Tension-Type-Headaches Flashcards
Primary headaches = no known cause
Secondary headaches = have a known cause
Which of these is more common?
- primary
What is the most common type of primary headache?
1 - migraines
2 - thunderclap
3 - tension type
4 - cluster
3 - tension type
- incidence of 0.5-5%
- difficult to identify exact incidence
In a tension type headache, is the pain bilateral or unilateral?
- bilateral
In a tension type headache, how do patients typically describe the feeling of a tension type headache?
1 - drilling on head
2 - banging on head
3 - squeezing head
4 - all of the above
3 - squeezing head
- this is why its called a tension headache
Are tension like headaches pulsatile in nature?
- No
Pulsatile may suggest increases BP or increased intracranial pressure
Are tension like headaches characterised by pressing/tightening or stabbing pain?
- pressing/tightening
What is the incidence of tension headaches?
1 - 150/100,000
2 - 1500/100,000
3 - 15,000/100,000
3 - 15,000/100,000
Are men or women more affected by tension headaches?
- equal
Do tension headaches typically present with a severe or mild to moderate severity?
- mild to moderate severity
Are men or women more likely to suffer with a tension headache?
- women slightly
Tension headaches can be episodic or chronic. How many days in a month do tension-type headaches need to occur to be class as chronic?
1 - >5d/month
2 - >1-d/month
3 - >15d/month
4 - >25d/month
3 - >15d/month
- episodic is <15 days per month
How long do tension-type-headaches typically last?
1 - 4-72 hours
2 - 15-180 minutes
3 - 30 minutes to 1 week
4 - >1week
3 - 30 minutes to 1 week
Of the following, which is most likely to trigger a Tension type headaches?
1 - dehydration and stress
2 - food and weather
3 - cigarettes and alcohol
4 - medications
1 - dehydration and stress
Tension type headaches typically present with no specific symptoms. Which of the following is acceptable and can be seen in some patients?
1 - photophobia/phonophobia
2 - aura
3 - nausea and vomiting
4 - autonomic features
1 - photophobia/phonophobia
Other features are present in migraines and cluster headaches
Medication-overuse headache are caused by taking painkillers too often for tension headaches. The body responds to this by increasing the number of pain receptors in the head. Which of the following is NOT typically linked to causing medication overuse headaches?
1 - codeine
2 - cyclizine
3 - triptans
4 - NSAIDs
2 - cyclizine
All others are pain medications, except triptan which is specific for headaches
Cyclizine is used to reduce nausea and vomiting
When performing a history on a patient with a headache, if there is an increase in headache symptoms when performing a Valsalva manoeuvre bad?
- Yes
Indicates a space occupying lesion in cranial cavity
Causes an increased intracranial pressure
- Valsalva is an increase in pressure with a closed glottis