Headache Flashcards
(41 cards)
What % of Americans experience some form of headache each year that requires at least OTC analgesics
80%
How many of the 80% of americans that experience some form of headache have severe headaches?
50%
What % of severe headache patients will have a chief complaint of headache?
10-20%
What areas can focal headaches affect?
Orbital/periorbital
Facial
What are some ocular findings with a focal orbital headache?
- Visual disturbances
- Ophthalmoplegia
- Pupillary inequality
What are some causes of a focal facial headache? (6)
- Sinusitis
- Rhinitis
- Nasopharyngeal diseases
- Otitis
- Dental infection
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
What are some worrisome history findings with a headache?(7)
1) Abrupt onset or very severe
- Often intracranial hemorrhage
2) Constant, progressively worsening
3) Seizures
4) Focal neurologic symptoms
5) Nausea and vomiting
6) Known cancer
7) Anticoagulant therapy
What are some worrisome exam findings with a headache? (5)
1) Abnormal mental status
2) Focal neurologic findings
3) Papilledema
4) Malignant hypertension
5) Meningismus
What are some findings with a recent trauma and headache? (5)
- CSF otorrhea or rhinorrhea
- Skull fracture
- Concussion
In the elderly, what could be the cause of headaches?
1) Elevated ESR
- Temporal arteritis
2) Vascular bruits
Is poorly controlled hypertension usually the cause of a headache?
• Usually not the cause of headache
What should smokers be assessed for if a new onset of headache occurs?
- Metastatic cancer
* Chest radiography
What does fever indicate with headaches??
• Systemic disease
What are some special circumstances that a headache may occur?
- Postlumbar puncture
- Altitude
- Drug induced and withdrawl
- Dietary
Onset of severe headache in a previously well patient represents what?
The onset of severe headache in a previously well patient is more likely than chronic headache to relate to an intracranial disorder such as subarachnoid hemorrhage or meningitis
What is the management for a person how is progressive headaches that are related to exertion and headaches that are associated with neurologic symptoms or focal neurologic deficits
usually require cranial MRI or CT scan to exclude an intracranial mass lesion.
What other findings would warrant a CT or MRI scan?
Signs of meningeal irritation and impairment of consciousness
What is the most common type of headache?
Tension (muscle contraction) headache
What headache is often confused with migraine without aura?
Tension (muscle contraction) headache
Can a tension headache be episodic or chronic?
Yes
How are tension headaches described?
• Bilateral aching, pressing or tightness (rather than throbbing)
How severe is the intensity of a tension headache?
• Mild to moderate intensity
Are tension headaches aggravated by physical activity?
• Not aggravated by physical activity
Do tension headaches cause nausea, photophobia or phonophobia?
• May cause anorexia but usually not nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia
