Rebound headaches, triggered by over-the-counter pain relievers, are often problematic with migraines. How do you know when you’ve taken enough Tylenol, Advil, or Excedrin for migraines…and what are you supposed to do about painful lingering headaches once you’ve reached your limit? Below are some frequently-asked questions people have about preventing rebound headaches and migraines.

What is a rebound headache?

Rebound headaches, also called analgesic overuse syndrome, are persistent headaches that occur from taking too many NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain relief.

If you take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or other headache medications for longer than a 5-day period, then you may be inadvertently increasing your risk for chronic migraines, or making an already-severe form of migraines even worse.

Over-the-counter analgesics, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, or other pain-relieving medications can, over time, increase frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks.

Which drugs cause rebound headaches?

The most common NSAIDs linked to rebound headaches with migraines are:

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Naprelan)
• NSAID-caffeine combinations
• NSAID- butalbital combinations
• Opioids

Why use Natural Migraine Treatments?

How can I prevent rebound headaches?

To put a stop to rebound headaches and prevent further migraine headaches, doctors may recommend a multi-pronged approach to migraine prophylaxis and treatment.

Options include:

• Migraine prophylaxis medications, under the supervision of your migraine specialist, neurologist, or general practitioner
• Biofeedback
• Migraine trigger avoidance
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Restrictive dieting
• Supplementing with natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals that aid migraine patients, including riboflavin, butterbur, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium.

Your turn!

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You’re not imagining it- if you get frequent migraines, then ADD/ADHD (yes, adults can have it) may also account for your long list of ailments, like nausea, crushing headaches, brain fog, attention problems, and hypersensitivity to lights, sounds, touch, scents- everything! Here are some findings that scientists have linking chronic migraines and ADD/ADHD.

Migraines and ADD/ADHD

Millions of people suffer excruciating headaches from migraines, and likewise, millions of adults in the US struggle with attention problems and sensory overload caused by ADD/ADHD.

Today, scientists believe that migraines and ADD/ADHD have more in common than we realized, and may provide important clues in devising appropriate treatments for people suffering from  fatigue, disorientation, and a low tolerance for noise, even when they’re not having a migraine attack.

“…we think that this association between ADHD and migraine is mediated by a mutual comorbidity in mood disorders,” explains author Ole Bernt Fasmer, MD, PhD, regarding the study that was published in Psychiatry Weekly.

What do they have in common?

It can’t be a coincidence that some of the strongest migraine triggers involve the senses. In addition to changes in weather, food ingredients, and hormone fluctuations, many sensory-based environmental factors increase your risk for having a migraine attack, including:

• Bright fluorescent lighting
• Glare from harsh sunlight
• Flickering lights
• Stark white backgrounds
• Black and white striped or zigzagged patterns
• Strong perfumes
• Cigarette smoke
• Loud noises
• Chatter, people talking all at once
• Large crowds

10 Surprising Facts about Migraines you probably didn’t know

Interestingly enough, the same migraine triggers associated with hypersensitivity are the same ones that bother adults with attention problems ADD/ADHD.

And it isn’t a coincidence. In a famous 2012 study conducted by researchers in Norway, Migraine, Asthma, Mood Disorder, and Comorbid Adult ADHD, scientists found that males with ADHD have a 23% risk for migraines, compared with 11% of the general population. Furthermore, females, who are three times more likely than males to suffer from migraines, have a 34% risk of having severe migraines and ADD/ADHD, compared to 25% in women who don’t have attention problems.

What exactly is ADD/ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) is a condition that we use to describe people exhibiting a certain set of behaviors in relation to their ability to focus, filter out sensory stimuli, and form and execute goals, along with several other cognitive skills.

Currently, about 9 million adults in the US have some form of ADD/ADHD.

Treatments for migraines and ADD/ADHD

As always, learn as much as you can about migraines and ADD/ADHD, and visit an experienced doctor for a correct diagnosis.

To treat migraine headaches and attention problems from ADD/ADHD, your doctor may prescribe medications that address your specific symptoms.

Additionally, many natural vitamins and herbs can help to boost cognitive functioning and sustain energy, enabling patients of migraines and ADD/ADHD to maintain mental focus and alertness throughout the day.

These include essential B vitamins, including riboflavin and vitamin B12, which help to preserve the nervous system.

Other beneficial nutrients include magnesium, CoQ10, and butterbur extracts.

Your turn!

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Knowing which foods to eat is an instrumental part of migraine prevention. While most people know which foods to avoid- wine, pizza, and sourdough bread, for example- many migraine patients don’t know which foods they should include in their diet, foods containing magnesium and riboflavin that help with migraines.

Migraines are a chronic neurological condition that causes excruciating headaches, stomach-wrenching nausea, incessant fatigue, and hypersensitivity to stimuli in lights, sounds, scents, and touch.

While scientists have not yet developed a cure for migraines, or even a medication formulated specifically for the migraine patient, there are many helpful natural treatments that can help, including following a migraine-friendly diet.

Many healthy foods that help with migraines contain nutrients that target specific biological processes that occur during a migraine attack, including the aura phase, intense headaches and nausea, and fatigue that occurs during recuperation.

As with any other migraine treatment, consult your headache specialist before switching to a new diet, and keep a migraine diary to help you learn which foods to avoid.

The following foods, assuming they are on your “green light” list, may help with migraines.

Spinach

Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach provide magnesium, a nutrient that is instrumental in hundreds of important biochemical reactions throughout your body.

Magnesium promotes healthy nerves and muscles, supports the cardiovascular system, regulates blood sugar levels, and helps to convert food into energy.

Foods containing magnesium are especially beneficial for women that suffer from menstrual migraines. In many studies on migraines, scientists have noted high correlations between migraine frequency and magnesium deficiency.

In addition to spinach, other good sources of magnesium include yams, cantaloupe, walnuts, and whole grains.

Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?

To boost magnesium intake, consider taking natural magnesium supplements that are gentle on the stomach.

Seafood

Seafood is high in two essential nutrients that help migraines; omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, such as vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

Omega-3’s have anti-inflammatory properties that help migraineurs, while B12 vitamins protect the nervous system, boost energy, and sustain production of red blood cells needed for oxygen.

Vitamin B12 and omega-3 oils occur naturally in sardines, salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, and crab meat.

Low Fat Dairy Products

If dairy foods don’t trigger migraines, then you should try to include them in your diet; they may actually help a great deal. Low-fat yogurt, cheeses, and milk are rich sources of riboflavin, another B vitamin that helps people who suffer migraines by boosting cellular energy.

Several scientific studies focusing on migraine frequency have confirmed the benefits of taking extra doses of riboflavin supplements.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients

Nondairy food sources of riboflavin include meat, eggs, and nuts.

Melon

Dehydration is a common trigger of migraine headaches. During the summer time, snack on thick wedges of watermelon, which contain natural electrolytes to keep you hydrated and avoid headaches.

Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help with migraine headaches. Plus, foods containing ginger may help to stave off nausea and stomach pain that occur during a migraine with aura.

Add fresh ginger juice to carrot salad, or squeeze a few drops into a cup of tea for a tummy-soothing brew.

Your turn!

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There are hundreds of migraine triggers that lead to headaches, and smoking tobacco may be one of them. Some researchers believe that smoking a certain amount of cigarettes each day makes you more prone to migraine headaches, while others disagree that tobacco may actually benefit patients of migraine disorder. So, who’s right?

The smoking-migraine controversy

According to an article that appeared in the Journal of Headache and Pain, migraine sufferers who smoke at least five cigarettes per day are more likely to experience headaches, compared to nonsmokers who get migraines.

This was based on a study that examined 361 medical students, and found that among 58 who got migraines, 29% were smokers who noticed more headaches when they exceeded 5 cigarettes in one day.

However, earlier studies suggest that migraineurs who smoke should continue to do so, that tobacco may help to relieve anxiety, a common trigger of migraines.

To counter that argument, one may say that tobacco provides a false sense of relief from symptoms of nicotine addiction, and that the health hazards associated with smoking far outweigh any possible benefits.

Smoking migraine triggers

Besides smoking, other migraine triggers may include hormones, certain foods, unusual sleep patterns, or strong scents, including, yes, secondhand tobacco smoke.

Inhaled tobacco, whether firsthand or environmental, can trigger migraines by elevating your blood pressure, constricting blood vessels, and irritating the sinuses. It may also cause sinus headaches, which in turn may provoke a migraine headache that can last for days.

Migraine Headaches and Hypertension: What’s the Link?

To reduce the frequency of migraines, it’s essential to avoid triggers at all costs.

If you smoke, then cut down on cigarettes, or completely stop smoking, with the help of some migraine-friendly supplements, such as essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that benefit migraine patients.

Good ones to try are vitamin B2 (riboflavin) for neurological sustenance, butterbur for sinus functioning, CoQ10 for antioxidant properties, and magnesium, which supports many biochemical reactions in the body that are linked with migraines.

Your turn!

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Finally, scientific proof that migraines exist- Migraines are a hereditary, neurological disorder that has been baffling scientists for decades. Now, researchers found a genetic mutation that may explain why certain people suffer from one of the most common types of migraine headaches.

The study on familial migraines provides an important clue to understanding migraines with aura, and why certain people are more likely than others to experience throbbing headaches, nausea, and the characteristic bright, shifting visual auras.

Proving migraines exist

Scientists from UC San Francisco believe they have discovered the first gene of its kind in which mutations directly correlate with migraines with aura; the casein kinase I delta (CKIdelta) gene mutation was present in a significant number of migraine patients…and their parents.

The study, which was published by Science Translational Medicine, “puts us one step closer to understanding the molecular pathway to pain in migraine,” says senior investigator Louis J. Ptácek.

“It’s our initial glimpse into a black box that we don’t yet understand.”

This is the first time researchers have been able to provide both clinical and scientific evidence proving that the casein kinase I delta gene directly causes migraines with aura.

Migraine symptoms

Migraines with aura cause a wide range of symptoms; besides excruciating headaches, other signs of migraine with aura include severe nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and eye pain.

Patients also experience hypersensitivity to mild stimuli such as lights, noise, scents, and touch.

To measure migraine symptoms in lab mice, scientists focused on decreased threshold to pain and signs of cortical spreading depression (CSD), a common indicator of migraines with aura that can be observed through medical imaging.

“…as we come to a clearer understanding, we can start thinking about better therapies…There are good drugs now, but they only help some patients, some of the time. The need for better treatments is huge.” – Ptácek

Migraine tips

Your migraine management regimen should include a multi-pronged approach to relieving headaches, preventing migraine triggers, and coping with daily stress.

Even if migraines are hereditary, you can reduce your risks by exercising daily, keeping a migraine diary, learning how to relax, and supplementing with vitamins and minerals that benefit migraine patients, such as riboflavin, CoQ10, butterbur, and magnesium.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

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To stay healthy when suffering from migraines, it’s important to supply your body with plenty of essential nutrients that support neurological functioning, kill free radicals, and nurture the cardiovascular system. Many vitamins that aid migraine patients are found in healthy foods, such as meat, seafood, and vegetables.

While you should take vitamins and minerals that aid migraineurs, you can further the effects of healthy supplementation by including many of these essential nutrients in your daily diet.

Listed below are vitamins that most benefit migraine patients, and their food sources.

Magnesium

Your body needs healthy stores of magnesium for over 300 vital biochemical reactions, including muscle strength, nervous system integrity, strong bones, and good circulation.

Magnesium deficiency is often comorbid with migraines, resulting in symptoms such as strong headaches, fatigue, hypertension, and muscle pain.

To get the most magnesium in your diet, try to include plenty of whole grains, particularly wheat bran and wheat germ, which are among the richest sources of magnesium.

Other excellent food sources of magnesium are nuts, such as almonds and cashews, and leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach.

Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?

Calcium

Your body needs plenty of calcium, a mineral used to sustain strong teeth and bones, but is also crucial for regulating your blood vessels, muscles, intercellular communication, and hormone levels.

A significant number of migraine patients are at risk for osteoporosis, as females experiencing menopause see a reduction in their rate of calcium absorption.

Sometimes, symptom such as headaches, neck stiffness, fatigue, and disorientation that occur with migraines may signify a need for more calcium fortification.

The richest source of calcium is plain low-fat yogurt, but other good sources include dark green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, and many fruit juices.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin is an essential B vitamin that is helpful for boosting energy, supporting red blood cell production, and providing antioxidants that sustain the immune system.

Migraine patients experiencing brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, and poor concentration benefit greatly from riboflavin supplementation, in addition to inclusion of vitamin B2-rich foods in their diet.

You can get the most riboflavin from animal-based foods such as beef liver and chicken, but you can also find it in fortified cereals.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients

Iron

Iron is the key nutrient in hemoglobin, a substance in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your brain and other parts of your body.

Iron anemia causes symptoms that mimic those of migraine disorder, such as extreme fatigue, vertigo, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss.

To make sure you’re getting enough iron in your diet, eat plenty of red meats, seafood, and legumes.

Lycopene

Lycopene has strong antioxidant properties that benefit migraine patients by enhancing cardiovascular functioning and cellular integrity.

Unfortunately, the richest source of lycopene is often a migraine trigger. Tomato sauces and tomato-based condiments contain the highest levels of lycopene, and are a red-light food in migraine prevention.

So, if tomatoes increase your chances of having a migraine attack, then opt for watermelon, which is also a good source.

Potassium

Potassium is important for migraine management, as it helps to prevent dehydration, a common trigger of headaches. The potassium electrolyte also regulates normal cardiovascular health, supports strong muscles, and boosts stamina by converting carbohydrates from the foods you eat into energy.

You can get the most potassium from sweet potatoes, tomato products, beets, and a variety of meat, fish, and poultry.

Your turn!

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Migraine patients in the UK are warned not to use a certain Chinese herb that has been declared unsafe, possibly even fatal. While complementary medicine is an effective tool for preventing migraines, one cannot assume that all “natural ingredients” are necessarily good…or wise to use.

Please note: All medications, including natural herbs and supplements for migraines should be used only in conjunction with your doctor’s approval and supervision. Never begin a new migraine headache treatment without first consulting a physician.

Monkshood

A popular Chinese herbal treatment for migraines, marketed as Zheng Tian Wan may be harmful to your health, even poisonous, say experts. The medication contains aconite, or “monkshood,” an herb linked to nervous system disorders and heart disease. In ancient Greek times, aconite was referred to as “Queen of Poisons” for its toxic effect on the cardiovascular system.

Patients taking the Chinese herb for migraines were hospitalized for kidney problems, severe vertigo, and painful numbness in the extremities, in addition to heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pains.

Why use Natural Migraine Treatments?

Butterbur

Another Chinese herb, butterbur, has been the focus of many scientific experiments in migraine prevention.

Butterbur is an ancient shrubbery that has been used safely for generations to support healthy functions vital to migraine management. Hypertension, sinus congestion, and neurological disorders are all triggers of migraine headaches. Overwhelmingly, migraine patients who take butterbur pills daily find amazing results.

Still, it’s important to use caution with butterbur supplements, as many manufacturers use unsafe methods in preparing butterbur extracts for production. Always look for butterbur pills that don’t contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a potentially toxic ingredient that must be removed from the butterbur plant during processing.

Chinese supplements for migraines containing butterbur should also present a “PA-free” logo on the packaging, as an assurance of safety.

Your turn!

What natural medications, including Chinese herbs, do you currently use for migraines?

After reading this, would you consider trying safe alternative treatments for migraines containing butterbur, magnesium, CoQ10, and riboflavin?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

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It’s bio-logical, say scientists; chili peppers may provide an important key to preventing migraines. Scientists are using capsaicin oil to develop a treatment tailored specifically for chronic migraine headaches.

Researchers from Amgen, a biotech company in Thousand Oaks, California are working on a new preventative medication for migraines that they hope will put an end to throbbing headaches, eye pain, and muscle stiffness for many.

Migraine science

Scientists believe they have found a strong correlation between the brain’s reaction to chili peppers…and migraine triggers.

When you rub hot chili oil on your skin, your brain reacts by releasing calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), which direct blood flow to the affected areas.

Similarly, CGRPs – the same chemicals triggered by capsaicin oil- also lead to migraine attacks. The trigeminal nerves of the brain release CGRPs, which send out pain signals, causing blood flow to the brain, resulting in debilitating migraine headaches that can last for several days.

By targeting CGRPs, scientists believe they can block receptors from receiving pain signals from CGRPs, effectively aborting a migraine before symptoms like throbbing headaches, nausea, and dizziness can start.

Cure for migraine?

Amgen researchers believe they have found a medication that can block CGRPs from triggering migraines. To test their theory, they are practicing on chili oil.

• Test subjects rubbed chili pepper ointment on their hands, triggering the release of CGRPs associated with migraine.
• At the same time, researchers injected the Amgen drug under their skin.
• According to their reports, their experimental migraine treatment did effectively block CGRP release from the chili oil, and prevented increased blood flow to the affected areas.

If successful, the new Amgen drug will be the first prescription medication of its kind that’s formulated specifically for migraines, and not for comorbid or associated conditions like epilepsy, depression, or hypertension.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

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Migraines are not only excruciating headaches; they also raise your risk for brain damage. If you experience more than three migraines each month, in addition to chronic brain fog and fatigue, then you should ask your doctor for an MRI brain scan to check for possible brain damage.

Migraines are a brain disease

According to latest research, migraine patients are a high risk category for “progressive brain damage,” a silent type that shows no unusual symptoms.

Researchers from the Netherlands conducted a study on the risk of brain damage in migraine patients, and results showed a high correlation between migraine attack frequency and increased risk for brain abnormalities.

For the study, they gathered 56 test subjects, including 28 female migraine patients and 28 non-migraineurs for the control group.

Scientists conducted MRI scans, examining key targeted areas of the brain for possible brain damage, noting white matter hyperintensities in the cerebral matter of migraine patients that were absent in the control group brain scans.

Researchers confirmed an unusually high rate of brain damage in migraine patients, deformities in parts of the brain that control thinking skills, as well as autonomic functioning needed for respiration and blood pressure.

Migraine patients who experienced more than three migraine attacks each month exhibited more brain abnormalities than patients who had fewer than three migraine episodes each month.

Furthermore, Migraine patients with a 15+ year history of migraines had the most severe signs of brain damage, compared to patients who have been experiencing migraine attacks for fewer than 15 years, proving a direct correlation between severity of migraines and brain damage.

More migraine comorbidities

In addition to brain damage, other serious conditions linked with migraines include stroke, heart attack, and epilepsy. Additionally, migraine patients are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

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What does all this mean?

If you get more than three migraine attacks each month, and you’ve been experiencing migraine attacks for at least 15 years, then migraine prevention isn’t just a matter of finding relief from pain and nausea- it can also save your life.

If you’ve been procrastinating on trying a new approach to migraine therapy, then don’t wait any longer. Speak to your doctor, and ask him what other options are available that you haven’t tried, including natural preventive tools for migraines.

Some good ones to try:

•Restrictive dieting, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or specific migraine target avoidance
•Keeping a migraine diary to track frequency
•Natural supplementation of vitamins, minerals, and herbs that help migraine patients, such as vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur extracts
•Gentle daily exercise, including yoga, stretching, and low-impact aerobics
•Acupuncture
•Meditation

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

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Stress is one of the greatest triggers of migraine attacks, as it weakens your immune system, causes brain fatigue, and deprives you of much-needed energy. Here are some excellent tips to help you reduce stress now, and prevent migraines later.

Imagine a place…

John Lennon was really onto something when he famously asked the world to imagine a better place to live in; guided imagery is one of the best tools for relaxation, as it uses positive affirmations, controlled breathing, and focused meditation to help you improve circulation, relax your muscles, lower your heartbeat, and achieve a deep, restful state, thus reducing migraine triggers in stress.

Try it! Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and visualize a scene that makes you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable. Breathe in to the count of three, hold your breath for three counts, and exhale to the count of six. Repeat, and continue for at least 15 minutes.

Take a hike…

Sometimes, you just need to remove yourself from a stressful environment. A power walk is a great tool for warding off a stress-related migraine while also burning calories, easing stress, and boosting your cardiovascular health.

Try it! On your lunch break, reserve at least 10 minutes after eating for a brief stroll or jog in the area. At home, take your dog for a run, or enjoy a casual walk around the neighborhood after supper.

Lean on somebody…

Sometimes, you just need a hug. Physical contact with a friend, relative, or even a loyal pet is a proven method of stress reduction, and a great tool for migraine management!

Try it! When you feel anxious or depressed, ask somebody for a hug! You’ll both feel better for it.

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Have a cuppa…

To ease headaches and lower stress levels instantly, brew yourself a hot cup of decaffeinated coffee or herb tea.

Try it! Buy a tea sampler containing a selection of herb teas that relieve migraine symptoms; good choices are chamomile, mint, licorice, and decaffeinated green tea.

Nourish yourself…

Eating healthy, migraine trigger-free foods while also taking beneficial supplements that ease migraine symptoms is an important part of migraine management. Choose nutrients that boost circulation, support the nervous system, maintain cardiovascular health, and sustain proper immune system functioning.

Try it! Vitamins, mineral, and herbs that benefit migraine patients most are butterbur extracts, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

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