• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2010

1. Objectives: This study reports two cases of repetitive episodic tension-type headache patients who were each constitutionally typed as the Taeeum type and the Soyang type and respectively treated with Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang and Galgeunhaegi-tang. 2. Methods: The patients' subjective and objective symptoms were observed daily, and the VAS scores for the main symptoms were recorded daily throughout hospitalization period. When deemed necessary, other assessment tools were engaged (Migraine-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire, Migraine Disablity Assessment questionnaire, Headache Impact Test-6, etc.). 3. Results: The Soyang Type patient's headache improved by the end of hospitalization, with a dramatic drop in the VAS score from VAS 10 to VAS 2. The Taeeum Type patient's headache also showed improvement, with an equally dramatic decrease in the VAS score from VAS 10 to VAS 2. 4. Conclusion: Although the two patients were experiencing the same symptoms of repetitive episodic tension-type headache, they were each given different medicinal interventions in accordance to their respective constitutional types. This series of cases is notable in that the two widely different medications (Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang and Galgeunhaegi-tang) were applied to specifically conforming pathologies (the Sogal symptomatology and the Ganyeol symptomatology, respectively) to produce equally dramatic improvements.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.263-273
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• 1999

Headache is a symptom with varied etiologies and extraordinarily frequent. Headaches can be a symptom of another diseases, such as meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage or brain tumor, may represent the disease entity itself as the case in migraine. The international Headache Society criteria were the first to distinguish between primary and secondary headache disorders. When evaluating a patient who presents with headache, the physician abviously needs to identify or exclude the myriad conditions that can cause secondary headache and initial diagnostic workup should be considered. If patient meets the criteria for a primary headache disorder, treatment commonly initiated without additional neurodiagnostic tests. The headache type, its associated feature, and the duration and the intensity of the pain attack all can influence the choice of acute therapy in migraine. Pharmacologically, such as NSAIDs, combination analgesics, vasoactive antimigraineous drugs, neuroleptics, antidepressants, or corticosteroids. Other approches to managing headache include a headache diary to identify triggers, biofeedback, relaxation technique and behavioral modification. Daily preventive medication should be considered by his attack frequency and intensity, and maintained for 4 to 6 months. Tension-type headaches are distinguished between episodic and chronic tension-type headache, but physician must make sure that patient is not drug-overuse or independent during symptomatic abortive therapy or preventive medication. The most difficult headache patients to treat are those with chronic daily headache. They often have physical dependency, low frustration tolerance, sleep problems, and depression. So discontinuation of overused medication is crucial. New developments in migraine therapy are broadening the scope of abortive and prophylactic treatment choices available to the physician. The enhanced ease of the use of sumatriptan and DHE will likely increase patient compliance and satisfaction.