PHR913 - Block 2 - Headaches
Exam Study Set
What are the (2) classifications of headaches? - Answer Primary: not associated with
underlying condition
Secondary: headache as a symptom of underlying condition
Name the (3) discussed types of primary headaches - Answer Tension-type
(chronic/episodic), migraine, medication-overuse
Name the discussed secondary headache, and provide a few extra examples - Answer
Discussed: sinus headache; few other examples of secondary headache include
congestion/infection, trauma, stroke, drug abuse, etc.
Risk Factors - Tension-Type - Answer stress, emotional imbalances, anxiety,
depression, and other stimuli
Risk Factors - Migraine - Answer stress, poor sleep hygiene, missing meals, caffeine,
alcohol, menstrual cycle, altitude changes, medications
Medication Overuse Headaches - Causes + Manifestation - Answer Due to
acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine, triptans, opioids, butalbital, ergotamines
When used GREATER than twice weekly for 3+ months
Manifests within hours of withdrawal, subsides with readministration
Medication Overuse Headaches - Treatment - Answer Taper the use of medication
cause slowly until discontinuation under HCP advisements
Pathophysiology - Tension-type - Answer in response to a stimulus, may be similar to a
migraine. Primarily episodic.
Pathophysiology - Migraine - Answer Aura: neuronal depolarization spreads slowly
across cerebral cortex
Headache: stimulation of trigeminal sensory fibers in large cerebral and dural vessels
causes a neuropeptide releases causes inflammation, vasodilation, and platelet + mast
cell activation
Pathophysiology - Sinus - Answer Inflammation and distention of the sinus passages
Clinical Presentation - Tension-type - Answer generalized pain, diffuse to local
pressure/pain
gradual onset
, duration can be minutes long to days long
What symptoms present are non-tension-type headache symptoms? (3) - Answer scalp
tenderness, neck pain, muscle tension
Clinical Presentation - Migraine - Answer (requires PCP diagnosis) throbbing, noticeable
pain, unilateral pain
rapid onset
duration can be hours to days
associated with photophobia, photophobia, sinus symptoms, tinnitus, light-headedness,
vertigo, and irritability
with or without aura
Clinical Presentation - Migraine (Aura/Prodrome) - Answer Aura: neurological symptoms
preceding migraines that last up to 30 minutes
Prodrome: burst of energy or fatigue, extreme hunger, or nervousness after a migraine
What symptoms can be present that are non-migraine headache symptoms? (2) -
Answer Nausea, vomiting
Clinical Presentation - Sinus - Answer Pressure/pain distinctly located behind eyes/face
(over sinuses)
dull pressure
Sinus symptoms present as well
What symptoms can be present that are non-sinus headache symptoms? (1) - Answer
nasal congestion
Nonpharmacologic Therapy - Chronic Tension-type - Answer relaxation exercises,
stretching and strengthening head/neck muscles
Nonpharmacologic Therapy - Migraine - Answer regulate eating/sleeping
stress management
ice packs + combined pressure on forehead/temples
dietary modifications (magnesium supplements, avoid triggers, prevent hunger)
Exclusions for Self-Treatment of Headaches (9) - Answer - pain is severe
- pain lasts 10+ days
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy (may use APAP)
Exam Study Set
What are the (2) classifications of headaches? - Answer Primary: not associated with
underlying condition
Secondary: headache as a symptom of underlying condition
Name the (3) discussed types of primary headaches - Answer Tension-type
(chronic/episodic), migraine, medication-overuse
Name the discussed secondary headache, and provide a few extra examples - Answer
Discussed: sinus headache; few other examples of secondary headache include
congestion/infection, trauma, stroke, drug abuse, etc.
Risk Factors - Tension-Type - Answer stress, emotional imbalances, anxiety,
depression, and other stimuli
Risk Factors - Migraine - Answer stress, poor sleep hygiene, missing meals, caffeine,
alcohol, menstrual cycle, altitude changes, medications
Medication Overuse Headaches - Causes + Manifestation - Answer Due to
acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine, triptans, opioids, butalbital, ergotamines
When used GREATER than twice weekly for 3+ months
Manifests within hours of withdrawal, subsides with readministration
Medication Overuse Headaches - Treatment - Answer Taper the use of medication
cause slowly until discontinuation under HCP advisements
Pathophysiology - Tension-type - Answer in response to a stimulus, may be similar to a
migraine. Primarily episodic.
Pathophysiology - Migraine - Answer Aura: neuronal depolarization spreads slowly
across cerebral cortex
Headache: stimulation of trigeminal sensory fibers in large cerebral and dural vessels
causes a neuropeptide releases causes inflammation, vasodilation, and platelet + mast
cell activation
Pathophysiology - Sinus - Answer Inflammation and distention of the sinus passages
Clinical Presentation - Tension-type - Answer generalized pain, diffuse to local
pressure/pain
gradual onset
, duration can be minutes long to days long
What symptoms present are non-tension-type headache symptoms? (3) - Answer scalp
tenderness, neck pain, muscle tension
Clinical Presentation - Migraine - Answer (requires PCP diagnosis) throbbing, noticeable
pain, unilateral pain
rapid onset
duration can be hours to days
associated with photophobia, photophobia, sinus symptoms, tinnitus, light-headedness,
vertigo, and irritability
with or without aura
Clinical Presentation - Migraine (Aura/Prodrome) - Answer Aura: neurological symptoms
preceding migraines that last up to 30 minutes
Prodrome: burst of energy or fatigue, extreme hunger, or nervousness after a migraine
What symptoms can be present that are non-migraine headache symptoms? (2) -
Answer Nausea, vomiting
Clinical Presentation - Sinus - Answer Pressure/pain distinctly located behind eyes/face
(over sinuses)
dull pressure
Sinus symptoms present as well
What symptoms can be present that are non-sinus headache symptoms? (1) - Answer
nasal congestion
Nonpharmacologic Therapy - Chronic Tension-type - Answer relaxation exercises,
stretching and strengthening head/neck muscles
Nonpharmacologic Therapy - Migraine - Answer regulate eating/sleeping
stress management
ice packs + combined pressure on forehead/temples
dietary modifications (magnesium supplements, avoid triggers, prevent hunger)
Exclusions for Self-Treatment of Headaches (9) - Answer - pain is severe
- pain lasts 10+ days
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy (may use APAP)
