Will butterbur help migraines?

June 27, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have vestibular migraines and my neurologist who specializes in migraines, put me on to an herbal supplement called butterbur. Apparently it has been reported on and recommended in neuro journals. My doctor routinely “prescribes” the use of this supplement. It needs to be processed in such a way as to eliminate the plant’s toxic qualities so one would want to watch for that.

Also, it can be pretty pricey depending on brand and store. I make it a practice to buy from Swanson’s Vitamins online which seems to be a quality company. Under their house branding, they have butterbur for approximately $4.00 for 60 of the 75 mg capsules.
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What are vestibular migraines?

June 13, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 15-year-old grand daughter has been diagnosed with vestibular migraines. Will you please give me some history on them, i.e.: cause and remedies. Thank you.

DEAR READER: More than 30 million Americans suffer from migraines. It is one of the most common neurological conditions, so common in fact, that some believe migraines aren’t a disease, but just a normal variant of the human condition.

Classic migraine symptoms include severe throbbing of one side of the head, extreme sensitivity to light and noise, accompanied with nausea, and vomiting. Some individuals may experience an aura prior to the headache, or even without headache.
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