Primary Headache Flashcards
chronic headaches
-new, severe, or acute is more likely related to intracranial disorder than chronic headaches
-may be primary or secondary to another disorder
primary headache syndromes
-migraine (with or without aura)
-tension type headache (episodic or chronic)
-cluster headache (episodic or chronic)
-no demonstrable structural abnormality
secondary causes of headaches
-intracranial lesions
-head injury
-cervical spondylosis
-dental disease
-ocular disease
-temporomandibular joint dysfunction
-sinusitis
-hypertension
-depression
-etc
-sleep disturbance, substance withdrawal
migraine
-pulsating or throbbing
-lateralized throbbing headache
-occurs episodically following its onset in adolescence or early adult life
-can be associated with anorexia, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, osmophobia, cognitive impairment, blurring of vision
-gradual buildup and last hours or longer
-focal disturbances of neurological function may precede or accompany
-scotoma- visual disturbances; field defects
-photopsia- unformed light flashes
-scintillating scotomas- some combination of field defects and luminous hallucinations
tension headache
-sense of tightness or pressure
-band like pain
neuritic caused headache
-sharp lancinating pain
migraine or cluster headache
-ocular or periorbital icepick-like pain
-lateralized headache
intracranial mass lesion
-dull or steady headache
-may be focal or generalized
ophthalmologic disorder
ocular or periocular pain
sinusitis
-tenderness of overlying skin and bone
trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia
-localized pain to one of the divisions of the trigeminal nerve or to the pharynx and external auditory meatus respectively
precipitating (triggering) factors
-recent sinusitis
-dental surgery
-head injury
-systemic viral infection
-SARS-CoV-2
-emotional stress
-fatigue
-foods containing nitrite or tyramine
-menstrual period
-alcohol
-temporomandibular joint dysfunction (chewing)
-cough
timing of headaches
-headaches are worse awakening in pts with intracranial mass or sleep apnea
-cluster headaches occur at the same time each day
-tension headaches are worse with stress / end of day
headaches that requires MRI or CT scan
-progressive headache disorder
-new onset in middle or later life
-disturb sleep
-related to exertion
-neurologic symptoms or a focal neurologic deficit
-rules out intracranial mass lesion
-CSF exam to exclude subarachnoid hemorrhage or meningeal infection
essentials of migraine diagnosis
-headache, usually pulsatile, lasting 4-72 hours
-usually unilateral pain
-nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia
-aggravated with routine physical activity
-aura of transient neurologic symptoms may precede head pain
-commonly occurs with no aura
general consideration of migraines
-neuronal dysfunction in trigeminal system
-results in release of vasoactive neuropeptides such as calcitonin gene (peptide that leads to neurogenic inflammation, sensitization, and headache)
-aura is hypothesized to result from cortical spreading depression- wave of neuronal and glial depolarization that slowly moves across the cerebral cortex
-autosomal dominant inheritance sometimes- familial hemiplegic migraine
initial process
-life threatening?
-old or new? chronic? sudden?
-epidemiology
-ALWAYS consider serious causes of headaches
-history- OLDCARTS
-physical exam- you dont need a physical exam to diagnosis a primary (tension, migraine, cluster)
-working diagnosis
-reassure pt if no evidence of serious underlying causes & initiate treatment
3 main primary headaches
-tension (most common)
-migraine
-cluster (least common)
history of adult with headache
-age at onset
-presence or absence of aura and prodrome
-frequency, intensity, and duration of attack (# per month)
-time and mode of onset
-quality, site, and radiation of pain
-associated symptoms and abnormalities
-family history of migraine
-precipitating and relieving factors
-exacerbation or relief with change in position
-effect of activity on pain
-relationship with food/alcohol- chocolate, cheese, caffeine
-response to any previous treatment
-review of current medications
-any recent change in vision
-association with recent trauma
-any recent changes in sleep, exercise, weight, or diet
-state of general health
-change in work or lifestyle (disability)
-change in method of birth control (women)
-possible association with environmental factors
-effects of menstrual cycle and exogenous hormones
physical examination for adult with headache
-blood pressure
-pulse
-listen for bruit at neck, eyes, and head for clinical signs of arteriovenous malformation
-palpate the head, neck, and shoulder regions- tension -> tension headache
-check temporal and neck arteries- temporal arthritis- headaches forms due to inflammation of temporal artery -> urgent -> patient can go blind
-examine the spine and neck muscles
-Neurologic exam:
-mental status testing, cranial nerve exam, funduscopy (exam optic nerve/vein for papillae edema) and otoscopy, and symmetry on motor, reflex, cerebellar (coordination), and sensory tests
-gait exam -> getting up from seated positing without any support and walking on tiptoes and heels, tandem gait, and romberg test (stand with eyes closed to see if the pt sways)
classification of headache
-primary vs secondary
-acute vs chronic
-urgent / emergent vs nonurgent
primary headache
-associated features are the disorder itself
-often result in considerable disability and a decrease in the pts quality of life
-no underlying cause
-tension, cluster, migraine
-trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
-benign cough headache
-benign exertional headache
-headache associated with sexual activity
-benign thunderclap headache
-idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) (IITCH)
secondary headaches causes
-caused by exogenous disorders
-can be mild secondary or life threatening
-ex. subarachnoid hemorrhage is causing a headache
-due to trauma, cranial/cervical vascular disorder, non-vascular intracranial disorder, substance/withdrawal, infection, disorder of homeostasis, disorder of cranium, neck, ears, eyes, nose, sinus, teeth, mouth, or other facial structure, psychiatric disorder
chronic headaches
-primary or secondary to another disorder
-frequency of 15 or more days a month for longer than 3 months in the absence of organic pathology
-common primaries -> migraine, tension, cluster
-common secondary causes -> intracranial lesions, head injury, cervical spondylosis, dental or ocular disease, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, sinusitis, hypertension, depression, etc.
-sleep disturbance, substance withdrawal
acute headaches
-rapid onset
-age > 40 years
-severe intensity
-thunderclap, trauma, exercise onset
-fever
-vision changes
-nuchal rigidity
-HIV infection
-current or past hx of hypertension
-neurologic findings (mental status changes, motor or sensory deficits)
chronic headache subtypes
-chronic migraine headache
-chronic tension type headache
-medication overuse headache (opioids 10, NSAIDS 15)
-hemicrania continua- one sided, persistent, responds to indomethacin (NSAID)
-new daily persistent headache
-chronic daily headache (CDH) is not a specific headache type but a syndrome that encompasses other primary headaches
examples of secondary headaches
-subarachnoid hemorrhage
-meningitis
-subdural hematoma
-temporal arteritis
-CNS tumor
-posttraumatic
-primary cough headache
-sinusitis
-toothache
-medication overuse
etiologies that require urgent investigation/treatment
-vascular causes
-infections
-intracranial masses
-preeclampsia (frontal)
-CO poisoning
-headache brought on by cough, exertion, or sexual activity
tension headache
-duration- 30mins to 7 days
-exacerbated by: emotional stress, fatigue, noise, or glare
-pain characteristics: pressing or tightening; band like tightness, mild to moderate severity, bilateral location, peri-cranial tenderness, poor concentration, NO aggravation by routine physical activity*
-associated symptoms: (all must be met)- no vomiting, no more than one of: nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, and no family hx
-management: oral analgesics (NSAIDS, acetaminophen), treat anxiety and depression, alternative therapies
-prophylaxis (prevention)- TCA’s (tricyclic antidepressants)