Posts Tagged ‘migraine treatment’
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
Knowing which foods to eat is an instrumental part of migraine prevention. While most people know which foods to avoid- wine, pizza, and sourdough bread, for example- many migraine patients don’t know which foods they should include in their diet, foods containing magnesium and riboflavin that help with migraines.
Migraines are a chronic neurological condition that causes excruciating headaches, stomach-wrenching nausea, incessant fatigue, and hypersensitivity to stimuli in lights, sounds, scents, and touch.
While scientists have not yet developed a cure for migraines, or even a medication formulated specifically for the migraine patient, there are many helpful natural treatments that can help, including following a migraine-friendly diet.
Many healthy foods that help with migraines contain nutrients that target specific biological processes that occur during a migraine attack, including the aura phase, intense headaches and nausea, and fatigue that occurs during recuperation.
As with any other migraine treatment, consult your headache specialist before switching to a new diet, and keep a migraine diary to help you learn which foods to avoid.
The following foods, assuming they are on your “green light” list, may help with migraines.
Spinach
Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach provide magnesium, a nutrient that is instrumental in hundreds of important biochemical reactions throughout your body.
Magnesium promotes healthy nerves and muscles, supports the cardiovascular system, regulates blood sugar levels, and helps to convert food into energy.
Foods containing magnesium are especially beneficial for women that suffer from menstrual migraines. In many studies on migraines, scientists have noted high correlations between migraine frequency and magnesium deficiency.
In addition to spinach, other good sources of magnesium include yams, cantaloupe, walnuts, and whole grains.
Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?
To boost magnesium intake, consider taking natural magnesium supplements that are gentle on the stomach.
Seafood
Seafood is high in two essential nutrients that help migraines; omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, such as vitamin B12 (cobalamin).
Omega-3’s have anti-inflammatory properties that help migraineurs, while B12 vitamins protect the nervous system, boost energy, and sustain production of red blood cells needed for oxygen.
Vitamin B12 and omega-3 oils occur naturally in sardines, salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, and crab meat.
Low Fat Dairy Products
If dairy foods don’t trigger migraines, then you should try to include them in your diet; they may actually help a great deal. Low-fat yogurt, cheeses, and milk are rich sources of riboflavin, another B vitamin that helps people who suffer migraines by boosting cellular energy.
Several scientific studies focusing on migraine frequency have confirmed the benefits of taking extra doses of riboflavin supplements.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients
Nondairy food sources of riboflavin include meat, eggs, and nuts.
Melon
Dehydration is a common trigger of migraine headaches. During the summer time, snack on thick wedges of watermelon, which contain natural electrolytes to keep you hydrated and avoid headaches.
Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help with migraine headaches. Plus, foods containing ginger may help to stave off nausea and stomach pain that occur during a migraine with aura.
Add fresh ginger juice to carrot salad, or squeeze a few drops into a cup of tea for a tummy-soothing brew.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
6 Essential Vitamins for Migraines in Food
10 Ridiculously Healthy Vitamins for Women Migraine Patients
Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information
Sources:
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Magnesium- Health Professional Fact Sheet
Image courtesy of [cipher]/flickr
Tags: help for migraines, Migraine Foods, migraine headaches, migraine treatment, Vitamins for Migraine
Posted in Nutrition and Migraines | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
It’s bio-logical, say scientists; chili peppers may provide an important key to preventing migraines. Scientists are using capsaicin oil to develop a treatment tailored specifically for chronic migraine headaches.
Researchers from Amgen, a biotech company in Thousand Oaks, California are working on a new preventative medication for migraines that they hope will put an end to throbbing headaches, eye pain, and muscle stiffness for many.
Migraine science
Scientists believe they have found a strong correlation between the brain’s reaction to chili peppers…and migraine triggers.
When you rub hot chili oil on your skin, your brain reacts by releasing calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), which direct blood flow to the affected areas.
Similarly, CGRPs – the same chemicals triggered by capsaicin oil- also lead to migraine attacks. The trigeminal nerves of the brain release CGRPs, which send out pain signals, causing blood flow to the brain, resulting in debilitating migraine headaches that can last for several days.
By targeting CGRPs, scientists believe they can block receptors from receiving pain signals from CGRPs, effectively aborting a migraine before symptoms like throbbing headaches, nausea, and dizziness can start.
Cure for migraine?
Amgen researchers believe they have found a medication that can block CGRPs from triggering migraines. To test their theory, they are practicing on chili oil.
- Test subjects rubbed chili pepper ointment on their hands, triggering the release of CGRPs associated with migraine.
- At the same time, researchers injected the Amgen drug under their skin.
- According to their reports, their experimental migraine treatment did effectively block CGRP release from the chili oil, and prevented increased blood flow to the affected areas.
If successful, the new Amgen drug will be the first prescription medication of its kind that’s formulated specifically for migraines, and not for comorbid or associated conditions like epilepsy, depression, or hypertension.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Natural Migraine Remedies Surge with Prescription Drug Deaths
Are Doctors Overprescribing Painkillers for Migraines? Fox News Report
Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere
Sources:
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Migraine
Chili Peppers Seen Helping 36 Million Migraine Sufferers
Image courtesy of iamharin/freedigitalphotos
Tags: migraine attacks, migraine drugs, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Prevent migraine
Posted in Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Monday, April 15th, 2013
How does magnesium help with migraines? Let us count the ways…Magnesium is an essential nutrient that targets many of the physical and neurological migraine triggers which increase your risk for chronic migraine attacks.
No one “miracle cure” can stop migraines, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. To prevent or lower migraine attacks, it’s important to be able to reduce the number of triggers in your life that result in symptoms of migraines, such as crushing headaches, nausea, dizziness, eye pain, and intense fatigue.
Magnesium reduces triggers
In addition to avoiding food ingredients that cause migraines, it helps to know what nutrients you should take to lower your risk for an attack.
Of all the natural supplements that benefit migraine patients, magnesium is one of the most talked-about, and for good reason…
Many scientific studies have confirmed an unusually high incidence of magnesium deficiency in patients of migraine disorder, leading researchers to believe that low levels of magnesium may be a common trigger of chronic migraines.
Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond
Magnesium is also good for your heart, mental health, and your nervous system; it will help you sleep better, digest food more effectively, and stay hydrated.
Supplementing with magnesium helps your body function normally, thus improving your chances of having a migraine-free day, week, month…and life.
Magnesium benefits, in a nutshell
Magnesium promotes hundreds of crucial biochemical reactions throughout your body. Here are some of the top benefits that magnesium provides in managing migraines.
• Magnesium helps to maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Magnesium helps to relax the muscles.
• Magnesium supports good bone density.
• Magnesium supplementation prevents symptoms of deficiency that increase your risk for stroke and heart disease, both of which are also correlated to migraines.
• Magnesium has proved beneficial for patients suffering from depression, insomnia, anxiety, and agitation, comorbid conditions of migraine.
How much magnesium do I need?
Most of us don’t get nearly enough magnesium from diet alone. Some of the riches sources- kelp, nuts, and wheat germ- are not staple ingredients of the American diet.
Not only that, but the foods that many of us do consume in abundance- sugar, salt, and sodas- are all notorious for draining magnesium from your body and causing magnesium deficiency.
The only way to make certain you’re getting enough magnesium is to take it in pill form.
To prevent magnesium deficiency and manage migraines more efficiently, doctors recommend taking about 400 to 1,000 mg of magnesium supplements each day.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Vitamin B2- Why Riboflavin Rules for Migraines
Coenzyme Q10 Benefits with Migraines
Sources:
Top 5 Health Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium: The Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available
Image(s) courtesy of chokphoto/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: magnesium, Magnesium for migraine, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, natural migraine, Stop migraine
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
There’s no end to the amount of bad advice we get once people know we suffer from migraines, all of it well-meaning, but very often born from migraine myths and misinformation.
If you can count the days on your hand that you haven’t had a migraine attack this month, then you’re one of millions who suffer from chronic migraine headaches, which can last for hours or days.
We say we’ll try any advice at least once to get rid of these horrible migraines once and for all, but we’re really talking tongue-in-cheek.
Here are some oddball and not-so-scientifically-confirmed migraine advice that you may have received:
- Trepanation. That’s right! Drill a tiny hole directly into your skull. This may have been popular with ancient cave-dwelling migraine sufferers, but then they didn’t have Advil.
- Get pregnant! Thanks…what’s behind door #3?
- Apple cider vinegar. No, you’re not supposed to drink it. Apparently, just inhaling the scent of apple cider vinegar in a vapor bath is enough to abort that migraine- presto!
- Ear candles. Insert beeswax candle into ear, light the other end, and forget your headache while your hair catches on fire. Great advice- thanks!
- Inhale pepper. A gigantic sneeze is what you need to stop a migraine. Good advice? Nope.
- Stand on your head. It might improve circulation, but it won’t do much for migraines.
- Try not to think about it. Okay, I’m going to test out this trepan theory after all, but instead I’m going to drill a nail into your forehead, but try not to think about the pain that’s boring into your skull…
- Quit your stressful job. Yup, poverty is a great way to reduce stress and prevent migraines! Plus, you’ll lose weight; which leads us to…
- Lose weight. Studies indicate that people who are morbidly obese are twice as likely to suffer from migraine attacks as individuals who learn how to manage their weight successfully. Here’s another tip: Studies also indicate that people who refrain from giving out unwanted and unasked-for migraine advice are less likely to suffer a concussion inflicted by a flailing purse loaded with bricks.
- Move. I don’t know what to make of this advice. Is there another land in an alternate dimension where migraines don’t exist? Because last time I checked, millions of people all over the world suffer from migraines. Even the ones who live in Alaska.
Your turn!
What bad migraine advice have you gotten? Do you disagree with any of the advice we’ve listed here?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Win a free bottle of Migravent!
Here’s good advice for migraines- Enter to win a free bottle of Migravent! No purchase necessary, no obligations involved. Now, through February 10, 2013. Enter our Migravent Giveaway.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
5 Migraine Misconceptions you shouldn’t believe
35 Things you should never tell a Chronic Migraine Sufferer
Image(s) courtesy of Michal Marcol/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: Bad Migraine Advice, How to stop migraines, migraine awareness, migraine headaches, migraine treatment
Posted in Migraine Awareness | No Comments »
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
Finding the right treatment for migraines is all about looking past the symptoms. Yes, migraine symptoms are debilitating and horrific- sharp, pounding headaches, nausea, fatigue, vertigo- but in order to get to the root cause of your migraines, you need to find a doctor who is willing to be your medical detective. That’s where functional medicine practitioners, such as the famed health expert Dr. Mark Hyman, can help.
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is a practical, investigative-type approach to medicine. Rather than simply treating the symptoms of chronic illnesses such as migraines, functional medicine doctors find out what’s causing your headaches and eliminate the threat.
By listening to the patient, examining her medical records, running necessary tests, and paying attention to oft-overlooked factors like diet, environment, comorbid ailments, and genetics, functional medicine practitioners are able to prescribe a multipronged approach that includes total body health.
Functional medicine doesn’t cure the disease- it cures the patient.
Here are some ways that functional medicine aids migraine sufferers:
Magnesium
Magnesium is used in hospitals for a wide range of health benefits; magnesium is an emergency room staple used for cardiovascular health, relief of occasional constipation, and to alleviate minor aches and pains associated with daily life.
Magnesium deficiency is a growing crisis for several reasons:
 One, we just don’t eat enough foods that contain magnesium. Seaweed, dandelion greens, and fatty nuts are just not staples in the American diet.- Second, we are unknowingly depleting our migraine levels by mass-consuming foods that drain magnesium from our bodies. Sodas, sugar, coffee, salt, and alcohol all contribute to magnesium deficiency.
- Other causes for magnesium deficiency that apply to migraine sufferers include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, PMS, and emotional stress.
- Third, our current method of testing for magnesium deficiency, blood tests, is highly inefficient and inconclusive. So, even if a magnesium deficiency test comes out negative, you could still be suffering from symptoms of severely low magnesium levels.
Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond
What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?
A long list of ailments indicates possible magnesium deficiency. They include:
 Migraine headaches- Muscle cramps
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypersensitivity to loud noises
- Anxiety disorder
- Moodiness
- Chronic fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Digestive disorders
Brain Drain from Migraines…What’s Causing it?
Magnesium benefits
In cases where magnesium deficiency correlates with migraines, magnesium supplementation produces excellent results. Always consult a doctor before trying a new migraine regimen, including natural supplements.
- Take 400-1,000mg of magnesium supplements.
- Try to include magnesium-rich foods in your diet, like kelp, dark leafy greens, nuts, avocados, wheat bran, and beans.
- Soak in a bath filled with Epson salts.
Please tell us…
Which treatments do you currently use for migraines? Are you satisfied, or would you like to find something more efficient without all the side effects? Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Read more about natural migraine cures:
Conquer Allergies and Migraine Headaches with Butterbur- a Migraineur’s Best Friend
Natural Migraine Remedies: 9 Must-Take Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Sources:
How to End Migraines
Magnesium deficiency in critical illness.
The multifaceted and widespread pathology of magnesium deficiency.
What is Functional Medicine?
Tags: Functional medicine, Magnesium for migraines, migraine cure, migraine headaches, migraine treatment
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Did you know that you could keep track of Migraines on your iPhone…that you can make our own custom migraine symptoms app for your iPad? It’s true! With very little technical know-how, you can tweak your favorite Apple device to remind you when to take your migraine medications, find the nearest pharmacy in a heartbeat, and stay on top of the latest in chronic pain management.
Tip #1: Make your own app- it’s easy!
Here’s a dilemma- you want to keep up with your favorite migraine blogs from the convenience of your iPhone home screen, but…there’s no app for that! If only you could just paste an icon onto your home screen that would take you straight to the pages that you use most. Well, you can, and it’s simple.
Go to your favorite page.
Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen.
Now, choose “Add to Home Screen.”
You can change the title for the home page here; just remember to keep it short and easy to identify.
That’s it! Now you have a shiny new custom-designed icon on your home page that you can’t get at the iTunes store. You can use this great trick for any website. Use it for pages that you use often, or just for something that you want quick access to in case of emergency. Pretty nifty, huh?
Tip #2: Set up pill reminders!
The iTunes app store offers lots of daily reminders that are inexpensive. You can track everything from your menstrual period, to your migraine triggers, to your bills. Sure, you could buy a pill reminder for 99-cents, but why bother? Your iPhone already came with an excellent calendar, and it’s just humming to remind you to take your migraine medications, vitamins, or to order a new bottle of herbal supplements! You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to program it, either. Here’s how:
Go to your calendar. Click the “+” sign at the top right corner to add an event. (Question: When did remembering to take your migraine treatment become an event? Answer: When you found the one that gets rid of your migraines!)
Okay. Type in all the important details, like the name of the migraine remedy, repeat sequence (daily), and the specific times you want to get your reminder. Steve Jobs must have foreseen that chronic pain patients would need to use this, because he cleverly programmed two alerts to remind you to take your meds; one initial reminder, and then another one, in case you missed the first warning because you were busy beating your head against the wall…
And here’s your gentle reminder to take your migraine medicine!
Tip #3: Find free migraine apps on iTunes!
 
iHeadache- The name says it all. This clever app helps you keep track of your migraine triggers with their innovative migraine headache diary.
10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today
The WebMD iPhone app offers valuable up-to-date medical information in the same practical, easily accessed format as viewed on their website. Check on the latest in migraine research, painkillers, and chronic pain symptoms.
20 iPad Apps for Migraine Sufferers
Tip #4: Google Map your nearest pharmacies!
Google Maps is another excellent iPhone tool for people who don’t have the time…or the opportunity to run to their desktop every time they need to locate their nearest pain clinic, ER, or 24-hour pharmacy.
If Walgreens is your pharmacy of choice, then store their address in your contacts file. Google Maps can access any of your contacts from the search bar- Just click on the little blue book icon.
Tip #5: Follow migraine groups on Twitter!
Finally, you don’t like to be in the dark. 24-7, people are talking about things that importantly impact your life; things like Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder or 34 Migraine-Inducing, Stomach-Turning Toxic Chemicals in Perfume.
You want to join in on the conversation, and be “in the know,” right? The best way to do that is to follow them on Twitter.
Learn more about migraine headaches, migraine awareness, and more:
Why do Migraines cause Nausea and Vomiting?
Killer Migraines Might be Fatal after All- Mortality Rates among Migraine Sufferers
What are the Signs of Migraine Attack? 30 Migraine Symptoms
Tags: chronic pain, chronic pain management, Migraine apps, migraine medications, migraine remedy, migraine symptoms, migraine symptoms app, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Migraines, migravent, Vita Sciences Migravent
Posted in Migraine Medication | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Complex migraine with aura, like the basilar migraine, causes stroke-like symptoms that literally take your words away- aphasia is one of several disturbing symptoms of migraine aura. Learn all about aphasic migraine causes and treatments.
A migraine attack is not just a headache
Millions of people suffer debilitating migraine headaches, but few non-migraineurs understand that the throbbing headache, as disabling as it is, is one of many migraine symptoms. When migraine attacks strike, they often cause stomach-clenching nausea, uncontrolled vomiting, diarrhea, sharp sensitivity to lights, sounds, and scents, fatigue, and irritability. So debilitating is migraine illness that many long-time chronic migraine sufferers have difficulty keeping a job, performing daily chores, and making appointments. Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities of migraine illness.
Why do Migraines cause Nausea and Vomiting?
Migraine aura- an assault on the senses
Migraines are split into two general categories- migraines with aura (MA), and migraines without aura. An aura happens in the prodrome phase of a migraine attack- the minutes leading up to a migraine. Auras serve as a warning to the patient of the impending migraine, and usually occur about fifteen minutes before the migraine strikes. Migraine auras can cause visual hallucinations, usually described as bright flickering lights, glowing crescent-shaped forms, and rainbow zigzag images. Other migraine aura symptoms are vertigo (dizziness), olfactory hallucinations (imagined burnt scents), temporary partial paralysis, and aphasia.
Go Ask Alice: Migraine Auras in Wonderland
Aphasia- what is it?
Aphasia is defined as a communication disorder that impairs one’s ability to process language, both in written and spoken words. People with aphasia have trouble putting words together to speak or write, understanding what others are saying, and comprehending what they read. When they try to speak, words come out garbled and unintelligible. This does not mean they are unintelligent- aphasia usually results from damage to the left hemisphere of the brain. Many stroke victims suffer aphasia causing partial or complete loss of speech.
Strange but True: Migraines can Give You a British Accent
Aphasic migraines
Migraines that cause aura with aphasia are usually complex basilar migraines caused by a disorder of a major artery at the brainstem or base of the brain. TV reporter Serene Branson suffered a complex migraine (also called a complicated migraine) with aura on the air while covering the Grammys. Spectators believed her to be having a stroke, so common are the symptoms of migraine aura aphasia. Other names for basilar migraines are:
- Basilar artery migraines
- Basilar migraine headache
- Basilar-type migraine
- Bickerstaff syndrome
- Brainstem migraine
- Vertebro-basilar migraine
Complex Migraine Behind CBS Reporter’s On-Air Health Scare
Symptoms of complex migraine often include pounding headache, blurred vision, temporary partial blindness, temporary partial paralysis on one side, loss of muscular strength, difficulty walking in a straight line, and garbled speech.
Aphasia treatments
If you suffer any of the symptoms of aphasia- difficulty talking clearly or understanding what others are saying- contact emergency services immediately so that a stroke may be ruled out. If migraines are the cause of aphasia, then a headache specialist might prescribe preventative or abortive migraine treatments to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
Additionally, natural nutrients for migraines may significantly improve neurological health. Some excellent sources of natural migraine nutrients include coenzyme Q10, butterbur, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and magnesium.
Read more about migraine with aura:
Migraine Headaches and Dizziness- Stop the Ride, I want to get off!
Migraine Aura Video Simulations: You Tube’s Top 10
Migraine Aura and Hot Flashes- Treat that Hot Head ASAP
What’s that Smell? Migraine Sensitivity and Olfactory Auras
Sources:
Basilar Artery Migraines: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments
Aphasia
Aphasia symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment on MedicineNet.com
Aphasia and Migraine- In the Fringes
Migraine Chapter, Migraine With Aura, B.Todd Troost
Image:
stockimages
Tags: Aphasia, Aphasia migraine, Aphasic, Aphasic aura, Aphasic migraine, Basilar migraine, chronic migraines, complex migraine, Complicated migraine, Migraine, Migraine aura aphasia, migraine headache, migraine headache relief, migraine headache treatment, migraine headaches, migraine relief, migraine remedies, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, Migraines, Natural migraine relief, Natural remedies for migraines, what is a migraine, What is aphasia
Posted in Types of Migraines | No Comments »
Monday, November 28th, 2011
As if migraine headaches weren’t bad enough…here come headaches and dizziness to spoil your day! Migraine vertigo can be part of your migraine symptoms, or it can signify a comorbid vestibular disorder.
What is Migraine associated vertigo (MAV)?
Migraine attacks include a wide range of symptoms, including extreme dizziness. A significant percentage of migraine sufferers also experience vestibular migraines- migraine headaches that come with symptoms of vertigo.
Go Ask Alice: Migraine Auras in Wonderland
What are the symptoms of migraine associated vertigo?
It is important to use descript terms when explaining vertigo symptoms to your doctor or headache specialist, so that he will be able to differentiate between true vertigo, which is a vestibular disorder, and other conditions common with migraineurs, such as anxiety or Meniere’s disease.
Migraine patients usually describe vertigo symptoms as:
- Severe dizziness
- Rocking or spinning sensations
- Light-headedness
- Wooziness
- Imbalance
- Fatigue
- Feebleness
- Unsteadiness
- Motion sensitivity
- Feeling of ear fullness
- Tinnitus, or ringing inside the ear
- Muted hearing
Ménière’s disease and MAV
There is a high correlation between migraine illness and Meniere’s disease, as stated in this Japanese study on migraine-associated vertigo and Meniere’s disease released by PubMed. The main difference is duration- migraine vertigo symptoms can linger for hours, day, or even years, where vertigo associated with Meniere’s disease generally lasts for 24 hours, and no longer.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo, and usually the cause of vestibular migraines.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Small strokes, or transient ischemic attacks, are another cause of vertigo that your doctor will be able to diagnose with testing.
Motion sickness
It is worth noting that migraine patients are extremely prone to motion sickness while traveling, which is another common cause of light-headedness, headaches and dizziness.
Fluid leaks in ear
Sometimes, vertigo and tinnitus symptoms indicate leaking fluid in your inner ear.
Anxiety attacks and depression
If you suffer from chronic migraines, then you might also experience feelings of anxiety, nervousness, depression, or panic. Vertigo is one of many symptoms of an anxiety attack, with others being breathlessness, sweating, uncontrolled thoughts, paranoia, and heart palpitations. People who suffer from depression often experience panic disorder as well.
Treatments for migraine headache and dizziness
If headaches and dizziness are chronic, then your neurologist or other headache specialist might prescribe a migraine treatment such as Topamax, antidepressants, or beta-blockers. Alternatively, natural therapies and ingredients for migraines that help include:
- Exercise, including yoga, Tai Chi, and low-impact aerobics
- Migraine prevention by diagnosing migraine triggers
- Stress management, including guided meditation, biofeedback, and deep breathing
- Herbs and vitamins designed for natural migraine management, such as butterbur, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium for migraines.
Read more about migraine symptoms:
Why do Migraines cause Nausea and Vomiting?
Sources:
Does migraine-associated vertigo share a common pathophysiology with Meniere’s disease? Study with vestibular-evoked myogenic potential- PubMed- NCBI
Epidemiology of vertigo, migraine and vestibular migraine
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo- Mayo Clinic
Ménière’s Disease [NIDCD Health Information]
Image credits, from top:
Mykl Roventine, AlicePopkorn, Renee Silverman
Tags: Headaches and dizziness, Magnesium for migraines, Meniere’s disease, migraine attacks, migraine headaches, migraine prevention, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Migraine vertigo, Natural migraine relief, Natural remedies for migraines, Vertigo symptoms, vestibular migraines
Posted in Migraine Headache Symptoms | No Comments »
Monday, November 21st, 2011
If you suffer from frequent headaches, then you need to see a doctor for migraines right away- You might be having migraine attacks, or other chronic headaches. Knowing which kind of doctor to see for migraines and headaches depends on your pain symptoms and specific needs for migraine treatment.
What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines?
Part II: Headache Specialists
 Migraine headaches strike millions of Americans with debilitating symptoms like sharp head pain, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Literally hundreds of migraine triggers exist that may set off chronic headaches and the only way to prevent migraine attacks is to determine what those triggers are. Unfortunately, many primary care physicians are at a loss to determine the exact cause of migraines, and may refer you to a migraine headache specialist.
Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere
What is a headache specialist?
A headache specialist is any doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating chronic headaches, including migraine headaches, cluster headaches, rebound headaches, sinus headaches, and tension headaches. The term “headache specialist” is not a medically accredited category, but refers to a physician who has dedicated his practice to curing patients of migraine illness.
What are the advantages of seeing a headache specialist?
It can be difficult to find the right doctor for migraines; since funding for migraine research is lacking, there is little incentive for physicians to commit themselves to finding a cure for migraines. As a result, migraine specialists are few and far between. Still, there are many advantages to seeking a skilled migraine specialist:
- Migraine specialists are privy to the latest developments in migraine research and potential treatments.
- Headache specialists have a deeper understanding of migraine headache disorder than primary care doctors do.
- Because a headache specialist treats patients with different kinds of chronic headaches, he is more familiar with various headache symptoms, and thus more likely to diagnose your headache type correctly and suggest proper medication.
- Migraine headache specialists tend to understand the specific personal needs of their patients than physicians who are not specialists in the field of migraine headache disorder.
- A headache specialist is more likely to extend after-hours care for severe migraine attacks.
How can I find a good headache specialist?
Ask a trusted physician or any friends with migraines to refer you to a headache specialist, preferably one who is a member of the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH). Alternatively, some excellent web sites for migraine patients can recommend a headache doctor in your area. Here are a few:
Read more about migraine treatments:
Sources:
Image credits, from top:
m_bartosch, Grant Cochrane, Ambro , vongvanvi
Tags: chronic headaches, cluster headaches, Doctor for migraines, Headache Specialists, migraine attacks, migraine headaches, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Migraines cause, rebound headaches, sinus headaches, tension headaches
Posted in Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
If you suffer from frequent headaches, then you need to see a doctor for migraines right away- You might have migraine headaches, or another form of chronic headaches. Knowing which kind of doctor to see for migraines depends on your migraine headache symptoms, and specific needs for migraine treatment.
What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines?
Part I: Primary Care Physicians
Most chronic headache sufferers begin migraine headache treatment by visiting their primary care physician, or family doctor. This is because they have established a patient history with them, and because they feel comfortable visiting a doctor whose advice they already trust. If your primary care doctor is unable to treat you for migraine headaches, then he will refer you to a specialist.
Even if your family doctor has not received training in migraine illness, he does have a basic set of principles to refer to in diagnosing your condition. These 12 principles for migraine management in primary care are as follows:
- Most headaches are benign, and can be treated by any competent physician.
- By supplying a questionnaire, you can determine to what extent chronic headaches have affected the patient’s quality of life (daily activities, work, etc.). This information is crucial for diagnosing illness and prescribing treatment.
- A physician-patient bond is necessary for providing migraine management.
- Migraine management should be specific to the patient, and tailored to meet his/her needs. Patient should be able to manage migraine treatments self-sufficiently.
 Physicians should routinely check up on their patient by reviewing a migraine diary in which the patient records migraine triggers, headache symptoms, foods eaten, and other relevant everyday headache information.
- Schedule re-evaluation check-ups, with special attention given to frequency of migraine drug use, and relative success in providing migraine headache relief.
- Migraine treatment should be adapted continuously to meet the changing needs of the migraine headache patient.
- Urge patients to use prescribed acute migraine medications responsibly, as indicated.
- Prescribe a pain reliever or other rescue treatment as a backup for when standard migraine treatments fail.
- For patients who don’t respond well to migraine medications, or who suffer more than four migraine attacks in one month, prescribe preventative migraine medications, in addition to suggesting certain lifestyle changes that are conducive to better migraine management.
- When prescribing preventative migraine treatments, take into account any comorbid conditions the patient might have.
- Develop a healthy professional relationship with your patient based on trust, mutual agreement, and consideration for the patient’s lifestyle.
When is it time to switch headache doctors?
If you feel that your primary care physician is not meeting your needs, then it might be time to shop around for a doctor that specializes in the field of migraine headaches.
Parts II and III discuss headaches specialists and neurologists.
Read more about migraine treatment:
How to make your own Emergency Migraine Attack Survival Pack
Top 20 Simple Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Migraines
Improve your Memory while taking Topamax for Migraines
20 Best Blog Sites for Migraine Information and Inspiration
Top 20 Websites for Migraine Headache Patients
35 Things you should never tell a Chronic Migraine Sufferer
Sources:
Which Doctors Provide Migraine Treatment?
Establishing principles for migraine management in primary care- PubMed NCBI
Image credits, from top:
Ambro, cohdra, photostock, scottchan
Tags: chronic headaches, constant headaches, Frequent headaches, headache relief, Headaches, Headaches everyday, Migraine, migraine headache treatment, migraine headaches, migraine medications, migraine relief, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, Primary care physicians, what kind of doctor to see for migraines
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