Case Study 43 Migraine Headache
Student Name
Assignment 01: Migraines
Part A
1.) While very similar in nature, the classic migraine has two distinguishing features that differentiate it from the common migraine. 85% of all migraine headaches are characterized as a common migraine. A common migraine often brings about a pain of moderate-to-severe intensity that is described as “throbbing” or “pounding.” While this pain typically manifests itself unilaterally, meaning the pain is localized to one side of the head, it is more specifically localized to the temple. Easily aggravated by physical activity, the common migraine can often have supplementary neck pain. With a diagnosis given after a minimum of five episodes, a common migraine is never preceded by luminous visual hallucinations, or aura, triggered by the vasoconstriction of arterioles and resulting reduced blood flow in the cerebral cortex. A classic migraine is displayed very similarly to a common migraine, however, classic migraines are preceded by aura and a diagnosis is given after a minimum of two attacks.
The patient in this case study is suffering from a common migraine. I arrived at this diagnosis by correlating her symptoms with those that characterize common and classic migraines. The patient complains of a “pounding and throbbing” headache with pain that is unilaterally localized to her right temple and associated neck pain. Having been diagnosed with migraine headaches since the age of 9, with the preset migraine being the third one in the past month, the patient has exceeded the five-episode minimum required for a common migraine diagnosis.
2.) Excessive consumption of caffeine, stress, depression, and photophobia, are all factors that either potentiate or contribute to this patient’s migraine. When a person suffers from depression, it has been found that there are low blood levels of serotonin. This patient has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and was prescribed phelelzine sulfate to combat her
Assignment 01: Migraines
Part A
1.) While very similar in nature, the classic migraine has two distinguishing features that differentiate it from the common migraine. 85% of all migraine headaches are characterized as a common migraine. A common migraine often brings about a pain of moderate-to-severe intensity that is described as “throbbing” or “pounding.” While this pain typically manifests itself unilaterally, meaning the pain is localized to one side of the head, it is more specifically localized to the temple. Easily aggravated by physical activity, the common migraine can often have supplementary neck pain. With a diagnosis given after a minimum of five episodes, a common migraine is never preceded by luminous visual hallucinations, or aura, triggered by the vasoconstriction of arterioles and resulting reduced blood flow in the cerebral cortex. A classic migraine is displayed very similarly to a common migraine, however, classic migraines are preceded by aura and a diagnosis is given after a minimum of two attacks.
The patient in this case study is suffering from a common migraine. I arrived at this diagnosis by correlating her symptoms with those that characterize common and classic migraines. The patient complains of a “pounding and throbbing” headache with pain that is unilaterally localized to her right temple and associated neck pain. Having been diagnosed with migraine headaches since the age of 9, with the preset migraine being the third one in the past month, the patient has exceeded the five-episode minimum required for a common migraine diagnosis.
2.) Excessive consumption of caffeine, stress, depression, and photophobia, are all factors that either potentiate or contribute to this patient’s migraine. When a person suffers from depression, it has been found that there are low blood levels of serotonin. This patient has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and was prescribed phelelzine sulfate to combat her