Headaches II Flashcards
What are the features of migraines?
Tendency to repeated attacks Triggers easily hung-over visual vertigo motion sickness
What are the three forms of migraine attacks?
Pain
Pain and focal symptoms
Focal symptoms
What are the phases of migraines?
Prodrome Aura Headache Resolution Recovery
What is prodrome?
Changes in mood, urination, fluid retention, food craving, yawning
What is aura?
Visual, sensory (numbness/paraesthesia), weakness, speech arrest
What is headache?
Head and body pain, nausea, photophobia
What is resolution?
rest and sleep
What is recovery?
mood disturbed, food intolerance, feeling hungover
48 hours or so
What are negative aura symptoms?
Blackness
Loss of vision
What are positive aura symptoms?
Flashes
Zigzags
Starburst
Expanding Cs
What are treatments for an acute migraine attack?
Analgesia
Soluble preparations to aid absorption
Triptans-tablets (Sumitriptan), melts, nasal sprays, s/c injections (vasoconstrictors)
Synergise with NSAIDS
Hit the headache hard and fast
Opiates
A short nap
TMS
How can TMS treat migraine?
interrupts complex networks that trigger and perpetuate migraine, which is caused by spreading electrical depression across the cerebral cortex.
Why do have to be careful with opiates?
caution! Analgesic abuse potential.
What are lifestyle issues that come with migraines?
Migraineurs have sensitive heads even in between attacks.
Over-react to any sort of stimulation.
Can’t ignore the world around them, it overstimulates their brains.
What are potential migraine triggers?
dietary, environmental, hormonal, weather, dehydration, stress
Drink 2 litres water/day
Avoid caffeinated drinks
Don’t skip meals. Fresh food. Avoid ready meals & take-aways
Don’t oversleep or have late nights.
Electronics downstairs.
Analgesic abuse
What prophylactic methods can prevent migraines?
Over-the-counter preparations
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Beta-blockers
Serotonin antagonists
Calcium channel blockers
Anticonvulsants
Greater occipital nerve blocks
Botox: crown of thorns
Suppress ovulation
What over the counter preparation can be used?
feverfew, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, magnesium, EPO, nicotinamide
What TCAs can be used?
amitriptyline 7pm
What beta blockers can be used?
Propanlol
Atenolol