Archive for the ‘study’ Category

Cluster Headache Treatment

Monday, June 16th, 2008

There’s no cure for cluster headaches. The goal of treatment is to help decrease the severity of pain and shorten the headache period.

Acute medication

The purpose of acute treatment is to stop or reduce pain after a cluster headache starts. Because the headache peaks quickly, acute medications must be fast-acting and delivered quickly, using an injection or inhaler rather than oral tablets. You must be ready to take the medication as soon as an attack starts. And you may want to teach family members about your medications so that they’ll be able to help you when you have an attack.

Because the pain of a cluster headache comes on suddenly and may subside within a short time, over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) aren’t effective. The headache is usually gone before the drug starts working. Fortunately, other types of acute medication can provide some pain relief. Treatment of cluster headache is focused more on prevention, with more medication options available to choose from.

Acute treatments include:

* Oxygen. Briefly inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at a rate of 6 to 8 liters a minute provides dramatic relief for most who use it. Occasionally, a higher flow rate may be more effective. The effects of this safe, inexpensive procedure can be felt within 15 minutes. The major drawback of oxygen is the need to carry an oxygen cylinder and regulator with you, which can make the treatment inconvenient and inaccessible at times. Small, portable units are available, but some people still find them impractical. Sometimes, oxygen may only delay rather than stop the attack, and pain may return.
* Sumatriptan. The injectable form of sumatriptan (Imitrex), which is commonly used to treat migraine, is also an effective acute treatment for cluster headache. Some people may benefit from using sumatriptan in nasal spray form, but for most this is not as effective as an injection. Sumatriptan isn’t recommended for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or ischemic heart disease.

Another triptan medication can be taken orally for relief of cluster headache. Although oral meds isn’t as effective as injectable sumatriptan, it may be an option for people who can’t tolerate other forms of acute treatment.

* Dihydroergotamine. This ergot derivative is available in intravenous, injectable and inhaler forms. Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal) is an effective pain reliever for some people with cluster headache. When administered intravenously, the drug requires you to go to a hospital or doctor’s office to have an intravenous (IV) line placed. The inhaler form of the drug works more slowly. The dosage must be limited to avoid side effects, especially nausea.
* Octreotide (Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR). This drug, a synthetic version of the brain hormone somatostatin, has traditionally been used to control severe diarrhea. However, some studies have shown that the injectable form is an effective treatment for cluster headache and is safe for people with high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease.
* Local anesthetics. The numbing effect of local anesthetics may be effective against cluster headache pain when used in the form of nasal drops.

Surgery

Rarely, surgery is recommended for people with chronic cluster headache who don’t respond well to aggressive treatment or who can’t tolerate the medications or their side effects. Candidates for surgery must have headaches only on one side of the head because the surgery can be performed only once. People with headaches that alternate sides of the head risk the chance that the procedure will be unsuccessful.

Several types of surgery have been used to treat cluster headache. These procedures attempt to damage the nerve pathways thought to be responsible for pain. However, residual muscle weakness in your jaw or sensory loss in certain areas of your face and head may result. The most common procedures are directed at the trigeminal nerve. They include:

* Conventional surgery. Using a conventional invasive procedure, your surgeon cuts part of the trigeminal nerve with a scalpel or uses small burns to destroy part of the nerve. This form of surgery provides relief for most people with chronic cluster headache.
* Radiosurgery. In a procedure called radiosurgery, a focused beam of radiation is used to destroy part of the trigeminal nerve. Radiosurgery is a noninvasive procedure that may have fewer side effects than does conventional surgery, but some studies have questioned the effectiveness and permanency of the results.

Potential treatments

As scientists learn more about the causes of cluster headache, they’re able to develop more selective treatments for the condition. One development that shows promise is the use of a device to stimulate the occipital nerve, which influences the trigeminal nerve. To treat people with frequent cluster headaches, researchers are testing a stimulator — a pacemaker-sized device that sends impulses via electrodes — that is implanted over the occipital nerve. A Mayo Clinic study of implanted occipital nerve stimulators found that the devices reduced chronic headache pain by an average of about half.

Similar research is under way using an implanted stimulator in the hypothalamus, the area of the brain associated with the timing of cluster periods. Stimulation of the hypothalamus in a small number of people with severe, chronic cluster headaches has produced complete and long-term pain relief with no significant side effects.

In addition, researchers are studying new medications for use in treating and preventing cluster headache.

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Cluster Headaches Negative Ions

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

What are negative cluster ions?

An ion is an atom that is charged (either positively or negatively). When they are combined into two or more atoms or molecules and get negatively charged, they become negative cluster ions.

Besides the 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases like carbon dioxide, noble gases and water vapour, air contains allergens like dust, mold spores and pollen; micro-organisms like bacteria, virus and dust mites; smoke particles from cigarettes and stoves; and even fumes from paints, pesticides and cleaning solvents.

What you can’t see can’t harm you… or can it?

Most of us spend as much as 90% of our time indoors, but the air we breathe inside our homes/offices can be 5 to 100 times more polluted than the air outside! The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies sources of indoor air pollution as second-hand cigarette smoke, building materials, pressed wood products, home cleaning products, pesticides, adhesives, personal care products and others.

Without proper ventilation to outside air, you and your family may be at risk for the development of short term as well as long term health effects. Some short term effects are

* headaches,
* dizziness,
* shortness of breath,
* irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Most of the time these symptoms are easily treated by removing yourself from the source of pollution.

Long term effects may show up years after the exposure or after several periods of exposure.

* Heart disease,
* cancer and
* some respiratory diseases

This are a few of the possible health risks from exposure to indoor air pollution.

Ever wondered why you feel so much more refreshed out at the waterfalls, gushing rivers, in the mountains and meadows?

Airborne negative ions are highest near waterfalls, in the mountains and in the countryside. The negative ion count is usually low in urban areas where particulate matter pollution suspend in the air. Low indoor negative air ionization levels are extremely common because of positively ionized computer screens, TVs, appliances and electronics.

When air becomes ion-depleted or becomes more positively charged, health effects are noticeable. Positive ions worsen asthma symptoms, and negative ions are a key constituent of clean, healthy air.
So how can you restore the quality of air in your home/workplace?

Usually the most effective way is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. In many cases, directly addressing the source of the pollution is also a more cost-efficient approach to improving indoor air quality.

Improving indoor ventilation is another way to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants in an enclosed environment. Opening windows, doors and operating fans will increase the outdoor ventilation rate.

One other approach would be the use of a Negative Cluster Ion Generator. With so many types of “Air Purifiers” and Ion Generators in the market, choosing a good generator can prove to be a daunting task for the less informed consumer. Here are some initial questions and issues to be addressed.

1. Is it a mere electrical appliance or a medical instrument used in clinics and hospitals?
2. Does the manufacturer embark on extensive research on negative cluster ions and its effects?
3. Is it producing negative cluster ions or electron ions?
4. Verify that the amount of negative cluster ions generated is more than that claimed in the device specifications.

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Have a Headache or Migraine?

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Cause:

Headaches are a neurological condition with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and disabling. More than 23 million people in the United States suffer from migraine, corresponding to over 17% of all females and 6% of all males living in the U.S.

There are two main types of headache?

Primary and secondary. Primary Headaches include tension-type, migraine and cluster headaches and are not caused by other underlying medical conditions. More than 90% of headaches are primary.

Secondary Headaches result from other medical conditions, such as infection or increased pressure in the skull due to a tumor. These account for fewer than 10% of all headaches.

What May Help?

Watkins Superfood Multiple (Super Multi), Female Formula and Osteogen

Why?

Contain magnesium and calcium. Daily supplements of calcium and magnesium are recommended for those who suffer from Migraines. These minerals help to maintain healthy blood vessels, and low levels of magnesium are common in people who suffer from migraines. Superfood Multiple (Super Multi) also contains riboflavin (B-2) which may help to reduce the frequency of migraines.

What May Help?

Watkins Rezist Plus

Why?

Ingredients help to block harmful invaders from entering the body which may help to reduce the triggers that lead to headaches.

What May Help?

Watkins Peppermint Foot Cream

Why?

Research has shown that peppermint applied to the forehead and temples may help to ease headache pain and compares favorably with acetaminophen in its ability to reduce headache symptoms.

What May Help?

Foods high in omega 3 fatty acids, such as salmon, may help prevent migraines.

Why?

They may help to reduce blood vessel spasms.

Helpful Hint:

Certain foods and beverages are known to trigger migraines. If you suffer from migraines, try to avoid the following: Aged cheeses, onions, pickles, cured meats, chocolate, red wine, beer, sour cream, nuts, freshly baked yeast products, eggs, tomatoes, citrus fruits and caffeinated beverages.

Try This:

At the outbreak of a headache, apply Watkins Peppermint Foot Cream, Icy Blue Ointment or Menthol Camphor Ointment (Medicated Ointment) onto the temples, forehead and back of neck. Rub in circular motion. Repeat at least 2 times at 15-minute intervals.

If you experience chronic headaches, before going to bed, rub Watkins Menthol Camphor Ointment (Medicated Ointment) or Icy Blue Ointment onto feet. Put on a pair of cotton socks over the ointment. According to Naturopaths and personal testimonials, this may help to ward off headaches.

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Treatment for Moderate to Severe Migraine Headaches

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Sumatriptans

The triptans attach to serotonin receptors on the blood vessels and nerves and thereby reduce inflammation and constrict the blood vessels. This stops the headache. The triptan with the longest history of use is sumatriptan .Sumatriptan is available as an injection, oral tablet, and nasal spray.

Side effects of Sumatriptans

The most common side effects of triptans are facial flushing, tingling of the skin, and a sense of tightness around the chest and throat. Other less common side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness. These side effects are short-lived and are not considered serious. Men complaints of temporary impotency while taking the drugs.

Triptans should not be given to patients who have had heart attacks and strokes, or to patients who have symptoms of atherosclerosis such as angina, transient ischemic attack (TIAs) and intermittent claudication.

Triptans should not be used in pregnant women and are not generally used in young children.

Ergots

Ergots, like triptans, are medications that abort migraine headaches. Examples of ergots include ergotamine preparations like Cafergot and dihydroergotamine preparations Migranil. Ergots, like triptans, cause constriction of blood vessels, but ergots tend to cause more constriction of vessels in the heart and other parts of the body than the triptans, and their effects on the heart are more prolonged than the triptans. Therefore, they are not as safe as the triptans. The ergots also are more prone to cause nausea and vomiting than the triptans. The ergots can cause prolonged contraction of the uterus and miscarriages in pregnant women.

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Treatment of Migraine

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Life style changes for migraine

Preventing migraine takes motivation for the patient to make some life changes. Patients are educated as to triggering factors that can be avoided. These include smoking cessation, avoiding certain foods especially those high in tyramine or those containing sulphites or nitrates .

Generally, leading a healthy life style with good nutrition, adequate water intake, sufficient sleep and exercise may be useful..

What should migraine sufferers do?

Individuals with mild and infrequent migraine headaches that do not cause disability may require only OTC analgesics. Individuals who experience several moderate or severe migraine headaches per month or whose headaches do not respond readily to medications should avoid triggers and consider modifications of their life-style. Life-style modifications for migraine sufferers include: Go to sleep and waking up at the same time each day.

Exercise regularly (daily if possible). Make a commitment to exercise even when traveling or during busy periods at work. Exercise can improve the quality of sleep and reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Build up your exercise level gradually. Over-exertion, especially for someone who is out of shape, can lead to migraine headaches.

Do not skip meals, and avoiding prolonged fasting. Limit stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques. Limit caffeine consumption to less than two caffeine-containing beverages a day. Avoid bright or flashing lights and wearing sunglasses if sunlight is a trigger.

Identify and avoid foods that trigger headaches by keeping a headache and food diary. Review the diary with your doctor. It is impractical to adopt a diet that avoids all known migraine triggers; however, it is reasonable to avoid foods that consistently trigger migraine headaches.

Medications:

There are two ways to approach the treatment of migraine headache with drugs:
1-prevent the attacks
2-relieve the symptoms during the attacks.

Medication therapies for migraine:

Pain relievers (analgesics).
* Many OTC analgesics are available. OTC analgesics have been shown to be safe and effective for short-term relief of headache.
* NSAIDs relieve pain by reducing the inflammation that causes the pain (They are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
* Aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine also are available combined in OTC analgesics for the treatment of headaches.

Finding an effective analgesic or analgesic combination often is a process of trial and error because individuals respond differently to different analgesics.

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Fasting and Migraine

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Fasting possibly may precipitate migraine headaches by causing the release of stress-related hormones and lowering blood sugar. Therefore, migraine sufferers should avoid prolonged fasting.

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Sleep and Migraine

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Disturbances such as sleep deprivation, too much sleep, poor quality of sleep, and frequent awakening at night are associated with both migraine and tension headaches, whereas improved sleep habits have been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. Sleep also has been reported to shorten the duration of migraine headaches.

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Female Hormones and Migraine

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008

Hormones may also trigger migraine. Some women who suffer from migraine headaches experience more headaches around the time of their menstrual periods. Other women experience migraine headaches only during the menstrual period. The term “menstrual migraine” is used mainly to describe migraines that occur in women who have almost all of their headaches from two days before to one day after their menstrual periods. Declining levels of estrogen at the onset of menses is likely to be the cause of menstrual migraines. Decreasing levels of estrogen also may be the cause of migraine headaches that develop among users of birth control pills during the week that estrogens are not taken.

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Migraine Headache and Tension headache

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008

Tension headaches cause a more steady pain over the entire head rather than throbbing pain in one spot. Most of the time, migraine attacks happen once in awhile, but tension headaches can occur as often as every day. While fatigue and stress can bring on both tension and migraine headaches, migraines can be triggered by certain foods, changes in the body’s hormone levels, and even changes in the weather.

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Migraine

Monday, May 5th, 2008

Important-Before labeling the headache as Migraine, one should rule out any ENT causes, eye pathology, Dental causes or any Neurological problems presenting as headache.

Migraine headache is a severe pain felt on one, and sometimes, both sides of the head. Migraine headache is a form of vascular headache.

The pain is mostly in the front around the temples or behind one eye or ear. Besides pain, you may have nausea and vomiting, and be very sensitive to light and sound.

During a migraine attack, the temporal artery enlarges. Enlargement of the temporal artery stretches the nerves that coil around the artery and causes the nerves to release chemicals. The chemicals cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. The increasing enlargement of the artery magnifies the pain.

What triggers migraine?

• lack of food or sleep
• bright light or loud noise
• hormone changes during the menstrual cycle
• stress and anxiety
• weather changes
• chocolate, alcohol, or nicotine
• some foods and food additives, such as MSG or nitrates

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