What if the root of your migraine pain was not really in your head after all? What if it was tied to a completely different organ located on your face? You may immediately think it has something to do with your eyes since blurred vision, seeing auras, and light sensitivity are all symptoms of a severe migraine. You would be wrong. According to Houston doctor Kevin Smith, your migraine may be specifically tied to your nose! The Houston Chronicle interviewed Dr. Smith about his novel theory and his new book, The Migraine Imposter.
Dr. Smith, who is an ear, nose, and throat doctor, believes that many migraine sufferers are actually suffering from a deviated septum. This occurs when the cartilage separating the right and left airways becomes damaged or otherwise displaced. Dr. Smith thinks that this damaged septum can come in contact with sensitive tissue in the nose, thereby triggering headaches, such as migraines. He encourages individuals to visit a neurologist and get a MRI to reveal if any tumors or other abnormalities are present. If none are discovered, he believes that patients should then get a CT scan of their sinuses to look for signs of a deviated septum. If this is found Dr. Smith proposes a relatively easy and quick procedure that will not only repair the septum, but also possibly the migraine headaches. The twenty minute procedure called a septoplasty has resulted in ninety percent of Dr. Smith’s patients reporting relief from debilitating headaches.
Deviated septums, according to Dr. Smith, usually occur after some type of trauma to the nose. Additionally, he notes that many athletes who complain of severe headaches, but are constantly subjected to damaging trauma may in fact have a deviated septum. Even childhood accidents can lead to a damaged septum. Dr. Smith believes that if more people were tested for a deviated septum, not only would they feel relief from migraine pain, but would also save thousands of dollars on health care every year. Furthermore, individuals with migraines are recognized to have a disability if they are unable to continue working. He believes that more people will be able to continue working if they have their septums fixed and find migraine relief. Migraines are difficult to manage and can cause debilitating pain that have no identifiable cause. Hopefully, Dr. Smith’s hunch is correct and the way to relief is through your nose!
Filed under migraine treatment by on Apr 29th, 2010. 1 Comment. 
Most people will go to any length imaginable in order to make the pain associated with a migraine headache go away. They are often relegated to taking an assortment of prescription medications to ease the pain and possibly prevent a migraine attack from occurring. Despite the relative success of these drugs, many migraine sufferers find they cannot take them because of the severe side effects associated with them. Unfortunately, most individuals must take something in order to combat the migraine because its effects often result in being absent from work, school, and other activities – which is why people with migraines often end up applying for social security disability. Two new studies published in the journal Headache, however, give some hope to those migraine sufferers who simply cannot take or do not respond well to the traditional drug therapies. Each of these studies concluded that taking naproxen (or Aleve) and acetaminophen (or Tylenol) reduced migraine pain and recurrence, as well as other migraine symptoms, such as nausea.
In the first study, researchers from Taiwan examined the results of previous studies using naproxen at a dosage level of 500 to 825 milligrams for approximately 2,168 migraine patients. The researchers found that naproxen reduced the migraine intensity, pain, and symptoms within two hours of taking it, according to Reuters. This resulted in a “desirable outcome” as defined by the International Headache Society. Despite this favorable outcome, the researchers also found that naproxen did not always offer the same clinical benefits as triptans, the traditional migraine drugs. Moreover, the researchers also found that aspirin provided better relief than naproxen in regulating migraine pain. In fact, according to Reuters, the research team concluded that a 1,000 milligram dose of aspirin was the best treatment option for migraines when compared to naproxen or acetaminophen. However, many people cannot take triptans or aspirin because of their harsh side effects. Because of this, Aleve and Tylenol may provide the best alternative to migraine pain management.
In the second study, the manufacturers of Tylenol conducted an examination 378 migraine sufferers who were randomly given Tylenol or a placebo. Over ninety days, the researchers found that those taking the Tylenol reported reduced pain within an hour of taking the pill, and after two hours, fifty-two percent report little to no pain. Conversely, those in the placebo group continued to report pain after two hours at a rate of sixty-eight percent. They also found that Tylenol reduced other migraine associated problems such as nausea and light sensitivity, whereas the placebo did not.
This is great news for migraine sufferers who have reached their wits’ end about how to effectively counter the effects of a migraine. Taking Tylenol or Aleve are low cost, effective alternatives to the traditional migraine drugs on the market. Further, it may be easier for people to purchase and take them without having to wait for a prescription or worry about injecting a medication while at work or school. Because these medications are not approved by the FDA as a migraine treatment, it is best to speak with your doctor about taking them as part of your migraine therapy. Hopefully, you will get the green light to take something already in your medicine cabinet and get the relief you have been looking for.
Filed under Migraine pain management, Migraine research, migraine treatment by on Apr 16th, 2010. Comment.
It was only a matter of time before scientists and researchers developed a portable device that could help ease the symptoms of a chronic and often debilitating condition. We have become a society that thrives on having our phones, calendars, internet, and books all in the palm of our hand. It comes as no surprise, then, that a hand held device, developed at the Montefiore Headache Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, is being touted as the newest of treatment options for those suffering with migraines.
The device itself transmits a trans cranial magnetic stimulation pulse to the back of the head, thereby interrupting the electrical activity in the brain that can trigger a migraine aura to occur. These early symptoms are usually associated with flashing lights, nausea, numbness or tingling, and other disturbances. The device was tested by approximately two hundred patients from sixteen various medical centers across the United States. The participants were randomly assigned the actual device or a placebo device that looked identical to the real one. Additionally, all of the individuals had previously been diagnosed with aura type migraines. Over the course of three months, they were asked to give two pulses to the back of their heads when they began to experience early signs of a migraine. Then, they were instructed to record their pain levels right after using the device, thirty minutes afterward, and then, after one, two, twenty-four, and forty-eight hours.
The researchers found that thirty-nine percent of the patients were pain free at the two hour mark after using the device. Moreover, some were even pain free forty-eight hours after using the product. As a comparison, those using the placebo device reported having no pain after two hours in approximately twenty-two percent of the test population. What is more is that no significant side effects were reported and the device was relatively easy to use.
Although, as with most studies, additional research into the device’s use will be necessary, it is a welcome advancement for the migraine treatment field. Many people who live with disorder are reluctant to take drugs or shots, due to their side effects and inconvenience. Even though the drugs are supposed to lessen the impact of the migraine symptoms, people find that they often need to leave work, school, or other activities to take them and wait out the pain. This can contribute to people not being able to work because of the disorder and corresponding treatment. With this device, however, people can take it with them, and experience relief from pain in a relatively short amount of time. Although it is not as small as the palm of your hand, nor is it an application that you can download on your I-Phone, this new device is likely to make a big impact on many migraine sufferers.
Filed under Migraine research, migraine treatment by on Mar 11th, 2010. Comment.
When someone suffers from something like a heart attack, it is easy to assess the situation, since you know that there is a problem with the heart and likely the blood vessels surrounding it. When someone suffers from excruciating headaches, however, the cause may be much more difficult to pinpoint. What is even more frustrating is that the treatment options may be all over the map, requiring a lot of trial and error on the part of the patient. These painful circumstances are what many migraine sufferers must endure on a daily basis.
What makes migraines so difficult to manage in the beginning is that they are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Many of the most common migraine symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, visual problems, pain, and sensitivity to light and sound, are the same symptoms pronounced in other conditions like cardiovascular problems or epilepsy. This lack of a sound diagnosis can then lead to other problems if a person is unable to manage the migraine pain adequately. Neurosurgeons have noted that if headache pain is left untreated or not effectively treated for a long amount of time, an individual may become more susceptible to pain over time as his/her pain threshold has been lowered. Conversely, some people over-medicate themselves for the pain associated with migraines. This can cause the condition to worsen and individuals may even experience more headaches due to the drug over-use. Finally, migraines can be problematic because treatment options vary from individual to individual. What may work for one person may do nothing to help another; therefore, some migraine sufferers must endure a litany of therapies before they find one that is suited to their particular condition.
With all of these problems, what can you do to manage your migraines? The following are some strategies to help you out.
Get a Proper Diagnosis:
If you suffer from debilitating headaches that cannot be managed by over the counter medications, you need to seek the advice of a health professional. You may have to find a specialist to diagnose the problem, rather than a primary care doctor. If you want to look beyond your family practitioner, you can locate a certified headache specialist through the Migraine Research Foundation’s website. Although these specialists are board certified on headaches, it is necessary for you to be your own best advocate. This means that you need to be frank with your doctor about your symptoms, as trivial or embarrassing as they may seem. You also need to be honest with your doctor even if he/she is not someone you feel comfortable with. You can always find a different doctor, but you only have this one life and body. Make sure to find a specialist that listens to you and answers any questions you may have. A specialist will probably rule out any other possible causes of your headaches by asking numerous questions. Once a migraine diagnosis has been made, you can then discuss treatment options.
Treatment Options:
The treatment available to patients suffering with migraines is as varied and individual as the people themselves. It is highly likely that you will have to test different options in order to find one that works for you. Most doctors will put a patient on a triptan drug after an initial diagnosis. Triptans work by controlling brain cell reactions that contribute to the development of migraines. Some people do not respond to these drugs and can then take ergot-related drugs, which work in the same manner. Even in the triptan family of drugs, it may take a while to find one that works for you. If you do not feel that you are responding well to a particular drug, let your doctor know so that he can prescribe a different form. Doctors also prescribe preventative drugs, such as anti-seizure medication, and natural remedies, such as magnesium, to help control migraines and manage the pain associated with them. With any treatment option, make certain to talk with your doctor about your reaction to them and side effects that you may experience. Additionally, do not be discouraged if the first medication or supplement you take does not work. There are many options available and by narrowing down your responses, you will find the one that works specifically for your needs.
Environmental Factors:
Migraines can occur due to environmental circumstances, such as stressful situations, food, noise, and bad weather. It is important to recognize what factors trigger your migraines. It may be necessary to keep a journal of your migraines and what was occurring in the days leading up to the migraine. This may be one of the most important factors in managing your migraines, as they help to prevent them from occurring in the first place. It may also be necessary for you to keep your routine predictable, rather than ever-changing, as jarring events can also trigger migraines.
Migraines can be very painful and often debilitating. Taking your healthcare into your own hands and advocating on your behalf can make a world of difference. Put these suggestions into practice and perhaps your migraines can become easier managed.
Filed under Living with Migraines, migraine treatment by on Feb 6th, 2010. Comment.
For those suffering from migraines, a good, effective treatment option is worth its weight in gold if it can decrease or negate the debilitating effects of the headache. Doctors usually prescribe a variety of drugs to combat migraines, and there is constantly more research to find better treatment options. Despite all of this research, however, there is still no cure for migraines, and often traditional remedies stop working. Additionally, some individuals desire more natural courses of action to stop the pain.
Recent research indicates that particular integrative therapies work just as well as traditional drugs do. First, sufferers are encouraged to maintain a record of what triggers the migraines. For instance, many people note that certain foods, hormonal changes, alcohol, stress, additives, weather, or odors impact the frequency and severity of their migraines. If migraine sufferers keep of journal of their daily lives, including what they eat, if they exercise, what they do, etc., it may be easier to see what items should be avoided to prevent a migraine relapse. Further, they may also be able to recognize what brings stress into their lives and learn about ways to combat this, including meditation, yoga, or exercise.
Second, individuals do have natural remedies available to them if they do not want to use conventional migraine drugs. One of these remedies is acupuncture, in which the body is pricked with tiny needles in an effort to release endogenous opioids that are natural pain relievers. Further, research has shown that the benefits from acupuncture last for a long period of time, rather than simply providing temporary relief. In fact, European scientists were able to cut the percentage of those using medication in half just by using acupuncture. Some experts note that you will need approximately 6-12 treatments depending on the severity of pain. Additionally, some insurance companies cover the cost of acupuncture, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Finally, a review of twenty-two studies found that acupuncture works as well as, if not better than, common drug therapies at preventing migraines from occurring. If you are interested in trying acupuncture, contact your state’s acupuncture board or your insurer to find a licensed practitioner in your area.
Third, you may be interested in taking various supplements to combat the pain associated with migraines. Some useful supplements include herb butterbur and vitamin B2. The butterbur usage appears to significantly decrease the occurrence of migraines, according to various studies. The B2 also works to alleviate the duration of a migraine, as well as the intensity, but a doctor’s prescription may be needed for the high dosage necessary for some relief. Whichever natural option you choose, make sure to follow the directions on the package and discuss your therapies with a doctor.
Filed under migraine treatment by on Jan 25th, 2010. Comment.
Migraines are debilitating types of headaches that cause severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, as well as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Additionally, some sufferers experience auras, in which they see flashing lights, experience numbness, and experience difficulty speaking prior to the onset of a migraine. Approximately thirty-six million Americans suffer from migraines, and women tend to suffer from them three times as often as men. There is currently no cure for migraines, and treatment options are not always effective or long-lasting.
The debilitating effect of migraine headaches results in individuals having to be absent from work or social engagements. In fact, it is estimated that the loss of productivity and lost work time due to migraines costs twenty billion dollars each year. Migraine patients may take a variety of drugs to help ease the pain or prevent the attack in the first place. Other individuals, who suffer from chronic migraines, often do not respond well to traditional drug treatments and are offered prophylactic treatment drugs usually used for high blood pressure treatment and anti-depression therapy. Although these treatments may help for a limited time, chronic migraine sufferers often find the therapy becoming less effective over time.
A new treatment option is on the horizon, however, which may result in fewer trips to the doctor. The treatment, called infusion therapy, offers an infusion of a variety of drugs at one time, rather than the traditional use of one drug at a time. The therapy is conducted as an outpatient procedure eight hours a day during three consecutive days. Patients are monitored closely to ensure there are no adverse effects to the variety of drugs. The theory behind the infusion is that it will help to reset the brain and learn which medications are best for the patient in a shorter amount of time. The doctors administering the infusion hope to decrease the changes in the brain that may lead to a worsening of symptoms. Additionally, they hope that the infusion will lower the occurrence of too much medication resulting in rebound migraine headaches. The doctors also note that by using various medications at one time, they are less likely to have to guess as to how a patient will respond to one medication.
Finally, the doctors admit that the procedure is not pain free and does not represent a cure for migraines. Rather, patients will see its beneficial effects over time and hopefully, the migraines will be reduced to an occasional headache.
Filed under migraine treatment by on Jan 5th, 2010. Comment.
