Headaches
Treatment
Migraine with aura
Four phases: prodrome, aura, head ache, postdrome
Episodes of headache lasts less than 60 minutes
Symptoms: visual aura, sensory aura, paresthesia
Medication overuse headcahes
When patient takes too much headache medication
chances of rebound headache
Caffeine, sodas, pain relievers are the precipitating factors
symptoms: nausea, anxiety, insomina, restlessness
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Ergot Derivatives: Alpha adrenergic blockers and vasoconstrictors of cranial smooth muscle. (e.g. Ergomar nasal spray, and Migranal)
Triptans: Triptans are a family of tryptamine-based drugs used as abortive medication in the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches. DOES NOT PROVIDE PREVENTATIVE TX
Primary headaches: migraine, tension type and cluster headaches
Secondary headcahes: Associated with an identifiable cause such as headche, facial pain, infection, brain tumors
Analgesics: Analgesics alone or combined with caffeine are used to treat mild migraines (e.g. Excedrin Migraine) Narcotic analgesics containing codeine are used for more severe pain. (e.g. prescription products like Fiorinal). NOT INTENDED FOR LONG TERM USE
Migraine without aura
five attacks lasting more than 4-72 hours
symptoms: Photophobia, phonophobia, cutaneous allodynia
Migraine prophylaxis:
Acute Migraine Relief:
Beta blockers
Tricyclic antidepressants
Botulinum toxin type A
Calcium channel blockers
Anticonvulsants