Doctor educates group on migraines
March 29th 2008 02:30
Doctor educates group on migraines
By ALLISON RUPP
Source
tar-Tribune staff writer Friday, March 28, 2008
[oas:casperstartribune.net/news/casper:Middle1]
It's 2 a.m. and the sharp stabbing pain begins.
It starts in the back of the head, culminating on the right side of the forehead.
Then the nausea sets in and leads to vomiting. Delores Endicott prepares herself for the next 18 hours in which she will endure a pain she said she doesn't know how to describe.
No matter what she tries, she might end up in the emergency room or at least incapable of doing anything until the next evening.
For Endicott, this is a monthly occurrence.
This is a migraine.
"It comes on fast, then I get nauseated," Endicott said. "I throw up a lot and I can't stand. Even my hair hurts."
Dr. Tuenis Zondag spoke to Endicott and a group of about 30 others at Casper College Wednesday afternoon about migraines, their causes and possible treatments.
Migraine headaches was just one of the topics discussed at Casper College's annual Wellness Conference, which runs through Friday.
Zondag, a physician with Central Wyoming Neurosurgery, said migraines affect about 15 percent of the population, including about 10 people listening to his presentation on Wednesday.
"I want you to leave the room saying, 'Oh, I've got some things I can do,'" Zondag told his audience.
A migraine is different from a tension headache, the most common type of headache. A tension headache can be bothersome, but a person usually continues to function normally.
With a migraine, people need to lie down, can't talk to anyone and might miss work. Migraines can cause temporary loss of vision or vomiting.
Migraines are the third-most costly illness to employers at $2.2 million a year, Zondag said.
"It is something that has an impact on people," Zondag said. "They don't go to work. They don't get their housework done. You can't go out for your anniversary dinner. No way."
It is difficult to treat migraines because people can have different triggers.
Zondag listed possible triggers as stress, menstrual cycles, irregular eating or sleeping, changes in weather, alcohol, chocolate and smoking.
Endicott said she used to think her migraines were caused by her menstrual cycles. Now she thinks weather plays a role.
Because physicians understand the brain more, Zondag said they are finding different ways to treat migraines.
There are a number of medications that can help prevent and treat migraines including Tylenol, some seizure medications and even Botox.
He said there is no specific treatment that works for everyone, and patients should work with their doctors to figure out what works best.
"We need to get the right patterns of headaches and then the right medications," Zondag said. "The type of treatment isn't always medical."
Dipping her head in the hot tub helps Endicott.
She has also found that Alka-Seltzer helps sometimes. And if she can keep it down, the painkiller hydrocodone eases some of the stabbing pain.
After the presentation, Endicott said she was going to speak with her doctor about some of the things she learned.
"I've tried so many things," Endicott. "To never have a migraine again, that would be amazing."
Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.
Conference schedule
The Wellness Conference continues today. The schedule of events includes:
9-10:20 a.m.: "Exploring Prescription Drug Addiction: Crime, Disease and Malpractice" with Dr. Berton Toews of Wyoming Recovery
10:30-11:50 a.m.: "HIV 101 and Natrona County Prevention Resources" with Jerry Clemens of the Casper-Natrona County Health Department
1-2:20 p.m.: "Ouch! Pain Relief and Reduction" with Rosemary Bartle, resident treatment manager at Casper Re-entry Center
2:30-3:50 p.m.: "A Healthier You" with Karla Case, a registered dietician with Cent$ible Nutrition
4-4:50 p.m.: "How to Achieve Balance in Your Life" with Lesley Travers, Casper College addictionology instructor
6-7:20 p.m.: "Panic Attacks? Fears and Phobias? Obsessive Compulsive? Post-Traumatic Stress? Generalized Anxiety?" with Kimberly D. Balas of Balance Solutions
7:30-8:50 p.m.: "Work Smarter: Strategies for Success" with Sabrina Schleicher of Tap the Potential
Migraine tips
Dr.Tuenis Zondag offers some tips on how to help prevent and deal with migraines.
* Keep a headache diary. Every time you get a headache write it down, along with the date, time and the characteristics of the headache. This will help you and your doctor determine possible causes and treatments.
* Maintain a regular schedule. Eat regularly, sleep regularly and exercise regularly.
* Recognize and treat emotional stress. Zondag said stress is a migraine trigger for many people and if they can learn how to deal with the stress, they can prevent a lot of their migraines.
* Don't overuse medications. The overuse of migraine medications can actually cause more frequent migraines. Work with your physician on a medication schedule.
* Educate yourself. Zondag recommends reading "Living Well with Migraine Disease and Headache" by Teri Roberts and "Heal Your Headache" by David Buchholz.
* Join a headache support group. Other people understand what you are going through and can offer you tips and.
By ALLISON RUPP
Source
tar-Tribune staff writer Friday, March 28, 2008[oas:casperstartribune.net/news/casper:Middle1]
It's 2 a.m. and the sharp stabbing pain begins.
It starts in the back of the head, culminating on the right side of the forehead.
Then the nausea sets in and leads to vomiting. Delores Endicott prepares herself for the next 18 hours in which she will endure a pain she said she doesn't know how to describe.
No matter what she tries, she might end up in the emergency room or at least incapable of doing anything until the next evening.
For Endicott, this is a monthly occurrence.
This is a migraine.
"It comes on fast, then I get nauseated," Endicott said. "I throw up a lot and I can't stand. Even my hair hurts."
Dr. Tuenis Zondag spoke to Endicott and a group of about 30 others at Casper College Wednesday afternoon about migraines, their causes and possible treatments.
Migraine headaches was just one of the topics discussed at Casper College's annual Wellness Conference, which runs through Friday.
Zondag, a physician with Central Wyoming Neurosurgery, said migraines affect about 15 percent of the population, including about 10 people listening to his presentation on Wednesday.
"I want you to leave the room saying, 'Oh, I've got some things I can do,'" Zondag told his audience.
A migraine is different from a tension headache, the most common type of headache. A tension headache can be bothersome, but a person usually continues to function normally.
With a migraine, people need to lie down, can't talk to anyone and might miss work. Migraines can cause temporary loss of vision or vomiting.
Migraines are the third-most costly illness to employers at $2.2 million a year, Zondag said.
"It is something that has an impact on people," Zondag said. "They don't go to work. They don't get their housework done. You can't go out for your anniversary dinner. No way."
It is difficult to treat migraines because people can have different triggers.
Zondag listed possible triggers as stress, menstrual cycles, irregular eating or sleeping, changes in weather, alcohol, chocolate and smoking.
Endicott said she used to think her migraines were caused by her menstrual cycles. Now she thinks weather plays a role.
Because physicians understand the brain more, Zondag said they are finding different ways to treat migraines.
There are a number of medications that can help prevent and treat migraines including Tylenol, some seizure medications and even Botox.
He said there is no specific treatment that works for everyone, and patients should work with their doctors to figure out what works best.
"We need to get the right patterns of headaches and then the right medications," Zondag said. "The type of treatment isn't always medical."
Dipping her head in the hot tub helps Endicott.
She has also found that Alka-Seltzer helps sometimes. And if she can keep it down, the painkiller hydrocodone eases some of the stabbing pain.
After the presentation, Endicott said she was going to speak with her doctor about some of the things she learned.
"I've tried so many things," Endicott. "To never have a migraine again, that would be amazing."
Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.
Conference schedule
The Wellness Conference continues today. The schedule of events includes:
9-10:20 a.m.: "Exploring Prescription Drug Addiction: Crime, Disease and Malpractice" with Dr. Berton Toews of Wyoming Recovery
10:30-11:50 a.m.: "HIV 101 and Natrona County Prevention Resources" with Jerry Clemens of the Casper-Natrona County Health Department
1-2:20 p.m.: "Ouch! Pain Relief and Reduction" with Rosemary Bartle, resident treatment manager at Casper Re-entry Center
2:30-3:50 p.m.: "A Healthier You" with Karla Case, a registered dietician with Cent$ible Nutrition
4-4:50 p.m.: "How to Achieve Balance in Your Life" with Lesley Travers, Casper College addictionology instructor
6-7:20 p.m.: "Panic Attacks? Fears and Phobias? Obsessive Compulsive? Post-Traumatic Stress? Generalized Anxiety?" with Kimberly D. Balas of Balance Solutions
7:30-8:50 p.m.: "Work Smarter: Strategies for Success" with Sabrina Schleicher of Tap the Potential
Migraine tips
Dr.Tuenis Zondag offers some tips on how to help prevent and deal with migraines.
* Keep a headache diary. Every time you get a headache write it down, along with the date, time and the characteristics of the headache. This will help you and your doctor determine possible causes and treatments.
* Maintain a regular schedule. Eat regularly, sleep regularly and exercise regularly.
* Recognize and treat emotional stress. Zondag said stress is a migraine trigger for many people and if they can learn how to deal with the stress, they can prevent a lot of their migraines.
* Don't overuse medications. The overuse of migraine medications can actually cause more frequent migraines. Work with your physician on a medication schedule.
* Educate yourself. Zondag recommends reading "Living Well with Migraine Disease and Headache" by Teri Roberts and "Heal Your Headache" by David Buchholz.
* Join a headache support group. Other people understand what you are going through and can offer you tips and.
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