Headache Management and Medications

Includes abortive therapy (to relieve pain during or after the headache) and preventive therapy for frequent headaches.

Uses NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications for mild migraines.

Employs triptans (vasoconstrictors), ergotamine with caffeine (blood vessel narrowers), and isometheptene for severe migraines when other meds fail.

Uses NSAIDs with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or antiepileptics, or onabotulinumtoxinA injections for chronic migraines.

Imaging tests done if neurologic issues arise or the patient is over 50 with new-onset headaches.

Avoiding specific foods, medications, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits that can trigger migraines.

Hormone fluctuations, particularly during menstruation and ovulation, can trigger migraines in some women.

Alternative treatments like yoga, meditation, tai chi, and acupuncture can help with relaxation and pain management.

A wearable headband that stimulates the trigeminal nerve to reduce migraine pain.

Foods rich in tyramine, like aged cheese and pickled foods, can trigger migraines.

Cluster headaches occur more frequently during the spring and fall months.

Cluster headaches are more common in males (sex assigned at birth) between the ages of 20 and 50.

Cluster headaches cause intense, unilateral, nonthrobbing pain that lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours and may radiate to the forehead, temple, or cheek.

Other symptoms of cluster headaches include tearing, runny nose, nasal congestion, facial sweating, drooping eyelid, miosis, facial pallor or flushing, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, and a strong urge to pace, walk, or rock.

Cluster headaches are less common than migraines and lack an aura or preliminary manifestations.

The pain of a cluster headache is intense and localized to one side of the head, often radiating to the forehead, temple, or cheek.

A cluster headache episode lasts for 15 minutes to 3 hours, unlike migraines, which can last for days.

There are no specific triggers for cluster headaches, unlike migraines which can be triggered by certain foods, stress, or menstruation.

Inhaling oxygen at 12 liters per minute for 15-20 minutes at the onset of a headache can provide relief within 15 minutes.

Triptans, a type of medication, work as vasoconstrictors, narrowing blood vessels and relieving migraine pain.

Foods containing tyramine, MSG, and nitrites, like aged cheese and processed meats, can trigger migraines.

Complementary and alternative therapies like yoga, meditation, and tai chi can promote relaxation, which helps prevent headaches.

Wearing sunglasses to reduce light and glare can help prevent headaches.

A condition affecting the macula, the central part of the retina, causing central vision loss. It's often age-related and has no cure.

The most common type of macular degeneration caused by gradual blockage of arteries in the retina, leading to cell death in the macula.

A less common but more serious type of AMD where new, leaky blood vessels grow in the macula, causing fluid and blood leakage.

Factors that increase the chance of developing AMD include smoking, hypertension, female sex, short stature, family history, lack of carotene and vitamin E in diet, age over 60, and Caucasian race.

Dry AMD is more common, caused by gradual blockage of retinal arteries leading to ischemic damage. Wet AMD is less frequent, involving abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage.