Severe jawbone disorder can worsen migraine pain

Severe jawbone disorder can worsen migraine pain
• TMD can increase the frequency and severity of the migraine • Lifestyle changes can help in preventing migraine symptoms from becoming worse New Delhi, 25 September 2017: As per a recent study, those with a severe jawbone disorder (known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) are more likely to suffer from chronic migraine. Although TMD does not directly cause migraine, it can increase the severity and frequency of the condition. Migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world and affects about 1 billion people worldwide. While most sufferers experience attacks once or twice a month, more than 4 million people have chronic daily migraine, with at least 15 migraine days per month. Migraine, is a severe throbbing recurring pain, usually on one side of the head. However, both sides are affected in about one-third of the attacks. Migraine is a primary headache. This is because the pain is not due to an underlying condition such as a brain tumor or injury. Those with migraine suffer from moderate to severe pain. This makes it difficult for them to carry out even normal activities and therefore, they retreat to a quiet and dark room. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Migraine can also have an enormous impact on a person’s work, family and social life due to the debilitating pain it causes. Migraine occurs in children also but largely goes undiagnosed. Migraines can be episodic or chronic. The difference lies in how frequently the migraines occur. Those who suffer from episodic migraine have fewer than 14 headaches per month for three months. Whereas, those with chronic migraine have headaches for 15 days or more per month. Episodic migraines can increase and turn into chronic migraines over the course of few years or months. Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) is a type of migraine that runs in families. It is a rare, genetically inherited condition. Women are affected thrice as much as men by migraine.” Some common disabling symptoms of migraine include visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face. However, the symptoms can vary from person to person. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Prevention and treatment of migraine centers around reducing the frequency, stopping the symptoms, or making them less severe. While some medications provide pain relief, others attack the underlying symptoms. It is also a good idea to keep a migraine journal, which will help in figuring out what treatment works best for you. An accurate and complete account of migraine attacks can help track the triggers and frequency of attacks and decide on the right treatment option for you.” The upcoming Perfect Health Mela being organized by HCFI, to be held from 4th to 8th October 2017 at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi will provide a platform to discuss many of these health issues. IMA is the knowledge partner for the event. It is a must visit for those interested in learning more about preventive health and well-being. The Mela will also have free health camps for checking various health parameters. Certain lifestyle changes and eating habits can help prevent migraine from getting worse. • Avoid certain foods such as alcohol and chocolate. • Quit smoking as it has been proven to increase head pain and other symptoms. • A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats is best to avoid migraines. One should also avoid skipping meals. • It is important to stick to a regular sleep schedule to keep the immune system strong, ward off depression and anxiety, and help the body and mind relax. • Indulge in aerobic, strengthening, and flexibility exercises for about 30 minutes every day. Avoid stress through meditation and yoga can help in significantly reducing the frequency and severity of migraines.

Monsoon and Dengue on the Door

Monsoon and Dengue on the Door New Delhi, July 06, 2016: "Bed netting is of little use in preventing dengue since the dengue mosquitoes are most active during the daytime," says Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA. Staying indoors in well-screened or air-conditioned buildings during the day can reduce the risk of exposure. When outside, one should wear clothing that reduces the amount of exposed skin and should use an effective mosquito repellent, such as N, N–diethyl–metatoluamide(DEET). Dramatic plasma leakage can develop suddenly, and therefore, substantial attention has been given to early identification of patients at higher risk of shock and other complications. The following clinical features are of help in this regard. • Duration of illness: The period of maximum risk for shock is between the third and seventh day of illness. This tends to coincide with resolution of fever. Plasma leakage generally first becomes evident between 24 hours before and 24 hours after the fever is over. • Alarm signs: Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, abrupt change from fever to hypothermia, or abnormal mental status, such as disorientation, are noted in a minority of patients. • Hematocrit: An elevation of the hematocrit is an indication that plasma leakage has already occurred and that fluid repletion is urgently required. • Platelet count: Severe thrombocytopenia (<100,000/mm3) is one of the clinical criteria for dengue hemorrhagic fever and usually precedes overt plasma leakage. • Serum aspartate transaminase (SGOT): Mild elevations in serum transaminases are common in both dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. However, levels are significantly higher in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever and elevated SGOT levels are noted earlier in illness. Patients with suspected dengue with none of the above indicators can be safely managed on an outpatient basis as long as close clinical observation is assured. Daily outpatient visits may be needed to permit serial assessment of blood pressure, hematocrit, and platelet count.
A patient may be hospitalized under the following conditions: • Blood pressure <90/60 mmHg • Hematocrit >50% • Platelet count <10,000/mm3 • Evidence of bleeding other than petechiae