Archive for March, 2010
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Millions of people suffering from chronic headaches take medications that lead to rebound headaches. Basically, the pain-relieving medications themselves are capable of triggering subsequent headaches that are worse in duration and severity as a result, also known as “rebound headaches.”
Two million Americans will suffer from rebound headaches, according to Dr. Seymour Diamond from the National Headache Foundation
Dr. Diamond points out that caffeine, found in Excedrin Migraine, acts as a vasoconstrictor. This means that it constricts blood vessels to relieve headache pain. However, when the caffeine wears off, the pain comes back stronger than it was originally.
People generally view over-the-counter pain relievers as harmless, and use them more often. But, the usage of a pain reliever at least three times a day can cause the rebound effect.
Some of the culprits, ironically, are prescription medications that are also capable of reproducing the rebound effect. These include Esgic and Fioricet; Cefergot and Ergomar; Zomig and Imitrex. Other non-prescription medications that may also trigger the rebound effect include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
Why do these drugs lead to intensified headaches? It’s because taking these drugs too often decreases serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that controls a person’s mood. When serotonin is decreased, it generates an increase of even more painful headaches, and creates the possibility of migraines.
Those suffering from rebound headaches should speak to their doctors to find out what specifically is causing them.
Tags: rebound headaches, rebound headaches and acetaminophen, rebound headaches and aspirin, rebound headaches and caffeine, rebound headaches and ibuprofen, rebound headaches and imitrex, rebound headaches and migraines
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Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Research has shown that butterbur is an effective remedy for migraines. This supplement prevents migraines as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.
The common butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a perennial plant that is found in Europe and northern Asia. Its pale pink flowers blossom in early spring. The source for the migraine remedy is the extract of the butterbur root.
Traditional medications recommended by doctors for migraines entail the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspiring and ibuprofen. Prescription drugs, such as Imitrex, are often required. Prescription medications often induce nausea, muscle weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. The worst part is that these drugs don’t prevent the migraine from recurring the following day.
Some doctors prescribe medications that prevent migraines, but these have their own side effects as well. The antidepressant Amitriptyline, for example, causes weight gain.
In comparison, the extract of the butterbur root is prevents migraines with no side effects. Butterbur is a natural anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant dietary supplement. The effective components of butterbur are isopetasin, oxopetasin and petasin. These active ingredients of butterbur prevent migraines by triggering the smooth muscle lining of the cerebral blood vessel walls to relax. Furthermore, the petasins of butterbur are anti-inflammatory agents.
Clinical studies have shown that a dosage of 50-75 mg of butterbur twice a day over four months effectively prevents migraines. Therefore, it is advisable that any homeopathic remedy for migraines should contain this valuable ingredient.
Tags: butterbur root, migraine butterbur, migraine remedy
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Monday, March 15th, 2010
A new migraine cure has been discovered by Richard B. Lipton and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. It was specifically developed for migraine sufferers who experience an aura (sensation of lights) immediately prior to the onset of the migraine.
Researchers have found that the aura is caused by a wave of electrical activity in the brain, followed by a stage known as cortical spreading depression. It is during this stage that the pain sets in.
The migraine cure is a hand-held magnetic device that emits a magnetic pulse to the cranium in order to prevent the onset of the migraine.
This study involved 201 patients. Some were given the real magnetic device, and some were given a sham device.
Four out of ten people using the real magnetic device experienced relief from their migraines, which is not a high percentage, especially when you consider that two out of ten people using the sham device claimed to have relief of migraine pain. The other problem is that not every person suffering from migraines experiences the aura beforehand.
The good news is that there were no side effects from the device, in contrast to many migraine medications which do cause side effects.
In conclusion, further research needs to be done to see if this device would help more migraine sufferers when combined with medications.
This study was published in The Lancet Neurology (April, 2010).
Tags: cortical spreading depression, migraine and aura, migraine cure
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Migraines and riboflavin deficiency are linked with each other, as stated by Dr. Tonia M. Sabo, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Colorado.
Riboflavin levels were taken of 17 children ages 5 to 18 who were suffering from migraines. The Erythrocyte Glutathione Reductase (EGR) test was used to measure riboflavin levels. Participants were classified as deficient if their EGR was below 90% of the suggested range, and were classified as low if their EGR was below 80% of this.
All pediatric migraine subjects in the study were assumed to have sufficient nutritional stores. Even so, 47% of these children were found to be deficient in riboflavin, and an additional 11% of the participants were found to be low in riboflavin.
As a result of this study, Dr. Sabo believes that the problem may lie in the metabolism of certain nutrients, which places these children at risk for migraines. Riboflavin is essential for proper metabolism, and therefore a lack of this vitamin seems to lead to migraines.
It was concluded from this study that increasing the intake of riboflavin may be an alternative remedy for those suffering from migraines.
Tags: low riboflavin, migaines and riboflavin, migraine remedy, pediatric migraines, riboflavin deficiency, Tonia M. Sabo
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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
The primary risk factor of migraines is genetics. Researchers have found that 70% to 80% of people with this condition have a family history of migraines.
Migraines affect more women than men. Nearly 75% of people afflicted are women. There seems to be some correlation between female hormones and migraines. Examples of such hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Throughout a woman’s cycle, levels of these hormones increase and decrease, and cause migraines in those who are migraine-prone.
About 5 – 10% of children suffer from migraines. In contrast to adults, boys and girls suffer equally, but are less likely to have migraines when they reach adulthood. Some girls experience migraines more frequently after puberty, but puberty is not the cause of migraines.
The majority of people suffering from migraines are between 15 and 55 years of age.
There are medical conditions that have a tendency to be present in people with migraines. These include depression, epilepsy, anxiety, high blood presser and stroke. They do not cause migraines nor do they increase the likelihood of a person developing a migraine. Yet, these problems may accompany migraines.
Tags: cause migraine, cause migraines, cause migrane, causes migraines, migran, risk factors for migraines, risk factors of migraines
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