Posts Tagged ‘headache triggers’
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
Migraine triggers are everywhere; over 100 migraine headache triggers identified by researchers trigger symptoms of migraines like severe headaches and nausea, in addition to neck pain and sensitivity to things like food, hormones, work environment, stress, and the weather. What’s a person to do when migraine headaches are always around the bend? Find out how to detect common headache causes, and how to keep headache triggers at bay.
Be a migraine headache detective
One helpful tool for identifying your migraine triggers is keeping a migraine diary. Log into your headache journal every day, and keep track of important data for the day, such as what you ate, how you were feeling, what the weather was, what medication you took, how well you slept the previous night, and any other clues that you think might be relevant to your migraine symptoms. Here are some tips to get you started- 10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today
Common migraine triggers, and how to avoid them
A common misconception is that one migraine trigger alone can cause severe headaches. Actually, migraine triggers are not lone culprits; it’s a combination of stimuli such as food, weather, and stress that together create the environment for a migraine attack when you least suspect it. The more migraine triggers you manage to control in your environment, the better your chances of living the rest of your life without migraines, or at least with significantly fewer and less severe headaches.
Foods that trigger
When discussing dietary migraine triggers with your neurologist, it’s important to note that foods that cause headache symptoms in others, such as chocolate, might be fine for you to enjoy. Similarly, you might be the only person you know who ever gets chronic migraine symptoms from eating nuts or milk products. Following a restrictive migraine diet is the only way to track your reaction to certain food triggers.
The most common food triggers for migraines are:
 Chocolate- Caffeinated beverages
- Dried or smoked meats, such as lox, smoked salmon, anchovies, salami, hot dogs, and sausages
- Alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer
- Ripened fruits, such as figs, raisins, bananas, red plums, and avocados
- Beans
- Foods that have been fermented, marinated, or pickled, including olives, sauerkraut, tofu, and dill pickles
- Yeasted breads and cakes
- Dairy products
- Foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Sweets
Chocolate for Curing Migraines- 10 Astonishing Cocoa Facts
Change- not such a good thing after all
 Have you ever taken a catnap in the middle of the day, and woken up to a monstrous migraine? If you suffer chronic migraines, then you’ve probably noticed that you fare best with consistency- going to sleep at the same time every night, waking up at the same time each morning, and eating regularly scheduled meals. You thrive on routine. That is because change of any kind usually provokes a migraine attack.
- Avoid changing your sleep patterns. Don’t alter your routine, even during long weekends or vacations. Don’t sleep late, and avoid taking naps.
- Don’t skip meals, and don’t let more than four hours go by without having a bite to eat.
- Women, be aware of hormonal changes, such as menstruation, pregnancy, nursing, starting new birth control, menopause, and perimenopause
- Weather changes cause migraines, too. Weather fluctuations, such as temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure are typical migraine triggers. You can’t avoid the weather, but isolating environmental migraine triggers from other headache causes will help you learn how to manage your migraines better.
Moody migraine triggers
Stress is one of the most influential migraine triggers. Overwhelmingly, stress is the cause of most headaches, in addition to life-threatening ailments such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and morbid obesity.
 It’s important to understand that “good stress” and “bad stress” alike may cause migraine symptoms. So, landing that perfect job or getting a holiday cash bonus might provide financial relief, but it won’t necessarily provide migraine relief.- Depression is a common symptom of migraines that also creates stress, thus causing a vicious migraine circle. Antidepressants might provide relief from depression and anxiety, but you should discuss any possible drug interactions with a headache expert, such as a neurologist.
- Practice stress-relieving exercises such as yoga and meditation.
- Take natural headache ingredients, such as magnesium for migraines
- If necessary, seek counseling for stress reduction.
Read more about migraine triggers:
Migraine Weather Triggers- Seasonal Migraines in the Fall
13 Reasons your Migraines Hate the Summer Season
Sinus Headache Remedies from the Kitchen- Eat This, Not That
Perfumes and Migraines: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Stinky
Sources:
What’s Really Triggering Migraine Pain? – Health News Story – WDIV Detroit
Migraine Triggers- University of California, Berkeley PDF
Cure Together- Avoidance of Triggers is Best for Migraine: Results of Patient Study Comparing 180 Treatments
How to avoid a migraine? Migraine.com
Migraine Causes- Mayo Clinic
Image credits, from top:
photostock, happykanppy, Robert Cochrane, Suat Eman, Carlos Porto, winnond
Tags: Chronic headache, chronic migraines, headache causes, headache triggers, Headaches and dizziness, Headaches and nausea, Magnesium for migraines, migraine diet, migraine headache, migraine headache triggers, migraine headaches, migraine relief, migraine remedies, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Natural Headache Remedies, Neck pain and headaches, severe headache, symptoms of migraines, What causes migraines
Posted in Migraine Triggers | No Comments »
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Eliminate migraines by eliminating food triggers, such as aged cheese, wine, chocolate, dried meats, and MSG. Here are some migraine-friendly cookbook recipes.
Beyond medicating
Migraine headaches are debilitating, painful, and unfortunately, difficult to cure. A variety of pain relievers, abortive medicines, and natural ingredients are available, and what works for one migraine sufferer, doesn’t necessarily kill the head pain for the rest of them. The best way to battle migraines is to adapt to a migraine-friendly lifestyle, and that means avoiding migraine triggers, such as stress, strong scents, bright lights, and dietary red-flag items.
Perfumes and Migraines: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Stinky
Migraineurs’ cookbooks
Migraine-friendly cookbooks take all the guesswork out of elimination dieting. Here are three that are worth checking out on Amazon, or through your local library.
“Migraine-Free Cooking,” by Heidi Gunderson is the unofficial companion book to “The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain” by David Buchholz, M.D. If you miss Italian food dishes, such as spaghetti and lasagna, which are often loaded with aged salamis, then concoct your own Italian feast. Heidi includes recipes for Fresh Sausage, Tomato Sauce, and tortilla Pizza. For more recipes, get Heidi’s cookbook on Amazon.
 The “Headache Prevention Cookbook- Starting Your Own Elimination Diet,” by Dr. David Marks and Dr. Laura Marks: This book, written by the director of the New England Center for Headache, Dr. David Marks, a fellow headache sufferer himself, includes one hundred recipes collected by his wife, Dr. Laura Marks. Some recipes include Orange Blossom French Toast and Grape Tarts with Vanilla Pastry Cream. Find it at Amazon.
“Joy Bauer’s Food Cures- Eat Right to Get Healthier, Look Younger, and Add Years to Your Life,” written by acclaimed nutritionist Joy Bauer, shows you how to reverse illness through diet. Joy includes migraine-friendly recipes like Gingered Carrots, Ginger-Spiced Pumpkin Muffins, and Cranberry Basil Vinaigrette. For more help curing migraine illness through diet, get her book on Amazon.
Related reading:
Foods that Relieve Stress and Improve your Mood- The Fab 4
Which Foods Trigger the Most Migraines? See our Checklist
Gotta Have Books for Migraineurs- 5 that Stand Out
Flickr
Tags: headache triggers, migraine diet, migraine headaches, migraine medications, migraine treatments, migraine triggers, prevent migraines
Posted in Nutrition and Migraines | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
Ocular Migraine, or Migraine with Aura? Many confuse ocular migraines (optical migraine, ophthalmic migraine) with migraine with aura. Identifying ocular migraines is simple, with these four basic tips.
What is an ocular migraine?
According to the Mayo Clinic, ocular migraines (also called “retinal migraines” or “ophthalmic migraines”) are migraine headaches that cause temporary blindness or visual impairment. Ocular migraines occur when blood vessels contract, inhibiting the flow of blood to your eyes. An ocular migraine attack lasts around five to thirty minutes. While generally harmless, ocular migraines can produce feelings of panic, nausea, and dizziness in migraine sufferers.
What are the symptoms of ocular migraines?
Ocular migraine begins with an “aura,” a blind spot out of the corner of the eye that gradually gets bigger, making it difficult to focus on anything else, like driving a car, reading, or writing.
Typically, visual distortions associated with ocular migraines follow a pattern:
- Initially, a small spot of light, or blind spot, appears in one side of your peripheral vision. Additionally, a dull, throbbing headache might appear.
- Within ten minutes, the blind spot grows, taking up your entire peripheral vision on that side.
- At this point, your vision is severely impaired. You might experience temporary blindness, distorted blurry vision, or a bright, iridescent orb that clouds your eyesight.
- Sometimes, disorientation ensues, a result of trying to see out of only one eye.
- After approximately half an hour, the ocular migraine aura disappears.
- Most people feel exhausted, wiped out after an ocular migraine, but after a brief nap, you should feel much better.
- You might feel nausea, either because of the aura itself, or from anxiety.
Migraine Nausea and Vomiting- 10 Natural Home Remedies
Ocular migraine or migraine with aura?
Sometimes, people confuse the symptoms of ocular migraines with those of migraines with aura, particularly in the absence of head pain. One important distinction is that while ocular migraines strike only one eye, migraine auras can create bright zigzagging images, flashing lights, and blind spots in either or both eyes.
Treating ocular migraines
As with any other type of migraine headache, there is no “one option” for preventing or relieving the chronic pain symptoms. Visit a neurologist, and find out what migraine medications are available for your specific condition. Additionally, you should keep a migraine journal, avoid headache triggers, take dietary supplements, and avoid stress, at all costs.
- Writing in a headache diary is the best way to detect migraine triggers, which may include factors like food, weather, hormones, air pressure, scents, or emotional health. For tips on including relevant information in your migraine journal, read 10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today.
- If bright lights cause your headaches, consider wearing tinted sunglasses. Experiment with different shades of lenses, as results vary for different migraine patients. Overall, most migraineurs report decreased pain while wearing rose-tinted shades.
- For many, supplementing with a mixture of butterbur, magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an excellent way to improve neurological health while managing migraines.
Related reading:
Foods that Relieve Stress and Improve your Mood- The Fab 4
New York Times- Patient Thanks Butterbur for Migraine Relief
Go Ask Alice: Migraine Auras in Wonderland
Sources:
Causes of Optical Migraine Headaches- Livestrong
Ocular migraine: What causes it? Mayo Clinic
What Is an Ocular Migraine?
Tags: headache triggers, migraine aura, migraine headaches, migraines triggers, ocular migraine causes, ocular migraine stroke, ocular migraines, ophthalmic migraines, optical migraine triggers, silent migraines, symptoms of ocular migraine, what is an ocular migraine
Posted in Types of Migraines | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Planning a summer vacation getaway? Even the best laid-out travel arrangements can climax into a huge migraine headache if you’re not careful. Stress, the number one headache trigger, can ruin your chances of enjoying even a short weekend escape. Plan your trip around your chronic migraines, and you will get the most out of your summer vacation.
Below are five helpful guidelines for routing a pleasant, headache-free trip:
Travel Tip Number 1- Prepare for the worst…
Always refill prescriptions for migraine pain medications a week or two before your trip. Don’t make the mistake of putting it off until later; you’ll likely have your mind on other last-minute details, like Googling nearby pharmacies and emergency migraine treatment centers, another precaution worth investing in before your trip. Not only will you be more relaxed, but also should migraines threaten to attack, you’ll have your escape route well planned.
Travel Tip Number 2- Stay grounded
Leave air travel to the non-migraineurs whenever possible, and aim for a vacation spot that is closer to home. Shifting pressure, loud rumbling engine sounds, and scant puffs of recycled air do not make for a migraine-friendly trip. Unless you are undisturbed by the possibility of spending four hours hunched in a narrow, confined area seated in front of a cute toddler with a persistent kicking reflex, then you’re better off choosing a travel destination that allows for alternate modes of transportation. Consider riding the rails; various train tours offer fine dining, comfortable accommodations, and entertainment. Best of all, you can get up, stretch your legs, and get a breath of fresh air whenever you like. Try doing that in economy class.
Travel Tip Number 3- Give your senses a break
 Avoid heavily contaminated areas. This should seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised just how wide-ranging the effects of pollution are. Metropolitan getaways like New York are probably not your best option; noxious smog, noisy traffic hubbub, glaring neon signs, and the quick pace of the big city are no match for your chronic migraines. Give yourself a sensory vacation. Seek out vacation spots that have a reputation for clean air, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed vibe. Try camping at one of the many national forests. Not keen on tents? Most campgrounds offer cabin rentals. Other great options include beachside resorts, cruises, and spa retreats.
 Travel Tip Number 4- Stay out of the heat. And the cold.
Extreme temperatures are a migraine sufferer’s worst enemies. Hot, dry weather can lead to severe dehydration, a common migraine trigger. Freezing climates, on the other hand, may result in stiff joints, sinus congestion, and flu symptoms, not to mention dehydration caused by indoor heating. If you do find yourself in extreme weather, remember to drink plenty of water and dress accordingly.
Don’t go trigger-happy
If you’ve been loyally contributing to your headache diary, then you are conscious of the many migraine headache triggers you need to avoid. Enjoy a carefree and laid-back summer vacation, but continue to beware of lurking migraine-inducing stimuli. Don’t be tempted to try exotic, spicy culinary dishes, unless somebody “in the know” can tell you exactly what ingredients are included. Never skip meals. Before your trip, prepare yourself an emergency snack kit. You never know when you might find yourself in a restaurant that has nothing but “off-limit” items on their menu, especially if you’re on a non-gluten diet.
Like this? Read more:
6 Migraine Myth-conceptions
Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?
20 iPad Apps for Migraine Sufferers
Sources:
Planning a Vacation for Migraine Sufferers | Better Innovations Blog
Travel Tips for Migraine Sufferers
Tags: chronic illness, headache, headache triggers, health, Migraine, summer vacation, travel, wellness
Posted in Migraines | No Comments »
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
“It’s just Stress” and other Fallacies- The truth about Migraines: Migraines are debilitating neurological disorder that interferes with daily life, in and outside of the home. Chronic migraine headaches are one of the leading causes of disability, and account for millions of hospital visits to ER every year. Migraine symptoms, such as pulsating head pain, intense nausea and stomach cramping, acute sensitivity to strong scents, loud noise and bright lighting, make life unbearable for the migraine sufferer.
Still, families, friends and coworkers of migraine patients have difficulty relating, as there are many incorrect stereotypes and misconceptions that surround migraine illness, regardless of the best efforts of migraine awareness groups, such as M.A.G.N.U.M. and the World Headache Alliance, and online migraine support sites such as Migraine.com, Help for Headaches and WebMD- Migraines. (See Top 20 Websites for Migraine Headache Patients.)
Below is a list of 6 oft-repeated myths about migraines:
Migraine Myth #1: Migraines are like any other headaches.
Not true. Clenched muscles, usually in the upper back, shoulders, and neck regions, cause tension headaches. Common stress headache pain can range from mild to moderately severe; over-the-counter pain medications are sufficient treatments for the common headache.
Migraine headaches are a neurological illness. Constricted blood vessels cause migraine headaches, and the pain fluctuates between moderate to debilitating. The triggers that cause migraines are numerous: food, weather, stress, hormones, light, scents and sleep disturbances. Only a neurologist who specializes in migraine therapy can recommend proper treatment. Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?
Migraine Myth #2: There’s no real cure for migraines.
Actually, there’s no one cure for migraines. Many factors need consideration when finding an effective migraine treatment; the task can sometimes seem fruitless. Don’t let pessimism keep you from finding migraine headache relief. Seek a qualified neurologist who specializes with migraines, and stay informed by frequently visiting online migraine forums and blogs. Alternative Migraine Treatments: Thinking outside of the Botox
Migraine Myth #3: Stress only triggers stress headaches, not migraines.
Stress is the leading cause of all headaches, including migraines and tension headaches. So how does one tell the difference between a migraine attack and a stress headache? Migraine pain attacks one side of the head only. Tension headaches are described as a tight band circling the head.
Migraine Myth #4: Migraines are associated with mental illness.
There is a high correlation between migraines, depression and anxiety, but that does not mean that all migraine patients have emotional disorders or need antidepressants. There is currently no proof that mental illness of any kind causes migraines. However, one must take into account the emotional strain chronic migraine sufferers experience. It is common for migraine patients to go through phases or depression, nervousness or anxiety while learning to cope with their condition. Stop Your Next Panic Attack in 4 Simple Steps
Migraine Myth #5: Migraine attacks always impair your ability to function.
The symptoms of migraines can range from moderate to severe. At its worst, migraine pain can be excruciating to the point that the only option is to take your medication and wait out the storm in a dark, quiet room. The fact that you are able to withstand head pain while running errands, working at the computer or trying to relax doesn’t contradict the nature of migraines, nor does it mean that you must endure the suffering. Top 10 Headache Symptoms that Point to Migraines
Migraine Myth #6: Migraineurs are usually hypochondriacs.
This is probably the most hurtful notion of all, because it forces the migraine sufferer to bear the burden of proof. Short of carrying around a brain scan imaging report, there’s little one can do prove to a skeptic that your headache symptoms are not imaginary. You can’t see a migraine; the debilitating symptoms are unobservable to all except a qualified neurologist. But the proof is available through multiple medical reports, scientific breakthroughs and social statistics.
Read more about migraine stigma and coping mechanisms:
Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!
10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today
Sources:
http://www.netplaces.com/migraines/migraine-basics/migraine-myths-and-misconceptions.htm
Tags: cause migraine, chronic migraine headaches, chronic migraines, headache relief, headache triggers, Migraine, migraine causes, migraine drugs, migraine headache symptoms, migraine medications, migraine news, migraine pain, migraine pain relief, migraine symptoms, migraine treatments, Migraines, prevent migraines
Posted in Migraines | 2 Comments »
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
U.S. News Best Hospitals for Neurology
Out of 1,200 hospitals that were reviewed for excellence in treating chronic migraines, the US News has narrowed their list down to the 10 highest ranking hospitals in the fields of neurology and neurosurgery.
1) John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland (410) 955–5000: In addition to placing #1 for migraine treatment and prevention, John Hopkins Hospital also made the national #1 Honor Roll for treatment in ENT, Rheumatology and for gynecology.
2) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (507) 284–2511: World-famous Mayo Clinic ranked #1 for diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, and kidney disorders; they also have a strong online presence in providing current information about migraine headache symptoms and common headache triggers.
3) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (617) 726–2000: Massachusetts General Hospital ranked #1 center in Boston for treating migraines, and #1 in the USA for their psychiatry department.
4) New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, New York (212) 746–5454: In addition to neurology, NY-Pres also ranked #4 in psychiatry and kidney disorders.
5) University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California (415) 476–1000: The UCLA teaching hospital was voted the #1 hospital for treating migraine pain in all of San Francisco.
6) Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio (216) 444–2200: Cleveland Clinic ranked best hospital in Cleveland for providing migraine headache relief, and #1 US hospital for treating heart disease and conducting heart surgeries.
7) Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California,(310) 825–9111: The UCLA Medical Center was voted the best clinic in Los Angeles for treating chronic migraines, and #2 in the USA for excellence in Geriatrics.
8) St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona (602) 406–3000: This prestigious hospital was also voted the third best neurological center in Phoenix, Arizona.
9) NYU Langone Medical Center, New York (212) 263–7300: The NYU Langone Medical Center made the national Honor Roll for excellence in 14 fields of medicine, including neurology and neurosurgery. Additionally, they placed #2 for best hospital in New York for migraine headache patients.
10) Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri (314) 747–3000: The Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University made the Honor Roll as #1 best migraine treatment center in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Tags: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, best hospitals, best hospitals migraines, best hospitals neurology, chronic migraines, Cleveland Clinic, headache relief, headache triggers, Headaches, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, mayo clinic, Migraine, migraine and aura, migraine causes, migraine drugs, migraine headache symptoms, migraine headaches, migraine news, migraine pain, migraine pain relief, migraine remedy, migraine treatment, migraine treatments, Migraines, migrane, New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, NYU Langone Medical Center, Pain, prevent migraines, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, San Francisco Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Symptoms, University of California, US News, US News hospitals, women and migraines
Posted in Migraine Treatments | 3 Comments »
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 »
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
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Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Migraine headache sufferers have been telling us for years that they could predict the weather every time a headache threatens to attack; scientific studies have proven what many chronic migraine headache patients already know to be true: that barometric changes have a strong impact on migraine pain.
Still, the myth that migraine headache patients can foretell weather conditions is only partially true. While headache sufferers are almost always correct in predicting that a change in the weather is about to occur, they can’t tell you if it’s going to rain, snow or if a heat wave looms ahead.
New England study solves the mystery
According to research by the New England Center for Headache in Stamford, Connecticut, most people who get chronic migraine attacks think they know which type of weather changes triggers their headaches, but they are usually incorrect. What they are able to sense is that a barometric pressure change is taking place.
- In this study, 77 headache patients attending the New England migraine clinic were asked to fill out a questionnaire asking them if they believed weather changes had any effect on their headaches, and to specify which type of weather changes was likely to trigger headaches.
- Migraine headache patients were asked to keep a headache diary for up to 2 years, including information like how often they get migraines, when they occur, how strong the pain symptoms were and how long they lasted.
- Patients’ responses were compared to live weather reports and actual patterns in the weather where they lived.
- Of the test participants, 62% reported that they strongly believed that their headaches were caused by the weather, at least once.
- Researchers were able to confirm that only 50% were authentically sensitive to weather changes, while 1 in 10 incorrectly attributed their migraine headaches to the weather.
- 26% responded to changes in humidity, 14% to changes in weather patterns, and 13% to barometric pressure fluctuations.
“We’re realizing more and more that change – or fluctuation – is a major factor in Migraine triggers,
whether it’s a change in sleep patterns,
estrogen levels or weather.”
-Marcelo E. Bigal, M.D., Ph.D
Leaving out the weather factor, it’s really change of any type that strongly affects migraine patients, weather it be PMS, lighting or a coming storm. The hat most chronic migraine pain sufferers wear says, “sensitive.” Migraine sufferers are sensitive to stimuli that non-headache sufferers are able to ignore.
Symptoms of migraine headaches include throbbing, debilitating head pain, nausea, strong sensitivity to noise, light and scents, feebleness and light flashes. Some patients experience migraines with auras, exhibiting some of the same symptoms as somebody having a stroke, including speech impairment, non-responsiveness and dizziness. Migraine patients are often able to prevent attacks by identifying certain headache triggers, but there’s little any chronic pain sufferer can do to avoid symptoms caused by the weather.
11 Headache Triggers you Never Thought Of
Health experts advise migraineurs to take pain medication at the first symptoms of a coming headache, so that they can hopefully avoid a full-fledged migraine attack that could leave them incapacitated for days.
For more information about preventing migraines, read:
Wine, Cheese, Perfume, and other Headache Triggers
Migraine Headaches Send Millions to the Emergency Rooms
Sources:
BBC, American Headache Society, New England Center for Headache, WebMD
Tags: barometric changes migraines, chronic migraine attacks, chronic migraine headache patients, headache triggers, migraine headache, migraines with aura, preventing migraines, symptoms of migraine headaches, weather changes headaches
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Have you ever taken a catnap in the middle of the day, and woken up to a monstrous migraine? If you suffer chronic migraines, then you’ve probably noticed that you fare best with consistency- going to sleep at the same time every night, waking up at the same time each morning, and eating regularly scheduled meals. You thrive on routine. That is because change of any kind usually provokes a migraine attack.
