We've read about lots of groundbreaking new work on genetics and headache over the past couple of years. This week there's a chance to hear directly from those leaders in this field. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) is sponsoring it's 10th  research symposium on February 7-9, 2012 in Miami Beach Florida. The event is titled:"The Genetics of Pain: Science, Medicine and Drug Development.

It promises to be an interactive program that will be highly focused on genetics, clinical interventions and persistent pain conditions. Invited speakers include an international panel of experts from the pharmaceutical industry, academic research  and clinicians in the field.

What would you want to ask a geneticist about headache and migraine? Do headaches and migraines run in your family?

10th IASP Conference: The Genetics of Pain - Science, Medicine, and Drug Development

My five year old and I came to a recent agreement, which is that we would put the brakes on 3D movie viewing. His reasoning was something like, "...those glasses make my nose feel funny..." My reasoning was something like, "...are we really paying an extra $7 per ticket to see this elf dance in 3D...plus, those glasses make his nose feel funny..."

Well, a recent report suggests we may not be entirely out of the ordinary for taking a pass on 3D viewing. A recent study in the Journal of Vision shows that 3D images may place demands on our eyes that can cause the type of eyestrain discomfort that leads to headaches . To visualize images in 3D, our eyes have to shift back-and-forth between the light that comes from the screen, and the 3D image that is at some distance away from the screen. This can create eyestrain. As a matter of fact, Consumer Reports put out a recent study that said that 15% of moviegoers experience headaches during 3D movies.

In the current study, twenty-four adults were asked to focus on objects in front of or behind a screen, and then were evaluated for discomfort. When there was a short distance to the screen, such as when subjects were viewing a mobile phone or desktop monitor, they reported feeling more uncomfortable when objects were placed in front of the screen. It was as if the object was in the space of the viewer's room. When there was a longer distance, like a movie theater screen, the subjects felt more uncomfortable when the object was behind the screen. In those instances they felt as if they were looking through a window.

Interestingly, this UC Berkeley conducted study was funded in part by Samsung -- makers of 3D entertainment.The researchers hope that data from the study will influence how 3D entertainment, medical technology and other forms of telecommunication are developed. They also hope to expand their study by including children as subjects in the future (hopefully with no surcharge).

What do you think? Have you ever experienced any discomfort in front of a 3D movies screen?

The zone of comfort: Predicting visual discomfort with stereo displays

We've probably all received countless prescriptions for the "maintain-a-healthy-lifestyle-that-includes-regular-exercise" pill. And I'll be the first to admit that on more than one occasion, I've dusted off my running shoes, downloaded my favorite 80s repertoire of exercise music inspiration, and spent an unmentionable amount of effort choosing the perfect spandex attire - but somehow I've never been able to make it stick.

Well here's new inspiration -- real proof that exercise can make a difference. A recent study by researchers at the Sahhlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden shows that exercise may be just as good as prescription drugs and relaxation techniques, at treating migraines . The researchers randomly assigned patients who suffer from migraines to one of three groups. In the first group, patients received the drug topiramate. Patients in the second group underwent relaxation techniques with a psychotherapist. In the third group, patients were told to exercise for 40 minutes, 3 times a week with a physiotherapist. All of the patients were evaluated after 3 and 6 month periods. In every single group, all patients showed a reduction in migraines - with no group doing better than another. The researchers hope that these findings are especially promising for patients who want to consider alternative migraine treatments .

So what more can I say other than, "...let's get physical, physical..."(I couldn't resist sharing Ms. John's 80s classic - sorry if it's stuck in your head now).

To learn more about the study read:

Exercise as migraine prophylaxis: A randomized study using relaxation and topiramate as controls

Spring's arrival and summer just around the corner mean flowers blooming, longer days, lunches in the park -- and potential migraine triggers in the warmer forecast.

As many sufferers know, changes in temperature and weather can spell trouble in the form of more migraine attacks, with certain seasons being especially bad for people over other times of the year.

There are proactive ways to try and ward migraines off before they strike, however, and these tips for avoiding weather-related triggers are a great starting point.