Highlights:

Cannabis & migraines.
Resources: NAFC. RxAssist. Steps to file an out-of-network claim.
Healthy Bites: New treatment for ALS. Statins. Friendly fats. Down syndrome treatment.
For Patients.
For Providers.

BEYOND

The end for Migraines

With more than 1 billion people experiencing severe throbbing headaches, Migraines have affected 1/7th of the population.

There might be a good news for people experiencing chronic migraines. According to a new study, which involves the use of medical cannabis as a treatment for migraines.

Primarily it was treated with painkillers. In some cases, the headaches are so debilitating that it made it hard for the patient to even reach out for their painkillers.

Cannabis as a mainstream medicine

Cannabis Sativa also referred to as marijuana has made its place in mainstream medicine. It contains cannabinoids that ease the pain and tame nausea (a common symptom).

Here are some evidence from the study:

The efficiency of medical cannabis was 50% higher than non-cannabis treatments. It reduced the frequency of migraines per month.
It was also able to reduce other symptoms like nausea & vomiting.
It has also yielded good results to prevent acute episodes which gives it preventative properties.

The downfalls

Even though medical cannabis can be an option to treat migraines, extensive research is required. Some of the commonly reported side effects of are listed below:

Irregular heart rate.
Dizziness.
Slow relation time.
Short-term impairment of memory and overall concentration.
Hallucinations.

RESOURCES

A volunteer-based organization, The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) pledges to deliver economically challenging patients with affordable medical services. Use their simple website to find a clinic near you.
RxAssist offers a comprehensive list of Patient Assistance Programs, run by the pharma companies. These programs offer free medication for people who cannot afford to buy their meds.
Confused about out-of-network claims? Learn how you can file one in these easy steps.

HEALTHY BITES

New treatment for ALS: A potential treatment of ALS through transplanting of human neural progenitor cells in to the patient’s spinal cord enter into Phase 1/2a trial .
Statins & muscles: Statins might not be the cause of muscle pain which was earlier believed to be a side effect.
Friendly fats: Fats can be friends too as dietary fats constitute one of the three macronutrients and are essential in our diets.
Down syndrome: According to a new research, restorning GnRH can help improve the learning ability in Down Syndrome people.