Neurology Flashcards
What is the number one neurological disease in primary care other than pain?
Headaches
What is a primary headache? What is a secondary headache? Who experiences mostly secondary headaches?
Primary is not secondary to something else going on. Elderly patients who present with a new onset of headaches —> almost always is secondary to something else. Secondary meaning something else is going on.
What age is considered “elderly” in neurology?
40’s… maybe 50’s
How do you approach a patient who presents with a headache in primary care?
What some red flags?
- Obtain a good history -> if unable to give a history —> send pt out
- Red flags: c/o first or worst headache… worst headache every had (10/10)… refer pt out. Age greater than 40. Neck stiffness especially w/fever (Meningitis).
- Physical exam: most pt’s w/a headache have a normal history & normal physical exam. Pain in the head may not be coming from the head but referring from somewhere else (common place is neck). (Ex. Pt c/o headache feeling like it’s going to pop off and burning — examined pt’s scalp & pt had shingles)
What is the first question to ask a patient that presents to primary care c/o a headache?
Where does it hurt?
When a pt c/o a unilateral headache, what is the most likely headache?
Migraine
What is something that should be documented about headaches?
Characteristics of the headache
What are the characteristics of a migraine headache?
Crescendo headache —> starts at 1 or 2 out of ten pain and then progressively worsens to 8 or 10
How long does a migraine headache lasts?
Between 4-72 hours
With older patients, what is something to look out for?
Temporal arteritis
What changes occur in the cerebral arteries during a migraine headache?
The cerebral arteries dilate
How do “triptan” drugs work?
Constrict cerebral arteries
Do “triptan” drugs just stay in the cerebral arteries?
No. You can get bleed over into the coronary arteries
What diseases would you never want to give “triptans?” What is a drug that interacts with “triptans?”
Uncontrolled hypertension
Angina
Drugs for depression —> SSRIs (drug-drug interaction)
Rationale: called drug disease interactions… Ex. A reaction between triptan and hypertension.
What is the criteria used to diagnose migraines with & without aura?
Look in book… (do not have to memorize)