Posts Tagged ‘headache pain’
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Migraine headaches and brain aneurysms share common symptoms; for that reason, chronic migraine sufferers fear their migraines may cause a cerebral aneurysm. Here, we learn to tell the difference between migraines and aneurysms. Find out if your headache symptoms are cause for alarm, and if you need to call emergency.
How long will my Migraine Headache Last? A Migraine Symptom Chart
What is a migraine headache?
Migraine headaches affect millions of people throughout the world. Overwhelmingly, migraine sufferers are women. Headache specialists differ on the exact cause of migraines, but everybody agrees that migraine illness is a neurological disorder.
Migraine symptoms vary by patient, but the most common symptoms of a migraine attack are:
- Severe, throbbing head pain, usually on one side of the head
- Sharp pain behind one eye that spreads to the temples
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Extreme sensitivity to light, noise, and scents
- Visual disturbances, “auras,” such as zigzagging light sequences, expanding, crescent-shaped hallucinations, and temporary partial-blindness in one eye
- Speech distortions
- Dizziness
- Distorted perception of spatial awareness and time
To ER or not to ER? 8 Migraine Signals that call for Emergency Care
What is a brain aneurysm?
Medline Plus defines an aneurysm as a “weak area in the wall of a blood vessel that causes the blood vessel to bulge or balloon out.” Cerebral aneurysms are swollen blood vessels that occur in the brain, usually near the veins at the base of the brain, often producing severe migraine-like headaches. An unruptured aneurysm is like a ticking time bomb, putting pressure on the brain, but causing no serious injury, save for headache pain and other disturbing symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a cerebral aneurysm headache?
Often, people who have a brain aneurysm don’t realize it until they start to experience headache symptoms. For a chronic migraine patient, determining brain aneurysm can be difficult, as many of the symptoms of migraine headaches are similar to those of brain aneurysm headaches.
An unruptured aneurysm causes pain symptoms such as:
- Severe headaches
- Blurry vision
- Speech distortions
- Neck pain
What causes brain aneurysms?
There are several risk factors associated with brain aneurisms. They are:
- Concussion, or other head injury
- Neck injury
- Smoking
- Hypertension, high blood pressure
- Inherited disposition to brain aneurysms
- Kidney disease
- Infection of the arterial wall
When a cerebral aneurysm ruptures- symptoms
When a brain aneurysm leaks or ruptures, people often describe it as “the worse headache of their lives.” Sharp pain, referred to as a thunderclap headache or “crash” migraine, often occurs following physical exertion. If you have a cerebral aneurysm, then anything from a strong sneeze, an intensive workout, or sexual relations can trigger migraine-like head pain that may signal a rupture or leak. If you suspect you have a ruptured brain aneurysm, then it is imperative that you call 911 immediately.
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include:
- Sudden, excruciating headache that is unlike any previous headaches, migraine-related or not
- Neck pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Extreme sensitivity to light (similar to migraine symptoms)
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
Is there any connection between chronic migraine headaches and brain aneurysms?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is no proven connection between migraines and brain aneurysms. Although ruptured aneurysm headaches can mimic migraine headaches in their severity, for the typical migraine patient there is no cause for alarm. An MRI can detect if a brain aneurysm exists. So, unless you have been diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm, the odds of your migraine headaches being in any way linked with a brain aneurysm are highly unlikely. However, if you notice any sudden, unusual changes in the intensity or frequency of your migraines, then you should call emergency to schedule an MRI- just to be safe.
Read more about migraine prevention:
Sources:
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Tags: Aneurysm in the brain, Brain aneurysms, Brain injury, cause migraines, Cerebral aneurysms, Head injury, headache pain, headache symptoms, Headaches cause, Migraine and headaches, migraine attack, Migraine or headache, Migraines headache, neck pain, symptoms of migraine, what causes headaches, what is a migraine headache, What is cerebral aneurysm
Posted in Migraine Prevention | 1 Comment »
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Chronic Headache Websites on Twitter: Follow the best Twitter pages, get updated news, opinion, and research on migraine headaches from top online forums, web communities, and chronic pain experts.
What’s the best way to find informative, trustworthy information on migraine headaches?
The internet is the best place to find the most recent information about health issues, such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and more. However, to ensure that you get the most accurate data, it helps to get your updates from multiple sources. The net is crawling with migraine advocacy groups, online forums for migraine support, and numerous web communities. (See our list of Top 20 Websites for Migraine Headache Patients.)
That’s a lot of internet websites to sift through.
Thankfully, you don’t have to. Included in this list are the most revered, well liked, and helpful Twitter pages for migraineurs:
The top 40 list
40-@MigraineNurse Chronic migraineur/nurse answers your most pressing questions about migraine treatments, from an RN’s perspective.
39-@headacherecover Online community of migraineurs share their experiences.
38-@MigraineWizard Mr Ahmed Sadiq, ophthalmic surgeon and Botox expert dishes out advice on healing migraines through Botox injections.
37-@themigrainegirl Feature writer for Migraine.com, and fellow migraine sufferer, shares revealing, often uplifting, anecdotes on living with migraines.
36-@forMigraines Migraine-specific Tweets; everything you wanted to know about migraine headache meds, management, and coping mechanisms.
35-@TDHblog Twitter landing page for The Daily Headache blog.
34-@MigraineAction UK charity organization for migraine sufferers.
33-@Migravent Get all of our most recent, updated blog postings about migraine symptoms, research, and alternative headache treatments.
32-@TRobert Teri Robert, noted author and migraine advocate, also contributes to various migraine health sites all over the web.
31-@MigraineRF Migraine Research Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funding for migraine illness research.
30-@drummerheather Heather Hefner, blogger (War on Headaches), talks about her day-to-day life, as a migraineur, student, and drummer.
29-@headachehelper Chicago, Illinois outpatient center that specializes in diagnosis and treatment of migraine and other headache conditions.
28-@MigraineTrust UK non-profit charitable group devoted to raising migraine awareness.
27-@NHF National Headache Foundation Twitter page, for their site- http://www.headaches.org.
26-@migrainecooking Heidi Gunderson, author of Migraine-Free Cooking!, shares her favorite recipes and tips, all geared towards helping you avoid common migraine headache food triggers. Which Foods Trigger the Most Migraines? See our Checklist
25-@BetsyBlondin Betsy Baxter Blondin, publisher of Migraine Expressions, keeps you updated on the politics of migraine.
24-@migraine_tweets Interesting, off-beat articles related to migraines and chronic pain.
23-@KimmyDarling Kimmy Darling is a fun-lovin’ gal from Virginia who doesn’t let migraines slow her down.
22-@freemybrain Megan Oltman is a migraine management coach who also treats people suffering from fibromyalgia and IBS.
21-@DanaBaker Dana Baker has over 1,000 followers; she shares her views on life as a patient of headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and as a thyroid cancer survivor
20-@DisabledUnited Online community of over 50,000 disabled individuals. Social Security Disability for Migraine- 5 Tips for Filing
19-@somebodyhealme Diana Lee, talented writer for Migraine.com and her blog, Somebody Heal Me, discusses chronic illness from a lawyer’s perspective.
18-@painspeaks Liz Hall manages the Pain Sufferers Speak blog, a global community of chronic pain patients.
17-@Migrainedotcom Migraine.com is one of the leading websites for migraine sufferers, featuring online support, migraine forums, expert advice on migraine medications, and thought-provoking articles on migraine stigma.
16-@disabilityscoop Before you file for disability insurance, check out what Disability Scoop has to say on the latest developments in disability law.
15-@disabledworld Close to 7,000 Twitterers get updated news, videos, and community input on disability insurance reform.
14-@CindyhM1 Cindy McCain, wife of Senator John McCain, is one of the most outspoken, well-connected advocates for migraine awareness in the US. Cindy McCain Gives Voice to Migraine Syndrome
13-@EmpowHER : EmpowHER is one of the leading news sources for women’s health news.
12-@medlineplus is the Twitter page for the government website that provides updated info on medical research.
11-@Disabilitygov. Official U.S. Government website for information on disability-related programs, services, laws & benefits
10- 39,077 Followers- @PreventionMag The Prevention Magazine Twitter site offers information on anti-aging, nutrition, fitness, and fighting chronic illness.
09-120,468 followers- @WSJHealthBlog The Wall Street Journal health blog offers tips and advice from the world’s leading health experts.
08-131,183 followers- @JohnsHopkinsSPH Medical science news from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
07-147,255 followers- @healthfinder healthfinder.gov Government website for reliable prevention and health information.
06- 160,179 followers- @NPRHealth Health coverage from the NPR Science Desk.
05- 176,327 followers- @msnbc_health The latest health-related news from MSNBC.
04- 223,120 followers- @MayoClinic Comprehensive, easy-t0-follow medical information on diseases, including symptoms, treatment options, risks, and more.
03- 269,620 followers- @womenshealth Womenshealth.gov is part of the U.S. HHS Office on Women’s Health.
02- 3,020 followers- @NeurologyToday Official newspaper of the American Academy of Neurology.
01- 332,112 followers- @DailyHealthTips Get practical, useful health tips everyday, from real doctors.
Tags: best twitter, chronic illness, chronic pain, head pain, headache pain, headaches and migraines, health tips, migraine awareness, migraine headache food triggers, migraine headaches, migraine research, migraines and chronic pain, online forum, treatment for migraines, treatment of migraine, twitter feed, web community
Posted in Migraine News | No Comments »
Sunday, May 29th, 2011
Migraine patients who wear tinted glasses made exclusively to prevent migraines can find relief from headache pain caused by light sensitivity and sharp striped images, according to a US News report.
Vertical lines and bright lights
One of the most debilitating symptoms of migraines is the ultra-sensitivity to light and patterns that comes along with the condition. Chronic migraines are a neurological disease which affect millions of Americans; typical migraine symptoms are pounding headaches, nausea,”auras,” blind spots and symptoms which mimic stroke. Some headache triggers you can easily bypass: chocolate, wine, gluten, stress (to an extent), lack of sleep, but others can be nearly impossible to avoid. (Good read: Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!)
Do you shudder at the thought of walking into a crowded, brightly lit supermarket? Does reading a striped bar code give you an instant headache? If so, you might benefit from a pair of custom migraine glasses.
Colored corrective glasses is nothing new
Tinted lenses were first used to treat dyslexia. Later, researchers discovered that the corrective glasses could also be used to help headache patients who suffer “migraines with aura.” In a WebMD article, Jie Huang, PhD explains that chronic migraine patients ”are highly susceptible to stressful visual stimuli,” and that the prescription colored lenses help by toning down activity in the brain’s visual cortex.
(Read about how tinted goggles help NBA player Dwyane Wade battle his migraines on the court.)
Migraine treatment glasses put to the test
- Dr. Huang tested the effects of tinted glasses on migraine patients.
- Included in the research were 11 chronic migraine sufferers, and 11 non-migraine patients.
- Research assistants developed “precision ophthalmic tints (POTs),” for each volunteer, along with a pair of gray-lensed glasses and non-precision colored glasses as control samples.
- All 22 participants agreed to go through an MRI machine and be exposed to various striped patterns which were known to trigger migraine headaches.
- Migraine patients reported that wearing tinted glasses minimized their discomfort by 40%, but that the precision lenses were most effective at reducing eye strain and preventing migraines, by 70%.
- Many chronic migraine headache sufferers are in the habit of wearing sunglasses to relieve migraine eye strain and ward off headaches. However, this research proves that wearing POTs can be even more effective at providing migraine relief than just wearing drugstore variety lenses.
- Besides geometric patterns, other visual stimuli which could trigger migraines include reading, watching television, using the internet and playing video games.
- Robert Daroff, MD, former president of the American Headache Society and professor at the Case Western University School of Medicine, warns that not all migraineurs should look to the prescription glasses as a cure for their headaches, stating that only a minority of migraine headaches are caused primarily from visual stimuli.
Other good reads:
Alternative Migraine Treatments: Thinking outside of the Botox
Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?
Strange but True: Migraines can Give You a British Accent
Sources:
http://www.m.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20110527/do-tinted-glasses-provide-migraine-relief
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/05/26/special-tinted-glasses-may-stymie-migraines
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/2055124/precisiontinted_lenses_can_help_migraine_sufferers/
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/migraine-relief-possible-colored-glasses
Tags: Emax Health, headache pain, headache triggers, migraine contact lenses, migraine headache sufferers, migraine headaches, migraine patients, migraine relief, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, Migraines, migraines and headaches, migraines glasses, migraines sunglasses, migraines tinted lenses, migraines with auras, prevent migraines, tinted glasses, tinted glasses migraine, US News, WebMD
Posted in Migraine Prevention | 3 Comments »
Friday, May 13th, 2011
Almost everybody gets a bad headache at some point in life; the familiar throbbing head pain, tight banding around the skull and steady ache behind the neck are annoying at the very least, excruciating at their worst. Ninety percent of women and 70 percent of all men have suffered tension headaches at least once. Health experts attribute the symptoms of tension headaches to stress,tense muscles, lack of sleep and hormonal changes.
Neurologists recommend that chronic headache patients follow a lifestyle which includes light exercise, regular sleep habits, relaxation techniques and avoidance of caffeine and other dietary headache triggers.
Wine, Cheese, Perfume, and other Headache Triggers
Below are the 4 most common methods for treating chronic headaches:
#1: Neurologist: A trip to a neurologist is the single most effective way to find a cure for your headache symptoms. A neurologist will issue a CT scan or MRI in order to rule out life-threatening conditions such as a brain tumor, aneurysm or stroke. Neurologists often prefer biofeedback as an effective and natural treatment for tension headaches. Biofeedback monitors your heart rate, blood pressure and tension to help you identify stress triggers and learn to relax the body through correct breathing.
#2: Acupuncture: Sometimes headache sufferers wish to stop taking prescription pain medicine or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication for their migraines or other headache symptoms. Studies have proven that chronic headache patients have had positive results through the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture. Acupuncture utilizes responsive grid zones on the body; practitioners insert micro-thin needles to activate the body’s endorphins for pain reduction, rejuvenation and relaxation, thereby naturally alleviating headache pain.
Does Acupuncture Relieve Migraines?
#3: Homeopathy: A qualified homeopathic practitioner can prescribe natural treatments to prevent chronic headaches, along with some helpful tips for following a healthy diet and avoiding common food triggers. The philosophy behind homeopathy is that the body’s response to stimuli is always correct, so rather than fight headache symptoms, a homeopath will prescribe certain herbs which mimic the body’s reaction to headache triggers. Nux vomica and belladonna are common homeopathic herbs which are diluted and administered for headache relief.
Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?
#4: Nutrition: Dietary supplements are essential for maintaining a healthy response to inflammation, according to many health experts. Supplementing with nutrients such as magnesium, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, or vitamin B2 results in dramatic health benefits for a growing number of migraine patients.
Alexander Mauskop, MD, director of the New York Headache Center, says that “up to 50 percent of headache sufferers can be magnesium deficient.” Magnesium is known to alleviate aches and pains associated with daily life and influence the brain’s response to inflammation.
Also read:
Migraine Headaches Send Millions to the Emergency Rooms
How to Transform a Chronic Migraine into an Episodic Headache
Sources:
Oprah.com, PubMed Gov, WebMD, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Tags: chronic headache patients, headache, headache food triggers, headache pain, headache relief, headache sufferers, headache symptoms, Headache Treatment, headache triggers, magnesium headaches, migraine medication, migraine treatment, prescription pain medicine, preventing migraines, tension headaches, treating chronic headaches
Posted in Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Do you get chronic headaches that attack every day, no matter how many painkillers you pop into your mouth? For some people, random headaches come and go, like two ships passing in the night. But for millions of Americans, severe headache pain is a constant, debilitating fact of life. Many migraine headache patients are able to find relief in prescription pain medication, but for others the cause of their headache symptoms is still another mystery to be solved.
Symptoms of migraine headaches can include throbbing, excruciating head pain, eye strain, nausea, stomach cramps, blind spots and unintelligible speech, as is the case when migraines are preceded by an aura. Learn more about migraines with aura: Migraines with Aura may Signal Birth Defect in Heart
Most headaches are caused by a certain headache trigger, according to many health experts. Headache triggers can be related to diet, environment or emotional states. Below is a list of the most common factors which cause headaches:
- Stress: According to a study published in the Cephalalgia journal, 80 percent of all headaches are triggered by stress; scientists attribute it to the “fight-or-flight” hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which are known to cause pain and stomach upset. Stress also elevates blood pressure and causes head, neck and shoulder strain- all symptoms which can cause extreme headache suffering. RX for relief: practice deep meditation and yoga, learn breathing techniques to quiet the mind, or seek counseling.
- Hormones: Estrogen levels low? That could be a factor behind your chronic headaches. Scientists have notes strong correlations between severe headache and conditions which create hormonal fluctuations, such as menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and perimenopause. RX for relief: Keeping a headache journal will help you identify which times of the month are your trigger days. Learn more about menstrual headaches: Symptoms of a Menstrual Migraine
- The weather: Migraine patients often notice their headache symptoms are magnified by changes in the temperature, according to a study published in Neurology. Other migraine triggers are changes in altitude and seasons. RX for relief: If headache pain is severe, try to stay in a climate-controlled environment, particularly on hot days.
- Lack of sleep: Aside from causing stress, insomnia can also trigger headaches through low levels of serotonin, a hormone our body manufactures to promote more restful sleep. Low serotonin levels activate a nerve which is known to cause chronic migraine headaches. RX for relief: To avoid insomnia, experts advise going to bed at night and rising in the morning on a strict schedule, avoiding caffeinated beverages and incorporating some low-impact aerobics into your day. Natural Migraine Treatments: 12 Herbal Remedies that Provide Headache Relief
- Strong odors:
 Headache sufferers are often overly sensitive to strong scents, such as heady perfume and second-hand smoke. Certain odors can trigger a nerve which produces pain-giving chemicals. RX for relief: Avoid buying scented products. Also, try to avoid going into areas which are notorious for exuding powerful odors, such as department store makeup counters and the grocery store’s detergent aisle. As for the second-hand smoke, don’t be afraid to just ask somebody politely to please snuff it out.
- Bright lights: This is one of the more difficult headache triggers to avoid, as electric lighting is one of life’s basic necessities. Chronic migraine patients often suffer tremendously from ultra-sensitivity to fluorescent lighting, sunlight and stark white surfaces. RX for relief: Try switching to soft indoor lighting, such as incandescent light bulbs. If you use a computer, protect your eyes with a screen glare deflector. Place plenty of pictures on the walls to avoid a glaringly white background. Always wear sunglasses outdoors, or ask your doctor about prescription goggles for migraine patients.
- Diet: Strong correlations exist between headaches and food triggers. Foods which are known to cause chronic headaches are aged delicacies containing tyramine, nitrates or phenylalanine; for example, wine, cheese, dried meats and chocolate. RX for relief: Drink plenty of water and eat regular meals which include protein, in order to maintain stable blood-sugar levels. Keeping a headache diary will help you determine which foods are triggering your headaches, so that you may begin to cut them out of your diet. Read more about food headache triggers: 10 Golden Food Rules for Chronic Pain Sufferers
Also read:
7 Headache Categories:Which Type of Headache do you Have?
Sources:
Health.com, Mayo Clinic, Neurology, Cephalalgia
Tags: caffeine headache, cause headaches, chronic headaches, diet headaches, foods triggers headaches, headache pain, headache triggers, migraine headache triggers, migraine headaches, migraine triggers, severe headache, symptoms of migraine headaches, trigger headaches, triggers migraines
Posted in Migraine Prevention | 4 Comments »
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