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Association of headaches and the metals

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Abstract

Lack of specific markers constitutes a problem during diagnosis of headache syndromes. Recently, some metals have gained importance as biological parameters for the diagnosis and during treatment. Low-ionized Mg and high-ionized Ca/Mg in patients with daily migrainous headaches were noted. The blood Na level was shown to increase before and during headache. Headache is also a symptom of the common cold for which zinc may be an effective therapy. The existing relationship between genetic markers of the cluster headache and the efficacy of lithium salts therapy was noted.

Headache was also found to be associated with toxic metals. When the health effects of mercury were investigated, the most frequently observed symptom was cephalalgia. Continuous exposure to lead was concomitant with the appearance of symptoms such as headache.

In relation to some metabolic links, metals may be introduced as possible biological markers for the diagnosis and during the therapy of different headache syndromes in future clinical trials and laboratory measurements.

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  1. Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Orkide Donma

  2. Ministry of Health, Bakirköy Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    M. Metin Donma

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Donma, O., Donma, M.M. Association of headaches and the metals. Biol Trace Elem Res 90, 1–14 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:90:1-3:1

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