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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Fresh Research: Unusual Valsalva in CH
        
(Message started by: floridian on Apr 1^st, 2004, 1:04pm)

Title: Fresh Research: Unusual Valsalva in CH
Post by floridian on Apr 1^st, 2004, 1:04pm

New insight into ways that that the vascular system is hyperactive when in a cycle.

The valsalva maneuver (a particular way of holding the breath) drives up pressure inside the eyes in people with CH (in cycle, but not having an attack). The valsalva move does not increase eye pressure in non-CH subjects, or in CH subjects who are not in cycle. The eye on the side of the head that is affected by clusters showed a greater increase in pressure than the other eye.

-- Don't try the valsalva maneuver if you are in a cycle -- it could trigger. [did I have to say that??]
A link about the valvsalva maneuver: http://members.aol.com/wdparry/valsalva.htm

Quote:

Cephalalgia. 2004 Mar;24(3):185-7.

Cluster headache: interictal asymmetric increment in intraocular pressure elicited by valsalva manoeuvre.

Barriga FJ, Sanchez-del-Rio M, Baron M, Dobato J, Gili P, Yanguela J, Bueno A, Pareja JA. Department of Neurology, Fundacion Hospital Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain. fibarriga@fhalcoron.es

Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) elicited by a Valsalva manoeuvre were studied in 11 male patients (mean age 39.8 years) suffering from episodic cluster headache (CH), and 12 healthy male controls (mean age 39.9 years). The tests were performed at rest and while exhaling hard through a mouthpiece connected to a mercury manometer. In the CH group, during symptomatic periods, between attacks, Valsalva manoeuvre elicited an asymmetric increase in IOP with significantly higher values on the symptomatic side (P = 0011), whereas no asymmetric increments in IOP were found during asymptomatic periods. Outside the cluster period the IOP values both baseline and with Valsalva manoeuvre did not differ from controls. The increment in IOP took place within a few seconds, as in spontaneous CH attacks, thus pointing to a rapid increase in intraocular blood volume or vasodilatation. These findings may reflect a latent increased vascular reactivity of the symptomatic orbit during CH period.

Title: Re: Fresh Research: Unusual Valsalva in CH
Post by floridian on Apr 1^st, 2004, 1:11pm

This could be related to orgasm being a trigger for CH in some people.

Title: Re: Fresh Research: Unusual Valsalva in CH
Post by Superpain on Apr 1^st, 2004, 1:22pm

what does that mean in laymens terms?

Does it have anything to do with my squeeky eye on the ch side?

Title: Re: Fresh Research: Unusual Valsalva in CH
Post by t_h_b on Apr 1^st, 2004, 5:44pm

on 04/01/04 at 13:22:57, Superpain wrote:

what does that mean in laymens terms?

It means don't strain at making a stool while you're having an attack.

The Valsalva maneuver killed my great grandfather. He keeled over right on the toilet. When his cane hit the floor my granmother knew he was dead.

And no, this is NOT an April Fool's joke.

Title: Re: Fresh Research: Unusual Valsalva in CH
Post by Jeepgun on Apr 4^th, 2004, 9:30am

Having been an Army flight medic working medevac/dustoff for six years, I am very familiar with the Valsalva. So basically, if in cycle, don't do it, right?