High-flow oxygen has been a treatment for cluster headaches for a long time, but new research is starting to link even stronger evidence supporting its use. An article in The Journal of the American Medical Association details research performed on 76 adults with cluster headaches. More than three-fourths of those receiving oxygen treatments reported relief from their symptoms. Even though oxygen therapy is an accepted treatment, stronger evidence should help it become an even more common treatment for cluster headaches. Up to this point, injectable sumatriptan (Imitrex) has been considered the most effective treatment for cluster headaches, but side effects and contraindications limit its use at times.

Cluster headaches affect very few people, less than 1% of the population, but they can be among the most excruciatingly painful headaches. This study may open the door to even more meaningful studies about oxygen and other treatments for cluster headaches.

Read more about cluster headaches.

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A recent survey conducted in Canada suggests that men and women experience headaches quite differently. It points out that women seem to report headaches a bit more frequently. What's more, women tend to seek some sort of help for their headache pain, whether it be from a doctor, massage therapist, or other means. There are a host of reasons why this is true, none of which are scientifically proven at this point. Women do tend to develop migraines more frequently than men, probably due to varying estrogen levels around menstruation.

Read more about issues involving women and migraines.

How do migraines change during pregnancy?

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It is rare to do actual drug research on pregnant patients so it is always a boon when good research comes out that relates to pregnancy. Glaxo-SmithKline has a drug registry that has tracked pregnant women taking sumatriptan ornaratriptan since 1996. They have collected information on over 800 pregnancies and found that neither drug causes an increase in birth defects compared to migraine sufferers generally.

As of right now, all triptan medications are considered Pregnancy Class C, meaning not enough data is available to make a definitive statement on their safety. Potential risks should be weighed against the possible benefits of the medicine. Hopefully this data can lead to more clear evidence on the safety of triptans in pregnancy. As with all headache treatments, be sure to discuss them with your primary care or other health care provider.

Read more about treating headaches in pregnancy.

Looking for natural headache cures during pregnancy?

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As the end of 2009 approaches, Thanksgiving turkey and holiday spending are probably on your mind. For those of you with Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) you should be thinking about health care expenses, as well. Many employers have FSAs available to their employees that they can use for certain medical expenses. One drawback with the FSA, however, is that if you don't use money you've contributed to your account during the year, you lose it. In other words, you can't roll over 2009 contributions to 2010 expenses.

FSAs can reimburse you for "qualified medical expenses," and IRS Publication 502 lists these out for you. As headache sufferers some of the following may be of special interest:

• Acupuncture, Chiropractic care, or Osteopathic Manipulation
• Dental work (including exams and x-rays)
• Eyeglasses
• Laboratory fees
• Prescription medications
• Physical examinations
• Stop smoking programs

Non-prescription medications are not deductible as qualified medical expenses, but an FSA can be used to pay for them.

The IRS reminds us that the following are not "qualified medical expenses":

• Amounts paid for health insurance premiums
• Amounts paid for long-term care coverage or expenses
• Amounts that are covered under another health plan

So, if you have health insurance or other health coverage that pays for something already, you can't use your FSA.

For questions regarding FSAs and other tax-advantaged medical savings programs (like Health Savings Accounts) refer to IRS publication 969, or speak to a qualified tax professional.

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