Dr. Mauskop's Migralex™

Fitness Magazine

Dr. Mauskop — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:02:21 +0000

Nanotechnology in headache treatment

Dr. Mauskop — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:03:49 +0000

We have many ways to deliver medicine into our bodies. Oral, or swallowing a pill, is the easiest, but for some people it takes too long to work and the medicine has to go through the liver first, causing potential side effects. Also, if someone is nauseous from a headache, the medicine will take even longer to work or in case of vomiting it will not stay in altogether. Rectal suppositories and injections have obvious limitations, which leaves two other ways of delivery which get the medicine in quickly and without having to go through the liver first. One way is to inhale medicine through the lungs and one company is in late stages of developing a product, Levadex which will deliver a very powerful headache medicine through the lungs. Another method of delivery is through the nose. We now have four headache medications which are sprayed into the nose. However, the absorption of these drugs in the nose is not very good for many patients, resulting in poor or inconsistent relief. An Indian company is developing so called micellar nanocarriers, particles which can deliver headache medicine from the nose to the brain. Using imaging techniques researchers have shown that because of their very small size these nanoparticles can quickly bring molecules of headache medicine into the brain. Surprisingly, this method of delivery is much more efficient not only than a regular nose spray but even an intravenous injection.

Alpha Lipoic Acid for Headaches

Dr. Mauskop — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:02:56 +0000

Both riboflavin (vitamin B2) and co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been shown to prevent headaches in a single double-blind study. Both vitamins are involved in the energy production by mitochondria, which act like energy stations within each cell. Alpha lipoic acid (in Europe it is called thioctic acid) is another supplement which is essential for the normal functioning of the mitochondria. It was subjected to a small clinical study (at a dose of 600 mg a day) which suggested that it too can help prevent headaches. Alpha lipoic acid is also being studied for the treatment of other neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

More bad news about caffeine

Dr. Mauskop — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:22:25 +0000

We know that drinking more than 1-2 cups of coffee (or any other form of caffeine) a day can worsen headaches and even make them occur daily. A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease looked at caffeine consumption, cognitive abilities, brain volume on the MRI scan, and other factors in 641 elderly people. The results provide evidence that for women drinking more than 3 cups of caffeinated beverages daily significantly increases the risk of cognitive impairment and shrinking of the brain. While some past studies showed some benefits from drinking caffeine, there so much evidence of negative effects that it is prudent to keep caffeine consumption to 2 or fewer cups a day.

Headache education results in fewer headaches and better quality of life

Dr. Mauskop — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:31:01 +0000

A new study by Dr. Tim Smith and his colleagues published in the February 9 issue of Headache shows that providing comprehensive education to headache sufferers can lead to fewer headaches and significant improvement in the quality of life. The study involved 228 headache sufferers who were followed for a year. Almost half of them had at least 50% improvement in their headaches. Those who were most worried about their headaches at the beginning of the study benefited the most. Prior studies have shown that patient satisfaction with the doctor is strongly dependent on how well the doctor explains the cause of their headaches.

Barometric pressure and headaches

Dr. Mauskop — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:14:34 +0000

Many headache patients report that just like arthritis sufferers they can predict rainy or stormy weather. A drop in barometric pressure seems to be responsible for these headaches. We can speculate that since the brain resides in an enclosed space (similarly to joints, which are also sealed within a joint capsule), drop in the pressure outside the skull makes the blood vessels in and around the brain expand, causing a headache. Normally this should not happen because our blood vessels are very good at adapting to changing pressures, but headache sufferers are known to have impaired vascular control mechanisms. This means that headache sufferers are also susceptible to headaches caused by vigorous exercise, dehydration, and other factors affecting blood vessels. The good news is that opening and closing of blood vessels is controlled by muscles within the wall of the vessels and, like any other muscle, it gets stronger with exercise. As mentioned in a previous blog, cardiovascular exercise has been shown to reduce the frequency of headaches. Frequency of exercise seems to be more important than the duration – I usually recommend 30 minutes, 4-5 times a week. Riding a stationary bicycle is often tolerated better than running because it avoids jarring of the head, which in some can also trigger a headache. Also, a stationary bike is inexpensive and occupies little space. Just make sure not to use it only as a coat hanger. As far as medications, besides the usual preventive drugs, such as beta-blocker, epilepsy drugs, and antidepressants, some patients with barometric pressure related headaches seem to respond to acetazolamide (Diamox). This is a water pill (diuretic), which is also used to treat mountain sickness.

Testimonial from C. Riccio “Corey”

Dr. Mauskop — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:03:22 +0000

I get headaches on a daily basis, especially during changes in seasons and temperature. I have tried many different cures for my unbearable headaches for years. I recently tried this product and it was absolutely phenomenal! Shortly after taking the medicine my headache was quickly gone. I highly recommend and am grateful for Migralex.

Testimonial from D. Peterson

Dr. Mauskop — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:00:32 +0000

Great product for pain management and particularly for a hangover! Works quickly with no side effects. Highly recommend.

Miracles of aspirin don’t seem to end

Dr. Mauskop — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:18:59 +0000

A long-term study published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates that of 4,164 women with breast cancer, those who used aspirin on two or more days each week had a 50% lower chance of dying than women who took it on one day a week or not at all. This is not the first study to report that aspirin is highly beneficial for breast cancer patients. We seem to find more and more important health benefits for this oldest headache and pain medicine.

Testimonial from Kathy C.

Dr. Mauskop — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:43:16 +0000

I’ve been very pleased at how well it works and I can avoid taking a triptan! I have no side effects and it is so much safer. Thanks Dr Mauskop!