Vascular Headaches
| Definition: |
A group of disorders characterized by recurrent headaches associated with abnormal dilation and constriction of cerebral blood vessels. Representative disorders from this category include MIGRAINE; CLUSTER HEADACHE; and paroxysmal hemicrania. |
| Notes: |
GEN: prefer specifics |
| Also Called: |
Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania |
Vascular Headaches Categories.
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Cluster Headache - A syndrome characterized by daily episodes of intense periorbital pain that recur over a period of 6-12 weeks that may be followed by a period of remission of months to years. The pain is non-throbbing, has a duration of 30-60 minutes and tends to occur at night or at regular intervals during the day. Unilateral rhinorrhea, conjunctival injection, lacrimation, facial flushing, and miosis frequently accompany the headaches, which primarily affect young adult males. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p181) |
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Migraine - A subtype of vascular headaches characterized by periodic unilateral pulsatile headaches which begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adult life and recur with diminishing frequency during advancing years. The two major subtypes are CLASSIC MIGRAINE (i.e., migraine with aura) and COMMON MIGRAINE (i.e., migraine without aura). Migrainous episodes may be associated with alterations in cerebral blood flow. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p172) |
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Tension Headache - A common condition characterized by recurrent occipital, temporal, or frontal pressure-like HEADACHE associated with nuchal discomfort. Mid-life onset and bilateral pain are features which tend to distinguish this condition from COMMON MIGRAINE. ANXIETY and DEPRESSION may aggravate this condition. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp182-3) |
Vascular Headaches Definitions and Terms
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