Treatment

Acupuncture & Birth Control Deja Vu

Two stories on migraine seem to surface year after year: Acupuncture, whether real or a “sham,” can help prevent migraines and taking birth control pills can increase migraine and non-migraine headaches in women. Each story is based on findings of new studies and the topics don’t seem to be over-researched. Still, new studies come to the same conclusions as old studies, but the findings are presented as brand new every time. Snarkiness aside, it’s good information.

On acupuncture:

“German researchers treated almost 900 patients with either standard drugs, traditional Chinese acupuncture or ‘fake’ acupuncture.”

“Virtually the same proportion of people in each group found the number of days affected by migraine was halved.”

On birth control pills:

“Women who take oral contraceptives have increased chances of suffering from both migraines and non-migraine headaches, a large new population-based study shows. . . .”

“Migraines were 40 percent more common among women taking oral contraceptives, the researchers report in the medical journal Neurology, and non-migraine headaches were 20 percent more common.”

6 thoughts on “Acupuncture & Birth Control Deja Vu”

  1. I don’t remember where I saw the information, but if I run across it, I’ll let your know.

    p.s. Googling for the info didn’t pan out?

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    Thanks. I didn’t find it when I googled it, but it has been a while.

    Kerrie

  2. I’d still like to try acupuncture, if my headaches continue (so far, the lyrica is helping!). But I stopped using the pill a few months after the headaches started, just in case they were adding to the problem.

  3. “Oral inflammation due to bacteria (gingivitis) may also play a role in clogged arteries and blood clots. It appears that bacteria in the mouth may cause inflammation throughout the body, including the arteries.”

    Inflammation in the arteries is one of the mechanisms of migraine. So I thought to myself, am I contributing to my migraines when I choose not to brush my teeth?

    Do you know anything about this?

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    I don’t know anything about this. It seems that not brushing your teeth once in a while wouldn’t be a problem, but that swollen gums — actual gingivitis, is.

    Kind of a strange example, but my dog had terrible teeth with lots of infection. The vet told me that the bacteria was likely to get into her bloodstream, causing her to feel sick and be sluggish. I assume this translates to humans.

    Where did you find the information? I’d like to learn more about it.

    K

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