The problem of the headache among the students of Vinnytsia National Medical Pirogov Memorial University

Abstract

Introduction. According to the scientific medical literature, about 70% of patients suffer from tension headache. 64% of them do not turn to the doctor that is the problem in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. Aim of the study. To conduct a questionnaire among students of the VNMU and determine frequency, intensity, triggers of the headache, to find out clinical diagnoses of respondents. Determine which medicaments are most effective to relieve the symptoms of the headache. Materials and methods. Data of students questionnaire according to the self-designed questionnaire, information from the scientific literature, statistical method Results. Owing to questionnaire it was determined, that 195 students ¬¬– all 100% – had complaints of the headache. Complaints of the low headache intensity had 45 (23%) students, af the medium intensity – 125 (63%) and of the high intensity – 27 (14%) students. The frequency of the headache was as follows: everyday – 6 (3%), 2-4 times per week – 43 (22%), once a week – 40 (21%), once a month – 37 (19%), twice a month – 35 (18%), once a few months – 16 (8%), 1-3 times per 6 months – 14 (7%) and once a year – 4 (2%). Concomitant symptoms were: weakness – 27 (14%), tachycardia – 35 (18%), nausea/vomiting – 71 (36%), sound- or photophobia – 31 (16%), increased blood pressure – 35 (18%), decreased blood pressure – 19 (10%). Triggers were: fatigue – 53 (27%), stress – 130 (67%), lack of sleep/insomnia – 88 (45%) and the weather impact – 57 (29%). All students used drugs to relieve the symptoms of the headache: Citramon – 63 (33%), Spasmalgon – 51 (26%), Ibuprofen – 30 (15%), Analgin – 18 (9%), Paracetamol – 18 (9%), No-Spa – 15 (8%). Besides drugs some respondents used non-pharmacological methods: sleeping – 93 (48%) and rest/relaxation – 49 (25%). 23 respondents turned to the doctor. They were diagnosed with the following: 4 – migraine, 10 – non-classified headache, 2 – hypertension, 6 – tension headache, 1 – vertebral-basilar insufficiency. Conclusions. Owing to questionnaire it was found that practically all interviewed students of Vinnytsia national medical Pirogov memorial Unversity suffer from headache, but only 23 (12%) turned to the doctor. It creates significant difficulties for adequate diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. All respondents are self-medicated. Citramon, Spasmalgon and Ibuprofen are used most frequently among other drugs. The total majority of respondents suffer from the headache of medium intensity. The most often trigger of the headache is stress. The most common frequency of the headache is 2-4 times per week.