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Dialysis headache

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Abstract

We describe the various side effects occurring in dialysis sessions and indicate measures for their prevention and/or treatment. Next, we analyze dialysis headache in terms of incidence, prevalence, criteria for its inclusion in the classification of the International Headache Society, and factors related to its triggering, ie, bradykinin and nitric oxide (NO), which have increased plasma levels during dialysis. This permits a critical analysis in comparison with NO donor headache in terms of the pathophysiologic mechanisms that mediate the triggering of both conditions. A similarity is particularly detected in terms of the role of NO as the last link in the chain of events that precedes the onset of headache, which is preceded by a latency period of 3 to 4 hours, much longer than the few seconds needed to inactivate NO. A hypothesis is raised to explain this phenomenon, opening new perspectives for the study of the pathophysiology of headaches, including primary headaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Rua Franklin de Souza Meireles 44, CEP 14024-060, Campus of Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil

    Ana Luisa de Lima Antoniazzi MD

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  1. Ana Luisa de Lima Antoniazzi MD
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  2. Alexandre Pinto Corrado MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Ana Luisa de Lima Antoniazzi MD.

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de Lima Antoniazzi, A.L., Corrado, A.P. Dialysis headache. Current Science Inc 11, 297–303 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-007-0207-3

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