I.C.E. DOWN Migraine Clinical Study

A clinical study of I.C.E. DOWN was made at the University of California, San Diego, Medical Center. The research was conducted by: John F. Rothrock, M.D. President, San Diego Cerebrovascular Foundation, Director, UCSD Stroke Center and associate Professor of Clinical Neuroscience.

The study was made over a two month period on patients with migraine (common and classical) and muscle tension headache, or both, to determine the effect of I.C.E. DOWN cold therapy on their headaches.

The results of the study are as follows:

• 73% of the patients improved since beginning the use of I.C.E. DOWN
• 76% said that it reduced pain and throbbing
• 60% said that it lessened the severity of pain
• 58% stated that it helped muscle spasms in the back of the neck
• 83% would prefer using I.C.E. DOWN cold therapy treatments rather than drugs
• 80% would recommend I.C.E. DOWN to friends or family

Patient's comments:

I.C.E. DOWN relieves the pain at night, so I can sleep.

I.C.E. DOWN is very helpful in the beginning of a headache.  It gives a very pleasant feeling and brings relief.

I usually wake up with a headache but not after using I.C.E. DOWN.

I.C.E. DOWN gave me a relieving effect of calming, it also helped my nausea feeling.

I used two I.C.E. DOWN wraps on my head and neck together and my pain completely disappears.

I.C.E. DOWN is very helpful when lying down to lessen headache symptoms, relaxing.

I.C.E. DOWN seems to numb the extra sore spots on my head.

What causes Migraine?

Doctors think migraines may be caused by a chemical or electrical problem in certain parts of the brain. A key element of a migraine headache is blood flow change in the brain. According to theory, the nervous system responds to a trigger such as stress by creating spasms in the nerve-rich arteries at the base of the brain. The spasms constrict several arteries supplying blood to the brain, including arteries from the scalp and neck.

As these arteries constrict, the flow of blood to the brain is reduced. At the same time, platelets clump together and release a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin acts as a powerful constrictor of arteries further reducing blood and oxygen supply to the brain. In reaction to the reduced oxygen supply, certain arteries within the brain dilate to meet the brain's energy needs. This dilation spreads, finally affecting neck and scalp arteries. Doctors believe this dilation causes the pain of migraine.

Some things can trigger a migraine or make it worse.

Headache triggers can be things you eat, smell, hear or see.

• Stress and time pressure, major hassles, major losses, anger and conflict.
• Smells and fumes, tobacco smoke, light glare or dazzle, weather changes.
• Monthly periods, birth control pills, estrogen therapy.
• Too much, too little or interrupted sleep.
• Hunger, fasting, specific foods or beverages. (See table 1.)
• Excessive activity. - Certain medicines may cause migraine

Women and Migraines

Both men and women are affected by migraines but the condition is most common in adult women. Out of 28 million migraine suffers in the U.S. 70% are women and most often the disorder begins between the ages of five and 35.

Approximately 65% of the female migraine suffers complain of headaches immediately before, during or immediately after menstruation. Hormones seem to influence migraine development. Women may have menstrual migraines, which can disappear during pregnancy. Other women develop migraines for the first time when they are pregnant. Some are first affected after menopause. Scientists report that some women with migraines who take oral contraceptive pills (OCP) experience more frequent severe headache attacks. A smaller number of women experience less frequent, less severe migraines with OCP. Women who do not have migraines may develop migraines as a side effect when using OCP.

WEBSITES THAT RELATE TO MIGRAINE HEADACHE

http://www.headaches.org

http://www.achenet.org

http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/MigraineinWomen.asp