S1_L3: Headaches & Migraine Flashcards
A term for the occurrence of pain or discomfort over the upper part of the head from the orbits to the suboccipital area
Headache
Most common primary headache
Tension headache
most popular and described type of headache in clinical practice
Migraine headache
A “thunderclap headache” or “worst headache of life” can be suggestive of?
Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Source: Merritt’s Neurology 14th ed
Most common natural method of relieving headache
Sleep
Phase where the patient feels bad or good after the disappearance of the headache. Mood changes, muscular weakness, physical tiredness, and reduced apetite may be experienced by the patient during this phase.
Postdrome / Postdromal Phase
TRUE OR FALSE: Migraines have a neurovascular etiology
True.
The belief that migraine is a primary vascular phenomenon is no longer tenable or widely accepted.
Enumerate the 6 General Mechanisms of Headaches
- Traction on major intracranial vessels
- Distention, dilation of intracranial arteries
- Inflammation near pain sensitive structures
- Direct pressure on cranial or cervical nerves
- Sustained contraction of scalp or neck muscles
- Stimulation from disease of eye, ear, nose, and sinuses
Migraine headaches have a duration of:
5 attacks lasting 4-72 hours; One-day duration
Tension headaches have a duration of:
10 attacks lasting 30 mins - 7 days
TRUE OR FALSE: Migraines occur more often in males than females.
False. F > M
Migraines are prevalent at what age?
Prevalent at the age of 30-50 y/o.
Enumerate the four environmental migraine triggers
- Bright light
- Odors
- Weather changes
- Cigarette smoke
Migraine trigger/s that is hormonal?
Menstruation
Enumerate the five behavioural migraine triggers
- Stress
- Fasting
- Emotions
- Sleep disturbance
- Too much exercise or physical activity
Internal bodily environment and mechanisms trigger what area of the brain?
Activation Site: Hypothalamus
The Cerebral cortex activation site is triggered/activated by?
Emotions, stress
What do vasodilators trigger?
The carotid vessels
The Thalamus is triggered/activated by?
Bright lights, noise, smells
What is osmophobia?
sensitivity to smells, gets irritated easily d/t smell
What are the phases of the migraine?
- Premonitory / Prodromal
- Aura
- Headache phase
- Headache termination / resolution
- Postdrome
Match the medication with the severity of the migraine
- Sumatriptan
- Ibuprofen (Alaxan)
- Chlorpromazine
- Ergotamine + antiemetic
- Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) / Aspirin
Choices:
A. Mild to moderate
B. Moderate to severe
C. Extremely severe
D. None
- B
- A
- C
- B
- A
Enumerate the contraindications for Ergotamine + antiemetic
- Women considering pregnancy & during pregnancy
- Inadequately controlled hypertension
- Cerebral, coronary, & peripheral vascular disease (e.g. stroke, previous heart attack, or peripheral anti-occlusive disease of the UE & LE)
- Hepatic and renal insufficiency / Liver & kidney problems
Match the agent with its classification / group
- Propranolol
- Amitriptyline
- Topiramate
- Methysergide
- Naproxen sodium
Choices:
A. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents
B. Anticonvulsants / Antiepileptic Drug
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
E. NSAIDs
F. Serotonin antagonists
- A
- D
- B
- F
- E
Match the agent with its classification / group
- Ketorolac
- Divalproex sodium
- Pizotifen
- Flunarizine
- Imipramine
Choices:
A. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents
B. Anticonvulsants / Antiepileptic Drug
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
E. NSAIDs
F. Serotonin antagonists
- E
- B
- F
- C
- D
Medication for intractable migraine and status migraine
Dihydroergotamine IM, IV nasal
Most popular abortive treatment
Triptans (Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan)
Contraindications of Sumatriptan
- inadequately controlled hypertension
- ischemic heart disease
- pregnancy
Match the indication to the treatment:
- Attacks occurring more than 2-3 times/month
- Prevent migraine
- Attacks lasting more than 48 hours
- Severe attacks of headache
- Given during the attack
- Psychologically unable to cope with the headache
- Attacks occur after prolonged aura
A. Abortive Treatment
B. Prophylactic Treatment
C. Both
D. Neither
- B
- A
- B
- B
- A
- B
- B
This is present in the classical migraine
Aura