Autonomic Nervous System Sensitivity
Mild dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), also called mild dysautonomia is commonly comorbid with all primary headaches (migraine, TTH, NDPH). The ANS controls those body functions that we consciously have no control over, such as breathing, blood pressure regulation, heart rate regulation, digestion/GI motility, temperature regulation, sweating, or nervous system over-stimulation. Common causes … Continue reading Autonomic Nervous System Sensitivity
Headaches and psychiatric co-morbidities, part 2
In part 1 of this post, pain and psychiatric issues often travel together. Chronic headache pain can lead to long-lasting psychological distress, and depression and anxiety increase the perception of both acute and chronic pain. They are intimately connected. This post will continue the discussion about psychiatric co-morbidities and headache, focusing on psychopharmacology. What is … Continue reading Headaches and psychiatric co-morbidities, part 2
Headaches and psychiatric co-morbidities, part 1
It is quite common for patients with migraine and headaches to have a coexisting psychiatric co-morbidity, such as anxiety or depression. In fact, headache and psychological distress share the same risk factors, such as environmental stressors and genetic predisposition. Headache history may predispose a patient to psychopathology and psychopathology may predispose a patient to headache. … Continue reading Headaches and psychiatric co-morbidities, part 1
Off to college during the pandemic
It’s August, and lots of my patients getting ready to go off to college, either as freshmen or as sophomores, whose freshman year was spent at home doing college over zoom. It is an exciting and scary time for them (and their parents), especially with the continuing uncertainly of the Covid pandemic. I have had … Continue reading Off to college during the pandemic
My book is reviewed!
The most recent volume (June 2021) of Pediatric Pain Letter (www.childpain.org/ppl) contains a review of my book, Getting Ahead of Pediatric Headaches. The review was done by Angelina Koehler, CPNP, a pediatric headache provider at Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Denver. Ms Koehler reviews the book thoroughly, covering the main areas of information presented. This … Continue reading My book is reviewed!
Back to school, bring on the stress; psychiatric comorbidities and headache
In my part of the country, there has been a gradual transition from remote learning to hybrid learning to full in-person learning, starting this spring. And as we all experience, there are significant stressors with all this change. Kids are happy to be back at school with their friends, teachers, feeling sort of ‘back to … Continue reading Back to school, bring on the stress; psychiatric comorbidities and headache
Managing screen time and headaches
The Covid 19 pandemic has changed the educational and work practices and norms for all of us. With the advent of significantly more virtual or remote learning and working, we are all exposed to much more screen time than ever before, as well as figuring out home office configurations. For people with headaches and migraines … Continue reading Managing screen time and headaches
Migraine and other medical comorbidities
In my last post, I discussed common pain conditions that are often comorbid with migraine and headache. But there are many other common medical conditions that are found within the population of those with migraine in particular. Some of these conditions are neurologic, some are metabolic or other systems. Examples of these types of medical … Continue reading Migraine and other medical comorbidities
Migraine and headache and pain conditions
Ever notice that your patients with migraine and headache often have other medical issues? Well, there are a number of common coexisting medical conditions which are often associated with migraine and headache. Frequently these issues are associated with pain, and are referred to as overlapping pain conditions. Examples of these types of overlapping pain conditions … Continue reading Migraine and headache and pain conditions
Anxiety!!!
Oh my goodness, along with the Covid 19 pandemic, there has been a significant uptick in anxiety, among my patients with headaches, especially the teens and young adults. This has been clear since about mid-October. Historically, there is the usual ramp up of anxiety, worry, lack of coping, that tends to happen around this time … Continue reading Anxiety!!!
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