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Daily Preventative Therapies Can Reduce Migraine

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The American Academy of Neurology/American Headache Society Guidelines released earlier in April 2012, provide evidence-based and effective treatments that can prevent migraine attacks and lessen their severity. They state 38% of migraine sufferers require preventive therapy, but just 3%  to 13% currently use any preventatives. Some patients are taking preventatives that have never been shown to work. The guidelines show that prevention of migraines requires daily medication. Mark Green, MD, director of the Headache Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York says “If these guidelines are used widely, we will be able to up the odds of reducing headaches by 50 percent…Evidence is building to suggest that if we allow migraines to progress, the frequency of attacks may increase, and they may also become harder to treat.” The guidelines panel found the following: • The anti-seizure medications … Read more

Industry Bias in Biomedical Science

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An interesting article written by Christopher T. Robertson titled “The Money Blind: How to Stop Industry Bias in Biomedical Science, Without Violating the First Amendment,” appears in the American Journal of Law and Medicine (vol. 37, pages 358-387, 2011). The article discuses how the medical industry spends billions of dollars to create innovative products but also spends nearly as much to change the behavior patterns of those interested to make sure the products are purchased. The author states “As a veteran of the industry writes, ‘ in the pharmaeeutieal industry, there are two ways to market an approved drug for a new use: the ‘indication’ route—performing studies necessary for regulatory approval—or the ‘publication’ strategy, whieh stimulates off-label prescribing by using research ‘to disseminate the information as widely as possible through the world’s medical literature.’ “ A mention is made of a candid document by Pfizer which states … Read more

Cluster Headache Features and Therapeutic Options

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A review article titled “Cluster Headache: Clinical Features and Therapeutic Options” written by Charly Gaul, Hans-Christoph Diener, and Oliver M. Muller published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (vol. 108, issue 33, pages 543-549, 2011) provides an interesting look on new options for those with a chronic refractory cluster headache. The article discusses how 120,000 people in Germany are affected by cluster headache. The attacks are in the periorbital area on one side and last 90 minutes on average. The attacks often posses a circadian and seasonal rhythm. The author lists the diagnostic criteria for cluster headache as from the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II). First line drugs for treatment include verapamil and cortisione or lithium and topirmate. In addition, short term relief can be obtained by local anesthetics and steroids along the course of the greater occipital nerve. I have … Read more

Decode Medical Bills

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Here is an interesting info-graphic about health care in the U.S.

Evidence Base for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Journals

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An interesting articled titled “The evidence base for oral and maxillofacial surgery: 10-year analysis of two journals,” appeared in the January 2012 edition of the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (vol. 50, issue 1, pages 45-48) wirrten by Amandip Sandhu. The author opens by discussing an editorial in the Lancet in 1996 which discussed how there is a lack of scientific rigor in surgical research. The author states “There is a well established hierarchy of levels of evidence, and the medical community considers that meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the most scientifically stringent means of investigating the efficacy of one intervention against another. Other grades of evidence (in increasing weakness of level of evidence) are case controlled studies, comparative studies, case series, correlation studies and expert committee reports, and the clinical experiences of respected authorities.” The … Read more