yrs. Gradual onset (wks-mtns)

Pain in jaw with chewing; jaw claudication

Can cause clots leading to stroke.

  • ESR often raised (>100)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Symptoms of meningitis

A
  • high temperature of 38C or more
  • headache
  • blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over - septicaemia (
  • often not present)
  • stiff neck
  • photophobia, drowsiness, seizures, confusion,
  • aching muscles & joints,
  • cold hands & feet, tachypnoea
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Case Hx taking. SOCRATES.

Also include…

A

Onset; fast, gradual, prodomal?

duration and resolution?

visual disturbances?

frequency

reoccurence

possible triggers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What might the prodomal aura comprise of?

  • neurological symptoms evolving gradually over a few mins.

NB. Stroke: symptoms arise instantaneously.

A

visual symptoms - scintillations, hemianiopia

altered sensation of face or limbs, e.g. tingling

rare: ‘basilar’ migraine with diplopia and vertigo

(not all migraines have auras)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what may preceed a prodomal aura?

A

Premonition; hunger, energy surges, irritability.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

POUND mneumonic

A
  • Pulsatile
  • 4-72 hOurs duration
  • Unilateral
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Disabling intensity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Headache; red flags

A
  • new onset or changes in headache in px over 50 years old
  • thunderclap
  • focal neurological symptoms
  • abnormal neurological examination
  • headache that changes with posture
  • wakes up px during night
  • worse for valsalva manoeuvre
  • thrombosis risks
  • jaw claudication
  • neck stiffness with fever
  • new onset with cancer/ HIV px
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What type of headache is common first thing in the morning?

A

migraine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Sudden onset headache could be:

A

meningitis

subarachnoid haemorrhage

migraine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Possible antibiotics for meningitis

A

Cefolaxime

Benzylpenicillin

Chloramphenicol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does encephalitis and chicken pox have in common?

A

Both can be caused by VZV (varicella zoster virus)

17
Q

Which drugs can cause headaches? (4)

A
  • GTN
  • dipyridamole (coronary vasodilator/ weak antiplatelet drug)
  • nifedipine
  • sildenafil
18
Q

What drug can be used to treat subarachnoid haemorrhage headaches?

A

Nimodipine

  • calcium antagonist which has shown to improve outcome following SAH, probably as a result of reduced cerebral vasospasm
19
Q

Suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage headache diagnosis

A

CT scan (reliability 90% only)

If CT negative, LP > 12 hours following onset of symptoms.

LP: uniform RBC in bottles suggests SAH

Presence of bilirubin suggests bleed (and not trauma)

20
Q

Suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage headache treatment

A
  • Patent airway, GCS, cardiac monitor, oximeter, O2 mask, IV access
  • Bloods; FBC, U&E, LFT, clotting screen and group.
  • Analgesic ; IM codeine phosphate, sometimes IV morphine sulphate (NB opoids can affect GCS score)
  • Nimodipine
  • Fluids (3l daily) - reduction in plasma volume may increase cerebral ischaemia
  • Compression stockings as DVT prophylaxis
  • laxatives if needed.
21
Q

Symptoms of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

S - occipital or generalised

O - Rapid

C - Continuous, unremitting

R - may radiate over cranium/ into neck

A - nausea/ vomiting, syncope, drowiness, irritability

T - Worse at onset, persists over several hours

E - straining/ vomiting

S - very

22
Q

SAH versus thunderslap migraine

A

maybe clinically indistinguishable from SAH.

Thunderslap migraine usually in younger patient with history of migraine, and unilateral with previous episodes.

23
Q

Can you give codeine for migraines?

Drugs for recurrent migraines?

A

No because of associated nausea and rebound headaches.

Triptans (e.g. sumatriptan)

Neurology COPIED (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions