Head and Neck Disorders Quiz

Head and Neck Disorders

• The cranium protects the brain and brainstem.
• The head has 22 cranial and facial bones.
• These bones allow for facial expressions, eating, speaking, and head movement.
• The head is the center for information processing and sensory functions.
• Headaches are a common and frequently treated disorder, impacting daily activities (e.g., concentration, vision, hearing, appetite, and exercise).
• Headaches can be benign or signify a serious condition like a brain tumor or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Headaches come in three main types: tension, cluster, and migraine.

Headaches

• Headaches are the most common disorder requiring treatment.
• They often interfere with daily living tasks such as concentration, vision, hearing, appetite, and exercise.
• Headaches can be a warning sign of more serious conditions like brain tumors.
• Headaches vary: they can be tension, cluster, or migraine.
• Symptoms can vary (e.g., throbbing, dizziness, or sensitivity to light).

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• TBI is an injury to the brain caused by outside forces.
• Injuries can be temporary or permanent.
• TBI is caused by accidents (car, bike, fall), alcohol abuse, or abuse of children or elderly.
• Symptoms include headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, memory problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, and changes in speech.
• Treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

Assessment of Headaches

• Medical and social history are key to diagnosis.
• Neurological examinations are necessary.
• The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) is a diagnostic tool.
• Headache diary helps track frequency, triggers, and patterns.
• Diagnostic imaging (CT scan, MRI) might be necessary to rule out serious conditions.
• An EEG may be performed.

Cluster Headaches

• Cluster headaches are a neurovascular disorder characterized by severe, unilateral, periorbital pain.
• The pain is sharp, stabbing, and typically one-sided, radiating to the cheek, jaw, occipital region, or neck. This often presents in the morning or during sleep.
• Cluster headaches are frequently accompanied by symptoms like tearing of the eyes, redness, runny nose, and eyelid swelling.
• Triggers include alcohol, smoking, stress, allergies, and weather changes.

Migraine Headaches

• Migraine headaches are unilateral, vascular, and throbbing.
• Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
• Auras (visual or sensory experiences) can precede the headaches.
• Common causes include stress, hormones, smoking, weather changes, food additives, caffeine, alcohol, or excessive fatigue.
• Migraine treatment addresses both acute pain relief and prevention.

Lymphatic Tissue of the Neck

• Lymph nodes, located throughout the body (neck, groin, chest, armpits), transport lymph (fluid containing white blood cells) throughout the body.
• These nodes are centers for immune cell proliferation and response.
• Lymph nodes filter debris and pathogens, and become enlarged when infected.
• Lymphadenopathy is the term for enlarged lymph nodes.

Structure and Function of the Neck

• The neck supports the head and contains arteries supplying blood to the brain and veins returning blood.
• The neck contains vital structures like the larynx, thyroid gland, and trachea.
• Muscles in the neck facilitate movement and support.
• Carotid arteries deliver blood to the brain and jugular veins return blood from the head to the neck's blood vessels.

Multiple Myeloma

• Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the lymphatic system arising from B-lymphocytes in bone marrow.
• It proliferates in bone marrow, causes bone lesions (osteolytic bone lesions), and disrupts normal antibody production, leading to a weakened immune system.
• Symptoms include bone pain, fractures, high blood calcium, anemia, recurrent infections, weight loss, and fatigue.
• Diagnosis often includes a bone marrow biopsy, x-rays, complete blood counts, urine tests for Bence Jones proteins.
• Treatment may involve chemotherapy, steroids, and bone marrow/stem cell transplants.

Thyroid Disorders

• The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck and regulates metabolism.
• It produces hormones T3 and T4.
• Hyperthyroidism is excessive thyroid activity, causing rapid metabolism, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and tremors.
• Hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid activity, causing slow metabolism, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, and constipation.

Altered Thyroid Function

• Hyperthyroidism accelerates metabolism, causing sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and sweating.
• Hypothyroidism slows metabolism, resulting in unintentional weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, brittle hair, constipation, and depression.