Headaches

New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology confirm that the drug botulinum toxin is safe and effective for treating cervical dystonia, a condition of involuntary head tilt or neck movement, spasticity and other forms of muscle overactivity that interfere with movement in adults and children with an upper motor neuron syndrome, and excessive sweating of the armpits and hands. Botulinum toxin may also be used in hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, some voice disorders , focal limb dystonias, essential tremor and some forms of spastic bladder disorders. This guidelines project was chaired by David M. Simpson, MD. To develop the guidelines, the authors reviewed and analyzed systematically all available scientific studies on the topic. Since its introduction 28 years ago, botulinum toxin has become the most effective treatment for numerous movement disorders associated with increased muscle contraction. The drug is … Read more

ABC’s Lisa Thomas-Laury reports that there is a new headache relief without pills being tested. Dr. Greenberg uses a solution called prolotherapy where he injects a combination of anesthetic called lidocaine and dextrose (a sugar) into areas in Jamie’s neck and shoulder where  ligaments or tendons could be damaged. “We see damage in the cervical joints, and also in the back of the head where all the muscles go up and insert into the back of the skull,” said Dr. Greenberg. Ligaments, tendons, and cartilage have poor blood supplies, so when they are injured, they can be slow to heal. The injections, given every 3 to 4 weeks reduce inflammation and jump-start the healing .The dextrose causes the release of growth factors out of the tissues. Prolotherapy has been around for decades, but was used largely for sports injuries in … Read more

A lot of people people complain about headaches while exercising. This is especially problematic if you are strenuously going all out. Here is some advice to prevent a headache before it starts. Drink! You should drink before, during and after your workout. If it’s somehow impossible for you to drink during sports, you should think twice before you exercise exceeds an hour. Dehydration is one of the main factors that you’ll lose energy and cause your headache after your workout. Water is good! Apple juice is a good addition for long distance runners. Eat! Even if your goal is to lose weight you should consider eating a small portion before your workout. Usually a fitness bar or a yogurt is enough. Make sure you don’t eat too much though or you will start getting stomach cramps during exercise. Vitamins! Fruit … Read more

Contrary to some reports, the epilepsy drug oxcarbazepine does not appear to prevent migraine, according to recent research.A study involved 170 men and women at clinics across the United States with half of the group receiving a daily dose of oxcarbazepine; the other half took placebo. Both groups included people who had three to nine migraine attacks within a month. Researchers found no difference between the oxcarbazepine and placebo groups in the change in the number of migraine attacks from the beginning to the end of the study. “The results of this trial do not support preliminary data which had suggested oxcarbazepine was effective in preventing migraine,” said study author Stephen D. Silberstein, MD, with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. “While several epilepsy drugs have been used for decades to prevent migraine, … Read more