Neurology: Headache and Migraine Flashcards

1
Q

What are the criteria for the International Headache Society (IHS) for migraines without aura (common migraine)?

A

5 attacks lasting 4-72 hrs.

At least two of these characteristics:

  • unilateral
  • pulsating
  • moderate to severe intensity
  • aggravated by physical activity

At least one of these symptoms:

  • nausea/vomitting
  • photophobia
  • phonophobia
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2
Q

What are the criteria for the International Headache Society (IHS) for migraines with aura (classic migraine)?

A

2 attacks with at least 3 of these characteristics:

-One or more reversible aura
-at least one aura symptom develops over 4 minutes
OR
2 more symptoms develop in succession
-no aura lasting more than 1 hour
-headache follows aura

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3
Q

What is the most common type of aura?

A

Visual: scintillating scotoma, fortification spectra

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4
Q

In regard to migraines, what is a prodrome?

A

Premonitory phenomena preceding headache by hours to days

ex. mental and mood changes, stiff neck, chilled feeling, bowel changes, food craving.

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5
Q

What is oligemia?

A

Reduction in the amount of blood flow in the body.

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6
Q

What is the cause of the aura in migraines?

A

Not well defined. It is associated with the “spreading depression” or decrease in cerebral blood flow due to slowing of neuronal activity.

It is important that the actual aura is a product of the neuronal activity and NOT the ischemia.

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7
Q

What causes the pain in migraines?

A

Trigeminal nerve endings detect the oligemia and release Calcitonin Gene Related Protein (CGRP) in response. This protein is a potent vasodilator and inflammatory mediator.

The inflammation and dilation of the blood vessels causes the pain signals to be transmitted to the Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis.

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8
Q

The trigmeinal nerve relays pain and general sensation from the face. Why do some migraines manifest on the back of the head and neck?

A

The trigeminocervical network includes innervation from C1-C3 and causes neck pain thru a referred pain mechanism.

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9
Q

What are differentiating factors inthe IHS classification between common migraines and tension headaches?

A
  1. Bilateral in tension headaches
    Unilateral in common migraines
  2. Not aggravated by exertion in TH
    Aggravated by exertion in CM
  3. No nausea and vomitting in TH
    Nausea and vomitting in CM
  4. There isn’t always photophobia or phonophobia in TH
    At least 1 (phono or photo) in CM
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10
Q

Describe the difference between Episodic Tension type headaches and Chronic Tension type headaches.

A

Episodic: 6 months/year, <15 days/month

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11
Q

Most frequently reported trigger of migraines.

A

Stress

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12
Q

IHS criteria for tension headaches

A

At least two characteristics:

  • pressure and tightening
  • mild to moderate intensity
  • bilateral
  • not aggravated by exertion

Both of these:

  • no nausea or vomitting
  • with or without photophobia and phonophobia
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13
Q

IHS criteria for cluster headaches

A

5 attacks: UNILATERAL, orbital, supraorbital, temporal
-lasts 15 to 180 minutes

At least one of the following:

  • conjunctival injection
  • lacrimation
  • nasal congestion
  • rhinorrhea
  • forehead and facial sweating
  • miosis
  • ptosis
  • eyelid edema
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14
Q

IHS criteria for sinus headache

A

Secondary to acute sinusitis
Must have both:
-purulent nasal discharge
-pathological sinus finding on X-ray, CT, or MRI

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15
Q

How is a migraine often misdiagnosed as a sinus headache?

A

Migraines can manifest with nasal and ocular symptoms simlar to those found in sinus headaches. The differential is found in the treatment. If treating sinusitis does not relieve the headaches, then it is a migraine.

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16
Q

What type of headache is associated with pressure, throbbing, or pounding?

A

Migraine

17
Q

What type of headache is assocaited with a sharp/dull sensation?

A

Tension Headache

18
Q

What type of headache is associated with motion sickness?

A

Migraine

19
Q

What type of headache can be relieved if a patient stops smoking, drinking, or drug use?

A

Cluster Headaches

20
Q

What do migraines do to blood pressure?

A

Increase it

21
Q

Symptomatic treatment for migraines.

A

-intramuscular, oral, or sublingual “-triptans”
(5-HT agonist that causes vasoconstriction in cerebral vessels)

OTC analgesics (not taken too often)

NSAIDs

Ergots
(caffeine derivatives)

22
Q

Prophylaxis for migraines

A
  1. Beta Blockers: propranolol
  2. Calcium Channel Blocker: Verapamil
  3. TCA: Amitriptyline
  4. SSRI: fluoxetine
  5. Anticonvulsants:
    - Valproic Acid (not in pregnant women without folic acid supplements)
    - Topirimate
  6. Cyproheptadine: in children
23
Q

Symptomatic treatment for cluster headaches

A
  1. Oxygen
  2. Dihydroergotamine
  3. IM sumatriptan
  4. sphenopalatine block
  5. intranasal lidocaine
  6. indomethacin
  7. opioids

Pain is so bad in these that this is the primary concern

24
Q

Prophylaxis for cluster headaches

A
  1. Stop smoking, drinking, and using drugs
  2. Verapamil
  3. Steroids
  4. Lithium
  5. Valproic Acid
  6. Clonidine
  7. Triptans or Ergots
25
Q

Treatment for tension headaches.

A

Combo drugs:
Midrin, Fioricet, Phrenilin

Antidepressants

Physical Therapy, Manipulation, Psychosocial counseling

26
Q

Describe a Rebound Headache

A
  1. Must occur in someone with a pirmary headache (like a migraine)
  2. Refractory
  3. Relief with analgesics, sedatives, caffeine, ergots
  4. Often occurs in early morning
  5. Withdrawal symptoms when medication is removed BUT headache improves
  6. Prophylaxis doesn’t work
27
Q

Treatment for rebound headaches

A
  1. Avoid triggers, drug rehab, modify diet
  2. Proper Sleep
  3. Prophylaxis of primary headache once the rebound headache is controlled
28
Q

What is an Intractable Migraine?

A

Sustained severe migraine, requires treatment for a day or more that matches the intensity. May require hospitalization if it affects vitals.

29
Q

Main treatments for intractable migraines.

A

Rehydration, control N/V, support.

If hospitalized: IV opioids, IV morphine, Subcutaneous sumatriptan, IV ketorolac, IV hydrocotrisone
(basically the only thing that requires IV intervention)

30
Q

Describe serotonin syndrome.

A

Reaction to drugs that can have minor or major symptoms. Can include mild increased heart rate to cardiac arrest, coma, or death.

31
Q

Types of drugs that can cause serotonin syndrome.

A

Anti-depressants, LIthium, Parkinson medication (L-Dopa), cocaine, MDMA, sub Q sumatriptan

32
Q

What are some signs and symptoms of 5HT syndrome?

A

hyperreflexia, myoclonus, cramping, rigidity, shivering, restlessness, opisthotonus (rigid hyperextension of whole body), trismus (chornic tension of mastication muscles)

diaphoresis (excessive sweating), hyperthermia, sinus tachycardia, flushing, diarrhea

Agitation, confusion, anxiety, insomnia, hypomania, hallucinations, lethargy

33
Q

Best way to diagnose 5HT syndrome.

A

H and P

  • try to correlate meds to the symptoms
  • most tests will show up negative
34
Q

Treatment for 5HT syndrome.

A

Treat symptoms, get them off the narcotics.

Medications

  • benzodiazepines
  • cyproheptadine
  • propranolol