Headache and Migraine News » news

Attention given to HIV Patients with Migraine in new study

James — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:45:33 +0000

A University of Mississippi study is drawing attention to migraine in HIV patients. The study, first published online in November, points out that chronic migraine is a chronic problem for those with HIV.

200 HIV / AIDS patients were a part of the study. 53.5% reported headache symptoms. 14.56% met the criteria for episodic or chronic tension-type headache. And a whopping 44% were diagnosed with migraine – with 27.5% meeting the criteria for chronic migraine.

27.5% with chronic migraine is very significant. In fact, it means that those with HIV/AIDS are 13 times more likely to have chronic migraine than the general population.

And that’s not all. The more severe the HIV disease, the worse and more frequent the migraine attacks became. However, duration of the disease and number of prescribed antiretroviral medications did not make a significant difference.

This study certainly highlights the need to study the relationship between HIV and migraine, but it also helps to zero in on treatment of symptoms for HIV patients. Often, because of the HIV disease, other issues are suspected when the patient has headache pain. But now we know that tension-type headache and migraine are extremely common. Hopefully this will help patients get the proper treatment sooner.

The researchers also had an interesting side note. More often than usual, patients with HIV/AIDS had migraine attacks with some atypical features- for example, a two-sided migraine, or migraine with a pressing/tightening quality. The researchers still felt comfortable diagnosing these as migraine based on other criteria. But some doctors might miss a connection due to somewhat abnormal symptoms.

via: Research Yields Insights About HIV-Related Headaches

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Attention given to HIV Patients with Migraine in new study

These other posts might relate:

Express Yourself! Contest

James — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:10:59 +0000

I’ve decided that 2012 is all about creativity. So that’s where we’re going to start with our February contest!

This contest is all about visual art. We have a whole section of photos and drawings describing migraine and migraine aura.

This month you’ll have the opportunity to enter photos and drawings that describe migraine, cluster headache, or chronic headache. Here’s how the winners will be chosen:

I will choose my 10 favourites out of all entries.
Out of those, the winners will be chosen randomly using random.org.
If there are 19 or fewer people entering (1 entry per person please), there will be one winner. If 20-49 people enter, there will be 3 winners. If there are 50 or more entries, and additional US$200 will be donated to the Migraine Research Foundation.

Prizes?

Of course there are prizes! Since this is a visual art/photography type of contest, the winner will receive one of the highest rated point and shoot cameras on the market – the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera!

But that’s not all. The winner will also receive a free copy of the beautiful hardcover book Migraine Expressions: A Creative Journey Through Life With Migraine.

The Migraine Research Foundation has also generously donated a t-shirt, which will also go to the winner.

As stated above, if there are enough entries there will be more winners. The second and third place winners will also receive Migraine Expressions: A Creative Journey Through Life With Migraine. The second place winner will receive a US$20 gift certificate for amazon.com.

Read my review of Migraine Expressions here.

When??

This contest opens today! And it closes in 3 weeks, on the 22nd of February. The winners will be chosen and announced by the end of the month.

Other notes

Remember, only 1 entry per person will be considered. If you enter more than once, only your first entry will be accepted.

Yes, this is a global contest. However, there may be locations I simply can’t ship to. If that’s the case, another winner will be chosen. But I’ll do my best to get the prizes to you, wherever you are in the world!

I also have the right to reject entries I don’t feel are appropriate. Since the photos/art will be posted, I do want to keep them family-friendly. On the other hand, I realize that some of the art, because of the topic, may be "disturbing". Just don’t go overboard.

All entries that are accepted will become a part of our art collection at relieve-migraine-headache.com. New and original submissions to the site only please.

One more thing – be sure to follow the instructions carefully. You must enter your name and location on the first page, and your name and email address on the second page. If you don’t, your entry won’t be accepted.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and enter!

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Express Yourself! Contest

These other posts might relate:

Project Migraine Hope gives Migraineurs a Face and a Voice

James — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:13:17 +0000

There’s no doubt that migraine is a misunderstood disease. That means migraineurs, migraine sufferers, are themselves misunderstood – in their relationships, workplaces, and social activities. But a new website aims to give migraineurs a chance to speak.

Blogger Kelly from Fly with Hope has just launched Project Migraine Hope. Project Migraine Hope gives people who are dealing with migraine a chance to speak out and let the world know how serious migraine really is.

It’s also an opportunity for family and friends of migraineurs to share.

Kelly writes:

So many of us have been in a place with our Migraines where we have felt depressed, devastated and lost: when nothing is helping and you are lying alone in a dark room with excruciating symptoms; after another medication trial failed; when insurance did not cover a treatment; when the doctor said "I don’t know what else to do" and/or "It is all in your head"…

We need to share with each other how we hold onto hope and to talk about what keeps us going amidst the struggle during dark times.

There IS hope for the area of more funding for Migraine research. And there IS hope for each individual Migraineur.

Though the focus of the site is to give migraineurs a face and a voice through video, written submissions will also be accepted.

Let’s hear Kelly explain Project Migraine Hope in her own words:

To get you started with ideas, here’s the first part of Kelly’s own story:

Find out how to participate in Project Migraine Hope here.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Project Migraine Hope gives Migraineurs a Face and a Voice

These other posts might relate:

The Migraine Project – Trailer Available!

James — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:52:03 +0000

Yesterday I mentioned the upcoming documentary, The Migraine Project, which recently received a unique grant from the Migraine Research Foundation.

The project website has this to say about the film:

The Migraine Project is a feature documentary film in the making. We are pursuing the history and mystery of Migraine, and its remarkable place in the human condition.

Migraine is a devastating but fascinating neurological condition with a compelling story to tell. Alice in Wonderland, Vincent Van Gogh, LSD and Elvis all figure into its colorful history.

Our film will take a look at the entertaining details, and the big questions too — like the source and management of illness, the economic cost of human disability, and the nature of pain and suffering — while shining a spotlight on the frontiers of neuroscience and the exploration of the brain.

Most importantly, you will hear courageous and wondrous stories directly from migraineurs.

Now you can see the trailer for yourself – just click on the image below.

Note: It looks great so far – but I have to ask… where are the men?

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

The Migraine Project – Trailer Available!

These other posts might relate:

Want to take a Peek at New Migraine Research?

Want to take a Peek at New Migraine Research?

James — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:36:16 +0000

The Migraine Research Foundation recently announced the recipients of their latest grants. Want to know what aspects of migraine are being researched? Here’s a peek into the cutting-edge research that’s coming up…

Inhibitory transcranial alternating current stimulation is a noninvasive treatment passing specific electrical currents through the skull. How effective is this type of treatment at killing a migraine attack in a chronic migraine patient? Drs. Andrea Antal and Walter Paulus will be looking for the answer.
How can we use genetics to fight migraine? We know that migraine has a genetic link – but to this point that knowledge hasn’t led to major treatments. Dr. F. Michael Cutrer will be studying genetic clues in a family with migraine.
Researchers are always looking at totally new approaches to treating migraine. New medications based on these approaches could help patients that haven’t been helped before – or could be more effective for patients being helped partially. Dr. Michael S. Gold will be investigating the use of calcium activated chloride channels in migraine treatment.
Migraine remains one of the most misunderstood of the world’s major disabilities. Jacki Ochs and Susanna Styron of the Human Arts Association in New York are working on The Migraine Project – A feature length documentary designed to increase awareness and understanding of migraine for a world-wide audience.

For more on the latest migraine research, and to find out how to support it, visit The Migraine Research Foundation.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Want to take a Peek at New Migraine Research?

These other posts might relate:

Live Chat on Cluster Headache! 24 January 2012

James — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:21:12 +0000

The National Headache Foundation (US) will be hosting a chat session focused on cluster headache this coming Tuesday. You need to sign up to be involved, because the number of participants will be limited.

Special guest will be Dr. Frederick G. Freitag, Medical Director of Baylor University Medical Center’s Comprehensive Headache Center in Dallas, TX. The Headache Center has specialized in a wide variety of headache disorders. Dr. Freitag has been heavily involved in the American Headache Society and is on the board of directors of the National Headache Foundation.

The NHF site adds:

Over the past nearly 30 years, Dr. Freitag has been involved treating headache patients from across the U.S. He has lectured widely to colleagues and the public on headache diagnosis and treatment; led numerous clinical research initiatives; mentored students, residents and fellows in the art and science of headache medicine; and, published widely in peer-reviewed literature as well as contributed to some of the most important textbooks in headache.

The chat will take place on the Tuesday, the 24th of January 2012 at 9:30pm EST. To be a part of the chat, you need to email in a request – more details at the NHF Chat Room page.

This would be a great opportunity for cluster patients and their family and friends to ask questions about the cutting edge of cluster headache treatment. If you do sign up, please come back here to let us know how it went!

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Live Chat on Cluster Headache! 24 January 2012

These other posts might relate:

Fight Migraine by … designing a Christmas card?

James — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:16:31 +0000

No, really! The Migraine Trust in the UK is already getting ready for next Christmas, and wants your help. They’re looking for photographers – artists – hey, whatever creative thing you may be – to help create a Christmas card for 2012!

The shortlist of their favourite entries will be voted on by their Facebook and Twitter communities.

Here’s what The Migraine Trust says about the contest:

Christmas may well have just been and gone, but here at The Migraine Trust we’re already preparing for next Christmas and we want your help!

This year we would like to have a Christmas card chosen and designed by you to be sold in our Christmas Catalogue and on our online shop. So if you’re a keen photographer, a budding artist or have something more creative up your sleeve, we would love to hear from you!

We will select a shortlist of our favourite cards, and will invite our Facebook community and Twitter followers to let us know which their favourites are.

The most popular card will then be available to purchase from September 2012. As always, all proceeds from the chosen card will go towards helping us to support migraine sufferers across the UK.

From the UK? Great! But if not, supporting The Migraine Trust is a great way to fight migraine around the world – and show migraineurs in the UK that we care!

I know some of you have creativity coming out of your ears – I want to see a Headache and Migraine News reader win!

For more, visit The Migraine Trust.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Fight Migraine by … designing a Christmas card?

These other posts might relate:

Nausea – still a Major Migraine Problem

James — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:09:07 +0000

And now, the results of our most recent poll… the question was, If you have migraine, do you also normally experience nausea during an attack?

As you can see, an overwhelming 71% said yes, with only 11% saying no.

There are various ways that migraineurs fight nausea. The most important, of course, is not to fight the symptom alone but to fight migraine first. A good migraine treatment will, of course, deal with the nausea as well.

Sometimes medications help, both meds for migraine and meds specific to nausea (Zofran, for example).

Our visitors helped to write this article about migraine nausea solutions, so check that out for a wealth of ideas to fight migraine nausea.

Recently we talked about easy ways to get nausea-fighting ginger when you need it.

Be sure to take our current poll – on the right hand side of the blog (if you’re reading in an RSS reader, check here).

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Nausea – still a Major Migraine Problem

Random other posts:

Child Abuse and Migraine

James — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:51:23 +0000

Migraine researcher Dr. Gretchen E. Tietjen, Director of University of Toledo Medical Center‘s Headache Treatment and Research Program in Ohio, USA, spoke about the connection between abuse and migraine this past summer at the American Headache Society Annual Meeting. She was talking about the unusual number of migraine patients who were abused at a young age.

So could it be that psychological problems from past abuse are somehow contributing to migraine? Dr. Tietjen thinks it may be something more biological…

This seems to be more than a psychological reaction to maltreatment. We are examining the idea that early abuse—no matter what kind—creates permanent changes in the neurobiological system of abused persons that may make them more prone to migraine pain.

Many patients seem relieved when we ask them about abuse, but we need much more research to tell us if such information can really influence how we treat them.

Recent medical breakthroughs have brought home the point that environment and life choices can actually have permanent implications – and even cause changes that can be passed down to future generations.

Though the genetic basis for migraine is increasingly well researched, that doesn’t mean that factors such as abuse can’t pave the way for future migraine attacks.

A couple of things are important to note here:

No one is saying that all migraineurs were abused as children. We hope that most weren’t. The point is that, for some reason, it looks like there may be a higher prevalence of abuse among migraineurs. More research needs to be done to confirm this.
At this point, discovering a connection between abuse and migraine doesn’t really impact migraine treatment. Of course there may be past issues that need to be dealt with, and that can improve overall quality of life. But there’s no special treatment for a migraineur who was mistreated as a child.

It will be interesting to see where this research goes. It may provide further insight into why so many suffer from migraine disease.

via Practical Neurology

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Child Abuse and Migraine

These other posts might relate:

Great News – Matching Donations to the Migraine Research Foundation!

James — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:03:56 +0000

Here’s the latest news from the Migraine Research Foundation…

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all new donations made this last week of the year, December 26-31st, will be matched dollar-for-dollar! That means your gift of any amount will double its value to MRF!

Your donation strengthens our mission to invest in critical new research — the only way to prevent migraine, develop effective treatments, and cure it! With your help, we can continue our fight to end the debilitating pain of migraine and help the 1 in 4 American families affected by this disease.

Since all of our costs are underwritten, 100% of your donation goes to fund research and support sufferers!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year.

Your friends at MRF

Have a family member or friend with migraine? Or are you a migraineur yourself? What better time to give, even if it’s only a few dollars! Why not stop by the Migraine Research Foundation right now and give what you can?

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Great News – Matching Donations to the Migraine Research Foundation!