Introduction
This paper features a report on a patient presented in the clinic with a neurologic disorder. It reflects on the woman’s personal and medical history, as well as discusses the diagnosis and suggested treatment measures. The report also introduces a discussion on the link between care and the patient’s gender. It concludes that in the presented case, the woman’s gender played a significant role in the selected management plan.
Migraines in Female Patients
A 26-year-old patient presented in the office with recurrent headaches and mood changes. The woman noted that she has had severe headaches for the past seven months; they could last up to two days and were frequently associated with dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light. The patient reported that mood changes usually occurred several days before a headache; she said that she could feel depressed in the morning and feel elated by the end of the day.
The patient’s personal history is insignificant; she has no chronic diseases and there is history of alcohol or drug abuse. The woman also reported no related medical history; her sister suffers from severe headaches as well.
The primary diagnosis for the patient based on her complaint is a migraine. The symptoms of the disease typically include mood changes that occur one or two days before the attack, severe, long-lasting headaches, light sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness (“Migraine,” 2018). The suggested treatment strategy includes the use of pain-relieving medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil Migraine, 200mg, 2 capsules a day orally) (“Advil Migraine,” 2019).
Alternative therapy includes muscle relaxation exercises, such as yoga, once every two days, developing a sleep schedule and having at least 7 hours of sleep each night, and massage therapy two times a week. Follow-up care recommendations involve reducing the level of stress and keeping a diary of migraines noting unusual circumstances, medications, and possible triggers. It is necessary to mention that severe headaches may be associated with other conditions, such as mastitis and dysmenorrhea (Tharpe, Farley, and Jordan, 2017). It means that the woman should consider taking a blood test and visiting other medical professionals to eliminate health risks. In addition, I asked the patient to see the doctor if the symptoms become worse with time.
Patient’s gender played a significant role in her care and treatment plan. For example, Clayton (2016) notes that migraines are up to three times more common in women than men. In females, this condition may be associated with the dysfunctional organization of their resting state networks. These facts suggest that although the treatment plan for both women and men should include pain-relieving medications, additional therapy may differ.
For example, by offering the female patient to track possible triggers of migraines, I can see whether the condition is associated with her menstruations. Moreover, a blood test can show the relations between headaches and estrogen levels. It is necessary to mention that I have suggested using muscle relaxations exercises and the massage therapy to this patient as, based on my professional experience, women tend to adhere to these disease management measures more often than men. It means that the woman’s gender influenced the selected care plan.
Conclusion
A migraine is a severe condition that is more common for females than males. The report shows that the treatment plan for this disease may include pain-relieving medications and alternative therapies, such as yoga, massage therapy, and the development of a sleep schedule. Moreover, I advised the patient to take a blood test and visit other medical professionals as the condition may be associated with other illnesses.
References
Advil Migraine. (2019). Web.
Clayton, J. A. (2016). Sex influences in neurological disorders: Case studies and perspectives. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 18(4), 357-360.
Migraine. (2018). Web.
Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.