News
Migraine headache linked to strokes later in life
- Migraines are common and affect approximately 11% of the adult population. Migraine headaches are typically thought of as a transient head pain due to the swelling of the arteries in the brain. Migraine headaches have not previously been thought of as causing permanent brain damage. According to a new study, however, migraine headaches have been linked to strokes later in life. In a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, middle aged women with migraine headaches were shown to have a higher incidence of strokes found on an MRI of the brain.
· Study authors followed almost 5,000 men and women since 1967 and identified participants who reported having migraines or migraines with an aura- a premonition, feeling or visual hallucination before the headache begins. The study participants were analyzed with MRI imaging of the brain.
· Study authors concluded that women who had migraines with aura during midlife had a higher prevalence of strokes seen in the brain MRI.
· There is no specific mechanism to explain these findings. It is possible that the swelling of the arteries that is associated with migraines may cause an obstruction in blood flow to the brain. Another possible explanation is that the medications that are used to treat migraines may cause the strokes.
This is an interesting finding and more studies are needed to clarify these results.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
June 24th 2009
Reference
JAMA. 2009;301:2563-2570, 2594-2595.
Read more – June 25, 2009
Valium
· Trade Name
VALIUM
· Generic Name
Diazepam
· Drug Class
Benzodiazepine long-acting medication
Sedative medication
· How It Works
Medication binds to GABA receptor in brain, slowing brain activity
· Serious Side Effects
bone marrow damage
dependency
depression
hallucinations
liver damage
low blood pressure
potential for abuse
respiratory depression
slow heart rate
withdrawal
psychosis
· Common Side Effects
blurred vision
changes in libido
confusion
constipation
depression
difficulty speaking
dizziness
double vision
drowsiness
dry mouth
fatigue
forgetfulness
headache
incontinence
liver damage
low blood pressure
muscle weakness
nausea
rash
slurred speech
tremor
urinary retention
Read more – April 13, 2009
Depakote
· Trade Name
DEPAKOTE
· Generic Name
Valproic Acid
· Drug Class
Anti-seizure medication
Migraine medication
Bipolar medication
· How It Works
Medication mechanism not known. Likely slows down brain activity, increases seizure threshold
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reactions
birth defects
bone marrow damage
bleeding
brain damage
coma
hallucinations
liver toxicity
pancreatitis
psychosis
thinking of suicide
· Common Side Effects
blurred vision
bruising
constipation
depression
diarrhea
dizziness
fatigue
forgetfulness
hair loss
headache
insomnia
liver damage
muscle pain
nausea
nervousness
rash
sleepiness
stomachache
tinnitus
tremor
visual changes
vomiting
Valproic Acid
· Trade Name
Depakene
· Generic Name
VALPROIC ACID
· Drug Class
Anti-seizure medication
Migraine medication
Bipolar medication
· How It Works
Medication mechanism not known. Likely slows down brain activity, increases seizure threshold
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reactions
birth defects
bone marrow damage
bleeding
brain damage
coma
hallucinations
liver toxicity
pancreatitis
psychosis
thinking of suicide
· Common Side Effects
blurred vision
bruising
constipation
depression
diarrhea
dizziness
fatigue
forgetfulness
hair loss
headache
insomnia
liver damage
muscle pain
nausea
nervousness
rash
sleepiness
stomachache
tinnitus
tremor
visual changes
vomiting
Vancomycin
· Trade Name
VANCOMYCIN
· Generic Name
Vancomycin
· Drug Class
Antibiotic medication
· How It Works
Medication inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reactions
blood clot
bone marrow toxicity
ear toxicity
infections
kidney toxicity
kidney failure
low blood pressure
· Common Side Effects
blood clot
chills
dizziness
fever
kidney damage
nausea
rash
ringing in ears
Read more – April 11, 2009
Vardenafil
· Trade Name
Levitra
· Generic Name
VARDENAFIIL
· Drug Class
Erectile Dysfunction Medication
· How It Works
Medication inhibits enzyme, increasing blood circulation to certain tissues
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reaction
chest pain
fast heart rate
glaucoma
hearing loss
heart attack
high blood pressure
light sensitivity
low blood pressure
priapism
vision loss
· Common Side Effects
back pain
dizziness
flu-like symptoms
flushing
headache
joint pain
liver damage
muscle damage
muscle pain
nausea
runny nose
sinus infection
stomach upset
Levitra
· Trade Name
LEVITRA
· Generic Name
Vardenafil
· Drug Class
Erectile Dysfunction Medication
· How It Works
Medication inhibits enzyme, increasing blood circulation to certain tissues
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reaction
chest pain
fast heart rate
glaucoma
hearing loss
heart attack
high blood pressure
light sensitivity
low blood pressure
priapism
vision loss
· Common Side Effects
back pain
dizziness
flu-like symptoms
flushing
headache
joint pain
liver damage
muscle damage
muscle pain
nausea
runny nose
sinus infection
stomach upset
Alcohol use may increase risk of tremor
· A study published in the Journal Neurology Neurosurgery Psychiatry reports that daily alcohol consumption (three drinks 
or more per day) will increase the risk of developing an essential tremor.
Essential tremor is the uncontrolled rhythmic movement of an extremity such as your hand or arm that is not from Parkinson’s Disease. Essential tremor affects about 5 million people in the United States older than 60 years. The cause of essential tremor is likely the result of a certain type of brain damage.
·This study was a prospective observation analysis of 3,300 people who were 65 years and older. Over half of the study participants reported drinking routinely.
· The study authors report that participants who drank more alcohol and for longer periods of time were more likely to developed tremor. The risk of developing tremor increased by 23% for every year of routine alcohol use.
· The authors also report that concomitant cigarette smoking or depression more than doubled the risk of developing tremor.
· Alcohol is known to cause brain damage, especially to the cerebellum, the area of the brain responsible for coordinated muscle movement.
· This observation study was based on a survey filled out by the participants and there are many variables that could not be controlled, making it difficult to draw strong conclusions. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Reference
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009;80:423-425. Abstract
Read more – April 10, 2009
Varenicline
· Trade Name
Chantix
· Generic Name
VARENICLINE
· Drug Class
Smoking Cessation Medication
· How It Works
Medication stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reactions
agitation
anemia
depression
hallucinations
heart arrhythmias
kidney failure
kidney stones
light sensitivity
seizures
syncope
thinking of suicide
visual changes
pancreatitis
· Common Side Effects
abnormal dreams
change in taste
constipation
diarrhea
dry mouth
fatigue
emotional disturbances
gas
headache
insomnia
malaise
nausea
rash
somnolence
stomachache
vomiting
Chantix
· Trade Name
CHANTIX
· Generic Name
Varenicline
· Drug Class
Smoking Cessation Medication
· How It Works
Medication stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reactions
agitation
anemia
depression
hallucinations
heart arrhythmias
kidney failure
kidney stones
light sensitivity
seizures
syncope
thinking of suicide
visual changes
pancreatitis
· Common Side Effects
abnormal dreams
change in taste
constipation
diarrhea
dry mouth
fatigue
emotional disturbances
gas
headache
insomnia
malaise
nausea
rash
somnolence
stomachache
vomiting
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