Myth #1: Women are more susceptible to migraines and depression.

True. For every male migraineur, there are three women suffering from migraine headaches on a regular basis.

To add insult to injury, women are also more likely to suffer from severe depression than their male peers are.  While only one out of eight men ever becomes clinically depressed, 25% of all women will experience deep depression at least once in their lives, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Women get the Lion’s Share of Migraines and Chronic Pain

Myth #2: Stress causes migraines and depression in women.

True. Many health experts believe that stress and depression occur in the same part of the brain.  Particularly in women, who are less likely than are men to release pent-up anger, long-term stress and trauma often result in constant depression.

And while stress doesn’t actually “cause migraines,” it does make them more likely to occur; stress, along with other migraine triggers, creates an environment in the brain that is conducive for chronic migraines.  That’s why migraine prevention requires being able to determine what factors trigger migraines, and finding ways to eliminate or reduce them.

Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?

Myth #3: You can cure depression- and migraines- by learning how to reduce stress and think positively.

False. Clinical depression and migraines are both illnesses that are caused by brain chemistry.  While thinking positively and learning how to relax are excellent ways to lift your mood and improve your response to migraine or depression medications, stress reduction alone cannot cure you of a neurological or mental illness.

Myth #4: It’s normal to be depressed for weeks, sometimes months.

False. It’s normal to be sad for long periods after suffering a trauma or a loss, but sadness that lingers longer than several weeks requires psychiatric help.

Myth #5: To treat depression, you must take antidepressants.

False. Not all periods of depression are “clinical depression,” so not all symptoms indicate an imbalance in brain chemistry requiring antidepressants.

Some underlying factors may cause depression, including:

• PMS
• Multiple sclerosis
• Vitamin deficiency
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hypothyroidism
• Medications like birth control or hypertension treatments
• Insomnia
• Drug or alcohol abuse

Myth #6: “Baby blues” only occur after giving birth.

False. We’ve all heard of postpartum depression, but very little mention is made of its cousin, antenatal depression, which occurs during a pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones cause depression in 10% of all pregnancies.

Ironically, migraine attacks often slow down or cease for many pregnant migraine patients.

Myth #7: Some antidepressants and migraine medications are safe to take during pregnancy.

True. If you suffer from migraines or depression, don’t let that stop you from family planning.  Ask your doctor about many conventional and alternative treatments for migraines and depression, including:

• Zoloft
• Prozac
• Celexa
• Magnesium
• Riboflavin
• Coenzyme Q10
• PA-free butterbur

6 Safe Migraine Treatments for Pregnant Moms

Myth #8: Symptoms of migraines and depression may vary.

True. Between male and female sufferers of both depression and migraines, symptoms may differ from patient to patient.

Depression symptoms include:

• Deep sadness
• Fatigue
• Feelings of despair, shame, or guilt
• Irritability
• Indifference
• Mood swings
• Obsession with suicidal thoughts

Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics

Migraines may occur with or without aura, or even without headache.  Symptoms of migraines include:

• Pounding pervasive headache
• Headaches that last for days
• Sharp pain behind the eyes
• Sensitivity to bright lights, loud noise, scents, and bold black/white patterns
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Bizarre visual disturbances (lights, colorful zigzags)
• Temporary partial blindness
• Temporary partial paralysis
• Sudden speech difficulties
• Loss of spatial awareness

Myth #9: Natural remedies for migraines and depression are ineffective and unsafe.

True and false. Don’t believe that all alternative treatments are safe just because they’re natural.  Homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional supplements can provide powerful remedial benefits, but it’s important to use with care.

• Always consult in your physician before starting any new pain or depression remedies.
• Seek quality products that are free of chemicals like pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) or pesticides.
• Leading neurologists advocate natural alternative supplements in preventing migraines without causing any side effects; they include butterbur, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium.

Please tell us…

What treatments, including natural and conventional, do you currently use for migraines and/or depression?

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

Share with your friends!

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

Read more about migraines and depression

Chronic Migraines- Weathering the Emotional Storm

Migraines Make Women Depressed- It’s Confirmed

Natural Supplements and Herbs for migraines

Images:

IAN HOOTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, LEON HARRIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, ZERO CREATIVES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

What is vitamin B2?

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is one of several essential water-soluble B vitamins.  It occurs naturally in protein-based foods like meat, fish, and eggs, in addition to many nuts and green vegetables.

Doctors often recommend riboflavin supplements for a wide range of physical ailments and illnesses:

• Migraine headaches
• Cataracts
• Eye fatigue
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Immune system disorders
• Dermatitis
• Lactic acidosis
• Cervical cancer

Natural Migraine Remedies: 9 Must-Take Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Vitamin B2 deficiency

Symptoms of riboflavin deficiency are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Hypersensitivity to bright lights (photophobia)
• Stomach cramps, indigestion, and diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Purplish swollen tongue
• Eye fatigue
• Sore throat

How does riboflavin prevent migraines?

Riboflavin is essential for mitochondrial health- it aids your body in producing energy and cell growth.

Many scientists speculate that migraine headaches occur because of a mitochondrial disorder causing poor oxygen absorption in the brain cells.  Based on that theory, riboflavin is an optimal treatment for migraine prevention, as it boosts metabolism within the mitochondria of your most complex cell structures.

Riboflavin benefits your body in many other ways:

• Vitamin B2 is a powerful antioxidant, effective at killing free radicals that pose a threat to your DNA, thus helping to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.
• Riboflavin aids your body in absorbing other crucial vitamins, such as B6 and folate.
• Riboflavin is essential for producing healthy red blood cells.

Suggested dose

The USRDA of riboflavin is a mere few milligrams per day- not enough to make even a dent in your migraine headache frequency.

For migraine prevention, researchers suggest 400 mg. of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) per day. This recommendation stems from several studies focusing on riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis.

• In a placebo-based study on high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis, 55 migraine sufferers agreed to take either a placebo or a 400mg-dose of riboflavin per day.
• After three months, nearly 60% of the patients who received riboflavin supplements experienced a 50% reduction in migraine attack frequency and duration.
• Only 15% of migraine patients who received the placebo saw any improvement in their migraine headache symptoms.
• Because they produce no harmful or irritating side effects, researchers recommend riboflavin supplements as a healthy alternative to prescription migraine prophylaxis medications.

Natural Migraine Remedies Surge with Prescription Drug Deaths

Please tell us…

Do you currently use natural supplements such as riboflavin, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, or butterbur to prevent migraines? Please share your success story with us!

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

Share with your friends!

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

Read more about natural migraine prevention

Conquer Allergies and Migraine Headaches with Butterbur- a Migraineur’s Best Friend

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain

Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond

References:

Effectiveness of high‐dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis A randomized controlled trial

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Images:

graur razvan ionut, Getideaka, anankkml

According to recent reports, the US accounts for 80% of the world’s
usage of prescription painkillers.  Why, then, is it so hard for migraine sufferers in the States to get pain relief when they need it?

Here are some key notes from the White House report, Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis

Painkillers are gaining appeal among teenagers

“While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal drugs like cocaine, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically.”

The 80s had cocaine…today’s teen gateway drugs are narcotic pain relievers, which are more readily available and, what’s more, legal.

Most drug abusers get their pills from friends

“The same survey found that over 70 percent of people who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives, while approximately 5 percent got them from a drug dealer or from the Internet.”

Instead of experimenting with street drugs like marijuana, more young adults are getting their first high from a friend’s unsuspecting mom or grandpa’s medicine cabinet.  Very few, only 5%, get prescription painkillers from illegal drug trafficking.

Drug consumption skyrockets

“From 1997 to 2007, the milligram per person use of prescription opioids in the U.S. increased from 74 milligrams to 369 milligrams, an increase of 402 percent.”

Ask yourself: Do fibromyalgia patients and migraine sufferers require 402% more painkillers, gram for gram, than they did 10 years ago?

A recent report by the World Health Organization indicates that nearly half of chronic headache sufferers don’t seek medical attention for pain symptoms, and rely on over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers instead.  How, then, can one explain for a sudden 400% rise in prescription pain medicine?

Who are doctor shoppers?

“…enhancement and increased utilization of prescription drug monitoring programs will help to identify “doctor shoppers” and detect therapeutic duplication and drug-drug interactions.”

Who are doctor shoppers? ER docs and nurses refer to them as “drug seekers,” people who use prescription painkillers for non-medical purposes, and usually obtain them through trickery and theft.

Doctor shoppers are addicts who feign illness so that they can obtain narcotics, often hopping from one ER clinic to another, using false identifications and made-up medical histories.

Drug seekers use up valuable, limited medical resources meant for people suffering from chronic pain- debilitating migraines, cancer, and degenerative diseases.

A case of mistaken identity

One problem facing many migraine patients and other chronic pain sufferers today is that hospital staff and pharmacists often mistake them for drug seekers.

In an emergency room, a harried doctor has seconds to ascertain if somebody is really in the midst of a severe migraine attack, or if she is just faking it to get drugs.  More likely than not, he makes the decision to hold back pain relief from the very patients for whom he was meant to provide treatment.

Will PDMPs help?

The White House proposes “prescription drug monitoring programs” to help prevent prescription painkillers from falling into the hands of drug seekers, while preventing prescription drug deaths.  Theoretically, these should take some of the burden of proof away from the doctors and pharmacists. Hopefully, these programs won’t have the reverse effect, making it even harder for people with invisible illnesses to get the pain relief they need.

Whether this will be an effective way of reducing un-medical usage of pain pills, only time will tell.  Not all states have adopted these programs, and they are still in an early, experimental phase.

What are your thoughts?

Have you ever resolved to go to ER for a severe migraine, and been accused of drug seeking?

Do you believe prescription drug monitoring programs will help?

Have you tried taking natural supplements to reduce your need for painkillers, and double their effectiveness?

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

Share with your friends!

Images:

Mantas Ruzveltas, Victor Habbick

Celiac disease

Celiac is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system and involves intolerance for gluten.  Most people can eat starchy foods containing gluten- pastries, breads, pastas- without any ill results.  For a celiac patient, however, eating a morsel of wheat, rye, or barley can be the kiss of death.

So much so that even trace amounts of the gluten protein can cause severe stomach reactions and chronic pain symptoms like headaches and muscle pain.

10 Golden Food Rules for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Symptoms of celiac disease include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach bloating
• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Vertigo
• Mouth sores
• Sore muscles
• Stiff joints
• Pain and tingling in the legs
• Skin rash
• Frequent bruising
• Unusual weight loss
• Failure to thrive
• Gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Migraines are also a stomach disorder

Scientists have always observed a strong link between the migraine brain and the stomach, but have not been able to explain exactly why the two correlate with each other.

Migraine Headaches and Dizziness- Stop the Ride, I want to get off!

For example, why do migraine attacks cause severe nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting, in addition to pounding headaches?

And why does vomiting during a migraine attack often produce intense relief?

American researchers from New York believe they can provide a useful clue.

The migraine-celiac connection

It’s actually not the first time somebody attempted to link neurological disorder with celiac disease- In the 60’s, scientists observed symptoms like poor motor control and peripheral neuropathy in patients of celiac, explains this study’s authors.

For the Columbia University Medical Center study, scientists focused on celiac disease, in addition to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  Subjects were also asked if they ever experienced any sensitivity to wheat or gluten.

• In addition to questioning participants on their digestive health, scientists also inquired about their history regarding headaches and lifestyle choices like smoking, alcohol, and coffee usage.
• Out of 501 people, 188 had celiac disease, 111 had IBD, 25 suffered from gluten intolerance, and the remaining “control group” had no digestive system disorders.
• More than half of the gluten sensitive participants suffered from chronic headaches.
• About 30% of celiac disease patients also had chronic headaches.
• Twenty-three percent of IBD sufferers also experienced chronic headaches.
• The lowest occurrence of chronic headaches was in the control group, at 14%.
• Migraine-specific headaches were reported among 21% of celiac patients and 14% of IBD patients, compared with only 6% from the healthy control group.

“We found significantly higher prevalence of headaches in patients with celiac disease compared to those without it,” states Dr. Alexandra Dimitrova, who co-authored the Neurological Institute study.

Unfortunately, scientists are still unable to determine why symptoms of IBD and celiac disease often affect the brain.  Theories range from celiac disease antibodies that attack the nervous system to widespread inflammation throughout the body.

These preliminary finding were recently presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in New Orleans.

What we learn from this:

There is no one cure for migraines, but determining your migraine triggers is the first step towards successful chronic pain management.

Have you tried eliminating gluten from your diet, for at least a few months?  Gluten-free dieting is not necessary unless your body has a bad reaction to gluten products.  But for many migraine sufferers, eliminating certain foods from their diet, including gluten, has led to a significant reduction in migraine headaches.

Migraine Dieting with Gluten-Free Foods: Is it Necessary?

• If you’re unsure of your migraine triggers, start logging into a migraine diary.
• If your migraine drugs aren’t performing to your full satisfaction, experiment with restrictive dieting.  Perhaps you’ll discover a migraine triggers of which you were unaware.
• Vitamin deficiency is another possible clue to migraine frequency.  Make sure you get enough B vitamins and minerals like magnesium.
• Other dietary supplements that are helpful for preventing migraines include butterbur and Co-Q10.

Read more about migraines and diet

To Prevent Migraines, eat 11 Pounds of Beef

The Do-it-Yourself Migraine Detox Diet: What to Expect

Eat like a Migraineur- 7 Migraine Diet Tips

Please tell us…

Have you found relief from migraines by changing your diet?  Please share your experience!

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

Share with your friends!

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

References:

Migraines More Likely for People With Celiac Disease, Study Says

Images:

Ohmega1982, stockimages,

The Huffington Post released an updated list of celebrity migraine sufferers, some of whom are active in raising migraine awareness.  Still, the silence is deafening.  What are some ways that famous migraineurs can help to raise much-needed funds for migraine research?

Marcia Cross

The star of “Desperate Housewives” has been one of Hollywood’s most outspoken migraine awareness promoters.  In a People magazine article, she talked about having migraine headaches since the age of 14, and described them as stroke-like in nature.

Since then, she’s learned how to prevent migraines by avoiding food triggers like wine and chocolate.  Also, she’s careful not to skip meals or sleep.

Her favorite exercises for reducing stress?  Yoga and hiking, as she revealed to Help for Headaches.

“…I’ve found that if you don’t eat that chocolate bar or have that red wine, you can really reduce them,” she explained to Health magazine.

On coping with chronic migraines, she admits, “If I stress about migraines, it makes it more likely that I get one… I do what I need to do to take care of myself.”

Lisa Kudrow

The former “Friends” star is no stranger to migraines- not only has she dealt with excruciating migraines since childhood, but her father, Dr. Lee Kudrow, a cluster headache sufferer, is a renowned chronic headache specialist.

Cindy McCain

Migraine sufferers have a real podium with Cindy McCain, wife of ex-presidential candidate John McCain.

Cindy McCain struggles with migraine attack symptoms like debilitating headaches, vomiting, nausea, and photophobia. For years, she felt like an outcast, a hypochondriac.  It wasn’t until she turned 40 that she finally received a diagnosis for migraines, a neurological disorder, she explained to Neurology.

Today, Ms. McCain is trying to raise funds for more research in migraine disorder, confirming to the word that migraines aren’t just a headache- they’re a legitimate disability.

Social Security Disability for Migraine- 5 Tips for Filing

In addition to identifying migraine headache triggers, Cindy McCain also uses alternative migraine treatments, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques.

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann may not be winning everyone’s presidential vote, but she’s a great role model for the millions of female migraine sufferers around the world, disproving many misconceptions that migraine patients are crazy, weak, or lazy.

Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!

In a statement released last year, she affirms, “Let me be abundantly clear – my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief,”

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson suffers from vestibular migraines, a type of migraine with aura. Symptoms include vertigo, visual disturbances, and piercing migraine headaches.

In 2008, Janet Jackson required 3 weeks recuperation from a migraine attack that occurred while touring.

So far, there have been no supportive statements urging migraine research or awareness from the Janet Jackson camp.

Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth works hard to achieve that sunny demeanor.  The Broadway star of “Wicked” and television star of “Glee,” “The West Wing,” and “GCB” has had her share of migraine attacks, one in particular that occurred on 2009’s Emmy night, in which she received an award.

Her preferred migraine treatment of choice, according to a Prevention magazine article, is Botox.  She says that her migraines have reduced from weekly to sporadically, although she admits her initial fear that freezing her facial muscles would jeopardize her acting career.

Read more about celebrity migraineurs

Top 30 Most Famous Migraine Sufferers

Working with Migraines is no Laughing Matter, Comedian Russell Brand Agrees

Celebrities Also Suffer from Migraines

Dwyane Wade of Miami Heat Battles 76ers and Migraines: Who Will Win?

Please tell us…

Which celebrity do you feel has been the best role model for migraine sufferers?

Do you know of any other famous migraineurs not included?

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

Share with your friends!

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

References

Celebrities With Migraines: 13 Famous Faces With The Misunderstood Condition

Living with Migraines

Dealing With a Migraine Like Janet Jackson’s

Kristin Chenoweth Hits the High Notes

Images:

-MaDMAn-, Gage Skidmore, TheBuiBrothers.com, public domain, LGEPR, mobu26

Managing chronic migraines can wear you down, both emotionally and spiritually.  Like any other lifetime illness, migraine disorder can distress your social life, family relationships, and business associations, not to mention your own sense of self-esteem.  But harboring negative feelings can impede recovery and trigger more migraines.  Here are some helpful tips that will brighten your mood.

Acceptance

Migraine disorder is a neurological condition that will not go away on its own.  Unfortunately, a mistake some migraine patients make is treating their symptoms like the metaphorical “elephant in the living room.” It’s one thing to put on a brave face for random well-wishers, but you should always be able to admit to close friends, family, and physicians when things are not so fine, and be able to ask for help.

Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder

Remember that there’s nothing shameful in acknowledging when you’re having difficulty managing your migraines; it doesn’t make you weak or helpless, but rather improves your chances of eventually finding a life-long migraine management strategy that works.

Get migraines of your head

Anger, depression, despair, and anxiety are often comorbid conditions of migraine disorder. Learning how to release pent-up feelings in a healthy, controlled fashion is crucial for preventing migraine headaches, reducing stress, and avoiding life-threatening situations like heart attack, stroke, and drug addiction.

Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics

If seeking psychological help is not an option, then get used to writing things down in a diary.  If you’re already logging into a migraine journal, then use the opportunity to jot down feelings, concerns, and questions about migraines, or just anything that’s on your mind.

Accentuate the positive…

It’s hard to keep a positive outlook when your daily routine starts and ends with throbbing headaches, sore eyes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck pain. While nobody expects you to transform into Ms. Happy-go lucky overnight, that doesn’t mean that you can’t reap some of the benefits that positive thinking affords.

Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?

In an oft-cited study on chronic pain, researchers noted a direct correlation between negativity among certain patients and an increase in pain symptoms.  People who expressed an attitude of hopelessness and “catastrophized” their condition experienced the most stress, physical pain, and infirmity.

In contrast, test subjects who experienced similar pain levels but remained hopeful and optimistic were more likely to find effective pain management.

Read more about migraines and depression

Migraines Make Women Depressed- It’s Confirmed

Natural Supplements and Herbs for migraines

Please tell us…

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

Share with your friends!

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

References:

Study finds that positive outlook on life eases chronic pain

Images:

kenfotos, Janaka Dharmasena, Ambro

Four cheers for alternative medicine: Recently, migraine specialists from all over the US met with the American Academy of Neurology to discuss the most effective treatments for migraines, and included in their recommendations were four natural migraine supplements magnesium, butterbur, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10. Here’s the scoop on the best alternative medicine for migraines.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain

As always, consult in your physician before starting any new migraine treatment, including natural alternative medicine for migraines.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

The herbal supplement butterbur scored an A, as in Level A class of “medications with established efficacy” in preventing migraines.

Two Class I studies indicated that 50–75mg of butterbur extract can significantly reduce migraine attack frequency by 26-60% after four to twelve weeks of supplementation, compared to a placebo.

Found in marshy areas around the world, butterbur is a curative plant species that ancient peoples used to relieve headaches, muscular pain, allergies, spasms, and nervousness.

Conquer Allergies and Migraine Headaches with Butterbur- a Migraineur’s Best Friend

Note:  While butterbur is a safe, gentle alternative to migraine drugs, it’s important to seek butterbur extracts that are free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).

Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10)

Co-Q10 is a powerful antioxidant with many healing properties, effective for treating migraine headaches, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and viral and bacterial infections.

In a Class II study, Co-Q10 was more effective in preventing migraine attacks than a placebo after only four months of treatment, resulting in 47.6% fewer migraine headaches in half of all test subjects. In addition to experiencing fewer migraine attacks, subjects also reported that migraines that occurred during Coenzyme Q10 supplementation were of shorter duration, less severe, and requiring less recuperation time than previously.

Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information

Magnesium

Magnesium is a beneficial nutrient used by doctors to treat migraine headaches, in addition to anxiety, irregular heartbeat, preeclampsia, and tense muscles.

In several studies, magnesium supplements used in combination with riboflavin and feverfew were 50% effective in reducing migraine frequency in 42% of migraine sufferers.

Researchers believe that magnesium deficiency may be the cause for a significant amount of migraine attacks. Because it’s difficult to acquire an accurate screening of magnesium levels, health experts recommend experimenting with magnesium supplements in the case of chronic migraines that don’t respond to conventional treatments.

Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:

• Headaches
• Muscular pain
• Anxiety attacks
• Psychosis
• Photophobia
• Hypertension
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin is a B-complex vitamin that occurs naturally in meat, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, spinach, and broccoli. Alternative medicine practitioners advise taking riboflavin supplements to treat migraines, eye fatigue, muscle pain, and cervical cancer.

In several studies, 400mg riboflavin supplements proved more effective in preventing migraines than a placebo.

Read more about alternative migraine medicine

Natural Migraine Remedies Surge with Prescription Drug Deaths

Natural Migraine Remedies: 9 Must-Take Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Please tell us…

Have you experimented with alternative medicine for migraines?

How likely are you to consider using butterbur, riboflavin, magnesium, or coenzyme Q10 after reading this article?

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

Share with your friends!

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

Sources:

Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults

Images:

Carlos Porto, Doug Lee, Steve A Johnson

For preventing migraines with antiepileptic drugs, Lamotrigine a healthier alternative to Topamax, as it causes fewer cognitive problems like brain fog, memory loss, and low concentration.  Still, it’s important to use any migraine drug with caution.  Here are some facts about Lamotrigine as migraine prophylaxis.

Who uses Lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine (LTG) is an anticonvulsive drug approved by the FDA for treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Lamotrigine is also prescribed for:

• Migraine headaches
• Clinical depression
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Cluster headaches
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Borderline personality disorder

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a nonenzyme inducing AED with favorable pharmacokinetics, approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in epilepsy as well as bipolar disorder

Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder

Lamotrigine Side Effects

Despite its effectiveness in preventing migraines, Lamotrigine carries several FDA warnings.  Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Life-threatening skin rashes (Stevens–Johnson syndrome, DRESS syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• Headache
• Severe allergic reactions
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Chest pain
• Neck stiffness
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swollen hands and feet
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Natural Migraine Remedies Surge with Prescription Drug Deaths

Other side effects include:

• Unusual changes in menstruation
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Anxiety attacks
• Mood changes
• Suicidal tendencies
• Fever
• Chronic sore throat
• Severe muscle pain
• Blurred vision
• Uncontrolled eye movements
• Double vision
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Feebleness
• Decreased coordination
• Loss of concentration
• Sleep difficulties

Natural migraine treatments

More migraine patients today opt for alternative medicine as a safer, gentler preventive treatment for migraine attacks.

Current research indicates that fixed doses of natural supplements like magnesium, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur are more than 50% effective in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine headaches.

Recently, the American Academy of Neurology released new guidelines for treating episodic migraines that confirm the effectiveness of complementary medicine in preventing migraines.

Read more about natural migraine prevention:

Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond

Natural Supplements and Herbs for migraines

Cure Migraines with Functional Medicine; Part 1

Please tell us…

Do you currently use antiepileptic drugs for migraines?  If so, have you experienced any of the side effects described above?

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

Share with your friends!

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

Sources:

Lamotrigine: MedlinePlus Drug Information

New Guidelines: Treatments Can Help Prevent Migraine — American Academy of Neurology

Images:

zeathiel, tinpalace

People have a lot of theories on ways to relieve migraine headaches, and while some work, many are based on misconceptions about migraines.  In coping with chronic headaches, it’s important to be able to sift the facts from the fiction. Here are 15 common fallacies about migraines:

Migraine Myth #1: Migraines are just really strong headaches.

Any chronic migraine sufferer can attest to the fact that migraine symptoms involve more than excruciatingly strong headaches.  For many, severe nausea, cyclical vomiting, stomach cramps, photophobia, vertigo, stroke-like symptoms, and visual disturbances occur prior to or during a migraine attack.  Because of its debilitating nature, migraine disorder can destroy the quality of life for its sufferers, creating feelings of depression, anxiety, despair, and anger.

Unlike common headaches, chronic migraine headaches can make it impossible to hold a job, care for yourself, or perform simple household duties.  For that reason, the ADA accepts migraine disorder as a disability qualified for compensation.

Social Security Disability for Migraine- 5 Tips for Filing

Migraine Myth #2: Alternative treatments for migraines are a waste of time and money.

Actually, modern medicine has been slowly incorporating alternative medicine alongside conventional treatments like drugs, physical therapy, and psychotherapy.  This is especially true regarding chronic pain disorders such as migraines and fibromyalgia.

Popular natural remedies for migraines include:

• Vitamins and herbs, such as butterbur, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), coenzyme Q10, and magnesium
• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Meditation
• Tai chi
• Yoga
• Oxygen therapy
• Restrictive dieting

Cure Migraines with Functional Medicine; Part 1

Migraine Myth #3: If OTC pain relievers like Excedrin help, then your migraines can’t be that bad.

Swallowing over-the-counter pills like Excedrin for migraines or Advil can have bad side effects.  For one, NSAIDs often cause rebound headaches. Over time, frequent use of OTC pain relievers can take its toll on your digestive system, liver, and kidneys, in addition to causing tinnitus (ear ringing).

Migraine Myth #4: Only middle-aged women get migraines.

While it’s true that women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than are men, it’s important to recognize that millions of men get migraines as well, and that often age doesn’t play an important factor.  It’s not unusual for migraineurs to experience their first migraine attack before entering high school or college.

12 Ways to spread Migraine Awareness without saying a Word

Migraine Myth #5: Migraine sufferers who complain are just attention seekers or lazy.

Contrary to popular belief, chronic pain sufferers don’t want to be in the spotlight. Far from it, many migraine patients resort to the “grin and bear it” strategy, rather than have to ask for help or make any mention of their agony.  This kind of approach is actually detrimental, because they end up not getting the help they need, for fear of being called “weak” or worse, a hypochondriac.

35 Things you should never tell a Chronic Migraine Sufferer

Please tell us…

Can you think of any more migraine myths that you would like to add?

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

Share with your friends!

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

Sources:

Chronic Pain Myths

Myths About Treating Chronic Pain

Images:

psyberartist, Venture Vancouver, Colin_K

Whether you suffer from migraines with aura or chronic migraine headaches, there’s nothing more dreadful than being caught in a migraine attack unawares.  By recognizing the migraine headache symptoms early on, you give yourself a chance to take your migraine medication and hopefully nip this one in the bud, or at least tone the headache down a notch.

Here are 20 symptoms associated with migraine attacks, beginning with the most obvious:

1. Pounding headache- Many non-migraineurs mistakenly think that migraines are just really strong headaches that happen more often than standard everyday headaches.  Nothing could be further from the truth! While tense muscles cause stress headaches, migraine headaches are neurologically-based, and much more difficult to treat.

A common headache may last for hours, but a migraine attack can last for days, with little time to recover between episodes.

When a migraine attack strikes, it is usually accompanied by a host of other debilitating symptoms like nausea, feebleness, dizziness, vomiting, and sometimes paralysis.

2. Sharp pain in the eyes, in addition to neck and shoulder pain

3. Tinnitus (ear ringing)

4. Painful tingling and numbness (pins and needles)

5. Aura- bright, colorful lights, sometimes in a crescent shape, sometimes flickering or oscillating

6. Impaired vision, including double vision, blurriness, voids, or blind spots

7. Sensory overload- hypersensitivity to bright lights, strong scents, and loud noises

8. Olfactory hallucination, the sensation of smelling unusual scents which aren’t present, like burnt paper, smoke, or rot

9. Alice in Wonderland syndrome- distorted sense of spatial awareness and passage of time, in addition to vertigo

10. Runny nose and watery eyes

11. Immense fatigue, constant yawning, and exhaustion that is not relieved with sleep

12. Hot flashes

13. Sudden speech slurring, similar to stroke symptoms

14. Temporary partial paralysis, also similar to stroke

15. Exertion headache resulting from light exercise , coughing, or sneezing

16. Moodiness, similar to bipolar disorder- shifting between elation and deep depression

17. Strong food cravings

18. Increased need to urinate

19. Severe stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting

20. Prolonged hangover following migraine, often requiring several days of recuperation

Please tell us…

Have you experienced any symptoms not included in this article?

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

Share with your friends!

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

Read more about migraine symptoms

When Migraine Aura with Aphasia leaves you Lost for Words

Migraine Headaches- Top 7 FAQ’s

Migraine Aura and Hot Flashes- Treat that Hot Head ASAP

What’s that Smell? Migraine Sensitivity and Olfactory Auras

Sources:

Imagined smells can precede migraines

Olfactory aura symptoms- Migraine Aura Foundation

Migraine Research Foundation- FAQ

Migraine fact sheet: womenshealth.gov

Images:

stockarch, KOZZI STOCK