Pathophysiology of Diseases

Running head: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF DISEASES 1
Pathophysiology of Diseases
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF DISEASES 2
Migraine
It is a type of headache often recurring. It causes severe pain especially on one side of the head.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of Migraine is founded upon the physiology and the anatomy of the pain-
producing structures aligned to the cranium (Parikh & Young, 2019). of great interest, is the
inherited nature of this disorder. It has been discovered that most patients suffering from
Migraine also have their close relatives suffering from the disease. According to Lertxundi
(2018), It is also evident that Migraine can be transmitted from parents to their children.
Disease process and how it occurs
Migraine Pain Theory reveals that the pain caused by Migraine occurs because of the numerous
waves of activity engaged by the groups of excitable brain cells. Body chemicals such as
serotonin are triggered causing blood vessels to narrow. Further, when the serotonin or estrogen
levels fluctuate, it results to Migraine. This fluctuations may affect both genders. Fluctuations of
hormone levels in women puts them at a higher risk of suffering from Migraine than in men
(Parikh & Young, 2019). Lowered levels in estrogen often causes constractions in blood vessels
hence making the scalp and facial nerves to become more sensitive to pain.
Signs and symptoms
Migraine will often start during one’s childhood, adolescence and may also get to one’s early
adulthood. It goes through four stages which are prodrome, aura, attack and post-drome. Signs
and symptoms during Prodrome are constipation, abnormal food cravings among others. In Aura,
one will experience vision loss, difficulty in speaking among others. Attack usually lasts between

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF DISEASES 3
four to 72 hours and then one gets to the final level Post-drone which often causes one to feel
drained.
Physical Assessment Findings
A patient with sign and symptoms of Migraine should visit a doctor for proper diagnosis. The
patient will be required to give a detailed history of the persistent headaches or other symptoms
taken. The doctor also carries out an intensive examination that includes a neurological
assessment. The doctor gives a prescription based on the above information.
Pharmacologic recommendations for the disease process
According to Lertxundi (2018), the recommendations for the prevention of this disease are
sodium valproate (800 to 1500 mg/d), divalproex sodium (500 to 1500 mg/d), amitriptyline (30
to 150 mg/d), timolol (20 to 30 mg/d) and propranolol (80 to 240 mg/d).
Tension Headache
This type of headache appears to be the most popular which is described as a diffuse, mild to
moderate pain in one’s head.
Pathophysiology
The cause of tension headache remains unclear despite the numerous clinical studies done over
the years (Ready et al., 2019).
Disease process and how it occurs
Tension headache often occurs when the scalp and neck muscles are tense or contracting. These
muscles contractions are caused by high levels of anxiety, depression or injuries on one’s head.