Still Hurts: Headaches After Traumatic Brain Injury

Almost everyone has had a headache. Young or old, no one is spared from that notorious head pain or pressure.

And while a good night’s rest or a hearty meal can banish a headache, there is a type of head pain that persists. People who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) report of headaches after treatment. And while post-TBI headaches are expected, research on their frequency or progression and impact on daily living is scarce.

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A recent study by Dr. Sylvia M. Lucas of the University of Washington Medical Center hopes to shed light on post-traumatic headache. Findings show that among the 316 patients with prior moderate to severe TBI, “38 percent reported new or worse headache, with 37 percent reporting the same at three months, 33 percent at six months, 34 percent at 12 months, and 35 percent at 60 months.”

Migraine-like pain is how 59 percent of the patients described their post-TBI headache. And as researchers followed up with respondents over a period of five years, they found that the average head pain remained high. Patients also reported that their post-injury headache affected their overall well-being. Mean Head Impact Test-6 scores of respondents, in fact, ranged from 57. 1 at three months to 56.5 at 60 months. As for the frequency of their headaches, 50 percent of the respondents reported daily or weekly head pain three months after their injury. The percentage of respondents, though, who still experienced a regular headache 60 months after their injury, dropped to 36 percent.

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While some people may treat these post-TBI headaches as an ill effect of their injury, it is still best to consult with their physician if the pain lingers and worsens over time.

More discussions on headache and its many forms can be accessed on this Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D. blog.

Exposing the Connection Between Chronic Pain and Insomnia

There is an intrinsic and deeply rooted connection between chronic pain and sleep. The latest health surveys estimate that around 20 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain while 36 percent have had acute pain within the week. Combined, the figures comprise more than half of the adult population of America. Of this percentage, almost all of the participants reported having sleep disturbances or varying degrees of insomnia.

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This is worrisome for many health professionals. Pain management reposes on the management of stress and poor health conditions. Lack of sleep – or the absence of restful sleep – is linked to an increase in stress and poor health. Those who cannot sleep typically have weaker immune systems, making pain treatment more difficult. Another medical study suggests that, on average, patients with chronic pain have a 42-minute sleep debt and acute pain sufferers have a 14-minute sleep debt.

Lack of sleep has a domino effect on the pain cycle. Patients afflicted with acute or chronic pain are likely to have sleep problem, which would affect their daily functioning. The resulting debilitation further increases stress and risk of engaging in risky behaviors such as drinking or smoking. The effects of these behaviors further hinder treatment until pain becomes unmanageable.

Specialists recommend patients to immediately consult them during the early stages of pain and sleep disturbance. This makes treatment easier, with chances of recovery increasing over the short term.

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Have a happy and productive pain-free life with the assistance of Dr. Melanie Novak, a leading pain management specialist. To learn more about pain management findings, like this Facebook page.

Migraine-inducing ingredients to watch out for

Most people experience migraines from time to time without knowing the cause. For some, the food that they enjoy consuming could also be their migraine triggers. Here are some of the ingredients that could be causing the headache:

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Caffeine: But first, coffee. Those who are not used to drinking coffee on an empty stomach first thing in the morning may find themselves with a migraine afterwards. The sudden energy boost from caffeine may be too much for others.  

Monosodium glutamate (MSG): This is a food additive usually used in restaurant food and instant meals. Those who experience migraines after devouring a steaming bowl of instant ramen might have the MSG from the flavoring packet to blame. To avoid this, don’t put the entire flavoring into the mix.  

Couramin: The couramin from the yeast used for baked goods such as bread, pastries, and pretzels can serve as migraine triggers in some people. As an alternative, migraine sufferers can instead eat whole-grain bread and pastries. 

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Migraine triggers may differ per person. However, the key to enjoying food without the headaches is by being watchful of the ingredients. Eat moderately.  

Using a multidisciplinary approach in treating all types of chronic pain, Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., provides her patients with the necessary medical procedure to address their pain needs and be informed with proper recovery discipline. She performs procedures such as selective nerve root injections, sympathetic nerve blocks, and radiofrequency nerve ablation. Visit this LinkedIn page to know more about Dr. Novak’s practice.