Headache Secondary To Vasodilation From Medication
Overview of Headache Secondary To Vasodilation From Medication
Dilation of the arteries of the scalp and brain seem to be one of the essential explanations of migraine headaches. Certain medications may produce similar headaches. In general, they are medications whose action is to cause dilation of the muscular wall of the artery. These groups of drugs are usually ones used to lower blood pressure, by reducing the resistance in the blood vessels, or to increase blood flow to certain organs by dilating the blood vessels, such as with nitroglycerine.
Causes of Headache Secondary To Vasodilation From Medication
These headaches are caused by the direct effect of the medication on the middle layer of the arterial wall. This muscular layer is allowed to relax, thereby increasing the diameter of the blood vessel.
Signs and Symptoms of Headache Secondary To Vasodilation From Medication
The headaches are throbbing and often severe. They tend to last until the effects of the drug has dissipated and the blood vessels have returned to normal size. The symptoms which sometimes herald the onset of a migraine headaches, such as visual problems, are not seen since they are caused by the initial narrowing of these same arteries.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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