by C. Philip O'Carroll, M.D. INTRODUCTION: Let us begin first by defining the word analgesia. It comes from two Greek words, 'an' meaning not and 'algesia' meaning pain. The term analgesic therefore is a fancy term for "pain killer." In our society we have been...
TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TCAs) Antidepressants, particularly the tricyclic antidepressants, are widely used in the prophylaxis of migraine and tension-type headache. Amitriptyline (Elavil), in dosages ranging from 10 to 200 mg. a day, is probably the most commonly...
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness that certain types of anti-seizure medicines or anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) may help in reducing migraine frequency and severity. Depakote is now approved for three indications, including epilepsy, migraine, and...
Of all the preventative medicines available across the United States, the drugs known as beta blockers are probably the most frequently prescribed. The "beta" refers to receptors on the blood vessels known as beta receptors. Beta blockers prevent the chemical...
Calcium channel blockers have assumed a significant role in the prevention of migraine and cluster headaches. MECHANISM OF ACTION The beneficial effects of these agents are attributed to their ability to inhibit the movement of calcium ions across the cell membranes....
by C. Philip O'Carroll, M.D. The following is Dr. Lee Kudrow's personal account of a cluster headache, perhaps one of the most harrowing examples of pain that a human being can suffer. Few pains can incite such feelings of rage, panic and thoughts of self-destruction....
Cholinesterase inhibitors: Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne Cholinesterase inhibitors (AchEI) increase the amount of acetylcholine in the brain, in an effort to compensate for loss of nerve cells that normally produce this messenger molecule. There are three AchEI’s...
Is it the first sign of Alzheimer’s Disease or just memory loss? Public awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is reaching new heights and treatment is most effective in the mild stages of disease. Therefore, there is great emphasis on diagnosing AD...
INTRODUCTION Migraine is a severe episodic headache that affects about five percent of men and about fifteen to seventeen percent of women. Over eighty percent of these people suffer some degree of headache-related disability. In the United States, the estimated...