MigreLief Covered by Flexible Spending Plans? There are requirements…

As the end of the year approaches and employees enrolled in Section 125 FLEX PAY PLANS calculate the dollars left in their flexible spending account (FSA) or healthcare spending accounts (HSA) due to the “Use it or lose it” policy, it is a good time to remember that MigreLief is considered an OTC (over the counter) item that qualifies for reimbursement under your flex-pay plan, however you’ll need a note from your healthcare provider.

Pursuant to Revenue Ruling 2003-102, over-the-counter drugs that are used to alleviate or treat personal injuries or sickness are now reimbursable through health care flexible spending accounts. Employees’ flex pay pretax contributions are not subject to federal, state, or social security taxes. In general, individuals must use funds from a flexible spending account for medical care. Medical care is for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, OR for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body (section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code).

Per the IRS – Eligible expenses include, “Dietary supplements or herbal medicines to treat medical conditions in narrow circumstances.”

MigreLief qualifies… however, as of 2011 qualifying OTC items require a note from your doctor. In addition, the supplement must be purchased at a participating pharmacy that accepts this type of pay plan.

Many MigreLief users have been prescribed MigreLief by a neurologist, general practitioner or other healthcare professional for medical purposes. If you use any MigreLief supplements, approach your healthcare practitioner for a prescription to be placed on file with your flex-pay plan administrator so you can purchase it monthly with your pretax dollars.

Studies have shown that employees on average lose approximately $100 annually in forfeited balances within their employee health care flex spending accounts because any money remaining in your flexible spending account on Dec 31 disappears and is retained by your employer.

If you have money in your flex-pay account at year end, stock up on MigreLief or other items from the list below to avoid losing those dollars.

Many other OTC items you may not have considered also qualify for reimbursement with a note from your doctor. The following is a list of common non-prescription over-the-counter items the IRS has determined to be primarily for medical care and eligible for reimbursement, and dual purpose items that are reimbursable with a physician’s statement.

Note: This list does not include all reimbursable items but is the best guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service to date.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Allergy medicine

Antacids

Bactine

Band-Aids/bandages

Anti-diarrhea medicine

Bug-bite medication

Calamine lotion

Carpal-tunnel wrist supports

Cold medicines

Reading glasses

Cold/hot packs for injuries

Condoms

Contact lens cleaning solution

Cough drops

Spermicidal foam

Diaper rash ointments

First aid cream/First aid kits

Hemorrhoid medication

Incontinence supplies

Laxatives

Liquid adhesive for small cuts

Menstrual cycle products for pain/cramps

Motion sickness pills

Muscle or joint pain products

Nasal sinus sprays/strips

Nicotine gum/patches for stop-smoking

Pain relievers

Pedialyte for ill child dehydration

Pregnancy test kits

Rubbing alcohol

Sinus medications

Sleeping aids to treat insomnia

Sunburn ointments or creams

Thermometers (ear or mouth)

Throat lozenges

Visine and other eye products

Wart remover treatments

Dual purposes OTC items

The following list of dual-purpose over-the-counter items can be reimbursed if used for medical purposes. They must be accompanied by a medical practitioner’s note stating the item is to treat a specific medical condition and not a cosmetic procedure.

Acne treatment (Retin A) only to treat a specific medical condition such as acne vulgaris

Dietary supplements or herbal medicines to treat medical conditions in narrow circumstances

Fiber supplements under narrow circumstances

Glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis or other medical conditions

Orthopedic shoes and inserts (only the cost difference between orthopedic and non-orthopedic shoes will be reimbursed)

Hormone therapy and treatment for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats

Pills for lactose intolerance

Prenatal vitamins

St. John’s Wort for depression

Sunscreen

Weight-loss drugs to treat a specific disease including obesity

Medical expenses eligible for reimbursement under a Section 125 cafeteria plan

Acupuncture

Adoption related medical costs

Air conditioner filters for allergy relief (supplied by online Goodman furnace and AC)

Alcoholism treatment

Ambulance services

Attendant for blind or deaf student

Autoette

Birth control pills

Blind persons accessories (seeing eye dog, Braille training, special schooling)

Capital expenditures (home modifications for handicapped)

Car modifications for handicapped

Childbirth prep classes (mother only)

Chiropractors

Christian Science treatment

Contact lenses (including replacement insurance)

Cosmetic Surgery (non-elective only)

Crutches

Deaf persons accessories (hearing aids, special schooling)

Dental fees

Dentures

Diagnostic fees

Doctors’ fees

Domestic aid (in home nurse)

Drug addiction treatment

Dyslexia language training

Electrolysis (medical reasons only)

Elevator for cardiac conditions

Eye exams and glasses

Fertility enhancement

Fluoride device

Guide animals

Hair transplant (surgical and medical reasons)

Hearing aids

HMO’s

Hospital care (in-patient)

Indian medicine man

Insulin

Insurance premiums (medical post-tax only)

Iron lung

Lab fees

Laetrile (legal use)

Laser eye surgery

Lead paint removal

Learning disability (doctor recommended special schooling fees)

Legal expenses related to medical condition

Lifetime medical care prepaid-retirement home

Limbs (artificial)

Lodging (for medical care away from home)

Long Term Care Services (qualified medical only)

Meals (medical care away from home)

Medical conferences (relating to illness)

Nursing home (medical reasons)

Nursing services (home care)

Operation (legal, including abortion)

Organ Donor

Orthodontia

Orthopedic shoes

Osteopaths

Oxygen equipment

Prescription Drugs

Psychiatric care

Psychotherapists

Sexual dysfunction treatment

Sterilization

Stop Smoking Programs (and related stop smoking prescription drugs only)

Swimming pool (for polio or arthritis treatment)

Telephone equipment (for hearing impaired)

Television close caption prescribed by doctor

Vasectomy

Weight loss programs (doctor prescribed for medical reasons)

Wheelchair

Wigs (alleviation of physical or mental discomfort)

X-rays

If you have not opted in to your firm’s flex-pay plan, you may want to consider it during the next enrollment period. Many other items you use regularly may be covered and it is a good way to cut taxes. In many cases it is permitted to add or a portable air conditioner to the plan. Consult the portable air conditioner guide for all the details.

Though some flex pay plans offer an explicit choice of cash or benefits, most today are operated through a “salary redirection agreement”, which is a payroll deduction in all but name. Deductions under such agreements are often called pre-tax deductions because salary redirection contributions are not actually or constructively received by the participant. Therefore, those contributions are not generally considered wages for federal income tax purposes, nor are they usually subject to Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax (FICA) and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA).

So remember to save your receipt the next time you purchase MigreLief and submit it along with a note from your doctor for reimbursement.

~ The MigreLief Team

2018 Amazing Wellness Awards – MigreLief-NOW

And the winners are….

From the editors of Amazing Wellness Magazine, MigreLief-NOW was selected “Best New Herbal Remedy 2018.”

MigreLief-NOW, Akeso’s Health Sciences’ fast acting, “as-needed formula” is an effective nutritional option for migraine and headache sufferers age 2+. Not just for migraines and headaches, MigreLief-NOW can be taken daily for joint health and comfort.

Both MigreLief-NOW and MigreLief Original (daily maintenance formula) are sold in Vitamin Shoppes and Meijer stores nationwide.

Visit MigreLief.US store-finder for a store near you.

Children’s Migraines – The Biggest, Baddest Bully

In society today, parents have so many things to worry about when it comes to their children. The behavior of other children is usually high on any parents’ concern list. The stress caused to a child by a bully is unimaginable and it is difficult to ease their pain, and both emotional and physical stress. Now imagine helping your child cope with an unseen bully who strikes viciously without warning. Most parents would risk life and limb to protect their child, but what happens if this vicious bully is not flesh and blood, but an acute medical condition?

On the government sponsored anti-bullying website, bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children, which involve a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Likewise, migraine attacks are known to come on quickly and attack aggressively, usually with no warning. Migraines can be very frightening and can be hard to get a handle on for anyone, especially children.

Like a bully who terrorizes your child, causes pain and harms their self-esteem, frequent migraines and headache attacks can also sabotage your child’s long-term well-being. Some people believe bullying is a part of growing up and it provides kids an opportunity to stand up to those who are stronger than them. In the same way, people often dismiss children’s migraines believing they will eventually go away on their own. Unfortunately, migraines often persist long into adulthood for many sufferers as a matter of fact, half of all adults with migraines had their first attack before the age of 12. Frequent migraines and headaches can have long-term negative consequences as they often hinder your child’s performance at school, damage their self-esteem and lead to depression.

Parents and Health Care Professionals Now Have a Safe Option for Children with Migraines

Do your kids suffer from migraine?

It is almost certain that children who suffer from migraine headaches have the same stress in their lives as children who are terrorized by bullies at school. When a child is bullied, they experience daily fear, knowing the terror is coming, much like migraine sufferers live with the stress of knowing an onset could arise at any time. Victims of bullying feel trapped, helpless and small. Unable to deal with their problem, they display physical symptoms like stress headaches, stomach-ache, agitation, restlessness, changes in appetite, dizziness, and general aches and pains. Psychological symptoms often include irritability, anxiety, sadness, trouble sleeping, and tiredness in the mornings, loneliness, helplessness, and feeling isolated.

Children with recurring migraines experience these same symptoms and are very likely to miss school and other activities. Research shows almost 80% of children who suffer from migraines have trouble coping with normal day-to-day routines. The sense of vulnerability caused by migraines hinders their performance in school and causes frequent emotional changes, such as anxiety and sadness. Only frequent migraine sufferers know the ultimate sacrifices you have to make in your daily life in order to deal with the pain they bring. Wondering and worrying about the next migraine attack when you feel helpless affects the entire family and is debilitating to both parents and children.

Help and Hope for Children with Migraines

No parent wants to see their child suffer. But so often parents feel helpless too and do just that–standby and watch their child suffer a migraine attack. This is because children do not have many safe options when it comes to fighting migraines. Many prescription and OTC medications are difficult for adults to tolerate much-less children. Many therapies just don’t work. So what is a parent to do?

First of all, never dismiss symptoms of migraine in children. Preschool children may or may not have head pain and merely look ill with abdominal pain and vomiting. They may become irritable, cry, seek out a darkened room and often sleep an hour after onset. After the age of 5 children often experience migraines similar to adults; pulsating pain on one side of the head, visual disturbances (aura), vertigo, and sensitivity to light, sound and smells.

Team MigreLief – A Powerful Force

Recommended by pediatric neurologists nationwide, Children’s MigreLief and MigreLief-NOW can make a world of difference and is a great place to start. Likewise, many people discover MigereLief long after they’ve tried everything else.

Children’s MigreLief (or MigreLief Original for kids over 100 lbs or age 13+) is to be taken twice daily (a.m. and p.m.) to nutritionally support kids with migraines by helping to maintain the normal cerebrovascular tone and function they experience on non-migraine days and by maintaining healthy mitochondrial energy reserves (the powerhouses of cells) in the brain.

MigreLief’s daily formulas (Original or Children’s) is designed to work over a 3-month time frame where it grows in effectiveness. What to do in the meantime???? Our fast-acting formula, MigreLief-NOW was created for those difficult times when you need help most… “Now!”

MigreLief-NOW is Akeso Health Sciences fast-acting formula for adults and children to be taken “as-needed” for on-the-spot neurological comfort. It is important to note that MigreLief-NOW is not meant to replace Children’s MigreLief which must be taken daily. MigreLief-NOW may be kept on hand at all times and taken at the first sign of discomfort. The dose for children is listed on the label (approximately 1/2 the adult dose depending on age). The dose can be repeated in 2 hours if necessary.

Note: Children’s MigreLief caplets can be crushed and sprinkled on food such as applesauce, yogurt etc. for easier swallowing. MigreLief-NOW is a capsule and can be opened and sprinkled on food as well.

NOTE: Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) is a water-soluble vitamin so what your body doesn’t absorb immediately gets eliminated in urine – hence the possibility of bright yellow urine. This is normal and harmless!

If you have a child or know of a child being bullied by migraines, let MigreLief make a difference.

Although many people experience positive benefits in under 1 month, Children’s MigreLief should be taken for 90 days to build blood levels for maximum effectiveness. We are so confident that our MigreLief daily maintenance formula for children will make a positive difference that we offer a 100% money back guarantee when purchased at MigreLief.com or by calling 1-800-758-8746 if you try MigreLief for 90 days (each bottle is a 1 month supply).

Click here for more information or to purchase MigreLief products

To the Best of Health,

Your MigreLief Team at Akeso Health Sciences

**These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Children’s Migrelief and Migrelief-NOW are dietary supplements providing nutritional support found to help migraine sufferers maintain already normal cerebrovascular tone and function and correct certain nutritional shortages or needs.

Migraine Headache Facts

General Migraine Facts

The word migraine comes from the Greek “hemicrania” and means “half-headed”, because of the stabbing or pulsating pain that is frequently experienced on one side of the head. Migraines date as far back as 4,000 years ago and are even referred to in biblical texts.

Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world: it is more prevalent than asthma, epilepsy and diabetes combined.

The World Health Organization lists migraines 19th among the world’s most debilitating and disabling diseases.

Severe migraine attacks are classified by the World Health Organization as among the most disabling illnesses, comparable to dementia, quadriplegia and active psychosis (Shapiro & Goadsby, Cephalalgia, September 2007)

An estimated 25 million days are lost from work or school every year because of migraine (Steiner et al, Cephalalgia, 2003)

Over half (54%) of migraineurs experience one or more attacks per month, and 13% claim one or more attacks per week (Steiner et al, Cephalalgia, 2003)

Women are more likely to have migraine attacks than men – 18% of women and 8% of men (Steiner et al, Cephalalgia, 2003)

Children can get migraine attacks too. Attacks can start at any age, but they usually start in children who are in their early to mid-teens (Goadsby et al, New England Journal of Medicine, 2002)

A survey of neurologists found that up to one-third of all patients consulted because of headache – more than for any other complaint (WHO, Factsheet 277, March 2004)

Depression is three times more common in people with migraine or severe headaches than in A migraine headache can last up to 72 hours if not treated.

An estimated 70% of those with migraines have not been diagnosed and do not seek treatment.

Those who suffer migraines report an average of 35 migraines a year.

According to the American Medical Association, 18% of women in the US experience migraine headaches.

Migraine headaches cost $13 billion annually in lost productivity and absenteeism.

Only 6% of the American male population experience migraine headaches.

Migraine headaches afflict 5% of the children and the adolescents in the United States under the age of 15.healthy individuals (WHO, Factsheet 277, March 2004)

Children’s Migraine Facts

Kids can get migraines at any age. Migraine has been reported in children as young as 18 months. Recently, infant colic was found to be associated with childhood migraine and may even be an early form of migraine.

About one out of every 10 kids or nearly 8 million children in the United States alone are plagued by what has become the most common acute and recurrent headache pattern experienced by children today.

A child who has one parent with migraine has a 50% chance of inheriting it, and if both parents have migraine, the chances rise to 75%.

Migraines may occur with or without aura and last in children from 30 minutes to 48 hours. (Migraine aura is the collective name given to the many types of neurological symptoms that may occur just before or during a migraine such as visual, sensory, motor or verbal disturbance.)

Common precursors and symptoms of child migraine; cyclical vomiting, abdominal migraine pain, vertigo, and sensitivity to light.

About 10% of school-age children suffer from migraine, and up to 28% of adolescents between the ages of 15-19 are affected by it.

Half of all migraine sufferers have their first attack before the age of 12.

Migraines are more common in boys than girls until girls begin menstruation

Migraine in children can differ from migraine in adults. Non-headache and neurological symptoms (aura) may be more prominent than the headache.

Child Migraine is often under-diagnosed by doctors, possibly due to the prominence of non-headache symptoms

Preventive and Acute Migraine Treatments

Debilitating migraines should not be a way of life but for many men, women and children suffering chronic migraines (many migraine days each month)… they, unfortunately, are.

Migraine treatments can be PREVENTIVE with the goal of stopping migraines before they start or ACUTE, treating the pain once it starts.

Often migraine sufferers find themselves running the gambit of preventive and acute treatments in search of migraine relief which can include, side-effect prone prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. This can be grueling, especially if the migraine medications you turn to, turn on you which can be the case with the chronic use of prescription and over-the-counter pain-killers including acetaminophen and NSAIDS such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen. Not only can chronic overuse lead to “rebound” or medication overuse headaches, but it can also lead to kidney or liver damage, bleeding and an increase in cardiovascular risk.

NUTRITIONAL OPTIONS – A GREAT PLACE TO START

There are many nutritional options that are known to have benefits for migraine sufferers. Three of the most effective are: Riboflavin, Magnesium, and Feverfew. This vitamin, mineral and herb are listed in the American Academy of Neurology’s Guidelines for Migraine Prevention.

Magnesium, Riboflavin (B-2) and Feverfew are combined into one dietary supplement: MIGRELIEF® – TRIPLE THERAPY WITH PURACOL™

Providing THREE MECHANISMS OF ACTION TO HELP MAINTAIN NORMAL NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION… MigreLief Original Formula, Children’s MigreLief (age 2-11) and MigreLief+M/menstrual were formulated to help migraineurs maintain normal cerebrovascular (blood vessels that supply the brain) tone and function by addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies and imbalances that are common to many migraine sufferers. These deficiencies may lead to many dysfunctional processes in the brain.

Dysfunctional brain processes that can affect normal cerebrovascular tone and function include:

Decreases in the Brains Cellular Energy Reserves. Cells lose their energy production ability when the powerhouses of the cells (the mitochondria) become dysfunctional due to nutritional deficiency.
Excessive Platelet Aggregation – The clumping together of blood cells in the brain result in blood vessel changes (vasoconstriction and vasodilation)
Vasospasms (the contraction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain which occurs during migraines).

The combination of ingredients in MigreLief’s daily formulas; Original MigreLief, Children’s MigreLief and MigreLief+M (menstrual migraines) help to maintain normal cerebrovascular tone and function.

THE MIGRELIEF NUTRITIONAL MIGRAINE REGIMEN
“DAILY MAINTENANCE” & “AS-NEEDED” MIGRELIEF OPTIONS

Action Step 1: Chronic Migraine Sufferers – Choose a Daily Maintenance Formula and Take Daily

MigreLief Original – Age 12-Adult use daily
Children’s MigreLief – Age 2-Adult use daily
MigreLief+M – Women with Menstrual Hormonal Migraines use daily

Action Step 2: Take MigreLief’s “As-Needed” Migraine Formula On-The-Spot

MigreLief-NOW – Age 12-Adult, use as needed (dose for children is 1/2 adult dose stated on the label)

Important Reminder: MigreLief daily formulas for chronic migraine sufferers may take 3 weeks to 3 months to build blood levels for maximum benefits so don’t stop taking it for at least 90 days. It will grow in effectiveness. In the meantime, take your MigreLief-NOW as needed.

Money-Back Guarantee – If purchased online at MigreLief.com or by calling 1-800-758-8746, Akeso Health Sciences (creator of MigreLief) offers a Risk-FREE money back guarantee if you try MigreLief for 3 months, sufficient time for maximum benefits.

WHERE TO BUY MIGRELIEF: Store locator: Visit MigreLief.US and type in your zip code for a store near you. Independent pharmacies, Meijer, Vitmain Shoppe (Sept 2018), Medicine Shoppe, many Walgreens and hundreds of other stores sell MigreLief. Visit MigreLief.com or call 1-800-758-8746

MIGRELIEF FEEDBACK: Visit MigreLief’s Facebook page for amazing unsolicited feedback by “MigreLief Fans” or ask questions.

Remember… It’s never too late to get your life back and to start living the life you love!

New Blood Pressure Guidelines – Who Are They Helping?

In November 2017, the American Heart Association redefined high blood pressure. Originally high blood pressure was defined as 140/90 or higher and if people could not get below those numbers through lifestyle changes, blood pressure medication was recommended. The new definition of high blood pressure/hypertension has been lowered to 130/80 or above, thus by the stroke of a pen, the American Heart Association has declared that almost 50% of adults living in the United States are hypertensive. This means that millions of people, who are not taking drugs for hypertension, may very likely be told by their doctors to start taking blood pressure medications. The question is who are these new guidelines helping?

The drug companies will be laughing all the way to the bank with this new high blood pressure definition. This is similar to what the drug companies convinced the doctors to do by reducing cholesterol guidelines so more people would be prescribed cholesterol drugs. In my opinion, healthy people who don’t have any cardiovascular risk should totally stay away from these cholesterol drugs and should equally cautious about taking blood pressure medications, indicated by these new guidelines.

For sure the drug companies will benefit financially but what do these new tightened blood pressure goals mean to you the patient. The study led to the change in guidelines was called the Sprint study and it looked at over 9,000 people who had blood pressure of 130/80 or higher. Half of the 9,000 participants were given medication to lower their blood pressure to 120/80 or below. The other half were given medication but less intensively to lower their blood pressure to 140/90 or below. To determine the benefit of the more intensive treatment vs. the less intensive treatment, the outcomes of heart attack, or other acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure or cardiovascular death were measured. The study concluded that, 6.8% of the people whose blood pressure was lowered to 140/90 with the less intensive treatment suffered one of these cardiovascular events and 5.2% of the people whose blood pressure was lowered to 120/80 with higher doses of drugs or a combination of drugs suffered one of these cardiovascular events.

This amounts to an absolute difference of 1.6% between the 2 test groups. What does this 1.6% difference mean in real life? In effect it says… If 62 new people are put on the more intensive medication to get to 120/80 or below as opposed to 140/90 or below, only 1 person out of 62 would be spared a cardiovascular event. The other 61 people would get absolutely no benefit. Even worse, while receiving no benefit, they would running the risk of side-effects and adverse events associated with these drugs such as dizziness, cough, erectile dysfunction, skin rash, loss of taste, skin rash, fatigue, depression, insomnia etc.

If you are at high risk for a cardiovascular event..

The bottom line… If you are at high risk for a cardiovascular event, or have already had one or have angina, or atrial fibrillation or have a high familial risk, follow your doctor’s guidelines after you try lifestyle changes to get your blood pressure to wherever he or she suggests it be. BUT if you are healthy and have not had a heart attack and do not have cardiovascular or familial risk factors and your blood pressure is above 120/80 but below 140/90, think twice about taking any blood pressure medications if your physician suggests them because of these new guidelines. Instead, try losing some weight, reducing sugar intake, adding some additional moderate exercise and perhaps take an extra 400 mg/day of magnesium and these changes will more than likely get you where you want to be with no drugs required.

To the Best of Health,

Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.

Topiramate Side-Effects & Hair Regrowth Options

Migraine Prevention Drugs Prove No Better Than Placebo

Scientist and patent holder, Curt Hendrix explain the science of MigreLief.

Migraine Prevention Drugs, Topiramate and Amitriptyline Prove No Better than Placebo in Children

Akeso Health Sciences attended annual conferences of the AAP (American Association of Pediatricians) and the CNS (Child Neurology Society) to exhibit its migraine supplements as effective nutritional support for children aged 2+ suffering chronic or episodic migraine.

It was great to meet face-to-face with some of the neurologists, headache specialists, and other healthcare professionals who have been recommending MigreLief supplements for years. Both MigreLief formulas, “daily maintenance” and “as-needed” were well received.

It was at the recent CNS convention that we were first informed of the study regarding the use of topiramate and amitriptyline for migraine prevention in children. The study was published simultaneously with its presentation at the annual meeting of the Child Neurology Society in Vancouver.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 328 children and adolescents aged 8-17 who were diagnosed with migraines (with or without aura) concluded that Amitriptyline and Topiramate proved no better than placebo at preventing migraine in children and were associated with adverse side-effects.

In the study, the participants recorded the number of headaches they experienced during a 28 day baseline period and then were given either a placebo, topiramate, or amitriptyline during a 24 week trial period. The drug doses were increased every 2 weeks over an 8 week period with doses modified according to side-effects. In the end, no differences in effectiveness were seen between the two drug groups and the placebo group, however, the authors observed higher rates of adverse side-effects overall in the active treatment groups than the placebo.

Amitriptyline users more often reported fatigue (30%) and dry mouth (25%), whereas Topiramate users more often reported paresthesia (31%) (burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body), and weight loss (8%). Other side-effects reported with Topiramate included fatigue (25%), dry mouth (18%), memory impairment (17%), aphasia (16%), cognitive disorder (16%), and upper respiratory tract infection (12%). Serious adverse events included altered mood in three patients in the amitriptyline group and one suicide attempt in the topiramate group.

Before the trial was concluded, the Food and Drug Administration approved topiramate for the treatment of episodic migraine in adolescents aged 12-17 years.

“Given the null outcome in this trial and the adverse events and serious adverse events reported in the amitriptyline and topiramate groups, the data do not show a favorable risk-benefit profile for the use of these therapies in pediatric migraine prevention, at least over the 24-week duration of the trial,” the study authors concluded.

If you are a parent of a young migraine sufferer, consider MigreLief nutritional support formulas.

To the Best of Health,

Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.
Chief Scientific Officer
Akeso Health Sciences

Click to view original article published online Oct 27, 2016 – The New England Journal of Medicine.

Click to view Children’s MigreLief product information pdf – Children’s MigreLief and Fast-Acting MigreLief NOW (Age 2+)

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome – Hallucinogenic Migraines

Many of you who either suffer from chronic migraine headaches or have a close friend or loved one, who has them, are familiar with the visual disturbances that can occur prior to the migraine pain, known as auras.

Some symptoms of auras are bright flashing lights, zigzag line in your field of vision and areas in your field of vision that are blocked out, just to mention a few.

These auras are taken to a whole other level of intensity when migraine sufferers experience what are known as “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome” migraines. (AIWS)

Thought to be caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain which leads to irregular blood flow in parts of the brain that control vision, these “hallucinations” result in severe distortion and perception of what the sufferer is viewing.

Sufferers when viewing their own body parts may think that they look gigantic or extremely tiny. Their feet may seem to be a mile away from their knees. Rooms and walls may sway and look like they are bending and flexing. Hallways can look much longer than they actually are and perception of both time and space can be totally disrupted. Every day noises like the sound of a TV can sound incredibly loud. Children can complain that the blackboard in school looks very far away.

Episodes of AIWS usually occur without the pain associated with migraines.

These unusual perceptions are very similar to what Alice experienced in Wonderland when she fell into the hole and in fact may be in the story because Lewis Carroll was known to suffer with severe migraines and may have had these kinds of perception issues himself.

AIWS is most common in migraine sufferers and children. AIWS in children even without migraine pain can indicate that the child might develop migraines as he/she ages. The eyes are healthy upon examination and the abnormal perception is caused by brain malfunction in the areas of the brain like the occipital lobe that processes perception.

The altered visual images that sufferers perceive can also be coupled with changes in sensation, touch and hearing. The first attack of AIWS can make sufferers think they are “losing their minds” or going crazy and can be quite upsetting and scary. These disturbances can make a person with AIWS afraid to walk or move.

Other than the fear caused by the strange perceptions caused by AIWS there is no known long-term harm caused by the condition. The episodes should be treated by whatever medical options the sufferer has found beneficial for their regular migraines. Though it is unlikely that there is anything structurally wrong with the brain, to be safe, if you do experience an episode of AIWS, getting an MRI of the brain is advisable.

Since AIWS is not very common, and occurs most frequently in children, it is not known if taking preventive medications or supplements known to prevent chronic migraines such as, prescription drugs or well-known dietary supplements like, MigreLief, will eliminate or reduce the occurrence of AIWS, though it is conceivable they might, because they do help to establish normal cerebrovascular function which goes “haywire” both during migraines and AIWS.

Curt Hendrix M.S. C.C.N. C.N.S.

Help for Children with Headaches & Other Symptoms of Migraine

As June and Migraine Awareness Month winds down, let us not forget that children and babies get migraines too! This disabling disorder significantly impacts the quality of life of both children and parents. Migraines interfere with all aspects of a child’s life and can lead to increased risk of depression. Researchers believe there is an increased sensitivity after each successive migraine attack, eventually leading to chronic daily migraine in some individuals. For this and many other reasons, children’s migraines should not be dismissed and parents should not simply wait for their child to “grow out of them.”

Many migraine treatments and medications are not well tolerated by adults, much less something to which a parent would want to subject their child. (Press Release)

A GREAT PLACE FOR PARENTS TO START – Drug Free Dietary Supplements Providing Comprehensive Nutritional Support

A great place to start, if your child suffers migraines is with the dietary supplements, Children’s MigreLief (taken daily) and MigreLief-NOW (taken “as-needed”). These two migraine supplements work well together and can be taken by children age 2 and above to maintain normal brain cerebrovascular tone and function.

Children’s MigreLief is to be taken twice daily. MigreLief-NOW is to be taken as-needed at the first sign of discomfort.

Note: The dose of MigreLief-NOW for children age 2-11 is 1/2 the adult stated on the back of the bottle.

MigreLief migraine supplements DO NOT contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Naproxen, caffeine or butterbur.

PRESS RELEASE – June 2017

LEARN MORE

To the Best of Health,

Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.,
Chief Scientific Officer, Akeso Health Sciences

Puracol Feverfew for Migraines – Superior Effectiveness

The herb Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium) has been recorded as a medicinal remedy for millennia. One can find references to the Latin “febrefugia” from which Feverfew gets its name in Old Saxon records. Hildegard of Bingen, a great 12th century abbess and healer made mention of it in her herbal tomes. Febrefugia literally means “Fever flies,” and has always been used as a fever reducer among other purposes. In even more ancient times, the Greeks used Feverfew to treat melancholy which was characterized as much by debilitating headaches as it was by long-term depression.

Historically Feverfew has also been used as a dietary supplement for headaches, constipation, diarrhea, and dizziness. But one of the greatest boons in the modern era is the discovery of Feverfew as an aid for migraine headaches.

FEVERFEW & MIGRAINES
Commonly recommended for its ability to support cerebrovascular tone, Feverfew is rich in compounds known as sesquiterpene lactones. One of the more important of these compounds is parthenolide, which represents 85% of the sesquiterpene lactone content in Feverfew. Some scientific studies indicate that while parthenolide may be important there may very well be other phytochemicals in Feverfew that are as of yet unidentified and play a role in its effectiveness.

PURACOL FEVERFEW
Some studies of extracts of feverfew containing parthenolide yielded no significant benefits. This led researchers to believe that some of the unidentified phytochemicals may have been left behind during the extraction process. The ideal solution would be a non-extracted feverfew product that naturally contained high levels of parthenolide AND kept all of the other naturally occurring phytochemicals as well. For this reason Puracol Feverfew (AKESO HEALTH SCIENCE’S proprietary non extracted plant source for feverfew with high levels of naturally occurring parthenolide) was developed. Puracol Feverfew is just one of the reasons for the superior efficacy of MigreLief, which delivers optimal dosages of parthenolide. Scientific studies have found parthenolide inhibits platelet aggregation and the release of serotonin from platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules.* It has also been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis and the release of arachadonic acid. Each of these phenomena is associated with migraines. European studies have shown the benefits of feverfew on long-term cerebrovasular tone in multiple human studies.

INHIBITING BLOOD PLATELET AGGREGATION
Feverfew can help to prevent the clumping together of platelets in the blood – part of the sequence of events leading to the formation of a clot)

Over aggregating of platelets in the blood appear just before a migraine forcing a release of serotonin. Serotonin causes the blood vessel to constrict. Scientific studies have found parthenolide inhibits platelet aggregation and the release of serotonin from platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules, thus keeping the blood vessel normal resulting in less painful, less frequent or cessation of migraines.

Feverfew has also been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis and the release of arachadonic acid. Each of these phenomena is associated with migraines. European studies have shown the benefits of Feverfew on long-term cerebrovasular tone in multiple human studies.

ACTIVATING DYSFUNCTIONAL BRAIN PROCESSES
Though the exact cause of migraines is not known, certain triggers like tyramine in aged cheeses, chocolate, scents/perfumes, bright lights, changes in weather/temperature/humidity/altitude, over-use of headache medications, stress, hormonal fluctuations and many more, can activate certain processes that increase the risk of migraines occurring.

The dysfunctional processes that these triggers can activate are:

* Excessive platelet aggregation which can result in changes in blood vessels associated with migraines.

* Decrease in the cellular energy reserves in the brain that are common to migraine sufferers.

NUTRITIONAL APPROACH – When Migraine Sufferers Get These 3 Factors Under Control – The Results Can Be Life Changing

1. Maintain normal platelet aggregation

2. Reduce or eliminate vasospasms

3. Maintain normal mitochondrial energy reserve in the brain.

A Nutritional Approach to Migraine Control: Riboflavin, Magnesium and Feverfew for maintaining normal cerebrovascular function.
All 3 of these ingredients are listed in the American Academy of Neurology’s Guidelines for Migraine Prevention.

Magnesium: Research studies show that almost half of all migraine sufferers have low blood levels of Magnesium, which is critical in controlling vasospasms (the contraction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain which occurs during migraines).

Riboflavin: Migraine sufferers also suffer mitochondrial energy deficiencies, which Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) can improve when given in high dosages.

Feverfew: Research studies show Feverfew inhibits blood platelet aggregation and is anti-inflammatory.

For adults and children over the age of 2 who suffer migraines chronically, this combination is a great place to start and is a good alternative to the chronic use of NSAIDs like aspirin, and ibuprofen without the negative side-effects. You can find these formulas at MIGRELIEF.com

To the Best of Health,
Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.

MIGRELIEF.com

KIDS, MIGRAINES AND SCHOOL

Kids are enjoying summer and surely don’t want to think about going back to school, but this is a good time for parents of young migraine sufferers to think about back-to-school. Parents should be aware that their children are at higher risk for developing headaches and migraines at the beginning of a new school year. As high as 35% of kids can suffer from some type of reoccurring headache, and up to a quarter of those headaches can be migraines.

Emotional issues, stress, and sleep issues can cause migraines in these children. As the number of attacks increase, depression and sleep disorders can escalate and caffeine consumption can worsen these problems.

Though over the counter medication can be used to try to help deal with the pain, care must be taken to make sure the use of the medications does not exceed one to two times a week. Rebound headaches can occur if use of these drugs is too frequent.

Making sure children are well rested, eating fruits and vegetables regularly, avoiding too much caffeine and staying well hydrated is a great start but often not enough for kids with migraines especially if you don’t know what triggers your child’s migraines. If your pediatrician does diagnose migraines that are occurring once a week or more, look into Migrelief (age 12+) or Children’s MigreLief, a dietary supplement formulated to provide nutritional support for helping to maintain normal cerebrovascular tone and function. Although many migraineurs have experienced positive benefits with MigreLief or Children’s MigreLief in under one month, the triple action ingredients (magnesium, riboflavin and Puracol™ feverfew) can take up to 3 months for maximum benefits. June or July is a good time to start the MigreLief nutritional regimen.

MigreLief dietary supplements are recommended by many pediatric neurologists and headache specialists. It is available in a daily formula and an as-needed formula for children age 2-adult.

The 3 daily formulas are “Original MigreLief” – age 12-adult, “Children’s MigreLief” – age 2-12 and MigreLief+M (women with menstrual migraines).
Fast-acting formula, “MigreLief-NOW” can be taken as-need for neurological comfort. The dose for children age 2-12 is stated on the label.

Akeso MigreLief supplements can be purchased on online at MigreLief.com, at the Vitamin Shoppe nationwide, Meijer stores, and independent pharmacies. If you pharmacist doesn’t stock it, be sure to ask for it as they can order it from their normal distributor and usually have it for you within 24 hours.

To the Best of Health,

Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.

Children’s Migraine Headache Relief – YouTube Video

Press Release: At Last! Safe Relief For Children’s Migraines – The First Natural Migraine Supplement Just for Kids