Monday, July 9, 2012

Migraine Headaches


Migraine headaches

Many people seem to be suffering from headaches which many believe are migraines.  I have not had such headaches however my mom, grandmother, daughter, and daughter-in-law,  have all suffered from them.  They can be very painful and interfere with everyday life.  If you believe you may be suffering from migraines or someone you love the information I discovered in this article may help. 

 There can be many contributing factors or triggers that cause these painful headaches.  Migraines have triggers that sufferers need to be aware of and identify in order to prevent and treat migraines prior to a severe headache.  The following may be of some help if you believe you are having migraines and wish to understand the cause or triggers related to them. 

#1 Weather can be the first cause or trigger for a possible migraine.  Many people will feel a headache beginning when the weather changes and the barometric pressure drops.  We cannot control the weather however it is important to plan and be prepared for the changes.  On hot days when the sun is really bright I wear sun glasses.  They help to relieve the stress and strain on my eyes thus helping to prevent a headache.  The heat can also be a factor and you may possibly need to do errands in the early morning or evenings when it is cooler.  Staying in doors with shades closed to keep out bright lights also works for some people to help with the effects of the sun on your eyes. 
#2 Weekend and holidays are times when you may experience migraines.  During the week you build up stress and then on the weekend or holidays you relax or slow down the body’s response is a headache. 
#3 Oversleeping is another problem that can cause headaches.  It is important to have a regular sleep schedule and not under or over sleep.  This can be difficult for those of you with babies or young children for we know how their sleep patterns are. 
#4 Caffeine can be another issue that affects migraines.  It is important to consume caffeine on a regular basis at the same time each day.  Consuming coffee or other caffeine drinks an hour later than you usually do can cause headaches.
#5 Magnesium deficiency can be another factor that contributes to migraines.  Emotional and physical stress can cause the depletion of  magnesium and this can cause headaches.  Magnesium supplements maybe the key. 
#6 Gluten sensitivity maybe another cause to your headaches.  Celiac disease is a severe form of gluten intolerance.  To know if you have gluten intolerance you would need to stop eating all gluten food related items for two weeks.   If  you then feel better this could be your issue related to headaches. 
#7 Reactive Hypoglycemia - This is when you eat excessive amounts of simple carbs like those in sugar and pasta.  This can cause migraines.
#8 Hormonal changes in women are common when estrogen levels drop before or during your period.  There is an increased tendency for migraines during pregnancy and menopause.
#9 Foods also trigger migraines such as alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, salty foods, and processed foods.
#10 Sensory stimuli like loud noises or unusual smells both good (perfume) and bad(paint, smoke) can trigger headaches.  
 

It is helpful to keep a migraine diary to track your headaches.  This will help you identify your possible causes and triggers and provide your doctor with information to treat them.  You should note your episodes to include frequency, durations, symptoms, intensity, medications you take, and the foods you were eating at the time of each episode.  Doctors have two categories of drugs to treat migraine; pain relieving and prevention medications.  Your doctor can discuss each with you.  Below are some home remedies and alternative medicine that may interest you.

Home Remedies:
You can try some of the following to help reduce the pain of migraines or stop them when you feel one coming on.
*Rest and relax in a dark quiet room when you first feel the headache coming on.  Place an ice pack in a cloth and place it on the back of  your neck or forehead.  This often brings relief.  I can also remember my grandmother placing a very hot cloth on her forehead as she said that helped with her headache.
*Get enough sleep to help prevent headaches.  It is suggested 6-8 hours and to go to bed and wake up at regular times.  Consistency with least amount of change helps.
*Muscle relaxation also helps relieve headaches at the start.  Spend a half hour each day doing something relaxing like taking a bath, reading, gardening, listening to music and anything that you feel is relaxing.  This is good for your overall health in addition to migraine prevention.
*Keep a headache journal to provide information about  your triggers and headaches to your doctor.  This information will help the doctor with a treatment plan.

 Alternative Medicine presented by the Mayo Clinic.
Nontraditional therapies may be helpful if you have chronic migraine pain:
  • Acupuncture. In this treatment, a practitioner inserts many thin, disposable needles into several areas of your skin at defined points. Clinical trials have found that acupuncture may be helpful for headache pain.
  • Biofeedback. Biofeedback appears to be especially effective in relieving migraine pain. This relaxation technique uses special equipment to teach you how to monitor and control certain physical responses related to stress, such as muscle tension.
  • Manual therapy. Massage and chiropractic treatments may help reduce the frequency of migraines. And it can improve the quality of your sleep, which can, in turn, help prevent migraine attacks.
  • Herbs, vitamins and minerals. There is some evidence that the herbs feverfew and butterbur may prevent migraines or reduce their severity. A high dose of riboflavin (vitamin B-2) also may prevent migraines by correcting tiny deficiencies in the brain cells. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may decrease the frequency of migraines, but they have little effect on the severity of the headache. Due to low magnesium levels in some people with migraines, magnesium supplements have been used, but with mixed results. Ask your doctor if these treatments are right for you. Don't use feverfew or butterbur if you're pregnant.  
 Reference:
1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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