I recently read an article that links Migraines with aura as well as the use of estrogen with increased stroke risk. As a scientist I know to use caution with studies that are published without regard to the source of the data, the size of the sample pool or who was funding the data. I once read a study that Hershey funded that said that chocolate prevented tooth decay. If you know me at all you can be certain that I am willing to subscribe to prohylactic chocolate no matter who funded the study. One more reason for me to eat dark chocolate. Anyway, if the relationship with migraines with aura is linked to increased risk of stroke this is just another opportunity for me to remind all my dear women friends to eat right, exercise regularly and avoid estrogen supplements. Depending on what you read and believe that means we should also be looking at soy products carefully. Perhaps more on that later. Meanwhile, take control of your health!
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Headache is the most frequent neurological symptom and the most common manifestation of pain in children. Because children are less likely to articulate their problem or seek help their needs are often unmet. Children who suffer from headaches may have difficulty concentrating on their school work and often experience more missed days and more frequent doctor visits. As a child, you know when teradactyls flew around, I had headaches almost daily. They were diagnosed as vision problems and resolved with glasses so that is a great place to start. As an adult I developed serious migraines with my cycle. Unfortunately I must have passed that on to my daughter. In her adolescent years she started with spots in front of her eyes referred to as “aura” followed by nausea and vomiting. Most children do not experience aura but they will often have a headache preceded by mood changes or withdrawal from activity. If your child suffers from headaches and complains about sensitivity to light or sound or the headache is accompanied by nausea or vomiting they are probably experiencing migraines. In one study of over 48,000 children with headache 80% of the primary headaches were migraines. As a mother we always worry about our children and the concern with headaches in children is often that there is something serious causing it. The goods news is that the risk of a malignant tumor in pediatric migraine patients is very minimal. In the study mentioned above the risk of malignant tumor was 0.03% compared to 0.004% in the control group. Realizing that the pain, although unpleasant, is not life-threatening often allows for healthier coping strategies. Sleep, darkness, and a quiet room are essential in managing acute migraine and tension-type headache. Scheduled times for meals, bedtime, relaxation, and exercise should be encouraged as well as relaxation techniques. Sometimes even the focus of a video game can provide relief, The role of diet in headaches remains controversial. However, if a given food or beverage is associated with headaches, its avoidance has an obvious and significantly positive impact. Alcohol, drugs, or caffeine may trigger headaches and appropriate lifestyle changes should be encouraged. If stress or family situations are causing the migraines consider therapy to learn healthy coping mechanisms.
The bad news is that there is no approved medication for pediatric migraine. There are studies currently underway that are investigating the affect of new medications on migraines in the pediatric population. If your child suffers from migraines you know how important this research is. Look on –line for information about migraine studies in your area. If you are in the Tampa Bay area go to www.dmiresearch.com for a pediatric migraine study. Anyone who has filled a prescription lately was probably astonished at the cost and would agree that we have to find a way to lower prescription drug prices. So will lower drug prices jeopardize drug research? Understandably the pharmaceutical companies have to be able to recoup the cost of bringing new drugs to market. At an average of 10 years and billions of dollars, I suppose that it is tough to fund that on an on-going basis especially if you are expected to do this on lower profits. Yes, lower drug prices would decrease the available funds to bring drugs to the market. Many people don’t realize how important the clinical research process is and, while it is not a perfect process, it is designed to protect the American public. Clinical research provides a method of testing investigational medications in humans under a controlled environment with oversight by Review Boards whose primary purpose is to protect the research volunteer. While lower drug prices could jeopardize drug research it doesn’t have to stifle it all together. America will continue to be a leader in development of new medications. Despite our current economic climate and the challenges that we face we will continue to be a great nation. While there is great concern about our healthcare system, we will overcome these issues. It won’t happen quickly, it will certainly be controversial and it will probably be painful; they don’t make a drug for that. Every American could make a difference though. The cost of developing new drugs could be drastically reduced, if the rate of enrollment in clinical studies was increased. One of the biggest delays in the process is the recruitment of people into studies. In order to better test the medications, it has to be tested in a statistically significant number of people. The more volunteers, the better the data. The quicker the data is collected the lower the cost of the data. Many people think that people who volunteer for studies are risk takers or that they are only doing it because they are looking for a cure for their own disease but many people volunteer because it will help others. Many diseases are hereditary so perhaps they are paying forward … even without their knowledge. Many people are adverse to taking any medications. While I subscribe to the philosophy that prevention is the best medicine and that anything should be done in moderation I bet that if you check a burn center or a veteran’s hospital you would find any number of people who never thought that they would take medication. They would now doubt be grateful for the fact that the medication has been tested for safety and effectiveness. Increasing participation in clinical studies is one way to lower the cost of research resulting in lower drug prices. So, will lower drug prices jeopardize drug research? Only if we let it! Recently we were on a TV special about H1N1. It was an interactive news program that looked at H1N1 from many perspectives. Viewers had an opportunity to chat on-line with 4 experts including DMI Research’s Kathy Hann, an expert from the Health Department of Hillsborough County, a school board official and a local physician. There were lots of questions and there were 70 people on line during most of the hour long show. One writer asked about getting the flu vaccine if they have an egg allergy. Since the vaccine is cultured in eggs people who have egg allergies should not get the vaccine. Many people had issues with finding the vaccine especially in Pinellas County and a couple of experts were able to help out with availability. It seems that the health department in Hillsborough County has vaccine available to whoever requests it. The staff here at DMI Research are conducting a flu treatment study for people who have compromised immune systems and get flu symptoms. Preventing spread of the disease is a key in preventing deaths from complications as well. Unfortunately the lack of availability of the vaccine left people on high doses of steroids and certain medications for autoimmune disorders as well as organ transplant patients and people undergoing treatment for cancer at risk. If anyone that you know get symptoms which include a fever check our website to find out how to participate in the study. H1N1 could be the seasonal flu next year so medications developed this year will help prevent a pandemic next year. |
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