Syncope, Headache, and Vertigo Flashcards
What should you consider if more than one patient complains of a headache?
Carbon monoxide poisoning
The most common types of headaches
- Tension headache
- Migraines
- Sinus headache
Caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck. Pain is usually described as squeezing, dull, or as an ache
Tension Headache
Pain is described as pounding, throbbing, and pulsating
Migraine
Caused by pressure that is the result of fluid accumulation in the sinus cavities
Sinus Headache
Life Threatening Headaches
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
- Meningitis
- Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
- Sudden or gradual onset
- Severe
- Most common in the occipital-nuchal area
- Tracking of pain down the spinal cord may suggest ICP in CSF and the presence of blood
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Different causes usually have a history of sudden, severe headaches, accompanied by fever and/or viral illness
Meningitis
Usually accompanied by a history of focused trauma. This MOI may be deceptively minor in high-risk patients including anti-coagulated patients, alcoholics, and the elderly
Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
Cushing’s Triad
- Systolic BP increases
- Diastolic BP decreases
- Pulse decreases
Signs of increased ICP
Cushing’s Triad
History Questions for Headache Patient
- headache patterns
- Onset
- Location
- Associated symptoms (ie. confusion, nuchal pain)
- Medications
- Family history
- Pregnant?
When should you be concerned about a Headache?
- If the patient states sudden onset, severe headache, particularly while performing strenuous activity
- A sudden headache with fever, seizures, AMS, or following trauma
A temporary loss of consciousness due to a shock state
Syncope
Inadequate tissue perfusion
Shock
