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Cluster headaches arguably cause the worst imaginable pain, hence the moniker, suicide headaches. Fortunately, there are many treatments for this condition, including two FDA-approved drugs. One is sumatriptan injections taken...

There is growing evidence that vitamin D is important in the development and treatment of migraines. In the past 15 years, I have written a dozen posts on the role of vitamin D in migraines. At the last meeting of the International...

Since the legalization of medical marijuana in New York in 2014, I have prescribed it to several hundred patients. My experience suggests that approximately one-third of my patients benefit from its use and continue to rely on...

A presentation by Jing Jie Yu, Joshua E. Levine, and others from U. of Florida at the last meeting of the International Headache Society described their analysis of the potential risks of triptans. Triptans are drugs that were first...

Magnificent Magnesium is the title of a book my colleague and friend, cardiologist Dr. Dennis Goodman wrote about this underappreciated mineral. Magnesium produces magical results, albeit only in those who are deficient...

New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is condition that is defined solely by the fact that the headache begins suddenly one day and does not go away. There are no scientific studies to suggest possible underlying mechanisms...

Most people have heard about the gut-brain connection. Research published in The Journal of Headache and Pain examined this connection in relation to migraine headaches. The researchers looked at whether...

A recently published study suggests that valproic acid (Depakene) given intravenously in an emergency room can relieve migraine headaches in children. The researchers also showed that giving these children an oral version...

Our thoughts and emotions can impact the development of chronic pain. However, there haven’t been many studies exploring what causes pain to transition from being short-term (acute) to long-lasting (chronic). Australian researchers...

People who suffer from migraines are twice as likely to develop benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) than individuals without a history of migraines. BPPV, though benign, can be a terrifying experience, especially...

Because migraine is fundamentally a brain disorder, the involvement of physical therapists in its treatment might seem unnecessary. However, their contribution can be profoundly impactful, provided they have a keen...

Botox injections is arguably the safest and most effective preventive treatment for migraine headaches. There have been cases of pregnant women receiving Botox for various medical and cosmetic reasons, and no evidence...

Meditation had a dramatic effect on my migraine headaches, especially when I increased my daily meditation time from 20 to 45 minutes. I have found that sumatriptan has always been very effective and migraines have never...

Zavegepant (Zavzpret), the first CGRP nasal spray for the treatment of acute migraine attacks, was approved by the FDA in March and is now readily available in all US pharmacies..Zavegepant belongs to the family of CGRP...

Many companies selling ineffective treatments for painful conditions manage to attract a large customer base by showcasing testimonials from satisfied customers. Recent research suggests that these individuals might...

Researchers have identified four blood biomarkers that show promise in predicting, diagnosing, and monitoring treatment response for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These biomarkers could lead to more accurate...

The fact that certain types of weather can trigger headaches is not news to many migraine sufferers. Many researchers have investigated this relationship, but the findings have been inconsistent. The reported weather triggers...

In a recent post, I mentioned a study in which researchers using functional MRI (fMRI) were able to link functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and between DMN and executive control network (ECN)...

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic investigated the risk of stroke associated with different estrogen doses in oral contraceptives (OCP) for individuals with migraines. The results of their study were recently published in...

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that engaging in screen time within the first 48 hours after concussion may prolong recovery time. The study was conducted by researchers at UCSF. They looked at data from 125...

Our research at the New York Headache Center and that of many of our colleagues, as well as the clinical experience of doctors and thousands of patients, have proven the role of magnesium in treating migraine headaches. I’ve written...

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat migraines, tension-type headaches, and various types of chronic pain. Migraines primarily affect women of reproductive age, and those who suffer from migraines are more...

A recent study published in the journal Pain showed that adding a non-painful stimulus at the end of a Pap smear can reduce pain recollection. The study, titled “Adding a Nonpainful End to Reduce Pain Recollection of Pap...

Placebo response is a bane of clinical trials but it can be very helpful in practice. A team of American and Canadian researchers used AI to help identify predictors of the placebo response. The results were recently published in...

I’ve previously written about the benefits of meditation and how it has helped alleviate my migraines. I recommend it to all of my patients. A recent study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain by Chinese researchers...

The traditional approach for managing concussions has been to recommend rest until post-concussion symptoms resolve. While many neurologists still advocate for this approach, several studies have suggested that...

Most people are right in not wanting to take medications. They can have serious or just very bothersome side effects, they help only some people and can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to control migraines...

In a recent post, I listed the top 10 acute treatments for migraine attacks that are mentioned in my book, The End of Migraines: 150 Ways to Stop Your Pain. Here is a list of the top 10 preventive drug therapies for migraines...

Zavegepant nasal spray (Zavzpret) was just approved by the FDA for the acute treatment of migraines. It belongs to the family of gepants. These drugs abort migraine attacks by blocking the CGRP receptor. CGRP (calcitonin...