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