Shades for Migraine 2018!
Raising awareness worldwide as we fight back against migraine!
#ShadesForMigraine, wearing my Theraspecs.
It’s a special month – #MHAM
Thanks for joining us in support!
How to Pay for Aimovig – Talk about it at The Daily Headache
That’s probably the biggest question now. So, I’ve heard there’s a new migraine drug called Aimovig – I think it would be worthwhile to try – but how am I going to pay for it?
Over at The Daily Headache there’s a list of some options, and comments are open to share your own experiences. Please do share – let’s get the cost down for as many people as possible.
Read the article here: How to Pay for Aimovig, Amgen’s New Migraine Prevention Drug
So Many Women with Migraine: New Research asks Why.
When the question is raised why so many more women have migraine compared to men, many are satisfied with the simplistic answer,“It’s hormones”. This answer isn’t getting women better treatment, so it’s time we start to dig a little deeper.
Do hormones play a role in gender differences when it comes to migraine? Yes. But a new study is getting more specific – and looking for ways that migraine could be better treated in women.
Writing about the study, ScienceDaily made a couple of interesting points.
First, not only do more women have migraine, they also don’t respond as well to treatment.
Also, many new treatments and discoveries start out as experiments with rats and mice. But often, only male rodents are used. Could that by why our treatments are skewed to help men more than women?
This research, however, was done using both male and female rats. The researchers looks at NHE-1 levels. According to the article:
NHE1 regulates the transport of protons and sodium ions across cell membranes, including those that make up the blood-brain barrier. When NHE1 isn’t present at high enough levels or doesn’t function properly, it can cause increased pain signaling that leads to a migraine. Problems with NHE1 can also directly alter the ability of migraine drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier.
[source]
Surprisingly, NHE-1 levels were four times higher in male rats. It appeared that when estrogen levels were high, NHE-1 levels were low. That could mean that defences are lower for females when migraine attacks.
Whether or not this will lead to new treatment, it does demonstrate the need to dig deeper into the way pain and migraine function, and especially to look at how it they may function differently in women. It could be that we’re been missing out on the best treatments for women because we just aren’t looking carefully enough.
For more information:
Sinus Migraine Headache – Is this you?
Congestion – runny nose – allergies? sinus infection? – and then, a headache. Could this be what is often called a sinus migraine headache?
What is often thought of as a sinus migraine headache is a moderate to severe headache that is accompanied by sinus conditions. Runny nose, congestion, watery eyes, and a feeling of “pressure” and/or pain in the face. You might also feel like your skin is sensitive, and feel “hot”.
The symptoms can come in a variety of combinations. Could it be an allergy? A sinus infection?
Speaking stricly statistically, probably not. In most cases these are symptoms of some type of migraine. Although some people talk about a sinus migraine headache, this isn’t really an official term.
Believe it or not, congestion, runny nose, and sinus pressure could be symptoms of migraine, even when there is no allergy or infection at all.
The disease is “migraine” – sinus and headache are adjectives simply describing certain possible symptoms.
Could an allergy actually trigger migraine symptoms? Yes, there does seem to be a connection. But in many cases, treating the symptoms with allergy medication may be the wrong approach. Consider talking to a migraine specialist about your symptoms, especially if you’re not satisfied with the results you’re getting from your allergy medication.
What about a sinus infection, or sinusitis? There are some very easy ways to tell the difference between sinusitis and migraine. For a quick graphic, see Sinus Headache – Probably Migraine. For more in-depth information, read Sinus Headache – Did You Really Beat It?
Dr. Kevin Weber, neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says candidly: “I work with ear, nose, and throat doctors very closely. They get a lot of referrals for sinus headaches, but most of those end up being migraines. Sinus headache is very overdiagnosed, and migraine is underdiagnosed.” [source]
Bottom line: Your sinus migraine headache may need to be treated as a migraine, by a migraine specialist. Don’t put up with allergy and sinus medications when they’re really not solving the underlying problem.
Headache in Older Adults – What to look for
Some people have the expectation that their headaches will go away as they get older. It’s understandable, because this does often happen.
On the other hand, for many people migraine continues on. It is not uncommon for migraine to start after age 40, and although very uncommon, migraine can even start after age 65.
But migraine is not the only cause of headache for older adults – tension type headaches are also common, and a host of other headache types.
So what unique concerns should these patients be aware of?
- Headache in older adults is not uncommon: It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. On the other hand, just because headache is “common” does not mean it is “normal”. It should be taken seriously, and treated. Don’t just “put up with it”.
- Symptoms may change as you age: Be aware of changes in symptoms, and any connection with other symptoms. This can be a challenge to keep track of, but the more information you have, the easier it will be for your doctor.
- “Other” causes of headache become more common: For example stroke or heart conditions – blood clots, such as cerebral venous thrombosis, or blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis). When symptoms change, or a “new” headache starts, you need to see a doctor right away.
- Emergencies: It is important to consult a doctor when there are changes, and at times this can be an emergency. When there are significantly new symptoms, or a sudden, severe headache, you need to get to a doctor now. Giant cell arteritis is one such emergency, and stroke is another.
- Hypnic Headache: Hypnic headache is rare, but it does tend to start after age 60.
- Medications: Older adults taking a variety of medications could end up with headaches that are actually caused by the meds – even if they are medications intended to fight pain. You need to make sure your doctor knows what medications, “painkillers”, and supplements you’re taking.
- Lifestyle: As with any age group, a healthy lifestyle is critical for keeping symptoms at a minimum. Older adults, of course, have different challenges than other age groups. Key things to think about are: getting ample sleep, eating regularly (healthy food, of course – avoiding processed foods), and being as active as possible.
For more background on treating headache in older adults, check out: