Week 3 - Headaches Flashcards
What is the difference between a Primary and Secondary headache?
- Primary = no other causative disorder
- Secondary = caused by another disorder e.g. trauma or infection whereby headache is a symptom
What are the four categories of primary headache?
- Migraine
- Tension
- Cluster
- Sinus
What are 5 causes of secondary headache?
Trauma, Infection, Substance withdrawal, Psychiatric disorder, Cranial vascular disorder
What is the management of headache?
Paracetamol 1000mg oral with/without Prochlorperazine 12.5mg IM (if pt≥21yrs)
If after 15mins pt headache remains severe and hospital remains >15mins - IV/IN Fentanyl as per pain relief
Aim to reduce pain to < 7
What are the S/S and Rx for Cluster headache?
S/S: pain is in and around one eye, moderate to severe unilateral pain in head/face, lacrimation, nasal congestion, eyelid oedema, ptosis (drooping eyelid)
Rx: 100% O2, Triptan (selective serotonin receptor agonists)
What are the S/S and Rx for Sinus headache?
S/S: pain behind browbone and/or cheekbones
Rx: as per Tension, aspirin and ibuprofen
What are the S/S of Migraine headache?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Affected vision, such as an aura
- Sensitivity to smell and touch
- Numbness of the face or extremities
What are the triggers for migraine headache?
- diet – cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, alcohol (especially red wine)
- sleep – too little or too much
- menstrual cycle
- physiochemical – excessive heat, light, noise or certain chemicals
- emotional causes – stress, excitement or fatigue
- relaxation (weekend migraines) – often triggered by a period of stress and overwork followed by relaxation
What are the treatment options for migraine?
- Avoid triggers
- Medication
- Preventative: medications or non-medication i.e. acupuncture, yoga, relaxation
Explain key factors of Tension type headache:
Most common type of headache
Treatment is based on WOM, usually with aspirin or ibuprofen
Pain is like a band squeezing the head
