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Question 1

What is the global prevalence of tension headaches?

Answer 1

Approximately 26%

Slightly more common in women and peaks during adolescence and the fourth decade of life.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of acute tension headaches?

Answer 2

Sudden onset of localized or unilateral pain, worsened by postural changes, may include vision changes, severe nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever.

Question 3

Describe the pain characteristics of chronic tension headaches.

Answer 3

Mild, pressing, bilateral pain, not worsened by physical activity, typically lacks nausea, vomiting, or photophobia.

Question 4

What are common symptoms of tension headaches?

Answer 4

Bilateral non-pulsating pain, muscle tenderness in the head, generally no nausea or photophobia.

Question 5

What is the pathogenesis of tension headaches?

Answer 5

Peripheral activation or sensitization of nociceptors in facial and cranial muscles, limbic system involvement.

Question 6

What is the lifetime prevalence of cluster headaches?

Answer 6

0.1%

Male-to-female ratio of 3:1.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of hyperacute cluster headaches?

Answer 7

Sudden, severe stabbing pain, typically peri-orbital or temporal, lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours, may occur up to 8 times a day.

Question 8

What cranial autonomic features may accompany cluster headaches?

Answer 8

Agitation, cutaneous allodynia, ptosis, eyelid redness, miosis, rhinorrhea.

Question 9

What is the pathogenesis of cluster headaches?

Answer 9

Activation of the trigeminovascular system, involving the hypothalamus and nociceptive brain networks.

Question 10

What is the incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)?

Answer 10

Approximately 7.9 per 100,000.

Question 11

What are common risk factors for subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Answer 11

Untreated aneurysm, smoking, hypertension, genetics, anticoagulants, low estrogen, alcohol use, sympathomimetic drugs.

Question 12

Describe the headache characteristics of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Answer 12

Sudden, severe headache described as ‘the worst headache of my life,’ peak within one hour, may include focal or diffuse pain.

Question 13

What are the common symptoms following a subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Answer 13

Transient loss of consciousness, vomiting, neck stiffness, may involve third cranial nerve palsy.

Question 14

What is the clinical syndrome of migraine?

Answer 14

Phased pattern: prodrome → aura (optional) → headache → postdrome.

Question 15

What percentage of the general population is affected by migraines?

Answer 15

~12%

More common in women, especially ages 30–39.

Question 16

What are common triggers for migraines?

Answer 16

Stress, menstruation, sleep deprivation, fasting, bright lights, odors, weather changes, nitrates, wine, alcohol, aspartame.

Question 17

What is the pathogenesis of migraines?

Answer 17

Hyperexcitation of neurons activating brain, skull, and face innervation, trigeminal nucleus involvement, and broad cortical spreading depression.

Question 18

What is the prevalence of chronic sinusitis in the population?

Answer 18

5–12%.

Question 19

What are common symptoms of chronic sinusitis?

Answer 19

Thick, discolored nasal discharge, facial pressure or fullness, nasal congestion, temporary anosmia, fatigue, cough, sleep disturbance, hoarseness.

Question 20

What is the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis?

Answer 20

Recurrent inflammation of paranasal sinuses due to impaired drainage and anatomical or immunological predisposition.

Question 21

What is the incidence of brain tumors?

Answer 21

~25 per 100,000.

Question 22

What factors are associated with an increased risk of brain tumors?

Answer 22

Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, pesticides, prior head trauma, toxic chemicals, smoking, alcohol, viral infections, genetics.

Question 23

What are the characteristics of headaches associated with brain tumors?

Answer 23

Constant or progressive dull headache, may be pulsatile, often bifrontal, worsens with posture change, coughing, sneezing.

Question 24

What can brain tumors lead to in terms of neurological symptoms?

Answer 24

Fatigue, sensory loss, aphasia, spatial disorientation, cognitive impairment, elevated ICP.

Question 25

What is the pathogenesis of brain tumors?

Answer 25

Space-occupying lesions disrupt brain structure and increase intracranial pressure, leading to neurologic symptoms.

Question 26

What percentage of the global population is affected by tension headaches?

Answer 26

Approximately 26% ## Footnote More common in women and prevalent between ages 20-50.

Question 27

What are the two forms of tension headaches?

Answer 27

* Acute (episodic) * Chronic ## Footnote Acute lasts from 30 minutes to several hours; chronic occurs on ≥15 days/month for >3 months.

Question 28

Describe the pain associated with tension headaches.

Answer 28

Pressing or tightening pain, often described as a tight band around the head, usually bilateral, mild to moderate intensity ## Footnote Not aggravated by routine physical activity.

Question 29

What is a common comorbidity with tension headaches?

Answer 29

Anxiety and depression ## Footnote Higher incidence in individuals with chronic stress and sedentary lifestyles.

Question 30

What is the lifetime risk percentage of cluster headaches?

Answer 30

0.1% ## Footnote More common in men aged 20-40.

Question 31

What are the two types of cluster headaches?

Answer 31

* Episodic * Chronic ## Footnote Episodic occurs in 85% of cases, chronic in 15%.

Question 32

What symptoms characterize a cluster headache?

Answer 32

* Severe unilateral periorbital or temporal pain * Ipsilateral lacrimation * Conjunctival injection * Nasal congestion or rhinorrhea * Ptosis * Miosis ## Footnote Patients often pace due to agitation.

Question 33

What is the main cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)?

Answer 33

Ruptured cerebral aneurysm ## Footnote Accounts for approximately 85% of cases.

Question 34

What type of headache is associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Answer 34

Thunderclap headache ## Footnote Rapid peak intensity.

Question 35

What are the key features of a migraine headache?

Answer 35

* Moderate-to-severe unilateral pulsating pain * Lasts 4–72 hours * Worsened by physical activity ## Footnote May include phases such as prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome.

Question 36

What are the four phases of a migraine?

Answer 36

* Prodrome * Aura * Headache * Postdrome ## Footnote Each phase has distinct symptoms and timings.

Question 37

What is the prevalence of chronic sinusitis?

Answer 37

Approximately 11% ## Footnote Often affects adults aged 20-60.

Question 38

What are common symptoms of chronic sinusitis?

Answer 38

* Facial pressure or pain * Nasal obstruction * Mucopurulent drainage * Hyposmia or anosmia * Cough (worse at night) ## Footnote May also present with fatigue, dental pain, or ear pressure.

Question 39

What is a common presenting symptom of brain tumors?

Answer 39

Seizures ## Footnote Especially with cortical involvement.

Question 40

What are the characteristics of headaches caused by brain tumors?

Answer 40

New-onset or progressively worsening headache, often worse in the morning or with Valsalva maneuvers ## Footnote Focal neurologic deficits depend on tumor location.

Question 41

What is the incidence of brain tumors?

Answer 41

Approximately 25 per 100,000 ## Footnote About one-third are malignant.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The pathogenesis of migraine involves the activation of the _______.

Answer 42

Trigeminovascular system ## Footnote Leads to the release of vasoactive peptides.