Headaches - Ergots and Midrin for Migraines
Ergots and Midrin are two available medicines used to treat migraines. It is important to note that these drugs carry potential adverse side effects that you should be aware of.
Much like triptans, Ergots are a class of compounds that are technically known as 5-HT1B/1D agonists. That is, they block action by sitting on nerve receptors where natural biochemicals would otherwise reside. They are among the oldest treatments for migraine in the modern medicine cabinet. Because these treatments are so old, they have had several long-term intensive studies.
The results of those studies suggest that some caution should be used when taking them. Though generally safe and effective, they are not as much so as more contemporary drugs such as Maxalt and Zomig (two types of triptan).
One form known as DHE (dihydroergotamine) comes in a nasal spray, which has the advantage of entering the blood stream quickly through the thin nasal membranes. But, like all ergots (Ergomar, Wigraine, Cafergot and more), it does have limitations and possible side effects.
Paradoxically, one of the drawbacks of all ergots is that they perform their intended purpose: to constrict blood vessels. But there are two potential problems with this. One is that they may perform it too well. Ergots can cause excessive constriction, which can produce harmful effects for those with heart or kidney conditions. The other potential problem, however, is more fundamental.
For decades the leading theory of the cause of migraines was that it resulted from dilation of blood vessels. The subsequent volume and pressure changes stimulate, so the theory goes, pain signals in nerve cells. But more recent research suggests that, though involved, the cause may be more primary. Still under investigation, with no definitive conclusions as yet, researchers now believe it's more likely to be due to genetic abnormalities in the nerve cells in the brain.
As a result, constricting the blood vessels may be only attacking a peripheral issue and the potential side effects may represent an unnecessary risk. Ergots tend to preferentially constrict blood vessels in the heart and the effects are more long lasting than triptans, for example.
Ergots are also more prone to causing nausea and vomiting, which is already one of the common symptoms of migraine. Triptans tend to be accompanied by compounds that help reduce nausea. They are particularly risky for pregnant women, since they can cause contraction of the uterus and hence miscarriages.
Midrin is another traditional treatment for migraines, but is also used for tension headaches. A combination of isometheptene (a blood vessel constrictor), dichloralphenazone (a mild sedative) and acetaminophen (a pain reliever), it too carries risks. Those with high blood pressure, glaucoma or kidney disease are particularly vulnerable. Side effects can include dizziness and skin rash.
Drugs like ergots and Midrin are termed abortive drugs, since they are designed to abort a migraine or headache at onset of the symptoms. As distinguished from so-called prophylactics which are used to prevent them. As such, they are most effective when taken early on in a migraine episode. When used by those who suffer mild migraines, they have been effective and may form part of a spectrum of treatments.
Ergots and Midrin, just like all medicine, should be taken under the direction of a doctor. You should not take these medicines without first meeting with your physician and understanding all of the side effects and adverse risks.
Those who have experienced lack of sleep can be at higher risk, though getting too much sleep has been correlated with a higher incidence.
woman writhing in agony from irukandji sting
woman writhing in agony from irukandji sting
21 sec - Oct 8, 2006
This is the awesome power of the Irukandji jellyfish. they are the size of your fingernail, but have one of the most potent venoms in the world. known as carukia barnesi, they are mainly found off the northern coast of australia, but can be found all over the world. the sting of this jellyfish attacks the nervous system, causing a full-body pain that is among the most excruciating thing you will ever feel. This young woman was stung on the hand pulling a detached tenticle off her facemask, and spent an agonizing two days in the hospital, writhing in agony, and at times, screaming and thrashing in pain. this was one of her more subdued moments... it took her several weeks to make full recovery. She writhed in agony for almost 24 hours straight, and spent another day in the hospital. there is no antedote and morphine barely makes a dent in the agony.
**************************** Symptoms of 'Irukandji Syndrome' are severe headache and stomachache; excruciating cramps in the arms, feet and legs; Severe stabbing pain in the lower back and kidneys; burning/soreness of the skin and face; extreme anxiety; nausea; most victims are extremely restless and writhe uncontrollably from the pain for hours.
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The actual sting is only mildly irritating. But symptoms begin about 15 minutes afterwards. The pain starts off mild, and then increases in waves, usually lasting anywhere from 3 - 48 hours.
Chinese Diagnostic Illustrations, Part One
 Chinese Diagnostic Illustrations, Part One
askjohnfung
10 min - Sep 12, 2008
Chinese Diagnostic Illustrations, Part I
This video illustrates how Chinese diagnosis is done for various common ailments. It follows from my previous video entitled, "A Practical Road Map". In case you forget, the requirements of diagnosis are: objectivity, rationality, and connection to the herbs.
Fever or flu
Fever or flu has many observable symptoms. It is not hard to connect the diagnostic result to the herbs. Various kinds of herbs exist for conditions such as excess heat in the body, cough, phlegm, sore throat, headache, etc. The only difficulty is to determine how strong the prescription should be. You must rely on pulse reading and your reasoning to arrive at the appropriate strength of the herbal prescription. A person with a weak constitution like a senior must be given a mild prescription rather than a strong one. For further details, see my other videos, "Flu or Cold" and "Cough".
Cholesterol or Blood Sugar
How can you diagnose high cholesterol or blood sugar with Chinese ancient methods? You just cant. Cholesterol and sugar are chemical substances in the blood that can only be detected in a blood test, which is a Western method. The Chinese herbalist has to rely on the results of the blood test to see and monitor the problem.
How can you connect to the herbs? The names cholesterol and blood sugar dont connect of course. You must apply simple reasoning of cause and effect. Cholesterol and sugar are present in the food you eat. This points to the digestive system where plenty of herbs can be applied. If the digestive system is strengthened or made more robust with herbs, it will break down the food more thoroughly. In this way, the cholesterol and sugar will be broken down and expelled, rather than staying in the blood stream. Your reasoning also points to higher metabolism to break down cholesterol and blood sugar. This connects to the herbs used to boost blood circulation. For further details, please see "Basic Healing Approaches of Chinese Medicine".
Toxins
The toxins in your blood are only observable when the threshold level is reached. The problem will manifest itself ranging from a minor skin rash, to a serious one like cancer. Chinese diagnosis cannot detect anything below the threshold point without relying on Western blood or other tests. Furthermore, it cannot tell what kind of toxin or chemical substance is present in the blood. No specific toxin can connect to a Chinese herb. However, there exist various kinds of cleansing herbs to purge toxins from the body. So Chinese herbs are toxin general, not toxin specific.
How can Chinese diagnosis work then? Again, you rely on the Western blood test to verify and monitor. Then you apply the simple reason of cause and effect. For prevention, stay away from polluted areas and polluted food. For treatment, apply various kinds of cleansing herbs to reduce the toxicity in your body. In addition, apply herbs to strengthen the liver and kidneys, because they are major cleansing organs of the body. For further details, see my video on "Detoxification".
Anxiety, Stress, Sleeplessness
This trio usually comes together. They present a variety of subtle symptoms, which are hard to detect and measure. Chinese diagnostic methods emphasize discussing with the patient about his lifestyle and attitude, and about the kind of stress that he is dealing with everyday.
From the Chinese viewpoint, anxiety, stress and sleeplessness are the result of a loss of balance, which in turn results from a weak body that fails to readjust itself and maintain balance in difficult situations. This points to the necessity to strengthen the body for better performance. However, too strong a strengthening prescription may bring an opposite effect. Therefore, the job of the herbalist is to tailor a mild prescription to make the body more robust to handle everyday stress. Please see my other videos on "Anxiety and Stress", "Sleep", and "Balance".
To be continued in Part II.
Please go to www.herbsandtea.com for further information.
Raw herbs and herbal capsules can be tailor-made for your conditions.
Depression and whiplash injury have a lot in common
 Depression and whiplash injury have a lot in common
ansgar1965
37 sec - Sep 5, 2008
Successful treatment of depression without the realization of relaxation-techniques is not possible. You can find some facts describing this circumstance in the article: Feist, A. (2007). Struktur der Persnlichkeit und der Gefhle bei Depression. The Structure of Personality and Feelings of Depression. Online in Internet: URL: http://psydok.sulb.uni-saarland.de/volltexte/2007/954/ (Stand 25.04.2007). Probably the best relaxation-technique is massage as you can see from the articles: Field, T., Diego, M. A., Hernandez-Reif, M., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (2004). Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 25, 115-122. Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Ironson, G., Beutler, J., Yanexy, V., Hurley, J., Fletcher, M. A., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C. & Fraser, M. (2005). Natural killer cells and lymphocytes increase in women with breast cancer following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115, 495-510.
Massage is successful in the treatment of whiplash injury too. Depression and whiplash injury have a lot in common. For examples: anxiety, fears, lower attention, sleeplessness, dizziness, feeling of faintness, feeling of sickness and headache. These symptoms result often from high tension of the muscles in neck and shoulders. In depression the patients want to control negative feelings and/or try to carry a large symbolic gravity and/or want to perceive their environment perfectly by muscle tension, but this is not optimal, because in this way also positive feelings can not be perceived. In this torpor of body, mind and soul, a human being can loose the meaning of life. So there is a need to reduce the large symbolic gravity and/or the overactivity of control and/or the wish to perceive the environment perfectly. A new possible treatment of depression can be the same as in whiplash injury. Please note, that this idea is not yet clinically tested -- so be careful. First an immobilization of the head is necessary to reduce the gravity. For a slight immobilization Kinesio-Taping can be more helpful.
You can see in the video four pictures of an extrication collar. The shown collar can be adjusted in four positions for adults -- for children another collar is needed. How ever there exist other more comfortable collars as the shown one -- these collars have then a lower immobilization effect. Probably it would be better, if you have training for applying an extrication collar. Perhaps it could be practical to wear an extrication collar not the whole day, because in this way you can feel the differences between wearing and not-wearing. If the muscles come closer to a normal functioning, it could be useful to make for example the progressive relaxation by Edmund Jacobson or the Benson Relaxation Technique: Bagheri-Nesami, M., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A. & Shayesteh-Azar, M. (2006). The effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on rheumatoid arthritis patients: extended report. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 12, 214-219.
Also exercise can be helpful: Trivedi, M. H., Greer, T. L., Grannemann, B. D., Chambliss, H. O. & Jordan, A. N. (2006). Exercise as an augmentation strategy for treatment of major depression. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 12, 205-213.
Then the origin of the depression must be found. And perhaps then you make a decision for "Downshifting": less is more
Sometimes antibiotics can be helpful in reducing mucus as well. Excess exercise can often produce headaches, though how much is excessive will, of course, vary from person to person. The causes of headaches number in the hundreds. People who get migraines should especially be careful since the pain of migraines is so intense and disruptive to daily activities. Current research suggests that there are other, perhaps more important, factors at work in migraines. Though the exact cause isn't known in every instance, constriction of blood vessels is thought to be the culprit in a range of cases.
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