Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What type of headaches occur due to dilation or distention of vessels or inflammation in the cranium?

1. Tension headaches

2. Cluster headaches

3. Vascular headaches

4. Ischemic headaches

The correct answer is: Vascular headaches

Vascular headaches, also known as migraine headaches, are the result of the dilation and distention of blood vessels within the cranial cavity. This type of headache is often associated with inflammation and changes in blood flow that can activate pain receptors in the brain. The mechanism involves various neurotransmitters and the subsequent changes in vascular tone, leading to the characteristic symptoms of vascular headaches, including throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, and, in some cases, nausea. Tension headaches typically stem from muscle tension and stress, rather than vascular changes. Cluster headaches, while they do involve significant pain and are often localized, are categorized differently and involve more complex neurovascular interactions but do not primarily focus on vessel dilation as a cause. Ischemic headaches refer to pain caused by insufficient blood flow, which is not the same as the dilation of vessels associated with vascular headaches. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why vascular headaches specifically relate to vessel dilation and inflammation, making this choice accurate.