Neurology Flashcards
How does a brain tumor HA present?
- Dull and persistent HA always in the same spot
- Personality changes, vision changes
How likely for TIA to develop into CVA?
What can we do?
- 1/3 chance
- Start aspirin and stop smoking/exercise
Wernicke’s area deficit
Who might get this?
- Receptive aphasia - impaired speech comprehension
- Alcoholics with B1 (thiamine) deficiency
Broca’s area deficit
- Expressive aphasia
Characteristics of cluster HA (3)
- Sudden, sharp, unilateral HA behind the eye
- Sweaty
- Runny nose and tears
When do cluster HAs occur?
- Same time every day
- May have multiple attacks in a week
Treatment of cluster HA (3)
- 100% O2 for at least 20min
- Imitrex SQ
- Intranasal lidocaine
Cluster HA prophylaxis
- Verapamil
- CCB that won’t cause a HA
Cluster HA patients have a high risk of what?
- Suicide
How does Giant Cell Temporal Arteritis present? (3)
What kind of HA?
- Unilateral HA
- Cord-like temporal artery – painful, warm, pulsing
- Jaw claudication (pain with chewing)
- Possible vision loss
Lab elevated in Giant Cell Temporal Arteritis?
What is this condition associated with?
- ESR/CRP
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
How to diagnose Giant Cell Temporal Arteritis?
- Biopsy of temporal artery
What to do if patient with Giant Cell complains of blurry vision?
- Send to ER to prevent permanent vision loss
- Treat right away before diagnostics are back
How do we treat Giant Cell Temporal Arteritis?
- Prednisone 1-2 years
How does HTN HA present?
- Occipital HA usually in the morning
Which HA present bilaterally?
- Tension HA
Medications used for migraine prophylaxis (4)
- Propranolol
- TCAs – amitriptyline
- Topamax
- Depakote
How many migraines to qualify for prophylaxis?
- 4+ HA per month
Contraindications to triptans? (2)
- Uncontrolled HTN/CAD
- Serotonin meds
Do all triptans work the same?
How to take?
- No – if one doesn’t work, another one might
- Take as soon as they feel the HA coming on
Common presentation of a migraine HA?
- Unilateral throbbing HA
- photophobia
- phonophonia
- N/V
Migraine without aura Diagnostic criteria
- At least 5 HA lasting 4-72hr
- 2 of the following: unilateral, pulsing, mod/severe intensity, aggravation by regular activity
- 1 of the following: N/V, photophobia/phonophobia
Migraine with aura diagnostic criteria
- At least 2 HA lasting 4-72 hours
- Clear description of aura
What happens in Parkinson’s?
- Depletion of Dopamine
How does Levodopa work?
- Converts to Dopamine in the brain
- Carbidopa prevents our body from destroying the dopamine
When to start Sinemet?
What does it help with the most?
- When symptoms interfere with quality of life
- Bradykinesia
Side effects of Sinemet?
- Hypotension, dizziness, GI upset
How long does Sinemet usually work?
- 3-5 years
- Wearing-off phenomenon – symptoms can worsen even before the next dose is due
What does Requip help with? (3)
- RLS
- Resting tremor
- Delay starting of Sinemet
Side effects of Requip
- Impulse control
- Leg edema
- Hypotension
Medications used for Essential Tremor (2)
What else can help? (2)
- BB
- Botox
- Physical activity and alcohol
What can worsen an essential tremor? (2)
- Caffeine
- Sex
What are the 3 A’s of Alzheimer’s?
- Agnosia
- Apraxia
- Aphasia
What test can we use to diagnose cognitive changes?
MMSE
Medication used for Alzheimer’s (2)
- Aricept (cholinesterase inhibitor)
- Namenda (NMDA antagonist)
Cranial Nerve I
Function
- Olfactory
- Smell
Cranial Nerve II
Function
- Optic
- Visual acuity/SNELLEN