Studies offer good, bad news about migraines

Saturday, 09 July 2011 19:00

For migraine headache sufferers, I have some good news and some bad news.

First, the good news is a homeopathic remedy preparation of feverfew and ginger under the tongue appears to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective as a first-line treatment for mild migraine headaches to prevent a more serious attack.

According to new study published in Headache, the journal of the American Headache Society, about 60 patients participated. They met the criteria of the International Headache Society for migraine with or without aura. They also had migraines for more than a year and had had between two and six attacks per month during the previous three months.

Some patients were given LipiGesic M, a combination of ginger and feverfew, which is made from a flowering plant. Others received a matching placebo that had a similar taste. All were asked to treat all migraine attacks over one month and were encouraged to begin treatment when the headache was mild and likely to be more disabling if left untreated.

Feverfew-ginger gave double the relief of pain compared to placebo and was also better at eliminating disabling features of headaches, including their pulsating nature, worsening with activity, and accompanying light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and nausea.

The only significant side effects were numbness of the mouth and some nausea, both of which were reported by a minority of patients.

Although migraines should be treated early, that happens in only about 50 percent of attacks. In people who are willing to begin treatment early, this herbal remedy may be a useful addition to their care, and at less expense than most of the currently available migraine treatments. It may be of particular interest to patients who believe herbal medications are automatically safer or easier to take than prescribed drugs.

Now, for the bad news. Although some issues still need to be clarified, evidence suggests that, in the near future, migraine headaches might be considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

A study published earlier this year showed that people with hypertension (high blood pressure) and migraines had a higher probability of a having had strokes than patients with high blood pressure alone.

The development of the migraine-hypertension combination seems to occur at about 45 years of age. Blood pressure was more difficult to control in those with both conditions, and they frequently had a positive family history for both migraine and hypertension.

This reinforced previous studies showing that migraine with aura has a greater association with cardiovascular disease than migraine alone. A migraine aura is a warning symptom that precedes the headache, like perceiving imaginary flashing lights.

http://www.fwdailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13469:Studies-offer-good,-bad-news-about-migraines&catid=100:terry-gaff

I'm concerned about the fact that this remedy keeps being described as homeopathic. I saw it mentioned in the Migraine Action Association's newsletter too. I'm sure it can't be homeopathic - I think it's a herbal remedy. I hate the way that the terms are used interchangeably.

Of course, I could be totally wrong and this is homeopathic after all!