Bangkok Hospital Adds Headache Clinic to its Expansive Group of Specialized Medical Centers

Bangkok Hospital Headache Clinic has assembled a top-tier multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive treatment to headache-sufferers - and prevent possible headache-related deaths. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) November 02, 2011 - BANGKOK, Thailand - Bangkok Hospital neurologist Dr. Yunyong Thongcharoen says that headaches are one of the most common complaints among patients seeking medical advice from the hospital's neurology specialists. Headaches, which can cause both physical and mental anguish, can also lead to serious disruptions of patients' personal and professional lives. Bangkok Hospital's extensive medical team, state-of-the-art technology and support personnel allows neurologists to diagnose and treat headache-related conditions in a comprehensive setting.

Headaches can have many causes, ranging from abnormalities of the brain and nerves; to pathological conditions in the head such as tumors, bleeding and infection of the brain cortex or meninges; and inflammation of the nerves. Headaches can also be severe and even life-threatening.
Neurologists advise people to seek medical attention if they notice any of the warning signs that could indicate a serious underlying condition, for example:

• Brief yet severe headaches lasting only seconds or minutes
• Headaches accompanied by mental or neurological disorders such as lethargy or confusion, memory issues, limb weakness, visual disturbances or seizures
• Headaches accompanied by fever, chills, night sweats or weight loss
• Chronic continuous headaches or headaches of increasing severity or frequency, or that suddenly feel different from previous attacks

Some types of headache are considered to be a particular cause for alarm, and people are advised to see their doctors immediately if they experience dangerous warning signs like:

• Headaches that increase with exertion, coughing, sneezing, straining or merely changing posture
• Headaches in people over 40 years of age, in cancer patients, or those with an immune deficiency or who are taking immunosuppressive drugs
• Headaches in women either during pregnancy or following childbirth, or who are taking oral contraceptives
• Headaches in very obese patients

Another Bangkok Hospital neurologist, Flg. Off. Dr. Kiratikorn Vongvaivanich, adds that the most common type of headache is the migraine, which occurs two to three times more often in women than men. The onset of migraine symptoms usually occurs between adolescence and middle age, and the pain is quite distinctive: they are 'unilateral' (they occur on one side of the head), they frequently move from one side of the head to the other, or are 'bilateral' (they occur on both sides of the head), and they are accompanied by throbbing pain, as though the blood vessels are pounding.

The pain from a migraine may be so debilitating and disruptive that going to school or work, or conducting any of the normal daily activities, become impossible. During a migraine attack, the sufferer can be extremely sensitive to both light and sound, and may also become nauseous, leading to vomiting. Some patients experience tenderness on the scalp as well as orbital eye pain. Left untreated, a typical migraine attack can last from 4 to 72 hours.

Neurologists believe that migraines are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain cortex that lowers the brain's stimulation threshold, making it more sensitive and easily activated. Once stimulated, an electrical current is generated that slowly runs along the surface of the brain cortex, causing an aura - the perceptual disturbance experienced just prior to the onset of a migraine. In addition to changing the way blood flows to the brain, this current also triggers the nerves within the brain to release certain neurotransmitters that can cause severe headache pain that is attributed to inflammation and dilation of the blood vessels.

"Migraine headache pain is very distinct from that associated with tension headaches. Tension headaches are characterized by an aching or heavy squeezing sensation in both temples. The pain is often mild to moderate and not usually aggravated by routine activities. Nausea and vomiting are rarely seen, but the patient may experience light- or noise-sensitivity."

Migraine headaches can be classified into two types: those without warning signs, that is, without an aura, and those with warning signs. The most common auras are visual disturbances, for example, seeing flashes, black and white light or brightly colored lights in a zigzag pattern; a hole in the visual field (a 'blind spot'); blurred vision; and after-images or distorted images. Other auras include tingling in the arms, hands or mouth; difficulty speaking (temporary speechlessness) or the inability to say names; and weakness in the arms and legs on one side of the body.

In some patients, certain factors are known to precipitate migraine attacks. These triggers can include stress, sleep deprivation, disorder of sleep or waking patterns, menstruation, odor or smoke, climate changes, heat or sunlight, and certain foods like pickled products, cheese and wine. Doctors recommend that patients be attentive to these stimuli: avoiding the triggers is the first step toward managing migraines.

"Untreated migraines not only greatly lower quality of life, but can be dangerous, leading to changes in pain perception in the brain and increasing the frequency and intensity of unbearable pain that is unresponsive to painkillers. Patients may be 'thunderstruck' by pain in the eye sockets or scalp, and with frequent migraines there is the likelihood of brain cell loss over time, known as 'brain atrophy', as well as the development of brain lesions."

Although migraines are a chronic disease, they can be controlled to a great extent simply by adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking the proper medication. They also become less frequent and severe with age.

Migraine treatment is a two-part program: 1) drugs are prescribed that are taken at the onset of an acute headache to relieve the pain; and 2) drugs are prescribed and taken daily to prevent headaches. Women who frequently suffer migraine attacks during menstruation may be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (the so-called 'triptan' drugs) to be taken from 2-3 days before their period until 4-5 days following their period.

There is a variety simple ways to control migraines. Chief among them is learning what triggers them and then avoiding these triggers. Go to bed at a reasonable hour and get a good night's sleep; take a break from activities that provoke a migraine; and exercise regularly to reduce stress and feel better. If you are a smoker, quitting is highly recommended as cigarette smoking substantially increases the risk of ischemic stroke, and some patients have found that cutting back on caffeine intake - whether in coffee, tea or soda - and drinking a lot of water helps as well. See your doctor if the pain intensifies or the pattern of your headaches changes suddenly.

At the Bangkok Hospital Headache Clinic, a multidisciplinary and specialized medical team discusses each case to determine the appropriate treatment plan, so that patients and their families can feel confident that they are in a state-of-the-art facility and in experienced and caring hands.

http://www.bangkokhospital.com

###

Visit Bangkok Hospital Medical Center Website

space