Headaches are a common symptom of a stressful lifestyle, your body not feeling well and other issues. While headaches can be dealt with easily, migraines are not so easy to handle. Migraines are a type of headache that feels like severe throbbing and pulsing sensation, almost like you are hearing your own heartbeat in your brain, usually on one side of the brain. Many people believe that migraines are not that big of a deal because you just have to deal with the pain, but that is not all migraine is, some people find it very difficult to do their daily tasks as they experience dizzying spells, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound! These attacks can last hours and make it difficult for people to go about their daily lives as well. While there are medications available for migraine patients, these medications need time to take effect, so you may be in a lot of pain, but there are not many quick reliefs you can have in place other than learning the symptoms of a migraine attack and taking medication before it happens. But a new approval by the FDA may change this!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Symbravo, a new medicine to treat acute migraine attacks in adults. This means adults can now use Symbravo to get relief from their migraine symptoms. The FDA's decision was based on the results of three big studies, called Phase 3 trials. These trials involved over 21,000 migraine attacks, so the FDA has a lot of information about how well Symbravo works and how safe it is. The FDA only approves medicines that have been shown to be both safe and effective through a thorough testing process.

Importance of New Treatment Option

"Migraine attacks can happen suddenly and really mess up people's lives. It's estimated that over 39 million people in the U.S. alone get migraines," said Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., CEO of Axsome Therapeutics told US News. This shows how common migraines are and how important it is to have good treatments. "Symbravo gives patients and doctors a new option that can quickly stop a migraine attack, keep it away, and let people get back to their normal activities, all with just one dose." Having a medicine that can give fast and long-lasting relief from migraine pain is a big deal for millions of people. This new treatment is a real step forward in how we treat migraines.

Symbravo Trial Results, How Was It Approved

The trials took place in 3 steps, the Momentum trial study focused on people whose migraines had moderate to severe pain. The results showed that a lot more people taking Symbravo felt pain-free two hours after taking the medicine compared to those who took a placebo which is a dummy pill. Even better, many people felt relief for up to 24 and even 48 hours after just one dose. This long-lasting relief is really important for people with migraines because it means they can get back to their normal lives without worrying about the pain coming back. The study also looked at how many people were free from their worst symptom, like sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea. Symbravo worked better than the placebo in this area too.

While the intercept trial looked at people who took Symbravo when their migraine pain was still mild. Even when the pain was just starting, Symbravo was effective. The results were similar to the MOMENTUM trial, with many people getting pain relief and relief from their worst symptoms. Treating migraines early is often better because it can stop the pain from getting really bad.

And lastly the Movement trial which was to see how safe the medication is when people take it regularly. This study followed 706 people who had at least two migraines a month. The most common side effects people experienced were sleepiness and dizziness. While these side effects are important to know about, the study showed that Symbravo is generally safe for people to use on a regular basis.

People taking one of Britain’s most widely prescribed painkillers have been reminded by the NHS to watch for serious side effects that should be reported to a doctor right away.** Gabapentin, available only by prescription, is mainly used to treat nerve-related pain caused by conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, shingles, and restless legs syndrome.

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common condition across the UK. It’s estimated that around 10% of adults experience it, and about 2% deal with uncomfortable symptoms nearly every night. This means roughly 2.2 million people in the UK are likely to live with RLS at some point.

Medicines used to treat RLS include alpha-2-delta ligands, such as pregabalin and gabapentin. The specific drug and dosage vary depending on how severe the symptoms are and whether other health conditions are present. In some cases, long-term treatment may be needed.

What to Know About Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is among the most frequently prescribed medications in Britain. It is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms, and can be taken by most adults and by children aged six and older. While the majority of users do not experience side effects, a small number of people report certain reactions.

According to the NHS, “Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than one in 100 people. They’re usually mild and go away by themselves.”

Gabapentin: Common Side Effects

• Feeling sleepy, tired, or dizzy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Mood changes
• Swelling in the arms or legs
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Weight gain
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Getting more infections than usual

Some people may experience more serious side effects, such as thoughts of self-harm, swollen glands that do not go away, or persistent stomach pain, which can signal inflammation of the pancreas. The NHS emphasizes that these reactions are rare.

Using gabapentin for an extended period may, in rare instances, lead to dependence, so regular medical supervision is advised while taking this medication.

Who Can and Cannot Take Gabapentin?

The prescribed dose of gabapentin depends on the condition being treated. For adults and older children (aged 12 and above), the usual dosage ranges from 900 mg to 3,600 mg per day, divided into three doses.

For younger children under 12, a doctor will determine the right amount based on the child’s body weight.

Doctors may recommend an alternative to gabapentin in some situations, such as:

• If the person has had an allergic reaction to gabapentin or similar medicines
• If they have a history of drug misuse or addiction
• If they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• If they are following a low-sodium or low-potassium diet, or have kidney problems, since the liquid form of gabapentin contains sodium and potassium

Speaking to a doctor before starting or adjusting gabapentin is essential to ensure the treatment is safe and effective for each individual.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday moved to limit the use of fluoride supplements that are meant to strengthen children’s teeth. This decision marks another step by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his team to reassess chemicals long considered standard in dental care.

The FDA announced that these supplements should no longer be given to children under 3 years old or to older children who are not at a high risk of developing cavities. Until now, they had been prescribed for children as young as six months. The move follows a directive from the government’s Make American Healthy Again Commission to review the safety and benefits of these products.

What Are Kids’ Fluoride Supplements?

Fluoride is a mineral known to protect teeth from decay. It can be applied directly to the teeth, added to public water supplies, or taken in supplement form (known as systemic fluoride). It helps strengthen tooth enamel and shields it from the damage caused by plaque. Fluoride also supports the process of remineralization, which repairs the early stages of decay. These supplements are most often given to children.

Now, according to CNN, the FDA has sent notices to four companies warning them of potential enforcement actions for marketing unapproved fluoride-containing ingestible drugs labeled for use in children under age 3, or in older children at low or moderate risk for tooth decay. The agency has also issued letters to healthcare providers, advising them to avoid prescribing these supplements for those groups.

Why Is the Trump Administration Against Fluoride Supplements?

Fluoride has drawn increased attention from the Trump administration following recent research that reopened discussions about the possible health risks of high fluoride exposure. Despite this, most experts continue to highlight the proven safety and dental benefits of fluoride.

The United States began adding fluoride to public water systems in 1945 to make oral care more accessible and affordable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later named water fluoridation one of the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century, alongside vaccines, family planning, and workplace safety improvements.

According to federal data from 2022, most Americans live in areas where fluoride is added to the water. In regions where it is not, doctors often prescribe fluoride tablets or drops to help protect babies and children from cavities. However, this reliance on supplements could grow, as states like Utah and Florida have banned the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, and similar measures are being considered in several others.

In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to reevaluate the science around fluoride and issue new guidelines. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also said he would direct the CDC to stop recommending water fluoridation in local communities.

A new scientific review released Friday concluded that fluoride supplements “should not be used in children under age 3 or by older children who are not at high risk of tooth decay.” The FDA added that “the same property that allows fluoride to kill bacteria on teeth may also affect the gut microbiome, which could have wider health impacts.”

Why Do Dentists Recommend Fluoride Supplements?

Dentists prescribe fluoride tablets, drops, and lozenges to children who live in places without fluoridated water or who are more likely to get cavities. This includes children with poor dental hygiene, those who skip regular dental visits, or those with family members who have dental disease. These supplements are meant to provide the same level of fluoride protection that fluoridated water offers.

According to Dr. F. Perry Wilson, a physician and chronic disease epidemiologist at the Yale School of Medicine, fluoride drops and tablets deliver extra protection against cavities beyond what children get from toothpaste or mouthwash. Since these supplements enter the bloodstream and then the saliva, they help strengthen teeth from within, much like fluoridated water does, as reported by The New York Times.

Recalled Pasta Meals Listeria: A nationwide listeria outbreak connected to recalled ready-to-eat pasta meals has claimed six lives and left several others hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data shared by public health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), shows that 27 people across 18 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of listeria.

Out of 26 people with detailed medical information, 25 required hospitalization, and six deaths occurred in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. As reported by PEOPLE, one pregnancy-related infection also led to the loss of a baby.

The CDC noted that the real number of cases is likely higher since confirming a link to an outbreak can take several weeks, and some individuals may recover without medical attention.

As the listeria outbreak unfolds, it raises the question: how do you know if you are at risk?

Recalled Pasta Meals Listeria: Who All Are At Risks For Listeria Outbreak?

According to the CDC, listeria poses the greatest danger to pregnant women, adults over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In these groups, the bacteria can spread beyond the intestines and cause a serious condition called invasive listeriosis.

• For pregnant women, infection can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or severe illness in newborns.
• For older adults and people with compromised immunity, listeria often leads to hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

Other individuals may develop headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, along with fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Listeria Prepared Pasta Recall: How To Know If You Are Affected By Listeria

People usually get infected after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. The incubation period, the time between infection and symptom onset, can range from 3 to 70 days, with an average of about 3 weeks. When a pregnant woman eats contaminated food, the infection can pass through the placenta to the baby.

As the CDC explains, healthy individuals may not show symptoms or might only develop mild, short-lived flu-like signs, sometimes with minor digestive discomfort. These mild infections typically remain limited to the gut lining.

In people at higher risk, the bacteria can spread into the bloodstream, leading to more severe complications. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems can develop meningitis or sepsis, which present as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

Pregnant women may have few or no symptoms, but infection can still harm the baby, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, or meningitis in newborns. For more detailed information, pregnant women are advised to refer to official CDC guidance on listeria during pregnancy.

Recalled Pasta Meals Listeria: How Does Listeria Get Into Food?

Listeria monocytogenes is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil and water. Vegetables may become contaminated through soil or manure-based fertilizers. Animals can also carry listeria without appearing sick, which means meat and dairy from these animals can be infected. In some cases, contamination occurs after food processing, such as in soft cheeses or deli products.

Listeria Prepared Pasta Recall: How Is Listeriosis Diagnosed?

Doctors typically confirm listeriosis by testing a patient’s blood or cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). During pregnancy, a blood test is the most accurate way to determine whether a woman’s symptoms are caused by a listeria infection.