Migraine Home Remedies For Instant Relief

Migraines can be mild or severe. When it's mild, you will find the pain to be more of an annoyance. When it's severe, it can affect your focus and concentration and often times, you will find it hard to perform at work.

Many people are affected by migraine headaches every now and then. Fortunately, the pain is usually temporary and goes away after some time. Here are some recommended remedies that you can try to get some quick relief.

Tip 1: Proper rest. Sometimes, stress can be the primary cause of migraine headaches. If you have been under a lot of stress lately and you are starting to get migraine headaches, the first thing you should do is to stop your work and get some proper rest. That means taking the day off. No more phone calls and no more meetings. Take a warm bath and lie down. If you can, nap for a while. If not, simply keep your eyes shut and mediate.

Tip 2: A little massage goes a long way. Get someone to give you a head massage for instant relief. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of a massage. Of course, since you are feeling pain, whoever doing the massage should do it gently. The goal is to stimulate blood circulation and promote healing. In addition, a quick massage gives you a short break from work, which may be exactly what you need to get relief from migraine headaches. If no one else is around you, just stop whatever you are doing and give yourself a head massage. It can be just as effective.

Tip 3: Applying medicated oil. Oils like peppermint have been known to relief pain and aches. They are usually applied externally on areas where the pain is felt. Applying the oil has the same effect as giving a massage. You are essentially using oils to promote blood circulation. The gentle rubbing movements of the fingers also create heat, which can also help relief pain.

Tip 4: Drink lots of plain, cool water! Sometimes, migraine can be caused by over-exposure to heat. You may not notice this consciously when you are in the sun. When you get back home, you start to feel pain in your head. This is a sign that you are dehydrated. To prevent this from happening, always drink water regularly. You should be extra mindful of your hydration on warm days. On warm days, due to the heat, your body loses water a lot quicker than normal. When the body starts to weaken, that is when migraine headaches set in.

Tip 5: Compression techniques. There are people who recommend using vegetable and fruit paste to apply on the head. While there is no scientific evidence supporting these techniques, there may be some truth in these recommendations. These methods probably work because of the pressure you apply on the painful areas.

Migraine headaches are both treatable and preventable. As a general rule of thumb, drink more water, get plenty of rest, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly. That should keep the headaches at bay.

Migraine Relief Remedies

Migraine is a recurrent throbbing kind of headache that typically affects one side of the head and often makes a person sick. It is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.There are simple and less expensive migraine remedies that are useful and have helped several migraine patients. These remedies can easily be carried out at home with the common drugs and medicines that we can find around us and they are easily affordable. These remedies depends on personal differences and what works for you may not work for the other person, you need to discover what works for you and stick to it. The following are the simple tips or techniques of migraine remedies that are helpful (note that any of these remedies works depending on individual make-up):

1. Breathing technique: This has to do with using diaphragmatic breathing in such a way that you breathe in to the count of seven, hold for the count of seven, and release in the count of seven. Repeat it seven times and you will have your relief.

2. Ice wrap method: Get an ice from a nearby store and place it on your forehead or your neck till you have your relief.

3. You can also get a wet towel, squeeze out the water, fold the towel and place it in a freezer and allow it to stay there till it has become frozen, then place it around your head and eyes till you have your relief.

4. Salt consumption or bathing with Epsom salts is also helpful as salty food is known to relief migraines.

5. Avoid all food items that contain Mechanically Separated Beef (MSB), as it is a great trigger of migraine headache. It can be found in ingredients such as autolyzed yeast, sodium caseianate, hydrogenated animal or vegetable protein, and worst of all, natural flavors.

6. You can get someone to massage your head and eyes in a quite room for about ten minutes it also works.

7. You can take Tang Kuei Four Combination - tea that comes in a powder or capsule form, take it with water and it will calm you.

8. Computer posture correction: Always make sure you sit back preferably on a back support while working on your computer, take breaks and relax; adjust the height and tilt of your monitor, as well as its brightness and contrast. It works to restore proper functions to your joints and muscles thereby relieving your migraines.

9. You can use chiropractic care technique to control and kill migraines. A chiropractor adjusts your joints to restore proper alignments to your bones as misaligned bones can put pressure on nerves and that can trigger your migraine headache. This is also a wonderful technique with so many evidence.

10. Take potassium supplements or eat food that contains it. Potassium is a good remedy of migraines.

11. Another technique that has also worked for some persons is to lie in a dark, cool and quiet room, place a banana peel on your forehead, close your eyes and within minutes you will start to feel the pressure and pains of migraine headache diminishing, as banana contains potassium.

12. Applying of peppermint oil or any peppermint lotion on the temples, head, neck and anywhere that there is tension on your body also works great deal and is also known to bring great relief to migraine headache.

13. You can basically make of a head on using Vicks vapor rub. Apply it on your temples. It is cooling and calming enough that you can relax and at least get some rest and also have migraine relief.

These are few among simple alternative remedies to migraine headaches; any of these remedies could solve your frequent migraine headache problems. There are also natural migraine treatments and also migraine medications that also work. You might need to research further or make possible consultations to discover what actually works for you and stick to it. Above all, always consult a qualified health consultant before applying any migraine remedy.

Natural Migraine Relief Using Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Many people in our modern society rely on pills for every ache and pain they encounter. Some say this is due to the widespread use of illegal drugs that began in the 1960's. Whether or not that is so, it is true that pharmaceutical companies are making great amounts of money through the sale of prescription drugs. Many of those drugs are being used for migraine relief.

Natural migraine relief using vitamins, minerals, and herbs is, to some, a better route. These migraineurs would rather not put chemicals into their bodies unless absolutely necessary. Just as they want no chemicals added to the soil or the air around them, they want to rely on natural migraine relief.

What to Try

If you choose natural migraine relief using vitamins, minerals, and herbs, you will want to consider the following possibilities.

1. Vitamin B2: Also known as riboflavin, vitamin B2 is said to produce dramatic migraine relief. In a 3-month study of 55 people with migraine headaches, it was found that riboflavin can make a significant difference in the number of migraines you have and the length of each attack. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that a daily dose of about 400 mg. of vitamin B2 over a period of 2 months or more gave remarkable migraine relief. Most of those who participated in this study saw the number of their migraines decrease by about 50 percent. The total number of days they suffered migraine also went down by 50 percent. While a larger study is needed, these results are encouraging to those who want natural migraine relief using vitamins, minerals, and herbs alone.

2. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan): 5-HTP (a natural supplement) is not found in appreciable amounts in food. This supplement is manufactured from the seeds of an African plant, the scientific name of which is Griffonia simplicifolia. The supplement 5-HTP works, at least in part, by raising serotonin levels. Since the body uses 5-HTP to make serotonin, it is thought that providing the body with 5-HTP might raise serotonin levels. In a 6-month trial of 124 people, a daily dose of 600 mg. of 5-HTP proved just as effective as the standard migraine relief drug, methysergide. The most impressive benefits were decreases in the intensity of migraine, and decreases in how long the migraine lasted. Since earlier studies proved that methysergide was better than a placebo for migraine headaches, this scientific study gives meaningful evidence that 5-HTP is also effective. Those who are seeking natural migraine relief using vitamins, minerals, and herbs may want to try this supplement.

3. Magnesium: In the realm of minerals, magnesium is a promising natural for migraine relief. Magnesium occurs naturally in many of our foods: fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, whole grains, and vegetables. The effectiveness of magnesium for migraine relief has been the subject of several studies. In one study, 81 people with migraine headaches received either a daily dose of 600 mg. of magnesium or a placebo. At the end of the 9-week study, those taking magnesium daily found they had nearly 50 percent fewer headaches. The placebo group had a reduction of just under 16 percent. Similar studies indicate that magnesium reduces not only the frequency of migraine headaches, but also the seriousness of the attacks. More studies are needed, but magnesium is thought to help prevent blood vessel spasms. You may want to try this mineral for migraine relief.

4. Butterbur: Migraine relief in children is often effected with this herb. As reported in a 2005 issue of "Headache" regarding migraine, butterbur gives migraine relief. Of several studies done, the largest involved 245 people. Over a period of 4 months, these migraineurs took either a placebo or a twice-daily 50-75 mg. dose of butterbur extract. At the end of the study, it was found that the larger dose of butterbur gave greater migraine relief than the placebo. Side effects were mild, making this an option to consider for natural migraine relief.

5. Feverfew: Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is one herb that has provided natural migraine relief for many centuries, or so people have believed. Feverfew relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It treats migraine by inhibiting the platelets' release of blood vessel-dilating substances. It also inhibits the production of inflammatory substances. The scientific community has run several studies to evaluate feverfew's effectiveness in giving migraine relief. One study involving 170 people offered either a placebo or a feverfew extract for migraine relief. Those who took feverfew were found to have significantly fewer migraine headaches per month than those taking the placebo. The frequency with feverfew decreased by 1.9 migraines; with the placebo by 1.3 migraines. It is important for you to know that not every study indicates that feverfew is effective. Results are mixed.

CAUTION: Before relying on natural migraine relief using vitamins, minerals, and herbs, seek the advice of a qualified health care provider. These natural remedies are not for everyone. Feverfew, for example, may interact with blood-thinning medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs).

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Nerve Pain

Pelvic nerve damage is caused thorough cuts during abdominal surgeries, diabetic neuropathy, trauma to and around nerves, excessive stretching during surgeries and excessive compressions like sitting for long on a bicycle seat. This condition becomes chronic if its symptoms persist for longer than expected, for 3-6 months.

Symptoms

Like other nerve related pain, chronic pelvic nerve pain symptoms include burning and stabbing like pain. This pain is not continuous, it comes and goes. However some activities like sitting and lying down aggravate the symptoms.

Symptoms of chronic pelvic pain differ, based on the nerve involved. There may be pain while sitting, which is relieved when standing, pain that radiates to sexual organs or lower back, pain in the perineum, pain during intercourse or pain while passing urine or bowel movements.

Treatment

Chronic pelvic pain is treated using any of the following methods:
1. Use of medications like NSAIDs or anti-convulsants
2. Spinal cord stimulation and sacral neuromodulation
3. Steroid injections
4. Cryotherapy
5. Nerve blocks

While genitofemoral neuropathy have a successful treatment rate, other types of pelvic pain is difficult to accurately diagnose and treat.

Coping with the problem

It is difficult to cope with any chronic pain condition. However here are a few ideas to help you cope with your chronic pelvic pain condition.

1. Maintain a pain journal where you note down when the pain comes and goes, and what worsens it. This will not only make it easier for your doctor to diagnose and treat the condition, it also helps you write down your feelings instead of keeping them inside you.

2. Relax. As stress increases pain, and not avoidable in the real world, learn to relax both your mind and body to reduce the pain.

3. Share your feelings with a trusted friend to help you cope with the condition. If you don't have any friend you can comfortably share your feelings with, visit a chronic pain forum. There are other people like you who will be more than happy to lend an ear and give you some advice at coping with your chronic pelvic pain.

What Causes Sleepwalking in Adults? The Causes Are Many!

Maybe you just discovered you've been sleepwalking. Or maybe you have done it for years, but a recent episode has you somewhat concerned. Perhaps a friend or loved one is suffering from this embarrassing condition, and you would like to help them. Regardless of the reason, you're looking for information. You'd like to know what causes sleepwalking, and is there a way to stop it.

Sleepwalking, in medical terms, is called somnambulism or noctambulism. It is one in a classification of sleep disorders, called parasomnias, which also includes bruxism (teeth grinding), adult bedwetting, night terrors and other problems. The definition of parasomnia is: "Undesired events during sleep." Sleepwalking is probably the most well known of the parasomnias, but also the least understood.

There are countless reasons why a person may sleepwalk. It could have its foundation in genetics, medical problems, stress, sleep deprivation, medications, or many other possible issues. There is no one-size, fits all answer to the question: "What causes sleepwalking?"

Sleepwalking definitely runs in families. It is estimated that your chances of being a sleepwalker are increased by about ten times, if you have a close relative who wanders around in their sleep. Scientists have even discovered a genetic marker that is fairly often present in the DNA of sleepwalkers. So it is entirely possible "your grandma makes you do it!"

There are a number of medical problems that are often associated with sleepwalking. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common offenders. Because the apnea patient has numerous interruptions during the sleep cycle, due to irregular breathing, there are times they are roused up enough to sleepwalk, even though the episode didn't actually wake them up. Other common medical causes include asthma and hyperthyroidism. Migraine sufferers may also experience sleepwalking events. Fever can trigger episodes, especially in children. While there are other medical conditions that are known to cause sleepwalking, these are the most common.

Stress is known to be a major cause of sleepwalking, and is probably the most common reason people sleepwalk. While it's not possible to eliminate all the causes of stress in your life...unless you want to get rid of your spouse, your kids and your job...it is possible to learn new coping mechanisms, to deal with stress in a less negative manner. Many sleepwalkers find that the episodes are much reduced or even eliminated, after learning stress management.

Many people, who have never, ever experienced a sleepwalking problem, have had a real doozey of a late-night meander, when severely sleep deprived. Several medications can bring about somnambulism episodes. Anti-arrhythmia heart medicines are common triggers. So are some anti-anxiety and anti-seizure drugs. The popular sleep aids, Ambien and Lunesta are notorious for causing sleepwalking, sometimes with very dangerous behaviors, such as sleep driving.

Other common causes of sleepwalking include hormone changes during puberty, PMS, pregnancy and menopause; noise and light; alcohol or drug abuse; or sleeping in strange surroundings. Hopefully, this helps to answer your question, "What causes sleepwalking." This is only a quick overview of the most common reasons people sleepwalk.

Is there a way to stop sleepwalking? Sometimes. It depends on the cause of the problem. Sometimes some basic lifestyle changes can help, such as learning to deal with stress; limiting alcohol consumption in the evening; avoiding becoming sleep deprived. If a particular medication is suspected, you could speak with your doctor about changing to a different drug. Many sleepwalkers have been helped through biofeedback therapy, or self-hypnosis. Other options also exist that are beneficial to us midnight wanderers.

Pain Medication and Heart Failure

Popular anti-inflammatory, pain-killing drugs (called NSAIDs-or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may increase the risk of relapse in patients with heart failure according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (February 11, 2002;162:265-270). NSAIDs, a group of drugs that includes aspirin and ibuprofen, are often used to treat pain and inflammation.

The drugs will not create congestive heart failure (also called CHF), but there may be an association between the use of the drugs and relapse in patients already diagnosed with CHF. CHF occurs when the heart loses the ability to pump efficiently, creating fluid build-up in the body, including the lungs.

Aspirin is often taken to reduce the risk of heart attack, but some research has suggested that those who take other pain medications may increase their risk of heart failure. Researchers found that patients who had filled at least one NSAID prescription were nearly 10 times more likely than those who didn't use the drugs to have a relapse of CHF.

For certain patients, NSAIDs may indeed cause fluid retention and high blood pressure. Patients who have had angina, congestive heart failure, bypass surgery, heart attack, or angioplasty with stent placement should seriously consider safer alternatives.

Medication vs Natural Health Care for Pain

This month we are sharing some of the research about pain and the use of natural health care. A common misconception that many patients have about treating pain is that the drugs they are taking are actually doing some good. Pain medication does not heal or repair a problem-it only offers temporary relief. That relief comes at a price. Pain medication causes problems.

Arthritis patients take NSAIDs regularly without realizing that they actually interfere with cartilage repair. These drugs are linked to high blood pressure, kidney failure, heart failure, ulceration of the GI tract, and some drugs even interfere with bone repair.

According to research appearing in the American Journal of Medicine, "Conservative calculations estimate that approximately 107,000 patients are hospitalized annually for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastrointestinal (GI) complications and at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients alone. The figures for all NSAID users would be overwhelming, yet the scope of this problem is generally under appreciated"

The drugs have side-effects and some would even say that they are dangerous, but what are we to do? Many people have pain, and relief is a priority for them. Chronic pain is the most costly health problem in America, with an estimated annual cost of about $90 billion per year. This cost includes lost productivity, legal costs, doctors' visits and medication; 80% of all visits to the doctor are pain related. An estimated 40 million Americans have arthritis or other rheumatic condition. That number is expected to climb to 59.4 million, or 18.2% of the population, by the year 2020, according to a new report published as a collaborative effort between the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Arthritis Foundation, and the American College of Rheumatology. Approximately 12% of all Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Nine out of 10 migraine sufferers report they can't "function normally" during days in which a migraine strikes. Three out of 10 migraine sufferers require bed rest when suffering from a migraine.

In 2001, over 13 million people saw a physician for the treatment of back pain. According to the NIH, 65 to 80% of all people have back pain at some time in their life. Half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain costs an estimated $50 billion each year.

We try not to get too political in this newsletter, but I can't imagine that speaking in favor of the First Amendment is very controversial. There is a product made from a patented extract of skullcap that would have been worth mentioning in this article. The manufacturer is worried about any claims being made about the product-because it may cause problems with the FDA.

It has outperformed COX-2 inhibitors in clinical studies, but the manufacturer can't compare the product head-to-head with drugs. It has improved WOMAC scores on arthritis patients, but the manufacturer can't say that the product treats joint pain. They can say that the WOMAC score is improved, but can't say what WOMAC is-because it contains the word "arthritis" (it is a pain-rating scale).

In the mean time, products that are linked to high blood pressure, kidney failure, heart failure and death can make claims. Maybe the reason so many older Americans take so many drugs is because they start young-with pain medication (that help to destroy joints-making sure that they continue to need them) and safe alternative products are not allowed to make claims.

How to Massage Migraine Headaches

Massage, a common method of relieving migraine headaches, can be done by a professional - or you can do it yourself using this technique.

A light massage combined with migraine pressure points will give you the greatest relief. You need only a few simple points about how to massage a migraine headache.

Migraine Pressure Point Defined

It is important to learn the migraine pressure point or points that bring relief. A migraine pressure point is a point on your body that, when pressed, will lessen the pain in your head. Surprisingly, a migraine pressure point is not necessarily the point that hurts most.

A migraine pressure point may be pressed and released in slow, rhythmical fashion, and deliberately massaged to gain relief. This will release congested energy and blood from the head and ease your pain.

Migraine Pressure Point Technique

You will be treating each migraine pressure point with these simple steps.

* Use only the pads of your thumbs or first two fingers - never the ends.

* Keep the pressure light to moderate, depending on how sensitive the point is to your touch.

* Press hard enough so you can feel hardness or tension under your thumb or fingers.

* If a migraine pressure point hurts so much that you can't take a deep breath, apply less pressure on that point.

* Let your fingers sink into the migraine pressure point as you apply pressure gradually. Feel your thumb or finger going gently, gradually deeper and deeper.

* While your thumb or finger is as deep as you want to go, massage the point with tiny, circular movements of your finger.

* Keep your thumb or finger on the migraine pressure point until you feel a movement or change there. It may feel softer or warmer.

* Now slowly, gradually release the migraine pressure point until your thumb or finger leaves the skin.

* Repeat several times at same point.

Migraine Pressure Point Locations

Remember to be firm, but gentle. Insufficient pressure on a migraine pressure point will not be effective - too much pressure will create tension in your surrounding muscles.

Here are a few migraine pressure point locations to get you started. Start with the first, and work your way through each point, consciously relaxing as you do so.

1. Migraine Pressure Point at Base of Skull

Locate the bony base of your skull in back. Place your thumb pads under the skull's base, each thumb about 1 inch from your spinal column. Holding your thumbs against the two points, tilt your head back slightly. Now press upward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions of the thumbs, still holding the pressure. When you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 again. Repeat 5 times.

2. Migraine Pressure Point at Mid-Forehead

This migraine pressure point is located at the middle of your forehead, right between your eyebrows. Using the migraine pressure point technique described above, and your thumbs or one of the first two fingers, press inward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

3. Migraine Pressure Point at Eye Corners

Feel the face at the outer corners of your eyes. Move your fingers away from the eyes until you find the spots just behind the bone. Using the migraine pressure point technique and one or two finger pads, apply pressure gradually inward, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

4. Migraine Pressure Point on Hand

Surprisingly, you have a migraine pressure point on each hand. It's the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger. Using the thumb pad and index finger of your opposite hand, gradually squeeze the upper portion of this migraine pressure point, counting to 10 and breathing deeply. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

5. Migraine Pressure Point on Foot

The last point you will use to massage migraine headaches away is located on the top of each foot. Locate the place where the bones come together between your big toe and your second toe. With thumb or finger pads, press downward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 again. Repeat 10 times.

Different bodies respond differently to pressure points. These should work for you. If you want information on additional migraine pressure points, ask a local shiatsu professional. A professional will also be able to give you a complete treatment for relief or prevention of migraine headaches.