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Posts Tagged ‘rebound headaches’

Migraine Headaches- Top 7 FAQ’s

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Migraine headaches strike millions of migraineurs, but many people don’t understand why they occur or how to stop the debilitating migraine attacks. Here are some of the top FAQ’s regarding migraine headaches.

1) What are migraine headaches?

Migraines are a debilitating neurological illness that involves the nerve muscles and blood vessels in your head, causing severe, excruciating headaches and a multitude of other disabling symptoms. Migraine attacks can occur at any time, and may last for several hours or days.

People who suffer from migraines (migraineurs) often experience their first migraine headache in childhood. For some, migraines disappear for many years, only to return later in life. For most, the pain is constant.

Since migraines are difficult to treat, chronic migraine patients usually cope with them their entire lives.

2) What are all the symptoms of migraines?

Besides throbbing, severe headache, migraineurs may also experience:

Shooting pain behind the eye
Extreme sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, and scents
Severe stomach cramps
Chronic vomiting
Chronic diarrhea
Fatigue
Vertigo (dizziness)
Tinnitus (ear ringing)

3) What are migraines with aura?

Migraines are separated into two main categories: migraines with aura, and migraines without aura.

A migraine aura is a phase that precedes a migraine attack, and may occur as little as thirty minutes before the migraine strikes. “Alice in Wonderland syndrome,” as noted by the famous author, who also suffered from migraines with aura, causes unusual, hallucinatory sensations, in addition to nausea, vomiting, and stroke-like symptoms. Read When Migraine Aura with Aphasia leaves you Lost for Words

Migraine with aura symptoms may include:

Distorted sense of time and spatial awareness
Vertigo (dizziness)
Bright, flickering lights in peripheral vision
Crescent-shaped light hallucination
Blind spot in peripheral vision
Olfactory hallucinations (strange scents)
Tinnitus (ear ringing)
Partial paralysis in upper torso
Numbness and tingling
Speech difficulties
Temporary loss of consciousness
Weakness
Fatigue
Nausea
Recurrent vomiting
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea

4) What are migraine triggers?

Migraine triggers are any factor that contributes to the occurrence and frequency of migraine headaches. While one migraine trigger probably won’t “cause migraines,” an onslaught of migraine triggers can collectively create an environment in your nervous system often referred to as the “migraine brain.” Read Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere

By keeping a migraine diary, and sharing it with your doctor, you can effectively determine which factors most often trigger your migraines. Some migraine triggers cannot be avoided, but an effort must be made to reduce migraine triggers to an absolute minimum, whenever possible.

Common migraine triggers are:

Food, including red wine, beer, chocolate, red-skinned fruits, aged cheese and meats, fermented foods, yeasted breads, gluten, dairy, cold foods, and nightshade vegetables
Strong scents, like perfumes and cut grass
Allergies
Bright lights, fluorescent light bulbs, stark white backgrounds, and black/white lined patterns
Weather changes
Hormonal changes
Stress
Changes in sleep cycles
Changes in eating patterns
Altitude

5) Should I see a doctor?

Absolutely- if chronic headaches are occurring, then you must have tests done to ascertain that there is no life-threatening illness or damage, such as brain tumor or stroke.

If possible, seek a neurologist who specializes in migraines or another migraine headache specialist. Read What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Neurologists

6) What migraine medications are available?

There are difference classifications of migraine medications- some treat the head pain itself, some “abort” the migraine attack if caught in time, and others prevent migraines from occurring.

Convention migraine treatments vary according to symptoms, but many such as Topamax may include uncomfortable side effects like nausea, short-term memory loss, brain fog, and…headaches. Read Are You on the Rebound with Your Headache?

7) Which natural ingredients are good for migraines?

A number of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) for migraines have been tested in clinical trials and found to be extremely helpful . For more info, read Natural Supplements and Herbs for migraines

Natural migraine ingredients include:

Magnesium
Butterbur extract
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Coenzyme Q10

Please tell us…

Do you have any more questions about migraines? Please leave your comments below!

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How does the migraine detox diet work?

If you’ve been keeping a migraine diary to no effect, then you might benefit by going on a complete migraine detox. Instead of painstakingly trying to identify your personal migraine food triggers one by one, the detox diet requires you to cut out all “red light” foods at once. By going cold turkey, you rid your body of all toxins and start anew, slowly introducing new foods into your diet while carefully monitoring your body’s reaction.

What are migraine toxins?

Before starting a detox program for migraines, it’s important to understand exactly what we mean by “toxin” for migraines.

Specifically, migraine toxins are all ingredients that enter your body and trigger a migraine attack, yet have no effect on people who don’t suffer migraines. In the detox diet, all medications, including painkillers for migraines, whether over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed, are considered toxic.

Again, it is crucial to obtain your doctor’s permission before undergoing any detox program for migraines or ending any migraine medication.

List of migraine toxins

Migraine toxins may include:

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
Stimulants
Hormone pills
Vasodilators (hypertension medications, nitrates)
Preservatives (nitrates, nitrites, tannins)
Monosodium glutamate (MSG, Important: Read Where’s the MSG? Hidden MSG Lurks Everywhere)
Food coloring
Artificial sweeteners
Caffeine
Alcohol
Citrus fruits and juices
Overripe fruits (avocadoes, bananas, red plums)
Dried fruits (raisins, figs, prunes)
Legumes (most beans, peas in pod)
Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, onions)
Fermented condiments (pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi )
Aged cheese
Yogurt, sour cream
Cured, smoked, or processed meats and fish
Yeasted breads or pastries
Tree nuts and peanuts

Migraine nutrients promote detox

In addition to cutting out migraine toxins, you should begin taking natural ingredients for migraines that are healthy and support neurological functioning.

The following nutrients are supported by scientific evidence:

Magnesium: Magnesium reduces stress, soothes tension, supports neurological functioning, and promotes a healthy circulatory system, making it a healthful nutrient for migraine patients. Also, magnesium naturally regulates calcium channels. This placebo-controlled study on migraines and magnesium found impressive results with patients who received 600 mg of magnesium each day for 12 weeks.
Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10): CoQ10 is a vitamin-like nutrient that has been featured in numerous controlled studies, such as this study published by the National Library of Medicine, in which 150 mg of coenzyme Q10 per day greatly benefited more than 60% of the test subjects involved.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Riboflavin is an essential B vitamin that is also beneficial with migraines. In this study, 59% of patients who received 400 mg of riboflavin each day for three months experienced dramatic health benefits.

Migraine detox side effects

During the first few weeks of migraine detox, you will likely experience unpleasant side effects, as toxins are released into your bloodstream. Side effects of migraine detox may include migraine headaches or non-migraine headaches, such as rebound headaches.

Other migraine detox symptoms may include:

Irritability
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Exhaustion
Muscle pains
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Bad breath
Nausea
Insomnia
Acne
Cold symptoms

Please tell us…

Have you completed a migraine detox program?
If so, was it as a hospital inpatient, or on an outpatient basis?
If you haven’t attempted detox, what is the one thing that is holding you back more than anything else…withdrawal symptoms or fear that it won’t work?
Please share your comments, suggestions, and questions with us!

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What is a neurologist?

A neurologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the brain, particularly the nervous system. A competent neurologist treats patients who suffer from a wide range of conditions, including dementia, epilepsy, brain tumors, amnesia, and migraine disorder.

What are the advantages to seeing a neurologist for migraines?

For many migraine sufferers, visiting a neurologist that specializes in chronic headaches is an effective way to stay on top of their migraine symptoms and find out about new advances in migraine treatments.

By limiting his practice to the treatment of migraines, your neurologist has an in depth understanding of the neurological factors involved in migraine illness.
A migraine neurologist has the most up-to-date news in migraine treatments, coping mechanisms, and other resources.
Your neurologist is better able to diagnose migraine symptoms and comorbid conditions.
By establishing a patient-doctor bond with your neurologist, you will be in a good position to control your migraine triggers, learn how to manage your migraines on your own, make better lifestyle choices, and develop a strategy for preventing migraines that works.
In addition to prescribing migraine medications, your neurologist might suggest natural migraine ingredients, such as vitamins, and herbs like butterbur, magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10.

Are there any disadvantages to choosing a neurologist?

Choosing the right doctor is always hit or miss; you might find an excellent neurologist that understands your feelings and addresses your needs on the first visit, but it’s more likely that you will have to shop around.

First, ask up front if your neurologist treats migraine patients. Many neurologists reserve their time for individuals with other brain disorders, but not migraine disorder.
It’s possible that after the first visit, your doctor will tell you that your symptoms are not severe enough, and that he only treats migraine patients who experience migraine attacks on a more regular basis- assuming you get an initial appointment at all.
There are millions of migraine patients in the US, but only a handful of neurologists specializing in the field of chronic headaches and facial pain. This is likely because there is very little government funding devoted to migraine research; as a result, there is little incentive for a doctor wishing to advance himself in medicine to choose migraine illness as his specialty.

Where can I find a headache specialist or neurologist in my area?

The internet is a great place to connect with other migraine sufferers and migraine advocacy groups. Here are a few sites that have search engines for locating a doctor to treat your migraines:

U.S. Regional Migraine & Headache Clinics

Find a Healthcare Professional

National Headache Foundation

Read more about migraine treatments:

What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Headache Specialists

What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Primary Care Physicians

Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere

Sources:

Johns Hopkins Neurology/Neurosurgery- Headache Center- Migraine Headache

Which Doctors Provide Migraine Treatment?

Image credits, from top:

jepoirrier, ShutterMoth

Tags: butterbur, chronic headaches, cluster headaches, coenzyme q10, Doctor for migraines, Headaches everyday, magnesium, migraine disorder, migraine headaches, natural migraine treatments, neurologist migraines, neurology, rebound headaches, riboflavin
Posted in Migraine Treatments | No Comments »

What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Headache Specialists

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:

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are recurring headaches that come in a set, or “cluster.” Cluster headache periods may be sporadic- you might go weeks, months, or even years without suffering even one episode of cluster headaches. When they do strike, cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful and disabling. Cluster headache patients often describe them as “the worst headaches of their life.” One cluster headache phase can last for approximately one month.

Symptoms of cluster headaches are:

Sharp, burning pain on one side of the head
Pain that emanates from the temple or eye region on either side of the head
Pain that strikes suddenly and intensifies quickly in a few minutes’ time
Pain that happens at a consistent time of day
Puffy, reddened watery eyes
Droopy, sagging eyelid
Nasal congestion

Treatments for cluster headaches are:

Oxygen inhalation therapy
Triptan medications
Octreotide
Lidocaine
Ergotamine preparations
Preventative medications include anti-seizure drugs, corticosteroids (short-term), verapamil, and lithium.

Rebound headaches

If your first reaction to headache symptoms is to reach for a bottle of OTC analgesic pain relievers, then you increase your chances of becoming addicted and experiencing rebound headaches. Particularly at risk are headache sufferers who take more pills than recommended on the package label or by their physician. You might feel temporary pain relief, but the withdrawal symptoms you experience later will include recurring headache pain, creating a cycle of addiction that is difficult to break. Prolonged usage of analgesic pain relievers causes a neurological malfunction that interrupts pain signals in the brain.

Medications that cause rebound headaches are:

Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Sinus medicine
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
Sleeping pills
Prescription narcotics
Codeine
OTC pain relievers that contain caffeine
Ergotamine medications
Triptan medications for migraines, if taken more than twice per week

Treatments for rebound headaches include:

Quitting “cold turkey”
Weaning off medication through supervised detoxification in a hospital setting
For prevention of rebound headache, heeding package labels on medications, limiting OTC pain relievers to the smallest possible dose, and no more than twice in one week, unless advised otherwise by your physician

Read more about different types of headaches:

Migraines and other Types of Headaches- How many are there? Part 1

Migraines and other Types of Headaches- How many are there? Part 2

Is it a Cluster Headache or a Migraine?

Are You on the Rebound with Your Headache?

Rebound Headaches, Anyone?

Sources:

Is It a Cluster Headache and What Can Ease the Pain? – Headaches and Migraines – Health.com

Medicines for Cluster Headaches- Health.com

Rebound Headaches- Cleveland Clinic

Image credits, from top:

ToastyKen, aerodesign.pl, Maggie Smith

Tags: chronic headaches, chronic migraines, cluster headaches, constant headaches, Daily headaches, Excedrin headaches, Excedrin migraines, Frequent headaches, headache causes, headache relief, Headaches everyday, migraine headache, migraine headaches, Neck pain and headaches, rebound headaches, severe headache, Shoulder and neck pain, sinus headaches, symptoms of migraines, tension headaches, types of headaches
Posted in Types of Migraines | No Comments »

7 Headache Categories:Which Type of Headache do you Have?

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Almost everybody gets a headache at one point or another, but not all headache symptoms are alike. Recognizing and diagnosing chronic headaches can be complicated, as causes, headache pain symptoms and headache treatments differ.

According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million US citizens suffer from chronic headaches, 28 million of which are diagnosed as migraine headaches. There are so many different classifications of headaches that it can get confusing for the headache sufferer, making it difficult to identify possible headache triggers or to find headache relief. Some headache sufferers feel pain only on one side of the head, some experience additional side effects such as nausea, and some find that only certain foods trigger headaches.

There are over 150 types of headaches. Here is a listing of the top 7 basic headache types:

1) Tension headaches: Tension headaches are among the most common type of headaches, the type typically referred to as chronic daily headaches. Pain is described as mild to moderate, and can continue over a long period of time. Tension headaches are caused by tightening of the muscles. Relieve Your Headaches With Yoga: Try These Moves!
2) Migraine headaches: It’s widely accepted that migraines are caused by contracted blood vessels, although the exact cause of migraine headaches is unknown. Migraines are heredity, and there is a correlation between migraine symptoms and brain chemistry. Migraine pain is described as severe, pounding pain. Migraine patients have heightened sensitivity to strong lights, sounds and scents. Nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps are common side effects of migraines. Women who get Migraines are also Likely to get This
3) Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are rare, but their symptoms are severe and often debilitating. Cluster headache patients experience sharp, throbbing, burning pain behind one eye. Symptoms tend to appear punctually, according to an innate time frame, and can occur three times a day; cluster headaches occur during phases, or time “clusters,” which can last for weeks or sometimes months. When under an attack, cluster headache sufferers are unable to concentrate on anything else, and may feel restlessness and anxiety. Is it a Cluster Headache or a Migraine?
4) Sinus headaches: Sinus headaches are characterized by deep pain in the upper-head area, such as cheeks, forehead, and bridge of nose between the eyes. Sinus headaches are accompanied by sinus conditions, including runny nose, allergies, upper-head congestion, fever, swelling and sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears. Is Gluten Sensitivity Giving You a Headache?
5) Acute headaches: Acute headaches are brief and not usually related to any neurological disorder. Children may suffer acute headaches as a result of an ear infection or doctor’s visit. Acute headaches are most common in children and teenagers. Migraine Pop Quiz: How Well do you Understand your Headaches?
6) Hormone headaches: Fluctuating hormone levels may cause hormone headaches in women. Factors which cause hormone headaches are pregnancy, PMS, menstruation, menopause and birth control pills.Symptoms of a Menstrual Migraine

7) Chronic progressive headaches: Chronic progressive headaches are uncommon; they are classified as headaches which increase in frequency and severity over time, and are generally associated with brain disorders. 4 Headaches that Require Emergency Intervention

Sources:

WebMD, Mayo Clinic, MedicineNet

Tags: acute headaches, causes of migraine headaches, chronic headaches, cluster headache relief, cluster headaches, constant headaches, headache relief, headache remedies, hormonal headaches, migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, natural cures for headaches, rebound headaches, sinus headaches, tension headache relief, tension headache symptoms, treatment migraine headaches, types of headaches, types of headaches causes, types of headaches symptoms, what causes headaches
Posted in Types of Migraines | 4 Comments »

Are You on the Rebound with Your Headache?

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Rebound headaches- cruel trick of nature?

Sometimes it seems that there are so many headache triggers out there giving you migraines, that you need to be a detective to get to the bottom of it- foods like chocolate and coffee are known to cause migraines, and stress, that unavoidable common denominator, accounts for approximately 80% of all tension headaches.

But what are you supposed to do when it’s the headache medicine that’s giving you your migraines?

What is a rebound headache?

A rebound headache is a recurring migraine which is caused by overuse of headache medicines. Depending on the type of medication, a rebound headache may occur after 5 days of headache treatment per month, or after more than 9 days of using a particular headache medication. Also, using a pain reliever without following the labeling instructions may result in rebound headache symptoms.

Which headache treatments cause rebound headaches?

Taking too much of any pain reliever is likely to cause a rebound headache; numerous studies link rebound headaches with pain medication which were commonly considered “safe” to use at all times.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and combination headache remedies are known culprits for rebound headaches; sinus relief medications and sleep sedatives have also been proven to cause headaches.
Headache medications which utilize ergotamine and butalbital have been linked with rebound headaches in numerous studies.
Taking triptan migraine medications more than twice per week can cause rebound headaches; examples of triptans include Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt, Relpax, Axert, Frova, Amerge, and Treximet.

How do you get rid of a rebound headache?

Following these guidelines will help you avoid getting rebound headaches, and ensure that you are getting maximum benefit from your migraine pain relievers:

Always use medication as directed by your doctor or the labeling instructions.
Limit over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers to situations where the headaches seem unbearable, taking the smallest dose suggested. So not use pain relievers more than a few times per week, unless advised otherwise from a physician.
Ask your doctor about possible drug interactions before taking any new over-the-counter medication.
Avoid using caffeine while taking pain relievers, particularly if the medication which you are using already contains caffeine.

Rebound Headaches, Anyone?

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Millions of people suffering from chronic headaches take medications that lead to rebound headaches. Basically, the pain-relieving medications themselves are capable of triggering subsequent headaches that are worse in duration and severity as a result, also known as “rebound headaches.”

Two million Americans will suffer from rebound headaches, according to Dr. Seymour Diamond from the National Headache Foundation

Dr. Diamond points out that caffeine, found in Excedrin Migraine, acts as a vasoconstrictor. This means that it constricts blood vessels to relieve headache pain. However, when the caffeine wears off, the pain comes back stronger than it was originally.

People generally view over-the-counter pain relievers as harmless, and use them more often. But, the usage of a pain reliever at least three times a day can cause the rebound effect.

Some of the culprits, ironically, are prescription medications that are also capable of reproducing the rebound effect. These include Esgic and Fioricet; Cefergot and Ergomar; Zomig and Imitrex. Other non-prescription medications that may also trigger the rebound effect include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.

Why do these drugs lead to intensified headaches? It’s because taking these drugs too often decreases serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that controls a person’s mood. When serotonin is decreased, it generates an increase of even more painful headaches, and creates the possibility of migraines.

Those suffering from rebound headaches should speak to their doctors to find out what specifically is causing them.

Tags: rebound headaches, rebound headaches and acetaminophen, rebound headaches and aspirin, rebound headaches and caffeine, rebound headaches and ibuprofen, rebound headaches and imitrex, rebound headaches and migraines
Posted in Migraines | 1 Comment »

Posts Tagged ‘rebound headaches’

1) What are migraine headaches?

2) What are all the symptoms of migraines?

3) What are migraines with aura?

4) What are migraine triggers?

5) Should I see a doctor?

6) What migraine medications are available?

7) Which natural ingredients are good for migraines?

Please tell us…

Share with your friends!

Read more about migraine headaches:

How does the migraine detox diet work?

What are migraine toxins?

List of migraine toxins

Migraine nutrients promote detox

Migraine detox side effects

Please tell us…

Spread the love…

Read more about natural migraine treatments:

What is a neurologist?

What are the advantages to seeing a neurologist for migraines?

Are there any disadvantages to choosing a neurologist?

Where can I find a headache specialist or neurologist in my area?

What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines?

Part II: Headache Specialists

What is a headache specialist?

What are the advantages of seeing a headache specialist?

How can I find a good headache specialist?

Read more about migraine treatments:

Cluster headaches

Rebound headaches

Read more about different types of headaches:

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