A nasal spray once a day can help keep migraines at bay. The spray, which is being tested by hundreds of people in the US, contains the hormone oxytocin.
While oxytocin is most associated with inducing labor during labor, it also has pain-relieving properties.
Previous research has shown that people have more migraines when oxytocin levels are low.
Symptoms include a throbbing, one-sided headache and blurred vision, as well as vomiting, fatigue and sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. Attacks can be linked to triggers such as stress, fatigue, flashing lights and certain foods or drinks.
Some patients are prescribed triptans – drugs that help reverse the changes in the brain that are thought to cause migraines.
A nasal spray once a day can help keep migraines at bay. The spray, which is being tested by hundreds of people in the US, contains the hormone oxytocin
Symptoms include a throbbing, one-sided headache and blurred vision, as well as vomiting, fatigue and sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. Attacks can be linked to triggers such as stress, fatigue, flashing lights and certain foods or drinks
For frequent or severe migraines, medications including topiramate (usually used to treat attacks) and propranolol (an antihypertensive drug) are used to prevent further attacks.
However, it is not suitable or effective for all people and can cause side effects such as sleeping and eating problems.
Known only as TNX-1900, the oxytocin spray is meant to be used once or twice a day as a preventative.
It is designed to prevent headaches in two ways. First, by preventing pain signals from traveling along the trigeminal nerve, the main nerve in the head. The trigeminal nerve carries sensory information from the face, including the scalp, forehead and around the eyes, to the brain and is involved in most migraine disorders.
The spray also prevents trigeminal nerve cells from releasing a compound called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which increases migraine headaches. CGRP causes inflammation and pain, and makes headaches last longer, although the exact mechanism is unknown.
When oxytocin is injected into the nose, it attaches to the trigeminal nerve cells, disrupting pain signals and stopping the release of CGRP.
The spray also contains magnesium, which causes oxytocin to attach to nerve cells.
Using a nasal spray instead of an oral drug or injection focuses the drug on the area where it is needed, reducing the risk of systemic side effects.
In the new study, led by the Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute in the US, 300 patients will use the oxytocin spray or a placebo spray once or twice a day for three months. The doctors will then check the frequency of the participants’ migraines.
Dr Andrew Dowson, clinical director at NHS East Kent and Bromley Headache Services said: “This is interesting research. It’s always good to see innovative thinking being challenged in a condition that causes so much disability and is poorly understood and without universally effective treatments.
“There is a good reason to study CGRP. This is a protein that has been extensively studied and ultimately proven to be linked to migraines. I’m sure other proteins will also play a role.”
Eating a healthy diet can reduce the number of migraines, suggests new research in the International Journal of Neuroscience.
Nearly 300 women suffering from migraines were asked about their diet and the frequency of their headaches.
The levels of antioxidants in their diet were then calculated by measuring levels of vitamins A, C and E, as well as selenium, zinc and manganese. The researchers found that people with low antioxidant levels were twice as likely to have seizures.
Oxidative stress—an imbalance between compounds called free radicals and antioxidants—is thought to be involved in migraines, and increased antioxidant levels can reduce it.
Diabetes drug used to slow Parkinson’s disease
A drug used to treat type 2 diabetes may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
In diabetes, exenatide causes the pancreas to release the hormone insulin.
Now scientists from University College London and other centers are testing whether it can prevent the death of brain cells that produce dopamine, which helps control movement. The loss of cells causes Parkinson’s.
Previous laboratory studies have shown that exenatide can help protect these cells.
Papaya gel can replace the dentist’s drill
Can a rub be a painless way to treat tooth decay? Currently, a dental drill is used to remove tooth decay, but this can lead to the loss of healthy teeth.
The new gel contains enzymes from the papaya fruit that break down the rotten piece of tooth and leave the healthy parts intact. The liquid is applied to the rot and kept for 30 seconds until cloudy, then rinsed off. The process is repeated until all decay is gone.
Previous research has shown that papaya enzymes remove streptococci, the bacteria that cause tooth decay in the mouth.
MINI MUSCLE POWER
This week: Gluteus medius
The small muscles that play a big role
This muscle runs outside the hip joint and works with the gluteus maximus, gluteus maximus, to stabilize the pelvis. It also allows you to rotate your hips outward and lift your leg out to the side.
A strong gluteus medius prevents the knee from collapsing on the same side and the hip from dropping out. When the muscle is weak, the resulting poor stability can lead to back pain, knee and hip problems.
Clare Lewey, a physiotherapist from Oxfordshire, says this can particularly affect middle-aged women, as their bottoms become flatter and weaker as they age.
To strengthen it, she recommends “clamshells”: Lie on one side, feet and hips stacked on top of each other, and knees bent 90 degrees, then lift top knee away from bottom knee, feet touching.
“Monster walks” can also help, she says. Wrap a strong resistance band around your thighs, bend into a squat, and take a few steps back and forth with your legs apart.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
