Q: My migraine medication, which combines caffeine, acetaminophen and codeine, doesn't help enough. What can I do -- beyond medications -- that might? -- Gini K., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A: Did you know that the World Health Organization says migraine is the third most common disorder in the world? More than 39 million of your fellow Americans regularly get attacks that last from four to 72 hours.
Unfortunately, we're just beginning to truly understand migraines and how to treat them. The newest theory is that the pain is triggered when an immune system enzyme and a messenger that influences hormones and neurotransmitters disrupt neural pathways in the upper cervical nerves, peripheral nervous system or the hypothalamus.
There are four monoclonal antibodies newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration that may address those causes by inhibiting the action of a specific neurotransmitter. About 50% to 75% of people who take one of the antibodies say their migraine frequency is cut by 60% to 75%. But that still leaves a lot of folks in a lot of pain.
Well, a newly discovered dietary adjustment may tip the balance! Turns out that a lack of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in your diet and an overabundance of omega-6s can crank up migraine pain. A study in The BMJ found that compared with people who had a diet loaded with omega-6, those folks who consumed more EPA and DHA experienced a 30% to 40% reduction in headache hours per day and headache days per month.
Omega-6 lurks in most prepared foods, such as mayo, salad dressings, chips, baked goods, fast and restaurant food, sauces and shortening, as well as in red meats and poultry raised on soy and corn. It predominates in vegetable oils such as safflower, corn and soy. So, slash your intake of prepared foods and increase your intake of fatty fish, like salmon, herring, anchovies and sardines, as well as chia seeds, Brussels sprouts and walnuts. Give it a month. We think you may be surprised by the benefits.
Q: If you can still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated, why bother? -- Freddie B., Yonkers, New York
A: Vaccines vary in their ability to completely prevent disease. For example, the flu vaccine prevents infection only 40% to 60% of the time. Your age and health, and the similarity or "match" between the flu viruses circulating in any given year and the vaccine can influence the effectiveness. But that doesn't mean that it isn't worth getting the shot. It substantially reduces symptoms if you do catch the flu. During 2019-2020, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million cases, 3.7 million influenza-associated doctor visits, 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths.
COVID-19 vaccinations are proving far more effective than that. A new paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine, using real-world data from two studies (the AZ HEROS and RECOVER trials), shows that two doses of the mRNA vaccines block infection about 91% of the time, and when a breakthrough infection happens, you are protected from the worst symptoms -- and consequences -- of the disease.
Vaccinated folks who catch COVID-19 have a viral load that's about 40% lower than unvaccinated people and have milder symptoms for a shorter period of time with fewer persistent post-infection problems. For example, when unvaccinated folks in the study got sick, the infection persisted for two or more weeks; vaccinated study participants were sick for just one week. Also, those who were vaccinated reduced their risk of fever by 58%. Overall, out of 3,975 participants, just 11 people who were partially vaccinated (.003%) and five people (.0012%) who were fully vaccinated contracted COVID-19.
One more reason to get the vaccine: Studies show that 27% to almost 33% of patients who have COVID-19, but don't end up in the hospital, later develop long-haul symptoms, including fatigue, respiratory problems, "brain fog," body aches and muscle pain, abdominal issues and loss of smell and taste.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at youdocsdaily(at sign)sharecare.com.
(c)2021 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.