Holy Name Medical Center has established a Headache
Treatment Program for the care of adults, adolescents and children who suffer
from intractable migraine headaches, and for whom conventional methods of
therapy have failed. Holy Name neurologist James Charles, MD, FAAN, FAHS, is medical director of the
Headache Treatment Program, and is certified in headache medicine by the United
Council of Neurologic Subspecialties.
Under the direction of staff
neurologists, intravenous medications are administered on an outpatient basis by
nursing staff specially trained in the field of headache medicine to ensure
maximum safety and effectiveness. Children and teens are treated on the Medical Center’s pediatric
and young adult floor; adults are treated in the adult infusion center. Most
patients require one visit; others may need repetitive, daily treatment for up
to three days. Holy Name is the only facility in New Jersey offering
infusion therapies to intractable headache patients of all ages.
Early intervention can re-set
the brain’s headache mechanism
“Studies have demonstrated that, with early
intervention, as soon as the patient is identified and that patient is placed
onto an appropriate treatment program, the transformation to the malignant,
disabling forms of migraine can be prevented,” explains Dr. Charles. “This is a biological disease that is often
genetic. A migraine attack lowers the threshold for more brain attacks. More
brain attacks cause anatomic and functional alterations of the brain, setting
the stage for more frequent and debilitating migraine headaches.”
According to Dr. Charles, infusion therapy is highly effective for patients with:
Ø chronic migraines with and
without medication overuse, who have failed multiple treatments to prevent or
stop migraine symptoms, and who are disabled by their headaches but do not
require or desire inpatient treatment
Ø migraine headaches lasting
longer than 72 hours and that do not respond to conventional medications
Ø acute migraine attacks that
last fewer than 72 hours, are debilitating, and not responsive to
self-administered medications
Ø prolonged aura
Ø cluster headache exacerbation
Ø new, daily persistent
headache
“While most patients experience relief after an
outpatient treatment, continues Dr. Charles, “there are those whose headache
attack will not terminate after days and weeks, and there are some chronic
migraine patients whose headaches do not respond to oral medications. The Headache Treatment Program at Holy Name is
designed for such patients. Children, teenagers, and adults are treated with
the appropriate medications to break the vicious headache cycle, and leave our
infusion center feeling better. The long- term goal is to reset the brain 's
neurochemistry so that, in conjunction with targeted outpatient treatment,
patients can go from frequent severe headaches to minimal headaches. “
“Lowering the burden of migraine starts with
educating the public, especially parents and teachers,” notes Dr. Charles. “It
is a misconception that an acute headache with nausea, vomiting, and the need
for bed rest is due to conditions such as sinusitis, eyestrain or dental
problems. “
Facts &
Stats About Migraine Headache
Ø The World Health
Organization has placed migraine in the top 20 group of most disabling diseases
of the world.
Ø In the United States, there are 28 million
people over the age of 12 who suffer with migraines.
Ø In the US, there are eight
million children under the age of 12 who suffer with migraines.
Ø Thirty percent of
migraine sufferers never see a doctor because they have low-frequency intermittent
headaches, experience occasional headaches, and do not require medical
assistance.
Ø Seventy percent of
migraine sufferers fall into one of two categories: About 40% will have
intermediate to high-frequency migraine attacks. The remaining 30% will
transform to chronic migraine which is defined as more than 15 headache days
per month.
Ø Chronic migraine
patients (adults and children) have decreased academic performance, impaired
work productivity, and can become socially withdrawn.
