High-dose aspirin reduces pain for severe headache and migraine
An inexpensive, hundred-year-old therapy for pain – aspirin – is effective in high doses for the treatment of severe headache and migraine caused by drug withdrawal, according to a new study by researchers with the UCSF Headache Center. Study participants were administered aspirin through an IV and 25 percent of the time they reported a significant reduction in pain – three points on the 10-point pain scale. (A difference of three points downgrades a headache from severe to moderate, moderate to mild, or from mild to pain-free). Participants reported a more modest pain reduction about 40 percent of the time. Read the rest of this entry »
Data on headache and migraine published by researchers at University of Tokyo, Department of Internal Medicine
A new study, ‘Defective membrane expression of the Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter NBCe1 is associated with familial migraine,’ is now available. According to recent research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, “Homozygous mutations in SLC4A4, encoding the electrogenic Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter NBCe1, have been known to cause proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA) and ocular abnormalities. In this study, we report two sisters with pRTA, ocular abnormalities, and hemiplegic migraine.” Read the rest of this entry »
Map of Migraine Clinics
A map showing the location of migraine clinics in the UK can be found here:
http://clinics.migrainetrust.org/
Migraine Statistics
These statistics were reported by the Migraine Trust:
Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world. It is more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined – eight million people in the UK have migraine
Migraine is a condition of recurring headaches that may be linked with other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and eyesight changes. Read the rest of this entry »
Migraine Triggers
Some people say that certain things in their life, such as stress, food, drink and hormones, make their migraines worse.
The exact reason why a migraine occurs is unknown. However, research suggests that attacks are linked to chemical changes in the body and that blood vessels and certain nerve cells in the head are involved. Read the rest of this entry »
What is a migraine?
Some people think that a migraine is just a headache. But migraine sufferers know that there is a big difference between normal headaches and migraines.
There are two types of migraines:
Migraine without an aura (common migraine)
This consists of a severe, throbbing headache, usually located on one side, with abdominal symptoms including loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dislike of food, constipation or diarrhoea. This affects about nine out of 10 sufferers. Read the rest of this entry »
How does a migraine feel?
I’ve had migraines with aura since I was a child. I can’t say for sure that other people experience them the same way I do, but when I talk to other suffers, many report similar experiences to me – and some experience different symptoms.
A migraine can be a very, very frightening experience because many of your senses are affected. You can’t function as normal – your sight, speech, sense of smell and touch may all change. Read the rest of this entry »
Migraine Symptoms
There are many different migraine symptoms. Not all migraine sufferers will experience ALL of these, and a different range of symptoms may be experienced on each attack.
Typical migraine symptoms include:
- persistent throbbing or pounding pain in the head
- feeling of pressure in the head
- sensitivity to light
- sensitivity to sound
Migraine Treatment
There are two clinical approaches to treating migraines – abortive treatment and preventive treatment.
Abortive migraine treatment
This is sometimes referred to as acute treatment or pain-relieving treatment. The goal of abortive migraine treatment is to prevent a migraine attack or to stop it once it starts.
The medication perscribed can stop a headache during its prodrome stage or once it has begun and may be taken as needed. Read the rest of this entry »