During 2015, lots of studies were made on migraine around the world but nothing has changed. Neuroscience studies are still looking for the reasons in the brain, and the drugs are still the same.
American Headache Society (AHS) published last year’s best migraine medicines. But they are all the same with previous years. Triptan, NSAID, Acetaminophen and Sumatriptan are declared the best for attack treatment and it seems like this is as good as it gets for drug treatment of migraine. I believe that they will still be the same in 10 years (like they were 10 years before). Because people are looking at the wrong place, namely the brain.
A patient who got rid of his chronic pain after getting an ear piercing was seen as an interesting case. I read the explanation hoping that they might think about ear acupuncture, microsystem acupuncture and the body network but all they could think about was that piercings might have been effective for migraine. No one asked why.
An article about migraine and autonomic nervous system followed that. And I read that one too, feeling excited about finally the world getting to know that migraine is resulted from the body, not the brain. However, the article was beginning with the changes in blood pressure during migraine attacks and was going on with orthostatic hypotension (most migraineurs have it) and dizziness. Parkinson patients’ blood pressure decreases too, after moving in some way. That article was trying to find out what common characteristics Parkinson patients and migraineurs share. Long story short, they are still trying to relate it with the brain. No hope in scientific studies!
What is Going on in Turkey About Migraine?
There are some changes but unfortunately, not in the positive way. If we take the last decade:
At first, there were migraine patches and necklaces. They were 100% guaranteed. You would get a refund unless you feel better. At least they were harmless. The only thing the patients lost was their money.
Then herbs became the trend. Teas and mixes were made and suggested. In fact, it became a whole new sector. There were even some trying to sell those mixes by using my name on their website, sharing my articles. At that point, I began worrying. Because, although herbs are seen harmless, even they may cause a problem in case of an overdose.
Then came needle treatments and people claimed they were able to cure migraine with Botox or acupuncture. They were effective, yes but not for all patients and this was resulting in more despair.
In the last couple years, bloodletting came into the picture. Our traditional treatment was claimed to be a miracle for migraine. Also there were some people who were using leeches.