Headache

Question 1

What are the causes for headaches?

Answer 1

• Stress
• Tension
• Migraine triggers
• Increased pressure in sinuses

Question 2

What are the migraine triggers?

Answer 2

• Bright light
• Eating certain foods or missing meals
• Extremes of weather
• Long-distance travel
• Loud noises
• Altered sleep pattern

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of headaches?

Answer 3

• Tension Headache:
  ¬> Bilateral, dull ache with a pressing or tightening sensation across the forehead and/or base of skull.
• Migraine:
  ¬> Pulsating/throbbing headache.
  ¬> With or without aura/visual disturbances.
• Sinusitis
  ¬> Usually unilateral behind and around the eye and is typically worse on bending forwards and sensitive to touch.

Question 4

What are the referral symptoms of headaches?

Answer 4

• Headache associated with injury/trauma.
• Headache associated with fever or rash.
• Severe headache for more than 4 hrs.
• Headache in children under 12 years
• Associated drowsiness unsteadiness, visual disturbances/vomiting or altered level of consciousness.
• Neck stiffness
• Frequent and persistent headaches
• Sudden onset.
• Different or more severe than previous headaches.

Question 5

What are the OTC treatments for headaches?

Answer 5

• Analgesics
  ¬> Simple
  ¬> Opioid containing
• Doxylamine

Question 6

What are the general advice for headaches?

Answer 6

• Has the patient had a recent eye test?
  ¬> Eye Strain can be a cause of headaches.
  -Tension headaches:
  ¬> Reassurance and stress-relieving techniques are often useful in sufferers.
  ¬> Physical exercise can also help to alleviate symptoms, particularly as it is more common in sedentary lifestyles.
• Meningitis should always be considered and ruled out when asked for advice on headache.
  ¬> Refer if there is any doubt

Question 7

What are some examples of opioid containing analgesics?

Answer 7

• Codeine
• Dihydrocodeine

Question 8

What are some examples of simple analgesics?

Answer 8

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen

Question 9

What is the maximum use for opioid containing analgesics?

Answer 9

Maximum 3 days, as can cause addiction.

Question 10

How does doxylamine help headaches?

Answer 10

• An antihistamine with sedative and relaxing effects.
• Useful in treating tension headaches.
• Contained within syndol:
  ¬> Used for the short term treatment of acute moderate pain, which is not relieved by paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.