A recent study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York has shown that obese people are much more likely to experience chronic headaches. In fact, they are 30% more likely to experience chronic headaches than people that are considered normal weight. In addition, the frequency and intensity of the headaches are more severe and tend to increase as weight increases.
Obesity Can Lead to Chronic Headaches
February 15th, 2008
Paying for Prescription Migraine Drugs
February 14th, 2008
Many chronic migraine headache sufferers find that the only way to relieve their pain is through the use of prescription drugs. Many of these drugs, especially triptans, are very expensive and may not be fully covered by some insurance companies. For those without insurance or for those ineligible for medicare, the costs of these drugs can be prohibitive. There are options available that can substantially reduce the burden of medication expenses.
Migraine Headaches Caused by Oral Contraceptives
February 3rd, 2008Migraines are the number one side effect reported by women who use oral contraception. This is generally attributed to the fluctuation of estrogen levels in the body and occurs most frequently in women that are using combination estrogen-progestin pills. Although 20% of women who use contraceptives report migraine headaches, it can be difficult to diagnose the exact cause since women are more prone to migraine headaches and tend to fall into multiple risk profiles.
A study by the Harvard Medical School concluded that headaches that occur in the early cycles of contraceptive use tend to improve or disappear with continued use. The study also suggests that manipulating the extent or duration of estrogen withdrawal may provide some benefit as well.
If you believe that your migraine headaches are a side effect of oral contraceptives, then it is important that you consult with your physician to make sure that all of the risk factors are considered. You should also let your doctor know if you have a history of migraines prior to using any type of oral contraceptive. Many women who suffer from severe migraine headaches use not estrogen based forms of contraception.
Headaches and Depression: Common Causes and Treatments
February 2nd, 2008Many people suffering from depression also report suffering from chronic headaches as well. This is not surprising since many of the same triggers for depression are also known triggers for cluster and migraine headaches. These include stress, lack of sleep, improper diet, and a lack of physical exercise. Luckily, many drugs prescribed for anxiety disorders and depression also relieve the symptoms of headaches. In some cases, physicians may even prescribe anti-depressants for headache treatment even though the patient is not suffering from depression.
There is no doubt that your state of mind can effect your health. A recent study on the correlation of abuse and headaches in women by the University of Toledo reported that, of the women who participated in the study, 42% of women who suffered migraines had recently experienced emotional abuse. The study suggested that physicians screen headache patients for a history of emotional and physical abuse before recommending a course of treatment. In addition, if a patient does not show improvement over the course of treatment, then the problems may be psychological rather than physiological.
Can Technology Improve Healthcare?
February 2nd, 2008Like many industries, Health care providers are trying to utilize the latest IT systems to streamline their processes and improve the bottom line. Medical databases and systems are complex though, and if installed or managed improperly, can cause more harm than good. Ultimately for technology to work in the health care industry there must be a culture change from Read the rest of this entry »
Neti Pot Instructions
January 27th, 2008After a very will received review of the neti pot and it’s effectiveness as a treatment for chronic sinusitis, or sinus infections, I thought that I would revisit the subject with some additional pointers on correct usage. It seems that a fairly large percentage of people who try the neti pot do not continue using it. This is really too bad, because they could be missing out on an inexpensive treatment that could alleviate their sinus headaches. I personally have saved approximately $100 this winter that would have been spent on various sinus medications.
As I stated in my earlier article, it takes a week or two to get used to the act of pouring water through your sinus cavity. Here are a few additional tips on using the neti pot that will help you through the first few tries:
- Water temperature – This is the most important element in comfortable usage of the neti pot. The water should be as close to body temperature as possible. If it is too cold, you will feel as if you are about to drown and if it is too hot then you will feel a burning sensation. Most neti pots are microwave safe, so try microwaving at 10 – 15 seconds until the water feels luke warm to the the touch.
- Saline Packets - I personally only use saline packages specifically designed for nasal irrigation. These have special buffering agents that adjust the PH levels to make the solution more comfortable.
- Saline Solution – In the beginning it is not necessary to use an entire packet of saline. You want to acclimate yourself to this new technique, so try using 1/4 – 1/2 of a packet in the beginning. Many recommend using an entire neti pot of solution for each nostril, but this is definitely overkill for the beginner. Begin by using half of a neti pot for each sinus cavity.
Remember, the best results are achieved through regular usage over time. If you are still having trouble, here is a link to a video demonstrating the proper technique. I tried to embed it in this post, but my new wordpress theme did not like it for some reason.
Acute Treatments for Cluster Headaches
January 20th, 2008Cluster headaches are considered one of the most painful of headaches. They strike fast and with little warning reaching peak intensity faster than any other type of headache. Those who suffer from cluster headaches experience intense pain that is often described as sharp, piercing, and burning.
The International Headache Society classifies cluster headaches into two different types; episodic and chronic. Episodic cluster headaches usually occur daily for a period of time followed by a period of remission. Chronic headaches also occur daily but there is no period of remission. As many as 20% of people with cluster headaches suffer from this type.
The onset of pain from a cluster headache occurs almost immediately and can subside in minutes. As a result, typical medications such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin have little or no effect. The headache symptoms have disappeared before the drugs have time to work. This is why sufferers of cluster headaches often resort to acute medications that are more potent and act much faster than over the counter medications.
Acute treatments for cluster headaches include the following:
- Oxygen- Effective though not very practical. Most who suffer from cluster headaches experience relief at the onset of a headache when breathing pure oxygen for a period of up to 15 minutes. Since it is impractical to carry a supply of oxygen everywhere, this treatment is limited even though there are no adverse side effects associated with its use.
- Sumatriptan – Part of the triptan class of drugs, was usually prescribed in injection form but is now widely used in pill form as well. Can relieve a migraine or cluster headache within 15 minutes for most. There is a long list of possible side effects for the injection and pill forms. When used as a nasal spray these side effects are not present. Not recommended for those with heart conditions or hypertension.
- Intranasal Dihydroergotamine – Typically used intranasaly in small doses. Effective as an abortive for many, this treatment has little or no side effects. Also used intravenously under direct physician supervision.
- Octreotide – Previously used as a treatment for diarrhea, this drug has been used intravenously to treat both cluster and migraine headaches. Since it is a safer alternative for people with heart conditions, it is being prescribed more frequently.
All of the acute headache treatments mentioned in this article are to be used only with the direct consent of a physician.
Relieving Headaches Caused by Levitra
January 18th, 2008Like its cousins, Cialis and Viagra, Levitra can cause side effects in a small percentage of users. These side effects include nausea, muscle pain, and headaches. Headaches are the most common side effect of erectile dysfunction drugs including Levitra and generic Levitra, with some studies showing as many as 15% of users reporting mild headaches.
If you experience a headache as a result of Levitra, here are a few things you can do:
- If you are drinking alcohol, then stop. Excessive consumption of alcohol while taking Levitra can result in a severe headache.
- Be sure not to take any medications while on Levitra without first consulting your physician.
- Lower your dosage. Many Levitra headaches are dose related and can be alleviated by lowering your dosage. Typically, the higher the dose, the greater the chance of a headache.
If none of the above apply then it is possible that your headache may not be related to taking Levitra at all. If the headaches are persistent and occur frequently while taking Levitra, then you should let you physician know.
Cialis Headaches: A Common Side Effect
January 16th, 2008More and more men are realizing the benefits of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Cialis. For an unlucky few, there may be slight side effects that accompany the other more desirable properties of the drug. Usually, these are caused by interactions with other drugs and are typically not serious in nature.
Headaches are the most common side effect reported by users of Cialis. Typically, the headaches reported tend to run their course within the first 30 minutes to an hour of onset and are not as severe as an average migraine. Headaches can also occur if you are drinking an excessive amount of alcohol while on Cialis. If you experience a headache then you should immediately reduce your consumption.
To avoid unwanted side effects, including headaches, follow the recommended dosage and be sure to make your physician aware of any other medications that you are taking. For most men, a starting dosage of 10mg is sufficient.
Headache Treatments Covered by Medicare
January 16th, 2008If you suffer from severe migraine headaches and are currently enrolled to receive Medicare benefits, then you may be eligible to receive coverage that will pay for many of the most powerful prescription drugs on the market. The drugs most widely prescribed for the treatment or of chronic headaches are known as Triptans.
Triptans are medications used to reduce the symptoms or abort the onset of a migraine headache. Since their introduction in the 1990’s, triptans have been an effective treatment for millions of migraine sufferers. Unfortunately, many are still only available as name brands and are thus very expensive. Luckily, Medicare does provide limited coverage for those that qualify.
Under the current Medicare drug plan, the following Triptans are covered. Note that you may have to meet certain pre certification criteria and there will most likely be some quantity limits.
- Amerge® (naratriptan)
- Imitrex® (sumatriptan inj, nasal spray and tablets)
- Maxalt®, Maxalt MLT® (rizatriptan)
- Relpax® (eletriptan)
- Axert® (almotriptan)
- Frova® (Frova)
- Zomig®, Zomig ZMT® (zolmitriptan)
All of these drugs are available only with a prescription and require close medical supervision.