/oss/taxonomy/term/2467/all en /oss/article/medical-student-contributors/migraine-more-just-bad-headache <p>A migraine is often misunderstood as just “a bad headache,” but this assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Migraines are a complex neurological disorder, far more debilitating than a typical headache, with a significant impact on patients' quality of life. For some, the pain is relentless and pounding, and it comes with a slew of other symptoms that make day-to-day functioning a challenge. Moreover, the struggle of enduring migraines is often worsened by the feeling of having an invisible disorder and of being doubted.</p> Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:18:09 +0000 Hosna Akhgary 10101 at /oss /oss/article/health/migraine-prevention-tip-needle-aimovigs-trials-are-underwhelming <hr /> <p class="note"><strong>Take-home message:</strong><br /> -A new injectable drug, Aimovig, has just been approved by Health Canada to prevent migraines.<br /> -It costs USD 575 a month and it reduces the number of migraine days per month by an average of one or two.</p> <p>When thinking of someone taking a medication for migraines, you may imagine them popping a pill. Now, there’s a syringe.</p> Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:48:35 +0000 Jonathan Jarry, MSc 7308 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/alarm-clock-headaches <p>“Alarm clock headaches” have the ability to wake a person from sleep due to the excruciating pain radiating in or around the eye on one side of the head. These cluster headaches are one of the most painful types of headaches, surpassing migraines. Unfortunately, they are responsible for the deaths of many innocent people because victims tend to commit suicide during an attack or in anticipation of an attack. There are many treatments to lessen the unbearable pain, however it is imperative to seek aid from a physician familiar with cluster headache therapy.</p> Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:22:42 +0000 OSS 2521 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-health/migraines-and-genetics <p>An international research team has recently linked the common migraine with a genetic risk factor.  It seems that people suffering from migraines have a variation in their DNA, specifically on chromosome 8.  As a result, a gene that normally codes for a protein that prevents the build-up of an important brain chemical known as glutamate does not function properly.  Since migraines are thought to be triggered by an accumulation of glutamate, this discovery shows great promise for developing new treatments for one of the world’s most disabling conditions.</p> Wed, 31 May 2017 14:29:12 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2507 at /oss