Of course, in the vast majority of cases, withdrawal of a problematic medication should be accompanied by the beginning of preventative medications, taken on a daily basis. In fact, this course of treatment should be considered in all cases of frequent headaches and migraines. Possible preventative drugs include: antidepressants, such as amitriptyline/Elavil; anticonvulsants (‘neuronal stabilizing […]
Read MoreGentle yet thorough questioning of a patient’s headache and medication taking habits will usually suggest whether MOH should be suspected or not, especially if the frequency of the headaches continues to increase “in spite of” medication use. Basically, the drug or drugs involved need to be stopped, but the approach to this will vary. Abrupt […]
Read MoreA large percentage, perhaps a majority, of daily headaches may be due to medication overuse – so-called “rebound headaches.” This phenomenon was first described in 1982 by Dr. Lee Kudrow, father of popular actress Lisa Kudrow, who has suffered from cluster headaches herself. We note that medication overuse headaches and chronic headaches often have a […]
Read MoreThis begins with the identification and avoidance of triggers, as discussed above, but by no means ends there. Growing clinical evidence and experience suggests that migraine headaches can often be prevented by prophylactic medications. These are sometimes in the anti-convulsant class of medications, such as channel-blockers often used for epilepsy treatments. They can also be […]
Read MoreIn evaluating patients with chronic headache, the first consideration is distinguishing between tension and migraine types. The following three symptoms, all with the letter S, distinguish the typical tension-type and migraine headaches from each other. Sidedness: on either but just one side in migraine, global in tension type. Steadiness: not steady but throbbing in migraine, […]
Read MoreA large percentage, perhaps a majority, of daily headaches may be due to medication overuse – so-called “rebound headaches.” This common phenomenon is treated more extensively in a separate report, Pain Medication Overuse Headaches.It must be noted here that medication overuse headaches and chronic headaches often have a complex and uncertain cause-and-effect relationship with each […]
Read MoreFor migraine associated vertigo, identification and elimination of triggers combined with prophylactic medicines is the most common approach. Patients must be instructed to abstain from common trigger foods, such as chocolate, cheese, smoked meats or fish, alcohol, and foods containing high levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG). If such abstinence leads to a drop in the […]
Read MoreIn addition to causing balance problems in some individuals, migraine can co-occur with many inner-ear problems associated with vertigo. For example, about half of all people with Menieres disease, found in 0.2% or less of the population, also have migraine headaches. Similarly, about half of people with BPPV also have frequent migraines. It is also […]
Read MoreVarious forms of dizziness may or may not be accompanied by syncope, which is fainting and actual loss of consciousness. Syncope can also be brought on by other conditions, such as epilepsy. To determine if epilepsy is present, electroencephalography (EEG) should be performed. EEG involves the attachment of a couple dozen electrodes to the scalp, […]
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