Migraines

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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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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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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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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Find out if you have any allergies. Allergies can cause headaches. Some of
us are allergic to specific substances and these substances can trigger off a
headache. It may be certain odors or it might be a certain flavors. Each time
you get a headache just try and find out what triggered it.

A gentle shake of your head can tell you if you do have a sinus infection. If
you move your head even slightly, the pain will increase and this is a good
method of deciding whether the headache is actually due to a sinus infection.
If you have a sinus infection, do not shake your head, as the pain will
increase.

Another method is to try bending over. The moment you lower your head
you will feel as if there is something heavy inside your head. If doing so
leads you to discover you have a sinus infection, refrain from bending over
until the infection clears.

Crying is not good for a headache. If you are prone to sinus headaches,
crying is not good for you. When such a person cries for even a minute or
two there is very good chance that the tears will lead to a headache.
If you feel you might start crying, try breathing deeply, or try to lie down
and fall asleep. Some situations are unavoidable, but some, like sad movies,
are easy to avoid.

Know your sinus points and use the acupressure method to treat your self
and rid yourself of the pain.The best thing about the acupressure method
is that it has no side effects. It is something that you can do completely
on your own and if you are doing it properly, you can get almost instant
relief. I have described the steps in detail in the points that follow,
try doing it and I promise you, you will be glad that you did it.

1. First of all you have to get a clear idea of where your sinuses really
are.

2. For this I recommend that you lie down on a flat surface preferably
without the support of a pillow.

3. The next thing you should do is run your fingers gently over your
face, taking note of the various rises and falls.

4. Now let your fingers linger in the portion above your eyes but just
below the eyebrow.

5. Feel the bone over there and let you fingers sense out a notch in that
bone.

6. This space extends from there towards the nasal bone.

7. This is your first sinus point

8. Now let your fingers trail down further till they reach the
depressions if we can call them that on both sides of the nose
halfway between the eyes and your mouth. This is your second sinus
point.

9. Now what you have to do is apply pressure to these sinus points.

10. You have to be careful when you do this and please take care to use
only the soft balls of your fingers and not the tips, which may have
long nails.

11. First of all apply pressure gently.

12. You might experience a particular pricking sensation as you do.

13. If it hurts, you may stop immediately.
14. If not you may continue applying more and more pressure till you
can tolerate it.

15. Then gently let go and lie there fore a minute experiencing the pain
fading away.

16. Repeat this with the second sinus point.

A point that you may bear in mind is that if your sinuses are infected these
regions will be slightly swollen.

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As part of our efforts to chronicle the experiences of sinusitis sufferers, a gentleman named Carlton contributed a “Sinusitis Treatment Success” story.

He pointed out a study conducted by the Mayo clinic and the University of Buffalo addressing the issue of recurring sinus infection. It states that “chronic sinusitis is an immune disorder caused by fungus.”
I asked Carlton in a follow-up email if he had tested positive for fungi in previous
allergy tests, and here is his response:

“Hello Walt:
I had 2 different allergy tests, both negative.
The Mayo/U. of Buffalo research says this is not an allergic reaction like a pollen allergy, so it wouldn’t show up in an allergy test. It’s an over reaction to fungus by T-cells that damage the sinus lining and gives bacteria a place to grow. Most people have no reaction, but most people with chronic sinusitis do. Apparently there is a test, but ENT’s are skeptical. Mine said the fungus idea was false and suggested surgery. If I was cynical, I might think his opinion was because there’s no surgical solution.
This is leading edge stuff. Mayo received a patent on anti-fungal treatments.
I decided to try this approach after everything else failed. I don’t want surgery, because I’ve never heard of one that worked.
I’ll let you know how it goes, but so far, I feel much better.
Carlton”

Huge Implications in the Study Results
There are huge implications in this study for those who suffer from recurring sinus infection. This work could lead to treatments that treat the root cause of the problem for the first time.

Another article in the Health Solutions Newsletter of Sept 2005 also referred to the Mayo Clinic/U. of Buffalo study and adds further clarification. Their article was entitled “Mayo Clinic Announces Startling New Sinus Discovery”

“Jens Panikau, sinus researcher at Mayo Clinic, has published a new finding that explains why sinus disease persists despite so many new drugs. Dr Panikau found that the main cause of sinus symptoms was that the eosinophiles �” your special cells that defend your body against infection, - get into the mucus and produce a toxic product called MBP that is made in order to kill bacteria. Unfortunately, among sinus sufferers, there is an excess of this MBP in the mucus that also damages the cells of the nose and impairs its ability to sweep bacteria out of the nose. Dr Panikau shows that it is the MBP that makes the patient sick, with fever, pain, fatigue, and secondary infections.”

Anyone who suffers from recurring sinus infection issues and who cannot find adequate relief after treatment by an otolaryngologist or after unsuccessful surgery are urged to do what Carlton has done:

1. Start using pulsating nasal irrigation to cleanse the nose of crusty old mucus which could be carrying toxins.
2. Test your environment to see if you are exposed to high levels of fungus.
3. If the tests are positive for fungus, try to improve your environment to lower the amount of fungus you are exposed to.

There are numerous books and articles which address this subject.
Hopefully the follow-on work of the Mayo Clinic and University of Buffalo will identify antifungal treatments that can finally go after the root cause of recurring sinus infection. Sinus sufferers should be aware of these research efforts and be ready to discuss these findings with their ENT specialists. Maybe serious help is finally on the way.

Walt Ballenberger is founder of <a href=http://www.postnasaldrip.net/>Post Nasal Drip</a>. To find out more about how to test for fungus levels and using pulsating nasal irrigation, get a free report entitled “Sinus Treatment Success Stories” by visiting <a href=”http://www.postnasaldrip.net/”>PostNasalDrip</a> and click on the Free Report link.

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Many people get headaches as a response to physical strain, cramped muscles, and pinches nerves. These muscular headaches can be brutal, and are usually reoccurring to a very persistent degree. Usually, there is some level of tightness in or soreness in the area the muscle strain is occurring, like your neck or back area.

Because your nerves in that region are all connected and ultimately lead to your head, strain in your neck, shoulders, or back can produce headaches. Usually these kinds of headaches start out very localized, but can often spread over your entire head. Cures for headaches of this kind are difficult, as you have to cease doing whatever it is that is causing the strain, and may need extensive physical therapy to help your muscles recover.

Then there are sinus headaches. These are especially nasty, but fortunately are rarely a constant reoccurring phenomenon. Sinus headaches result from pressure in your sinuses, as a result from allergies, colds, or a sinus infection. If you get sinus headaches a lot, you may be suffering from allergies. Cures for headaches of this type can range from allergy treatments, to decongestants. My favorite is Claritin.

Unfortunately, headaches are one of the most complicated and poorly understood phenomenons in the medical world. Have you ever tried asking your doctor about cures for headaches? If you ask ten different doctors about headaches, you?ll get ten different answers.

The reason why doctors give you so many different answers is because headaches can have so many causes, and a lot of them aren?t really clear. If you get a lot of headaches, the first step you should do is try and figure out what kind of headaches you?re getting. From my understanding, there are a few different kinds.

Last but certainly not least, are migraines; everyone?s favorite and the least understood of the headache family. There are so many potential causes for migraines its not funny. If you suffer from migraines often, like me, it?s a good start to keep a kind of headache log.

Record hours you slept, how well you slept, what you ate and drank, what you did during the day, anything you can think of and see if you can detect patterns with your headaches. If you can?t get your finger on it there?s always painkillers. While they?re certainly not cures for headaches, they are better than nothing.

If you suffer from frequent headaches like me, finding some effective cures for headaches has probably been a personal goal of yours. I know for me it has been like the search for the Holy Grail. I would gladly sell my soul for some kind of magic pill of treatment that would serve as a once and for all cure for headaches.

Giving you the information that you need to <a href="http://curesfoheadaches.info">cure your headache</a>.

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Before using any of the cluster headache treatment available to you there’s a couple of thing you should be aware of. But first I think it would be a good idea to better inform you about what cluster headaches really are before going into the different cluster headache treatment. Don’t you think? What are Cluster Headaches? Cluster headaches also known as “Suicide headache” are considered some of the most extreme and painful headaches you can get. They usually occur in group or clusters in your head. The sufferers from these types of headaches experience symptoms like: Very severe headaches near one eye or around the temple area. The duration of those headaches can vary between fifteen minutes to three hours. What are The Cluster Headaches Treatment Options? Unfortunately there is not many options when it comes to cluster headache treatment. One of the best to date is know as “abortive treatment” and is quite simple. During the onset of a cluster headache the most common type of abortive treatment is the inhalation of pure oxygen. This technique as been known to abort cluster headache attacks in as little as 5 minutes; however the downside is that you need to have oxygen ready at any time just in case you would have another attack. Of course like any other condition there is always the use of over-the-counter medicine for this particular type of headaches. Unfortunately this kind of cluster headache treatment is not considered as being very effective. A lot of people complain that they tried all the different prescriptions and that none of them was able to remove the pain of the cluster headache. Of all the headache types out there, cluster headaches are probably the worst kind. If you are suffering from this type of headache, I can imagine how hopeless you might feel. Unfortunately there is very small quantity of helpful treatments available to you. Rest assured, there is hope for you. I know this is not an easy situation but you should avoid getting frustrated and remain calm about it. Of course it will take time and effort but you will eventually be able to find some form of treatment that will help you feel with the pain. The best option for you would be to talk to your doctor. The diagnosis you will get will help you find the best treatment possible according to your condition.

If you are tired of suffering from cluster headache and would like to find the best options for <a href="http://www.headache-solution.com/headache-treatments/cluster-headache-treatment-%e2%80%93-important-things-you-should-know-11/">cluster headache treatment</a> visit my website for more information about <a href="http://www.headache-solution.com">headache Relief</a>.

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