Question

A 17-year-old female comes into the emergency department for throbbing headache. She reports associated nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Symptoms have been present for the past 13 hours and have not improved. She states that she has similar symptoms around the time of her period, and notes that she should be starting her period soon. Physical exam is within normal limits. She has tried taking Tylenol without improvement. What additional treatments could you try for the suspected diagnosis?

a) Oral contraceptives
b) NSAIDs
c) Triptans
d) Caffeine

Answer 1

Possible additional treatments for the suspected diagnosis of a migraine headache include oral contraceptives, NSAIDs, triptans, and caffeine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described by the patient are consistent with a migraine headache. Migraines are more severe headaches that can be triggered by various factors, such as certain foods, bright lights, weather changes, or hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. In this case, the patient mentions that she has similar symptoms around the time of her period, indicating a possible menstrual-related migraine.

Additional treatments that could be tried for the suspected diagnosis include:

• Oral contraceptives: These hormonal medications can help regulate hormone fluctuations that may be triggering the migraines.
• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can provide relief for some individuals experiencing migraines.
• Triptans: These prescription medications specifically target migraine symptoms and can help alleviate pain, nausea, and other associated symptoms.
• Caffeine: In some cases, caffeine can be effective in enhancing the effectiveness of certain migraine medications.