Headache linked to pollution?

Persons suffering from headache might have a reason to go green living. A recent study from Chile shows that elevated levels of pollution in the air can contribute to headache.

Researchers in Santiago province, Chile studied the effects of various pollution factors including ozone, carbon monoxide, air pollutants and particulate matter associated with gasoline and other fossil fuels, burning on all types of headache. This province in Chile is one of the best places to research this one because of the high population density and its location in a Valley surrounded by mountains, which makes it extremely sensitive to pollution.

Although the authors of the study recommended further studies be performed in different geographic regions to test for consistency in Chile she found that on days of high risk of pollution, headaches severe enough to require hospitalization rose substantially. More specifically, migraine headache most consistently was the kind connected with individual air pollutants, while ozone the most consistently associated with headache in single-pollutant models pollutant was.

"If this Association proves to be causal, the morbidity of headache should be taken during the treasures of the disease burden and the economic costs of air pollution," wrote the authors of the study in September 2009 issue of the American Journal of epidemiology. Based on their findings, they suggest that headache patients stay indoors on days of high pollution.

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American Headache Society Scientific Conference Focuses On Traumatic Brain Injury

Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Also Included In: Veterans / Ex-Servicemen;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 21 Jun 2012 - 1:00 PDT Current ratings for:
American Headache Society Scientific Conference Focuses On Traumatic Brain Injury

The impact of traumatic injuries to the brain - whether sustained in combat or on the playing fields of America's schools - is a major topic for international migraine specialists the week of June 18 as they gather in Los Angeles for the 54th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Headache Society. This is among many timely issues concerning headache, migraine, and brain injuries on the four-day agenda here which runs through Sunday morning, June 24.

"As migraine specialists, we cannot ignore the fact that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an increasingly common medical problem today and that those who experience severe and untreated blows to the brain may end up with serious neurological damage and long-lasting medical and psychological problems," said Elizabeth Loder, MD, MPH, president of the American Headache Society (AHS) and Chief of the Division of Headache and Pain in the Department of Neurology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "We owe it to our nation's military as well as to our children in contact sports to raise awareness of TBI and make this issue a national health priority."

Dr. Loder cited a 60% increase in emergency room visits by adolescents for sports-related brain injuries over the last decade, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control late last year.

"The rising incidence of these injuries, which may have serious long-term consequences for many young people, is a public health problem of epidemic proportion," she said. "High school and collegiate athletic departments are developing programs to minimize the risks but much more is needed to prevent and recognize severe concussions related to high-impact contact sports. These injuries may result in brain damage that can cause persistent severe headache, emotional problems such as depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, memory and learning impairment, and even degenerative brain diseases later." The symposium, on June 23, will cover "School Issues with Concussion" and "Post-Concussion Headaches" and include world-renown experts on the subject.

In earlier wars, many TBIs would have been fatal

Modern warfare and high-tech explosives have ushered in a new era of traumatic brain injury among American combat soldiers. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Centers (DVBIC) estimates there have been more than 178,000 traumatic brain injuries sustained by soldiers in the wars of the last 10 years.

"In earlier wars, such injuries would have been fatal, but now with improvements in protective gear our soldiers are surviving, but often crippled with excruciating headache, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder," said Alan Finkel, MD, who has written widely on the subject. "Today we have bombs that exert 'overpressure' -- waves that come off an explosion at twice the speed of sound and compress everything in their wake without breaching either a soldier's bone or tissue. But the damage they do to the brain is enormous and unprecedented."

Dr. Finkel will chair the AHS session that includes discussion of "Military Traumatic Brain Injuries: Mild, Common, and Unique," "Epidemiology of Military Headache," and "Treating Military Post-Traumatic Headache."

Some 500 of the world's most eminent migraine and headache specialists are expected to attend. This year's theme, "Planting the Seed for Future Headache Research" will spotlight other areas of current basic and clinical research such as the role of the cortex in migraine, the role of imaging in patients with headache, the latest breaking science emerging from the nation's leading scientific laboratories in migraine research, and controversial issues in the diagnosis and management of complex headache disorders.

Migraine is one of the most ancient and mysterious of diseases with many myths and folklores attached to its diagnosis and treatment. Over the last 5,000 years, migraine sufferers subjected themselves to an array of extreme and bizarre treatments to find relief, Dr. Loder, MD, noted. These have included drilling a hole in the skull to let out the "bad humours," bloodletting, sorcery, binding a clay crocodile to the head, and inserting the bones of a vulture into the nose.

Some 36 million Americans suffer from migraine, more than have asthma and diabetes combined. An additional 6 million suffer from chronic migraine, where patients experience at least 15 headache days per month along with other disabling neurological symptoms. Migraine can be extremely disabling and costly - accounting for more than $20 billion each year in the United States. Costs are attributed to direct medical expenses (e.g. doctor visits, medications) and indirect expenses (e.g. missed work, lost productivity).

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PastaQueen runs to benefit from the National Headache Foundation

Although Author Jennette Fulda had the willpower to half her body weight to lose, they do not have the magical power to get rid of the headaches that she has had for more than a year and a half.

Tired of the pain and countless treatments, Fulda, whose online alias is "PastaQueen" and decided that they needed to take action. On 15 August, the PastaQueen on her running shoes and ready A Midsummer night's Run, a 5 K race in Lexington, KY with a time of 7 seconds.

"There were not many water stations, so my time ago, but I was glad to finish the race," Fulda said, "I hope to improve on my next 5 K next month on [my time]."

Fulda ran not only because her doctors told her that regular exercise can improve headaches, but because she wanted to raise awareness about headaches to help other patients. With her ultimate fundraising goal of $ 3,000, Fulda encouraged her friends and fans to sponsor her in the race by donating to the National Foundation for headaches Migraine million campaign. The Migraine million campaign goal is to increase from 1 million dollars for Headache Education and research. The National Headache Foundation hopes one million of the nearly 30 million migraine sufferers in America to donate $ 1 or more to this rally initiative.

"I wanted to keep the race finish myself responsible so I would and I knew that if I would have me money people to complete. I wanted to raise money for the cause for people like me who are suffering with headaches, and I thought the National Headache Foundation is a great place to donate, "Fulda said.

Fulda gained national media recognition with her 2008 book half-assed: a weight loss memoir, which was inspired by her online blog that chronicled her weight-loss of 372 to 180 pounds. In November of 2004 Fulda, then 24, began to keep track of her weight loss. In February 2008, but she had lost more than half her body weight, Fulda developed a debilitating headache that has yet to disappear.

"It was kind of ironic. I was in the best shape of my life and I got this tension-type headache that just wouldn't go away, "said Fulda.

Because of the pain from the constant headache Fulda gained back 30 pounds in the fall of 2008. Although they started to exercise again in attempt to relieve pain and her head back in tip-top shape, Fulda has decided to her experiences with the world for a second time. The Indiana-based author is currently working on her next book, tentatively titled chocolate and Vicodin: and other failed Cures for the headache that wouldn't go away.

Although the race is over, Fulda hopes to continue to raise awareness about headaches. Donations can still be made to the National Headache Foundation on the author fundraising site (http://firstgiving.com/pastaqueen) or on the National Headache Foundation's Web site (http://www.headaches.org/store/donations.html?cat=253) of Fulda blog can be seen on http://www.pastaqueen.com.

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Chronic Migraine Headache Sufferers Benefit Only Modestly From Botox Injections

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Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Article Date: 24 Apr 2012 - 13:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Chronic Migraine Headache Sufferers Benefit Only Modestly From Botox Injections

A study published in the April 25 issue of JAMA reveals that individuals suffering from chronic migraine headaches and chronic daily headaches may receive a small to modest benefit using botulinum toxin A ("Botox") injections. However, the researchers found botox did not provide greater benefit than placebo for preventing episodic migraine or chronic tension-type headaches.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved botox for preventive treatment for chronic migraines.

The researchers explained:

"Migraine and tension-type headaches are common. Although up to 42 percent of adults experience tension-type headaches sometime in their life, most do not seek medical advice.

Migraines are less common, with a worldwide prevalence between 8 to 19%, but as associated with greater disability. Migraine headaches are responsible for $1 billion in medical costs and $16 billion in lost productivity per year in the United States alone."

Clinicians first observed that patients with chronic headaches experienced an improvement after receiving cosmetic botulinum toxin A injections. This resulted in various studies suggesting that botox injections were beneficial for patients with headaches. However, medical literature on botulinum efficacy for headaches has been mixed.

In order to determine whether botox is effective as preventative treatment of migraine, tension, or chronic daily headaches in adults, Jeffrey L. Jackson, M.D., M.P.H., of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and his team examined 27 randomized placebo-controlled trials that included 5,313 individuals, as well as 4 randomized comparisons with other medications.

The researchers categorized headaches as: Episodic - less than 15 headaches per month
Chronic- (15+ headaches per month) migraine and episodic or chronic daily or tension headachesThe researchers found that individuals with chronic daily headaches who received botox had less headaches per month (1,115 patients, -2.06 headaches per month), as did those with chronic migraine headaches (1,508 patients, -2.30 headaches per month).

However, they found no considerable association between the use of botox and reduction in the number of chronic tension-type headaches (675, -1.43 headaches per month) or episodic migraine (1,838 patients, 0.05 headaches per month).

Compared with placebo, the researchers found that botox was linked to: Skin tightnessNeck stiffnessNeck painMuscle weaknessParesthesias (a prickly, tingling sensation)Greater frequency of blepharoptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)In addition, the team discovered that botox did not lower the frequency of headache compared with topiramate (1.4 headaches per mont) or amitriptyline (2.1 headaches per month) for prophylaxis against chronic migraine headaches.

The researchers explained:

"Botulinum toxin A was not associated with a reduction in headache frequency vs. valproate in a study of patients with chronic and episodic migraines (0.84 headaches per month) or in a study of patients with episodic migraines (0.3 headaches per month).

Botulinum toxin A was associated with a greater reduction in average headache severity than methylprednisolone in a single trial among patients experiencing chronic tension-type headaches (-2.5 headaches per month)."

They conclude:

"Our analyses suggest that botulinum toxin A may be associated with improvement in the frequency of chronic migraine and chronic daily headaches, but not with improvement in the frequency of episodic migraine, chronic tension-type headaches, or episodic tension-type headaches.

However, the association of botulinum toxin A with clinical benefit was small. Botulinum toxin A was associated with a reduction in the number of headaches per month from 19.5 to 17.2 for chronic migraine and from 17.5 to 15.4 for chronic daily headaches."

Written By Grace Rattue

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Headache and the holidays

It is not the stress of the holiday that most influence on me. In fact, I love the holidays because I spend time with my family. The only problem is that they are seven hour drive (more live if the weather is bad). So, when it comes to the holidays, it's the thought of all that travel that leaves no visions of sugarplums dancing in my head.

If you live in the Upper Midwest, each drive in the winter is an adventure and this holiday season promises to be no different. This year, it will mean leaving late at night after a busy day of work, pounding back caffeinated drinks to stay awake while taking turns with my friend behind the wheel. On top of that, we have two puppies travel with us too. It also means staring into the headlights for hours on end. And it means nodding off in the most uncomfortable positions in the car.

But that's only the drive there. Life so far away and it is my first year at my job, I don't see a lot of my family. So if I see them, I certainly would like to maximize my time and that often means I have a little suffering. I ended up going to bed late and get up early, even though I am dead tired of the station the night before. I try to eagerly want what everyone has planned and also try to stop on my favorite spots, while I got home (shopping is limited where I live).

It can do all this requires "knocking back" a little more caffeine than usual to stay awake through the day. Add to that the range and the volume of food that is available is clearly far outside the norm, and is often loaded with sugar, and we tend to eat or graze on strange times of the day.

At this point I hit a majority of my migraine triggers and by the end of day one, it is quite possible that I will I find myself smack in the middle of migraine Central. And there is nothing less fun than Christmas music when your head is pounding.

What can I do to it to ward off? The same things that I do on a regular day: determine what I can, from what I can not let go and tackle the problems as they arise.  I'm trying to say no to things if I don't feel good. I listen to my body. I take my medications, once I feel my migraines come on (this is a huge one for me). I make sure to travel with more than enough Rescue medications in case things get really bad. I drink water as much as I can. I try to eat on a regular schedule and keep in the range of healthy. (And frankly, that is not at all fun during the holidays. My mother is a great Baker.) I know when enough is enough and I should just stay home and fixed.

What's the point of being around my family if I'm going to be curled up in a ball miserable feeling?  I know that my trip home in a very short span of three days, will be about. I will my car with my holiday distances, puppies and Pack and head back to the frozen North boyfriend. And then I will be there, the Monday after Christmas, back on my desk in a dazzle of my holiday travel hangover. Not surprisingly, I have a headache before the day is out, but I know that I am equipped to handle that.

I'm still looking for the holiday, regardless of whether or not I get sidelined by a migraine, seeing that my family will be worth it.

Claire Abent, guest blogger

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Alternative headache therapies

Requirements of the patient resolve of each medication headache pain does not. The NHS website is a great resource to research and discover alternative headache treatment methods. Below are some quick descriptions of therapies that can be used for the treatment of headaches.

Acupuncture:Specialists place fine needles in acupuncture, in channels with all the body to try to manipulate "chi" energy. Some studies have shown that acupuncture for migraine that can come. 

Acupressure: acupressure is a technique that applies pressure on trigger points releasing energy of the body. Various pressure points and acupressure techniques have contributed to improving of migraine and tension-type headache in some patients.

Biofeedback: Biofeedback implies a patient bodily functions and to measure temperatures so that he/she can eventually learn to control his/her head pain. It can be used only or in combination with medication for headaches prevent attacks.

Counseling: talking with a therapist is a good way to learn how to deal with the impact of headache on your daily life. Therapists can also teach you to relax and avoid stress, which often triggers headache.

Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy is a variation of biofeedback that allows you to detach yourself from stress caused events. If practiced regularly, the patient can learn to avoid the stress and the resulting headaches.

Massage: Massage can help headache patients relax and get rid of stress. Studies suggest that massage can reduce headache frequency and body-awareness increase.

Riboflavin/vitamin B2:Riboflavin, an essential vitamin for chemical reactions in the body, creates a high-energy substance called ATP. During migraine, cells have less energy and by addition of high doses of this vitamin, you can reduce the frequency of attacks over a period of time.

If you want more information about alternative therapies, you can buy our brochure which alternative therapies & headache care at our online store, or you can listen to our new podcast. Through an educational grant from Medtronic, Inc., the National Headache Foundation recently launched headache and you: A Guide to Living well podcast series that provides listeners practical advice, empowering them to take charge of their health and their lives. Care to listen to & alternative headache therapies where psychologist Biofeedback Kathy farmer the benefits of alternative methods of treatments such as biofeedback, acupuncture and herbal medicines discusses. In 1996, Dr. Farmer was co-founder of the headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri with NHS Board member Dr. Roger Cady.

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