by admin | Aug 8, 2015 | Migraine Survival
Dr. Ingo Anderle
Dr. Ingo Anderle is an optometrist with over 20 years private practice experience. He practiced in Germany and in New Zealand before relocating to work in Spain and Gibraltar. He speaks Spanish, English, and German fluently. He has run his own practice in La Linea, Spain, and also works as an independent consultant for the optical industry.
His expertise in general optometry is complemented by specialist knowledge in vision, training, behavioral optometry, pediatric optometry, low vision, low vision aids, contact lenses, contact lens fitting, cataract screening, pre and post-operative care for cataract treatment and refractive surgery, restoring vision after failed refractive surgery, and post-operative management.
Dr. Anderle is passionate about exceeding patient expectations. He has broad experience in working with children, people with disabilities, low vision patients, headache and migraine sufferers, and those with cataracts.
Return to the About Our Experts page…
by admin | May 2, 2015 | Miscellaneous
Acquired Head Injuries an Increasing Source of Headache?
The Centers for Disease Control have recently released updated information regarding traumatic brain injury. From this data, the leading cause of TBI was unintentional falls, and the second most common cause was due to motor vehicle-traffic injury. Motor vehicle-related injury was the primary cause of death due to head injury, and was more common in men.
Groups at highest risk were children from birth to age four, and adults aged 75 years and older. Adolescents aged 15-19 years were at somewhat increased risk over other groups. In all age ranges, males were more affected by TBI than were females.
The direct medical costs in addition to the indirect costs of TBI, from things such as lost productivity in the workplace, totaled an estimated $60 billion in the US in 2000. With the rate of TBI increasing, these costs will also increase accordingly.
Consensus has been reached that headache is common in the initial phases of MTBI. Thus, an increase in the rate of posttraumatic headache can be expected if the rate of TBI is increasing.
References:
1 Faul M, Xu L, Wald MM, Coronado VG. Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths 2002–2006. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2010.
2 Carroll LJ, Cassidy JD, Peloso PM, Borg J. von Holst H, Holm L, Paniak C, Pepin M. Prognosis for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Results of the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Rehabil Med 2004; Suppl. 43: 84–105.
3 Finkelstein E, Corso P, Miller T and Associates. The Incidence and Economic Burden of Injuries in the United States. New York (NY): Oxford University Press; 2006.
by admin | Feb 8, 2015 | Children & Headaches
Children and Headaches
Migraine
Children can begin having migraine headaches at an early age. Migraines in children tend to be shorter than in adults, but are no less painful or frightening to a child, especially if a child experiences an aura.
Prior to puberty, migraines are slightly more prevalent in boys. At puberty, however, more girls begin to experience migraine headaches. migraine can be a significant problem in adolescence and, in this age group, new daily persistent headache may occur as well. New daily persistent headache starts out as a daily headache.
Other Headache Types
Tension-type headaches also occur in children, and are common in adolescents.
One type of migraine syndrome that occurs primarily in children is abdominal migraine, which usually involves nausea, vomiting, and possible abdominal pain, with or without headache. Children may appear either pale or flushed, and there may be a warning of tiredness or drowsiness.
Posttraumatic headaches are an increasingly common problem in child athletes, who should be carefully evaluated after any head injury, even if it is seemingly minor.
by Christina Peterson, MD
updated Feb 8, 2015
by admin | Oct 2, 2014 | Comorbidity
Migraine and Obesity Related
It has been well-established that there is a connection between obesity and migraine headaches. The number of headaches a month is higher in the overweight, and even higher in the obese population. The reasons for this are complex, and are still being studied by scientists to figure it all out—but it looks like at least part of the reasons have to do with creating an environment of increased inflammation.
So, we know that, basically, the fatter you get, the more migraine headaches you are likely to have. What has been less clear is whether weight loss can reverse this trend.
A small study was done of severely morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Twenty-four patients with a BMI of 35 or greater were identified with migraine headache by using the ID-Migraine Screener. Migraine severity was measured with the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). A 50% reduction in the number of headache days was seen after surgery. Prior to surgery, half the patients reported moderate or severe disability from their migraines; this number dropped to 3 patients after surgery. Headache improvement occurred with weight loss even though, during the time of the study, many participants were still in the obese range of weight.
Postoperative complications after bariatric surgery can be significant, and living after bariatric surgery can be challenging as the rate of vitamin deficiencies is high, and can result in neuropathies and other neurologic problems. While weight loss may be beneficial for the prevention of medical conditions related to obesity, it is premature to recommend it solely for migraine.
References:
1. Keith SW, Wang C, Fontaine KR, Cowan CD, Allison DB. BMI and headache among women: results from 11 epidemiologic datasets.
Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008;16(2):377-383. Available at:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18239647.
by admin | May 16, 2014 | Types of Headaches
Exercise-Induced Headache—Benign or Ominous?
Exertional headache can be a relatively minor thing, in which case it is called benign exertional headache, or it can represent something more serious. Since no one can tell the difference by just looking at you or by hearing about your symptoms, it’s best to seek medical evaluation if you have exercise-induced headaches.
Usually this headache is a pulsating or throbbing headache lasting up to two days, brought on by exercise or strenuous physical activity. The headache can occur during or after the activity, and is more likely to occur in hot weather or at high altitude. Occasionally this headache occurs as what is called a thunderclap headache, which means that it strikes suddenly as a severe headache without any warning.
You should see a doctor the first time an exertional headache happens—it can mimic other disorders that are not benign. And you should definitely seek care if you have a thunderclap headache, which may be warning you of something ominous.
Most of the time, exertional headaches are nothing serious, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Hydrating before exercise may help prevent this headache. If it does not, your doctor may be able to recommend treatment.
by Christina Peterson, M.D.
Recent Comments