Headaches

what foods can trigger a migraine

2008-07-30T23:14:00.001-07:00

Knowing What Foods Can Trigger A Migraine Can Prevent Them

There are currently three methods of dealing with migraine headaches, including avoidance, treating the symptoms or prevention. Avoidance is often the most effective means of preventing migraines and knowing what foods can trigger a migraine can help reduce the frequency of headaches by avoiding those foods. There have been lists compiled that show what foods can trigger a migraine but each list is slightly different and various theories have also expanded some of the lists.

In most cases, what foods can trigger a migraine is up to the individual migraine sufferer. What causes a migraine in one person may not have the same affect on another. Alcohol, caffeine and chocolate often take the fall in studies of what foods can trigger a migraine, but others are also considered suspect. While many suspected foods or those that contain histamine, tyramine and nitrates have been tested, little evidence supports them as being a trigger for a migraine.

Monosodium glutamate, often found in Chinese food has been associated with many of the symptoms of migraines. However, the dosages used in tests on what foods can trigger a migraine was 2.5 grams, considerably higher than typically used in food. Headache clinics have studied various foods with mixed reports, with many maintaining that many of the foods tested have the potential for triggering a migraine.

Determining Suspect Foods Through Avoidance

Some of the dietary changes needed to avoid what foods can trigger a migraine include the exclusion of aged dairy products, such as cheese as well as nitrates used in processed foods such as hot dogs and fish. Dark chocolate, alcohol, especially red wine, and caffeine are some of the most commonly accused foods for migraines.

One method used to determine what foods can trigger a migraine in an individual, is to completely eliminate them from their diet for about a month. At the end of the month, adding each food to the diet one at a time can help identify the guilty foods. Introducing large amounts of suspect food can bring on migraine symptoms quicker making identification of what foods can trigger a migraine faster and easier.

In additional to learning what foods can trigger a migraine, researchers have found that some of the beta blockers used to treat severe migraine headaches can also trigger an attack. But if the patient is able to determine what foods can trigger a migraine, avoiding that food can possibly eliminate recurring migraines.

vertebrohasilar migraine

2008-07-30T23:13:00.004-07:00

The Vertebrohasilar Migraine Demystified For You

The regular human being hates medical jargons and particularly the horrifying sounding names of diseases that doctors say you are suffering from. Take the vertebrohasilar migraine for example. Have you heard about it before? Migraine – yes; vertebrohasilar migraine – definitely a 'no'.

What Is The Vertebrohasilar Migraine In Plain Terms?

When you suffer from any disease, you need to understand not only its name but what it entails as well. You need to know what warning signs would point to the fact that it is going from bad to worse, and what are the good signs that would show that you are responding to the treatment.

The vertebrohasilar migraine is the name given to the migraine which is results from the dysfunction of the brainstem or the cerebellum. This is the part of the brain which is responsible for regulating the balance and consciousness in a person. Hence, when you suffer from vertebrohasilar migraine, you would expect that you suffer from symptoms which relate to this area, i.e. acute head reeling, vertigo, sudden fainting bouts and even stroke-like symptoms that can last for ten minutes to a few days.

Even after the attack is over, the patient would feel like he or she has walked into a truck, i.e. completely drained out, battered and with a dull ache in the head.

How Do You Fight The Vertebrohasilar Migraine

If you already know what you are suffering from it would be okay to use some of the popular over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to get fast relief as this is one type of migraine which responds to such medication. However, if you are not sure about what your problem might be, and you only guess that you are suffering from vertebrohasilar migraine, it is better to have a confirmation of a professional medical practitioner before attempting self-medication. You might aggravate the problem with the OTC analgesics.

Once the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis he or she would also prescribe some or other type of analgesic that is supposed to work the best with this particular affliction. Keep the prescription carefully and you could use the painkillers named therein every time the vertebrohasilar migraine hits you.

The only thing you should be careful about when you self-medicate yourself is that you do not grow addicted to the analgesic. For this you need to change it with another similar medicines over regular period of time. You also need to be aware of the contraindications of such analgesics so you would not aggravate the problem any further. For example, people who are on blood thinners should never take aspirin as it increase the danger of bleeding.

tension headache

2008-07-30T23:13:00.003-07:00

The Possible Causes of a Tension Headache

A tension headache is considered to be the most common type of headache that people experience. This type of headache is usually associated with a moderate amount of pain. It may also produce a feeling of pain in the back of the neck. Although tension headaches can be annoying they typically are not associated with a serious disease.

A tension headache can be troubling for as little as thirty minutes but for some people up to about a week. You probably have chronic headaches if you experience them fifteen days or more during a month for a period of several months. Chronic headaches have been known to continue for years at a time. Tension headaches typically are not combined with nausea, stomach pain, difficulty speaking or visual problems.

Experts used to believe that tension headaches were primarily produced by the contraction of muscles in the face and the neck as well as the scalp area. However, research which utilized an electromtogram, which is able to record electrical currents produced by activity in the muscles, did not find an increase in tension in the muscles with patients with tension headaches. Some researchers believe that muscle tension might not be the main factor for this variety of headache.

Brain Chemicals

Current research now indicates that tension headaches may be caused by changes in some types of brain chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin as well as chemicals that assist nerves in communicating. The changes in brain chemicals might stimulate the pain pathways that go to the brain and they may also disrupt the ability of the brain to stifle the pain.

Variety of Causes

For some people depression as well as anxiety can be factors in chronic tension headaches occurring. Research has shown there are numerous factors that can produce this variety of headache including stress, not enough sleep, bad posture, being in an awkward physical position and even overuse of medications for headaches. People who have developed stiff joints and muscles in the neck area or in the shoulders might be susceptible to headaches.

Over the counter medications can be successful in treating headaches. Aspirin, ibuprofen as well as acetaminophen can be quite useful. People who suffer from chronic headaches may need the assistance of strong painkilling medications. Experts suggest people use pain medication only when really needed and the smallest dosage that is helpful since overusing pain killers can produce rebound headaches or create chronic headaches on a daily basis. If your tension headaches occur often you might want to consult with your doctor.

symptoms of a sinus headache

2008-07-30T23:13:00.001-07:00

Find Fast Relief For Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache

The symptoms of a sinus headache are slightly different from those of a regular headache. You will find that these are more persistent, more powerful and often quite difficult to get rid of. Medication is almost always symptomatic and often slow to act. In order to get rid of the pain you would need to find relief outside the medication prescribed.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache?

Before you look for relief for the symptoms of a sinus headache, you need to identify what these symptoms are. The sinus membrane or fluid does not hurt without a reason; and when the pain occurs it means that the sinus membranes have been infected and inflamed. The pain is often dull and powerful getting localized just behind the eyes. When you suffer from sinus headache, you would feel like the head is full with liquid which throbs and pounds all at the same time. The headache would get worse if you bend your head down and often even when you lie down.

The Common Relief For Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache

The commonest relief would almost always include of a decongestant which would unblock the flow of the sinus fluid and release the built-in tension. You would also like to take an analgesic medicine that would give you temporary relief. If fever accompanies the general symptoms of a sinus headache, then you could get started on antibiotics as well. You could expect complete relief from pain right from the second day onwards, though it is important that you do not stop the medicines just because you do not feel the intense pain any longer.

Some Great Natural Relief Methods That You Should Know About

Eucalyptus oil is an excellent natural decongestant and is highly favored and respected as an excellent sinus headache relief provider. Similarly, there are other herbal oils that when rubbed over the face, neck and chest give almost instant relief from the symptoms of a sinus headache. These herbal remedies are easily found at most chemical stores and you would do good to stock up your medical cabinet with enough supplies if you find that you suffer often from sinus headache.

Some people do not like to rub oils all over themselves even when they suffer from an acute attack of sinus headache. For them there is good news – there is another way to get the vapors of the eucalyptus oil inside the nasal passage, i.e. through a vaporizer.

Both these remedies work like a charm and when you use them, you will find that you are rid of the pesky pain in no time at all.

sinus headache symptoms

2008-07-30T23:12:00.001-07:00

Sinus Headache Symptoms and Causes

People who are experiencing a sinus infection typically also experience sinus headache symptoms. However some people might think there are dealing with a sinus headache when actually they are experiencing a migraine headache. If you find the pain excruciating and debilitating and accompanied by feelings of nausea and a high sensitivity to noises and light you might be experiencing a migraine attack. Symptoms that are common to both a sinus headache and a migraine headache include the pain intensifying by simply bending forward, nasal problems such as congestion, pressure felt in the face and a nasal discharge which is watery in appearance.

Post Nasal Drip

If you are dealing with a sinus infection, post nasal drip and nasal congestion can contribute to a sinus headache. Post nasal drip is a typical sinus headache symptom which is characterized by a mucus substance located in the back of the throat. Symptoms also include experiencing pain concentrated near the eyes and in the nose as well as feeling fatigued and a fever. Typically a person experiencing a sinus headache will feel the effects when they wake up in the morning.

You might have to deal with uncomfortable pressure in multiple areas in your face. The pain associated with a sinus headache will typically get worse from lying down. Other sinus headache symptoms include a sore throat, coughing as well as feeling fatigued and having a fever. A sign that you might have chronic sinus headaches is continual dull pain.

Visiting Your Doctor

Sinusitis can easily produce a headache and sinusitis is typically caused by allergies, bacterial and fungal types of infections, colds and an immune system that is not working properly. Doctors recommend that you visit your physician if you are affected by sinus headache symptoms such as intense headache pain or a headache which is combined with a temperature that is above 100.5. You might also want to visit your physician if the intense pain is felt in the area near your eyes or in other areas of your face as well as if you have significant reddening or swelling in the face, especially around the eyes.

If you visit your doctor regarding your sinus headache symptoms, it is important to mention if you have a cold or allergies as well if you smoke. If you are diagnosed with sinusitis your physician may recommend you take antibiotics. When your sinusitis problems go away the sinus headaches you have been experiencing usually disappear. If your sinus headache symptoms are severe or persistent you might want to visit your doctor.

sinus headache

2008-07-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

Sinus Headache – Causes and Treatment

If you have a sinus headache, typically you will feel the effects when you get out of bed in the morning. The typical symptoms include uncomfortable pressure, pain, heaviness in the cheeks and your brow as well as your forehead. The pain from sinus headaches usually increases due to bending in a forward position or by lying down. A major sign that you are experiencing a chronic sinus headache is experiencing a continual headache that is somewhat dull in nature.

You might develop a sore throat, a fever, coughing might occur and you may experience fatigue. Migraine headaches show some of the same symptoms but a migraine headache is typically associated with a pounding feeling which is intensified by bright lights and loud noises and nausea typically occurs.

Causes of Sinus Headaches

Some typical causes of sinus headaches include colds, an improperly functioning immune symptom, problems with the nasal cavities as well as allergies. People who are candidates for chronic sinusitis are people with asthma, certain types of allergies, people with growths located in the nasal area and people with a weakened immune system. If your headaches are very intense and you are experiencing other symptoms such as a fever that is above 100.5, dealing with a stiff neck, experiencing confusion, pain, swelling on the face or in the area near your eyes you might want to consult you doctor.

Treatment for Sinus Headaches

If you have sinusitis your physician will probably recommend antibiotics. Even if your symptoms diminish take all the antibiotics that the doctor prescribed for you. This is necessary in order to eliminate the bacteria that were causing the problem. Doctors might recommend corticosteroid pills or nasal spray for patients who are having sinusitis symptoms due to allergies or from inflammation.

Eventually as your sinus problems go away the sinus headaches should be eliminated. To help reduce the uncomfortable feelings, decongestants and over the counter types of pain medication as well as saline nasal sprays may be recommended by your doctor. If structural problems in the nasal cavities are contributing to your sinus headaches, surgery might be considered by your doctor.

To lower the risks of acquiring sinusitis keep your sinuses in good shape. Washing your hands with soap can help reduce the chances of acquiring upper respiratory infections that can produce sinusitis. You might want to consider purchasing a humidifier since a moist air environment can help to stop sinusitis from occurring. If you have a sinus headache you might want to consult with your doctor.

severe headache

2008-07-30T23:10:00.002-07:00

All You Wanted To Know About Severe Headache

There are two basic types of severe headaches – (i) primary headaches that are the result of external stimuli and not an inherent disease; and (ii) secondary headaches that are the direct result of some underlying disease. In order to find a proper cure and prevent a severe headache from reoccurring, you would need to understand what it is in the first place.

Severe Headache As Primary Headache Manifestation

The primary headache is not always a severe headache but it is serious nonetheless. There are many factors that trigger this type of headache and these are:

1. Stress induced headache or tension headache – this type of headache is the most common in USA mainly because there is a very high amunt of stress in the day-to-day life of an American today.

2. Migraine – this is one of the most dreaded severe headache known to humans. It is believed that more than 15% of the total population in USA is suffering from this affliction – which is basically a hereditary problem. This type of headache is very often accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, acute nausea and inability to bear light or sound.

3. Cluster headache – this is a rare type of severe headache, which is characterized by pounding headache throughout the head. Fortunately, there is a very small percentage of people who fall prey to this type of severe headache.

The secondary headaches are also a major reason for severe headaches. However, in this case there is a possibility of healing whatever is the problem (disease) which would mean curing the headaches as well. Some of the diseases that cause acute secondary headaches are brain tumors, sinusitis, meningitis, Parkinson's disease, and many such others.

At the first glance there is nothing that would tell that these severe headaches have any inherent problems, yet these could be very dangerous. This is why instead of medicating yourself with over the counter (OTC) drugs; you should consult a doctor as soon as you experience even one such a debilitating headache. Correct and timely treatment would be able to check the pain effectively plus identifying what exactly was causing it, which might give you the possibility to eradicate the headache altogether from the very roots.

It is important to keep in mind that pain is the alarm of the body and hence when and if get a reoccurring headache, it is critical to find out what exactly is the reason behind it.

preventing migraine headaches

2008-07-30T23:10:00.001-07:00

Preventing Migraine Headaches By Avoiding Known Triggers

If you were to ask anyone who suffers from migraine headaches what they are looking for, most would tell you they want a way of preventing migraine headaches from occurring rather than a cure for after they start. While there is some disagreement over what causes a migraine, there are known triggers that bring them on. Avoiding these triggers is usually the best way of preventing migraine headaches, but taking this proactive step may cause a lot of suffering until the triggers have been identified.

Migraine headaches are also classified differently, most common are migraines with aura, with which the sufferer may see a dim glowing light around objects from 10 to 30 minutes before the headache begins and, migraines without aura, during which there is no light prior to the onset of the headache. Understanding these can help preventing migraine headaches by identifying the triggers. It has also been experienced where the patient will visualize an aura and have no subsequent headache pain.

In a few migraine patients, preventing migraine headaches may be as simple as a change in diet. Some of the known triggers in many patients include alcohol, most often red wine, caffeine such as found in coffee, tea and chocolate, monosodium glutamate most often found in Chinese food and nitrates that are usually concentrated in processed foods.

Environment Holds Many Migraine Triggers

Individual surroundings have also been linked to migraine headaches such as a change in weather when the air pressure has a sudden drop or increase, often misunderstood as a sinus headache, as well as airline passengers suffering from a change in altitude as well as lack of sleep due to time zone changes. Rearranging schedules around a person's internal clock may help in preventing migraine headaches.

Some over the counter and prescription medications as well as some perfumes have been known to trigger migraine headaches and patients who keep a log about when the headache begins can often identify their individual triggers. Avoiding them is the best way of preventing migraine headaches. Hormone changes have also been linked to migraines and preventive medication may be an option, used under a health care professional's guidance.

Light glare, stress and frequent hunger have also been linked as triggers to migraine headaches and avoiding these aspect of daily life can help in preventing migraine headaches. In more severe cases medication may be needed to help the body adjust to certain changes as a means of preventing migraine headaches.

optical migraine

2008-07-30T23:09:00.003-07:00

Is The Optical Migraine A Serious Affliction Or Not

The optical migraine as per the definitions found in different sources is not a serious affliction even though it is very scary. The reason behind this type of migraine is not known and hence total prevention would be difficult. It is believed that endocrine dysfunction or a temporary edema of the brain that affects the blood circulation to the brain by alternatively constricting and dilating the blood vessels can be the cause for this problem.

Preventing The Optical Migraine Is Possible When You Can Read The Signs

It is very much possible to recognize the signs that announce a full blown attack and by aborting such signals, you could have the optical migraine prevented from happening. Normally before a migraine attack, you would experience a migraine aura that you could recognize from the following symptoms – (i) low and consistent ringing in the ears; (ii) spots of flashes of light in your line of vision, (iii) nausea, (iv) acute head reeling and (v) double vision.

When and if you are experiencing any two or more of these symptoms, you are heading for a full blown attack of the optical migraine. You could then take the preventive medicines that the doctor prescribed and sidestep the actual migraine. The good news is that the optical migraine
is not half as painful as the regular migraine.

You would also know this affliction as the acephalic, visual or ocular migraine. The worst that can happen when the optical migraine attacks is that you see stars in front of our eyes for twenty to thirty minutes at a time - literally. Some people also experience a blind spot that gradually enlarges to cover the whole filed of vision.

You would know for sure that this is an optical migraine if the same aura is repeated again and again and again exactly in the same pattern. In case the pattern changes, you need to undergo diagnostic tests at the earliest as such signs could mean serious damage to nerves. It has been observed that this disease is owed to heredity and that women are more likely to suffer from this problem than men, with a ratio of 3:1.

Is This Migraine A Serious Condition?

Other types might be. However, this particular affliction as its manifestation is not as severe as with other migraines. In most cases, this migraine becomes alright on its own - without any or with minimum medication. However, when the aural pattern changes often this would be an indication of more serious problems such as warning signs of a stroke, heart problems, brain tumor and even multiple sclerosis?

engagement ring designers

2008-07-30T23:09:00.001-07:00

Some Hard Facts About Ophthalmic Migraine That You Always Wanted To Know

Migraines are defined as powerful and very stubborn headaches that are normally produced in response to certain triggers such as, particular food, smells, chemical reactions in the body (hormone induced), harsh lights, acute and sustained physical and mental stress, and so many others.

The commonest symptoms of a migraine are blinding headache that does not respond to regular medication; high sensitivity to light, sound and even different smells around the environment; nausea, inability to speak or sleep. When such symptoms are coupled with visual impairment, those migraines are known as ophthalmic migraine. Sometimes the visual impairment could occur even without the headache which is often considered a very scary sign of illness.

This involves a sudden blurring of vision similar to how you would see if you were looking through a cracked glass pane. It starts in one eye and gradually spreads in such a way that you would not be able to see clearly at all. This could last for anything between five and twenty minutes and it might or might not be accompanied by headache.

How Do You Know For Sure That You Are Suffering From Ophthalmic Migraine

A word of reassurance here – the ophthalmic migraine is very often harmless and does not even require a certain medication regime. This is usually disappears on its own. However, it is important that the diagnosis is done correctly, lest you would suffer from something more serious and blame it on the ophthalmic migraine, preventing you from obtaining the required treatment.

The signature symptoms are two main things – (i) you would experience a peculiar sudden blind spot in the middle of your vision which would move across your vision field. The blind spot would have episodes of sudden bright flickering lights interchanged with a shimmering zigzag line. The whole thing would be over without any outside help inside about twenty minutes to half an hour.

Generally speaking, if you suffer from the above symptoms then you are experiencing ophthalmic migraine which is a harmless affliction. However, it would be good to consult with a doctor and ensure that your guess is right. Similar symptoms would be experienced in case you suffered from retinal detachment – and that could cause permanent vision damage if left untreated thinking it is a manifestation of the ophthalmic migraine.

The reason why this problem occurs is not very clear; nor is the method of prevention. It is imperative however, to be sure about the diagnosis. The ophthalmic migraine does not require any medication but the diagnosis could be more serious and that would need medical attention to cure. Do not delay a meeting with a doctor when you find these symptoms; it could something serious.

ocular migraine

2008-07-30T23:08:00.002-07:00

All About The Ocular Migraine

Opthalmic or eye migraine headaches, commonly called ocular migraines, are irregularities in vision that may or may not be accompanied by headaches. These irregularities may be caused by changes in blood flow to the brain.

Causes of Ocular migraines

Ocular migraines can be triggered by changes in hormone levels, flashing or flickering lights, chemical compounds in food, or medications the patient is taking. Visual symptoms are a common symptom of these headaches.

Scotoma

Some ocular migraine sufferers experience a scotoma, or blind spot in their central vision. Sometimes the patient sees bright flickering lights, or scintillations, around the scotoma, and sometimes they see a shimmering jagged line inside the blind spot. The spot gets larger as the ocular migraine headache progresses and may appear to move across the patient's field of vision.

An ocular headache may also be accompanied by gripping pain on one side of the head, light flashes, and the impression of sparks appearing in the field of vision. The headaches also come with nausea, vomiting, and double vision.

Ocular migraines are usually harmless and do not cause usually permanent damage or require treatment. That doesn't mean you can go on with your regular activities if you feel an ocular headache coming on.

If you have an ocular headache while you are doing something that requires clear vision, like driving or working, you should stop immediately and wait until the migraine passes or until your vision clears enough to safely continue your activities.

Ocular migraines may be caused by a variety of factors. Common causes include hormonal changes associated with menstruation; changes in blood flow to the brain caused by alcohol consumption; consumption of certain foods like red wine, hard cheese, milk, preserved lunchmeats and bacon, and foods prepared with MSG. Thus a strict vegan diet, which excludes all meat, cheese, and other animal-derived food products, is thought to control the onset of the migraine headache.

For some patients, bright sunlight or flickering sunshine and shadow can bring on the onset of a migraine.

Ocular migraines are usually treated by allowing the patient to rest in a quiet, darkened room until the pain passes. Patients who suffer from frequent ocular migraine headaches should consult with their physicians to see if, working together, they can identify and therefore eliminate the cause of the ocular migraine headache.

If prophylactic treatment does not prevent the ocular migraines from occurring, then a course of drug treatment may be recommended.

occular migraine

2008-07-30T23:08:00.001-07:00

What is an Occular Migraine Headache?

Basically, people are affected by two varieties of migraine headaches. The migraines that are accompanied by auras also include a quite rare form of migraines known as occular migraines. They are different from the typical aura migraine due to the symptoms being produced in one eye. Other people experience the more common variation of migraines that are not associated with auras. Occular migraines as well as aura migraines can be more disruptive than typical migraines.

Auras

A person experiencing the occular variety will usually experience an aura for about five to twenty minutes and symptoms include vertigo, feeling confused, experiencing numbness and feeling unbalanced. Unusual symptoms that are frequently associated with occular migraine attacks include some loss of vision; objects take on distorted forms as well as seeing flashing lights and unusual color patterns as well as unusual shapes. Some people also experience blurred central vision and some people have reported black or gray areas in their visual field.

People who have a history of occular migraines typically experience an aura before the painful migraine headache occurs. Things that typically bring on a migraine can also produce the occular variety. The occular type can be quite disruptive; however they usually do not produce long term problems to the eyes.

People who experience the occular type usually become worried about having long term vision problems and typically visit ophthalmologists. They can be helpful, however most experts suggest patients also visit a neurologist so the symptoms can be properly taken care of by a doctor who is an expert in dealing with the painful symptoms associated with occular migraines. Also a neurologist has the skills to determine if the auras that are being experienced have been caused by a stroke.

Primary Cause

With people who are experiencing a migraine with an aura the visual problems are typically created by the occipital cortex in the brain. The primary cause of occular migraine attacks are due to the retinal blood vessels located inside of the eye. A patient who is dealing with the occular variety can stop the auras by simply closing the affected eye or by placing their hand over the eye that is experiencing the problems.

Triptans are commonly used for treating migraine headaches however they should not be used by people who are experiencing occular migraines since they constrict blood vessels and if they constrict the blood vessels located in the retina a loss of vision can occur. Prevention is the best way of dealing with the occular type. Reducing stress, getting a sufficient number of hours of sleep and keeping a consistent schedule can be helpful in preventing the occular variety from occurring. If you have occular migraine headaches you should consult your physician.

migraine

2008-07-30T23:07:00.002-07:00

Treating And Preventing Migraines Without Medication

Migraine headaches are a serious medical problem. More than 28 million Americans suffer from this condition, and female sufferers get them 17% more often than males. The condition is treatable when diagnosed; however, less than half of the people suffering from migraine headaches are diagnosed with the condition by their physicians.

If you suffer from migraines, you must wonder why people call them "migraine headaches." They are not confined merely to the head; they can take over your entire body for hours or even days at a time, making it difficult to lead a normal life. You want to do anything you can to treat your migraine and prevent it from happening again.

Symptoms

Every sufferer knows the familiar migraine symptoms. Your stomach is upset, and you might have diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea. Because of these symptoms, when you feel a migraine coming on, you want to make sure you are close to a bathroom.

Decreased blood circulation may make your skin look pale. It doesn't matter if you have gloves on, or how many pair of socks you are wearing. Your hands and feet become noticeably colder than the rest of your body.

Like other sufferers, you have problems with your vision when you feel a headache coming on. You experience blurred vision, and your eyes become so sensitive to light that you want to wear your sunglasses indoors, even in dim light, to ease the pain. One side of your head throbs while the other side tries to figure out what's going on. For half a day to several days, you're out of it. All you want to do is lie in a dark, quiet room and wait for the migraine to pass.

Treatment

Help is available if you want to treat your migraines without taking medication. You can use an icepack on the head to ease the pain; practice relaxation exercises and biofeedback techniques to train your mind to ignore the pain, or just sleep until the pain goes away. Some sufferers get relief from pain with acupuncture.

Non-medication techniques can also prevent migraines. The best way to avoid this condition is to lead a healthy lifestyle. If you smoke cigarettes, quit. Avoid eating sharp cheeses, nuts, and lunch meats, and stop drinking wine, as all these substances contain elements that can trigger migraines. Drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and exercise moderately several times a week to reduce the risk of headaches coming on.

migraine treatments

2008-07-30T23:07:00.001-07:00

Migraine Treatments for You

If you experience migraine headaches and the medications your doctor has prescribed are not successful enough in providing relief from migraines you might want to consider some alternative migraine treatments that some people have found to be effective. If you decide to try some of these treatments it is probably a good idea to keep using the medications your doctor recommends. Let your physician know you are considering adding some alternative therapies to your pain management program.

Some of the natural substances that have been suggested for migraine treatments are actually drugs and they can interact with medications you are taking. Herbs and vitamins can also produce unwanted side effects and some varieties can reduce the effectiveness of medications you are using.

Acupuncture

Very thin needles are inserted into specific pressure points in the body to provide pain relief. Some people have been provided relief from migraine pain with acupuncture while others who suffer from migraines have found acupuncture to not be very effective but it is probably worth trying.

Chiropractic treatments utilize massage, adjustments to soft tissue and joints as well as spinal manipulation in order to reduce pain and stress. Some migraine sufferers claim that chiropractic treatments have been a successful migraine treatment which provided relief from migraine attacks while others did not find them useful. A study consisting of 127 migraine sufferers placed the participants into two groups. One of the groups received chiropractic treatments while people in the other group received an inactive treatment.

Some of the people who had the chiropractic techniques applied to them claimed to have a significant decrease in the frequency of attacks, the duration of the attacks as well as the disabling power of the migraine headaches. They received chiropractic treatments for about two months. Half of them claimed that this type of migraine treatment provided them a significant reduction in the severity of the migraine attacks when they occurred.

Biofeedback

Has been successful at relieving pain associated with some varieties of headaches however it has not been shown to be effective at reducing pain associated with migraine attacks. Biofeedback consists of a group or relaxation procedures which help to control the reactions of the body to stress.

BeKool is a migraine treatment that was designed to relieve migraine pain that you can purchase at stores which utilizes a cool compress. Some people claim they can be soothing during a migraine attack. They are basically soft sheets made from gel. They won't replace migraine medications however they can be helpful before the medications you have taken become effective. Consult with your doctor regarding alternative migraine treatments which can be added to your pain management program.

migraine treatment

2008-07-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

Migraine Treatment Options Vary By Symptoms

Persons suffering from severe, often debilitating headaches are always on the lookout for a migraine treatment they can depend on to ease their suffering. As the severity and frequency of the migraine attacks escalate, so does their desire to find a migraine treatment that works for them. As with many diseases, there are various triggers for a migraine and once they have been identified the appropriate steps can be taken to at lessen the severity if not eliminate them all together.

In some of the migraine sufferers, simply cutting out certain foods or beverages that have shown to trigger a migraine headache is an effective migraine treatment, but not all patients respond with the same benefits. Those who suffer infrequently may find relief through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications as well as avoiding noise and light that seem to exacerbate the symptoms of a migraine.

The severity of the migraine attack can range from no pain to complete disability. In some patients, the pain is more of an annoyance than a factor in their daily activities while in others in can slow them down considerably, yet permit them to continue with most plans. The severest pain will often leave them unable to perform most functions and for these sufferers migraine treatment may be lengthy and expensive.

Avoidance Often Works For Migraine Treatment

There is an over-simplified statement that if it hurts, don't do it and the same philosophy is true with migraine treatment. While the exact cause of migraine headaches remains unknown, what is know id that certain foods and environmental influences can trigger a migraine attack. Be being conscious of all activities prior to the onset of a migraine can help reduce their frequency simply be avoiding the triggers.

If migraines usually follow specific foods, avoiding that food and limit the chances of a migraine attack. For many migraine sufferers, the best migraine treatment is prevention. However, until the triggers are recognized and eliminated, getting rid of the immediate symptoms can be through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or others prescribed by the attending physician. Many find relief in rooms that are dark and quiet until the effects of the pain medications can be realized.

In some of the more severe cases, migraine treatment may include stronger pain relievers and for those unwilling to include synthetic drugs as part of their migraine treatment, natural and organic substitutes are also available. However, finding the right treatment regimen for prevention and pain relief may take time to try different approaches.

migraine remedies

2008-07-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Learn About Some Very Effective Alternative Migraine Remedies

The best migraine remedies would be those that prevent the migraine from developing in the first place. Prevention in turn requires that you find out what are the underlying triggers that can set off an attack. Once these triggers are identified, they can be eliminated and hence you could be assured of a complete cure of migraine.

What Type Of Migraine Remedies You Are Suffering From?

The migraine remedies would always depend upon what type of migraine you are suffering from; it would also depend on whether you are consulting a general medical practitioner or a neurologist. The commonest and most conventional of migraine remedies is the use of painkillers that prevent the onset of the migraine. These are consumed when the initial signs that a migraine is developing are identified; and it is usually almost one hundred percent effective in preventing the migraine from developing into full blown attack.

The Supporting Migraine Remedies That Would Act As Catalysts In The Treatment

When undergoing treatment, it has been observed that certain actions would help accelerating the healing process. For example, you would feel much better if you would lie down in a cool and dark room in utmost calm. Bright light and harsh sounds seem to aggravate the migraine condition. A pack of ice on the forehead also seems to be helpful for those who suffer from migraine.

Side by side with the treatment, you should work hard to identify what exactly triggers these terrible headaches. The sources could be some allergy to some foods, acute stress and arthritis among others. The elimination of the trigger would be the best migraine remedy you could ever find.

Emerging Popular Migraine Remedies

Migraine responds extremely well to magnesium and hence, an increase in foods intake that are rich in magnesium such as nuts, soybeans, whole grains, etc can be extremely beneficial in preventing the problem. Some reports point to the combination of magnesium taurate and fish oil to be the ultimate remedy for migraine. The effectiveness of this remedy is based on the fact that it reduces and often prevents blood vessel spasms which are found to occur just before the migraine headache develops.

Vitamin B12 has also been found to be highly beneficial in the prevention of the migraine headache. This supplement should be taken off and on (one month on and one month off) for life if you want to be assured that the migraine would stay away from you. The effectiveness of this approach is backed by many research studies which had been carried out in the USA and other countries.

migraine relief

2008-07-30T23:00:00.004-07:00

Alternative Methods for Migraine Relief

Severe migraine headaches are often debilitating and cause excruciating pain to people who experience them. Nausea and a high sensitivity to light are also common symptoms. There are some effective drugs available for reducing symptoms as well as preventing migraines from occurring. Some of the popular migraine relief medications do have some undesirable side affects and for some people who suffer from migraines the current drugs that are used are not effective enough. Let's take a look at some of the effective alternative treatments that are being used to provide migraine relief.

Feverfew

An herb known as feverfew has been used for centuries as a way to reduce pain from a variety of problems and it was also utilized to provide migraine relief. It was commonly used in England during the nineteen eighties to reduce migraine pain. One study showed that feverfew caused a reduction in the number of migraine attacks; however it was not a major reduction. Some studies have concluded that feverfew is not effective at reducing the pain from migraines or reducing the number of migraine attacks. There are some unwanted side effects caused by the usage of feverfew and it may interact with some drugs that you are taking.

5-HTP is a type of a compound that is naturally made in the body. The body utilizes the compound to produce serotonin which is a neurotransmitter and it also is used by the body to create melatonin. You can purchase 5-HTP as a supplement which is typically produced from the seeds of a plant that is found in Africa. Some studies have shown that the compound is effective at providing migraine relief.

Magnesium for Migraine Pain

Magnesium is found in foods such as nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables as well as whole grains and it can also be purchased in supplement form. Magnesium helps in the regulation of the body's blood sugar levels and is also utilized by the muscles as well as the nerves in order to function properly. Magnesium also assists the heart in maintaining its proper rhythm.

Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium for migraine relief and the results have been positive although some researchers have suggested that more research should be done. The severity as well as the longevity of migraines was diminished. Magnesium in high dosages can produce unwanted side effects.

Butterbur is an herb that grows in the northern area of Asia and in parts of Europe as well as in areas of North America. Several studies have shown that the herb is helpful at dealing with migraine headaches. If medications have not been effective at providing migraine relief, you might want to consult with your doctor about trying some alternative treatments for your migraine headaches.

migraine medicines

2008-07-30T23:00:00.003-07:00

Approved Migraine Medicines Treat Painful Symptoms

Currently, since there is no known cause for migraine headaches, there is also no know medication specifically for eliminating the presentation of the headaches. There are many forms of migraine medicines that treat the painful symptoms of these potentially debilitating headaches and dealing with the pain is only one way of treating migraines. Minor migraine headaches are most often treated using over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, although the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a few migraine medicines that incorporate aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine in controlled dosages.

In addition to the current batch of migraine medicines, other methods of dealing with the headache pain include cold compresses applied to the forehead or the back of the neck and more powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While the NSAIDs will typically require a prescription, they are being proven effective in at least dulling the mind-numbing pain associated with a migraine headache.

Those who are seeking more natural migraine medicines are finding that ginger is an effective treatment. Ginger is one of the few herbal alternatives that have been approved for use by children and pregnant women, and unless taken in excessive amounts pose to serious side effects. Persons who have used migraine medicines with ginger have reported relief from pain as well as fewer incidences of migraine headaches.

Most Migraine Patients Prefer Prevention

Patients who suffer frequently prefer to use migraine medicines that can reduce their frequency as well as the severity of the associated pain. Beta-blockers are commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure but some have been found to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. Beta-blockers often prescribed as preventative migraine medicines include timolol, metoprolol and nadolol. Although persons who have experience a stroke should not use beta-blockers unless under close watch by their physician.

While many of these drugs can help reduce the chances of suffering migraines, medicines can also have side effects such as reduced exercise capacity, fatigue and diminished sexual function. For those who are reluctant to take migraine medicines due to their side effects, lifestyle changes may offer some relief for sufferers.

Nitrates, often found in processed foods and sulfites used in preparing dried fruits are being blamed for being a trigger for migraine headaches. When migraine medicines do not seem to work well, or the side effects are worse than the headaches, a change of diet may be a viable option in reducing the migraine frequency, duration and intensity.

migraine medicine

2008-07-30T23:00:00.001-07:00

Types of Migraine Medicine that are Effective

People who suffer from migraine headaches are well aware of the painful symptoms associated with migraines. When people experience a migraine headache they typically search for a dark room free from noise. For some people they experience symptoms such as flashing lights, blind spots as well as tingling sensations in the limbs before the arrival of the migraine. Nausea, a strong sensitivity to light as well as being negatively effected by noise are problems often associated with migraines. The pain from a migraine headache can be quite awful and can be debilitating for hours and for some people they can last for days at a time.

During the last decade there has been a significant advancement in the management of migraines. Migraine medicines are available that are effective at lowering the occurrence of migraines as well as significantly reducing the pain. Unfortunately there is still no cure available for migraine headaches.

Doctors strongly recommend that patients use pain medications as soon as the symptoms occur. Mild forms of migraines can be helped with pain medicines such as aspirin, and ibuprofen. If you experience a powerful migraine your physician will probably recommend prescription migraine medications.

Triptans

Some people who experience migraine headaches have been provided relief with Triptans. They reduce the pain and nausea symptoms as well as the problems that result from light and noise. Related drugs for migraines include rizatriptan, frovatriptan naratriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan and almotriptan. Researchers found that a combination of sumatripan and naproxen sodium reduced migraine problems more significantly than either medication taken individually.

People who suffer from migraines often have to deal with nausea therefore doctors often recommend they take a medication that reduces the symptoms associated with nausea such as prochlorperazine as well as metoclopramide.

Butalbital combinations are migraine medicines made from Butalbital (a sedative) and aspirin which can be effective at dealing with migraine headaches. However for some people they create rebound headaches and undesirable withdrawal symptoms.

Some types of narcotics especially codeine can be very useful as migraine medicines for patients who are not able to use Triptans or Ergot medications. These drugs can be addictive and therefore are typically only used when other medications have not been effective.

Preventive Medications

Some physicians suggest their patients use preventive migraine medicines that are effective at lowering the frequency of migraine attacks as well as the intensity of the attacks. Cardiovascular medications such as beta blockers have been effective for some patients in lowering the number of migraines as well as reduce the pain and symptoms.

Verapamil which is a calcium channel blocker has also been helpful in dealing with migraine headaches. Tricyclic antidepressant drugs are useful in the prevention of migraine attacks. Some anti seizure medications are believed to help prevent migraine attacks form occurring. If you are suffering form migraine headaches consult with your doctor about the variety of migraine medicines that are available.

migraine medications

2008-07-30T22:59:00.002-07:00

Migraine Medications that are Effective

There are various migraine medications available to help people reduce or prevent the terrible symptoms associated with migraine headaches. Some drugs that have been utilized for other diseases have been shown to be effective at helping people with migraine attacks. Some migraine medications do have unwanted side effects but the benefits from the drugs usually justify their use.

Preventive Therapy

When your doctor designs a plan to deal with your migraine headaches he typically takes into consideration items such as the severity of the symptoms and how disruptive they are in your life and other health conditions you are dealing with. A doctor may use preventive therapy if the patient reports having two or more powerful migraine headaches during one month or if a patient reports taking pain relievers twice or more during a week and for people who are simply not getting enough relief from pain medications. Preventive therapy is also utilized for patients that are dealing with numbness and limited movement on one side of the body for a long period of time.

Migraine Medications Known as Triptans

Aspirin, ibuprofen and other types of pain medications available in stores are often used by people who have migraines if the pain is not severe. However, stronger pain relievers are appropriate when the pain is severe. Migraine medications known as Triptans have been shown to be useful for a lot of people who suffer from migraine attacks. They help alleviate the pain as well as the nausea associated with migraines. Unwanted side effects associated with Triptans include dizziness, weakness in the muscles and nausea.

Ergots have been used for a long time and were a popular migraine medication before Triptans became available. Ergotamine is significantly less costly than Triptans however they are not as effective in helping with migraine headaches. Medications that are effective at relieving the symptoms of nausea are frequently used by migraine sufferers. Codeine is sometimes recommended by physicians for helping people who suffer from migraine attacks.

Cardiovascular medications called beta blockers and calcium channel blockers can help to prevent and relieve migraine pain. Lisinopril and Candesartan which are antihypertensive drugs have been shown to be helpful in preventing migraine headaches from occurring. Researchers have not been able to determine why cardiovascular drugs are effective in preventing migraine attacks. Unwanted side effects such as dizziness and feeling drowsy have been known to occur in some people while using these medications.

Some antidepressants, especially the Tricyclic types have been helpful to prevent migraine attacks. Some experts believe that some types of anti seizure medications can be used to prevent migraines. If you are suffering from migraine headaches check with your doctor to find out which migraine medications might be helpful to you.

migraine medication sandagran

2008-07-30T22:59:00.001-07:00

How Best To Make Use Of The Migraine Medication Sandagran

There is very little information about the migraine medication sandagran and whatever is there is not really sufficient to take definite decision on whether you should use the migraine medication sandagran or not. The best bet would be to let the doctor decide whether or not you could or should use the migraine medication sandagran and follow his/her instructions to the letter.

The Dangers Of Using Over-The-Counter Medication For Migraine

Most people crippled by the migraine headache, rush to the medicine counter and grab whatever painkiller comes to their mind. The migraine medication sandagran is one among these fire-fighting solutions. However, when you do so, you would often jump from the frying pan into the fire. This is because the migraine headache is not easily alleviated with an analgesic and taking these medicines without medical supervision can backfire very badly.

The best would be to consult a doctor before the migraine fully develops. Explain to the doctor what are your symptoms and together you would be able to analyze and find what the trigger for your migraines could be. Very often the best cure is not in fighting it symptomatically, but in removing its root cause.

There are many things that could cause you migraine headaches. Generally speaking, some common triggers would be physical and mental stress, sudden changes in weather, certain food in the diet, air of certain altitude, and so on. If you are a woman, there are some more cause added to it – menopause can be a cause for migraine, the onset of the menstrual cycle and even postpartum period. Identification of the exact cause is as you can see, very critical in finding permanent relief.

The Migraine Medication Sandagran

Though this is often chosen as an over-the-counter drug because of its fast relief action, this is not a medicine that should be abused; more so, when the trigger is not identified and removed. If taken indiscriminately this medication can not only become addictive, but also can build up resistance adding to your woes than reducing them.

The best option is to consult a doctor. Migraine is no ordinary headache and you should treat it with the importance it deserves unless you want to experience some mind-crippling attacks that could lasts at times for days. With the right diagnosis and correct medication, you could effectively prevent migraine headaches for all time to come. Prevention is in fact, the only real way to conquer this affliction as no other medication can claim to be one hundred percent effective in treating the problem in totality.

migraine help

2008-07-30T22:58:00.002-07:00

Find The Right Migraine Help For Your Case And Live A Carefree Life

Migraine is for many a nightmarish word. In spite of the tremednous advancement in modern science proper migraine help is still an elusive thing. You have all kinds of medical treatments and alternative medicines that do fight the problem at different levels, but human beings of today are yet to have a total cure for migraines.

Some Interesting Facts About Migraine

There is a precious little that you can do to prevent a migraine attack unless you have identified what exactly triggers it. Statistics say that there is one in every 15 people out there who is suffering from these debilitating migraine headaches just as you are reading these lines. Two thirds of these people are women patients.

Most of the migraines give 'warning' signs before they occur and if you become adept at reading these signs, you would be able to prevent the majority of the attacks. The 'warning signs' are called migraine aura and that would be experienced about half an hour before the headache starts, which would give you sufficient time to reach out for the prescribed analgesic and prevent the migraine attack. The aura is indeed the best migraine help you would ever have.

Migraine most often than not is a hereditary disease that is triggered result of some allergy, change is sleeping pattern, hormonal changes, and so on. There is unfortunately no cure for this problem; hence prevention is still the best migraine help you could think of.

What Is The Best Way To Circumvent The Onset Of A Migraine

Make a list of what you would think acts as a trigger for the onset of the migraine particularly in terms of mental stress. If you find that stress could be one of the critical factors that leads to the headache attacks, the best migraine help would be to find a way to reduce your stress – if not by taking it easy at the job you are doing, by learning to switch off through meditation, yoga, exercise, etc.

Take a long look at what type of food you are eating. It could be very much possible that some food you love would be the trigger for your migraine. Add vitamin B12 supplements to your diet as well as foods that are rich in magnesium (nuts, whole grains, etc).

Have your doctor prescribe prophylactics for you so you could use it as migraine help when it strikes without any warning.

Be informed. Education in the topic could be your best possible migraine help as this would tell you everything about the disease – and knowledge is indeed power.

migraine headaches

2008-07-30T22:58:00.001-07:00

What Triggers Migraine Headaches, And How They Can Be Avoided

Without a doubt, migraine headaches are debilitating. When a headache strikes, migraine sufferers are out of it anywhere from half a day to three days. While the headache is happening, sufferers feel nauseous and may have vomiting and diarrhea. They are extremely sensitive to light and sound. Most migraine headache sufferers spend the duration of their headaches lying in a dark, quiet room, waiting for the pain to subside.

Migraine Triggers

Experts think some migraines can be avoided by avoiding the things that trigger migraine headaches. Avoiding migraine triggers will not keep sufferers from ever having another migraine headache, but avoiding triggers can help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches in most migraine patients.

Triggers vary from patient to patient. Generally speaking, a migraine trigger is any factor or behavior that causes a headache.

Behavioral Triggers

Certain behaviors can act as triggers for migraine headaches. Not getting enough sleep can cause migraines to occur more frequently. Patients who are sleep-deprived and stressed out are at risk for migraine headaches.

Environmental Triggers

Environmental factors also play a role in triggering headaches. Bright lights or lights that flicker can trigger a migraine, and so can cigarette smoke or other peculiar odors. Females sometimes get migraines during menstruation because of changes in the level of the hormone estrogen in the blood.

Dietary Triggers

Certain foods have been shown to trigger migraine headaches. Some of the foods that trigger migraines are alcohol – especially red wine – and hard cheese. MSG, and nitrates or nitrates found in sausages, bacon, hot dogs, and ham, aspartame, caffeine, and chocolate are also thought to act as triggers, causing migraine patients to experience symptoms. A headache may not occur until one or two days after exposure to a dietary trigger.

Menstrual Triggers

It has been reported that female migraine sufferers get migraines 17% more often than male sufferers. One reason females suffer more frequent migraines than men is because hormonal changes as women approach their menstrual periods can act to trigger a migraine headache. Women who take birth control pills can trigger migraines during the week of the menstrual cycle when they are not taking estrogen. The phenomenon is so common that doctors have coined a term, "menstrual migraine" to describe it.

Migraine headache sufferers who are aware of potential migraine triggers may be able to prevent headaches from coming on by avoiding or eliminating the behavior or substances that trigger migraine headache symptoms.

migraine headache symptoms

2008-07-30T22:57:00.002-07:00

Five Most Common Migraine Headache Symptoms

Many people are not aware that migraine is a very common affliction. Most of those who experience it might not even know that they are suffering from migraine; the terrible headaches being attributed to different reasons, i.e. to much stress at the office, too much TV, food you ate last night, etc. Unless you understand and recognize the migraine headache symptoms you would never be able to treat it correctly, which means you would have to suffer its reoccurrence of this nightmare problem.

The Migraine Headache Symptoms You Should Look Out For

Most people who suffer from migraine are unable to bear strong light on their face. They would rather prefer a dark room where they can close their eyes and relax. They would also be highly sensitive to loud speaking and noise. This is one of the most common of all migraine headache symptoms.

Another one among very common migraine headache symptoms is that the severe headache usually lasts for a few hours to one full day with or without medicine. This is not like any normal headache you would know. It would seem that your head is about to explode with the pain acutely throbbing and this would be moving from one side of your head to the other.

The pain would be totally paralyzing – for which you would not even want to open your eyes or speak a word. Beware here that any type of pain should be addressed to the doctor because often you would tend to interpret the pain in one way, when it would actually mean something else – occasionally much more serious than simple migraine headache symptoms.

You will also find that there is no response to the symptomatic medicine as the migraine needs special medication. In fact the migraine, once fully developed rarely responds to any medication. This is why you would need to prevent it rather that look for a cure or treatment after it attacks.

The migraine would give you very cold hands and feet maybe because the blood circulation is affected when you suffer from migraine – which by the way is a hereditary problem. Women, tend to migraines before the onset of the menstruation cycle or during the period they experience menopause (40 years and above).

Some people also experience nausea when they suffer from migraine and you would find it impossible to drive a vehicle. It is advisable not to use any type of machines when you know that you are developing a migraine as such behavior could be harmful to you and even might cost you your life.

migraine headache symptoms

2008-07-30T22:57:00.001-07:00

Migraine Headache Symptoms And Their Treatment

More than 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, with females getting migraines more often than males. Migraines can be debilitating, and medical science has not made much progress in their treatment.

Migraine Headache Symptoms

Migraine headache sufferers know all to well the telltale symptoms of a migraine headache coming on. Sometimes it starts with a vision disturbance: blurred vision, or a blind spot that enlarges, or an impression of sparking lights flashing across the field of vision.

Next, the patient's stomach starts to get upset. Migraine sufferers may experience diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and nausea. These migraine headache symptoms can be debilitating, and most migraine sufferers are unable to keep working, driving, reading, or watching TV when they feel migraine headache symptoms coming on.

Because they are so debilitating, migraine headache symptoms sap a person's productivity. The economic damages caused by migraine headache symptoms are uncertain, but curing migraines would allow migraine sufferers to complete their work on days when they would otherwise have to go home because of migraine headache symptoms.

Patients may notice pallor of the skin because of changes in blood circulation during a migraine headache. Often the patient's hands and feet are cold – noticeably colder than other body parts. .

Treatment For Migraine Headache Symptoms

Many migraine headache patients can speed relief by placing an icepack on the throbbing areas of the head. Relaxation and biofeedback exercises can help keep the pain at bay, and some sufferers report getting relief from pain by undergoing acupuncture treatments.

Another way to prevent the onset of migraine headache symptoms is to live a healthy lifestyle. Behavior that may trigger migraines includes cigarette smoking or other tobacco use; eating sharp cheeses, nuts, and lunch meats; and drinking wine. Patients who show a tendency to develop migraine headache symptoms should drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoid fatigue and stressful situations, and be sure to get enough sleep. Moderate exercise – at least our times a week – can also reduce the risk of migraine headaches.

Unfortunately, once a migraine gets started, the symptoms are hard to control. Most migraine sufferers can only retreat to a quiet room and lie quiet and still with their eyes closed until the symptoms begin to subside. Migraines can last anywhere from half a day to 3 days.

Migraine headaches sap the productivity of millions of Americans every year. More research is necessary to discover treatment that will relieve migraine headache symptoms.

migraine headache specialist florida

2008-07-30T22:56:00.002-07:00

For A Migraine Headache Specialist Florida Offers Many Options

With weather changes often cited as a trigger for migraine headaches, there are some geographic locations that may have a higher incidence of migraine sufferers. Fortunately, for people moving south to get away from the cold weather and find they need a migraine headache specialist, Florida has several of them to help with treatment and the symptoms of a migraine. Not all migraine headaches are caused by the weather, but by meeting with a migraine headache specialist, Florida residents can better identify their cause.

Those who tend to party too hard may attribute their headaches to the effects of the night before, but alcohol is a known trigger of migraine headaches. Atmospheric changes can also cause migraines and the frequent pressure changes in a tropical climate could be the culprit. New residents to the state may want to seek help from some of the best migraine headache specialists Florida has available.

In a few cases, lifestyle changes may be needed to avoid suffering from migraine headaches and a complete medical history will need to be discussed before there can be any hope of isolating the causes. While the exact cause of these headaches remains a mystery, a migraine headache specialist in Florida can help guide patients on the right path to avoiding them, or at least reducing their frequency and severity.

Understanding Signs And Migraine Symptoms

For many migraine sufferers they have a misunderstanding that severe and debilitating headaches are prevalent in all migraine headaches. While many are accompanied by the pain, there are some that may experience an aura, or the appearance of a light surrounding an object, flashes of light or even hallucinations that last 10 to 30 minutes with no associated pain. Visiting a migraine headache specialist, Florida residents can help determine if something has triggered one of these types of migraine headaches.

Nausea, vomiting and dizziness are also common effects of a migraine headache and when in Florida, a migraine headache specialist can help determine if the symptoms are caused by a migraine headache or some other illness having similar symptoms. It is understood that when a migraine attacks with pain it can take more than over the counter pain medication to dull the suffering.

A migraine headache specialist in Florida can help the patient determine the trigger and affect preventive measures to slow their recurrence. It may require hormone adjustment or stronger medications to help control the frequency and severity of the headaches.

migraine headache information

2008-07-30T22:56:00.001-07:00

Migraine Headache Information Can Be Valuable For Sufferers

Headaches that last several hours or a few days can be the sign of something more serious, but those suffering for days with a debilitating pain in the head may be interested in finding migraine headache information they can use to lessen the intensity and frequency of the attacks. Doctors and headache clinics may offer some details of what to expect as well as how to live with the symptoms, but more detailed migraine headache information may also help them mitigate the potential causes of a migraine.

While the exact causes have not yet been identified, there are a few things that are known to trigger a migraine and by having the right migraine headache information the person may be able to prevent them from occurring. Tension headaches may be more common, but stress is also one of the triggers known to precipitate a migraine headache. In addition, there are some foods and chemicals in certain foods are being blamed to spark an occurrence of a migraine.

Sorting through all the migraine headache information can be a challenge when trying to find the right data for an individual's circumstance. Each person is a little different and will react to different triggers, however by having all the migraine headache information they can find can help them identify their own triggers.

Doctor's Office Is Good Starting Point

When looking for migraine headache information the doctor's office should be able to provide at least the basics. For more detailed studies, a headache clinic usually has a lot of information available on prevention as well as on symptomatic treatments. Whether through medication or alternative medical procedures, migraine headache information can offer the patient many options in dealing with their individual problem.

Certain causes of headaches, such as a head injury make the cause painfully obvious, but seldom does a headache from an injury cause one of migraine proportions. Knowing whether the migraine is caused by chocolate, alcohol or some other food item can be learned by following what can be learned in migraine headache information.

When people are first diagnosed as suffering from migraine headaches, the doctor can perform a lot of tests to rules out primary causes such as neurological or pulmonary problems and then focus on the available migraine headache information in the patient's family medical history. Understand the possible causes and the potential treatments can help a person achieve a better quality of life.

migraine cure

2008-07-30T22:55:00.004-07:00

Identifying Migraine Cure Can Be Challenging

In the medical world there is little known about the causes of migraine headaches, although certain chemical and hormonal changes have been identified as possible triggers, making a universal migraine cure nearly impossibly to name. Depending the frequency and severity of the problem, doctors will typically look at a person's medical and genetic history to attempt to identify a migraine cure that will help the patient.

Before physicians can hope to find a migraine cure for individual patients, they must first try to determine what triggers them in the patient. While some migraine sufferers experience symptoms other than a headache, those that suffer the worst may end up unable to perform even simple physical tasks when they have a migraine headache. Some migraine sufferers report seeing auras while others do not, and some experience a migraine with aura without having the debilitating pain typically associated with migraine headaches.

Migraine headaches are also classified on different levels and the migraine cure will be different for each type. In most cases, simple non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication may reduce the painful suffering, but will have little effect on other types of migraines. Menstrual migraines, for example are believed to be caused by the hormonal changes experienced during the menstrual cycle and hormone adjustment may be needed as a migraine cure to reduce the intensity of a migraine headache.

Proactive Treatment Seen As Best Option

Migraine sufferers working with their doctors may be able to isolate the trigger that causes their migraine headaches. As more of a history is developed, there is a better chance of defusing the trigger than in finding a migraine cure after they hit. By knowing what the triggers of a migraine headache are, avoiding the triggers can be an effective pro-active migraine cure.

Alcohol, hunger, lack of sleep and some environmental causes are blamed for migraine headaches, among several others and while avoiding some of the triggers may reduce the number of migraines suffered, it may not be possible to avoid them all. Weather changes for example are not something patients can control and they will want to find a more reactionary migraine cure for when they occur.

In addition to the triggers that have been identified as causing migraine headaches, there are some sufferers that have more than one. For more intense and longer lasting migraines, the doctor may prescribe more powerful pain relievers and other medications as a migraine cure to help relieve the symptoms and other problems associated with migraine headaches.

maryland migraine treatment

2008-07-30T22:55:00.003-07:00

Maryland Migraine Treatment Center Can Help Avoid Recurrence

If stress is a common trigger for migraine headaches, then a location near the nation's capital may make Maryland migraine treatment centers an experienced place for migraine sufferers to be located. In most cases, migraine research centers around preventing them from occurring, treating the symptoms once they do occur and learning what triggers a migraine and avoiding the triggers. At a Maryland migraine treatment clinic, a specialist can help patients identify with their migraine triggers and offer recommendations to avoid frequent recurrence of migraines.

Neurological symptoms can also be related to migraines, even with the absence of headache pain. ocular and optical migraines may appear with an aura of light around objects but without accompanying pain, many patients may not realize they are connected without accurate diagnosis at a Maryland migraine treatment center that includes neuropathy studies.

Most patients at many of the Maryland migraine treatment centers report that the pain phase of the migraines begins gradually on one side of their head, increasing in intensity and eventually is present over both sides of the brain. In additional to local sensitivities in the head, there may be a protrusion of a vein near the central location of the pain, which can last anywhere from four to 72 hours.

Finding The Right Treatment Center For The Pain

While most of the Maryland migraine treatment centers can help patients deal with symptoms of migraines, others are more adept at isolating the triggers and helping their patients learn avoidance of those triggers, Many centers focus on dealing with the many symptoms of migraines as well as determining if any prevention methods are available on a individualized basis. When a person is suffering from a debilitating headache, their prime concern is in dealing with the symptoms, followed by a desire for prevention.

If one of the Maryland migraine treatment centers is unable to properly diagnose the causes of an individual's migraines, it is recommended they seek advice at a different one. Many of the Maryland migraine treatment clinics also treat people for recurring and chronic headaches and may not be totally centered on migraines.

However, prior to searching out a Maryland migraine treatment center, checking with the doctor and receiving a recommendation on the best location to offer the best chance of eliminating recurrence is advised. There is always the chance that the headache is caused by other illnesses that can be cured without the need for a Maryland migraine treatment center.

hypnic headache

2008-07-30T22:55:00.001-07:00

Hypnic Headache Can Strike Like Clockwork

One of the more rare forms of disruptive pain, often referred to as the alarm clock headache is the hypnic headache, most often seen in persons over the age of 50. Although it can develop in people as young as 40, it is most often seen is those 60 years of age or older. Persons who suffer from a hypnic headache will be woke up in the middle of the night with a headache, usually between one and three a.m., hence the name alarm clock headache.

Often times, persons with a hypnic headache will experience the pain effects from 15 minutes to six hours, but they usually last between 50 and 60 minutes, after which the person generally can fall back asleep. Typically, there are no other symptoms involved with a hypnic headache such as watering eyes or stuffy nose. How they start or what causes them is still under investigation. The first research on this type of malady was not documented until 1988 and research continues on this rare disease.

As the causes of hypnic headache are still unknown, treatment methods are also relatively new. Lithium carbonate is currently the leading medicine used in its treatment but everyone can tolerate lithium and will be prescribed caffeine, flunarizine and verapamil or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller.

Ruling Out Sleep-Related Headache Causes

For a proper diagnosis of hypnic headache, the doctor will have to document medical history as well as document sleep patterns in order to rule out other possible causes. Sleep apnea is a more common sleep disorder with which millions of people suffer loss of sleep by waking up hundreds of times during the night unable to breath. The lack of sleep and inability to catch their breath while sleeping may also cause headaches, similar to a hypnic headache.

Drug withdrawal, prescription or otherwise, as well as inflammation of the temporal artery can also be another cause for night time headaches that must be ruled out before a diagnosis of hypnic headache can be established. Although more women than men appear to suffer from the disorder, there have also been incidents where people have suffered from a hypnic headache when taking a nap during the day.

Indomethacin is another non-steroidal anti0inflammatory drug that has had success in allowing people to sleep throughout the night, or to shorten the time of the hypnic headache. Research is continuing on the causes of these headaches as well as in more appropriate treatment methods.

headache types

2008-07-30T22:54:00.002-07:00

Headache Types and How to Treat Them

There are a variety of headache types that affect people all over the world. Tension headaches are very common and can usually be successfully treated with aspirin or ibuprofen but some people experience the excruciating pain from migraines. Some people experience cluster headaches which can be quite painful while most people are familiar with the pain from ice cream headaches. Let's tale a look at the various categories of headaches and look at ways to treat them or to prevent them form occurring.

Cluster Headaches

These types of headaches are quite painful and unfortunately they usually happen in cyclical patterns that can last for weeks as well as for months and then are typically followed by a period of remission. While in a remission period, headaches do not occur for months and for some people they are not felt for years. Cluster headaches typically attack very quickly and sharp pain is felt on the same side of the head during the cluster period. People who are heavy drinkers or who smoke, sometimes experience cluster headaches as well as people using certain types of medications including nitroglycerin.

An acute medication is often used to treat cluster headaches. Since the pain peaks very quickly doctors recommend injections or the use of an inhaler as opposed to pills. Doctors usually create a preventive program for people dealing with this type of headache. If you have cluster headaches talk to your doctor about the possibility of using oxygen treatments or taking Sumatriptan. Dihydroergotamine, Octreotide and some local anesthetics have been effective at dealing with cluster headaches.

Chronic Headaches

You probably have chronic headaches if you experience headaches for more than fifteen days during a one month period. They can come in headache types such as tension headaches or daily persistent headaches which can occur due to an infection, after a surgery had been performed or from dealing with a very stressful event in your life. The pain is typically a throbbing, dull sort of pain however some people describe a stabbing pain.

A rare type of chronic headache is known as Hemicrania Continua which usually occurs daily. People typically report moderate amount of pain from this type of chronic headache. Patients often use over the counter pain relievers but some doctors want to focus on preventing them from occurring and recommend prevention strategies such as the use of antidepressants, beta blockers, anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, and NSAIDs.

Some people acquire a headache type known as exercise headaches due to strenuous exercise and activities such as running and weight lifting. Ice cream headaches cause the brain freeze effect that most people are familiar with. Ice cream headaches might be caused by a temporary change in blood flow in your brain. A headache type known as migraines are very painful and are usually associated with nausea and a high sensitivity to noise as well as light and are quite debilitating. Triptans have been effective at relieving the pain associated with migraine attacks. For some people Butalbital combinations, codeine, anti nausea medications and other types of drugs have been effective. There are various medications that are effective for most headache types that people experience.

headache relief

2008-07-30T22:54:00.001-07:00

Headache Relief That Works

If you have ever felt the painful throbbing that goes on in your head while experiencing a headache you know that it can disrupt your activities. The pain is typically experienced on both sides of the head and sometimes in the front as well as the back and it occasionally can be felt in the neck area.

When a pounding headache occurs most people take some aspirin or ibuprofen or acetaminophen and wait for the pain to subside. It should be noted that most over the counter as well as prescription medications can produce unwanted side effects. If you take pain relievers too often you can experience rebound headaches and you can become dependent on them. It is recommended that you follow the instructions that are on the label.

Variety of Medications

There are some headache relief medications that you might not be familiar with that also can be effective. Consult with your doctor before trying any new types of medications. Fenoprofen is used to prevent tension headaches as well as migraine attacks and what are known as hormone headaches. Flurbiprofen is sometimes recommended to prevent tension headaches from occurring and for the relief from a tension headache. Some people have used it for the prevention of migraine headaches. Ketaprofen, Nabumetone and Diclofenac have also been used for tension headaches as well as migraine headaches.

Naproxen can be utilized for treatment of migraine headaches as well as to prevent hormone headaches and tension headaches from occurring. Headache relief drugs such as Ketorolac, Meclofenate, Carisoprodol, and Orphenadrine Citrate, Methocarbamol, Cyclobenzaprine and Metaxalone have been used to treat tension headaches. Most of these drugs have side effects and are not as popular as the effective headache relief medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

Headache Relief Techniques

Biofeed back is a relaxation technique which has been used to provide headache relief and the procedure involves the control of muscle tension. Some varieties of relaxation methods have successfully given pain relief for those suffering from a tension headache. During this type of procedure you have to focus on relaxing different groups of muscles. Some people have tried transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation which some people claim can alleviate pain. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective at reducing pain for headaches. Yoga as well as meditation can also help reduce the pain from headaches. If you are experiencing a headache there are numerous medications that are effective at headache relief as well as other methods that do not involve medications that can also be effective.

headache causes

2008-07-30T22:53:00.002-07:00

Knowing Headache Causes Can Direct Proper Treatments

Many times, simply understand headache causes can help find an effective treatment for eliminating the associated pain. For many a headache is merely an annoyance and a couple of aspirin can eliminate the pain, but for others more concentrated pain killers may be needed, depending on the headache causes experienced. Head injuries are a common cause of headaches, but the cause is well known and the treatment typically involves treating the injury rather than the headache.

One of the most common headache causes is stress or tension, either from work or from stressful situations from home. In many cases aspirin or some stress-relieving medication or activity can get rid of the pain. But, when a headache last longer than an hour, it may be necessary to visit a doctor to determine if the headache causes are from an underlying medical condition that needs attention. Any stubborn headache may be a symptom of other, more serious medical problem, which will have to be eliminated before proper treatment can be provided.

There are some headache causes than be a symptom of conditions far more ominous than the headache itself. Brain aneurysms or blocked blood vessels in the brain can be deadly if not dealt with immediately. Continuing to attempt self-medication without knowing the real headache causes can be a fatal mistake.

Migraines May Have Environment Causes

Some people experience headaches from reaction to environmental issues. Many migraine sufferers experience severely painful headaches due to their exposure to chemicals or even perfume. Changes in atmospheric pressure can trigger a migraine headache or simply a sinus headache, but with all the known headache causes in can be difficult to sort them out and affect an appropriate cure.

For most people, headaches are an infrequent annoyance, treated with an over the counter pain medication or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. With many of the minor headache causes are not nearly as important as getting rid of the pain. Aspirin and ibuprofen are commonly recommended for most minor pain associated with a headache, but if the pain persists beyond the time in which relief is expected, further investigation may be needed to find the true headache causes.

When treating a headache, there is a good chance it only a symptom of another problem. Finding the root cause is important to insure the does not return and simply taking more pain medication may result in an unfavorable result. Often people suffer pain caused by the medication as it wears off.

headache

2008-07-30T22:53:00.001-07:00

Preventing Tension Headaches

Headaches: everyone gets them and no one wants them. A headache can cause a variety of symptoms, but most headache sufferers complain of throbbing pain in the temples or top of the head, pain behind the eyes, or pressure and stabbing pain in the sinus cavities.

Common Tension Headaches

The most common kind of head pain for sure is the common tension headache. This condition is caused, as its name suggests, by clenching of the muscles around the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back. About 90% of headaches fall into this category.

This disorder can sometimes be avoided by interrupting long sessions of work on the computer with breaks spent stretching and relaxing the muscles. Once every hour, office workers should follow this simple routine:

Push your chair back away from the computer and relax the neck, letting your chin fall to your chest. Hold this position for 15 seconds, feeling the stretch in the muscles at the back of your neck.

Roll your head gently to the left, pressing your left ear downward toward the top of your left shoulder for 15 seconds, feeling the stretch down the right side of your neck. Straighten your right arm, flexing the heel of your hand toward the floor.

Bring your head back to a neutral position for ten seconds, and then drop the head slowly to the right, pressing the right ear downward toward the right shoulder. Hold this position for 15 seconds, feeling the stretch down the left side of your neck and lengthening your left arm, pressing the palm of your left hand toward the floor.

Roll the head forward and to the left, resting your chin on your chest and hold this relaxing stretch for 20 seconds. Slowly lift your head back to neutral position.

Do three repetitions of this exercise, then repeat the repetitions three times in the opposite direction. This simple routine will help relax the muscles that support the head and ease the tension that causes tension headaches.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches last longer and cause harder to treat symptoms than tension headaches. Migraines should be diagnosed and treated by a physician.

Most migraine sufferers need sensory deprivation to ease the pain of a migraine, so they retreat in to dark, quiet rooms and keep their eyes closed to reduce the pain and nausea until the symptoms pass. Recent research has shown promising progress toward treating migraines through herbal remedies, acupuncture, and massage, but much more research is needed before medical science can cure and prevent migraine headaches.

constant headache

2008-07-30T22:52:00.002-07:00

Finding Relief From Constant Headache Pain

Just as there are numerous causes of headaches, there are numerous ways to affect relief and depending on the cause, the type of treatment will be determined. Occasionally, nearly everyone suffers some sort of headache pain, whether from weather changes, being tired, stressed or even from an injury. However, there are those who suffer a constant headache for which many different causes can be identified.

In most cases, headaches pain can be eliminated by simple over the counter pain medications. For others, stronger medication may be required either from the doctor or through natural medical means. Determining the cause of a constant headache can be a little more challenging and a thorough medical history and examination may be required. If the pain is located in one area of the head, it could be a sign of a neurological disorder or an indication of problems with the blood vessels in the brain.

There are some medications that cause blood vessels to expand or contract that can have an immediate effect, causing constant headache pain until the medication is discontinued. In some cases, the headache will last only a few minutes or a few days until the body recovers from the change. In others, the constant headache could last for many days or even months and is considered a side effect of the medication.

Many Headaches May Be Intermittent

The definition of constant headache may vary between healthcare providers and does not translate into a headache pain that is ever present. For some patients, they may suffer a headache at close to the same time every day, considered as a constant headache by many physicians. In order to find relief, they will have to retrace the steps of their daily activities to learn what is triggering this painful response.

For example, a person that suffers a headache everyday when they get home from work, may be experiencing a stress headache caused by the commute, or the thought of the responsibilities they will face when they enter get home. By understanding what causes the constant headache pain, they can take steps to eliminate the problem.

Those suffering neurological disorders or circulation problems may require more invasive actions in order to eliminate the constant headache. In severe cases, the physician will refer them to a neurologist for effective treatment in order to put an end to their constant headache pain. Those suffering from the continual pain should see a doctor or healthcare specialist that can help put an end to their constant headaches.

chronic headache relief florida

2008-07-30T22:52:00.001-07:00

For Chronic Headache Relief, Florida Clinics Offer Results

Persons who suffer headaches three or more days a week may need to seek help to find chronic headache relief. Florida offers many different clinics for their patients suffering from recurring and persistent pain. One of the first things that need to be done is find out the cause of the problem. In many cases in searching for chronic headache relief, Florida specialists will attempt to find the causes of the headache and then affect a treatment and prevention regimen to reduce the frequency and intensity of the headaches.

Determining the causes of headaches can be challenging, but many Florida chronic headache relief centers will first determine if they are caused by an underlying medical condition. Sleep disorders are often some of the most frequent culprits in causing headaches, as is lack of sleep and stress and tension. By dealing with the root cause of the headaches, the pain should subside and a normal life can be achieved.

Sometimes, especially when dealing with migraines, chronic headache relief, in Florida may include a change in diet and lifestyle. It has been documented that there are some known triggers that cause migraine headaches and relief can be found by eliminating exposure to those triggers. Food, smells and environmental factors may come into play and by avoiding exposure to the triggers and avoid the onset of a headache.

Learning To Prevent Headaches

In addition to finding chronic headache relief, Florida residents can also find ways to prevent the headache from happening in the first place. Depending on the cause, medication can be taken to help blood flow as well as stress relief techniques to prevent recurring headaches. With chronic headache relief, Florida centers offer a wide range of services to develop an appropriate treatment and prevention plan for each individual patient.

Many times a change in the environment can cause headaches, and for residents new to Florida, chronic headache relief may simply require acclimation into the new tropical climate in which they now reside. The chronic head may disappear after a few days or weeks, once their system gets used to their new surroundings.

There may also be alternative methods for chronic headache relief Florida residents can take advantage of such as chiropractic manipulation, herbal and natural medicines as well as acupuncture and holistic approaches to healthcare. Whatever the individual's preference in wellness, in Florida, chronic headache relief will be available through a vast variety of clinics and healthcare facilities.

chronic headache

2008-07-30T22:51:00.002-07:00

Learning To Eliminate Chronic Headache Pain

There is often some confusion with migraine headaches as they can actually be either a chronic headache that lingers on seemingly forever or one that gradually builds in crescendo. The causes of a chronic headache can vary, as will their intensity and treatment. A headache that is under treated or not treated at all may not be considered chronic, but one that returns after a treatment with drugs has worn off may be the sign of a chronic problem instead of migraine headache issues.

For the occasion episode of cephalgia, over the counter painkillers will usually abate the pain. Stronger pain can be alleviated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also available without a prescription. In some instances, a chronic headache can be caused by stress or eyestrain. Sinus infections and low blood sugar are also common causes of a headache, and when they seem to continue longer than normal, additional medical treatment may be suggested.

Extremely high blood pressure or a brain aneurysm may be the cause of a chronic headache, as well as meningitis and encephalitis, which will require medical intervention to receive appropriate treatment. For persons who suffer from frequent chronic headache pain, understanding and isolating the possible causes is the first step in their treatment.

Keeping Track Of Headache Causes

One of the first things chronic headache sufferers should do is keep a daily diary and notate not only the time the headache begins and end, but also any events that lead up to the beginning of the headache. Determining the causes of the headache is the first necessary step in finding an appropriate cure for the chronic headache. Long-term use of painkillers is not recommended for most sufferers as once they stop taking the medication they can experience what is referred to as rebound headaches, occurring when drugs are discontinued.

A doctor can also run other tests to insure that the chronic headache is not being caused by another, seemingly disconnected medical problem. Once all other ailments that have a headache as a symptom have been ruled out, treatment can begin on the primary cause of the headache.

There are also alternative treatments available for a chronic headache such as vitamin treatments, chiropractic manipulation and natural and organic drugs. However, many cardiac physicians are against spinal manipulations due to the potential for tearing carotid arteries, leading to worse problems that the pain associated with the chronic headache. If ibuprofen does not ease the symptoms, it is best to contact a medical professional for treatment.

cervicogenic headache

2008-07-30T22:51:00.001-07:00

The Cervicogenic Headache Explained For The Layperson

When you hear of names such as cervicogenic headache you are filled with dread thinking that the disease that has such a name must be one with terrible repercussions. Fortunately, this is not true most of the times. Some of these diseases only sound dreadful – in realty they are not.

What Is Cervicogenic Headache?

This is the name given to the headache that is caused by injury or damage of the cervical spine which is that portion which attaches the skull to the neck. This is an affliction that affects more women than men mostly because the neck muscles are weaker in women and hence making them more prone to suffer from damages in this area.

The cervicogenic headache has very clear cut symptoms which can help in diagnosis - the person who suffers from this type of headache experiences a blinding pain around the forehead just as if an elastic (rubber) band would have been put around the head constricting the blood flow. The pain usually radiates to the shoulder blades and the upper spine.

What Causes The Cervicogenic Headache?

There are many factors that could result in cervicogenic headache, most of these being mechanical, i.e. whiplash injury to the cervical region, arthritis that eats into the fluid and cartilage that hinges the skull on the spinal chord, bad posture which puts stress on this area, bad sleeping habits (too hard or too soft pillows), acute physical stress, etc. It is important to find out what causes the problem before going for treatment, as the cure would totally depend upon the elimination of the inherent problem.

The test that diagnoses this problem is known as the Occipital Nerve Block test. Once the diagnosis is reached, treatment is worked out depending upon the severity of the case which may involve physical therapy or muscle relaxation program or both. When the affliction is caused by degenerating problems such as arthritis alternative medication can also be used such as acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic manipulation, etc. in combination with the ongoing physical therapy and painkiller medication for faster healing.

The cure is slow, but steady and if continues as prescribed by the doctor you can be rid of it in about one to six months' time. Exceptional care should be taken regarding the posture adopted during this period of time as this is one factor that could sabotage the healing process badly and aggravate the situation in spite of the best treatment offered.

cervicogenic headache

2008-07-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

Cause For Migraine Headaches

2008-07-28T10:11:00.001-07:00

Finding Cause For Migraine Headaches Can Help Discover Cure

Those who blame other family members as being the cause for migraine headaches may not be too far off the mark, as stress is one of the known triggers of migraines. Different people suffer different intensities of migraine headaches, as well as varying frequencies and a definitive cause for migraine headaches has not been documented as it can vary from person to person. However, there are know triggers that can cause the onset of a migraine.

In order to determine the exact cause for migraine headaches in a patient, doctors will usually have them keep a journal of any headaches they suffer, including information on what they were doing or eating when the headache was first presented. Reactions to some foods and drinks have been uncovered as a cause for migraine headaches and in a few patients just adjusting their lifestyle enabled them to reduce the incidence of migraines as well as reduce their pain levels.

Unfortunately, it can take time to document the occurrence of every migraine headache before a trigger can be identified. However, once the cause for migraine headaches has been identified, avoiding the trigger can reduce the chances of them coming back.

Avoidance Is Not Always Successful

During a person's hunt for the cause for migraine headaches there may be a trigger identified and precautions taken to prevent the headache from recurring. However, there may be more than one trigger and eliminating one may make another one visible when the headache returns. This is why many physicians recommend keeping up with the headache diary for at least a month after the first trigger has be identified and eliminated.

Migraine headaches with aura, defined as seeing a light surrounding objects, or sparkles of light, have been indicated as being made by blood flow in the brain or small short circuits in the transfer of information in the brain. Typically, even with the cause for migraine headaches unknown, the aura can last 1ast 10 to 30 minutes prior to the headache pain. There are also those that see the aura, but rarely experience the pain usually associated with a migraine headache.

Prevention is the key to relieving the pain of a migraine and identification of the cause for migraine headaches is tantamount to prevention. By being proactive and keeping track of activities leading up to a migraine, can help eliminate them. In order to accomplish that however, the patient will need to understand the cause for migraine headaches in their individual situation.

Abdominal Migraine

2008-07-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Abdominal Migraine Often Diagnosed As Stomach Trouble

The discussion of migraines typically involves headaches the most common form of the ailment. However, in children they can manifest themselves in the form of abdominal migraine and are often misdiagnosed as a gastrointestinal disorder. Diagnostic testing is non-existent for an abdominal migraine and in order to isolate the disorder testing is often needed to rule out other causes of the symptoms. Once all other causes of the stomach pain have been ruled out, an effective treatment can be presented.

Typically, an abdominal migraine will present itself with pain the midsection, usually in young children, accompanied by nausea and vomiting along with occasional anorexia and a pale color to the skin. These symptoms are often associated with many other ailments such as gall bladder trouble, acid reflux, Crohn's Disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosing an abdominal migraine is time consuming and family history will play a key role in making the right diagnosis.

The physician will begin ruling out all of the diseases usually associated with the symptoms of an abdominal migraine and if the family history reveals a frequency of migraine headaches, the diagnosis may be discovered. Once it has been made, many of the same treatments for migraine headaches are used to treat the abdominal variety of migraines. Prevention becomes a big part of the child's life to reduce occurrences of the symptoms.

Looking For Signs Of Migraines

In young children an abdominal migraine may be difficult to diagnose and many times tests can rule out gastrointestinal or renal diseases. However, nausea and vomiting accompanied by a pale skin tone, often accented with dark circles around the eyes can offer a hint of the real culprit. Those that suffer infrequent attacks of an abdominal migraine may be helped with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Often, the pain associated with an abdominal migraine will interfere with normal, daily activities and other symptoms make it difficult to differentiate from ailments such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux and duodenal obstruction. All of these, plus several others, will have to be ruled out through testing before an accurate abdominal migraine diagnosis is made.

Unfortunately, most children who experience abdominal migraine as youngsters will develop migraines as an adult. Additionally, once diagnosed, steps for prevention are similar to those used for adult migraine sufferers. Finding the foods, drinks and environmental impacts that can trigger a migraine incident can be crucial to the younger child, who will need to continue the precautions into their adult life.