Posts Tagged ‘Migraine supplements’
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
Taking your migraine headache medicine as prescribed is crucial for preventing migraine symptoms like throbbing headaches, sharp eye pain, and chronic fatigue. Many natural ingredients are also beneficial, as well. Here are some beneficial nutrients that every woman suffering from migraines can include in her diet.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 increases stamina, promotes heart health, and provides antioxidant protection.
See Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information
Coenzyme Q10 occurs naturally in meat, fish, and soy products.
Dosage: Take at least 100mg per day for good health. A higher dose, split up into two or three intervals throughout the day, is also permissible for optimum health. For best absorption, take CoQ10 with food.
B Vitamins
B complex vitamins are famous for rejuvenating, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and promoting cognitive functioning.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is oft cited for its ability to restore neurological health.
For women, B vitamins are helpful for relieving symptoms associated with menstruation and for balancing healthy metabolic function.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common cause of memory loss, brain fog, and nerve pain, and is comorbid with many cases of migraine disorder.
Dosage: Doctors recommend 400mg of riboflavin daily for good health. For vitamin B12 deficiency, the prescribed dose is 1000mcg per week.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Heart disease is sometimes comorbid with migraine disorder. For optimum cardiovascular health, doctors recommend fish oil supplements.
In addition to strengthening the arteries, omega-3s are also beneficial for maintaining cartilage and joint function, supporting neurological functioning, and emotional health.
Dosage: For most women, one gram of fish oil is sufficient for good health. However, if hypertriglyceridemia (elevated levels of triglycerides) is a factor, then doctors recommend 2-3 grams of omega-3 fish oils each day.
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Sources:
7 Essential Supplements for Women
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Tags: Coenzyme Q10 and migraine, migraine headaches, Migraine supplements, migraines and women, Riboflavin and migraine, Vitamins for migraines
Posted in Women and Migraines | No Comments »
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
A new study confirms what you already knew- migraines in women cause depression. Scientists surveyed 36,000 women for a Women’s Health Study, hoping to learn more about cancer prevention, and instead stumbled upon this serendipitous discovery linking migraine headaches and depression. This is one of the largest studies to expose the high risk of severe depression among female migraine sufferers, and chronic headache patients around the world hope it will open the doors to more extensive research on migraine illness and depression.
Women’s health study links migraines and depression
A recent study backed up by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) concluded some revealing findings about female migraine sufferers and depression.
While the study’s initial aim was to research vitamin E and aspirin for preventing heart disease in women, Dr. Tobias Kurth of Brigham and Women’s Hospital was able to use the 14-year data to make the following observations:
- Out of 36,000 women participants, approximately 6,000 admitted to suffering from migraine headaches.
- In the beginning of the study, none of the female participants reported any prior history of depression.
- During the 14-year follow-up, researchers recorded deep depression in about 4,000 women.
- Scientists concluded that women who suffer from migraines or other chronic headaches are about 40% more likely to suffer from severe depression than are women who don’t get migraines.
- While scientists cannot confirm that migraines cause depression, nor vice versa, they do, however, acknowledge a proven correlation between the two.
Migraine symptoms
Migraine attacks are invasive, and difficult to get rid of. Particularly strong migraine attacks can last for days, and require another few days for recuperation. For many chronic migraine patients, pulsing headaches are an everyday occurrence.
Other migraine symptoms besides headache include:
- Severe nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- tinnitus
- Hypersensitivity to things like lights, sounds, and scents
If you experience migraines with aura, then you may also experience:
 Visual distortions- Momentary partial blindness
- Momentary partial paralysis
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Olfactory hallucinations
- Temporary speech impairments
- Disorientation
- Loss of spatial awareness
Migraines are disabling
Migraine attacks are so debilitating that when they strike, you are at their mercy. They block out all other priorities, much in the same way an eclipse blocks out the sun. You miss work, you make excuses to friends for your absence, and all household chores get put on the backburner. When a migraine attacks, you can do little else other than lie in bed in a dark room and wait…
Migraines and depression
Suffering from migraines is an isolating experience, and it’s depressing watching life go by outside your bedroom window. Even migraine-free days are haunted by feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and anger.
Depression makes it hard to imagine that things can ever be better, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy; where there is little hope, there is little relief from pain. On the flip side, chronic pain patients who manage to overcome depression and keep their hopes up are exceedingly more likely to cope well with their pain symptoms and recover.
Migraine treatments that do double-duty
It’s not uncommon for headache specialists to prescribe antidepressants for their migraine patients. For some, using antidepressants such as sertraline may reduce migraine symptoms and conquer depression at the same time.
In addition, many people suffering from migraine headaches and depression would do well to eat healthy foods, include minimal exercise, and take daily doses of vitamins and supplements.
Examples of recommended supplements include butterbur (PA-free), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and riboflavin (vitamin B2).
Please tell us…
- Do you agree that women with migraines are 40% more likely to suffer depression, or do you think that number might actually be higher?
- Please share your experiences in coping with migraine disorder.
- We welcome your questions and comments!
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Read more about migraines and depression:
Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics
Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Sources:
Migraines Linked to Depression
Migraines Linked to Depression in Women
Art by mermay19
Tags: Chronic headache, Depression in women with migraines, migraine attacks, migraine headaches, migraine headaches and depression, migraine illness and depression, Migraine supplements, Migraine symptoms Migraine symptoms, vitamins and supplements for migraine patients
Posted in Migraines and Mental Illness | No Comments »
Monday, February 13th, 2012
Do you have migraines, or do migraines have you? Coping with Migraines is difficult, as migraine attacks can significantly reduce your quality of life, leaving you feeling crippled (only without the wheelchair to prove it). As a result, migraine sufferers feel depressed because of their inability to lead the kind of lifestyle they once had, or wish they had. It’s hard to come to terms with chronic pain, but the following tips on coping with migraines should make it a bit easier.
6 Inspirational Truths is Part I of Coping with Migraines. Part II, 6 Things NOT to do, discusses unhealthy habits that should be avoided in trying to cope with migraines.
#1) You can maintain a Positive Mental Attitude
 What’s the first thing you notice in the image above? Is it the black dot? What about all the whiteness surrounding the black dot- did you notice that?
Recognizing that there is a vast amount of light (or positive energy) that surrounds darkness (migraines) is a crucial step in achieving a positive mental attitude. It’s easier said than done, and it might take years of practice. But it’s worth it- studies prove that people with chronic pain illnesses who think positive, pray, and refuse to give up hope are statistically more likely to cope, reduce stress, and reduce their pain symptoms.
#2) You can talk about it…
Sometimes, sorting out your feelings about migraine illness feels a bit like trying to rake leaves during a storm. If you feel like it, you can talk about how migraine headaches affect your life with friends, family, migraine support groups, or even anybody who will listen.
Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder
#3) There’s strength in numbers
Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself, and try to avoid toxic relationships at all costs. Join a support group for migraine patients online, in person, or on Facebook, and seek out new friendships as determinedly as you would seek out a spouse.
#4) Inspiration is everywhere
Seeing is believing- Gain strength from others who have successfully managed their migraines. Like looking at a before and after picture for weight loss, you’ll see that controlling your migraines is no dream, but a possibility. (This is especially easy to do if you have joined a support group for migraineurs.)
5 Simple Ways to Build a Migraine Support System of Friends
#5) Winding down is key
Practice relaxation and stress reduction techniques. If you have a hard time meditating quietly, then put on some soothing music. If tinnitus with migraines makes it hard to concentrate, then try playing environmental white noise.
#6) Alternative medicine is beneficial
Managing migraines should be a multi-pronged strategy that doesn’t rely on prescription migraine treatments alone. Rather, it should incorporate healthy lifestyle choices like exercise, relaxation, diet, and natural ingredients for migraines. That doesn’t mean that you have to give up prescribed painkillers in order to benefit. Many migraine patients are able to improve their body’s natural response to inflammation while using natural ingredients for migraines. In studies, the most valuable dietary nutrients for promoting health with migraines are magnesium, butterbur (PA-free), riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10.
Please tell us…
If you could offer one piece of advice on coping with migraines, what would it be? Please share by providing your comments!
Read more about migraine prevention:
Top 20 Simple Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Migraines
Sources:
The Emotional Pain of Migraines: Coping with Frustration and Guilt
Coping With Migraines and Headaches
Tags: Alternative migraine therapy, Butterbur for migraines, chronic migraines, chronic pain, Coping with migraines, Magnesium for migraines, migraine and coenzyme q10, migraine attacks, migraine drugs, migraine headache, migraine stigma, Migraine supplements, Migraine support group, Migraines, Natural remedies for migraines, Riboflavin for migraines, stress and migraines
Posted in Stress and Migraines | No Comments »
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