Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal

Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal
Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal
Classification and external resources
ICD-9 339.3

Headaches can be attributed to many different substances. Some of these include alcohol, NO, carbon monoxide poisoning, cocaine, and MSG. Chronic use of certain medications used to treat headaches can also start causing headaches, known as medication overuse headaches. Headaches may also be a symptoms of medication withdrawal.

Contents

Classification

These headaches have been further sub classified by the ICHD2[1] into

  • Headaches induced by acute substance use or exposure
  • Medication overuse headaches (MOH)
  • Headaches attributed to chronic medication use
  • Headaches attributed to substance withdrawal

Causes

A number of different causes contribute to this class of headache. Several common chemicals may be the culprit. Nitrite compounds dilate blood vessels, causing dull and pounding headaches with repeat exposure. Nitrite is found in dynamite, heart medicine and it is a chemical used to preserve meat. Eating foods prepared with monosodium glutamate (MSG) may thus result in headache. Acetaldehyde from alcohol may also cause a headache either acutely or after a number of hours (hangover).

Poisons, like carbon tetrachloride found in insecticides and lead can also cause headaches with repeated exposure. Ingesting lead paint or having contact with lead batteries can cause headaches, and so can exposure to materials that contain chemical solvents, like benzene, which are found in turpentine, spray adhesives, rubber cement, and inks. Headaches are also a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Drugs such as amphetamines can cause headaches as a side effect. Another type of drug-related headache occurs during withdrawal from long-term therapy with the antimigraine drug ergotamine tartrate. This is more commonly known as rebound headache, although some sources use the term interchangeably.

Diagnosis

Headaches due to environmental causes are usually diagnosed by taking an exposure history.

Treatment

These headaches are treated by determining the cause of the headache and treating or removing this cause

References

  1. ^ "216.25.100.131" (PDF). the Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. http://216.25.100.131/ihscommon/guidelines/pdfs/ihc_II_main_no_print.pdf. 

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tramadol — Systematic (IUPAC) name …   Wikipedia

  • syndrome — The aggregate of symptoms and signs associated with any morbid process, and constituting together the picture of the disease. SEE ALSO: disease. [G. s., a running together, tumultuous concourse; (in med.) a concurrence of symptoms, fr. syn,… …   Medical dictionary

  • mental disorder — Any illness with a psychological origin, manifested either in symptoms of emotional distress or in abnormal behaviour. Most mental disorders can be broadly classified as either psychoses or neuroses (see neurosis; psychosis). Psychoses (e.g.,… …   Universalium

  • drug — drug1 /drug/, n., v., drugged, drugging. n. 1. Pharm. a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well being. 2. (in federal law) a. any substance… …   Universalium

  • Health and Disease — ▪ 2009 Introduction Food and Drug Safety.       In 2008 the contamination of infant formula and related dairy products with melamine in China led to widespread health problems in children, including urinary problems and possible renal tube… …   Universalium

  • Drug — /droog/, n. Zoroastrianism. the cosmic principle of disorder and falsehood. Cf. Asha. [ < Avestan drauga] * * * I Any chemical agent that affects the function of living things. Some, including antibiotics, stimulants, tranquilizers,… …   Universalium

  • Placebo — For other uses, see Placebo (disambiguation) and Placebo effect (disambiguation). Sugar pill redirects here. For Kids of 88 album, see Sugarpills. The placebo effect can be produced by inert tablets, by sham surgery, and by false information,… …   Wikipedia

  • Caffeine — This article is about the stimulant drug. For other uses, see Caffeine (disambiguation). Caffeine Systematic (IUPAC) name …   Wikipedia

  • List of misconceptions about illegal drugs — Many urban legends and misconceptions about classified drugs have been created and circulated among children and the general public, with varying degrees of veracity. These are commonly repeated by organizations which oppose all classified drug… …   Wikipedia

  • Post-concussion syndrome — Classification and external resources ICD 10 F07.2 ICD 9 310.2 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”