Headaches: When to Seek Medical Attention

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Questions and Answers

What should be done if a patient presents with symptoms of DVT but has not been diagnosed with it?

Check with the doctor for approval before any intervention.

Perform local massage on the affected limb.

Refer the patient for immediate medical evaluation. (correct)

Administer saline injections to alleviate symptoms.

Which condition requires avoiding postural drainage due to the possibility of blood in sputum?

Emphysema (correct)

Chronic Bronchitis

Osteoporosis

Recent trauma

In which of the following situations is it safe to apply local massage?

If the patient has ongoing symptoms of sinusitis.

When the patient has a current diagnosis of DVT.

When the patient displays symptoms of intense facial swelling.

If the patient does not display signs of thrombophlebitis. (correct)

What position is recommended for a patient with advanced emphysema?

Side lying or semifowlers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is a contraindication for percussion treatment?

Malignancy or potential malignancy. Signup and view all the answers

What symptom should raise concern for a headache following a head injury?

Worsening head pain over time Signup and view all the answers

Which condition indicates that massage should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy?

Risk of miscarriage Signup and view all the answers

What is a key precaution to take when providing massage to a client with hypertension?

Avoiding deep neck work Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is indicative of Peripheral Cardiovascular Disease?

Intermittent claudication Signup and view all the answers

During pregnancy, which position should a client avoid if they feel unwell?

Supine position Signup and view all the answers

What treatment modification is necessary for a new headache in a patient with a history of cancer?

Refer to a physician Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario necessitates avoiding deep treatment to the medial side of the leg?

Concern about blood clots Signup and view all the answers

What is an appropriate approach for managing a client with varicose veins?

Only perform massage post-medical treatment Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when treating diabetes-related issues with skin integrity?

Avoid areas where skin is compromised Signup and view all the answers

Which sign is associated with severe headaches that may indicate complications?

Accompanied by neurological symptoms like confusion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Headaches

Sudden onset severe pain: Requires immediate attention
Headache with fever: Indicates possible infection, needs evaluation
Nausea and/or vomiting with headache: Suggests potential underlying cause, seek medical advice
Progressive headache, especially after injury: Could indicate swelling or brain damage, crucial to consult a doctor
Neurological symptoms (confusion, seizures, memory loss, etc.): Medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention
Headache after effort (coughing, straining): May relate to other conditions, requires further investigation
New headache after 55 or in early childhood: Unusual, warrants prompt diagnosis
Numbness on one side of the face/head with headache: Could indicate neurological problem, requires evaluation
Headache with fluid or blood from ears: Signifies potential issue, requires urgent medical attention
Unusual headache pattern: Contact healthcare professional for evaluation
New headache in patients with cancer or heart disease: Requires careful management and consultation with doctor
Current headaches require modified treatment: Adapt approach based on assessment of specific symptoms

Pregnancy

Caution with joint mobilization: Due to the hormone relaxin's effects
Avoid deep massage to lower back, sacrum, and abdomen (first trimester): Minimizes miscarriage risk (although massage does not increase miscarriage risk)
Mindful fascial techniques: Importance of careful consideration and patient comfort
Contraindicated massage for sudden blood pressure changes: Referral to doctor or midwife needed
Gestational diabetes: Make sure the patient has eaten before massage
Avoid systemic hot hydro: Preventing increased maternal temperature
Change position/discontinue massage if patient feels unwell supine (2nd/3rd trimester): Maintain patient comfort
Increased risk of blood clots: Four to five times higher than normal during pregnancy
Clot formation: Most common in stagnant or slow-moving veins (iliac, femoral, saphenous)
Avoid deep treatment medial leg: If concerned about blood clot formation, refer to physician
Refer to medical doctor for concerns: Pregnancy-related issues warrant medical attention.

Hypertension

No full body hydro: Avoid full body hydrotherapy
No prolonged leg elevation: Prolonged leg elevation needs to be avoided.
Deep neck work and neck stretching precautions: These actions may compress blood vessels.
Modify full-body strokes to short segmental: Adjust massage techniques to smaller areas
Avoid full-body lymphatic drainage: Adapt massage for lymphatic drainage
Avoid painful or stimulating techniques: Ensure comfortable and safe treatment for the patient

Peripheral Cardiovascular Disease (Raynaud's/Buerger's)

Pain on activity, stopping with rest (intermittent claudication): Recognize the predictable pattern of this pain.
Pain on elevation, relieved when dependent (legs down): Understand the pain relief with positional changes.
Reduced circulation to extremities: Assess for skin integrity, diminished pulses, etc.
Uncontrolled hypertension (stage 3 or higher): Do not do circulatory massage in these cases; consult with a doctor.
Consult doctor (stage 3 or higher): Avoid circulatory massage

Diabetes

Avoid areas with compromised skin: Protect the patient from injury
No elevation of affected limb: Do not elevate the affected limb
Modify temperature: Avoid extreme temperatures
Modify stimulatory techniques during attacks: Modify techniques during vasospastic attack
Contact physician for consultation: Appropriate consultation if diabetes is an issue.

Varicose Veins

Deep techniques (if tissue dystrophic): Consider deep techniques with proper considerations for tissue
Local massage (if painful): Target painful areas for massage
Massage after medical intervention: 24 hours post medical treatment like injections/surgery.
Avoid massage over varicose veins without diagnosis: Don't treat unless a professional diagnosis is current.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Local massage/ROM (if no DVT diagnosis): Massage near the affected area if there is no diagnosis of DVT.
No proximal distal heat: Avoid heat
Consult doctor if current DVT: Follow advice of doctor for existing DVTs
Suspect DVT: Immediate medical referral.
Important Referral: Urgent referral to a medical professional
Avoid lower limb treatment with recent femoral fracture: Bilateral (both legs) treatment and recent femoral fractures.

Sinusitis

Fever present: fever associated with sinus issues
Facial trauma: Facial issues and trauma associated with sinusitis
Severe swelling affecting vision/hearing: Significant swelling related to affected senses.
Persistent symptoms: Ongoing symptoms may require further examination.

COPD (Emphysema + Chronic Bronchitis)

Dyspnea (shortness of breath): Shortness of breath periods
Fatigue during daily activities (ADLs); Fatigue affecting daily activities.
Cardiovascular issues (CHF or pulmonary hypertension): Existing conditions requiring care.
Respiratory infections: Potential comorbidity
Advanced emphysema: Side lying or semi-Fowler's position (require doctor's approval)
Blood in sputum: No postural drainage if blood is present.

Osteoporosis

No percussion or tampotement: Specific techniques need to be avoided.
Malignancy (suspected or known): Need to proceed with care.
Inflammation, or recent trauma. Avoid areas with inflammation or recent trauma.
Pain during treatment, or infection: These need to be taken into account, or avoided.
Eating before massage: Ensure the patient has eaten before the session.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the warning signs associated with headaches that may require immediate medical evaluation. Learn about symptoms like severe pain, nausea, and neurological changes that indicate serious conditions. Test your knowledge on when to seek help for different headache types and scenarios.