A migraine is a form of severe headache that causes intense pain in a localized area of the head. Scientist’s speculate that the cause of migraines is genetic. Symptoms of migraines include: nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and aura (which is a disturbance of vision). These symptoms typically last anywhere from four hours to up to three days (Stroke, 2014). When a migraine occurs hyperactive nerve cells transmit impulses to blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to contract and become narrower. After the blood vessels contract, dilation occurs and the blood vessels become large again. This is followed by “the release of prostaglandins, serotonin, and other inflammatory substances (WebMD).” These substances cause the pain that occurs with migraines. Without treatment migraines can be extremely painful and debilitating, making it nearly impossible to function in daily life (WebMD).
Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), also known more commonly as Botox, is a fairly new treatment option for those who suffer from migraines. A double blind case study using Botox to treat individuals who suffered from migraines proved to decrease occurrence, severity, duration, and symptoms of migraines. This study used three groups of people 25-U BTX- A, 75-U BTX-A, and the vehicle (or control group) to determine the effective amount of Botox and its positive treatment of migraines. These three groups were injected in several different areas of their precrainial muscles with their designated treatments. Patients assessed these treatments on a scale, with -4 as the most severe worsening and +4 as complete abolition of symptoms and occurrence. Additionally the patients kept daily journals of the headaches, frequency, symptoms, and dura...
... middle of paper ...
...ence with onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX) in chronic refractory migraine: focus on severe attacks. Retrieved March 23, 2014, from National Center for Biotechnology Information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072485/?tool=pubmed
Silberstein, S., Mathew, N., Saper, J., & & Jenkins, S. (2000). Botulinum toxin type A as a migraine preventive treatment. For the BOTOX Migraine Clinical Research Group. For the BOTOX Migraine Clinical Research Group. Headache. , 40 (6), 445-450.
Stroke, N. I. (2014). NINDS Migraine Information Page. Retrieved March 23, 2014, from Migraine Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (NINDS): http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm
WebMD. (n.d.). Your Guide To Migraines. Retrieved March 23, 2014, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/migraines-headaches-migraines
The borders between the different forms are very fluid and the specific conditions are often misdiagnosed as a strong migraine, causing the patients to suffer significant pain before treatment is started. Which directly links to another problem: The treatment. Oxygen treatment seems promising, yet it is not readily available to the patients. Orally administered triptans are usually too weak and nasally administered triptans (e.g. ZOMIG) cannot be used in a sufficient frequency to relieve the pain during the whole day, especially in the case of Paroxysmal Hemicrania where attacks are generally of shorter duration yet of higher intensity. Therefore, patients still need to resort to taking a significant amount of painkillers which is medically problematic since an attack period can last up to several months or even years in the case of chronic conditions which 10-15% of cluster headache patients suffer from.
...nited States keeps a stockpile of botulism antitoxin that can be delivered in mass quantities in less than twelve hours (Taillac, & Kim, 2010). Botulism is an emerging infectious disease that should be taken very seriously.
Psychguide (2016). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms, Causes and Effects. Retrieved August 20, 2016, from http://psychguides.com
Whenever pain or a headache is felt people will immediately reach for the bottle of Aspirin they have in their medicine cabinet. For many years this has been the solution to any pain a person feels. As much as Aspirin will help to cure symptoms of pain it may also being doing the body harm. More and more studies have brought many harmful side effects to the surface. The question now comes into play of if Aspirin is actually doing more harm than good.
Nordqvist, C. (2009, March 19). What is Dementia? What Causes Dementia? Symptoms of Dementia. Medical News Today. Retrieved June 16, 2010, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142214.php
Migraine headaches affect an estimated 36 million Americans, or about 12% of the population, surpassing asthma at 8.3% (25 million) and diabetes at 7.8% (23.6 million). Migraines are much more common in women than in men--about 3 times more common. Nearly 30% of women will experience at least one episode of migraine headaches in their lifetime, most commonly in the third and sixth decades of life. However, migraines can affect anyone at any age and from any ethnic group. In addition to indirect expenses like missed work/school and lost productivity, the American Migraine Foundation estimates that migraines cost Americans more than $20 billion annually. Migraine sufferers are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, and other pain conditions, and those who experience visual disturbances called “auras” associated with migraines are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Unfortunately, there is no cure for migraines. The best treatment options available only to seek to reduce frequency of attacks or treat an attack once one has begun, and medication use is often limited by side effects and difficulty of administration. The American Migraine Foundation itself labels current treatment options “far from perfect” and concludes, “Undoubtedly, better treatments are needed.” Filling this therapeutic void is the primary objective of NuPathe Inc. (very recently acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.) with Zecuity®, a sumatriptan iontophoretic transdermal system.
Jane did explain that since the history of migraine headache had been going on for years it was going to take a while prior to seen any results but it was going to take some lifestyle changes other than the acupuncture to achieve the goal. The author left the office in a great note. Unable to gauge the results of the treatment yet but with a hopeful outlook for the future.
The well-known poison botulin works by blocking acetylcholin, causing paralysis. The botulin derivative botox is used by many people to temporarily eliminate wrinkles --a sad commentary on our times, I would say. On a more serious note, there is a link between acetylcholine and Alzheimer's disease: There is something on the order of a 90% loss of acetylcholine in the brains of people suffering from that debilitating disease.
Migraines, which are three times more dominant in women than in men, are characterized by frequent attacks of moderate to severe, painful headaches that are often associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound and light. This headache pain typically occurs on one side of the head and is described as pulsing, pounding or throbbing pain lasting 4-72 hours if left untreated. Migraines may also present with or without an aura (sensory warning symptoms).1
They are the definition of a migraine, probable causes of a migraine, and several treatment options for a
My mom became a victim to this illness after she had my youngest sibling. She has now lived with primary migraines for about seven years and the cause of her condition is unknown. The possible factors that can lead to migraines include, hormones, caffeine, stress, anxiety, and many others. Similarly, the journal “Providing Care for Patients with Chronic Migraine: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management”, by Stephen D. Silberstein states, “Other comorbid factors should be addressed, including sleep disorders, neck pain, fibromyalgia, and obesity” (Silberstein). My mother has gone through many things in her life which relate to many of these factors. Therefore, doctors have not been able to determine the cause of her
Unknown. The. a. The adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage [online] Retrieved from: http://www.mydr.com.au/allergy). [Accessed: 19 Mar 2014]. Unknown.
The "Migraine". Definition - a. N.p., n.d. Web. The Web. The Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2011). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved [18th April 2011] from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/picks/picks.htm.
Cox, Lauren. (2011, Nov. 02) 5 Experts Answer: Does Caffeine Cause or Cure Headaches? Live Science.