Juggling Multiple Conditions With Migraine

Day 7 (2021)

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Key Questions

Why is it important to notify the doctor who’s treating your migraine of all of your other health problems?
How common are comorbid conditions in people with migraine?
What are the most common comorbid conditions in people with migraine?
Are there some conditions that have a relatively low incidence of occurrence but a high correlation with migraine?
Is endometriosis more common in women with migraine than in women without migraine?
How do researchers determine whether migraine is causing a symptom, such as insomnia, or if it is triggering migraine attacks?
How does a physician determine if a patient’s comorbidities are correlated with migraine or caused by migraine?
Is migraine sometimes related to a history of trauma or PTSD?
Is there a link between migraine and concussion?
Is Raynaud’s syndrome a comorbid condition, or are cold hands and feet just a symptom of migraine?
Is depression a cause or an effect of migraine?
Can migraine medication cause depression?
Is there a causal link between migraine and anxiety?
How do you determine if GI problems are a symptom of migraine or a side effect of medication?
How common is constipation as a side effect with the CGRP medications?
Does chronic pain increase migraine comorbidities?
What is the link between migraine and stroke/cardiovascular issues?
Are there any treatment synergies for migraine and its comorbidities?
Are there any treatments that are contraindicated for people with certain comorbidities?
What acute migraine medications are recommended for people with heart issues?

Interview Notes

Expert

Rebecca C. Burch, MD, FAHS

Assistant Professor of Neurology
University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine

Dr. Burch is a fellowship-trained, board-certified headache medicine specialist at the University of Vermont Medical Center, where she also serves as fellowship director. Dr. Burch received her M.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed her neurology residency at Boston Medical Center. Having a family history of headache, she was drawn to headache medicine for its psychosocial component and the opportunity it presents to develop longitudinal relationships with patients. She completed a fellowship in headache medicine at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital prior to joining the faculty and later serving as fellowship director.

She has served on the board of directors of the American Headache Society and the Headache Cooperative of New England, where she also served as educational co-director. Dr. Burch also serves as an associate editor for the journal Neurology, overseeing general neurology papers including those on headache, pain, and traumatic brain injury. Her research interests include headache epidemiology, preventive treatment of migraine, and women’s health.