Managing Pain
January 1, 2005 2:57 pm
One of the major problems with migraine treatment is that the causes of pain and discomfort can be very complex. Migraine symptoms may be triggered by a number of things that you're not even aware of. Or, you may be dealing with two or three "different" headaches. When you try to get treatment for one thing, you think that it's not working because it doesn't solve the whole problem.
One way to try to deal with this problem is to go to a pain specialist or clinic. These clinics specialize in treating chronic pain, and they usually have a staff that can take different approaches. You may have a dentist, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, or other professionals working together.
I've been to a pain clinic myself, but I was reminded of the value of this approach while reading the story of Helen Dearman in FDA Consumer Magazine. For Helen the problem was back pain, but the article is a good reminder for all of us that our pain may have multiple causes, and that it's important to keep looking for ways to either eliminate or manage the pain. The article is from spring 2004, and you can read the author's thoughts on chronic pain here.
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Teeth, jaws and bites!
January 3, 2005 8:19 am
It might cause headaches when you're least expecting it. The culprit? Misaligned teeth. If you're teeth aren't straight, or you have an uneven bite, this can trigger problems not only above the neck but all through the body. Your teeth may move around at various times in your life, due to growth, bad habits, or an accident. You muscles may get used to the alignment, and headaches may go away. Or, things may get worse with time. New dentures may cause problems, or other work done on your teeth.
Dentists refer to bite problems as malocclusion, and sometimes it's easy to treat and sometimes it's not. If you suspect that you may be getting tension headache, or migraine symptoms, from problems in your mouth or jaw, talk to your dentist.
It may help you to get a quick overview of some malocclusion problems, check out this article by Dr. David Leader. Does anything here sound like you?
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Altitude Tip
January 5, 2005 10:13 am
Some people find that as soon as that airplane goes up, or they go skiing, or experience a change in altitude for whatever reason, they get a headache. We're always on the lookout for little tips that might make things easier, and here's one from Dr. Seymour Solomon from the Headache Unit at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He recommends taking 3000 to 5000 milligrams of vitamin C each day of your trip, starting the day before you go. For those that are helped by aspirin, try taking two of those a day as well. (You could substitute another painkiller, such as ibuprofen) Dr. Solomon reminds us that it's a good idea to check with your doctor before taking high doses of a vitamin.
This tidbit and many others can be found in The Doctors Book of Home Remedies.
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Brain reboot for migraine
January 8, 2005 12:55 pm
Many migraineurs experience something known as aura, an early "warning" stage of migraine often followed by a headache. Aura may include things like seeing flashing lights and zig zags. Auras may be related to electrical signals that are zipping around in your brain as the migraine chain-reaction begins.
Researchers at Canada's McMaster University are developing a new treatment for migraine known as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. TMS works on the electrical impulses in the brain to stop the migraine chain-reaction before it goes too far. As with many migraine treatments, it's not yet fully understood how this works, but it may be something like a "brain reboot" - turning off the migraine program before it has a chance to cause too many adverse symptoms.
The stimulator is a device about the size of a hairdryer which is held against the scalp. The treatment is not painful and does not seem to have any lasting effects - except that it does seem to stop the migraine mid-stream. Some test patients even report that the overall frequency of migraine is reduced.
The treatment is still in the testing phase, but so far reports are hopeful. Similar treatments are being tested for other types of pain, and for disorders such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Read the patient's point of view at CTV news.
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Butterbur becomes respectable
January 8, 2005 3:17 pm
A herb for migraine is gaining new respect in the scientific world, thanks to a recent study. That herb is an extract of petasites hybridus root, commonly known as butterbur. Butterbur has been around for a while, but the research for migraine has been weak. Dr Richard B. Lipton from the Einstein College of Medicine in New York reported in a news release the results of a clinical trial using butterbur on migraine patients. The best results were with a dosage of 75mg twice a day using butterbur extract pills. The frequency of migraine was said to be 48% less in patients taking the extract. The main side effect was burping.
Previous studies of butterbur suggest that it may work as an anti-inflammatory, and as a help for seasonal allergies. Whether or not one of these properties is helping migraine patients, it does seem that butterbur is an herb to keep on your list to try for migraine prevention. It is suggested that you use extract from a commercial source, from a company you trust.
Read more about butterbur for migraine at WebMD.
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Tylenol and Advil for children
January 10, 2005 3:11 pm
One of the studies about children and migraine that was mentioned in the December 28 issue of Neurology compared ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ibuprofen was found to be effective, using the same dosage that you've already read about on our ibuprofen dosage page - 7.5-10mg per kg of body weight (that's 2.2lbs). Ibuprofen does have it's problems, though, especially if used on a regular basis. It's always good to check with your doctor if you find your child needs ibuprofen often.
Acetaminophen was termed probably effective. However, statistically it did reduce pain and was well tolerated by the children, in dosages of 15 mg/kg. There has been some danger of acetaminophen overdose, because so many different medications for children contain it. Be sure to read labels!
Be sure to read more about child migraines here, or general child headaches here.
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What gets you to exercise?
January 11, 2005 8:06 pm
One of the latest trends in the land of computer gaming is exergaming, or exertainment. The idea is creating video or computer games that make you move a little more. Testimonials are coming out of people really getting in shape using these things. Ideally, these aren't obviously marketed as "exercise games" - you're not supposed to feel like you're exercising, just having fun!
Ok, the concept sounds good on the surface, but would this really get you to exercise, long term? Getting exercise, as we've said before, is very important for people dealing with headaches and migraine. The question is how to integrate that into your life. We've seen lots of games and other tools to get people to exercise, and many of us would still rather sit on the couch - is this any different?
On the other hand, this may be a trend toward games that get you even more involved, something the gaming world has been promising for way too long (think virtual reality). Maybe if you already enjoy gaming, and can find the right game, this is a move in the right direction! I have to admit, Golf Launchpad would not be my thing, but if you like to golf... (note that this is a Canadian company - someone wanted to golf during the winter and couldn't find a day warm enough!)
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Using a barometer for migraine
January 12, 2005 2:09 pm
The link between migraine and weather is something that's not yet fully understood. One way that you can better understand what the connection is for you is by getting a good digital barometer. Recently I received this letter which demonstrates a great way to use the barometer I have recommended on this website.
Hi James,
In short, thanks!
Your little barometer has changed everything for me. I have known for some time that pressure was a trigger for some of my most severe headaches. This little tool has helped me understand that almost *all* of my headaches are weather related. For me it is rapidly falling pressure that does it...
After 30-some years of suffering, this is a rather huge revelation. I have set the barometer to alert me of sharp pressure drops... now I'm training myself to medicate based on the alarm... the difference is *enormous*.
I will be ordering another barometer soon so I can keep on in my office *and* my bedroom... My hope is that if I can catch the pressure change (and have the barometer literally *wake me up* to take medication) I can avoid the headache all together...
Its amazing what a little understanding (and technology) can do...
Best,
Eric
New Mexico, USA
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Take our chronic headaches poll...
January 12, 2005 10:18 pm
Do you have chronic headaches? Take our new poll, secretly hidden away on our preventative medicines page. :-)
Migraine headaches have such funny symptoms, many people don't know that they have them for years. They may know that they don't feel well, or they have stomach pain or see flashing lights in front of their eyes, or get sick to their stomach for no reason. Other people have headaches that change through the years. Make sure you go to a doctor if you're not sure what your symptoms mean, and if you're not sure about what you hear, get a second opinion. Check out these quick ways to tell if you have migraine.
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The Healthiest Diet in the World? You decide!
January 13, 2005 3:48 pm
I finally bought a cookbook I've been looking at for a long time. It's The Healthiest Diet in the World by Nikki and David Goldbeck. You may have seen these guys on TV or somewhere in the past. Now this isn't a migraine cookbook, so I'm not rushing to do a review of it just yet. However, it is somewhat unique.
The book starts with 8 guidlines for a healthy diet. Whether or not you agree that these are the most important things they could have listed, they're helpful as far as they go. Then you've got a whole bunch - I mean LOTS of fabulous recipes. Let's see. Yes, there are 300 recipes, but these are simple enough that they can be changed around and played with to make hundreds more. Then there's basically yet another book with great health tips. There are nutritional charts, a great index, a test to discover your individual makeup...it's really a lot more than a cookbook. It's more like an advisor.
Most people need far more vegetables in their diet, and this book is a great way to learn how to do that. I've said before that it's so important for a headache sufferer to have a good nutritious diet. Here's a great book to add to your collection as you learn how to do that.
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Are you iron deficient?
January 14, 2005 10:28 pm
One condition that is known to cause headache is iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia itself is a decrease of hemoglobin in your body. This substance in your blood carries oxygen, so if there's not enough to do the work then weakness, pale skin and tiredness may result.
There are a number of things that may cause low iron levels, and so iron-deficiency anemia. First, low levels of iron in the diet. Sometimes people over 60, pregnant women, and vegetarians don't get enough iron. Second, people who aren't absorbing the iron well. Conditions such as diarrhea or taking medication for acid reflux can cause problems. Third, bleeding for any reason, including heavy menstruation.
There are some possible parallels here with some other migraine triggers. For example, it has been theorized that tannins may inhibit iron absorbtion. Some women get migraine symptoms during menstruation (this is likely due to hormonal changes, but could the iron loss make things worse?). Caffeine, another common migraine trigger, can also inhibit absorbtion of iron. Are things like this a coincidence, or is iron-deficiency more of a problem for migraineurs than we think?
You can get tested for iron-deficiency by your doctor. She may suggest ways to get more iron in your diet, or even prescribe iron supplements. Foods high in iron include beef, raisins, lamb, peas and beans.
For more on iron-deficiency anemia, read this article from the Mayo Clinic.
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One of the safest migraine treatments ever...
January 15, 2005 12:38 pm
It's one of the safest treatments for migraine available. It's been increasingly popular since the 1960s. It can be done by a practitioner with sophisticated electronic equipment, or at home with very little. It doesn't involve drugs, or even herbal supplements. Do you know what it is?
You guessed it, biofeedback. Now you can get the facts in this new article on biofeedback migraine treatment. Biofeedback is being used increasingly for a number of conditions. It does take some time to learn, but taking a few minutes to slow down and relax is probably something that would be beneficial to many of us!
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Headache resources - new launch
January 15, 2005 6:31 pm
This is an announcement to let you know that I'm launching a new section of the site. This will be a place to check out some of the best related sites on the net. I'm going to build it slowly so that I can research the sites that I'm adding. These will often be hard to find sites, or sites with a very specific collection of information.
There are only two links so far, but they're good ones! :-) One contains excellent allergy information, and it's been featured for many months already on the allergy headache page. The other is a new one, with a lot of hard-to-find cluster headache information, and even a forum! Check out the new Headache Resources here!
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PFO and Migraine
January 17, 2005 8:52 pm
During the last couple of years especially, a lot of evidence has emerged that there's a connection between a certain heart defect and migraine. That condition is called Patent Foramen Ovale, or PFO. PFO is a common defect where there is a hole between two different parts of the heart. This defect is not usually serious, and many people are not even aware that they have it. Occasionally, it can allow the wrong type of blood to reach the brain.
Sometimes due to other medical considerations, doctors will close this hole. They started to notice that migraineurs were reporting a decrease in migraine symptoms after the procedure. This was especially true for those who had aura. Some patients even found complete relief.
This phenomenon is now being studied in more detail in the MIST Trial. This trial is taking place in the UK. I know we have many visitors from that part of the world. If you want to find out if you qualify for the clinical trial, fill out this questionnaire. We look forward to hearing the results!
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New Cox-2 studies
January 18, 2005 4:01 pm
Yesterday two new studies were released on the Cox-2 class of drugs. Both studies involved Cox-2 drugs taken in combination with other treatments. They found in both cases that there were cardiovascular problems, including a worsening of hardening of the arteries (in mice) and an increased occurrence of heart attack and stroke (in humans).
When these results are combined with the results of previous tests, things look even worse. As countries around the world take another look at this class of drugs and try to decide what to do, things are looking worse and worse for the likes of Bextra and Celebrex.
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Getting proper treatment
January 22, 2005 10:02 am
There was an interesting survey done in many countries in the world called the Migraine And Zolmitriptan Evaluation (MAZE). It showed us some interesting things about migraine treatment that are worth remembering. One thing was that many patients were unsatisfied with the medications that they took, and yet had never tried a triptan (a class of drugs considered to be one of the best specifically for migraine). In France, for example, less than 10% of migraineurs were taking triptans, and a quarter had never even seen a doctor. It seems that many were overusing painkillers but had never really tried any specific treatment that might have helped them.
Statistics like these should remind us to make sure we're keeping up to date with treatments and finding proper help. Treating migraine properly early on can not only save people a lot of pain, but also may prevent permanent damage. Drugs aren't the only option - there are many natural treatments out there. Don't give up the fight!
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Tension headache vs Brain Tumour
January 22, 2005 12:46 pm
One reason that people finally do see a doctor is because they're worried that the headache is caused by something "serious", such as a brain tumour. That's an excellent reason to see a doctor, by the way, if you can't find any other reason. Let's not knock it! But most headaches are simply tension headaches. This excellent little article from The Times discusses the difference between some serious symptoms and some less serious, such as tension headache and brain tumour, or Meningitis and the flu. For example, a headache from a brain tumour will generally come out of the blue and get worse and worse over a matter of weeks. Tension headaches tend to come and go.
Always remember, however, not to let a little knowledge keep you from seeing a doctor and getting a proper diagnosis. If you have any kind of new headache, or if your symptoms change, you should be talking to a doctor as soon as possible. Educating yourself and getting another opinion should always go hand in hand.
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Your brain getting old?
January 24, 2005 12:25 pm
A study from researchers in Chicago, published in November, gives us yet more reason to find answers rather than just put up with pain. The study was done with patients who were dealing with chronic back pain. The researchers compared the brain's grey matter in patients with back pain to a control group, and discovered that the patients with pain had 5-11% less grey matter volume.
What does that mean, exactly? Basically, it's as if their brains were aging faster. 5-11% less neocortical gray matter volume is like 10-20 years of normal aging. Why this is happening is not fully understood, but it provides yet another reason to fight back against pain of all kinds, especially recurring and chronic pain. For more on this topic, visit our home page and related articles. Read the abstract from this study here.
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Vioxx news still heating up...
January 25, 2005 7:37 pm
News in the Cox-2 category is still heating up. These were mainly arthritis drugs, although they were being prescribed in some cases for migraine or other types of pain. Vioxx was the first to get pulled, and now other Cox-2 drugs are under the microscope. Now that they're getting so much attention, more studies are being done. One recent report links Vioxx to "thousands" of deaths, and 140,000 serious heart problems in the US alone (the study was done in California).
As important as it is to study Bextra and Celebrex and Vioxx, there's this strange nagging feeling at the back of my mind - wondering what other drugs aren't getting attention that should be. What new treatments are waiting in the wings that are safe and should be on the market that are being delayed for one reason for another. But for us average people trying to decide what drugs to take, this is yet another reminder to stay up to date and take the drug warnings that are out there seriously. And remember, if possible try the safer treatments first.
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Taste rules
January 31, 2005 6:31 pm
This fall I finally bought my own copy of The Migraine Cookbook. As you know, I've read and used this cookbook before. So what took me so long to get my own copy? Well, I'm not sure. But if there's any migraine cookbook I wanted to have it was this one. It's got clear nutritional information, great pictures, delicious and all around solid healthy recipes. Some of them particularly appeal to me today. A nice cool drink would be just the thing! And then, the author being a Canadian, I can also enjoy some good Canadian recipes, such as Blueberry Maple Pie with Warmed Maple Syrup. Or something from somewhere else, such as Middle Eastern Salad.
Last night I watched a news story about fast food. One person interviewed said that basically, as far as what people eat goes, taste always rules. Fad diets come and go, but we always go back to what we like to eat. That's why it's important to add healthy, tasty recipes to your diet little by little. Once you've found them, write them down. Pass them on. Small changes can bring great results.
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