Posts Tagged ‘neurology’
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
If you suffer from headaches everyday, then you need to see a doctor for migraines immediately- you might be having migraine attacks, or another form of chronic headaches, like cluster headaches or rebound headaches. If you’ve already seen a primary physician and are not happy with the results, it might be time to find a neurologist for migraine headaches.
What is a neurologist?
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the brain, particularly the nervous system. A competent neurologist treats patients who suffer from a wide range of conditions, including dementia, epilepsy, brain tumors, amnesia, and migraine disorder.
What are the advantages to seeing a neurologist for migraines?
For many migraine sufferers, visiting a neurologist that specializes in chronic headaches is an effective way to stay on top of their migraine symptoms and find out about new advances in migraine treatments.
- By limiting his practice to the treatment of migraines, your neurologist has an in depth understanding of the neurological factors involved in migraine illness.
- A migraine neurologist has the most up-to-date news in migraine treatments, coping mechanisms, and other resources.
- Your neurologist is better able to diagnose migraine symptoms and comorbid conditions.
- By establishing a patient-doctor bond with your neurologist, you will be in a good position to control your migraine triggers, learn how to manage your migraines on your own, make better lifestyle choices, and develop a strategy for preventing migraines that works.
- In addition to prescribing migraine medications, your neurologist might suggest natural migraine ingredients, such as vitamins, and herbs like butterbur, magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10.
Are there any disadvantages to choosing a neurologist?
Choosing the right doctor is always hit or miss; you might find an excellent neurologist that understands your feelings and addresses your needs on the first visit, but it’s more likely that you will have to shop around.
- First, ask up front if your neurologist treats migraine patients. Many neurologists reserve their time for individuals with other brain disorders, but not migraine disorder.
- It’s possible that after the first visit, your doctor will tell you that your symptoms are not severe enough, and that he only treats migraine patients who experience migraine attacks on a more regular basis- assuming you get an initial appointment at all.
- There are millions of migraine patients in the US, but only a handful of neurologists specializing in the field of chronic headaches and facial pain. This is likely because there is very little government funding devoted to migraine research; as a result, there is little incentive for a doctor wishing to advance himself in medicine to choose migraine illness as his specialty.
Where can I find a headache specialist or neurologist in my area?
The internet is a great place to connect with other migraine sufferers and migraine advocacy groups. Here are a few sites that have search engines for locating a doctor to treat your migraines:
U.S. Regional Migraine & Headache Clinics
Find a Healthcare Professional
National Headache Foundation
Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists
Read more about migraine treatments:
What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Headache Specialists
What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Primary Care Physicians
Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere
Sources:
Johns Hopkins Neurology/Neurosurgery- Headache Center- Migraine Headache
Which Doctors Provide Migraine Treatment?
Image credits, from top:
jepoirrier, ShutterMoth
Tags: butterbur, chronic headaches, cluster headaches, coenzyme q10, Doctor for migraines, Headaches everyday, magnesium, migraine disorder, migraine headaches, natural migraine treatments, neurologist migraines, neurology, rebound headaches, riboflavin
Posted in Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Migraine Symptoms, Depression & Dr. iPad: Sufferers of migraine symptoms, including anxiety and depression, will be glad to know that the iTunes store sells iPhone apps, iPad apps, and Android apps for manic depression, panic attack symptoms, and other mood disorders. Whether you suffer from bipolar disorder, anxiety symptoms, or symptoms of depression caused by migraine headaches, the iTunes store has an app for that!
The following iTunes apps may provide help to those suffering from mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, social phobias, and anxiety attacks, but they do not provide medical advice. If you suspect that you are experiences symptoms of depression or anxiety, then please seek psychiatric help.
Here is Part 2 of “Feeling Bipolar? The iTunes Store has 20 iPhone Apps for that.”
Here are 10 MORE iPhone Apps and Android Apps for Migraine Symptoms and Depression
1) Happy App
Beat Depression Anxiety & Stress, Guided Meditation & Hypnosis, $3.99 iPhone, iPad, iPod touch Get it at the iTunes store.
Seven Traits of Highly Happy People with Chronic Illness
2) Gratitude and Happiness
App Finder
(Self-help Journal, Todo, Thoughts & Mood Tracker)
Free app for iPhone, iPad. Get it at the iTunes store.
7 Websites that will Change your Life and Make you Happier
3) Mood Journal
App Finder
$1.99,for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Also see Mood Journal Plus, for$6.99. Get it at the iTunes store.
New Study Warns against Taking these Painkillers with Antidepressants
4) Moody Me
Moody me on Facebook
Mood Diary and Tracker, voted 5 stars by 220 reviewers!
Free app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Get it at the iTunes store.
7 Halloween Candy Cures for Migraine Headache Symptoms
5) Mental Illness
App Finder
Free app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Get it at the iTunes store.
De-Clutter your Home, De-Clutter your Mind for Stress Relief
6) Mediquations
App Finder
Medical calculator, voted 5 stars by 212 reviewers!
$4.99, for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Get it at the iTunes store.
How Topamax Treats Migraine Attacks
7) Pocket Yoga HD
App Finder
Voted 5 stars by 114 reviewers!
$3.99, for iPad. Get it at the iTunes store.
Blow Off Migraine Pain with 4 Simple Yoga Breathing Exercises!
8) Sleep on it
App Finder
Sleep tracker and alarm app
Free app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Get it at the iTunes store.
Are Sleep Seizures, Exploding Head Noises Causing Insomnia?
9) Neurology
App Finder
By Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Free app for iPad. Get it at the iTunes store.
Brain Tumor, Stroke and 8 other Illnesses you probably don’t have
10) Bipolar Bear
30% of this “just for fun” app goes to charity.
$0.99, for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Get it at the iTunes store
Also read:
Feeling Bipolar? The iTunes Store has 20 iPhone Apps for that- Part 1
Tags: Android apps, Anxiety symptoms, Bipolar Bear, Bipolar disorder, Gratitude and Happiness, Happy App, iPad apps, iPhone apps, iTunes store, Manic depression, Mediquations, Mental illnesses, migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, Mood disorders, Mood Journal, Moody Me, neurology, panic attack symptoms, Pocket Yoga, Sleep on it, Symptoms of depression
Posted in Stress and Migraines | No Comments »
Sunday, April 17th, 2011
While there are many known migraine triggers, and one possible headache culprit that often goes unnoticed is gluten sensitivity.
What diseases are associated with gluten sensitivity?
Gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye, has been linked by numerous studies with symptoms such as migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder.
Research pushes the envelope in the case of gluten-free living
Recently, the BMC journal reported on research which details the effect of gluten on the intestines and the immune system, proving that even people who don’t have celiac disease may be suffering the damaging side effects of gluten sensitivity.
Alessio Fasano, medical director of the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research, says, “For the first time, we have scientific evidence that indeed, gluten sensitivity not only exists, but is very different from celiac disease.”
Another study, which was reported in Neurology, focused on 10 patients who were diagnosed with gluten intolerance; MRI results also revealed damage to the central nervous system. All the test subjects experienced frequent migraine headaches, in addition to weak muscle coordination and nausea. Nine of the 10 participants agreed to switch to a gluten-free diet and immediately found relief from their migraine symptoms. In a few cases, going back to a high-gluten diet resulted in renewed headache symptoms.
Gluten-free bread: Fad or food evolution?
 Gluten-free food manufacturing is a growing market, accounting for $2.6 billion in 2010. Many who have sworn off high-gluten products such as breads and pasta are strong believers that gluten attacks the body’s immune system, much in the same way that a virus or bacterial infection weaken our defenses.
Many experts believe that 1 out of 20 US citizens experience at least one of the symptoms of gluten intolerance, including headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, fatigue and depression.
If you suspect that you might be suffering from gluten intolerance, get tested for celiac disease; if results come back negative, try switching to gluten-free products to see if any of your symptoms subside.
Tips for living gluten free
- Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean meats in your diet.
- Opt for naturally gluten-free grains such as quinoa and brown rice, instead of buying pre-packaged gluten-free mixes.
- Supplement with plenty of essential vitamins, particularly vitamins B and D, which are often lacking in gluten intolerant individuals.
Also read:
Sources:
Science Daily, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Neurology, BMC journal
Tags: BMC journal, celiac disease immune system, CNN, gluten intolerance headaches, gluten intolerance symptoms, gluten sensitivity migraines headaches, headache trigger, high-gluten diet headache, living gluten free, neurology, Science Daily, symptoms of gluten intolerance, triggers for migraines, Wall Street Journal
Posted in Migraine Prevention | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Considering weight loss surgery? A new study claims that obese people who undergo weight loss surgery may also reduce their risk for migraines.
The study, which was reported in the March issue of Neurology, reports that obese men and women who underwent gastric bypass or gastric banding surgery complained of less migraines–a health problem that is more common in overweight and obese people.
“Our study provides evidence that weight loss may be an important part of a migraine treatment plan for obese patients,” said researcher Dale Bond in a news release.
According to the study, nearly half of the patients who lost more than 66 pounds from the surgery reported a 50 percent decrease in this headache condition. While researchers note that the study is small and should not be considered as irrefutable proof that weight loss can lessen attacks, it does suggest there is a connection.
Why Weight Loss Surgery Reduces Migraine Pain
Although there may be a link between losing weight and headache frequency, researchers aren’t sure why this is occurring. In fact, some researchers say this study raises more questions about this surgery and its effect on headache frequency.
Neurologists believe that the weight loss may affect other factors that can contribute to migraine pain–namely, its effects on blood pressure, stress and eating habits.
Other factors are thought to trigger these attacks. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain foods, changes in estrogen levels, physical exertion and even environmental factors can play into account when it comes to a person’s risk. For example, eating foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG) may trigger attacks, which are commonly found in Asian restaurant food. Eating caloric foods such as chocolate, cheese or meals high in sodium may also trigger these episodes.
Study: Migraines Caused by Poor Eating Habits
Obese people who have undergone weight loss surgery are often put on strict diets that limit or eliminate these food options, which in turn may reduce their migraines. Losing weight may also make it easier for them to become mobile and independent, raising their self-esteem and reducing stress. This too could reduce their attacks.
Still, these are only guesses–researchers are unsure why weight loss surgery reduces migraine pain for these specific individuals. More studies are planned to be conducted in the future regarding these findings.
Source:
Los Angeles Times, Mayo Clinic
Also read:
Tags: gastric bypass surgery migraines, Los Angeles Times, mayo clinic, neurology, weight loss surgery migraines
Posted in Migraine Treatments | 1 Comment »
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