Aarushi Suneja, MD

"The aim of this study is both descriptive and interventional in that sense. We plan to evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19-related headaches within reflux, but also in comparison to conventional pharmacologic treatments for excess migraineosis, or severe tension type headache.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 50% of patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 will present with a headache as an initial symptom which often persists in the post infectious period. At the 

2021 Virtual American Headache Society (AHS) 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting

, June 3-6, researchers presented the design and method for a new prospective study that will investigate the effect of bilateral occipital nerve blocks on headache frequency, severity, and quality of life in patients who develop post-COVID-19 headache.

Bilateral occipital nerve blocks with pharmacological treatments such as steroids, Parafon Forte burst, Depakote burse, dihydroergotamine, and infusion therapy—all considered standard of care approaches—will be evaluated for their effectiveness at 1- and 2-month intervals. Led by Aarusha Suneja, MD, the hope is to develop a new standard of care for this novel headache type that has become increasingly prevalent.

to discuss the origins for the study, as well as provide detail on how she and her colleagues plan to carry it out. She also noted that they plan to characterize demographic data, headache descriptors, and comorbidities of this cohort to aid in formal diagnostic criteria in the future. 

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The headache fellow at Cleveland Clinic outlined the design and reasoning for a new study assessing nerve blocks to treat COVID-19 headache. 

Nerve Blocks for the Treatment of COVID-19 Headache: Aarushi Suneja, MD

"Some of the proposed hypotheses for this increased utilization probably includes the increasing perception for a larger COVID-19-related threat for these minority populations. As we know, there’s a large threat for hospitalization and adverse outcome in this subset population as well."

A retrospective review conducted by Aarushi Suneja, MD; Zubair Ahmed, MD; and colleagues evaluated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the adoption and use of telemedicine by racial minorities seeking care at the Cleveland Clinic Headache Center. The results, presented at the 

2021 American Headache Society (AHS) 63rd Scientific Annual Meeting

, June 3-6, showed a slight increase in virtual visits by minority groups which continued after the COVID-19 surge when in-person visits resumed.

The authors concluded that telemedicine may reduce some of the barriers that traditionally affect black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) populations, including flexible scheduling, reduced financial barriers, and eliminating the need for childcare. The slight increase in visits by the minority group observed implied that teleneurology care was well received by this population and should be continued to be implemented for long-term access convenience.

Suneja, a headache fellow, and Ahmed, a neurologist, both of 

, provided their perspective on the factors for why minority communities struggle with access to care, and how telemedicine provides a feasible solution to those in need.

Suneja A, Baig A, Mays M, Kriegler J, Ahmed Z. Effects of COVID-19 on access to telemedicine visits at the Cleveland Clinic, a tertiary headache clinic. Presented at AHS 2021 Scientific Annual Meeting; June 3-6.

The duo from Cleveland Clinic discussed their presentation from AHS 2021 regarding the effects of COVID-19 on access to telemedicine visits among minorities. 

Aarushi Suneja, MD

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Nerve Blocks for the Treatment of COVID-19 Headache: Aarushi Suneja, MD

Improving Use of Telemedicine in Minority Communities: Aarushi Suneja, MD; Zubair Ahmed, MD