Advocacy for Migraine Relief: Strategic Planning to Eliminate the Burden
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal of this article is to describe migraine advocacy as an essential means to advance the field of headache medicine. Special attention is spent outlining advocacy initiatives and priorities.Recent FindingsThere is little written about “migraine advocacy” in the literature. However, organizational and expert priorities include advocating for policies that improve systems of care, telemedicine, education, research, and public initiatives that reduce health disparities and the stigma of migraine.SummaryThis summary includes the latest advocacy efforts to support policies that may improve mig...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - June 18, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Sex and Gender Considerations in Episodic Migraine
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe seek to update readers on recent advances in our understanding of sex and gender in episodic migraine with a two part series. In part 1, we examine migraine epidemiology in the context of sex and gender, differences in symptomatology, and the influence of sex hormones on migraine pathophysiology (including CGRP). In part 2, we focus on practical clinical considerations for sex and gender in episodic migraine by addressing menstrual migraine and the controversial topic of hormone-containing therapies. We make note of data applicable to gender minority populations, when available, and summarize kn...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - June 9, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Meralgia Paresthetica
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review article summaries the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentations, and latest treatment modalities of meralgia paresthetica, including the latest data about peripheral and spinal cord stimulation therapy. Meralgia paresthetica (MP) causes burning, stinging, or numbness in the anterolateral part of the thigh, usually due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN).Recent FindingsThere are emerging data regarding the benefit of interventional pain procedures, including steroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, and other interventions including spinal cord and peri...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - May 27, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Drug Safety in Episodic Migraine Management in Adults. Part 2: Preventive Treatments
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is to aid in decision-making when choosing safe and effective options for preventive migraine medications.Recent FindingsIn Part 2, we have compiled clinically relevant safety considerations for commonly used migraine prophylactic treatments. Preventive treatment of episodic migraine includes nonspecific and migraine-specific drugs. While medications from several pharmacological classes –such as anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, and antidepressants–have an established efficacy in migraine prevention, they are associated with a number of side effects. The safety of migraine-...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - May 19, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
CGRP Targeting Therapy for Chronic Migraine —Evidence from Clinical Trials and Real-world Studies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMonoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor have become part of the standard treatment for migraine in clinical practice. The current review focuses on the clinical evidence of CGRP monoclonal antibodies in patients with chronic migraine (CM), including more challenging cases.Recent FindingsCGRP monoclonal antibodies were more effective than placebo in reducing the number of monthly migraine days (MMDs), and the change relative to placebo in the treatment group was between − 1.2 and − 2.7 days at 3 months. CGRP monoclonal antibodies resulted i...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - May 14, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Equity and Disparities in Diagnosis, Management, and Research of Post-Traumatic Headache
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere are notable health disparities and inequities in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion by race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and geography. This review will evaluate these disparities and inequities and assess the social determinants of health that drive outcomes for post-traumatic headache. Interventions for achieving this are also discussed.Recent FindingsSignificant disparities and inequities exist in TBI and concussion among people of different races, socioeconomic status, and geographic locations. Migraine is a common symptom post-concussion, for which ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - May 14, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Interplay of Oral, Mandibular, and Facial Disorders and Migraine
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewMigraine and other primary headache disorders can be localized in the face resembling facial or dental pain, indicating the influence of the trigeminovascular system in the structures innervated by the maxillary (V2) and mandibulary (V3) branches of the trigeminal nerve. Disorders of oral and craniofacial structures may influence primary headache disorders. In the current article, we review the potential links of this interplay.Recent FindingsThis interplay may be related to anatomy, with the trigeminal pathway and the involvement of both peripheral and central mechanisms, and the presence of c...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - May 14, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Drug Safety in Episodic Migraine Management in Adults Part 1: Acute Treatments
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is to aid in choosing safe options when assessing potential risks of acute migraine treatments based on known mechanisms of action and anticipated safety concerns.Recent FindingsPart 1 highlights safety issues associated with commonly used medications to treat acute migraine attacks. Strategies to mitigate cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, evaluation of cardiovascular risks of triptan and ergot alkaloids, and precautions with use of antiemetics and the novel drugs gepants and ditans are discussed to help practitioners in clinic...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - May 10, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Acupuncture and Postoperative Pain Reduction
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAcupuncture is an analgesic technique that has long been utilized in Eastern medicine. In recent times, various acupuncture techniques have been used in integrated pain management approaches in Western medicine. It has even been adopted as an analgesic method in surgical patients. Currently, no review exists regarding various acupuncture techniques used in perioperative pain management and data describing the utility of these techniques. This paper synthesizes the latest literature regarding the role of acupuncture in perioperative pain management. The authors sought to describe various acupuncture...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 28, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Patients on Buprenorphine Formulations Undergoing Surgery
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the pharmacology of buprenorphine, the evolution of buprenorphine dosing recommendations, and the current literature regarding its recommendations for the perioperative period.Recent FindingsThere is a consensus that for all surgeries, buprenorphine should be continued throughout the perioperative period. If the surgery is a minimal to mild pain surgery, no dose adjustment is needed. There is no clear consensus regarding moderate to severe pain. With all surgeries, multimodal analgesia should be utilized, with regional anesthesia when possible.SummaryPatients taking buprenorphine should c...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 23, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Correction to: Small Fiber Neuropathy
(Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports)
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 23, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Small Fiber Neuropathy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis narrative review aims to summarize advances in the field of small fiber neuropathy made over the last decade, with emphasis on novel research highlighting the distinctive features of SFN.Recent FindingsWhile the management of SFNs is ideally aimed at treating the underlying cause, most patients will require pain control via multiple, concurrent therapies. Herein, we highlight the most up-to-date information for diagnosis, medication management, interventional management, and novel therapies on the horizon.SummaryDespite the prevalence of small fiber neuropathies, there is no clear consensus on...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 6, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Episodic Migraine and Older Adults
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMigraine is and continues to be a significant medical issue in older adults. Migraine can have different characteristics in older adults and specific diagnostic and treatment considerations need to be applied when managing headache and migraine in this population, which is increasing in both size and diversity. Contrary to widely held beliefs, migraine may not improve in older women following menopause and can have new onset in older age. The purpose of this review is to give an update on the diagnosis and treatment of episodic migraine in older adults.Recent FindingsAs the population ages, migrain...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 6, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
A Theoretical Endogenous Opioid Neurobiological Framework for Co-occurring Pain, Trauma, and Non-suicidal Self-injury
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIndividuals with chronic pain are significantly more likely to have experienced overwhelming trauma early and often in key developmental years. There is increasing acknowledgment that childhood trauma disrupts how individuals process and cope with both physical and emotional pain. Emerging studies acknowledge elevated rates of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in chronic pain populations. This review provides a theoretical framework to understand the relationship between NSSI behavior and pain experience in persons with chronic pain and childhood trauma histories. We discuss how NSSI may act to regul...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 5, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Psychologic Impacts on Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMany Americans cope with painful diabetic neuropathy (DN) as a sequela of high rates of diabetes mellitus in the US population. Appropriate management of this complex, debilitating chronic pain condition requires thorough evaluation through a biopsychosocial framework. This review aims to synthesize findings from original research studies and analyze the psychological factors that influence the experience of, and treatments for, DN pain.Recent FindingsExisting clinical literature suggests a wide breadth of psychological factors impacting DN pain. One research study detailed the demographic characte...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - April 5, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
