Posts Tagged ‘Headache’
February 2, 2012 | 
Author Headaches originating in the neck are known as cervicogenic headaches or muscle tension headaches. These usually start as a dull, achy pain which gets worse as the muscles fatigue and tighten.
Poor posture can affect the muscles in front of the neck which become taut pulling the head forward while putting additional stress on the neck and upper back. This leads to a ”catch-22″ of muscle imbalances creating poor posture which, in turn, worsens muscle imbalances. This pain can often lead to throbbing and migraine-type pain. Unfortunately office environments and repetitive motions can lead to this vicious cycle.
It is important to stretch the tight muscles in the neck and take breaks from the computer every 20 minutes. Getting up and walking around helps avoid postural strain. When sitting, try to maintain upright posture. Ideally, the computer monitor should be at eye level or just above so the neck doesn’t have to strain. Keep feet firmly on the floor to keep your spine straight. Just following these simple steps can help alleviate some strain on your neck and will help develop better habits.
Posted in headachedrugs | 
Tags: Headache, muscle fatigue, muscle strain, neck pain, posture | 
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Algorithms(decision trees) do not work for headache patients(some illnesses, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are more amenable to algorithms). So, official “guidelines” as to headache treatment do not work very well. This is becuase everybody is unique; if we have 100 different headache folks, we will go 100 different ways with medicines, non-medication therapies, etc. What drives where we go with meds is the headaches and comorbidities. The headache part includes: what type of headache(migraine vs. tension/chronic daily), severity, frequency, how well the “as needed” abortives work, etc.. The comorbidities include other conditions going on in the person, including anxiety, depression, IBS(irritable bowel syndrome), as well as other medical conditions(HTN, arthritis, diabetes, etc.). For instance, many people with chronic frequent headaches also have anxiety or depression or IBS; these color and influence our medical decision-making. In addition, of course input from the patient is paramount; they may not want to take a daily preventive, or may not want certain types of meds. Costs of meds, and insurance, also play a significant role. The care and treatment of a headache patient takes time and patience and significant thought; for some return visits, it would be helpful to have 2 hours! In addition, it “takes a village” to help a severe headache or pain patient; we “get other villagers” involved(whether it is psychotherapy, physical therapy, yoga, etc. etc.).
Relative humidity, barometric pressure, temperature and precipitation can trigger headache for many migraineurs. Lisa Mannix, MD, Headache Associates, West Chester, Ohio believes the change in weather pattern, not the distinct weather itself is the triggering factor.
Having a genetic susceptibility to migraine may also be a factor for weather sensitivity. Dr. Mannix notes “That inherited sensitive nervous system is likely responding to changes in weather.”
While we can’t control mother nature, eating a healthy diet, having good sleep habits, exercising regularly, and managing stress can help to minimize headache. Dr.Mannix also recommends talking to your healthcare provider about medication to reduce headache frequency…..NHF Headlines Number 176
A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that girls are more likely than boys to have headaches after suffering a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion. Approximately 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Roughly 75 percent of these injuries are concussions, which are considered one of the milder traumatic injuries.
The study looked at the prevalence of headaches in children aged 5 to 17. Three months after a mild injury 43 percent of children reported headache, while 37 percent of children with moderate to severe injuries said they had headaches. Of those children with mild brain injuries who reported headaches, 59 percent were girls.
Michael Collins PhD., is director of the concussion program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Sports Medicine clinic. “Concussion and migraines are evil cousins,” according to Collins. People who are susceptible to migraines can suffer concussions from head traumas too mild to impact whose who are not prone to migraines, and the concussions they suffer are usually more severe. ”The evil genie comes out of the bottle, ” Collins said. Additionally, girls are four to six times more likely to suffer from migraines, which could account for why girls are likelier to have headaches after a mild brain injury, though other factors could be involved……..Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Jacky Kelly
For many migraineurs getting the support they need from family and friends falls short. Dr. Mark Green M.D, director of headache and pain medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine points out that people with migraine typically get head pain, but there are other issues as well. They may feel exhausted, experience nausea, and become light or sound sensitive. “What that means is people tend not to be able to do anything,” according to Dr. Green. This can produce fallout within family dynamics when dinner is not ready on time, or the kids don’t get picked up from school.
Its hard enough dealing with the physical pain of a headache… and even harder when you may have those around you confused, or resentful. Dr. Jack David Schim, MD, co-director of the Headache Center of Southern California recommends patients bring their spouse or other family member to office appointments. Hearing directly from the healthcare provider that migraine is a complicated condition can go a long way in helping people with headache get the support they need.
Here are a few resources for those trying to help friends and family understand headache.
“A Guided Tour of Hell:In the Words of Migraine Sufferers” by Kristine Hatak
“Life and Migraine” a 2005 documentary by Edmund Messina, MD
Migraine Notebook: This free app-available for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch was created by the National Headache Foundation and Glaxosmithkline
HEADWISE National Headache Foundation, Volume 1, Issue 2
Dr. Katherine Henry, MD, at New York University School of Medicine led investigators in a four year study documenting patient exposure to dust and fumes resulting from the terror attacks. Headaches were associated with probable post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Using interviews with patients enrolled at the Bellevue Hospital WTC Environmental Health Center between March 2005 and March 2009, the researchers documented dust and fume exposure. The collapse of the Twin Towers generated the release of pulverized and combusted material in the form of a huge dust cloud. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding PTSD symptoms. “Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and probable PTSD were strongly associated with headache after 9/11,” reported Dr. Henry. She emphasized however that prospective studies are needed to better understand the interplay between headache, mental health symptoms and dust exposure.
While this study focused solely on headache related to the WTC, frequent headaches have also been reported among disaster survivors from manmade incidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island and natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina. We may at some point see a study relating headache to last year’s nuclear disaster in Japan….. Neurology Reviews Volume 18 Colby Stong
Though commonly assumed that headache in children is caused by an underlying condition, research presented at the 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society says that is not true.
“Primary headache appears to be the most common headache type in children younger than 8″, said Carey Taute, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. According to Dr. Taute, there is widespread uncertainty among physicians which can lead to unnecessary and often extensive testing. To help physicians, the researchers performed an analysis of children younger than 8 who were patients at the Cleveland Clinic. Of 91 children presented in the study, most were diagnosed with headaches, and only two were diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Dr. Taute emphasized that the two children with brain tumors also showed additional symptoms and signs that were not shown in the children with headache. A previous study by Chu and colleagues also found low rates of dangerous causation in young children with headache.
The Cleveland Clinic study also stated that physician uncertainty may be due in part to the fact that headache in children is fairly uncommon.
A recent abstract in the American Headache Society’s journal, “Headache”, discusses the occasional discovery of Arachnoid cysts in children presenting with headache.
Arachnoid cysts are common, fluid filled cysts found on the inside of the brain… you can’t see them. These cysts are occasionally found on neuroimaging tests during the evaluation of children with headache. While Arachnoid cysts are usually benign, the discovery of them often illicit concern with parents, as well as further evaluation and treatment for the child.
Abstract written by Billinghurst L., Rothner A.D.
There are additives in so much of the food we consume. Ingredients are often unfamiliar, and what’s considered safe is changing constantly, as all food additives undergo periodic safety reviews as understanding and methods of testing improve. There are over 2,800 different chemicals that are added to our food and certain ones may have possible unwanted side effects. Following is a brief overview of questionable additives which may help you with food decisions.
Artificial colors: Man-made dyes are added to offset color losses and for color enhancement. There is a concern that these may create a small risk of cancer. Additionally there is a possible link to learning disabilities and hyperactivity in children.
Aspartame: An artificial sweetener and low-cal sugar substitute. There are reports of dizziness, headache and behavior changes caused by aspartame.
MSG (monosodium glutamate): used to flavor foods. This much used additive is linked to reactions including headache, nausea, weakness and difficulty in breathing. It’s also referred to as hydrolyzed soy protein or autolyzed yeast. Most of us know it’s an ingredient in Chinese food, but it’s even in goldfish crackers and low-fat yogurts.
Sodium nitrates: coloring and flavor preservative, also prevents the growth of bacteria. In the stomach, acids can convert nitrites into potentially cancer causing compounds. Conversion also occurs during intensive heating, such as frying bacon to a crispy stage. Vitamin C is routinely added to cured meats to inhibit the formation of nitrosamines.
Sulfites: preservatives used to prevent discoloration, often added to dried fruits and fried or frozen potatoes. It also controls “blackspot” in fresh shrimp and lobster. Side effects can include hives and breathing problems. Those with asthma and aspirin allergies should avoid due to risk of anaphylactic shock, indicated by swelling of airways.
A study published in the current jounal of Headache reported on research of feverfew and ginger in the treatment of headache. The study, conducted at several centers including The Headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri; San Francisco Headache Clinic; Texas Headache Associates in San Antonio, studied 60 patients treated for 221 attacks. All subjects in the study met the International Headache Society criteria for migraine with or without aura, experiencing 2-6 attacks of migraine per month within the previous 3 months. Additionally subjects were required to be able to distinguish migraine from non-migraine headache.
The study participants were given feverfew/ginger or a placebo which matched the peppermint-like taste of the active feverfew/ginger treatment, with the investigators and research coordinator blinded to the randomization.
The results support the efficacy of sublingual feverfew/ginger in the acute treatment of migraine when administered early in the migraine attack. The evidence confirms that headache pain features, such as pulsating and increased pain from activity, were reduced, as well as associated migraine symptoms of nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia.
The lipid based sublingual feverfew/ginger was well tolerated by study participants and is believed to be compatible with other acute abortive migraine treatments. It appears safe and effective as a first-line abortive treatment for a population of migraineurs who frequently experience mild headache prior to the onset of moderate to severe headache.
