Interview with Dr. Jerry Swanson

Dr. Jerry Swanson is the chairman of the headache division in the Neurology Department at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, USA.  Last week there was an interview published with frequently asked questions about migraine.

There’s nothing new here if you’re well familiar with migraine, but the article does provide a good summary of where the standard understanding of migraine is, and what common treatments are.  You won’t read a lot about alternate treatments here, but you will get an understanding of what standard drug treatments to expect at many headache clinics.

Regarding the old theory of blood vessel dilation and migraine, he says:  At one point in the past, there was a theory that migraine was primarily a blood vessel problem. The vessels probably play a role, but it’s really a passive role, being driven largely by the nervous system. There is evidence that some vessels tend to dilate and that may contribute to the pain, but the headache itself seems to begin in the brain.

He also talks about who would be considered for preventative treatment, the role of caffeine, and stress and migraine.

If you’re getting ready for your first visit to a headache clinic, this will give you an excellent preview.  Read Migraine FAQs: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist, and share your opinion.