Headache presentation

1. PAINFUL CONDITIONS

2. OBJECTIVES
• Classifications of headache
• pathophysiology of various types of
headaches
• symptoms

3. INTRODUCTION
Headache is pain in any region of the head.
Headache is pain originating from the surrounding structures of
the head i.e blood vessels, meninges, facial muscles, cranial or
spinal nerves e.t.c
There are different types of headache and each type of headache
has its own pathophysiology.
anatomical origin of headaches
headaches are actually refferred pain from any part of deep
tissues. the brain itself does not sense pain but can rather
interprete it. the head has got pain sensitive parts that sense pain
on the head. these areas are
• soft tissues: skin,mucus membrane,muscles and other soft
tissues on the face, ears,nose,scuple and throat are all pain
sensitive.
• the meninges of the brain.
• central and peripheral nervous system
• intercranial vessels

4. CLASSIFICATION
• PRIMARY HEADACHE
these are a class of headaches that affect or radiate any part of the head
and neck. patients usually experience these headaches on specific areas
of the head.
 migrain
 cluster
 tension
• SECONDARY HEADACHE
on these types pain may not originally be stimulated on the head,it can be
refered from any part of the body.
 sinus headache
 spinal headache
 rebound headache
 hormonal headache
 post- traumatic headache

5. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OF HEADACHE
1. Tension Headache
Mild to moderate pain often described as feeling like a
tight band around the head.
Factors that can bring on a tension headache such as
stress, posture, alcohol use
Symptoms Of Tension Headache
 Pain on both sides of the head
 Difficulty falling asleep.
 The pain is usually dull
 Pain often described as feeling like a band around the
head

6. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OF HEADACHE
2.Migraine Headache
Migraines are thought to involve a complex interplay of
neurovascular factors. One theory is the “neurovascular
theory” which suggests that there is initial vasoconstriction
followed by vasodilation leading to pain.
Another theory involves the trigeminovascular system.
Activation of the trigeminal nerve can lead to the release of
imflammatory molecules called neuropeptides such as
calcitonin gene- related peptide, which can cause pain and
blood vessel dilation.

7. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OF HEADACHE
 Conti...
Symptoms Of Migraine
 Migraine headache is described as pounding, throbbing
sentation in one particular area that vary in intensity.
 Sensitivity to light and sound
 nausea and vomiting
 pain especially on the forehead
 The pain can be frequent/ severe
 dizziness

8. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF
HEADACHE
3. Sinus Headaches
Sinuses are structures inside your face that are normally
filled with air.
Bacterial infections, Viral infections, and allergies can
irritate them causing them to be or get blocked and filled
with fluid (Mucus).
Sinus headache can be caused by sinus congestion and
inflammation called sinusitis.
Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache
 Face tender or swelling in your face
 stuffy nose
 worsening pain if the head is bent forward or lie down
 pain is worse with sudden movements of the head.

9. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OF HEADACHE
4. Spinal headache
Spinal headache happens when the amount of celebral spinal
fluid (CSF) around your brain decreases, it can be caused by
leakage of spinal fluid through a pancture hole in the membrane
that surrounds the spinal cord. This leakage decreases the
pressure exerted by the spinal fluid on the brain and spinal cord
which leads to headache.
Symptoms
 The intense or throbbing headache that starts in front or back
of your head.
 pain that worsens when sitted or standing and gets better
when you lie down
 Neck pain or stiffness, Photophobia

10. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF
HEADACHE
5. Cluster Headache
This headache is intense and severe unilateral headache which
is associated with autonomic features.
Pathophysiology involves activation of the trigeminal vascular
complex and the trigeminal-autonomic.
Symptoms
 Eyelid dropping or swelling
 One side of the head pain
 Pain builds to a peak in about 10-15 minutes
 Each episode of pain can last from 1- 3hrs
 Daily episodes of pain over 2-3 months, after which there is a
remission for anything up to 2 years
 Sweating on the forehead

11. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HEADACHE
6. Post- Traumatic Headache
This is the type of headache that occurs within seven days
following the trauma or within seven days after recovering
consciousness or the ability to sense.
The pathophysiology is still unknown, however, several
theories have been proposed to explain the underlying cause of
PTH. These include impaired descending modulation,
neurometabolic changes and activation of the trigeminal
sensory system.
Symptoms
 Mood and personality changes like depression and
nervousness
 Insomnia, Trouble in concertrating
 The pain can be felt on the forehead, neck,back of the head.

12. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF
HEADACHE
7. Rebound Headache (Medication overuse headache)
Pathophysiology: as a result of prolonged usage of pain
relievers which may trigger headaches.
Symptoms
 Insomnia
 difficulty in concertrating
 Nausea and vomiting
 Irritability

13. CLASSIFICATION/ PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF
HEADACHE
8.Hormonal Headache
Pathophysiology: causes of hormonal headaches, especially
migraine headaches, have been linked to the female hormone
estrogen.
Estrogen controls chemicals in the brain that affect the
sensation of pain. A drop estrogen levels can trigger a
headache.
A menstrual migraine or hormonal headache start before or
during a womans period and can happen every month.
Symptoms
 A dull, throbbing or severe pulsing headache
 Sensitivity to light
 Nausea, Fattigue, Dizziness

14. REFFERENCE
1. DALE, M. M., RANG, H.P., & DALE, M. M (2007). Rang & Dale’s pharmacology. [Edinburgh],
Churchill L ivingstone
2. Katzung BG. (Ed), Ed. Bertram G. Katzung. eds. Basics & Clinical Pharmacology, 14e.
McGraw-Hill

15. NAMES OF PARTICIPANTS
1. Yvonne Bwalya 2021011807
2. Dorothy Kabala 2021010289
3. Mirriam Chisha 2021011375
4. Joshua Choma 2021010530
5. James Sialwala 2021010560
6. Phillimon Kombe 2021010787
7. Alice Chibanga 2021010264
8. David Kandiye 2020070644
9. Douglas Kalunga 2021010411
10. Mwiila Samunenku 2021010753
11. Kalonga Dalitso 2020070657
12. Ulendo Simfukwe 2022011730