When a migraine doesn't respond to any other treatment, ketamine may offer relief. Operating differently than opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and triptans, ketamine is increasingly available to treat chronic pain, migraine, and other health issues.
Within the past decade, electrical nerve stimulation has been introduced as a potential non-drug treatment for individuals suffering migraines or cluster headaches. The approach varies slightly between techniques, and depending on the method, can be invasive or non-invasive.
Migraines come in several flavors, but one of the primary classifications is that of episodic migraine. Episodic migraines differ from chronic migraine disorder and may respond better to some treatments than chronic migraines.
“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...
