Headaches
Terms:
Sumatriptan
A 5HT agonist that is effective in the treatment of acute migraine and cluster headaches. It is administered orally, subcutaneously or via a nasal spray. Possible side effects include sensation of tingling and tightness, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pain, fatigue and an increase in blood pressure.1
Pizotifen
Antihistamine drug; used in the prevention of severe migraines and cluster headaches. Administered orally. The drug acts by blocking the effects of serotonin. Possible side effects include dizziness, drowsiness and weight gain.1
Objectives:
What are the main types of headaches?
Pathophysiology of migraines
Causes of migraines
What are the treatments for migraines?
What are the main types of headaches?
Headaches are defined as pain in the head or the upper neck. This is one of the commonest causes of pain in the body and has multiple causes.2 Headaches can be split into two main categories3,4:
1. Primary Headache
2. Secondary Headache
Primary headaches are usually recurrent and the patient is free between the attacks, these types of headaches do not have an organic cause.4 Examples of primary headaches are2,3,4:
Tension type headaches (TTH)
These are the most common type of headaches. Up to 90% of the population of adults have had or will have tension headaches at some point during their life.2,4
Tension-type headaches are believed to be produced by ‘neurovascular irritation’ and tension within the scalp muscles.5 the sensation of a tension type headache can be described as tight band like occurring bilaterally. A pressure is usually felt behind the eyes and the pain may radiate down to the neck and shoulders.4,5
Tension-type headaches can last between 30mins to several days.4
Migraines
Migraines are the second most common type of headache and present in both children and adults. 2 Migraines are also recurrent headaches and in some people are accompanied with visual and gastrointestinal...