“Given the opioid epidemic in the U.S. and the high prevalence of opioid use in migraine patients shown in our study, especially those with chronic migraine, our results suggest that improved management of treatment is needed to optimize care.” - Justin S. Yu, PharmS, Allergan
Good news for those of you who suffer from cluster headaches. On June 4, the FDA announced it has approved Galcanezumab, sold as Emgality by Eli Lilly and Co., for the treatment of episodic cluster headaches.
Among the many physiological and environmental conditions believed to cause migraines, decreased oxygen levels and vasoconstriction of the blood flow in the brain are two of the most often cited by medical researchers.
The history of reflexology, or the use of pressure points on the hands, feet, and other areas of the body to treat illness is relatively short in the United States but has been used for millennia throughout Asia. In combination with herbal remedies and conventional medicine, reflexology for migraines can provide effective treatment.
One in every 200 migraine patients experiences ocular or retinal migraines that can significantly affect their vision. These attacks are often preceded by aura, which typically affects both eyes. Patients might see spots, patterns or flashes of light before a headache develops, and symptoms range from light sensitivity to temporary vision loss. The worst ocular migraines can cause temporary blindness episode lasting several minutes, although the duration is usually less than an hour.
Remember when your grandmother would say she could feel a storm coming “in her bones?” That was based on barometric pressure, which is the term scientists give to the weight of the air pressing on the earth’s surface. This pressure triggers various physical reactions, and because it governs the air currents and weather, it can also cause migraine patients to develop headache episodes.
Having BOTOX® treatments is becoming widely accepted for migraine sufferers, and for many people, it has made a world of difference to the frequency and severity of their migraine attacks. Few patients experience side effects, but for those who do, it’s possible to prevent some of the side effects if you take the right steps. Each BOTOX® treatment consists of an average of 32 injections, although some patients require fewer than this, while others need more. Depending on your symptoms, the...
A “silent migraine” may sound like a paradox, but it can be just as incapacitating as any other migraine. Although this condition is not officially recognized by the International Headache Society, estimates indicate up to 20 percent of migraine sufferers have experienced an episode at some point that does not include headache pain. These episodes have been called various alternative names over the years, including:
People have suffered from migraines for as long as humanity has existed, and from the earliest times, we have searched for ways to relieve the pain. The ancient Romans made herbal teas from boiled peppermint and eucalyptus leaves, lavender and chamomile, and even tried applying raw chopped vegetables to the head. Fortunately, medical science has advanced since then, and we now have multiple methods of treatment. Migraine surgery remains something of a final resort, which is typically only used...
Changing migraine doctors can be a challenging and traumatic experience for patients, especially if you’ve been with the same practitioner for several years. You’re no doubt accustomed to his (or her) way of handling your condition, the office staff all know you, and the location is familiar. Sadly, circumstances change, and there are a number of reasons why you might be faced with looking for a new provider.
