Managing Headache Flashcards
Headache history
Can I classify headache? Do I need to investigate? How do I explain the diagnosis? What are the patient's expectations? Is treatment appropriate?
Pattern of pain involves two things
Onset
Periodicity
Onset types and e.g.
Acute (s to min) e.g. SAH, intra-cerebral haemorrhage, coital, thunderclap
Evolving (hours to days) e.g. infection, inflammatory, higher ICP
Chronic (weeks to months)
e.g. chronic daily headache
Periodicity types and e.g.
Episodic (a few days between attacks) e.g. migraine/cluster headache
Chronic (headache most days) e.g. medication overuse, chronic migraine, hemicrania continua
What associated features do you get with headache?
Diurnal variation/postural element
Nausea and vomiting
Photophobia / phonophobia
Autonomic features (lacrimation, Horner’s, red eye)
Red flags for headache
Cognitive effects Seizures Fever Visual disturbance Vomiting Weight loss
What behaviours do people have with headaches
Lies down in dark room (migraine)
Agitation/pacing (cluster)
Family history relevant?
Yes, migraine is often familial
Medication relevant?
Analgesia specifically
Examination - you should search for…
Fever/rash/neck stiffness/ higher BP/ organomegaly
Fundal changes (papilloedema)
Cranial nerve signs/Horner’s syndrome
Focal abnormalities
Long tract signs
Primary headache syndromes
Migraine Tension headache Cluster headache Paroxysmal hemicrania Exertional headache Ice-pick headache Coital headache Hypnic headache
Primary headache syndrome and its secondary syndrome: migraine
SAH
Primary headache syndrome and its secondary syndrome: tension
Intra-cerebral haemorrhage / stroke
Primary headache syndrome and its secondary syndrome: cluster headache
Meningoencephalitis
Primary headache syndrome and its secondary syndrome: paroxysmal hemicrania
Intracranial venous thrombosis
