migraines and headaches Flashcards
what are the types of headaches a patient can experience?
Non Migraine Headaches
Medication induced headaches
Migraines
List all Non - Migraine headaches.
Acute Muscle Contraction (tension) headaches
Ice cream/ice pack headaches - REFER!
Sinister headaches
Cluster headaches
What classes of drugs are associated with causing headaches?
Hormone containing - Birth controls, HRT
Caffeine
Erection problems - Sildenafil?
some Heart and Blood pressure meds
vitamins
Describe Tension headaches.
- most common caused by muscle spasm in neck or scalp. emotional stress, anxiety, fatigue.
- affects BOTH sides of head! - Bilateral
- pain - mild to mod
non-throbbing, non pulsating
feels tightness or squeezing
weight pressing down on the head
gets worse through the day
Worse with stress
not aggravated by normal activity
What are the treatment available for Tension headaches?
OTC pain analgesics
Relaxation
Massage
hot bath
Describe Ice cream headache (REFER)
Triggered by food (cold drinks or food)
pain is severe, short and piercing
Flashing Lights
centred in one eye
Duration - Seconds to mins
Describe Chronic Daily Headaches
Neck Stiffness
Migraine symptoms - N+V
Pain and duration - more than 4 hours on more than 15 days in a month.
Triggers - Analgesic dependence, constant use of analgesics
Cluster headache
Rare
common in men
- Excruciating severe unilateral headaches
- Red eye
- Lacrimation
- Nasal congestion
- Rhinorrhoea
- Facial swelling
- Miosis
- Droopy eyelid
- Eyelid oedema
Whats the duration for Cluster headache? (REFER)
Onset is normally SUDDEN, may disturb the sleep. Intermittent onset so it can occur up to 8 times a day.
- Normally takes place at the same time each day
- Lasts 10 minutes to 3 hours.
What are the available Treatment options for Cluster headaches (REFER)
Rarely responds to analgesia
Prophylactic if attacks frequent or last >3weeks
- 100% oxygen at rate 7-12L/min - to abort the attack
sumatriptan S/C
High dose Verapamil
