How to Recommend a Neuromodulation Device to your Patient
Learn about the four neuromodulation devices approved for migraine treatment and when to recommend them While acute migraine medications are available and effective, there are a variety of reasons that the available prescription and over-the-counter options may not be sufficient. Patients might not get enough relief, might be unable to take certain medications because of comorbidities or might experience unwanted side effects. Neuromodulation devices are a new option for migraine treatment with few side effects. We spoke to Laura Xanders, FNP-BC, about neuromodulation devices and how to decide which one to recommend to your patients. What are the available neuromodulation...Treating Medication Overuse Headache
Learn more about what treatment options there are and how to decide on which treatment is best for your patient Medication Overuse Headache (MOH) occurs when a person is regularly overusing acute headache medications, resulting in increased headache. It is important to present the possibility of MOH to the patient in a sensitive, non-accusatory way. Patients may overuse medications for a variety of reasons, but the majority of those who overuse medication do so because the usual preventive approaches have been inadequate. Here are some options for treating MOH to discuss with your patient. Decide which approach is best Deciding...Types of Aura
Breaking down the different types of aura your patient with migraine might experience Migraine with aura occurs in about one-third of people with migraine. The typical aura starts out gradually over 5 minutes and lasts 5-60 minutes, is usually unilateral and followed by a headache within 60 minutes. Kathleen Digre, MD, FAHS, breaks down the types of aura and treatment considerations for each type. Dr. Digre is a distinguished professor of neurology and ophthalmology and director of the Headache Clinic at the University of Utah. She is also the immediate past president of the American Headache Society and a former...Practice Guideline Summary: Management of Primary Headache During Pregnancy
Management of Primary Headache During Pregnancy is a published systematic review for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to support the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its effort to develop a new clinical practice guideline on management of primary headaches during pregnancy. This study's objective was to provide evidence-based recommendations for interventions to prevent or treat primary headaches in women who are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding. It asks two key questions: What are the benefits and harms of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions to prevent acute attacks of primary headache in women? What...Advocacy in Action: Investing in Graduate Medical Education
American Headache Society (AHS) joined with 85 other medical associations and specialty societies in praise of a renewed Congressional pledge to support physician training. The significant addition of 1,000 new Medicare-supported graduate medical education (GME) positions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, will be critical to overcoming projected shortfalls in trained physicians. The supportive letters point to a projected shortage of between 54,100 and 139,000 physicians by 2033 in the United States, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has put increased pressure on physicians. Moreover, practicing headache subspecialists, who number at around 700 nationally, are already spread considerably thin for the...A Statement of Solidarity with the Asian and Asian-American Community from the American Headache Society
The American Headache Society (AHS) is profoundly disturbed by the rising xenophobia, hateful acts of violence, and unreported aggressions against Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian-Americans. We are especially outraged by the most recent murders of Asian women in the Atlanta area this past week. We hold compassion for the victims, their families and communities. We stand in solidarity with everyone who has been subject to racism, bigotry and bias of all forms, including anti-Asian violence and harassment. We also are thinking about our own members and patients across the country who have been deeply affected by this ongoing climate of...March 2021 Society Spotlight
Meet Rebecca Erwin Wells, MD, MPH, FAHS, AHS Board Member-at-Large I am so honored to be serving you as a Board Member at Large of the American Headache Society. When I attended my first AHS meeting, I remember feeling so connected to everyone dedicated to Headache Medicine. We are a unique group of compassionate people, and I felt the collegiality and community immediately. I have been inspired by AHS leaders in my work to found and direct the Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Headache Program, along with the concrete help from the AHS business plan. Over the years, I have...Society Spotlights
March Society Spotlight
Meet Rebecca Erwin Wells, MD, MPH, FAHS, AHS Board Member-at-Large
I am so honored to be serving you as a Board Member at Large of the American Headache Society. When I attended my first AHS meeting, I remember feeling so connected to everyone dedicated to Headache Medicine. We are a unique group of compassionate people, and I felt the collegiality and community immediately. I have been inspired by AHS leaders in my work to found and direct the Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Headache Program, along with the concrete help from the AHS business plan. Over the years, I have also recognized that we still have work to do, as a field and as an organization, to ensure everyone feels included.
I am honored to be serving as Co-Chair of the AHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce with Dr. Cynthia Armand. We are excited to be leading this Taskforce that the AHS Board unanimously approved. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks and months for details and ways you can help us authentically improve the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of AHS and Headache Medicine. The last year has brought so many challenges. It has also given us opportunities for change and growth. I am hopeful about the opportunities we have in front of us to bring about measurable positive changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for our organization and field.
In addition, I really enjoy conducting clinical research, caring for patients, and educating others about Headache Medicine. I enjoy learning how we can improve overall wellness, for our patients and ourselves, and I have conducted NIH-funded research to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of mindfulness for migraine. This is an exciting time to be in Headache Medicine, and there is so much hope and optimism in the field. I will miss seeing you all in person at the AHS Scientific meeting in June, and I look forward to connecting with you virtually. We learn so much from our patients and from each other, and I am excited to continue together on this journey as we all learn and grow together.
Rebecca Erwin Wells, MD, MPH, FAHS