Posts Tagged ‘headache’
Thursday, December 27th, 2012
Looking for an online migraine diary? There’s an app for that. Today’s iPad has great services for migraineurs and other people suffering from chronic headaches. From keeping track of migraine medications to remembering important doctor appointment, here are 10 iPad apps that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
Why iPad?
It’s a fact- 488 million Facebook users connect via mobile phone app, and about half of all Twitter followers use their mobile phones to chat. If you’re a migraine sufferer, that can add up to intense headaches and eye pain caused by hours spent glaring at a tiny screen.
That doesn’t mean you should give up on all the great benefits the modern iPhone age has to offer. Migraineurs can benefit greatly from apps like “My Migraine Triggers,” “Drug Interactions,” and an assortment of other programs designed to help you watch your diet, practice relaxation, and schedule appointments with your headache specialist.
Manage your Migraines from your iPad or iPhone- Five Useful Tips
Best advice- keep using your smartphone for talking or texting; to prevent headaches and eye soreness, upgrade to the large-screen iPad for on-the-go internet surfing.
Don’t have an iPad yet?
Enter to win an iPad 2 by joining the Migravent iPad 2 Giveaway on Facebook. Increase your odds of winning by inviting friends to enter- share your “lucky URL” for extra ballot entries.
10 iPad apps for migraine patients
1- My Migraine Triggers- Using a migraine diary is an excellent way to identify possible migraine triggers. Keep track of important data like diet, migraine medications, stress levels, sleep schedules, and bits of information that influence migraine attacks.
2- Drug and Prescription Medication Reference Guide – More than 15,000 pharmaceuticals and 1,200 drug manufacturers are included in this handy medical resource.
3- Drug Interactions- Easily look up which migraine meds carry drug interaction warnings, from a list covering over 200 million possible generic or brand name drug interactions.
4- All-in Yoga- Stress is one of the most common migraine headache triggers. Learn how to relax your body and mind by practicing these essential yoga moves.
5- Awareness- Keeping a positive attitude is half the struggle when you suffer from chronic pain. The Awareness app sends you inspirational messages to help you through your hectic schedule.
6- HealthTap- Want to ask a healthcare professional a question about migraine symptoms or natural headache supplements? Members of HealthTap get quick, real-time access to a comprehensive database of US-licensed practitioners.
7- ZocDoc- Find the nearest doctor or dentist wherever you are, and schedule an appointment with one tap! This is a great backup plan for when migraines strike while traveling.
8- Cook IT Allergy Free- If you’re following a migraine-friendly diet, this is the app for you. Gain access to an exclusive collection of recipes, all categorized by allergen avoidance, ranging from gluten-free, nondairy, nut-less, and eggless.
9- iSleep Easy App- Insomnia is a major cause of fatigue, stress, and headaches. Get help falling asleep and waking up refreshed by using the guided meditations included in this app.
10- Cozi- Brain fog, fatigue, and memory problems are standard symptoms when you suffer from any kind of chronic pain- migraines, fibromyalgia, or gastritis. Don’t rely on your own memory for important dates like doctor’s appointments, work meetings, or the like. Keep track of all the important events of your life with the Cozi calendar app.
Please tell us…
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Like this? Read more:
Thoughtful Gifts for Migraine Sufferers- 20 They will Love
Image courtesy of Rego – d4u.hu/flickr
HGTV Sweepstakes
Tags: headache, Migraine, Migraine medicine, migraineur, prevention
Posted in Migraine Prevention | No Comments »
Friday, January 27th, 2012
If you’re the type who constantly butts heads with others, you could wind up with more than a painful headache; frequent confrontations lead to chronic inflammation, according to a recent study on negative social interactions and chronic pain from heightened inflammation.
Negative social interactions are bad for your health
We know that stress affects our health. Scientists wanted to know if how we interact with other people bears any impact on our physical well-being or chronic pain. They conducted a study, Negative and competitive social interactions are related to heightened proinflammatory cytokine activity, published by PNAS, in an effort to determine if people who regularly engage in social conflict suffer from more ailments like chronic inflammation than people who choose to avoid confrontations.
- For this study, scientists measured inflammation by the amount of cytokines in each test subject.
- One-hundred twenty-two healthy individuals were instructed to log into diaries for eight days. They were told to list any positive, negative, or competitive social interactions that they experienced during the study.
- Participants subjected themselves to laboratory-controlled stress tests.
- Negative social interactions and competitive social interactions resulted in the most elevated levels of cytokines, an indicator of inflammation.
- A similar 2006 study confirmed that people who suffer from depression are also more prone to increased inflammation.
Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder
How much is too much?
If you’re in a field that requires you to engage in arguments on a regular basis, then it’s important to try to keep it to a healthy level. Whether you’re a lawyer, football coach, or star member of a debate team, you need to establish a balance between productive confrontations and all-out hostilities.
Is inflammation always a bad thing?
Regular inflammation like pain is a part of your body’s natural defense mechanism, an autoimmune response that protects you from danger. However, chronic inflammation can cause chronic pain, hypertension, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Please tell us: Do you consider yourself competitive? How do you keep daily confrontations from getting ugly?
We welcome your comments!
Read more about stress and migraines:
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Your Headaches With Yoga: Try These Moves!
New Study Warns against Taking these Painkillers with Antidepressants
Sources:
Negative and competitive social interactions are related to heightened proinflammatory cytokine activity
Stressful Arguments Linked With Increased Inflammation
Chronic Inflammation: Reduce It to Protect Your Health
Images:
Sebastian Fritzon
Tags: Chronic Inflammation, chronic pain, confrontations and inflammation, headache, heightened inflammation, Stress and health, stress and migraines
Posted in Stress and Migraines | No Comments »
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Magnesium is a popular natural ingredient for migraines and pain, and is also good for your heart, muscles, nerves, immune system, and for boosting stamina.
How much magnesium do you need?
A healthy adult requires anywhere between 310 and 420 milligrams of magnesium per day, according to the RDA. However, certain people require more magnesium in their diet than the general population. Certain health conditions and medicines may interfere with magnesium absorption or cause magnesium depletion. These include:
- People who suffer gastrointestinal problems, as in Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, or fibromyalgia
- Anybody who suffers chronic diarrhea or vomiting, as in migraine disorder
- Diuretics
- Antibiotics
- Anti-neoplastic medication
- Hyperglycemia
- People with calcium or potassium deficiencies
- Alcoholism
- Senior citizens, due to magnesium loss and drug interactions
Migraine Nausea and Vomiting- 10 Natural Home Remedies
What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?
The most common symptoms of low magnesium levels are:
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Muscular weakness
- Leg cramps
- Muscular contractions
- Painful numbness and tingling sensations
- Seizures
- Coronary spasms
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Emotional disorders
Left untreated, severe magnesium deficiency can lead to low calcium levels and potassium levels in the blood.
What are the health benefits of magnesium?
Migraine
In a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized study, 81 migraine patients were given either 600mg of oral magnesium supplements or a placebo, every day for 12 weeks. After at least 9 weeks, migraine patients who received the magnesium supplements noticed more dramatic results than those who received the placebo.
Heart health
Conversely, magnesium deficiency may cause abnormal heartbeats that may lead to heart attack. In numerous studies, magnesium supplementation improved cardiovascular endurance.
Hypertension
The DASH study (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) suggests eating foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products that are high in magnesium and low in sodium, and fat.
Type 2 diabetes
Magnesium influences insulin levels and improves the insulin response in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Osteoporosis
Magnesium encourages calcium absorption and increases bone mineral density, according to many studies.
Up your magnesium intake for pain management
If you suffer from chronic pain symptoms like migraine headaches or fibromyalgia, then health experts recommend you increase your magnesium intake, either through food sources or magnesium supplements.
If you found this article helpful, please share with your friends! Your comments are also welcome.
Sources:
Magnesium
Prophylaxis of Migraine with Oral Magnesium: Results From A Prospective, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled and Double-Blind Randomized Study
Top 5 Health Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium-Rich Foods May Lower Stroke Risk
Images, from top:
yanovineyards, Lori_NY, jeff_w_brooktree
Tags: Chronic pain symptoms, headache, health benefits magnesium, magnesium deficiency, Magnesium for migraines, migraine attacks, migraine disorder, migraine headaches, migraine headaches fibromyalgia, migraine prophylaxis, Natural remedy migraines, Pain management
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Monday, November 7th, 2011
Migraines cause throbbing headaches, in addition to nausea and vomiting. Some assume that cyclical vomiting and nausea is caused by migraine headaches, but that is not the case. Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) that occurs with abdominal migraines is a separate condition that shares comorbidity with migraine symptoms.
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)
Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a condition that involves repetitive vomiting and nausea over a long period. A person suffering from cyclic vomiting will experience spells of extreme queasiness, stomach cramps, heaving, and vomiting that alternate with “breaks” without symptoms. This can go on for hours, or days. Physicians used to believe that CVS was strictly a pediatric disease, but current research indicates that CVS can strike people of all age groups.
 Migraines with CVS
Researchers are unsure as to why CVS occurs with migraine attacks, but they acknowledge that a high percentage of migraine sufferers experience nausea, stomach upset, and vomiting that is typical of cyclic vomiting syndrome. Abdominal migraines cause throbbing head pain, in addition to stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Migraine triggers such as stress and anxiety are also common triggers of CVS.
Abdominal migraines- who gets them?
Although CVS can strike anybody, abdominal migraines in children is most common. Adolescent migraine patients usually complain of stomachaches in place of headaches, sometimes causing cyclical vomiting and/or migraine with aura. As they get older, their abdominal migraine symptoms switch to typical classic migraine symptoms- sharp head pain, neck pain, sensitivity to light, smells, and sounds, and migraines with or without aura. (Read What are Abdominal Migraines?)
Anti- nausea drugs for migraines
Some migraine medications are effective at treating all migraine symptoms at once, including nausea and vomiting. However, prescribed migraine remedies don’t always work as efficiently as they should. If cyclical vomiting is keeping you from digesting your migraine medications, then your headache doctor might prescribe anti-nausea drugs to soothe your stomach and put an end to vomiting.
Note that many of the following anti-nausea drugs come with side effects such as dizziness and fatigue:
- Phenergan
- Thorazine
- Compazine
- Tigan
- Reglan
Natural migraine ingredients
Many natural migraine ingredients provide nutritional support to migraine sufferers that improve neurological functioning, without causing side effects associated with other over-the-counter (OTC) products. For sour stomach, many people recommend ginger, peppermint, or chamomile teas. Also, supplementing with magnesium and butterbur has resulted in overwhelmingly positive results for many people who have suffered with chronic migraines for years.
Read more about migraine ingredients:
Migraine Nausea and Vomiting- 10 Natural Home Remedies
The Painkilling Power of Ginger: Migraines and Beyond
7 Healing Headache Relief Treatments for Children
Sources:
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome – National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Nausea Drugs for Migraines and Headaches
Migraine- Health- Patient UK
Comorbidity of headache and gastrointestinal complaints. The Head-HUNT Study- PubMed NCBI
Image credits, from top:
QuinnDombrowski, Spencer E Holtaway, suzyq212, Chris Morriss
Tags: Abdominal migraine, Classic migraine, Common migraine, headache, Headaches, Migraine, migraine attacks, migraine headache, migraine nausea, migraine symptoms, migraine with aura, Migraine without aura, Migraines and diarrhea, Migraines in children, Nausea drugs migraines, nausea vomiting, Stomach migraines
Posted in Migraine Medication | No Comments »
Friday, August 12th, 2011
How do you know if your headaches are from migraines, or something life threatening, like stroke or meningitis? Learn the warning signs of emergency headaches- When to Call 911, and when to just Chill…
Migraine headaches can be debilitating, frightening, and traumatic, but they don’t usually signal a life-threatening emergency. Still, there are times when head pain, accompanied by other symptoms, could translate into a potentially dangerous health risk. It’s important to be able to recognize warning signs that could indicate stroke, brain damage, or heart disease, among other headache emergencies.
Below are 7 types of headaches that may require emergency intervention:
Explosive headaches- Also called thunderclap headaches; severe head pain appears abruptly, and quickly escalates into a debilitating headache. Call 911, because a thunderclap headache could indicate stroke, brain aneurism, or meningitis.
New, unusual headache- Any headache symptoms that are unfamiliar to you should be reported to your physician immediately, especially if they accompany other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, or pain that is exacerbated by sudden movement, coughing, or sneezing.
Slow, progressive headache- Headaches that build up over several weeks could signal a severe brain injury, such as a tumor. Signs such as neurological damage (speech slurring, visual distortions, partial paralysis, and hearing loss), seizures, or sudden, uncharacteristically disturbing behavior should be mentioned to a doctor.
Post-workout headache- A high correlation exists between physical activity and subarachnoid hemorrhage. If you experience a sudden, excruciating headache while exercising, alert 911 right away.
Headaches with neck pain- Stiff neck pain sometimes causes headaches, but it can also signal a life-threatening illness, such as meningitis. Rule it out by calling your doctor, and tell him if you have recently had a fever or a bacterial infection.
Consistent headache- If you have a headache that won’t go away and you also have a fever, temple pain, and visual disorders, contact 911; it could suggest an arterial damage.
Hypnic headache- If you have a headache immediately upon waking, then notify a neurologist or other headache specialist. While it might not indicate anything life threatening, it most likely warrants an MRI.
Related reading:
“What are Ice Pick Headaches, and should I be worried?”
Prevent Suffering a Stroke- Follow these 5 Simple Rules
To ER or not to ER? 8 Migraine Signals that call for Emergency Care
Sources:
6 Head Pains You Should Never Ignore
Physical activity and subarachnoid haemorrhage: a population based case-control study
Severe Headache Emergency – Symptoms of a Severe Headache – RealAge
Headache: When not to ignore it
How To Rule out Meningitis as a Cause of a Stiff Neck
Tags: emergencies, emergency, headache, headache types, headaches you shouldn't ignore, identifying
Posted in Types of Migraines | No Comments »
Monday, July 11th, 2011
Migraine Symptoms, Before and After
Migraine headaches are a source of pain and disability for millions of people around the world. Unlike common tension headaches, migraine disease is a neurological illness that overwhelmingly affects women. Hundreds of headache triggers exist that cause migraines; for this reason, neurologists have a challenge in determining the exact cause of migraine symptoms and which course of medication to prescribe.
Common migraine symptoms include:
- Throbbing head pain
- Nausea, stomach cramping and vomiting
- Visual disturbances, such a flashing lights and blind spots
- Intense sensitivity to lights, scents, and sounds
Migraines occur in four stages
A migraine attack occurs in four stages, according to current scientific research. These are the prodrome phase, the aura, the migraine headache, and the posdrome phase. However, just as migraine headache triggers differ for each patient, the four migraine attack phases don’t necessarily occur in a like manner for all migraineurs. Only about 25-30% of migraine sufferers ever experience aura, a hallucinatory phenomenon that precedes a migraine attack by mere minutes. Many migraine patients never experience the prodrome, aura, or posdrome phases. Occasionally, one may experience only the symptoms of nausea, light sensitivity, and moving spots of light, but none of the head pain; such are Acephalgic Migraines.
• Prodrome Phase: About 80% of migraine sufferers experience an initial prodrome stage, approximately 1-2 days before an attack. Symptoms among migraine patients vary greatly, and many contradict each other. You might feel nauseous and unable to eat, or you might experience strong cravings. Some are high-strung and euphoric, while others might feel depressed and fatigued before a migraine attack. Other typical symptoms are diarrhea, persistent need to urinate, difficulty concentrating, and cold flashes.
• Aura Phase: An aura can occur five to twenty minutes before an attack, giving chronic migraine patients little time to respond. The symptoms of aura mimic stroke, and may last as long as one hour; many migraineurs who are unaccustomed to experiencing aura seek emergency medical care. Symptoms of aura include visual hallucinations, described as moving, streaming, flashing dots of light, which can happen when eyes are either closed or open. Bright, shimmering silhouettes are a common symptom, as is partial blindness in one or both eyes. Other side effects of aura may include partial paralysis, audio and olfactory hallucinations, and temporary loss of speech abilities. Related: Go Ask Alice: Migraine Auras in Wonderland
• Headache Phase: The headache stage what we refer to as the migraine. Consequently, a migraine attack is a headache that includes all four phases. Migraine headaches can last for several days, and characteristically strike only one side of the head, though through the course of an attack the pain may migrate. Migraine head pain is debilitating and further exacerbated by even the slightest movement. Any of the following symptoms may occur during a migraine headache:
- Throbbing, dizzying head pain
- Stomach upset, including nausea, loss of appetite, stomach aches, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Ultra sensitivity to sights, sounds, and smells
- Hot and cold flashes, and perspiring
- Depression, anxiety, and nervousness
- Visual distortions
- Fatigue
- Nasal congestion
• Posdrome Phase: Also referred to as the “migraine hangover,” the posdrome phase is the time spent recuperating after an intense migraine attack. Migraine sufferers may require days to recover and get their strength back. During that time, they may feel fatigued, irritable, disoriented, and emotional.
Related reading:
Perfumes and Migraines: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Stinky
Blow Off Migraine Pain with 4 Simple Yoga Breathing Exercises!
Top 10 Headache Symptoms that Point to Migraines
Sources:
What Does A Migraine Headache Feels Like? – HealthCentral
What are the stages of a migraine attack? | Migraine.com
Migraine Headache
Migraine Headache Phases and Associated Migraine Symptoms – Health & Wellness – Tree.com
Tags: aura, headache, Migraine, Migraine Headache articles, migraine headache information, migraine headaches, migraine phases, migraine symptoms, ocular migraine symptoms, postdrome, prodrome, stages
Posted in Types of Migraines | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Will Cindy McCain be successful in raising awareness and funds for chronic migraine headache research? We hope so. Cindy McCain, wife of Senator John McCain, is one of millions of women who suffer from migraine headaches. Chronic migraine symptoms include severe head pain, nausea, stomach cramping, visual disturbances, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and scents.
“Torture.”
A bottle of spilled perfume served as the Kryptonite to her chronic migraines a year back while Cindy was traveling overseas; the overpowering smell nearly knocked her unconscious. Her migraine radar went into maximum overdrive, causing a migraine attack unlike any she had ever experienced. Head throbbing madly, nausea threatening to consume her entire body, Cindy disembarked and returned home.
Cindy speaks up
Since then, Cindy has pledged to do everything in her power to educate American citizens about migraines as a neurological disorder, and to raise funds for migraine treatment. Currently, Congress favors $13 million towards migraine research, a pitiful sum compared to the $20 billion deficit per year accrued through migraine-related lost wages, disability, and medical bills. Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!
Cindy feels your pain- really.
Migraine symptoms may discriminate by sex (women get more migraines than men by 3 to 1), but when it comes to wealth and status, they’re an equal-opportunity destroyer. Unlike popular belief, migraines are not a poor woman’s disease. Related: 6 Migraine Myth-conceptions
Mrs. McCain describes the following symptoms when speaking to the public about her migraines:
- Excruciating head pain comparable to Traumatic Brain Injuries, the medical term for head trauma received by soldiers in heavy combat.
- Ultra-sensitivity to light. Even a moderate light setting can trigger fierce migraine attacks. “Sunglasses are a migraine sufferer’s best friend,” she says.
- Stress-related weight loss. At 5’7”, Cindy once weighed less than 100 pounds.
- Because of migraine stigma, Cindy avoided migraine diagnosis until the age of 40, fearing others would think she was “neurotic.”
- Sleep deprivation led to debilitating migraines that sent her to the emergency room on more than one occasion.
- Migraine symptoms varied for Cindy. She often experienced migraine auras, tinnitus (ear ringing), nausea, and blindness in her left eye, depending on the migraine headache trigger.
- After suffering a stroke in 2004, Cindy stopped taking preventative migraine medications. She now relies on triptans, a form of abortive migraine treatment.
A cure for migraines or die trying
After addressing a crowd in Philadelphia, Cindy hopes to continue her campaign to Capitol Hill. Her mission: to convince Congress to raise funds allocated towards migraine research. Cindy hopes to appeal to them by bringing to their attention the astounding numbers of migraine sufferers, many of whom suffer in silence.
“I’m missing a large part of my life,” she said. “I want to stay active. I want a cure.”
Sources:
Cindy McCain Breaks Her Silence on Migraine ‘Disability’
Migraines: Silent Wounds of War
Cindy McCain’s Secret Struggle with Migraines
Tags: campaign, capitol hill, chronic migraine symptoms, cindy mccain, congress, disability, doctors, fitness, headache, Headaches, health, health research, health studies, healthy lifestyle, Healthy Living, lifestyle, medical research, medical studies, medicine, Migraine, migraine headache trigger, migraine headaches, migraine stigma, migraine treatment, migraine treatments, research, studies, Traumatic Brain Injuries, triggers, well being
Posted in Migraine News | 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 »
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 »
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
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