Various types of headaches and neurological conditions present distinct symptoms and require specific treatments. Giant cell arteritis, common in individuals over 50, is characterized by tender, thickened temporal arteries and requires prompt steroid treatment to prevent vision loss.
Chronic use of:- mixed analgesia (i.e. with codeine)- opiates- ergotamines- triptans
Chronic raised ICP
VomitingPapilloedemaEpilepsyProgressive focal neurologyMental or behavioural change
Don't lumbar puncture
Present on waking/causes wakingWorse lying down
Occurs in 50% of RICPSOL (neoplasm, abscess, subdural)Benign intracranial hypertension
Tension headache
Tight band around headBilateral, non-pulsatileStress & depression
Very common, any demographicEsp. middle-aged women
Acute single episode
Head injury
DrowsinessFocal neurology
Subdural haematomaExtradural haematoma
Pain local to trauma or generalisedLasts ~2/52, may resist analgesia
Common following minor head trauma
Tropical infection
E.g. malaria, typhoid, Dengue feverSEE INFECTIOUS DISEASE NOTES
Sinusitis
Usually self limitingAnalgesia and steam inhalationDiscourage smoking and alcohol excessAntiobiotics (e.g. amox/doxy) may work
Dull, constant ache over affected frontal/maxillary sinusTender overlying skin ± post-nasal dripEthmoid/sphenoid pain is felt deep in midlinePain worse bending over, may have associated coryza
Often 2° bacterial infection after viralSometimes 2° to tooth root infection
Sub-arachnoid
Encephalitis
EXPERT HELP! ITUAciclovir for HSVEmpirical Abx: ceftriaxone, benpen
Inflammation of brain parenchyma > meningesViral (HSV, Japanese B, HIV, coxsackie, echo, rabies, West Nile)Measles: subacute sclerosing panecephalitisRubella: progressive rubella panencephalitisS. aureus and other pyogenic bacteria from e.g. sinus, SBE/IE
Unilateral paroxysms of intense, stabbing pain, lasting secondsMost commonly in mandibular and maxillary divisionsMay recur frequently through day and nightMay be triggered by touching the area, shaving etc.
Rapid onset of STRICTLY unilateral (and always same side)Pain around 1 eye, watery & bloodshotEpidsodes last 15-160 mins, 1-2 episodes/dayClusters last 4-12/52 then pain free for months
Autosomal dominantM > F, smokersSuperficial tempral artery hypersensitivty to 5HT
Migraine
SEE HEADACHES II
Subacute
Giant cell arteritis
Exclude in any > 50y with persistent headache > 2/52