Subjective:
- The patient, a 45-year-old female, presents with persistent headaches and dizziness for the past two weeks. She reports a history of migraines but notes that these headaches are different in nature, with a throbbing sensation and sensitivity to light. She denies any recent changes in medication or lifestyle.
- Past medical history includes hypertension and a cholecystectomy performed five years ago.
- Current medications include Lisinopril 10 mg daily and Ibuprofen as needed for pain.
- The patient is a non-smoker and consumes alcohol occasionally.
- She has no known allergies.
The patient describes the headaches as starting in the morning and worsening throughout the day, with a severity of 7/10. She has tried over-the-counter pain relief with minimal effect. She reports feeling fatigued and has experienced some nausea but no vomiting. The patient manages symptoms by resting in a dark room and using cold compresses, which provide some relief. There have been no recent changes in her symptoms or condition.
Review of Systems:
- General: Reports fatigue and weight loss of 5 pounds over the last month.
- Head: Reports headaches and dizziness.
- Eyes: No vision changes reported.
- Neurological: Reports occasional tingling in the fingers.
Objective:
- Vital Signs:
- Blood Pressure: 130/85 mmHg
- Heart Rate: 78 bpm
- Respiratory Rate: 16 breaths/min
- Temperature: 98.6°F
- Oxygen Saturation: 98% on room air
- General Appearance: Alert and oriented, appears fatigued.
- HEENT: Mild tenderness on palpation of the temples, no sinus tenderness.
- Neurological: Cranial nerves II-XII intact, no focal deficits.
Assessment:
- Headache
Assessment:
- Likely diagnosis for Headache: Tension-type headache
Diagnostic Tests:
- Consider MRI of the brain if symptoms persist or worsen.
Treatment Plan:
- Initiate trial of Amitriptyline 10 mg at bedtime.
- Recommend stress management techniques and regular sleep schedule.
Follow-Up:
- Instruct patient to contact the clinic if symptoms worsen or do not improve within a week, or if test results indicate further evaluation or treatment is needed.