Posted by Derek on December 03, 1998 at 20:34:32:
American Association for the Study of
Headache Meets -Discusses Causes of Migraine, Latest
Treatments Focus on Genetics, Women, Prevention, and
Treatment
Headache experts from the United States and around the
world convene in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday to discuss
what is known about the mechanisms of headache, and
how to prevent and treat them. The American
Association for the Study of Headache (AASH) Fall
Symposium will focus on the genetics of migraine, as well
as the causes and treatment of other forms of headache,
including tension type and cluster headaches.
Headache is a symptom of a number of possible medical disorders. Migraine affects
11-percent of the population and often results in disability, lost days from work, and
disruptions in social and family life. The good news is that researchers are gaining insights
into the causes of various forms of headache, and several new treatments have recently
become available.
Dr. Richard Lipton, President-elect of AASH, says, "With a better understanding of the
mechanisms of headaches, researchers can now take a focused approach to treating the
different forms of headache. Many new drugs are available, and combined with other
treatment options, we can offer most patients substantial pain relief. There is no reason for
anyone to just accept their condition and suffer in silence."
Many of the new drugs are of the class of chemicals called "triptans" and are used largely
for treating migraine headaches. Dr. Lipton will discuss them in his talk, "The Triptans and
Beyond," during the Migraine Symposium on Friday. Other talks during that session will focus
on the genetics of migraine, acute treatment, and advanced preventative methods.
Migraine affects at least 25-million Americans - almost one in five women and over one in
twenty men. It results in $13 billion dollars in lost days from work. Other women's issues at
the symposium are the role of hormones in migraine, including menstrual migraine,
pregnancy, and estrogen supplements.
Headache specialist physicians will also present talks on chronic daily headache and other
facial and head pain syndromes, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, orofacial
pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and atypical facial pain. Some of the focus will be on primary care
issues and psychiatric challenges in headache management. The goal is to educate primary
care doctors, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and dentists about the diagnosis and
management of these common headache conditions that they may encounter in their
practices. Other health care professionals who attend the symposium are physical therapists,
psychologists, physician's assistants, and nurses.
AASH is a professional organization for those interested in the study and management of
headache and face pain. It has approximately 1,400 members. It established the non-profit
American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) to fill the need for patient education.
For more information about headaches, support groups or for a referral to a headache
specialist, call (800) 255-ACHE, or write to ACHE at 19 Mantua Road, Mt. Royal, NJ
08061, or go to www.achenet.org.
Distributed by: Patients Newswire