How to combat headaches

There’s a growing concern all over the world about headaches afflicting those in the workplace and even at home. No one is spared from stress in coping with life’s struggles. Athletes are under pressure to perform and require a high level of mental, emotional and physical well-being. It’s not widely known that vestibular migraine is the third leading cause of vertigo dizziness, resulting in feelings of lightheadedness, spinning or floating and imbalance. Trigger factors include lack of proper sleep, stress, fatigue, dehydration and skipping meals.

Fighters who trim down to make their weight are often victims of dehydration and they’re vulnerable to suffer serious brain injuries in the ring with inadequate protective fluids in the skull. They’re also susceptible to vestibular migraine which could lead to dire consequences if proceeding to engage in physical contact.

To make everyone aware of what causes vestibular migraine and how to prevent it, the Philippine Headache Society is holding a webinar featuring neurologist Dr. Artemio (Jun) Roxas of Medical City and PGH from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today. Dr. Roxas is the Society president who succeeded founding president Dr. Regina Macalintal-Canlas, recently retired chair of the Department of Neurosciences at Makati Medical Center (MMC) for nearly 20 years. During her term as Philippine Headache Society head, Dr. Canlas affiliated the organization with the London-based International Headache Society through its president Dr. Peter Goadsby. Dr. Canlas and Dr. Goadsby were under the tutelage of the late world’s headache authority Dr. James W. Lance at the University of New South Wales so their relationship goes back to their school days.

Dr. Canlas said vestibular migraine could lead to fainting spells or collapsing so it’s helpful for everyone to understand how to deal with the onset of a headache. In sports, a jump or lunge could result in a strain on the artery going to the stem of the brain in the neck and could trigger a vestibular migraine leading to a momentary loss of consciousness. The cervical spine is involved in the dynamics so it’s a cause for concern. Dr. Canlas said Dr. Roxas will speak about the nature of vestibular migraine in layman’s terms so as to be understood by everyone. To join today’s webinar, register by clicking this link https://natrapharm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yRkgRjklQzmljli_orM7Rg.

Meanwhile, the World Stroke Organization Angels Initiative has awarded the Stroke Team of the MMC Department of Neurosciences, Section of Neurology, the highest category Diamond status in recognition of providing the best stroke care to ensure excellent patient outcomes. The citation makes MMC the first and only private hospital with Diamond status in 2023, first private hospital to receive the Gold Award in 2019 and the private hospital with the most awards from the World Stroke Organization. Congratulations to Dr. Canlas, her colleagues and MMC for the unprecedented achievement.