Women who have migraines with aura may be at increased risk of having a heart attack and may face a higher risk of blood clots if they use certain hormonal contraceptives. That's according to two recently published studies that will be presented in March at the 65th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego. Migraine with aura refers to headaches that are preceded by visual or other sensory symptoms, such as blinking in the eyes, blind spots, altered smells, and numbness or tingling in the hands and face. About 1 in 4 people with migraines have this type of migraine.

Migraine with aura can lead to myocardial infarction

In the first study, women who had migraine with aura, but not regular migraine, were found to be at risk of developing myocardial infarction in middle and old age. The analysis looked at data from 28,000 women who participated in the Women's Health Study. Over 15 years of observation, 1,400 women were diagnosed with migraines with aura, of which 1,030 had heart attacks, strokes, or death due to cardiovascular diseases.

According to researcher Tobias Kurth, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and the French National Institute of Health, migraine with aura was the second strongest risk factor for heart attack and stroke after high blood pressure. This study found that migraine with aura may have an even greater impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease than a family history of early heart disease, diabetes or obesity and tobacco smoking.

“We already knew that migraine with aura is associated with cardiovascular risk,” says neurologist and migraine specialist Noah Rosen, “but what was striking about this study was that the risk was so high.” Rosen directs the Headache Center at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute at Long Island North Shore Health System in Manhasset, New York.

Migraine increases the risk of blood clots

In the second study, women with migraine who used combined hormonal contraceptives had an increased risk of blood clots, but the risk was much higher in women with migraine with aura. Combined hormonal contraceptives contain estrogen and progestin. Although it has been suggested that use of the newer generation of combined hormonal contraceptives may carry a greater risk of blood clots, researcher Shivang Joshi, MD, of Brigham and Faulkner Women's Hospital, says the difference between the newer and older generation of hormonal contraceptives was not as great.

Joshi and his colleagues studied the effect of migraine and combined hormonal contraceptives on the risk of developing blood clots, using data from a health insurance registry containing data on women between 2001 and 2012. The researchers identified about 145,000 women who used combined hormonal contraceptives, including 2,691 who had migraines with aura and 3,437 who had migraines without aura.

More often, blood clots and associated complications were observed in women taking both new and old generation contraceptives and in women with migraine with aura, compared with women who suffered from migraine without aura. The severity of these complications was greater in patients with migraine who used combined hormonal contraceptives than in women without migraine who used them.

“More research is needed to understand the effect of new and old generation combined hormonal contraceptives on the risk of blood clots. At the same time, women suffering from migraines who want to use hormonal contraceptives should consult a doctor,” says Joshi.

Rosen says both studies also point to the importance of diagnosing the exact type of migraine. “Only half of people with migraines will ever be diagnosed,” he says. “We now know that it is important to diagnose migraines, not only to treat them, but also to understand the risks of developing other diseases.”

The study by Kurt and his colleagues was supported by the National Institutes of Health. The study by Joshi and colleagues was supported by the Graham Headache Research Center.

Itchy skin, fatigue, snoring, loss of smell are just some of the diseases that accompany the formation of polyps. They can be caused by allergies and intolerance to bread. Do you know why?

By the way, in 1999, at an international symposium on aspirin intolerance in Rome, it was announced that up to 78% nasal polyps caused by taking aspirin.

Polyps - what kind of disease is this?

Nasal polyps are small projections mucous membrane, which cleanses and moisturizes the nose. Most often, the disease affects adults who suffer from diseases of the respiratory system.

Polyps can occur in people with chronic catarrh or asthma. In addition to infection, allergic reactions are also responsible for their occurrence. Ignoring this disease can lead to loss of smell, nasal obstruction and even damage to the nasal bones.

Symptoms of nasal polyps

Fatigue, agitation, irritability, problems concentrating, loss of smell, snore- these are just some of the diseases that accompany nasal polyps.

In addition, diarrhea, constipation, anxiety, dizziness, joint pain, headaches or abdominal pain may occur. Along with nasal polyps, asthma, chronic runny nose and nasal congestion.

Mouth breathing

Nasal congestion caused by polyps leads to the fact that the patient begins to breathe through your mouth. This is especially detrimental to children of developmental age.

Chronic mouth breathing causes retention of nasal secretions. In this case, the likelihood of developing bacterial infection. Copious discharge appears, and the bacteria present in it only deepens the inflammation.

The result is a combination of infection and allergic reaction. Treatment with antibiotics relieves inflammation, but also increases allergies.

Allergies and nasal polyps

In the process of the occurrence of polyps, food plays a huge role, and especially the salicylates it contains, otherwise salicylic acid.

The main cause of polyps is an allergy to mold. The effects of the toxins contained in it are especially harmful. Polyps may also be caused aspirin intolerance and anti-inflammatory drugs that do not belong to the steroid group.

What foods contain salicylates?

Salicylic acid is found in:

  • herbs: basil, thyme, oregano, copra;
  • fruits: apples, oranges, nectarines, apricots, plums;
  • vegetables: spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, chicory;
  • spices: turmeric, curry, cinnamon and cumin.

In addition, salicylates are found in coffee, tea, Coca-Cola, fruit juices, honey, and some types of alcoholic beverages.

Treatment of polyps

Nasal polyps are treated usually by surgical method. However, it is ineffective for allergy sufferers, since their polyps return after a while. Relapse can occur several years after surgery or just a few months.

In such people, treatment of polyps is possible after eliminating foods that cause allergies or through desensitization.