HeadachesWritten by Dr. Michael L. Johnson
The migraine headache is perhaps best known special type of headache. It is really called migraine syndrome. By syndrome we mean that a lot of things accompany headache - all of them bad. Examples of these include dizziness, visual problems, “spots” before eyes, redness, swelling, tearing of eyes, muscle contraction, irritability, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms often arise before headache hits. The headache itself may last for few minutes to a few days, and severity may be that of minor discomfort all way up to immobilizing agony. The migraine pain is most common in temple, but may be experienced anywhere in head, face and neck. A variety of headaches closely related to migraine is cluster headache. Attacks come on abruptly with intense throbbing pain arising high in nostril and spreading to behind eye on same side. Sometimes forehead is also affected. The attacks tend to occur from once to several times daily, in clusters lasting weeks or even months. Without apparent reason cluster subsides as quickly at it began. So what puts ache in headache? It’s pain sensitive structures of head that are culprits. These are arteries of brain and skull, tissues surrounding head veins, dura mata covering over brain, and certain nerves called cranial nerves. When these parts are inflamed, stretched, pulled or under pressure, any type of headache may be caused.
| | Dystonia/Tremor DisorderWritten by Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Dystonia is not a new condition. It affects thousands of people every year. Contrary to popular belief, dystonia is not a normal consequence of growing older. As a matter of fact, onset of dystonia can be at any age. Dystonia is not a discriminatory condition, as it will affect men, women or children. Presentation of dystonia may be varied. Classically, dystonia is defined as a movement disorder, which can affect any part of body. The abnormal movement can be focal, such as twitching of an eyelid, or global, which could include arm and hand, a leg, or even entire upper torso. A dystonic movement disorder can also include abnormal muscle tone, twitching, or an unusual angulation of a joint. There are certain characteristic movement patterns that are specific and diagnostic to certain regions of brain. Depending on area of brain involved with tremor, different symptoms may be apparent. There are three primary types of dystonia: basal ganglionic, mesolimbic, and dystonia from cerebellum. All three types are from brain or brainstem, but presentation can be clinically different with symptoms. Historically, treatment for dystonia has been surgery, drug therapy and/or botulinum toxin A injections into affected muscle. Botulin toxin paralyzes muscle tissue temporarily. It does not fix original cause of dystonia. At best, effectiveness of botulinum toxin A is three to four months. At this time, body develops an auto-immune response to treatments, therefore effectiveness of injections is diminished. And until recently, this was only effective treatment.
|
