August 9th, 2007 by admin
Herbalists tend to regard the headache as a symptom of some underlying disorder rather than an illness in its own right. Those that seem centered behind the eyes suggest a digestive disturbance while headaches
that seem to start at the back of the neck and creep forward are generally tension headaches. Pain and sensitivity around the eyes or above the nose can be due to a sinus problem. Muscle strain in the shoulders and neck can also contribute to head pain. Sitting or working awkwardly hunched over a desk or computer keyboard can easily lead to headaches. Massage neck and shoulders with a mixture of 5 drops each of thyme, lavender, and juniper oil in 1 tablespoon of almond oil. Take a 600 mg tablet of Siberian ginseng each day to improve stress tolerance and thus reduce the risk of tension headaches and try yoga or t’ai chi classes to improve relaxation skills. Some sorts of headaches are best relieved by a hot towel on the head in these cases use a massage of 10 drops of rosemary oil to 1 teaspoon of almond oil on the temples and forehead. Migraine is typically preceded by visual disturbances jagged lights to the edge of the visual field or a sense that there is a strange out of focus area in what one sees. Occasionally the attack may simply comprise these visual upsets, although more typically a severe headache will follow, with increased sensitivity to light so that sufferers want simply to lie down in a dark room. Migraines
can be associated with gastric disturbances or pins and needles in one hand or arm. Foods can often trigger an attack or an attack can be associated with stress or bright sunlight. Flickering lights, as when driving past trees on a bright sunny day, can also trigger an attack. Many sufferers find that chewing feverfew leaves can help prevent attacks. Try two to three leaves in a daily sandwich or else use a strong lavender oil rub (1 teaspoon of lavender oil with 2 teaspoons of almond oil ) massaged into the temples at the first hint of a migraine. Drink cups of lavender and St. John’s wort infusion (1 teaspoon of each to a cup of water) during attacks.
Douglas Adams is the owner of <a href="http://www.allwellbeing.com" > All Wellbeing.com</a> , a website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related issues.<a href="http://www.shaklee.net/douglas_adams" >For high quality health care products click here.</a>
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
You need to ensure that what you are experiencing is a migraine so that you can properly treat it. Some people often confuse migraine
headaches
with cluster headaches or tension headaches. What you will see is that these headache types are quite distinct. Treatment will vary depending on the type of headache.
Migraines
are severe, throbbing headaches and may or may not be accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, or other symptoms. It’s estimated that over 10% of the population in the United States suffers from migraine headaches. More women suffer from migraine headaches than men. Migraines are among the most serious classification of headache.
Research suggests that migraines are vascular headaches caused by excessive dilation or contraction of the brain’s blood vessels. Research also suggests that in women, migraines may be linked to fluctuations in hormone levels. Migraines may occur weekly or only several times a year. There is some evidence that may suggest migraines have a genetic component.
Not all painful headaches are migraines. Migraines have certain distinct features distinguishing them from other types of headaches. Look at the below characteristics to see of you have a true migraine or one of the two types most commonly confused with migraines: tension headaches and cluster headaches.
Migraine headaches can last anywhere from four to 72 hours, can involve one or both sides of the head, usually are quite painful. Migraines are typically accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, sound or smells.
Cluster Headaches can last anywhere from thirty to 90 minutes, are on one side of the head and very painful (more painful than migraines)
Tension Headaches can last anywhere from two hours to days, occur on both sides of the head and involve a mild or moderate pain.
If you suspect that you are getting a migraine headache, you should make an appointment with your doctor. He or she can then refer you onto a specialist, a neurologist.
Matthew Wagner has a degree in Psychology, and has additionally studied Physics, Consciousness, and Wellness. His passion involves researching and sharing useful information with others via the internet to help them improve the quality of their life. Most relevant here is Matthew’s website (shown below) on migraine headaches which contains critical information that anyone suffering from migraines needs to know.
http://www.migrainesgoneforever.com
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
There comes a time in every laser eye surgical procedure when leaving the battlefield is the best of two (or more) evils. When is it best to reposition the flap, abandon the procedure and possibly attempt the LASIK procedure at a later time…?
Obtaining adequate suction to certain globes is occasionally an elusive target. This includes small hyperopic eyes, flat or small diameter corneas, narrow palpebral fissures… If the level of myopia permits, one has to remember that PRK is always an available option and patients must be made aware of this alternative and be consented for it prior to the procedure. A surgeon might be tempted to extend an incomplete flap with a crescent blade or similar instrument . This might lead to an uneven bed and scarring. The closer the hinge to the visual axis the riskier this maneuver will be. If the bed is large enough (not more than 0.5 mm of unexposed stroma at the hinge) laser treatment may be applied (with adequate protection to the underside of the flap).
A thin flap with an underlying shiny bed probably indicated an uncut underlying Bowman’s layer. It is not clear if performing laser in this situation has similar or higher risk of haze formation as PRK. Until more is known about this issue, it is probably safest to reposition the flap and abort the procedure especially in high levels of correction. An irregular flap indicates an irregular stromal bed and is best allowed to heal back in position rather than risk inducing irregular astigmatism.
If a buttonhole occurs, immediate laser ablation of a central epithelial island by scraping or by the laser was reported to lead to uneven ablation and loss of BCVA.
The Free Cap
A free cap results from unintended complete dissection of the corneal flap by the microkeratome head. If the cap is trapped in the keratome head, it should be gently retrieved, stretched and kept in a dessication chamber if the diameter of the exposed stroma allows laser ablation. A small cap (i.e smaller than the optical zone) should prompt the surgeon to replace it in position and avoid the laser ablation. If the cap cannot be recovered, the epithelium will grow centrally as after other “superficial” keratectomy procedures and may result in a significant hyperopic shift.
Intraoperative factors leading to a free cap are the same as those leading to a thin or perforated flap, a poor blade to cornea coupling. This is especially true for flatter corneas which are more prone to a smaller cap. Other maneuvers such as malpositioning and/or misadjusting of the flap thickness foot-plate during assembly of certain microkeratomes can lead to a free cap.
In certain instances, the microkeratome can jam preventing head reversal. This might prompt the surgeon to release the suction thus lifting the instrument with an incarcerated flap resulting in a free cap.
Placing corneal marks with gentian violet is time well spent prior to cutting a corneal flap. When recovered, a cap can be repositioned using the preplaced marks to allow proper orientation. A bandage contact lens is usually helpful to tamponade the cap and prevent slippage upon lid contact. Suturing is rarely necessary.
If the cap is lost, the corneal epithelium is allowed to heal as in PRK with a more profound central applanation effect. Laser treatment is deferred until refractive stability is achieved.
<b>Author Bio:</b><br>Adapted from: “101 Pearls in Refractive, Cataract and Corneal Surgery”Samir Melki MD PhD and Dimitri T. Azar MD editors, Slack inc.www.slackinc.com Dr. Melki is a experienced <a href="http://bostonlaser.com/lasik-boston-vision-correction-lasik-affordable.php">Boston affordable LASIK surgeon, Laser Eye Surgery</a>, Vision Correction and <a href="http://bostonlaser.com/lasik-boston-cosmetic-procedures.php">Cosmetic Surgery</a>
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
Headaches
Do you or someone you know suffer from chronic headaches or Migraines
? Usually these people have seen a variety of different doctors, with little if any relief. Their symptoms are being treated, but the cause of the problem still persists. Ever thought about seeing your dentist for a migraine? Well that is just one of the conditions that Neuromuscular dentistry is being used to treat. Neuromuscular dentistry is one of the new technologies available in dentistry today. It is different from regular dentistry in that it focuses on the muscles of the jaw and neck and how they are related to the teeth. Neuromuscular dentistry recognizes that the muscles that move the jaw must be in a comfortable, relaxed position in order to not be in conflict with the teeth and jaw joint i.e. we must have happy muscles. ? Some of the symptoms that occur when we do not have these happy muscles include: Headaches, Loose teeth, Clenching or grinding, root abfractions, Pain or clicking and popping in the jaw joints, Shoulder, neck, and back pain, Numbness in arms and fingers, non-specific Facial pain, problems swallowing , hot or cold sensitive teeth ,Crowded teeth , Receding gums , Ringing or congestion in the ears. A person could experience Migraine headaches and no other symptoms for example, yet be suffering from a neuromuscular dental problem. There are a number of different types of equipment used in Neuromuscular dentistry to help us get a person to a position of Happy Muscles. First, we must find a position at rest that is most comfortable for the patient. . This is position where the muscles are relaxed, regardless of where the teeth line up. A device known as the Myo-monitor is used to help relax the patients muscles. It is a low frequency T.E.N.S. (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation)unit. The Myo-monitor stimulates the Trigeminal Nerve and The Facial nerve using a very mild electrical impulse. This TENSing accomplishes 3 things. First, It pumps waste metabolites and lactic acid away from the stressed muscles. Second, it increases the blood flow to the muscle, which increases the oxygen, glucose, and energy to the muscle itself. Finally, it allows the jaw to relax into its ideal position. Tensing usually takes 45- 60 minutes depending on how bad a patients symptom are and how tight their muscles are. Sometimes we will use an EMG machine to measure the level of tightness in the different muscles. Before tensing ,the EMG shows how hyperactivity of the muscles. After TENSing there is much less activity and the muscle are much happier. After TENSing and finding the ideal position of the jaw where the muscles are happy, we make an appliance called an orthotic to keep the muscles in this position. Keeping the muscles in this position is very important because it allows them to remain at their ideal length, which prevents them from going into spasm. Again, we want to get to a state of Happy Muscles. Wearing the orthotic allows the muscles to heal, pain to dissipate and/or disappear and the jaw joint to heal. The orthotic is usually worn for 1-3 months to make sure the bite is correct and that the symptoms disappear. Once the patient has become symptom free, we make a decision about Phase 2 of treatment. The patient may decide to wear the orthotic indefinitely, have orthodontic treatment done to move teeth into the correct position, have the teeth restored or adjust the teeth to their ideal bite. The following three patient cases recently came to me for migraine treatment. Alan is a 68-year-old male with a history of migraine headaches 6-10 times per month for the past 25 years. I had seen every imaginable type of doctor in the country, including the Mayo clinic. Nothing would stop the headaches; just control the pain with drugs. It got to the point where I had to carry narcotics with me everywhere I went. Alan was treated using neuromuscular dentistry and is now virtually headache free. I am so happy with the results of my treatment. I am practically headache free and dont have to take any headache medications anymore. What a relief after all these years. Barbara is a 43-year-old mom of three with a history of headaches and stiff neck for the past 7 years. She had seen numerous physicians, specialists, chiropractors and acupuncturists over the years. Nobody was able to stop the headaches and I havent been able to move my neck completely for 1 and _ years. I had to miss my 10 year olds birthday party because of a migraine. When Barbara came to our office, she had a severe headache and a knot the size of a golf ball in the muscles of her neck. We used the TENS unit on her for 1 hr. I couldnt believe it. My headache had disappeared, the knot in my neck was gone, and I could move my neck from side to side for the first time in a year and a half. Barbara has been virtually pain free for the last 3 months, and is extremely happy with the results of her orthotic use. I cant wait to have my mouth restored. Deaun had occasional migraines until two years ago. I was at a comedy club with my husband and I felt a migraine coming on. We left the club, went home and I went to bed. Ever since then, the migraines have been pretty much all the time for the last two years. Deaun had been to numerous doctors with no resolution. They kept telling me that all they could do was give me pain medication. Then I heard about Dr. Cohen. My husband didnt think anything would work, but I really wanted to try neuromuscular dentistry. I am so glad that I did. My headaches have been reduced to about 1 every 6 weeks, and even my husband, the skeptic, is amazed at the improvement. I am religious about wearing my orthotic and feel great. For more information go to http://www.migrainedentistry.com
About the AuthorPatric Cohen, Beverly hills Californiasmiledr@earthlink.net Dr. Cohen has been practicing cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills since 1984. He graduated from Stanford University in 1980 and received his DDS degree at University of Southern California in 1984. Dr. Cohen is a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry , a member of The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a member of the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthectics.
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
Your doctor will be able to diagnose a migraine headache based on common migraine headache symptoms, or the history of migraine in your family. A detailed history will be taken in order to rule out other headaches
such as tension headache, sinus inflammation, or possibly a more serious underlying problem. The headache itself will start off as a dull ache that soon develops into a throbbing, pounding, or pulsating headache. The pain is usually located on one side of the head, but may affect the front of the head, and even the whole head; lasting from 3-4 hours up to as long as a full week. Common migraine headache symptoms would include: Nausea, upset stomach, or abdominal pain Vomiting Dizziness Sensitivity to light or sound Numbness, or weakness Blurred vision Diarrhea Fever Fatigue Additional migraine symptoms that may be present even after the headache has subsided: Neck Pain Need for sleep Dulled thinking A “classic migraine headache” that started with “aura” will affect about 30% of migraine sufferers. The “aura” itself will be distorted vision, bright flashing spots, blind spots, and even temporary vision loss, may affect other senses. While rare, they do occur, and would include: Retinal Migraine - A dull ache behind one eye that may result in temporary loss of vision. Basilar Artery Migraine - Pain that effects the back of the head and results in dizziness, or loss of balance. Ophthalmoplegic Migraine - Pain surrounding the eye, that may include paralysis around the eye, droopy eyelids, or double vision. This type of migraine is considered to be an emergency conditional. Hemiplegic Migraine - Temporary paralysis, or muscle weakness. Status Migrainosus - A severe type of migraine lasting 3 days or more, often requiring hospitalization. Migraine headaches without “aura” account for 80-85% of migraine headaches and include additional symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, or depression. Familiarizing yourself with migraine headache symptoms will allow you to describe what it is you are feeling when consulting with your doctor. Copyright ©2007 Carl DiNello
Carl DiNello is an Article Author and Wesbite Owner whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internets most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit <a href="http://headache.lkr-healthinformation.com/">Headache: Causes & Treatments</a>! You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
Statistics from The National Headache Foundation have proven that as many as 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches
. Those with this headache problem usually had started with the headaches anywhere from the age of 10 right up to 46. Migraines
may also run in families. More women than men will suffer from migraines, with approximately 25% suffering 4 or more attacks a month, approximately 35% will have 1-4 attacks, and approximately 40% will suffer 1, or less than 1 per month. These attacks can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, or even longer. Studies have shown that pregnancy may reduce the number of migraine attacks. At least 60% of pregnant women with a history of migraines had fewer attacks during the last two trimesters of pregnancy. Migraines, simply defined, are headaches that occur primarily on one side of the head, and are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a sensitivity to light. There are two classifications of migraine headaches, those without “aura” (no warning symptoms), and those with “aura” (visual disturbances before the headache begins). An “aura” is a group of neurological symptoms (usually vison disturbances) that serve as a warning sign. These visual warning signs typically are a flash of brightly colored, or blinking lights, tempory vision loss, or blind spots. Prior to the 1980’s it was believed that migraines were the result of changes to the blood vessels within the brain. Today it is believed that the attacks are caused be abnormalities in certain areas of the brain itself. Many migraines are “triggered” by external factors. Some of these factors may be: * Bright lights * Loud noises * Certain odors, including perfumes * Caffeine * Physical or emotional stress * Allergic reactions * Alcohol * Some chemicals or preservatives found in food * Changes in the weather * Fluctuations in the menstrul cycle * Birth control pills * Skipping meals * Changes in sleep patterns * Excessive fatigue Some pre-existing medical conditions are also commonly associated with migraines. A couple of examples would be: asthma, stroke, chronic fatigue, and hypertension
. Also, as previously mentioned, these headaches are hereditary, with 4 out of 5 migraine sufferers having a family history of these headaches. Should you believe that you are someone who is prone to migraine headaches, speak to, and work with your doctor regarding the best way to approach an effective treatment plan. Copyright ©2007 Carl DiNello
Carl DiNello is an Article Author and Wesbite Owner whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internets most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit <a href="http://headache.lkr-healthinformation.com/">Headache: Causes & Treatments</a>! You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.
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What causes tension headaches
is not known, however the common assumption is that they are caused by muscle tension in the head and neck. Although muscle tension may be a related cause, there are many forms of tension headaches and recent thinking is that there is more than one cause for this type of headache.
One theory is a malfunctioning pain filter that is found in the brain stem may cause the pain. The thought is that the brain misinterprets information, from muscles, and interprets that signal as pain.
Serotonin is thought to be one of main molecules involved. This is evidenced by the fact that tension headaches can be successfully treated with some antidepressants. Teeth clenching is another theory as a cause for tension type headaches and migraine as it causes chronic contraction of the temporalis muscle.
Nonprescription painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen commonly relieve tension headaches. When severe muscle contraction occurs, stronger prescription drugs may be needed. However, there are side effects associated with these stronger drugs, namely drowsiness and slower reflexes. Therefore, most physicians will only recommend using strong medications for short periods of time and usually not for more than a few days.
Stress management can be very effective. Some people find exercises or meditation to be very relaxing. Biofeedback may improve relaxation exercises and can prove helpful for chronic tension headaches.
Other preventive measures you can try include keeping warm if your headache is associated with the cold. Try using a different pillow or changing your sleeping position. Adopt correct posture when reading, working or doing other activities that may cause headache. Exercise your neck and shoulder muscles when doing prolonged typing, computer work and when doing any close-up work. Getting enough sleep and massaging sore muscles can help reduce a headache occurring. Hot or cold showers or baths may relieve headaches too, so it?s worth experimenting to see if either help you.
Over-the-counter medication such as aspirin, ibruprofen, or acetominophen may relieve pain if the above-mentioned preemptive measures are ineffective. Sometimes antidepressant medication may be advised for the relief of chronic headaches.
Keeping a diary of your headaches can help identify the source of chronic headaches. When you suffer with a headache write down the date and time the headache began. Also write down what you ate and how much sleep you got over the previous 24 hours. If you noticed any unusual symptoms or felt under stress, make a note of it too. Also, keep a record of how long the headache lasted and what made it stop. Having a headache diary available can act as a tracking device and you may find patterns that you should do more to avoid.
Some lifestyle changes may be necessary to reduce tension headaches. This may include getting enough rest and exercise and possibly a change in job or free time activities.
If you are suffering with headaches or migraines
, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.
Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in health related topics. To find out how you can get relief from headaches and migraines please visit this <a href="http://www.headache-migraine-guide.com">headache and migraine</a> site.
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
Using Botox to ease the effects of migraine is gaining acceptance.
A number of studies have been carried out to asses the effectiveness of Botox in reducing the symptoms of migraine and the results look very encouraging.
One such study was carried out Dr. Eross of The Headache Institute. His study of 74 patients demonstrated that 62% of these patients experienced over a 50% improvement in migraine symptoms. On average, patients experienced a 35% decrease in the number of headache days and a 22% decrease in their pain intensity over a three–month period.
Todd Troost from the Wake Forest University has treated patients with Botox. These patients suffered from migraine or chronic daily headaches
. Most of the patients had previously tried other migraine preventatives, with little effect. The trial consisted of patients received one to four Botox treatments spaced at three–month intervals. Out of the patients who received four treatments, 92% reported an improvement; 84% of the patients reported improvement if they received fewer treatments. These findings suggest that more than one treatment is recommended to achieve best possible relief.
A study by researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine also suggests that long–term migraine relief can be achieved with small doses of Botox. A large number of the 41 patients who experienced at least 2 migraines
a week, reported fewer than before they began the study and the intensity ratings of any subsequent headaches where significantly lower.
The duration of relief that is achieved using Botox varies from patient to patient, but typically lasts about 10 to 13 weeks. Current available migraine preventatives come with a number of side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, mental changes and weight gain. Botox however does not have these side effects because it is injected directly into the muscle and not distributed into the blood stream. The only common side effect of Botox is mild pain during the injections and slight redness at the injection site, which is only temporary.
Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin type A as it’s clinically known affects the nerves. When injected into a muscle in tiny amounts, it can cause temporary paralysation of that muscle. Amongst other things Botox is used cosmetically for the temporary improvement in the appearance of some facial wrinkles.
Botox is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines in people aged 18–65.
At this time Botox does not have approval from the FDA to reduce the symptoms of migraine.
Very many people now take advantage of the Cosmetic and rejuvenation benefits that Botox has to offer, looking younger, feeling better about themselves, Migraine sufferers may have the added bonus of headache relief.
Article author Simon D from http://www.rejuvenateclinics.com, a Bournemouth based Botox clinic.
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August 9th, 2007 by admin
Stress leads the list of all psychological triggers for migraine headaches
and may be the most common migraine trigger of all. Understanding stress and how it effects your life could help you cope better with migraines
.
Think of specific things you can add to or take away from your daily routine to reduce stress and help avoid migraine headache pain. Keep a note of the results and discuss them with your doctor.
Get enough rest. One of the best ways to do this is set regular bedtime and waking up times each day so that your body clock regulates itself. It may take 2 to 3 weeks for your body to adapt to this new routine, so it is important to set times and stick with them. Gradually, as your body begins to get used to these times your stress levels should reduce along with the frequency of migraine headaches.
Find an exercise you enjoy and stick with it. Exercise not only fortifies your body, but helps with “resting” your mind. You tend to forget all your worries when exercising. Try mild aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week.
Eat sensibly and have regular meals. Eat foods that are migraine trigger-free for you. Cut down on processed and overly sugary items. To avoid temptation, don?t have them in the house. Keep in mind that processed and sugary foods are not good for your body and can actually increase stress levels.
Headaches can be caused by ordinary foods that most of us eat every day. But cutting out common food triggers from your diet does not mean that you have to sacrifice tasty meals.
When it comes to migraines, decaffeinated coffee, fruit juice and sparkling water are better choices for beverages than caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. If you choose to have an alcoholic drink, stick with single measures and alternate an alcoholic drink with water.
Dairy products can also be common triggers for migraines. Try reducing or cutting out dairy items from your diet for a month to see if this makes a difference to your migraines.
Meats such as corned beef, hot dogs and pickled herring are “cured meats,” and contain an ingredient called sodium nitrate, which can trigger a headache. Instead, consider poultry or freshly purchased and prepared meats.
Identify areas of stress in your life and begin working to improve them. Share your problems, concerns, and thoughts with others. Don?t keep them to yourself. Sharing a problem can provide almost instant relief and you may find that others have constructive suggestions for solving issues. Also, have the courage to say “no” to people who place unwanted demands on your time.
Learn how to relax. If you sit down to rest, do not immediately pick up the phone, read a magazine or turn on the TV. Try out relaxation tapes to help you unwind and relax. You?ll find them at most music or bookstores. You can also search the Internet for tapes specifically designed to help prevent migraine headaches.
If you are suffering with Migraines, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.
Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in health related topics. To find out how you can get relief from headaches and migraines please visit this <a href="http://www.headache-migraine-guide.com">headache and migraine</a> site.
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What Are Painless Migraine Episodes? Most people think of a migraine as excruciating pain, but a migraine episode is far more than pain. Migraines
typically have four stages: pre-headache, aura, headache, and post-headache. Millions of people globally suffer from these full-blown, 4-stage migraines - but a minority experience painless episodes. So what are painless migraine episodes? Technically, there is no such thing as a painless migraine. That is, if you go by the International Headache Society’s (IHS) Guidelines for diagnosis and classification of headache disorders. Yet your physician may tell you that yours is a painless migraine. He or she may call it a painless, optical migraine. What are painless migraine episodes? The answer is in the question. A painless migraine is a migraine episode that begins with the typical pre-headache stage, progresses to the aura phase of a migraine attack, and then stops short. It skips the headache phase - the pain. If you have a painless migraine, you have the visual symptoms of the aura and other symptoms of a migraine without the headache. Such a migraine would usually be termed a migraine with aura. A physician following the IHS guidelines would describe it as “acephalgic” - meaning “without headache.” Pre-headache - Phase #1 The pre-headache phase is sometimes referred to as the prodrome. This is where your painless migraine episode begins. You may enter this stage hours or even days before what would normally be recognized as a migraine episode. Recognizing the prodrome can be very helpful to you, since it is a warning. It is telling you that migraine changes are beginning to take place. How do you know? You may have some or all of the following symptoms. * constipation * diarrhea * depression * fatigue * food cravings * frequent urination * irritability * neck muscle stiffness Aura - Phase #2 As your painless migraine progresses, you enter phase #2 - the aura. This familiar phase lasts less than an hour in most cases, but can be terrifying. Some of the bizarre symptoms and effects of the aura are believed to have influenced Lewis Carroll as he wrote “Alice in Wonderland.” Most people think of aura as being only visual: zigzag lines, spots in front of your eyes, or flashing lights. They believe the aura phase affects only the eyes. This may explain the physician’s term, “painless, optical migraine.” It is true that these are typical aura symptoms, but the aura phase has many symptoms, including: * auditory hallucinations - you hear sounds that aren’t there * confusion in thinking - things aren’t making sense * decrease in your hearing ability * difficult finding the words you want * dizziness * increased feel and touch - or reduced feel and touch * olfactory hallucinations - you smell odors that aren’t there * partial paralysis * sight loss - partial or blurry vision * tingling or numbness of your face * visual hallucinations - you see sights that aren’t there: flashing bright lights, wavy lines, spots, or zigzag lines If you have a painless migraine, your episode stops here. You do not go on to experience the throbbing pain. Other terms used for a painless migraine include “migraine equivalent,” “silent migraine,” and “sans-migraine.” Even if you think yours is a painless migraine, consult with your health-care provider to be sure. Other serious conditions may be present. Painless migraine episodes can be prevented in some cases, while others can be treated effectively. Turn your next painless migraine into a non-event.
2007 Anna Hart. As sister to a migraine sufferer, Anna can sympathize with your problem. Read more of her articles about migraine headaches
and their treatment at: <a href="http://www.migrainereliefblog.com">http://www.migrainereliefblog.com</a>.
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