In my last post I introduced the concept of concussion and the teenager with headaches. I would like to continue this topic by discussing what is helpful for these kids to help avoid disability and too much missed school. The first step we recommend is for them to see their PCP or even the ED … Continue reading Concussion and the headache patient
There is much evidence and information in the literature about the general effect of concussion on kids and teens. Most pediatric practices and schools use specific protocols for concussion recovery and these plans generally work well. Unfortunately, for patients with headache, the story of recovery can be quite different. In this post, I would like … Continue reading The Impact of concussion on teens with headache
I have recently reviewed the basics of New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) so providers in the community can have a better understanding of this primary headache. It is often misdiagnosed, mainly due to unfamiliarity. And now that you have a better understanding, you will be able to recognize it more readily. One of the most … Continue reading The challenge of taking care of patients with NDPH
Let’s talk today about the story of NDPH, a primary headache not well understood or recognized, a zebra among headaches. The more we know about it, the more it is recognized. But that does not make it any easier to deal with as a provider or a patient. The first documented description of NDPH was … Continue reading More about NDPH
In this post, I am going to introduce you to another primary headache, new daily persistent headache (NDPH). This primary headache is not often seen in primary care, but I think our clinic population has about 25% of teens with this diagnosis. There’s a good reason why a referral to a specialty headache program is … Continue reading Introducing……… New Daily Persistent Headache
I have reviewed factors contributing to tension-type headaches, as well as some preventive strategies. In this post I will cover appropriate rescue medications, and talk about treatment for underlying anxiety, which often needs to be addressed for kids with tension-type headaches. Analgesia is a key part of a rescue strategy for TTH. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs … Continue reading Tension-type headache strategies
So you have diagnosed your teenaged patient with tension-type headaches, what are the next steps to prevent and treat them? The same questions apply to TTH as to migraine: Does this patient need a preventive or daily medication? What is the rescue plan? And even more importantly, what about the lifestyle factors that can trigger … Continue reading Tension-type headache treatments
Starting this month, I am going to move on from migraine and start to review another primary headache, tension-type headache (TTH), commonly seen in children and teens. In earlier blog posts I discussed lifestyle factors for good headache hygiene. All of those recommendations can be applied to any headache type, including TTH, and I refer … Continue reading Talking about Tension-type headaches
In this case study we’ll look at a fairly straightforward patient, with some twists and turns and decision points along the way. Case Study: Patty is currently an 18 year-old teenage girl with a history of migraine headaches since age 9. You have been seeing her for years, and this is her story. At the … Continue reading Migraine case study, part 3
Here are the case studies with your possible interventions. Case Study #1: Sally is an 8 year-old little girl who you have known since birth. She’s happy and friendly, loves to play soccer and school, especially math. She met all of her developmental milestones, though you do remember that she did have colic as an infant. … Continue reading Migraine case studies, part 2
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