Headache NewsBlog

Sugary drinks not only cause headaches but can give women cancer

By: Dr. Mauskop

04-12-2013

Three out of four migraine sufferers may have reactive hypoglycemia, which may be contributing to their headaches. Reactive hypoglycemia is the so called sugar crash – a drop in blood glucose level after eating or drinking a large amount of sugar. The body’s reaction to the consumption of sugar is to produce insulin, but in those with reactive hypoglycemia too much insulin is produced and the blood sugar level drops below normal.

A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention and reported in the NY Times showed that high consumption of sugary drinks significantly raises the risk of endometrial cancer. The researchers at the National Institutes of Health who conducted this large study speculated that the wide fluctuations in sugar levels from very high to very low could play a role in the development of cancer.

Obviously, there are other reasons to avoid sugary drinks, such as to avoid weight gain which leads to more frequent migraine and other health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and other. For that matter it is not just sugary drinks, but sugar in any form. Many of my patients are often surprised that I would even advise against drinking orange juice, eating grapes, melons, or other very sweet fruit. These fruit have some redeeming properties, such as having vitamins and fiber, but they also contain too much sugar and can cause the same problems as refined sugar.

Photo credit: JulieMauskop.com

Migraines and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis

By: Dr. Mauskop

03-12-2013

Science of Migraine

Thirty-two percent of patients with multiple sclerosis experience both migraine and pain with neuropathic (related to nerve damage) characteristics, according to a report by French researchers led by Xavier Moisse. These two symptoms appear to be caused by different mechanisms.

The authors conducted a postal survey to assess the prevalence and characteristics of neuropathic pain and migraine in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Of the 1300 questionnaires sent, 673 were complete enough be used for statistical analysis. Among the respondents, the overall pain prevalence in the previous month was 79%, with 51% experiencing pain with neuropathic characteristics and 46% migraine. MS patients with both migraine and neuropathic pain (32% of the respondents) reported more severe pain and had lower health-related quality of life than MS patients with either migraine or just pain. Migraine was mostly episodic, but in 15% they were chronic, meaning that they occurred on 15 or more days per month. Neuropathic pain was most often located in the extremities, back and head, and was frequently described as tingling and pins-and-needles. The intensity of pain was low to moderate. Nonetheless, patients with pain were more disabled than patients with migraine. Migraine, but not pain, was more common with older age, disease duration, relapsing-remitting course, and interferon-beta treatment.

We do see patients without a history of headaches who develop headaches, including migraines, as a side effect of interferon treatment, both when it is given for MS as well as hepatitis C. These headaches can be managed just like any other migraine or chronic migraine with magnesium, medications, Botox injections, etc., although the response to treatment sometimes is not as good. If a patient with MS has both migraines and pain, we try using medications such as gabapentin or amitriptyline, which can help both conditions.

Headache experts: five things to avoid

By: Dr. Mauskop

28-11-2013

Headaches

Many medical specialty groups of doctors have been coming out with “Choosing Wisely” campaign where they recommend avoiding five things in their field. Headache specialists just came out with their own list of items that offer low-value and can be even harmful. The American Headache Society surveyed its members to develop a candidate list of items of low-value care in headache medicine. Then, a committee reviewed the literature and the available scientific evidence about the candidate items on the list and by consensus came up with a final list of five items. The five recommendations are: (1) don’t perform a brain scan (MRI or CAT) in patients with stable headaches that are typical migraines; (2) don’t perform CAT scan for headache when MRI scan is available, except in emergency settings (MRI is much more informative and does not subject the patient to radiation); (3) don’t recommend surgical procedures for migraine, unless it is a part of a clinical trial (several types of surgery are being promoted with little scientific evidence that they are safe and effective); (4) don’t prescribe opioids (narcotic drugs, such as codeine, Vicodin, Percocet) or butalbital-containing medications (Fioricet, Fiorinal, Esgic) as a first-line treatment for recurrent headache disorders because these drugs are often ineffective, can worsen headaches and can cause addiction; and (5) don’t recommend prolonged or frequent use of over-the-counter pain medications for headache. I would stress that the last item is particularly important in regard to caffeine-containing drugs, such as Excedrin and Anacin, while ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are much less likely to cause medication overuse (rebound) headaches. Aspirin sometimes can actually prevent headaches from becoming more frequent or chronic (I admit that as a developer of Migralex I am biased in favor of aspirin, but scientific data supports this).

Art credit: JulieMauskop.com

Fibromyalgia may be caused by nerve damage

By: Dr. Mauskop

19-11-2013

Pain, Pain Research, Science of Migraine

More patients with fibromyalgia suffer from migraine headaches than those without this fibromyalgia. Those with fibromyalgia are also more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and panic attacks. Fibromyalgia has been a mysterious and an ill-defined condition. However, after years of research specific criteria for the diagnosis were developed and several drugs for fibromyalgia were approved by the FDA (Lyrica, Cymbalta, Savella).

A new study by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that half of the patients with symptoms of fibromyalgia have damaged peripheral nerves, a condition called small-fiber neuropathy. They compared skin biopsies (a test to diagnose the neuropathy) in 25 patients with fibromyalgia and 29 healthy controls. In healthy controls only 17% had neuropathy. This type of neuropathy can also occur in diabetics, but none of the 25 patients in the study had diabetes. Other conditions that can cause small-fiber neuropathy are cancer, autoimmune conditions, various toxins, vitamin B12 deficiency, and genetic disorders, but none of these were present either, except for possibly genetic cause since three patients were related (a mother and two daughters).

The practical importance of this finding is that sometimes neuropathy responds to immune therapies, such as intravenous gamma globulin.

BPA (the toxin in plastics) and migraine.

By: Dr. Mauskop

15-11-2013

Science of Migraine

Migraine headaches can be triggered by exposure to a variety of chemicals, including fumes, MSG, artificial sweeteners and many other. Now, scientists at the university of Kansas Medical Center published a study suggesting that BPA, a ubiquitous toxic chemical found in plastics, canned food, and ATM receipts, may be also involved in triggering migraine attacks. The New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof has been publicizing the dangers of BPA (bisphenol A) in many of his articles. BPA was recently banned from baby bottles and cups, but it is still widely used everywhere else and can be found in significant amounts in the bodies of 90% of the US population. It is not surprising that BPA could impact migraines because it can produce hormonal estrogen-like effects. Women are three times more likely to have migraines than men, with estrogen being the likely culprit.

The Kansas researchers hypothesized that BPA exposure exacerbates migraine symptoms through estrogen mechanisms. They studied the effect of BPA on female rats, in which a migraine-like state of increased sensitivity was induced. They studied changes in movement of these rats, light and sound sensitivity, grooming, and startle response. They also measured changes in genes related to estrogen and pain perception. After BPA exposure these rats had significantly increased migraine-like behaviors. They moved less, had an increase in light and sound sensitivity, altered grooming habits, and increased startle responses. BPA exposure also increased expression of estrogen and pain-modulating receptors. These results suggest that BPA may be also a contributing factor to migraines in humans.

This study has many limitations, with the main one being that it was done in rats. However, it is possible that BPA is one of many potential triggers which can make migraine headaches worse. However, there is little doubt that BPA is a chemical that should be avoided regardless of its effect on migraines.

More about the white spots seen on MRI scans

By: Dr. Mauskop

10-11-2013

Science of Migraine

White matter lesions (WML) are more common in people who suffer from migraine headaches with or without aura and my recent post mentioned yet another study confirming this finding. Researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine just published a study in the journal Neurology which provides further reassurance about the benign nature of these mysterious lesions. They examined over 1,000 migraine sufferers with two MRI scans separated by 8 to 12 years. While those with migraines had a significantly greater risk of having these WML or as these researchers called them white matter hyperintensities (WMH) the number of these lesions did not increase with the passage of time. This study contradicts a larger, so called CAMERA study which showed progression of the number of WMLs in women. That study was done in younger people and the authors speculate that whatever might be causing these WML may be occurring at a younger age when the disease of migraine is most active. It is a well established fact that migraines are most common in 20s, 30s, and 40s but then tend to subside.

Art credit: JulieMauskop.com

A new way to adminster Botox for cluster and migraine headaches

By: Dr. Mauskop

04-11-2013

Cluster headaches, New treatments

Botox injections are currently approved for the treatment of chronic migraines but not cluster headaches. However, my experience at the New York Headache Center suggests that Botox injections may also help relieve cluster headaches, which some call suicide headaches. We inject Botox for cluster headaches in a similar way we do for chronic migraines, that is the injections are given in the forehead, temple and back of the head and neck. One difference is that since cluster headaches are strictly one-sided we inject only one side with the exception of the forehead because injecting only one side of the forehead will result in a lopsided appearance.

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Oslo came up with an idea of injecting Botox into the sphenopalatine ganglion. This ganglion is a bundle of nerve cells that sits behind the back of the throat and has been a target for all kinds of procedures to relieve various pain problems. Doctors have attempted numbing those cells with cocaine and lidocaine, destroying it with heat, and stimulating it with electric current in an attempt to relieve not only cluster and migraine headaches but a range of painful conditions, including low back pain. Unfortunately, we do not have any good scientific studies proving that any of these procedures on the sphenopalatine ganglion work for any condition it’s been tried for. We have many so called anecdotal reports describing successful cases, but no large controlled trials have ever been performed.

It is not clear why the Norwegian doctors think that injecting Botox into the ganglion will be effective, beyond the fact that Botox “can stops the flow of impulses along the nerves”. A report in StudyNordic.com says that “The researchers strongly believe in their treatment method, in part because a new study unrelated to their work has shown an effect by using an electric current to paralyse the nerve bundle.” So far it does not seem that they’ve treated any patients, but did start recruiting patients for a study.

They hope to enroll 30-40 cluster headache patients and then another 80 with migraine headaches. ScienceNordic.com also reports that the treatment uses an MRI of the patient’s head to make certain that the surgeon knows exactly where the nerve bundle is. A navigation tool, composed of three small spheres on the pistol, and a plate with three spheres mounted on the patient’s head, enables the surgeon to find the nerve bundle using the MRI image. “A computer sends light signals to all the spheres to form precise points. We don’t miss, but anyone who wants to participate in the study must accept the risk that it could happen, because this has never been done before. If the Botox hits an area near the nerve bundle, it could cause temporary double vision, or weaken the ability of the patient to chew,” says the lead researcher, Dr. Tronvik.

Until we have some evidence that this treatment works we have to work with the standard approaches to cluster headaches, which include, occipital nerve blocks, oxygen, a course of steroid medications, sumatriptan (imitrex) injections, verapamil, lithium, and other drugs. Two of my patients for whom none of these approaches and Botox injections worked did respond to vagus nerve stimulation, or VNS. This procedure involves wrapping a wire around the vagus nerve in the neck and connecting it to a pacemaker-like device which is implanted under the skin in the upper chest. This is also a totally unproven method with only anecdotal evidence. However, VNS has been approved by the FDA for difficult to treat epilepsy and depression. Considering that antidepressants and epilepsy drugs help migraine and cluster headaches, it is logical to conduct studies of VNS before going for a more invasive procedures.

Art credit: JulieMauskop.com

Caffeine worsens headaches in adolescents.

By: Dr. Mauskop

03-11-2013

Headaches in children, Science of Migraine

The previous post mentioned a study confirming that caffeine makes headaches worse in adults 20 years or older. A study by pediatric neurologists from the Cleveland Clinic, Chad Whyte and David Rothner showed that this is also true in adolescents. They looked at 50 children, who were between 12 and 17 years of age who presented to their headache clinic. The average age was 15 and 64% were girls. The mean consumption of caffeine was 109 mg per day. In kids with chronic migraines the intake was 166 mg, while in the rest it was 65 mg. The most popular form of caffeine was soda drinks. This study further confirms the role of caffeine in causing worsening of headaches and leading to chronic migraines.

Photo credit: JulieMauskop.com

Nutritional factors in migraine and other headaches.

By: Dr. Mauskop

29-10-2013

Alternative Therapies

A study of 13,573 people by a Harvard physician Catherine Beuttner examined the role of nutrition in patients with migraines and severe headaches. Among these participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who were 20 years old or older, 22% or 2,880 suffered from migraines or severe headaches. A large variety of factors that could influence headaches were examined, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, health status, body mass index, diabetes, and number of prescription medications used. Sophisticated statistical analysis established that carbohydrate intake as a percentage of energy consumption and caffeine use were associated with higher prevalence of migraine and severe headaches. On the other hand, fiber intake appeared to reduce the prevalence of migraines and severe headaches. Dr. Beuttner also discovered that intake of foods rich in folate (folic acid, or vitamin B9), thiamine (vitamin B1), and vitamin C was also associated with lower prevalence of migraines and severe headaches.

This large study confirms some of the previous reports about the role of carbohydrates and caffeine in the development of headaches. According to one small study, three out of four migraine sufferers have reactive hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia is a condition that causes blood sugar to drop too low after eating a carbohydrate-rich meal. This drop of sugar seems to trigger headaches. Many migraine sufferers figure this out on their own and reduce their carbohydrate intake, but some fail to make this connection. So, if you suffer from severe headaches try eating small frequent meals that are low in carbs.

Caffeine is a well-known and proven trigger of migraine headaches. Caffeine can sometimes cause headaches directly, but more often headaches occur due to caffeine withdrawal. This is why many people wake up in the morning with a headache – they’ve gone all night without caffeine. Since caffeine is a short-acting drug withdrawal can occur throughout the day leading people to consume more and more caffeine. Eventually the headache become constant with some improvement after each dose of caffeine, whether it is from coffee, soda, strong tea or medications, such as Excedrin, Anacin, Fioricet, and Fiorinal. Getting off caffeine is the only way to stop these headaches. It can be done gradually or “cold turkey”. Your doctor can prescribe medications to make this process less painful because headaches will get worse before they get better. These medications may include triptans (Imitrex, Maxalt, and other), Migralex, or naproxen (Aleve). Botox injections can also help. Many of my patients argue that caffeine is not the cause of their headaches since headaches started long before they were consuming any caffeine. It is true that caffeine does not cause headaches, but if you suffer from migraines and other headaches, caffeine can make them worse. And getting off caffeine may not eliminate all headaches, but will make them much more amenable to treatment.

As far as folic acid and vitamin B1, there have been some studies proving that B vitamins (including B12) can prevent migrianes, but fiber and vitamin C have not been reported to help headaches in the past.

In summary, if you suffer from migraines or severe headaches try to keep your carbohydrate intake low, eliminate caffeine, increase your intake of foods rich in fiber, B vitamins, and vitamin C. You may also want to consider taking a supplement of these vitamins, along with B12, magnesium, CoQ10, and possibly some herbal products mentioned earlier in my blog or on our main site, nyheadache.com.

Art credit: JulieMauskop.com

Chronic migraine relieved by increasing omega-3 and reducing omega-6 fatty acids

By: Dr. Mauskop

27-10-2013

Alternative Therapies

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are needed for our body to produce pain-relieving and pain-enhancing substances. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a randomized, single-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial, which was published in the journal Pain, to assess clinical and biochemical effects of changing the dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on chronic headaches.

After a 4-week baseline, patients with chronic daily headaches undergoing usual care were randomized to 1 of 2 intensive, food-based 12-week dietary interventions: a high omega-3 plus low omega-6 intervention, or a low omega-6 intervention. Clinical outcomes included the Headache Impact Test, which measures headache-related disability, headache days per month, and headache hours per day. They also measured omega-3 and omega-6 levels in red blood cells. Fifty-six of 67 patients completed the intervention.

The first intervention (increasing omega-3 and lowering omega-6) produced significantly greater improvement in the Headache Impact Test score and the number of headache days per month compared to the second group (lowering omega-6). The first intervention also produced significantly greater reductions in headache hours per day. The authors concluded that dietary intervention increasing omega-3 and reducing omega-6 fatty acids reduced headache pain and improved quality-of-life in chronic headache sufferers.

The omega-3 fatty acids are generally considered good and the omega-6 are considered bad, but it appears that what is more important is the balance between the two types. The known beneficial effects of fish oil include their effect on the heart, brain, peripheral nerves, mood, inflammation, as well as headaches. There is little downside to taking omega-3 supplements, as long as you buy fish oil from a reputable store chain or a well-know brand, which is purified of mercury.

Migraine-related vertigo in perimenopause.

By: Dr. Mauskop

23-10-2013

Science of Migraine

Vertigo presenting during the peri-menopause can be related to migraine, according to a report by Nashville neurologists led by Dr. Jan Brandes. They collected information on 12 women who presented with a new onset of vertigo during their peri-menopause and who fulfilled the criteria for migrainous vertigo. Only 4 of the 12 were previously diagnosed to have migraine headaches and all of them were treated for at least a year for non-migraine causes of vertigo. Once the diagnosis of migrainous vertigo was made a combination of hormonal and conventional migraine preventive therapy produced a significant improvement in these women. The authors concluded that the appearance of vertigo during the peri-menopause should prompt an evaluation for possible migraine connection and if such connection is found the treatment should include a combination of hormonal and traditional migraine therapies.
Other non-migraine causes of vertigo include inner ear problems, brain disorders, such as strokes and tumors, and neck muscle spasm. The latter usually causes dizziness rather than true vertigo, which is defined as a spinning sensation. Dizziness can also be caused by drop in blood pressure, especially on standing up, peripheral nerve damage (such as in diabetes or vitamin B12 deficiency), eye, and other conditions.

Art credit: JulieMauskop.com

Dihydroergotamine (DHE-45, Levadex) constricts blood vessels less than sumatriptan (Imitrex)

By: Dr. Mauskop

14-10-2013

Headache medications, Science of Migraine

Dihydroergotamine (DHE-45) is considered to be the most effective injectable migraine drug. In addition to injections, it is been available in a nasal spray form (Migranal), but the nasal spray is much less effective than the injection. Early next year we expect to have an inhaled version of dihydroergotamine, Levadex. Clinical trials indicate that it could work as fast and as well as the injection and may have fewer side effects. Dihydroergotamine constricts blood vessels and just like triptans (Imitrex or sumatriptan and other) is contraindicated in people with cardiovascular disease, such coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. The perception has always been that dihydroergotamine, because it is a less pure drug than triptans, is a stronger vasoconstricter than triptans. However, a recent study by Dutch researchers suggests that this may not be the case.

This study compared the contractile effects of sumatriptan and DHE in human coronary arteries. The study looked at both large (proximal) and small (distal) coronary arteries. The arteries (removed from the body) were exposed to sumatriptan (Imitrex) and DHE. In larger (proximal) coronary artery segments sumatriptan was a stronger constricter than DHE but the difference was not significantly different. In contrast, in smaller (distal) coronary arteries, the contractile responses to sumatriptan were significantly larger than those to DHE. At clinically relevant concentrations contractions to both sumatriptan and DHE in proximal as well as distal coronary arteries were below 6%. The researchers concluded that coronary artery contractions to DHE in distal coronary artery are smaller than those to sumatriptan, although in the clinical situation both drugs are likely to induce only a slight contraction. So, both drugs are relatively safe and dihydroergotamine may be safer than sumatriptan, although both should not be given to migraine sufferers who also have cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors, such as hyprtension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and other.