Migravent

Posts Tagged ‘head pain’

Diagnosing Migraines- the Basic Symptoms

Monday, June 4th, 2012

How does one tell the difference between ordinary headaches and migraine headaches? In diagnosing migraines, your doctor may run a variety of tests and use specific diagnostic criteria. Here are some basic facts that help your healthcare provider distinguish between tension headaches and the worst migraines of your life…

Migraine symptoms

Any migraine sufferer can attest to the fact that migraines are about more than just a headache; a migraine attack may include a variety of debilitating ailments, in addition to excruciating head pain.

Typical symptoms of a migraine attack may include:

Pounding, long-lasting head pain
Sharp pain behind the eyes
Neck stiffness
Vomiting
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Hypersensitivity to bright lights, scents, or loud noises
Fatigue

Here Comes a Migraine Attack- 20 Telltale Signs

“Migraines with aura” also cause:

Visual disturbances, such as bright flickering lights or blind spots
Vertigo
Olfactory hallucinations
Partial, temporary paralysis
Temporary speech slurring
Loss of spatial awareness
Loss of consciousness

The measure of a migraine

In diagnosing migraines, specialists look for a set of specific symptoms occurring in at least five separate migraine attacks.

Headaches that last between 4-72 hours
Headaches that cause nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia) and loud noises (phonophobia)
Headaches that inhibit normal, day-to-day activities
Headaches that include two of the following criteria: head pain that is on one side of the head, headaches with pulsating (throbbing) qualities, pain described as moderate to excruciating, or head pain that intensifies with mild physical activity
Absence of any head injuries or other disorder that can cause severe headaches.

Please tell us…

What tests did your doctor use to diagnose migraines?

Do you suffer from chronic headaches, but aren’t sure if they classify as migraines?

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Teen migraines- more common than you think.

Millions of people around the globe suffer from chronic migraines, and teenagers are no exception. Almost one quarter of all adult migraineurs claim that they had their first migraine headache during their adolescent years. Recent research states that approximately 10 percent of all teens get frequent migraines. As with adults, girls make up the majority teenaged migraine sufferers.

How do I know if my teen is having migraines?

Your teenager’s migraine attacks are probably shorter than an adult’s is, although the symptoms are likely the same. Some warning signs to look out for are:

Recurring head pain that impairs her ability to function
Nausea
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Light sensitivity
Fatigue
Aura, including visual disturbances, numbness, and slurred speech

Three factors that influence migraines among teenagers.

There are many possible triggers for migraine pain, including food, stress, lack of sleep, and hormones, but some alarming research links frequent migraines with these three teen health issues:

Smoking, obesity, and inactivity

Researchers in Norway interviewed 6,000 teens between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, hoping to prove a correlation between migraine headaches among youths and unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and obesity.

Nineteen percent of the teenaged test subjects admitted that they smoked cigarettes.
Sixteen percent were overweight.
Thirty-one percent participated in physical activity less than two times per week.
Of the girls, 36 percent suffered from chronic headaches the past year, where 21 percent of boys experienced regular head pain.
Over 55 percent of teens who were obese, inactive, and smoked also experienced migraine headaches. Comparatively, 25 percent of “healthy” teenagers, teens who exercised regularly, were of average weight, and didn’t smoke, reported getting frequent headaches.
Obese teens who smoked were about 40-50 percent more likely to suffer from migraines than their healthier peers were. Overweight smokers who also refrained from exercising more than twice a week were 70 percent more likely to get migraines.

Teen migraine treatments

Good news: about 40 percent of teens and children who suffer migraines lose their migraine symptoms once they reach their college years, and 60 percent say that their migraines have reduced in severity. Until then, neurologists advise teen migraineurs to make the following health changes:

Quit smoking- aside from causing migraines, smoking cigarettes causes numerous health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and a host of other debilitating, life-threatening diseases.
Eat healthy meals that include low-fat protein sources, vegetables, and whole grains. Never skip meals. Eating regularly throughout the day boosts the metabolism, and prevents the body from needlessly storing fat calories.
Exercise for at least 20 minutes, four to five times per week. Include a combination of aerobics and strength training.
Sleep at least eight hours each night.
Drink plenty of water, and avoid caffeinated beverages.
Include vitamins and dietary supplements in your diet. For migraines, health practitioners advise magnesium, riboflavin, feverfew, butterbur, and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

For more info about migraine treatments, read:

New York Times- Patient Thanks Butterbur for Migraine Relief

Stay Hydrated without Drinking Water- 5 Hydrating Foods

Foods that Relieve Stress and Improve your Mood- The Fab 4

Sources:

Headaches in Teens- LIVESTRONG.COM

Lifestyle factors linked to teens’ headaches- Reuters

Obesity, Smoking Linked to Teen Migraines

Help for Teen Migraines

Many Teens Lose Migraines As They Reach Adulthood

Tags: chronic pain, head pain, migraine headaches, Migraines, teen health, teenagers headaches, teens and migraines, teens headaches, teens migraines, throbbing pounding head pain
Posted in Migraine Prevention | No Comments »

5 Sports-Related Migraines You Never Heard Of

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Headaches Caused by Sports Injuries- Exercise headaches are defined by the Mayo Clinic as any time of head pain which occurs during or after an arduous workout, such as running, tennis, rowing, swimming and weightlifting. Exercise headaches are divided into two classes:

Primary exercise headaches can be treated easily with over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medicines and basic first aid. They are not life threatening or dangerous.

Secondary exercise headaches signal an underlying health condition which requires emergency medical attention. Examples of secondary headaches are pain which is caused by a brain aneurysm or clogged arteries.

Below is a list of 5 types of exercise headaches which are common for many athletes:

1) Footballers Migraine

Footballer’s migraine, or what Americans might call “soccer-ball migraine” has been in the news lately when Aussie football star Derrick Barnes suffered dizziness and head pain after a match against the Sharks. Footballer’s migraine is caused by repeated blows to the head, and is similar to the trauma experienced by heavyweight boxers. Symptoms of footballer’s headache include visual distortions, dizziness, head pain and loss of consciousness.

2) Swim Goggle Headache

Swimmer’s headache is caused by the wearing of tightly-fitted swim goggles. Frequent swimmers often tighten their goggle straps in order to see clearer underwater and reduce eye irritation caused by seeping water. However, many complain about severe headaches a few hours after swimming. Neurologists have noted a decrease in migraine headache symptoms when goggle usage was discontinued. Swimmers are advised to wear goggles with soft rubber or plastic linings, adjust straps to a comfortable fitting and removing the goggles from time to time during a swim practice.

3) Divers Headache

Diver’s headache is caused by hypercapnia, a condition which occurs when there is increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the brain. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience hypercapnia caused by narrowing of the airways. Similarly, some scuba divers are known to experience diver’s headache caused by hypercapnia, resulting from increased air pressure, breathing difficulties and insufficient release of CO2.

4) High Altitude Headache

High altitude headache is possibly linked to “mountain sickness,” and is often experienced by mountain trekkers. High altitude sickness can occur from 2500 meters above sea level; aside from migraines, other symptoms of high altitude sickness include nausea, loss of appetite and sleep difficulties. High altitude migraines are usually caused by overexertion above sea level, so experts recommend hiking slowly, taking breaks and focusing on breathing in and out.

5) Benign Exertional Headache

A benign exertional headache is most often linked with weightlifting and running, but may also result from frequent coughing and sneezing, sexual intercourse, and strenuous bowel movements. Even benign exertional headaches can indicate a brain disorder, so physicians will recommend an MRI and an MRA in order to rule out any life-threatening health issues. People who experience benign exertional headaches often share a family history of migraines.

For more information about treating and preventing migraines, read:

Dwyane Wade of Miami Heat Battles 76ers and Migraines: Who Will Win?

Relieve Your Headaches With Yoga: Try These Moves!

Wine, Cheese, Perfume, and other Headache Triggers

Top 10 Headache Symptoms that Point to Migraines

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-headaches/DS00641

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1788182/

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/barnes-out-with-footballers-migraine-20110527-1f8cc.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200682/

http://copd.about.com/od/glossaryofcopdterms/g/hypercapnia.htm

http://www.2dive4.co.za/beatdivinfheadaches.htm

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/head_injuries/headaches.php

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10634999

http://www.migrainetrust.org/factsheet-high-altitude-headache-what-is-it-12207

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12514689

http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Exertional_Headaches

Tags: benign exertional headache, diver's headache, footballer's migraine, head pain, high altitude headache, high CO2 headache, hypercapnia, migraine headache symptoms, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, primary headaches, secondary headaches, sports headaches, swimmer's headache, trekker's illness
Posted in Types of Migraines | 1 Comment »

Top 10 Headache Symptoms that Point to Migraines

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Do you know the difference between migraine headaches and common headache symptoms? If you experience head pain often, it’s important to know if you are suffering from chronic migraines, which may warrant a trip to the emergency room.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common, and they are caused by constricted muscles in the shoulders, neck and head; neck pain often accompanies a tension headache.

Migraines

Migraines, however, are a neurological disorder, and are caused by engorgement of the blood vessels. There is a high correlation between stroke, heart attack and chronic migraine patients. Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!

If you experience any of these migraine symptoms with your headaches, please visit a neurologist immediately:

1) Head pain: Migraine head pain can occur on either side of the head, or on both sides at once, and the severity can alternate between moderate and excruciating. Pain duration can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. 7 Headache Categories:Which Type of Headache do you Have?

2) Throbbing or palpitating: Migraineurs often describe their symptoms as intense, pulsating waves of pain; this is caused dilated blood vessels, which allow unrestricted blood flow to the brain, creating the characteristic throbbing sensation. Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?

3) Stomach upset: Migraine patients often complain of severe stomach problems during a migraine attack. Nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea are all common migraine headache symptoms.

4) Alternating between hot and cold: Hot and cold flashes occur as a result of poor circulation. Patients may have cold feet at times.

5) Light sensitivity: A particularly debilitating side effect of chronic migraines is the intense pain caused by bright lights, stark white surfaces and contrasting patterns of black and white. For this reason, severe migraine headache patients require a very dark room in order to recuperate from an attack. Migraines Caused by Eye Strain? Tinted Glasses can Help

6) Interference with daily life: Regular activities that most people take for granted can become practically impossible for people who get frequent migraines. Driving to work, shopping for groceries, celebrating a birthday party- all these things get put on hold when a migraine threatens to storm. Migraine Pain, Portrayed through Art and Poetry

7) Fatigue: Stress, chronic pain, inactivity, feelings of depression- all these combine to create mental exhaustion. Is Gluten Sensitivity Giving You a Headache?

8) Auras: Auras are a phenomenon which herald an advancing migraine. Symptoms of migraine auras are flashing, darting light hallucinations, blind spots, blurred vision, nausea and dizziness. Auras can occur before the headache, or arrive at the same time. Migraines with Aura may Signal Birth Defect in Heart

9) Fever: It’s not usual for a fever to accompany a migraine, but it is not unlikely, either.

10) Feebleness: After several years, chronic migraines can leave one feeling frail, disconsolate and weary. Unless an effective migraine treatment is sought out, long-term migraine relief is not possible.

Get help for your migraines. Below is a list of valuable information about migraine medications, coping mechanisms and support groups:

10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today

Top 20 Websites for Migraine Headache Patients

Top 4 Headache Treatments

Sources:

http://www.mybrainpain.com/migraines-headaches-numbers/top-10-symptoms-of-migraines.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55043

Tags: causes migraines, cluster migraines, dizziness, fatigue, head pain, headache symptoms, heart attack, light sensitivity, migraine headache symptoms, migraine headaches, migraine relief, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, migraines medications, migraines with auras, migraineurs, nausea, neck pain, neurological, neurologist, occular migraines, sinus headaches, stress, stroke, tension headaches
Posted in Migraines | No Comments »

10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Do you keep a migraine journal? If not, you should. The amount of seemingly unrelated headache triggers that cause migraine headache attacks sometimes seems endless. The only way to prevent migraines is to nab your culprit by thinking like a detective. Jotting down notes in a headache diary is the most efficient, scientific method for tracking down your headache triggers and terminating them for good.

11 Headache Triggers you Never Thought Of

Here are the 7 most important clues you should log into your migraine relief diary:

1) Time and date: No detective worth his salt would forget to take down the exact time and date of the attack.

2) Severity of head pain: On a scale of one to ten, how bad was your discomfort?

3) Duration of migraine symptoms: Did your headache last for 30 minutes, 2 hours or 2 days?

4) Possible associations: This is where you really need to put on your thinking cap. Possible links are weather, strong scents, oversleeping, not sleeping enough, bright lights and long hours in front of the TV. Migraines Caused by Eye Strain? Tinted Glasses can Help

5) Nausea: Did you experience feelings of nausea, stomach cramps or the need to vomit? These are important clues, because they could signal migraines with aura, which have been linked with strokes.

6) Medications: Which kind of pain medications did you use? What drugs did you take after? If you take serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressants, then you should avoid certain pain relievers, like Advil, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Read more: New Study Warns against Taking these Painkillers with Antidepressants

7) Diet: Food triggers are the most talked-about causes of migraines. A lot of ex-headache sufferers claim to have found migraine relief by sticking to a gluten-free diet. The most common foods which are notorious for producing migraine headaches are aged delicacies (wine, cheese, dried salami), nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers), caffeinated beverages, sugarless sodas, preservatives (MSG) and dairy products. 10 Golden Food Rules for Chronic Pain Sufferers

8) Exercise: Did you get any light exercise today? One of the most difficult challenges facing migraineurs is to get out of the darkened bedroom, get some sunshine and go out for a quick walk. Easier said than done, but even small doses of aerobic exercise contribute to your well being. Relieve Your Headaches With Yoga: Try These Moves!

9) Menstrual cycle: Menstrual migraines are nothing new, but sometimes it takes looking through your headache journal to put two and two together. Go back to your log entries from three months earlier. Do you see a connection? Other hormonal fluctuations which should be noted are pregnancy, menopause and perimenopause.

10) Stress level: Stress is the number one contributor to headaches, accounting for 80% of all chronic head pain. Anxiety, nervousness and depression cause the ”fight-or-flight” reaction, muscle soreness, high blood pressure and low community, all of which create head pain, stomach upset and nausea.

Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!

Also read:

Top 20 Websites for Migraine Headache Patients

Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?

20 iPad Apps for Migraine Sufferers

Sources:

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20327088,00.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554

http://www.livestrong.com/article/67007-list-antidepressents/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-steroidal_anti-inflammatory_drug

Tags: chronic migraines, head pain, headache, headache diary, headache triggers, Migraine, migraine and food, migraine causes, migraine cures, migraine headache, migraine journal, migraine relief, migraine remedies, migraine symptoms, migraines with aura, prevent migraines, symptoms of migraine
Posted in Migraine Prevention | 2 Comments »