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Title: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 6th, 2007, 3:14pm Posted without comment <bg>: Cephalalgia. 1999 Mar;19(2):88-94. Comment in: Cephalalgia. 1999 Mar;19(2):73-4. Cluster headache and lifestyle: remarks on a population of 374 male patients.Manzoni GC. Headache Centre, University of Parma, Italy. To investigate the relation between cluster headache (CH) and lifestyle, some lifestyle factors were considered in a population of 374 CH male patients consecutively referred to the same headache center, including 306 with episodic CH, 22 with chronic CH unremitting from onset, 20 with chronic CH evolved from episodic, and 26 with CH periodicity undetermined CH patients had jobs involving greater responsibilities and were more frequently self-employed than controls. In addition, their past medical histories often reported head injury, either with loss of consciousness (13.4%) or without loss of consciousness (23.5% of cases). As regards nonessential consumption habits, both cigarette-smoking and coffee and alcohol intake were more frequently reported in CH patients than in the general population, with a higher prevalence in chronic CH as opposed to episodic CH sufferers. In particular, smokers accounted for 78.9% of episodic CH patients and 87.8% of chronic CH patients--12.9% of episodic CH patients and 19.6% of chronic CH patients smoked over 30 cigarettes a day. Alcohol abuse was reported in 16.2% of episodic and 26.8% of chronic CH patients, while coffee abuse was reported in 6.9% of episodic and in 36.6% of chronic CH patients. Rather than pointing to a single lifestyle factor directly implicated in CH onset, my review suggests a common trend among CH patients to overindulge in certain living habits. PMID: 10214533 [PubMed |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Redd on Mar 6th, 2007, 7:23pm on 03/06/07 at 15:14:10, Bob_Johnson wrote:
I just recalled with reading this, of two severe head injuries that occured when I was very young. When I was 5 years old, I was throwen from a horse and was either kicked in the head, or my head hit the wooden post of the pen, and then the horse stepped on and broke my right wrist. My head injury was ignored as they set the bones in my arm since I was consious. Then a few years later, my brother and I were unloading the grocerys from Mom's car, and I tripped down the concrete steps from the garage into the basement and I was knocked out cold, head hitting the cement floor. I woke up in Mom and Dad's bed but I was never taken to the doctor. I drifted in and out of consiousness for the rest of the evening. I know of the other head traumas I've had since, but these two memories just came back to me reading this. Strange what will trigger old memories huh? |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by georgej on Mar 6th, 2007, 9:13pm on 03/06/07 at 15:14:10, Bob_Johnson wrote:
True, I suppose. I'm not certain whether this is a "chicken or egg" effect. Many of us had onset long before we began to overindulge in "certain living habits" . Have the habits contributed to onset or exacerbated a pre-existing condition--or do we overindulge because we are self-medicating in some way? I think that's certainly true of the coffee, and perhaps the tobacco as well. Interesting. Best, George |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Sean_C on Mar 6th, 2007, 9:24pm That study is me LOL ;;D As for the head trauma, I've said all along, I got these headaches a short time after having bad trauma to my head. Unfortunately, I spent 10 years trying to convince uneducated "docs" that there really is something wrong with me. And they would always conclude with "there is nothing medically wrong with you" and send me on my way. I think my brain stem rattled the hypothalmus thing and damaged it, but thats just me ;;D Thanks for the info Bob ;) Sean...................................... |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by BB on Mar 6th, 2007, 9:25pm Late onset of CH, heavy smoking, hx of head injury, more frequent CH cycles in a year and shorter remission periods also seem to point towards the evolvement of episodic CH to chronic CH. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11135023&dopt=Abstract Dr Kudrow speculates that smoking reduces oxygen tension which precipitates an attack and that it may trigger the nitrous oxide ( NO ) pathways. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/hed/2003/00000043/00000003/art00041;jsessionid=4j6kiprtedas.alice Maybe there is long term benefit to stopping smoking for the episodic sufferes specifically in relation to CH itself, on top of other health benefits ? Annette |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by chrisw on Mar 6th, 2007, 9:38pm i know the study was done on men, but i am a woman sufferer, and i had a brain tumor removed, and then i had another surgery to remove the resulting scar tissue a few years later. my clusters started before the tumor was detected and removed, but who knows how long it was growing before then, also, my ch have gotten way worse after the second surgery. i also smoke. and i believe that hormones play some sort of role in ch. during the times i was pregnant, i never had a single headache even though my pregnancys went during my cycle season. chris |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by JohnM on Mar 7th, 2007, 2:41am I have firmly believed that CH is a lifestyle condition for the past several years, and I am not just talking about the overindulgences mentioned above such as smoking (I don't) and drinking alchohol (I drink in moderation), coffee (I drink maybe a cup every few days), etc. I blame CH on numerous chemicals that we ingest knowingly or unknowlingly. Additives and preservatives in food, car fumes, drugs, etc the list goes on and on. My regular 6 monthly detox diet has kept me virtually free of CH since the middle of 2002 after 35 or more years of almost yearly CH and migraine episodes. I have found it impossible to eliminate the intake of all the stuff that contributes to my CH so I reckon the regular detox sort of takes care of the build up. When I first started posting on the detox back in 2002 I was flamed and told that my "cure" was BS and told to come back in a few years of being CH free. How is 5 years? John PS. I also had a head trauma when I was at school. I was knocked out and required 14 stitches in the top of my skull. |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 7th, 2007, 12:32pm John, I'm glad you attribute your break to the detox plan you set forth. However, you might also acknowledge that it is fairly common to "age-out" of this condition. My father did so after about 30 years or so. They just stopped. For about 5 or 6 years, till his recent chemo treatments. I'm not a big believer in this whole idea that we've brought this on ourselves through gluttony or bad habits. The fact that O2 so quickly helps so many seems to point some direction -- I just don't know where. Why do our O2 levels drop to a point where our system goes into "holy shit" mode? Lifestyle might be something and then it probably isn't anything actionable. Anyway.... |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by thebbz on Mar 7th, 2007, 3:26pm I think therefore I am. I quit smoking almost 3 years ago now and smoked for 30. It had no effect on my CH. It did make me gain 25 lbs. Which will come in handy for my next CH diet. all the best jb lifestyle my a$$. |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by JohnM on Mar 8th, 2007, 1:50am I am not going to be drawn into another big argument here but.... Firtsly: I have definately not "aged out" of CH. I still get the same pre-CH symptoms that I ever got. That is a few weeks of HAs which get worse and worse and become daily HA's. This always leads up to a full blown CH cycle for me. The difference is that when these signs start I get into my detox diet. After a few days on this diet I usually experience a few days of an unpleasant, toxic, migraine like HA and feel generally lousy for days. When this HA breaks I usually get many months totally HA free and feel pretty good all the time. Secondly: I don't blame Gluttony or bad habits for CH. There are plenty here who may well suffer from these bad habits, but there are many many more who live sensible lives and still get CH. What I blame are the "modern lifestyle" for all the chemicals we ingest or breathe without any concious effort. By this I mean things like: Car exhaust fumes, Pollution, Preservatives and Additives in food, Cleaning fluids, cooking methods like frying in oil that has been heated 100's of times (like fast food fries) and any number of other items. These don't "trigger" the HA's but don't always get elliminated by the body and might need some help along the way. Hence the detox diet. Not everyone suffers from CH becaue of this, and likewise this may not be the only reason for CH. Also the manifestation is not always CH. For other people it may result in ezcma, irrritable bowel syndrome, spotty skin, dandruff, irritability, mood swings, - you name it. Thirdly: Congrats on giving up smoking jb, but after 30 years of smoking do you really believe your body has got rid of all the tar and chemical crap that you inhaled all this time in just 3 years. You may not get any worse but I doubt that you will ever rid your lungs of all this crap without helping your body. Think about it! This of course is just my own opinion, but it works for me. John |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by sandie99 on Mar 8th, 2007, 4:09am I have never smoked. The only caffeine I got before ch was drinking cola-cola/pepsi (I quit soft drinks in 2004). I have never been much of a drinker, so when ch begun in 2001, I've been pretty much sober (I've had 3 glasses of champagne and one glass of bunch since). These days I get caffeine sometimes from caffeine tabs/energy drinks/vicks red energy tablets, which are part of my ch hit treatment and I do not use any of them unless I get hit/shadows. What comes to head trauma... I recall slipping on icy road a few times and hurting my head, but I was ok after resting on the ground for few minutes. |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by clusterwife on Mar 8th, 2007, 2:22pm Sorry, but I disagree to an extent. My hubby drinks coffee as a treatment. Before the headaches, he said he hated coffee. Now, coffee is his best friend, along with sodas too. He doesn't smoke or drink, doesn't like to watch t.v. much, he spends most of his time outside. The moment he relaxes, boom, he gets hit. So, the fact that he uses exercise to curb the attacks, I don't think that he is causing the headaches, just reacting to them in ways that seem to work or help some. Hope you have a painfree day, and God bless. Leah. |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 8th, 2007, 2:25pm on 03/08/07 at 04:09:36, sandie99 wrote:
You and how many other people in Finland have done this..... ;) And for John, Your point is lost in the "I'm sure not everyone has CH because of" this that or the other. I'm being sincere -- I'm glad your detox thing works for you. But, you don't know whether you've aged out -- maybe you did - maybe its your detox thing. There's a lot of other people that say they started detoxing after 30 years and kabam, it was gone--- oh, I'm sorry, that was the people who said they actually seemed to age out of the condition. You detox people kill me - after 3 years of not smoking there is a tremendous amount of change that takes place in the body. But since jb didn't colon cleanse thats not good enough...? geez. Scott |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by thebbz on Mar 8th, 2007, 2:54pm ;) Well crap, what did I quit for ::) Quote:
I have thought about it, I have CH, I did not quit smoking to eliminate CH or make it better. I quit because of the cardiovascular impications of Imitrex, age and heart disease. Good heart, more Imitrex for a longer period. That being said, detox is the way to go, then natural alternatives for me. Imitrex is last resort. I have changed my lifestyle, because of age and CH. Now my lifestyle is much more conservative and healthy, and I still have CH. Go figure. I boxed for 3 years so I wont go into head injuries. all the best jb |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by TonyYZF on Mar 11th, 2007, 12:22pm Not to cop-out, but I think everyone is right in some degree. One of the biggest things I have learned visiting this board and talking with fellow CHers is that this condition effects everyone differently and it follows that effective methods of treatment and coping will be different for everyone as well. I know I have not found anyone else with the same issues as me, just enough similarity with this condition to lump us all in our little club together. There is no reason to argue that this is the problem or that is the solution. Overall, I just want to say that I thank you and love you all for helping me feel less alone and helping me see some hope through the despair. Now will someone please show me the secret club handshake damnit. Tony |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by BB on Mar 11th, 2007, 1:10pm My brother recently had a freak accident and suffered head injury. We dont know yet how extensive the injury is but its not minor. Out of curiosity I spoke to the neurologist looking after him who has treated patients with CH whether he thought my brother would develop CH due to the head injury. There is no one in the family apart from my husband who has CH but there is a lot of migraines. Interestingly the neurologist said that my brother has several risk factors : being male, being the tallest in the family at 6', drinker, smoker and with a history of migraine, therefore he has an increased risk of developing CH :( . I pray to God that he wont, but only time will tell. If he ever does, then it strongly points to head injury in a person who has existing risk factors to be a trigger for the condition to manifest ? Annette |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Rosybabe on Mar 11th, 2007, 3:38pm Hey guys! I do not recall having any major accident with a head injury involved, and I do not smoke or drink so I would think I do not fit the lifestyle of a CH sufferer but my Mom is telling me that I was brought into the world with the use of forceps... Could that be consider as a head trauma???? all I know is that I started with this hell since I was 12.. |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by LeLimey on Mar 11th, 2007, 3:42pm Lifestyle wasn't a factor when my son was diagnosed aged 3. If h smoked and drank he kept it well hidden from me! The only thing I can concur with is bangs to the head but you tell me a three year old that hasn't fallen over (or jumped off the kitchen table riding a broom and shouting "I'm Happry Potter!" ::) ) |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by BB on Mar 11th, 2007, 3:45pm on 03/11/07 at 15:42:36, LeLimey wrote:
Like mother like son ? :P ;;D Annette |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by TonyYZF on Mar 12th, 2007, 12:17pm My uncle has CH also. Didn't find that out until after I was diagnosed. Don't recall him ever hitting me in the head though, so don't think it is contageous that way. Do have another uncle on the same side that is an epileptic. Don't know if there is any relationship between the conditions, but it make me a little suspicious that there may be a genetic predisposition. Maybe some kind of brain chemichal/physiological issues in the family. Oh yeah, I have had head trauma including a bone graft in my upper jaw. And did I mention that I am a looney. Tony |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by LeLimey on Mar 12th, 2007, 12:36pm on 03/11/07 at 15:45:08, BB wrote:
The apple don't fall far from the tree LOL - I think thats a pretty conclusive maternity test don't you?! ;;D |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Rosybabe on Mar 12th, 2007, 1:44pm My 5 year-old daughter thinks she is a fairy and flies from couch to couch!!! so far only bruised knees and ankles... a big hug for your cute Harry Potter!!! ;;D |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Brewcrew on Mar 12th, 2007, 5:20pm If any of the aforementioned activities is shown to cause a deformity to the hypothalamus, please let us all know. Last I read and heard, smoking, drinking, etc. does not deform the hypothalamus. I'm more inclined to believe the egg/chicken version. It is a deformed hypothalamus that causes overindulgent behavior. In other words, it is my predisposition to addictive behavior. That same deformation is what also causes CH. I don't know. I've been wrong before. |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by BarbaraD on Mar 12th, 2007, 6:59pm Over the years I've met LOTS of Chers and we've yet to come up with a common thread as to what causes these darn things. I got banged on the head a lot when I was a kid (I was sorta accident prone), but didn't start having CH's till after menapause (so harmones could play a part in all this????) I didn't smoke till I was grown and gone from home - don't drink that often or that much (and yes, I've pulled my share of drunks - they were just far apart - and I thought those headaches were bad!). I smoke too much and since starting CH's I drink WAAAY lots of coffee (before CH, it was a cup or so in the morning). Migraines run in my family, but no one else has ever heard of CH until me. So back to the drawing board.... Where's "Arnold" (joke from Vegas convention) when you really need him. Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Callico_Kid on Mar 15th, 2007, 11:16pm Chris W said: and i believe that hormones play some sort of role in ch. during the times i was pregnant, i never had a single headache even though my pregnancys went during my cycle season. I'd be willing to give it a try!!! No HA's and the fame to go with it! ;;D [smiley=laugh.gif] Jerry |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by Bob P on Mar 16th, 2007, 10:09am I don't think it's a question of which causes which. Does lifestyle cause CH or does CH cause lifestyle. I think it's the same malfunction that cause both lifestyle and CH. Whatever it is that causes CH also causes us to have addictive personalities. It's interesting that Topomax, which is somewhat effective in stopping CH is also being used as a treatment for alcoholism! |
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Title: Re: Lifestyle & Cluster Post by swimchica623 on Mar 16th, 2007, 11:24am I think its the CH that causes the lifestyle. Just my opinion though. Annette....earlier in this thread you said something about NO and smoking....Charlotte and I have talked about how many non-smoker CHers are asthmatic and when you mentioned the NO you got me thinking...asthmatics produce higher amounts of exhaled NO...do u ever use eNO down there? Its a relatively new tool and its not used very frequently here...but anyway...I guess we'd have to figure out the percentage of non-smoking CHers that are asthmatic too to figure out the significance of NO. As far as head injuries go, I've never had a very traumatic one but I've had many, MAAAANY minor ones where I've slammed my head HARD into the wall because I am a backstroker, but I've never gone unconcious from it, just hit it HARD. LOTSA times. Lisa |
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