Migraine Triggers Watch

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Migraines

Sam — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:15:03 +0000

Some migraineurs are fortunate enough to experience prodromal symptoms that let them know a migraine is coming. It isn't much, but it allows them to plan for the down time they know they are about to enter into. A migraineur who has learned cognitive behavioral therapy can utilize the same prodromal symptoms to short circuit their migraine headache.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for migraineurs is aimed at recognizing at consciously manipulating the role that a patient's behaviors play in the development of their headaches. Together the patient and therapist will determine how the patient behaves when they feel a headache coming, or when the pain starts for those who do not experience prodromal symptoms. They then develop alternative behaviors to try in the same situation in hopes that changing the behavior will change the migraine.

In cognitive behavioral therapy, the doctor or therapist works with the migraineur to:

* Identify the problem behavior to be modified. This is often done by having the patient maintain a headache diary.
* Establish a treatment goal. This is usually not the total elimination of the migraine, but a step along the way, such as learning to relax around potential migraine triggers.
* Create a new behavioral pattern to try to affect change.
* Monitor the patient's reaction to the new behavior and check for environmental factors that may be influencing the behavior.

Common behavioral therapy techniques include:

* Desensitization
* Positive Thinking
* Reframing
* Role-Playing and
* Self-Talk

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful by itself, but is especially helpful to patients who are also on preventive drug therapies. A 1989 study found that clinic-based and minimal-therapist contact behavioral therapy had roughly equal success rates, both initially and upon follow-up six month later. Minimal contact therapy is therefore an effective, affordable treatment alternative for migraineurs.

Headache Remedies

Sam — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:30:02 +0000

Introduction

Headache is the most common ailment that almost all suffer from at on point of time or other. They can be of two types – primary and secondary.

People may opt for man-made (home remedies) drugs for headaches or pain relievers. However, the natural remedies for headaches are gaining are more popular as they provide a very safe and effective way to relieve headaches.

Cluster Headaches -

Nutrition supplements like Melatonin for reducing the severity and frequency of the headaches. An herb, Cayenne also relieves the headache.

Migraine Headaches -

Nutrition supplements like Magnesium (helps in reducing frequency of migraines), Vitamin B2 (for reducing the frequency and severity of migraines) and 5-HTP (for reducing the frequency and severity of migraines) and Herbs like Feverfew (reduces severity, duration, and frequency) and Ginkgo Biloba will help.

Tension Headaches -

Nutritional supplements like L-5 hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) (reduces the frequency and severity) and herbs like peppermint oil (has relaxing, pain relieving effect) will help.

Home Remedies -

Some other remedies listed below can also be tried -

1. If not working, you can take a short break from work, get home and lie down and relax.

2. Switching off all the lights and relaxing in dark helps release the headache. Lights (particularly very bright or fluorescent ones) are said to cause migraine headaches.

3. Headaches may also result from stale and stagnant air. Taking a break from work and taking quick walk or a stroll in a park or garden, helps as fresh air releases headache.

4. Using a pain reliever like aspirin or anything that suits you (but as per the doctor's prescriptions) also helps

5. Some people are used to treat headaches with coffee, caffeine or other drinks. Chocolate is also said to relieve headache.

6. Many people feel meditation is a very effective way of treating headaches as it is an easy and natural way.

7. Candles lighted around the home and some meditation helps you feel relaxed and relieve the headache.

8. There are some natural oils that act as pain relievers like mint, eucalptus, or rosemary. Headache and pain reliever "bags" filled with natural healing ingredients and herbs and heated in a microwave also helps.

9. A head massage or a complete body massage is a natural way to treat headaches.

10. Soft and soothing type of music relaxes body and mind and relieves the headache.

Thermal Biofeedback and Migraines

Sam — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:45:10 +0000

Thermal biofeedback is an effective technique used by many migraine patients to reduce the pain intensity and frequency of their headaches. This is especially true of pediatric migraineurs, particularly those who have entered puberty.

Pregnant migraine sufferers can doubly benefit from biofeedback. It enables them to avoid potentially dangerous medication during their pregnancy. Second, a 1996 study showed an 80% reduction in headache frequency and intensity among pregnant migraineurs.

Thermal biofeedback, sometimes referred to as psycho-physiological feedback, is a treatment modality used to instruct people in the conscious control of their body temperature. Patients achieve control through a combination of visualization (guided imagery), voluntary relaxation, and mechanical feedback.

A 1983 study tested the effects of three different medication-free techniques, thermal biofeedback, frontalis EMG biofeedback, and relaxation training, on migraineurs. Patients using each technique experienced improvement in their migraines, but the thermal feedback patients appeared to experience the greatest success rate and were more able to sustain the effect long term.

Patients are attached to a temperature sensor, usually on the hand, during instruction in thermal biofeedback. This sensor allows them to see the effect of their attempts to consciously control their temperature and change their methodology as needed to achieve the desired result.

Training in thermal biofeedback is usually provided by a psychologist or an alternative medicine provider in an office setting, and then practiced by the individual alone. Patients interested in learning this technique should screen instructors thoroughly since there is currently no licensing requirement for those who provide it.

At-home thermal biofeedback practice is frequently more successful in children because they tend to be more imaginative than adults. To utilize this treatment successfully, patients must be very motivated and diligent in practicing it. Some adults can only achieve thermal control when guided by an instructor and are unable to practice the technique alone.

Thermal Biofeedback and Migraines

Sam — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:15:03 +0000

Stroke Treatment Promising for Migraineurs

Sam — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:30:06 +0000

Doctors may have discovered a powerful means by which to combat migraines while trying to prevent strokes. Closing a small hole in the heart may decrease migraine problems considerably.

Let's start at the beginning–the very beginning. Every fetus has what is referred to as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This small hole in the heart is there to allow blood to take a quick route from the upper right quadrant to the upper left before it makes its way into the rest of the circulatory system. Once a child is born, and his or her face contacts the air for the first time, he or she inhales deeply, inflating the lungs for the first time. This creates pressure in the area and pushes the PFO closed. Eventually, it grows together and the hole is gone for good.

In some people, however, that doesn't happen and the PFO remains open. Doctors have linked this abnormality to stroke risk and have surgically closed the PFO in some people as a means of staving off potential strokes. That bit of preventative maintenance led to a discovery that may have a substantial impact on the world of migraine disorders.

In doing the operations, the surgeons learned that many of the patients who were migraine sufferers reported experiencing a dramatic decline in migraine episodes after PFO closure. The results were sufficiently varied and interesting to justify further research into the matter. In fact, it appears as if closing the PFO may reduce migraine headaches by as much as fifty percent, while simultaneously maintaining the advantage of decreasing stroke risk (one of the most potentially dangerous elements often associated with migraine disorders)

Doctors are now conducting experiments wherein some migraine sufferers will receive a PFO-sealing angioplasty and others will merely think they underwent the surgery (their vision and hearing will be obscured during the process). The control group will be treated as if they underwent the full surgery, including receipt of an incision and stitches, in order to keep the results valid. Physicians hope to discover whether or not the drop in migraine activity noted so far among those with open PFOs will exist on a larger level.

Although the procedure may not completely eradicate migraine headaches, it does hold some promise to keep the episodes in check for many people. Migraine is a complex disorder and very little is truly known about its root physiological causes. The fact that surgeons seemed to have "accidentally" ended migraines in some patients while sealing open PFOs is just another example of how much we still need to learn about the ailment.

Among those migraine sufferers who have open PFOs, the research and its potential are both quite exciting. The idea of permanently reducing the level of migraine headache activity by fifty percent is quite exciting and may have a substantial impact on the migraine's overall quality of life.

Migraines and PMS

Sam — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:15:01 +0000

No one knows exactly what causes migraine headaches, or even what happens in the body and brain when someone has one. One thing that is known, however, is that three times as many women as men have migraines. Many female migraineurs will also confess that their headaches are likely to coincide with the period just before their menstrual period.

A whopping sixty percent of women migraineurs have migraines during their period and during the rest of the month. Fourteen percent only have a migraine headache during their period. Look at the numbers; seventy-four percent of all women migraineurs associate their period with their headaches, and while medical science does not deny the connection, the reason for it is still unknown.

In addition, many women who become migraineurs later in life say that their pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms became much more acute since the headaches began. A study published in the January 2006 issue of Headache confirmed the apocryphal evidence. Women participating reported that bloating, weight gain, breast tenderness, mood swings, back pain, and abdominal cramps all became more severe during a migraine.

The women in the study were given a medication to induce a temporary artificial menopause by halting the action of the ovaries. Even with the hormonal ups and downs of regular periods eliminated, they still reported worsened PMS symptoms during a migraine attack.

The fourteen percent of women who only have migraines during their period are said to have "menstrual migraines". There is hope, though. For some lucky women, taking a brief course of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen) for several days prior to their period as well as the first few days of it can stave off a menstrual migraine. Women who want to try this type of prophylactic treatment should discuss the option with their doctor.

Stroke Treatment Promising for Migraineurs

Sam — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:30:02 +0000

Doctors may have discovered a powerful means by which to combat migraines while trying to prevent strokes. Closing a small hole in the heart may decrease migraine problems considerably.

American headache society

Sam — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:00:03 +0000

The American Headache Society (AHS) is an expert society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. American Headache Society brings together physicians and other fitness providers from various fields and specialties to share concepts and developments about headache and related conditions. The American Headache Society was founded in 1959. It is the nation's professional association for those interested in the study and management of headache and face pain. The Society's objectives are to encourage the exchange of information and ideas concerning the causes and treatments of headache and related painful disorders. Educating physicians, health professionals and the public and encouraging scientific research are the prime functions of the Society. American Headache Society activities comprise an annual scientific meeting, two comprehensive headache symposia, publication of the journal Headache and sponsorship of the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE).

Other objectives of AHS

The educational objectives of AHS are to carry on to improve the knowledge, skills and professional performance of physicians, psychologists and other health professionals in the care of patients with head, neck and or facial pain by providing a forum for presentation of free scientific communication on research and clinical practice or providing educational symposia or by improving education in medical schools and residency programs and by identifying and increasing new educational initiatives. The information is proposed primarily for health care professionals. Headache sufferers and other interested non-professionals may desire to consult the information offered by the AHS-affiliated patient organization, the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE).

About the ACHE

The American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) is a nonprofit patient-health professional partnership committed to advancing the treatment and management of headache and to raising the public awareness of headache as a valid, biologically based illness. ACHE's educational mission reaches out to health career policy makers, employers, opinion leaders, at the same time as to headache patients and their families. Our aims are to empower headache sufferers through education, and to support them by educating their families, employers, and the public in general. We sponsor individualized treatments, which combine the best of traditional medicine, alternative medicine, drug, and non-drug therapies. We do not recommend any specific approaches or medications. Through education in the causes and treatment of headache, sufferers can be empowered and prepared to seek effective therapies and knowledgeable health care providers who can aid them in achieving better quality of life.

Types of headaches

Sam — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:45:05 +0000

What are headache and the most common reason of the headache?

A headache in the medical terms is also known as cephalgia. The head ache is a condition of mild to awful pain in the head. This pain sometimes attacks the neck or upper back pain may also be referred to as a headache. The headache is among the most common local pain complaints. in the normal day the brain should not ache because of minute reasons because the brain itself is not sensitive to pain. The brain is not sensitive because it lacks pain-sensitive nerve fibers. Some of the areas in the head can hurt, including a network of nerves. Because the nerve system although does not exist in brain but it extends over the scalp and certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat. The blood vessels in the head also have pain perception. Headache often results from the irritation in the blood vessels.

How many types of headaches are there?

There are many types of headaches. There are as many as 150 diagnostic headache categories have been established. The most common types of headache are:

Tension headache: the tension headache is also called chronic daily headaches or chronic non-progressive headaches. It is the most common type of headaches among adults and youngsters. The muscle contraction in the head muscles causes this pain. The pain can be mild or severe in the head.

Migraines: The exact cause of migraine pains is not known. The migraines is said to be related to blood vessel contractions and other changes in the brain. The inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain can also cause the migraines

Mixed headache pain: this is also called as the transformed migraines. The mixed headache is also called as combination of migraine and tension headaches.

Cluster headaches: this type of headache is not common but this is the most severe kind of headache. The pain in this type of headache is too severe that most cluster headache sufferers cannot sit still at the time of the cluster headache attack.

Sinus headache: Sinus headaches are related with a deep and steady pain in the cheekbones, forehead or bridge of the nose.

Acute headaches: this type of headache is mostly seen in the children. This type of headache comes suddenly and subsides in a relatively short period of time.

Hormonal headaches: headaches mostly to the women at the time of changing of hormone are called the hormonal headaches.

Treating migraines the right way

Sam — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:30:02 +0000

Migraines can be pretty inconvenient especially if the pain is too debilitating. Often, people suffering from migraine attacks take a leave of absences because the pain renders them ineffective in their daily duties.

Migraine is a vascular problem characterized primarily by severe headache. This is due to the constrictions in the blood vessels that cause them to expand. Another likely cause of migraine is the shifting levels of hormones in the body, which can be seen during menopausal periods and menstrual cycles.

It is important to remember though that there are types of migraines that do not involve the pain in the head. Acephalgic migraine or what is called the silent migraine is an eye migraine that do not involve any pain. Instead, visual disturbances occur such as temporary double visions and blindness in the eye. Other symptoms of migraine are vomiting, nausea, visual problems and dizzy spells.

Because of its many types, treatment of migraines can be pretty complex. In fact, experts advise people to consult their doctors and do not self-medicate especially if the migraine attacks become more frequent and chronic. One must remember though that migraine cannot be "cured" per se as it is not a disease but a condition. The only thing that doctors can do is to help control it and hopefully anticipate the next attack.
Many believe that though it is pretty hard to know when another migraine episode will occur, preventive treatment is still best.

To prevent the occurrence of migraines, doctors advise that one avoid triggering factors as best a they can. Triggering factors can be different for every individual. For instance, a strong odor may trigger the migraine of one but leave another migraine-afflicted person unaffected. Among the most common triggering factors are stress, eye problems, food, and bright lights.

Another avenue for treatment is diet restrictions. There are food items that are closely associated with migraine episodes. Among these food items are alcoholic beverages, dairy products and processed foods such as canned products and junk foods that are rich in monosodium glutamate. Others go for preventive medications. In fact, most people see this as the most convenient of the preventive techniques as it only involves taking in of medicines. Other forms of treatment for migraine that doctors can do are behavior modification techniques, biofeedback and relaxation techniques.

Although preventive treatment is effective for some, it cannot be used on others. Migraines can be really unpredictable and episodes are so far between that you'll never know when you will have another again. For people whose episodes are not really as frequent, symptomatic relief or what is called abortive treatment is best prescribed.

There are non prescription drugs that are typically used to help relieve the pain. Among them are aspirin; acetaminophen; naproxen; ketoprofen; and ibuprofen. All these are known pain-relievers that work well with migraines that are mild. It is however important to note that there are complications that can occur if one self-medicate so it best to also consult a doctor. However, if the pain severe, a consultation with a doctor is needed.

Doctors will often prescribed a much more stronger medication for the pain. Some of the medicines that are commonly prescribed by doctors are Dihydroergotamine, which are better known in their brand names Migranal and D.H.E. 45 and ergotamine with its brand name Ergostat, which may be used alone or in combination with other medicines

Not a Headache Alone

Sam — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:00:04 +0000

Migraine syndrome is most associated with one particular symptom, the migraine headache. These powerful headaches are the best known aspect of the disorder and receive the most attention. However, migraine is not a headache alone. It may also involve a range of other symptoms and problems.

Let us look at a few of the symptoms of migraine that do not necessarily involve the infamous migraine headache.

One of the most frequently encountered symptoms of migraine is sensitivity to light and sound. Sensitivity levels can vary, with some migraineurs completely devastated even by low light or soft noise. Others may simply be sensitive to particularly bright light or loud situations.

Nausea is another common migraine symptom. Those in a "migraine" attack often feel a need to vomit. One could argue that the vomiting and nausea is secondary to the pain and intensity of the migraine headache, but the actual process is sufficiently divorced from the headache so as to warrant its mention as an individual symptom.

Some may not a change in mood or personality during a migraine. This, again, may be secondary to the stress and pain associated with the intense headache. However, it is worth nothing that these shifts in mood can be an indicator that one is experience a migraine disorder and not a traditional "stress" headache.

There are other less common symptoms associated with migraines. Some people will demonstrate a collection of symptoms that may seem more like signs of hay fever or allergy than a neurological disorder. Runny noses and watery eyes, for instance, are often associated with the onset of a migraine situation. Some migraine victims experience an intense feeling of sinus pain or other pressure in the area of the face, as well.

Those with migraine disorders may also find themselves experiencing a loss of visual acuity or noticing other sight deviations. Tunnel vision is not uncommon and many migraine patients have reported seeing spots while experiencing an episode. These situations will also manifest themselves for some migraine sufferers during the pre-headache "aura" stage, and can serve as a warning that a migraine headache is about to appear.

The migraine headache will always be the hallmark of a migraine disorder. In some ways, the painful headache is the centerpiece of the condition and deserves the most attention due to its extreme intensity and ability to all but incapacitate the sufferer. However, migraine is not merely a matter of having a headache. Many symptoms can accompany the headache, as well.

Morning Headaches

Sam — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:00:11 +0000

Chronic morning headaches have become a common feature with the changing lifestyles in the society.

They are said to be caused by the sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea (sleep apnea is a condition where people stop breathing many times at night and is accompanied by teeth grinding and periodic limb movements). Some studies also suggest that chronic morning headaches are also most commonly associated with anxiety and depression.

People suffering from hypertension, musculoskeletal diseases, and those who took anti-anxiety drugs or anti-depressants and consume more than six alcoholic drinks a day are most likely to suffer from morning headaches.

People suffering from chronic morning headaches awaken with pain every day or a few times in a week. Tiredness, anxiety and irritation are usually seen in such people during the day.

Morning Headaches – Facts and figures -

A recent study suggests that about 1 in every 13 people suffer from these headaches and the instances of the headaches are more among women. People between the ages of 45 and 64 suffered from headaches.

Treatment -

A visit to a doctor is necessary for evaluating anxiety, depression and other diseases in such people. Doctors suggest treatment for these two conditions for relieving morning headaches.

Early Morning Awakening Headaches -

These types of headaches awaken a person in the early hours of the morning (usually after 4 AM) or they are seen when a person awakens in the early morning. Cluster, migraine and tension-type headaches come under this category. The pain is intense during the early morning hours. People who usually suffer from chronic tension-type headaches are seen suffering from early morning headaches.

Depression is most commonly said to cause these headaches. The side-effects of the the pain reliever drugs, ergots caffeine are also said to cause the headaches.

The production of natural painkillers like endorphins and enkephalins in the body drops down and adrenalin is produced in larger quantities between 4 and 8 in the morning. Adrenalin affects the blood pressure and influences the regulation of dilation or contraction of blood vessels, thereby triggering migraine attacks, resulting in early morning headaches.

Serious diseases are not very common causes of early morning headaches. Diseases like brain tumors, sleep apnea and extremely high blood pressure very rarely cause early morning headaches.

Rebound Headaches

Sam — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:30:04 +0000

Rebound headaches are headaches that may be caused by overusing pain medicines. Typically rebound headaches begin early in the morning, however the location and severity of the headache can change on a daily basis. Indeed, rebound headaches typically are daily occurrences and can lead to problems involving anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and depression.

Migraine medications work to raise serotonin levels to ease pain, but when too much medication is ingested something happens to the serotonin levels which causes the chemical to lose its effectiveness. Research shows that serotonin levels are lower when you take too much pain medication and then rise slightly after the headaches get better and you stop taking the medication.

Either over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs can lead to rebound headaches if taken too often or in greater amounts than recommended. In addition to sedatives and tranquilizers, other rebound-causing medications include:

- Caffeine-containing analgesics (Excedrin, Anacin, etc.) Caffeine is a primary ingredient in many headache medicines. Although caffeine-based medication can relieve migraine pain when temporarily, taking medicine containing caffeine every day-as well as drinking caffeine-loaded beverages such as coffee or soft drinks-can lead to more frequent and severe headaches. If the headache worsens whenever you stop having caffeine, the caffeine may be causing some of your headaches.

- Butalbital compounds (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Phrenilin, etc.)
- Isometheptene compounds (Midrin, Duradrin, etc.)
- Decongestants (Sudafed, Tylenol Sinus, Dristan, Afrin, etc.)
- Ergotamines (Ergomar, Wigraine, Migranal and D.H.E. 45)
- Triptans (Imitrex, Amerge, Zomig, Maxalt and Axert)
- Opioids and related drugs (Tylenol with codeine, Percocet, Darvocet, OxyContin, etc.) Medications that include any form of codeine, such as Tylenol 3, Vicodin and Percocet, must be used with care because they can cause dependency quickly.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from rebound headaches:

Your headache occurs daily or almost daily (three or four times a week).

You are considered a sufferer of a primary headache disorder and you use instant prevention medication frequently and in large quantities.

Your headache deviates in strength, form, severity, and location on the head.

Even the slightest physical movement or bare minimum of intellectual expenditure cause the onset of the headache.

You have a lower than normal threshold for pain.

Your headache is accompanied by any of the these symptoms: nausea, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, memory problems, difficulty in intellectual concentration, depression.

You begin to notice evidence of an increasing tolerance to the effectiveness of analgesics over a period of time.

You suffer withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly are taken off the medication.

You notice a spontaneous improvement of headache pain when you discontinue the medications.

Should rebound migraines develop due to the overuse of medication, recovery cannot be accomplished unless the sufferer ceases taking the drugs. On the other hand, should it turn out that caffeine is causing the rebound, you may be able to get away with merely reducing your intake instead of eliminating it altogether. Before deciding on whether you want to stop gradually or abruptly, consider the following:

Most headache drugs can be stopped suddenly, but make sure you consult with a physician before withdrawal. Certain non-headache medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs or beta-blockers, require gradual withdrawal.

If you decide to go the route of gradually laying off standard headache medications, withdrawal should be completed within three days or shorter. Any longer and discouragement and impatience sets in.

Alternative medications may be administered during the first days. Examples of drugs that may be used include dihydroergotamine (with or without metoclopramide), NSAIDs (in mild cases), corticosteroids, or valproate.

Whichever method you decide to take when stopping your medication, expect a period of worsening headache afterward. Most people feel better within two weeks, although headache symptoms can persist for as long as four months and in some rare cases even longer.

If the symptoms do not respond to treatment, or if they cause severe nausea and vomiting, the patient may need to be hospitalized.

The good news is that many patients experience long-term relief from all headaches afterward, and one study even concluded with over 80% of patients significantly improved four months after withdrawal.

Stress Headaches

Sam — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:15:05 +0000

Stress: what exactly it is:

Stress is a feeling that's created when our body reacts to particular events. Stress involves the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness. The situation that causes stress are called stressor, and they cover a whole range of activities right from outright physical danger to making a class presentation or taking a semester's worth of your toughest subject. The human body in general responds to stressors in different ways mostly by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus, which is present just above the thyroid gland, signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones adrenaline and cortical and release them into the bloodstream. These hormones can cause a rapid speed up in the heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and metabolism.

Stress as a cause of headache:

Stress doesn't always happen in response to things that are immediate or that are over quickly. The stress response may be mainly divided into two categories the fight response & the flight response. Ongoing or long-term events such as coping with a divorce or moving to a new neighborhood or school can cause can also cause stress. These long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress that's hard on people that are believed to be the main reason to induce headaches according to scientific researches. The nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain slightly activated and continue to pump out extra stress hormones over an extended period. This can wear out the body's reserves, leave a person feeling depleted or overwhelmed, weaken the body's immune system, and cause other problems, which may include prolonged painful headaches and anxiety.

Stress management & treatments available:

Stress headache sufferers may acquire skills to identify the stress that triggers their headaches. In most of the cases the stress can be removed or resolved. In cases where the stress is uncontrollable, an individual can learn to change his or her own physical and emotional reactions to stressful situations. Techniques such as biofeedback and relaxation training can really prove fruitful and effective in reducing headache frequency and pain in many sufferers. Other techniques that can help cope up with stress related headaches involves keeping track of headaches, monitoring success and failure of therapies, identifying and monitoring things that may trigger headache, and making and keeping appointments with health care providers.

The Best Resources on the Web for Migraine Patients

Sam — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:45:02 +0000

You don't have to suffer migraines alone in your bed in a dark bedroom anymore. Coincident with the rise of the internet has been a rise in the number of resources available to those who are living with the wracking pain of migraine. The sheer number of sites available on the web that offer help is staggering. Trying to catalog them all would require a devote web site in and of itself. However, we've done some searching and narrowed down a quite respectable list of the best resources on the web for migraine patients.

National Headache Foundation, 428 West St. James Place, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60614-2750. Call (888-NHF-5552) or (312-388-6399). (http://www.headaches.org)American Headache Society (http://www.ahsnet.org/) and affiliated organization American Council for Headache Education (http://www.achenet.org/)19 Mantua Road, Mt. Royal, NJ 08061. Call (856-423-0043)AHS Publishes the journal Headache (http://ahsnet.org/journal/)MAGNUM (Migraine Awareness Group: A National Understanding for Migraineurs), 113 South Saint Asaph Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314. Call (703-739-9384) or (http://www.migraines.org)American Academy of Neurology, 1080 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116. Call (651-695-1940) or (http://www.aan.com/)Web site offers good information and provides names of neurologists for specific locations.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Building 31, Room 8A18, 31 Center Drive, 2540, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-2540. Call (301-496-5751) or (800-352-9424) or (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)American Medical Association information site for migraine (http://www.ama-assn.org/special/migraine/)Upstate Medical University (State University of New York) has an excellent migraine Website, designed for doctors, but accessible to the patient, as well. (http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpmirx.htm)

Migraine-Lane – supporting women who have migraines – A place for female migraine sufferers to find an outlet for frustrations, set-backs, and joys. Share what helps your migraines. Migraine-Lane embraces traditional and natural, holistic approaches to healing.

Migraines2Many – This is a group for people who suffer from migraines and their friends and family who feel the after-effects. This is an open forum to discuss your pain, problems, questions, treatment, and to just plain vent when you need to.

The Neurology Webforums at Massachusetts General Hospital – Active discussion board for headache sufferers. Exchange ideas, experiences, comments, questions, and answers with others who have severe headaches.

Trix's Migraine Page – Online community and resource center run by and for migraine sufferers to cry, vent, laugh and share stories of success and failure. It includes a special place for partners of sufferers.

Yahoo MigraineHelp Support Group – This group is a place for migrainuers and their loved ones to know that they are not alone. Moderator Teri Roberts is an expert in the field of migraine and also a sufferer herself.

Clinical Research Uncovers Missing Links in Resolving Migraine Headaches and Chronic Pain – Article proposes that by merging craniosacral concepts of chiropractic with functional dental orthopedics, a more comprehensive system emerges which has the ability to orchestrate structural balance of the entire human frame.

Efficacy of Zomig (Zolmitriptan) Unaffected by Migraine's Relationship to Menses – Doctor's Guide article discusses a new study that shows Zomig (zolmitriptan), a product of AstraZeneca , is effective in treating migraine regardless of its relationship to menses.

FDA Approves Investigational New Drug: Application for Cannabis In Migraine Treatment – Press release on FDA approval for Ethan Russo, MD, a neurologist in Missoula, Montana, to study the effects of smoked cannabis (marijuana) as compared to oral dronabinol (Marinol) and injected sumatriptan (Imitrex) in the acute treatment of migraine.

IHS: Aspirin-Acetaminophen-Caffeine Combo More Effective Than Ibuprofen In Acute Migraine Treatment – Short article summarizing findings presented in July 2001 at the 10th Congress of the International Headache Society.

Migraine Headache Prevention — Loma Linda University – Information on a migraine headache study compiled at Loma Linda University, California that found a strong link between migraine headaches and high fat consumption.

Photic Stimulation for Migraine Headache – The complete text and graphics of an article originally published in Headache in 1989.

American Council for Headache Education19 Mantua RoadMt. Royal, NJ 08061(856) 423-0258www.achenet.org

National Headache Foundation428 West St. James PlaceSecond Floor, Chicago IL 60614-2750(888) NHF-5552www.headaches.org

JAMA Migraine Information Centerwww.ama-assn.org/special/migraine/migraine.htm

The National Migraine Association

113 South Saint Asaph Street, Suite 100Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 739-9384www.migraines.org

World Headache Alliancewww.w-h-a.org/world.asp

Details about Migraine Headache Symptoms

Sam — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:15:06 +0000

Migraine is a neurologic disease, whose most common symptom is an intense and disabling headache. Migraine is the most prevalent type of vascular headache. Migraine headaches are mostly characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, hypersensitivity to light (photophobia) and hypersensitivity to sound that is phonophobia. The word "migraine" comes from Greek construction "hemikranion" which means pain affecting one side of the head. Migraines are caused due to changes in brain and surrounding blood vessels and typically last from 4-72 hours. These tend to differ in frequency from daily to fewer than 1 per year. As a matter of fact Migraine affects about 15% of the world population today.

Different types of migraine headaches are

a. Common migraine which accounts for around 80% of migraines. There is no aura before any common migraine.

b. People with classic migraines generally experience an aura before their headaches. Most often, this aura is a visual disturbance like outlines of lights or jagged light images. Classic migraines – these are usually much more severe than common migraines.

c. Status migrainosus – it is a migraine that does not go away by itself.

Migraine Headache Symptoms

The symptoms of migraine tend to differ from person to person and each migraine is different from the other. Five phases can often be identified with a migraine. These are -

Prodrome – A number of warnings can come before a migraine. These can consist of a change in mood for example, feeling high, irritable, or depressed. Or there could be a subtle change of sensation like a funny taste or smell. Fatigue and muscle tension are some other common symptoms.

Aura – a migraine may or may not be accompanied or preceded with aura. This is commonly a visual disturbance that is followed by the headache phase. Some migraineurs may develop blind spots called scotomas, or see geometric patterns or flashing, colorful lights. They may even lose vision on one side which is called hemianopsia.

Headache – though migraine pain mostly appears on one side of the head, 30-40% of migraines are found to occur on both sides. Throbbing pain may also be present. More than 80% of migraineurs tend to feel nauseated, and some may vomit. About 70% have been found to become sensitive to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). This phase can last for anywhere between 4 to 72 hours. Even if left untreated, the headache usually goes away with sleep.

Postdrome – Other signs of the migraine like inability to eat, problems with concentration or fatigue may linger after the pain has disappeared and are called posydrome.

Fewer Migraines with Feverfew

Sam — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:15:04 +0000

Migraineurs (people who suffer from chronic or episodic migraine headaches) are looking for headache relief that doesn't come from a drug lab. All too often pharmaceutical migraine solutions have unpleasant side effects, including, ironically enough, headache.

Some migraine sufferers have found help from feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), a common flower that grows all over Europe and North America. Feverfew plants resemble daisies. They have flat yellow centers with slender white petals on lightly furred stems and small yellow-green leaves. Medical texts going as far back as Ancient Rome list dried and crushed feverfew leaves as a palliative for headaches.

Feverfew is best used in a preventive program. Several clinical trials, all in the past decade, have shown that feverfew, taken two to three times a day, can reduce the frequency of migraine episodes by up to 50% for some people. Several study participants who experienced chronic daily headaches (CDH) plus migraine episodes reported that their daily headaches stopped completely after four weeks of feverfew treatment.

Feverfew, while helpful to some, has a significant amount of potential side effects. Few people experience them, but they can be serious. Any patient wanting to add feverfew to their migraine prevention regimen should consult with their doctor and a licensed herbalist.

Feverfew is available in many forms. It can be homegrown and the migraineur can chew two to three leaves from the plant each day. It is also available in tea, tablet, capsule, and tincture forms. Feverfew in any form can cause mouth ulcers, but they are most common among those that chew the leaves or drink the tea. If mouth sores develop, discontinue use immediately.

Pregnant or nursing women should take feverfew. Do not give feverfew to pediatric migraineurs without consulting a doctor. Feverfew can trigger an allergic reaction in patients with common pollen allergies and should be used with caution.

Migraine Prodromes

Sam — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:15:02 +0000

A migraine prodrome is a premonition or advance warning that a migraine is coming on. Prodromes can occur anywhere from a few minutes before the onset of a headache to days prior. While no one knows the specific cause of migraine prodromes, the prevailing theory is that they are part of neurochemical change in the brain that occurs before an attack. Approximately 60% of all migraineurs (people who have chronic migraines) experience some type of prodrome.

Migraine Auras

Migraine auras are a specific type of visual prodrome in which people see things that are not there, like flashes of light or haloes around object. This type of prodrome is rare and experienced by less than 25% of all migraineurs.

Emotional Changes

Many migraine sufferers describe mood alterations preceding an attack. Some people are euphoric, others fall into a profound despondence, and still others experience uncharacteristic irritability or impatience.

Metabolic Changes

Some migraineurs describe their prodrome experience as an enormous spike in energy levels during the day preceding the headache itself. Others say that they know a migraine is coming because they get fatigued or listless or find themselves constantly yawning prior to onset.

Appetite Changes

Some migraine sufferers lose their appetite before a headache. Some sufferers find themselves ravenous the day or night before an attack. Still others have noticed that specific cravings tend to precede their migraine.

Sleep Changes

Insomnia is a frequent prodrome symptom for many migraineurs, as is difficulty falling asleep. Others experience lassitude and difficulty waking prior to a migraine.

Migraines are often difficult to diagnose and treat because no two migraine patients experience the same prodromes, if they experience one at all. Many migraineurs experience all of the prodrome symptoms at different times before a single headache, or different ones prior to different attacks.

Riboflavin for Migraines

Sam — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:15:08 +0000

Correcting dietary insufficiencies may help reduce headache frequency for migraineurs. Many migraineurs find relief by adding vitamin supplements to their daily regimen.

Taking vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, has been shown in numerous studies to help reduce the number of migraine attacks people suffer from. Initial studies involved a high dosage of 400mg. This is two hundred times the amount of B2 in a typical diet. The high dosage involved caused a rare side effect of vitamin B2 supplementation to show itself; diarrhea.

In 2005, a new study measured the effectiveness of B2 at much lower doses, only 25mg a day. This lower dose was just as effective at reducing migraine frequency as the higher dose used in earlier studies.

Riboflavin has the potential to enhance energy production in brain cells. Migraine sufferers tend to have impaired energy production in cells in their brains and supplementing with riboflavin may help.

Magnesium, another nutrient important to energy production, is also proven to reduce migraine frequency among sufferers. Diuretics, alcohol, and chronic medical conditions all deplete magnesium in the body. Adding magnesium-rich foods to their diet, things like spinach, bananas, nuts, and whole-grain cereals, helps many migraineurs restore this vital mineral to their system.

If dietary changes don't help, a dose of up to 400mg of magnesium per day may help. Migraineurs should be careful not to overdo it with both dietary changes and supplementation. Signs of magnesium overdosing include drowsiness, lethargy, and diarrhea.

Another potentially helpful supplement is vitamin E. Vitamin E aids in circulation and 400 IU (international units) daily helps many migraineurs reduce the frequency of their headaches. Fish oil pills with the right balance of omega-3 fatty acids are believed to lessen the intensity of an existing migraine and help stave them off.

Consult with a doctor before adding any supplements to your regular treatment plan.

Sinus Headache Treatment

Sam — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:00:03 +0000

Sinus headaches occur when the air-filled, bony cavities connecting to the nose get blocked due to excess mucous and get infected and congested.

Treatment for sinus headaches -

Treatment involves reducing the swelling in the sinuses region, the inflammation and the pain, and improving the drainage system in the nasal area. Some of the treatment methods that can be adopted are -

1. It is essential to breathe humidified air. The dry air environment can be humidified using any one of these – A steam vaporizer, cool-mist humidifier, steam from a basin of hot water or steam from hot shower water.

2. A hot compress has to be placed on the affected area, across the sinuses region for three minutes and a cold compress for around thirty seconds. This process has to be repeated thrice and has to be taken 2 to 6 times in a day.

3. Nasal Irrigation is done to cleanse the sinuses and other affected areas of mucous, pollutants, bacteria, virus, dirt and irritants to reduce the swelling, inflammation and the pain and improves the drainage in the nasal passage. Many nasal rinse products are available over the counters of drug stores, however, physician, preferably an ENT specialist has to be consulted to determine which would be the best for a person and how to use it.

4. Medications like the pain relievers containing aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen or a combination of any of these are available on the counters of the drug stores. One has to be careful enough is choosing the best pain reliever that suits him / her.

5. Decongestants and Antihistamines can be used to fight the allergens causing the sinus headaches. In some severe cases, nasal steroid sprays are used for the treatment.

6. In China, Magnolia flower is used in clearing the stuffed sinus and nasal regions. Other herbs like angelica, mint, chrysanthemum are also used to treat the infections in the respiratory tract, especially the upper part of the tract.

7. If the condition gets worse, it is advisable to consult an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist and have a CT scan made. If it is chronic sinusitis, allergy testing and desensitization is done to treat it. If it is acute sinusitis, antibiotics and decongestants are used or in extreme cases endoscopic or image guided surgery is done.

Quick Answers to the Most Common Migraine Questions

Sam — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:30:02 +0000

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

The pain is felt on just one of the head and is often severe or extreme.

Aura (visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zigzagging lines, numbness, paralysis) experienced twenty to sixty minutes before onset of head pain.

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Sensitivity to light and noise.

Inability to continue with your daily activities.

What foods are known triggers of migraines?

alcohol, especially dark drinks like rum, red wine.

beer, scotch, or bourbon.

dairy products, aged cheeses, etc.

monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in processed meat and Chinese food.

citrus fruits, dried fruits, bananas, and avocados.

aspartame, an artificial sweetener known by its brand name NutraSweet.

tyramine — found in fresh breads

caffeine found in coffee, tea, and sodas.

What are some non-food triggers of migraines?

Stress is a major contributor to migraine headaches.

Hormonal Changes at the time of ovulation or at the start of the menstrual cycle can trigger migraines for many women.

Fatigue, as well as changes in sleep patterns. In addition, either too much sleep or too little sleep can trigger headaches.

Nicotine, whether ingested through cigars, cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

Birth control pills can trigger migraines in some women.

Fasting or missing a meal can trigger a migraine because of low blood sugar.

Changes in the weather or altitude can trigger a migraine headache.

Motion sickness caused by air travel or car trips can trigger a migraine.

When I should think about seeing a doctor about migraine headaches?

If the headache occurs suddenly and can be described as severe.

If the pain is felt on just one side of the head.

If the headache is accompanied by pain in the eye or behind the ear.

If the headache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances including hallucinations, or sensitivity to light and sound.

If the headache has a definite pattern to it; for instance, a pattern in which the time of the day it occurs, the circumstances under which it occurs or the length of time you experience the pain is similar.

Any headache that results in a period of confusion or a loss of consciousness should result in immediate medical attention.

If the headache results in number, paralysis or weakness in the legs and arms.

If the headache becomes persistent, especially if you have not been a headache sufferer up to that point.

If the headache impairs your ability to function in a normal manner at work, home or during social functions.

If the headache bares any similarity to headaches that other members of your family suffer.

What's the first thing I should when a migraine hits?

Turn off the lights, close the shades, draw the curtains and lie down on a comfortable bed.

Apply an ice pack to the area of pain.

Take medicine as directed by your health care provider.

What's the best medication for a migraine?

There are a multitude of drugs on the market with the potential to help in the prevention of migraine headaches. The following list contains those drugs that have been shown to work best.

Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and nadolol (Corgard) have been shown to be relatively safe and effective. Metoprolol (Lopressor) and atenolol (Tenormin) are alternative drugs in the same class.

Anticonvulsants have been used in the treatment of migraines. Valproate (Depakote and other brand names) tops the list in terms of research backing up its effectiveness, but babapentin (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax) are also considered effective.

Tricyclic antidepressants can be quite effective, but come with the price of side effects that include sedation, blurred vision, dry mouth and constipation. The best choice here is typically thought to be amitriptyline (Elavil), though many other sufferers swear by nortriptyline (Norpramin).

Serotonin antagonists such as methysergide (Sansert) have proven a solid treatment for many, but come with potentially serious side effects.

Migraine Advice from Sufferers around the World

Sam — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:00:05 +0000

Let's face facts, sometimes medicine doesn't work. Sometimes the top alternative treatments don't work. Sometimes crazy things that you never in a million years thought would work-work!

Mention the word migraine or the word headache in a room with more than two people and you are almost guaranteed of receiving free advice. There's an almost limitless amount of possible treatments that you may or may not want to try. Most are harmless enough that it really wouldn't hurt to go ahead and give it a shot. So next time you've got a real brain popping migraine and nothing works maybe you should see if one of these will do the trick. It may just turn out to be the magic pill you've been looking for all your life.

One common methods that seems to be circulating involves drinking a lot of water. Not just a few glasses, mind you, but a truly titanic amount of water. For some people, it seems the more water you try the better. Maybe this is just a case of transference. You know, your bladder starts hurting so much from expanding under the weight of that liquid that you forget all about your head hurting. Other suggestions are that the migraines are triggered by dehydration and the water fixes the problem in a jiffy.

Others swear by an alternative liquid treatment. Not water, but Benadryl. This probably works by making you so sleepy that you forget all about the headache. Obviously, this is not recommended if you are pregnant. Not to mention that some people suffer from a reverse reaction to Benadryl and get all hyper and probably will suffer a reverse reaction in regard to headache by making it worse. This one, as with all involving medicine, requires caution.

Massage, of course, is a frequently tried alternative method, but it takes time and money and usually isn't exactly convenient as far as helping out right when the headache attacks. But self-massage is easily done and many, many migraine sufferers turn to it without even realizing. The preferred method seems to be using the fingertips and gently rubbing the temples, the tips of the ears or the back of the head. Of course, many professional massage therapists.

Draw. Just because you aren't exactly Van Gogh doesn't matter. Art therapy works wonders and nobody can even come close to explaining why. Maybe it's just the physical activity, maybe it's the creative drive coming to the surface and driving away all that nasty pressure taking place inside the cranial vessels. It's really an amazing thing to watch. People barely able to keep their eyes open have been known to pick up a pen or piece of charcoal and begin applying it to paper and within a half hour their migraine headache symptoms begin to subside. Oddly enough, this therapy has proven more effective in those who claim to have no artistic talent than those who do; actual artists actually seem to be affected the least.

Play a video game. This is probably not the best idea for those whose migraines tend to be triggered by light or noise. If your trigger doesn't seem related to sensitivity to light or noise, then give this a try. It seems to work best if you play a game that doesn't require a significant amount of strategy; either shoot to kill or sports-related games tend to have the best results. It is assumed that sports games work through their ability to a migraine sufferer focused on the outcome of actually winning a game that can be won in the time it takes have a migraine. By focusing on the game and having a goal that can be met, the stress that is related to migraines seems to be eased.

And finally, for the minority of migraines sufferers who are male, there is one last suggestion. Of course, there are disadvantages to this approach in that you need the assistance of a willing participant, but those who try it swear by it. (And when you find out what it is, you'll understand why). Apparently, being on the receiving end of a certain type of sexual practice associated with France has been known to relieve more than just a few migraines. And even if it doesn't, well, this one is definitely worth giving the old college try.

Headache rack

Sam — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:45:03 +0000

The Headache Rack comes in two styles, namely, the 2 Inch or the Hauler. Both styles are made of heavy-duty square tubing, full louvered or window cut with louvers. The Headache Racks must be installed with short or long rails. Ranch Hand's Headache Rack provides the customer with a product that is both functional and compliments the vehicle's design. Each Ranch Hand Headache Rack is finished with the highest quality super polyester black pearl powder coating available today for superior corrosion resistance. The 2-inch Headache Rack is constructed of 14 gauges, 2 inch square tubing. It must be installed with short or long rails. Optional features includes full Louvered and louvered with window cut. The Hauler is constructed of 14 gauge, 2 inch, square tubing and 11 gauge 2" x 6" tubing. Comes standard with 2 oval red lights, which function as taillights and 2 ovals clear lights, which function as back up or work lights. Must be installed with short or long rails. Optional features includes full louvered and louvered with window cut.

More of the headache rack

A headache or contractors rack cools the cab. It keeps the sun off your rear window and also protects you and the back window from large objects in your bed. These racks are attractively styled as well as being very practical. The Toolbox Rack and the Painted Racks can also serve as ladder racks with the optional attachment. Headache racks guard your rear window, taking the pain out of shifty large loads that break glass. Each headache racks is forged from durable materials for withstanding life on your truck. And, our headache racks mount to your stake pockets in minutes.

Conclusion

Headache racks are the next big things in picks up accessories! Installing one of our headache racks will help keep the cab section of your pick up cool. Deter sun from your back window while adding a little style with any of our headache racks. All of our headache racks are built by top selling manufacturers using the most durable, reliable materials. You can save as much as sixty percent on headache racks when you place your order from our online catalog. Each headache rack has been designed to fit your back window perfectly.

Migraine Headaches – Are You Suffering From Them?

Sam — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:30:05 +0000

It has been found that more than 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, a type of headache that's often very severe. Another fact is that the number of women suffering from migraine is three times more than men. Though any head pain can be miserable, a migraine headache can be disabling. In some cases, these painful headaches can be preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in leg or arm. A migraine headache may also be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine pain can be excruciating and may incapacitate the sufferer for hours or even days.

It is rather fortunate that the management of migraine headache pain has improved dramatically in the last decade or so. If one has seen a doctor in the past and had no success, it's time to make another appointment. There is still no cure for migraine, medications can help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches and stop the pain after it has started. The right medicines combined with self-help remedies and changes in lifestyle can make a tremendous difference for a patient.

The Signs and Symptoms Of Migraine Headache -

Well, the signs and symptoms that a migraine produces are varied. A typical migraine headache attack will produces some or all of these signs and symptoms:

a. Moderate to severe pain – many migraine headache sufferers experience pain on only one side of their head, while some experience pain on both sides

b. Head pain which has a pulsating or throbbing quality

c. Pain which worsens with physical activity

d. Pain which hinders your regular daily activities

e. Nausea which may be accompanied with vomiting

f. Sensitivity to light and sound

If left untreated, a migraine headache can typically last from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which they occur is bound to vary from person to person. One may have migraines several times a month or just once or twice a year. It is also important to note that all migraine headaches are not the same. While most people suffer from migraines without auras, some have migraines with auras. A second group patient is likely to have auras about 15 to 30 minutes before your headache begins. These may continue after the headache starts. Auras may include sparkling flashes of light, dazzling zigzag lines in the field of vision or slowly spreading blind spots in vision.

Migraine Auras

Sam — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:06 +0000

A migraine aura is a specific type of prodrome, or premonition, that heralds a migraine. It is a symptom or series of symptoms that let migraineurs, people who suffer from chronic migraines, know in advance that a migraine headache is about to make itself felt.

Aura effects develop over about five minutes and generally occur from twenty minutes to an hour prior to the start of a headache. They are a symptom of what used to be called "classic migraine". Recently, medical practitioners have moved to a more scientifically accurate term, migraine-with-aura. Only about 15-20% of migraineurs consistently experience any kind of aura before a headache begins.

Aura Effects

Most migraine auras are visual. These auras are called positive visual phenomena because, rather than their vision fading or going dark, people who experience them see things. Examples include:

-Auras or Haloes: a nimbus of light or haze surrounding objects, particularly light sources

-Flashing or Floating Lights: colored or white (rarely dark) spots that appear to move

-Lightning Bolts: a jagged or zigzag line that sparkles and/or arcs over the field of vision; with the frequency or severity increasing over time until the person can no longer see (a whiteout); This effect usually stops with the onset of headache pain.

-Photophobia: an extreme sensitivity to light; this effect frequently lasts the duration of the headache

Most auras last less than an hour. Migraineurs who experience auras that last more than an hour are said to suffer from migraines with prolonged aura. In some cases a migraineur may experience aura effects without a headache developing, but it is still considered to be a symptom of chronic migraines. At various times the same person may experience all three variations, migraine with aura, migraine with prolonged aura, or typical aura without headache.

Migraines and Exercise

Sam — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:45:02 +0000

There are so many good reasons to begin an exercise program that you really don't even need one more. Nevertheless, you are about to read one more: Exercise can help in the treatment of migraines.

Studies have found overwhelming evidence to support the idea that just moderate aerobic exercise helps to reduce not only the intensity, but also the frequency and even the duration of migraine headaches in those who experience migraines without aura.

Migraine headaches come in two varieties. Most sufferers experience severe headaches along with nausea and a heightened sensitivity to both light and sound. When the headache is accompanied by bizarre visual disturbances or unusual head sensations this is known as migraine headache with aura. Aura usually occurs before any actual head pain in a migraine episode. Most migraine suffers, however, do not experience these extreme sensations and instead experience what is known as migraine without aura. Rapid changes in the flow of blood to the head is believed to be the cause of the migraine. The aura is theorized to be associated with constriction of blood vessels in the head, and when the vessels then widen again the result is head pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Studies have found that aerobic exercise can be helpful in migraine management, although exercising during the migraine episode itself can actually worsen the problem. One study involving patients with a history of migraines who participated in an aerobic exercise program revealed that they had experienced fewer migraines that were also of lessened intensity and shorter duration than did those with a history of migraines who did not exercise. Increased levels of endorphins and other chemicals in the body are thought to be behind the reduction of the episodes and the mitigation of the symptoms. Endorphins are chemicals released inside the body that are associated with reducing pain.

Another study looked at people who had experienced migraines with aura chronically and were enrolled in an exercise program. These people were studied after they had ceased their intake of all anti-migraine medications that they had been using previous to the study and began the exercise program after six weeks. The session involved a ten-minute warm-up followed by twenty minutes of aerobic exercise performed at a moderate rate, followed by a ten minute long cooling off session. Participants in this study exercised three times a week for six weeks, however they did not exercise during migraine headaches. Their levels of endorphin were measured both before and after the first exercise session and then again at the end of the study. In the last four weeks of the study, those who had participated in this study reported significantly reduced frequency of their migraines, along with reductions both intensity and duration. Endorphin levels had increased after exercise in all of the participants, but interestingly it was those participants who began with the lower endorphin levels who experienced greater increases in endorphins after exercise.

The results of these studies indicate what most people probably already knew: that exercise is good for you even if you have migraines. When it comes to aerobic exercises, especially when done moderately, you have a tremendous number of choices. Simply going for a walk can also help in relaxing you if you live in an area where going for a walk takes you away from traffic and dogs and mean little kids. Or you could try biking in order to better escape the dogs and kids, but you still have to deal with the traffic.

On the other hand, you may wish to go the treadmill route. They aren't nearly as expensive as they used to be and the cost would be well worth it if the result is avoiding headaches for the rest of your life.

Probably the best bet is to either shell out the dough for a health club membership or, better yet, buy one of those recumbent bikes. These are great because you can sit back and sort of relax, watch your favorite TV show or even play a video while getting your exercise, knocking off some pounds and may even beating your migraines.

Dizziness headache

Sam — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:15:05 +0000

Dizziness can apparent as lightheadedness, feeling faint, being unsteady on your feet, loss of balance or vertigo. The source of dizziness is generally not serious, and it will quickly resolve on its own or can be treated very simply. Lightheadedness happens when there is not sufficient blood getting to the brain. This can happen if there is an unexpected drop in your blood pressure or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other causes. Many people, particularly as they get older, experience lightheadedness if they get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. Lightheadedness frequently accompanies the flu, common cold, or allergies. More serious conditions that can lead to lightheadedness include heart problems like that abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack, stroke, and severe drop in blood pressure. If any of these grave disorders is present, you will generally have additional symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

Causes of dizziness headache

The most familiar causes of vertigo are benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis. Benign positional vertigo is vertigo that happens when you alter the position of your head. Labyrinthitis generally follows a cold or flu and is caused by a viral infection of the inner ear. Meniere's disease is another ordinary inner ear problem. It leads to vertigo, loss of balance, and ringing in the ears. Much less usually, vertigo or feeling unsteady is a sign of stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizures, a brain tumor, or a bleed in your brain. In such conditions, other symptoms generally accompany the vertigo or imbalance. If you have a tendency to get lightheaded when you stand up, avoid sudden changes in posture. If you are feeling thirsty or lightheaded, drink fluids. If you are not capable to keep fluids down from nausea or vomiting, you may need intravenous fluids.

Conclusion

Most times, benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis go away on their own surrounded by a few weeks. During attacks of vertigo from any basis, try to rest and lie still. Avoid unexpected changes in your position as well as bright lights. Be cautious about driving or using machinery. Such medications include antihistamines, sedatives, or pills for nausea. For Meniere's disease, surgery may be necessary. Promptly treat ear infections, colds, flu's, sinus congestion, and other respiratory infections. This may help put off labyrinthitis and Meniere's disease. If you have a cold, the flu, or other viral illness, drink plenty of fluids to put off getting dehydrated.

Cluster headaches – the details

Sam — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:07 +0000

What are cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches are headaches where the suffer experiences attacks come in groups. The pain arrives with little, if any, warning, and this type of headache has been described as the most severe and intense of all headaches. Generally, it lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, though it might persist for several hours before disappearing. Unfortunately, it may reoccur later in the day. Most sufferers tend to suffer from one to four headaches a day during a cluster period. Cluster headaches frequently surface during morning or late at night and a cluster cycle can last weeks or months and then can disappear for months or years. The clusters most often occur during spring or autumn and, thus, are incorrectly associated with allergies. Approximately 10 percent of the sufferers have been found to experience chronic cluster headaches that occur all year long. It is also estimated that less than one percent of the population are victims of cluster headaches, and they encounter this headache between the ages of 20 and 45. More men (about five to one) than women experience cluster headaches.

Symptoms of cluster headaches -

The cluster headache was once considered a type of migraine as it is vascular. It is rather unfortunately that it is possible for a person to suffer from both migraines and clusters, though this condition is rare.

A cluster headache is mostly unilateral and rarely switches sides from one attack to another. One might feel the pain starting around one eye, like a nail or knife stabbing or piercing the eye, or as if someone were pulling out the eye; it may or may not be accompanied by a tearing or bloodshot eye and a runny nose on the side of the headache. It may radiate from the eye to the forehead, temple and cheek on the same side. Thus in all, the pain of a cluster headache has been described as piercing, burning, throbbing, pulsating, and so excruciating that most victims cannot even sit still and are compelled to rock in a chair, walk back and forth, or bang their heads against something.

Precipitating Factors of cluster headaches-

Unlike migraine headaches, cluster headaches do not result due hereditary factors. Sufferers have been generally found to have a history of chronic smoking, and alcohol frequently triggers a cluster headache. As the level of histamine increases in a person's blood and urine during a cluster headache, many researchers believe that histamines, which dilate or expand blood vessels, affect a cluster headache. However, antihistamines have not proven to be an effective therapy against cluster headaches.

Running into Migraines

Sam — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:30:05 +0000

Exercise is good for you. Being fit will help your whole body feel better, including your migraines, right? So why did your headache specialist just tell you to drop out of this weekend's 10K if you want to be able to go to work on Monday?

A regular exercise program is a great migraine deterrent, but it needs to be the right kind of exercise. Many workout types put a real strain on the cardiovascular system and scientists have linked migraines to vascular problems in the temporal artery, among other potential causes.

Migraineurs who want to sweat need to warm up, slowly, for about fifteen minutes prior to any strenuous exertion, whether it is exercise or home repair. Skipping this warm up is nearly a guarantee that a migraine will be interrupting your plans later in the day.

While any exertion can be good or bad and each migraineur is different, there are a few types of exercise that are notorious for bringing down the head.

* Aerobics: high-intensity aerobics classes are a trigger for many women, especially when the cardio-pounding workout is paired with loud music.
* Biking: Whether it is competitive cycling or spinning class at the club, this is a major trigger for many.
* Running: Any kind of running that involves hard-core exertion, especially endurance events like marathons and triathlons.

You may be able to keep doing these things, especially if you really enjoy them, but you need to think about toning down the endurance aspect. Cycling should be for pleasure and exercise but not competitive. Replace high impact aerobics classes with dance, yoga, or free weight aerobics. Reduce the distance you run and see if it helps with the migraines. There is no reason a migraineur cannot be fit, just do not run yourself into a migraine.

The Best Books on Migraines

Sam — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:00:02 +0000

Want to make some good cash? Write a book about migraines. No, seriously. With hundreds of millions of migraine sufferers all across the world and no sure-fire cure, books about migraines are a cottage industry. In fact, there just might be as many books about migraines as web sites about migraines.

Unfortunately, many of the books available on migraines were not written by anyone with any particular knowledge or qualifications. Many books on the subject contain bogus information or are really nothing more than advertising ploys bent on selling you even more bogus treatments.

It would be impossible to read them all, but we've done some research for you and have managed to weed out the completely useless from the least slightly useful.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines: The Breakthrough Program That Can Help End Your Pain by Alexander Mauskop.

Offers a natural therapy program that combines over-the-counter supplements (magnesium, vitamin B2, feverfew) with stress-reducing tips, exercise tips and a plan to avoid environmental triggers.

Breaking the Headache Cycle : A Proven Program for Treating and Preventing Recurring Headaches by Ian Livingstone and Donna Novak.

The authors take as their central position that theory that migraines are related to an unusually sensitive nervous system. The authors are convinced that medication alone won't cure migraines, but should be used as just one aspect of an overall containment program that includes breathing exercises, diet changes, and even taking part in support groups. In addition, the book promises to educate the reader on how to spot migraines before they hit and ward them off and even ways to keep migraines from forming.

All In My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache by Paula Kamen.

A first person account of the migraine-suffering author's attempts to find relief for his headaches through such alternative approaches as cranial-sacral adjustments, acupuncture, gluten-free diets, yoga and, yes, even magnets. What really makes this book interesting is Kamen's take on the medical establishment treats patients suffering from so-called "invisible ailments" and chronic pain by turning their problems into psychological disorders.

The Women's Migraine Survival Guide: The Most Complete, Up To Date Resource on the Causes of Your Migraine Pain and Treatments for Real Relief by Christina Peterson.

Offering advice especially geared toward women, especially information on why women are more affected than men, how menstruation, pregnancy and menopause related to migraines, advice on alternative treatments including vitamin supplements, acupuncture, and herbs.

The Headache Prevention Cookbook: Eating Right to Prevent Migraines and Other Headaches by David & Laura Marks

The idea here is that if you follow the authors' diet and recipes for a minimum of eight weeks then you can narrow down the foods that trigger your migraines by the gradual reintroduction of foods at a rate of one per week so that it's easier to track which one is the culprit. Once the culprit is exposed, you can attain a future free of headaches by simply avoiding the trigger food.

Conquering Your Migraine : The Essential Guide to Understanding and Treating Migraines for all Sufferers and Their Families by Seymour Diamond and Mary Franklin.

Advice on identifying migraine danger signs, treating migraine when you suffer from depression, identifying possible 21st century "miracle drugs," tips on relaxation therapy, biofeedback and other alternative preventative therapies.

In addition to the books described above, a wealth of helpful information on a wide variety of topics related migraine headaches can also be found in the following books. And it seems as if a new book about migraines comes out every week so keep an eye on your bookstore shelves.

Overcoming Migraine: A Comprehensive Guide to Treatment and Prevention by a Survivor by Betsy Wyckoff.

50 Ways to Control Migraines: Proven Relief for Adults, Adolescents, and Child Migraine Sufferers by Ceabert Griffith.

Migraine Headache Prevention and Management edited by Seymour Diamond.

Everything You Need to Know Migraines and Other Headaches by Barbara Moe.

Dietary Triggers for Migraine by Agnes Hartnell and G. Scott Tyler.

Migraine, What Works: A Complete Guide to Overcoming and Preventing Pain by Joseph Kandel and David Sudderth.

Managing Your Migraine: A Migraine Sufferer's Practical Guide by Susan L. Burks.