Is Your Migraine a TMJ Disorder Migraine?

Migraines may be a symptom of a TMJ disorder, but it is hard to diagnose the condition without considering other symptoms that are associate with the migraines.

One way that you will be able to tell whether your migraine is a TMJ migraine or a migraine associated with another disorder is: that a TMJ migraine will rarely, if ever, exist without at least one additional symptom associated with this disorder. This is due to the fact that a TMJ migraine is the direct result of the joint of the jaw area being misaligned, and as such pain from the jaw area will also be present and exist along with the migraine headache as well. A migraine that is a TMJ migraine will be accompanied by tmj symptoms due to the following reasons:

1. Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve -- In further detail, the nerve most affected by the TMJ disorder is called the trigeminal nerve, which controls all functions of the jaw and teeth functions. This nerve also controls almost 40% of all brain processing functions as well, with the brain interacting much of the time with this nerve, and is connected to the nerves which control the face, head, and neck and throat areas.

Hence, upsetting this particular nerve will also result in these other nerves being affected negatively as well, contributing to much of the other pain symptoms associated with TMJ. A TMJ migraine will be a result of not only the nerve inflammation described above but also of the jaw joints themselves being misaligned.

2. Jaw misalignment -- Other sources of pain may be the misaligned jaw rubbing improperly against the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve. The nerve may not necessarily be inflamed (as in the first reason listed), but minor irritations of this nerve may cause TMJ migraines.

3. Tense facial and head muscles -- Some doctors also believe that the source of TMJ migraines may basically be a result of the tension that results from facial and head muscles that are shortened or out of balance due to the jaw misalignment.

In general, TMJ migraine is a result of a number of jaw joint malfunctions, and as such will present itself with a number of TMJ symptoms as well, If you experience any of the symptoms listed for this disorder as well as a migraine headache, it is a good idea to consult with a doctor and find an effective TMJ treatment for your individual needs.

Natural Migraine Treatment - Methods to Get Rid of Migraine Headache Forever

Migraine headache is one of the most severe forms of headaches which affect millions of people every year. Modern treatment methods are aimed at addressing just the pain of the headache and not the root cause. It is recommended to resort to Natural Migraine treatment methods to treat the problem at its roots and prevent its recurrence.

Characteristics of Migraine Headache:

Although, the causes for migraine are not completely known, it is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels of the head region, which leads to a pulsating pain. At times it is accompanied by 'Migraine Aura'. Some people tend to experience flashes of light, temporary loss of sight, nausea etc.

Natural Treatment for Migraine:

The medicines prescribed by the doctors are devised only to keep the pain in check. It does not prevent a recurrence of another episode. Further, it creates a dependence on drugs that are very harmful in a long term. Natural treatment usually involves a strict discipline that need to be followed for a period of time which will result in complete prevention of migraine recurrence.

Here are some of the tips that can be followed to keep the pain at check.

1. Breathing Exercise:

Breathing regulates the flow of blood and hence the oxygen supply to the brain and head region. Breathe slowly and deep so that you can focus away from the pain.

2. Head/Eye Massage:

Gently massage your forehead with your fingers. Massage the acupressure points around the eye. It can offer a great relief from pain. Gently apply mild pressure and run your forefinger around the cavity of the eye.

3. Aromatherapy:

Add a few teaspoons of essential oils of a preferable aroma to hot water in a bowl and take in the steam.

4. Hot and Cold Treatment:

Take a towel and dip it in hot water. Gently rub and massage the painful areas with the towel. Keep the temperature of the towel to a level that feels comfortable. Some people prefer Cold water or ice cubes instead of hot water or steam. Find out what works best for you to bring you relief.

5. Relaxation Music:

Choose mild instrumental music of your preference and listen to it. Also, guided relaxation tapes with a good music in the background could be used.

Why Do I Keep Getting Headaches Everyday?

Why do I seemingly get headaches everyday? Many people suffer from frequent headaches and ask this question. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer to this question, since the causes vary greatly. Here are some ideas on how to remedy the symptoms of most common everyday headaches.

Although the root causes of headaches are numerous, ranging from muscular tension to medical situation that are much more serious, there are two primary causes of headaches. These are inflammation and pressure. Additionally, inflammation and pressure can lead to tension, which can compound the problem.

All pain is typically related to these two things. By and large, when you have a minor injury, such as a cut on your finger, it's not the wound itself that causes the pain as much as the inflammation and perhaps the resulting tension. How is this?

If you have cut or burned yourself when you're not looking, have you noticed that quite often, you don't notice any pain until you actually see the wound? What is happening is that the inflammation from the wound hasn't set in until after you saw the wound. In some cases, the inflammation doesn't kick in until a few seconds after the wound has been spotted.

With headaches, either inflammation or tension, typically cause the pressure that you're feeling. Most forms of treatment for headaches operate on this principle. Whether you use massage therapy, ice and heat packs or drugs as your remedy, the goal is to treat inflammation, tension or both. Knowing this can help you choose an appropriate mode of treatment for your headaches, and it answers the question of why some remedies work in some cases and not others.

For instance, if you pop a couple Tylenol or Ibuprofen tablets as your remedy when you're having a tension headache such as caused by mental stress, it's not going to work. However, a massage on the neck and at various points on the head, as well as heat packs will help immensely.

Now, flip the coin and let's say you're having an inflammation related headache. It could be a migraine, a hangover, or as a result of mild trauma. In this case, unless the inflammation has caused enough pain to create tension, chemical methods and ice packs are the methods of choice.

If the inflammation has caused enough pain to call tension in as well, then a two-pronged attack is necessary. Alternating heat and cold packs, or mixing cold packs with massage have proven useful remedies for these kinds of headaches.

In fact, certain mixes of every day chemicals, such as mixing Tylenol and caffeine have proven to be among the most effective and convenient treatments for hangovers and minor migraines. Caffeine is a vasodilator, and because of this, it relieves the tension in the blood vessels in the head and brain. However, it should be taken in moderation, as it can cause muscular tension, which can have an inverse effect on pain relief. You must first understand the cause of your pain in order to choose the best remedy.

While this information is useful for normal headaches and mild migraines, it should not be considered a substitute for proper medical care when it's needed. In fact, in such cases, it would not be effective. In cases of extreme migraines, serious head trauma and brain tumors, you should seek outside professional medical treatment.

5 Instant and Natural Ways to Get Rid of Any Migraines

If you ever had a constant and throbbing migraine, it can be one of the worst things you ever experience in your lifetime. It can make you sick and throw up. Sometimes, you will have to take huge amounts of pain killers to get rid of it. Here are 5 instant ways you can remove a migraine:

1. Sit in a dark room and close your eyes.

Most migraines can get worse if you expose your eyes to sunlight. You should sit in a quiet and dark room where you can sit down with no interruption.

2. Meditate.

Meditation can take your mind of your pain. When meditating, try to focus on something else rather than the pain. Listening to a meditation audio can assist you.

3. Get a neck and head massage.

Some migraines are caused by muscular tension around your neck and shoulder. Performing simple massage around these areas can greatly relieve your migraine. However, be careful that you don't apply too much pressure because it can make your migraine worse. It is best to let a professional massage therapist to massage you.

4. Try aromatherapy.

Go get an aromatherapy treatment from a health professional. The scent coming from the oil will make your muscles relax and remove any toxins from your body.

5. Get a hypnotherapy treatment.

A hypnotherapist can greatly relieve any migraines that you have. Make sure that you get treated by a qualified hypnotherapist. If you are not sure which therapist to choose, ask your friends or family if they know anyone that has gone to one.

How to Stop Hormonal Headaches Or Menstrual Migraines

Many women are told that their hormonal symptoms are all in their head. And when it comes to migraine headaches I guess they're right. As estrogen and progesterone levels increase and decrease during a woman's cycle, they can experience many symptoms, one of which is migraine headache pain. Many doctors simply ignore hormones as a migraine trigger and offer very little hope for long-term relief. They may simply prescribe a medication for temporary pain relief or refer the women to their gynecologist.

However, there are natural treatment methods that will often give long-term relief or prevent migraine headaches altogether. Taking pain medications may give faster relief, but if you want long-term help, natural treatment is the only way to go.

Immediately before the onset of menses the level of progesterone will drop. This is when many women will develop migraine symptoms. When estrogen levels, along with other hormones, increase during ovulation, it can also cause a woman to experience a migraine attack. Another time that migraines are experienced is during the menses when estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. Migraine headaches are a frequent consequence when hormone levels rise and drop.

One of the first things that should be started is a migraine headache diary. Keeping track of your cycle and when migraines occur can help you figure out how hormones are playing a part in your headaches. Once you have determined when your symptoms appear during the course of your cycle you will have a better grip on the effect of your hormones in relation to the migraine attacks.

Most hormone headaches happen when estrogen levels are not at a normal ratio when compared to progesterone levels. It doesn't mean that estrogen levels are abnormal, it's just that the ratio has changed. The imbalance of these two hormones can cause migraine headache pain and is usually a temporary problem during a normal cycle. However, on occasion this imbalance can be chronic.

The best way to conquer hormone headaches is through dietary changes. There are too many factors involved in diet to be discussed here, but a proper diet involves eliminating certain trigger foods such as refined sugars and overly processed foods. It also requires a short detoxification period that can cleanse your system of toxins that can cause unnatural hormone imbalances. And lastly, taking specific nutritional supplements can also improve the balance of natural hormone levels. Once these factors have all been put into play migraine headaches can be relieved or eliminated.

Migraine Headache Cure

Migraine can be one of the most annoying and painful ailments to afflict anyone. People affected by migraine find it quite difficult to carry on with their regular tasks when migraine strikes. Getting a migraine headache cure is one of the most sought after solutions that patients need.

There is a school of thought, which says that migraines are caused due to some psychological reasons and should have cures that are psychological in nature. Apart from a physical condition or a dietary cause, many migraines are caused by anger, guilt and allergy (association). These are all negative and illness inducing emotions that are held responsible for triggering migraines. In all these cases, the treatment should focus on emotional healing as well as behavior and emotion modification.

In case of dietary causes, magnesium deficiency is one of the primary causes of migraines. This is caused by consuming diets high in protein as well as the consumption of alcohol, soft water, caffeine and diuretics. Getting too much of calcium and too less of magnesium may also cause migraines. The cure in such cases is to opt for medicines or supplements that are rich in magnesium.

In addition to the aforesaid factors, a lot of migraines are caused by stress and tension. In these instances, the patient should de-stress, practice yoga, meditate or take a break to relax and unwind as part of migraine headache cure.

So, try to find out the reasons that have caused the onset of a migraine and treat it accordingly to get relief from this nagging and painful ailment.

Stop Migraines With a Colonic Treatment

What many are unaware of is that the brain and the digestive system has a particular mutual connection that when something is amiss in the bowel, the brain becomes sensitively aware of it which may sometimes, if not oftentimes result to chronic migraines. Chronic migraines, of course, are just one of the several symptoms of a troubled bowel. Other symptoms may include diarrhea or constipation, skin disorders, bad breath, depression and anxiety, and a few others. That is why, some people would opt have a thorough colon cleansing.

Primarily, the digestive system is responsible for synthesizing the compounds from the ingest food into the necessary nutrients which the body essentially needs. The by-products of the ingested food are then passed through the bowel for excretion. These products also contain toxins which were filtered out. Thus, these wastes must be thoroughly released. However, due to the consumption of unhealthy foods that are high in fat, sugar, and processed ingredients, along with several unhealthy habits, the wastes tend to sluggishly move down the bowel and are then insufficiently expelled. Why insufficiently? Well, certain waste debris that tends to stick on the colon walls. In effect, the colon overexerts itself in trying to purge out the wastes, thus resulting to constipation.

As time goes by and debris of toxic wastes piles up in the colon, the body is ultimately weighed down. How? First, because these piled up wastes can actually weigh up to 25 pounds by the time one is in his mid twenties. Secondly, the accumulated wastes become a breeding ground for bad bacteria that may lead to candidiasis or other gastrointestinal diseases. Additionally, the toxins the wastes contain are likely to penetrate through the colon walls and into the blood stream. Once these toxins are reabsorbed by the body, it is given the opportunity to attack other vital organs.

As a result of the proliferation of the toxins through the blood stream, other organs of elimination or purification such as the kidney and the liver are required to work overtime to filter out the toxins. Now, when several other organs are overburdened, the brain also exerts too much effort to keep the organs functioning appropriately. Thus, one is likely to get severe migraines. Cleansing the colon will be done logical way to get rid of these migraines.

Of course, migraines may also result from emotional and mental imbalances due to physical and mental stress. But then, both physical and mental stress can be a result of the internal irregularities experienced by the body due to autointoxication as well as other external factors such as an unclean environment and unhealthy lifestyle.

Suffice it to say, one great way to jump start a regimen of healthy diet, habit, and environment for a longer and happier life free of unpleasant migraines is through detoxification. Moreover, one good place to get detox is in a clean, healthful, and peaceful environment that is Maui, Hawaii. In truth, there are centers in Hawaii that conduct various detoxification treatments such colon hydrotherapy, fasting, and massages.

But to forewarn all those who intend to go through detoxification, you must always check with health professionals whether or not, your state of health is well enough for the detoxification treatment you intend to undergo. People with certain medical conditions are not advised to perform certain detox procedures.

7 Things You Should Know About Optical Migraines

Sometime in our lives, we experience headaches that come and go and are often so severe that our daily routines are affected. Oftentimes, when these headaches occur, we also experience some form of visual changes. Then we say, "It's probably just a migraine."

1. What is a migraine?

Migraine is a recurrent type of headache that is severely painful and usually occurs only on one side of the head. An aura occurs right before one of these attacks. An aura could be manifested as visual flashes or spots or even ringing in the ears which is opposite of the side where the headache is about to occur. The migraine attack may also come with symptoms of dizziness, vomiting, nausea and double vision.

2. What is an optical migraine?

As opposed to a real migraine, an optical migraine also involves an aura that comes before a migraine attack, but there is the absence of pain. This is rarer than the migraine that comes with severe pain. It is also know as acephalgic migraine or visual or ocular migraine. It is a migraine aura unaccompanied by headache.

The visual disturbances that are experienced are flashing lights that look like zigzag or "fortress-like" lights. These auras usually begin as small visual marches crossing the field of vision that slowly fades away. Attacks like these last for several minutes to almost an hour.

If it will come with a headache, the pain will follow in an hour. An optical migraine can also be experienced as a blind spot in the field of vision.

3. How sure am I that I am experiencing an optical migraine?

Migraines are usually diagnosed if the same symptoms are experiences over and over in many years. It is optical migraine if the same aura is experienced. In case there is a change in the visual pattern, it might be something more serious. A doctor should be consulted in this case.

4. What could be the cause of these migraines?

The cause for migraine is not yet confirmed, it has remained unknown. However, there have been theories that these headaches are caused by allergies, temporary edema of the brain and even endocrine disturbances. One thing is for sure, it is due to disturbance in the blood circulation in the brain. It has been proven that the pain is associated with the narrowing of blood vessels in the brain followed by dilation.

5. What could be more serious causes of headaches if they are not migraines?

Not all headaches are migraines and not all visual disturbances are caused by migraines. There could be more serious causes that may force you to consult a doctor. Visual changes can also be caused by partial seizures, a retina in the eye could have been detached, a "mini-stroke" or a transient ischemic attack, multiple sclerosis or even a brain tumor.

6. Who is more likely to get an optical migraine?

Optical migraines are usually experienced by more women than men at a ratio of 3:1. This is an illness that is usually inherited.

7. What is the common treatment for optical migraines?

Sedatives and aspirin are common medications prescribed to patients with this illness. Resting or sleeping in a dark room usually relieves the symptoms. However, if the aural migraine is accompanied by severe headache, injection of triptans or ingestion or nasal spraying of the same drug gives relief. Beta-blockers, antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs are also effective for most patients.

It is important to recognize the aura that comes before the headache so that medication can be taken before the actual attack. This will prevent the pain from setting in. Biofeedback has been proven to be a good type of therapy for patients who get these attacks.

Having all these in mind, you would now know if you are experiencing an ordinary headache or a true-blue migraine. Now, you could also determine if those weird visual disturbances are auras previous to a migraine attack or if it is an optical migraine.

What is important here is for you to recognize the symptoms that go with the headache. Observation is the key. You must recognize the tell-tale sign that you are about to get a full-blown attack of a migraine or if you should seek medical help because it is a sign of something more serious. Never take these headaches for granted, they could mean your life.

Migraine Headache in the Eye

Migraine headache in eyes is a form of migraine that the patients suffer from total and sudden loss of their physical sensations. The eye headache numbness is prickling and tingling feeling, which could be caused by many triggers. It is a symptom of many ailment, disorders and other disease. Loss of sensation can cause accident or injury.

You are about to have eye headache when you feel a numbness in the following:

1- Tongue

2- Arms

3- Hands

4- Face

These are the initial symptoms of the eye headache attacks. There are 3 types of this headache:

1- Silent migraine

2- Ocular migraine

3- Complex migraine

The ocular type

It is the case wherein the vision ability of your eyes is becoming distorted and blurred.

The silent type

It is the case of having a migraine without any numbness symptoms, and you will feel normal.

The complex type

It is the partial loss of your feeling

The best cure to overcome and get rid of the eye migraine symptoms is avoiding the reasons. You have to follow good measures.

The most effective method in treating eye migraine headache is by determine the reasons that trigger it to happen. By knowing these reasons you may identify the suitable treatment which cure it. The most common reasons which server as eye migraine headache triggers are: hormonal variations, lack of sleep and rest, stressful activities, exposure to harmful sun rays and bright lights, weather conditions and climate changes, eating disorders, hunger, loss of appetite, frequent physical exertions and certain foods such as:

1- Sulfate rich wines

2- Processes meats

3- Dairies

4- Soy products

5- Caffeine

How To Stop a Migraine Fast

A migraine, in simple terms, is a severe, chronic headache. It may be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and/or noise. At times, a migraine can be debilitating. An aura may be experienced as a precursor, or warning sign that a migraine is about to start. The aura can take the form of flashing lights, or a tingling in the arms and legs. To stop the eventual migraine as quickly as possible, begin to treat as soon as aura symptoms are experienced.

Ways to Stop a Migraine Fast

1. If migraines tend to happen at least two times a month, ask your doctor to prescribe a preventative migraine medication. This medication can be taken daily, or just prior to known stimuli, such as menstruation in women. There is no need to suffer through the pain of a migraine.

2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever right away. Ibuprofen and aspirin will soothe a mild migraine. Excedrin has been found helpful due to a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine.

3. Remember to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. This is especially true if you have been nauseated and vomiting.

4. Light can often trigger or aggravate an oncoming migraine, so try resting quietly in a dark room. Sleep can be beneficial; however, too much sleep can make a headache worse.

5. Try some relaxation techniques, maybe meditation or yoga. Getting a massage can be helpful, too. Practice deep, steady, calming breathing.

6. Cold and/or hot therapy is helpful in knowing how to stop a migraine fast. An ice pack can be used for cold therapy. For hot therapy, use a hot washcloth and allow it to cool on your head or face. The hot packs with buckwheat kernels are helpful for this type of treatment, too. Over-the-counter products can ease symptoms. Some to try are: Head-On, Icy Hot and Mentholatum. A hot shower or sitting in a bathroom with steam can also help.

7. Alternative treatments such as biofeedback and acupuncture have been shown to help prevent or reduce migraine pain.

8. This last suggestion on how to stop a migraine fast involves the use of herbs such as feverfew and butterbur, only if you are not pregnant. Riboflavin, CoenzymeQ10 and magnesium are helpful in relieving migraine auras and migraine onset. Health stores will have homeopathic combinations. Just remember to check with your doctor or pharmacist before using herbs. This will prevent any interactions with prescriptions you may currently be taking.

Migraines - Can a New Facelift Procedure Actually Eliminate Pain?

Migraine headaches haunt millions of people every day. Many are forced to rely upon strong medications, that may or may not alleviate the problems. Some turn to alternative therapies such a massage and chiropractic, or even craniosacral therapy. Others go to counseling to talk about the emotional problems and intensive thought processes which may trigger a migraine episode or exacerbate the pain and intensity of the experience.

What is a migraine? How is it defined and what are the typical symptoms?

According to Wikipedia, a migraine is defined as: a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily perceptions, headaches, and nausea. Physiologically, the migraine headache is a neurological condition more common to women than to men."

In the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, migraine is defined as:When we think about plastic surgery, however, most of us consider it to be merely a cosmetic, even superficial treatment to look better. If we happen to also feel better, we assume that is because we are happier with our physical appearance.

Noun: "a condition that is marked by recurrent usually unilateral severe headache often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and followed by sleep, that tends to occur in more than one member of a family, and that is of uncertain origin though attacks appear to be precipitated by dilatation of intracranial blood vessels."

Verb: "an episode or attack of migraine migraines>-called also sick headache"

Within a single year, it is estimated that 90% of us will get at least one headache. However, in an entire lifetime, only 16-17% of the population will get a headache that is so intense that it is classified as a migraine. According to The World Health Organization, in 2003 there were over 303 million people worldwide suffering from migraines.

About 60% of migraines are one-sided, but children may experience pain on both sides. Over 80% describe their migraine pain as pulsating, many also experience light sensitivity and nausea. About 30% feel so nauseous that it results in vomiting and some have redness and soreness in the eye.

Recently, surgeons have developed a new procedure that seems to be able to not only remove those unsightly furrows in your brow, but they seem to also relax the muscles enough to possibly eliminate migraine headaches. Also, when the nerves are shifted in this procedure, some of the forehead wrinkles may disappear. Now who wouldn't like that effect?

"Bahman Guyuron M.D., a director of the American Board of Plastic Surgery came up with the idea for this procedure when he made the connection between 'the frown muscle,' also known as the corrugator supercilii, and the pain and pressure migraine sufferers experience. Guyuron claims the pressure that is at the stem of migraines is alleviated, and sometimes even eliminated when nerves in the forehead are loosened or removed."

Don't get your hopes up just yet, though. This procedure is still being researched. Early studies do seem to indicate that over 400 patients have been satisfied with the results so far.

Migraine Headache Symptoms and How to Prevent Them

Living in pain with a headache is a big hassle to deal with, so how can you treat your headache at home and solve this problem with a few simple steps. Read on to discover how you can relieve the headache and live much more comfortably.

A headache, back of head symptoms may mean a few things, which may have many originating factors. Firstly, you need to make sure the symptoms of the migraine headaches are emanating from inside the head and not externally. For example, you should make sure you did not have an external bruise, or you did not accidentally hit the head as this will need to be relieved differently than common migraine headache.

If you know you are experiencing an internal type of migraine headache. It is critical, which there are many steps and methods can treat it. If you think you have serious migraine symptoms you need to seek a doctor to help you in treating your migraine.

Once you identify your migraine symptoms then you need to try curing the pain and reducing it altogether. This may be impossible and difficult for patients who have a severe headache. Here are a few steps you need to do it to relief your migraine headache and its pain:

Drink plenty of fluids ( especially water ). This can keep your brain and your body healthy and functioning properly.

Turn down the lights in your office or room. Light sensitivity may amplify the migraine effects or even cause the migraine headache.

Close your eyes, take a nap and rest while reducing lighting and noises.

If your attempts fail to relief the headache or treat it, you need to look into an alternative method to get relief like over-the-counter remedies.

Treatments For Migraines - The Main Options

No one likes being ill because it stops us doing things we want or plan to do. Migraines are fast becoming a big cause of illness in today's fast, modern living. Every one is rushing around trying to earn money, stay ahead in their chosen profession, even just to keep up with one's work load. When such illnesses start to dominate our lives, it is important to consider what treatments or preventions are available to us.

As part of our search for treatments, we must consider causes and medical reasons. Migraines say that something is wrong . This means we have to consider first our health.

Most people start with a visit to the optician as it could be a sign that we need glasses because we are suffering from eyestrain. Next we need to consider what we have been doing lately and keep a food and event diary. This can be very helpful in spotting overuse of a computer, a food or drink allergy, coming into contact with an animal or visiting a particular place. It may be an allergy to the smell of a certain food when cooked even the smell of chocolate. It may be that we are missing sleep or over working or may be just not drinking enough water. We also need to see our Doctor as we need to make sure there is not a medical cause for our headaches.

Once we have eliminated any medical causes, we will need to consider how we are going to deal with these migraines. There are a number of medicinal remedies available and our doctor may well prescribe something to use when the pain gets really bad. However there are also a number of more natural steps we can take to help cope with migraines.

First of all we need to look at how we can best cope with an attack. We may need to consider making an area of our home if not an actual room into a place where we can go to rest and relax. Migraines leave us in great pain, unable to think, feeling nauseous and even dizzy. We need a quiet room where we can draw curtains and lie down to rest. It may be a cold or hot flannel on our head, or strips of cucumber skin over our eyes - whatever it takes to help us relax and rest until the attack abates.

The next step is to look at what causes or triggers our attacks. This is when the event and food and drink diaries can help. It may also be that other members of our family are prone to migraines and you can chat it through to see if there is a common cause since Migraines can run in families. Knowing the triggers may well mean we can prevent the attacks or at least minimize them by dealing with the triggers themselves - avoid that animal or particular food, etc.

Finally, there are herbal other natural remedies. Many people switch to herbal teas which are good at keeping the body hydrated. Others avoid processed foods and eat food they have cooked or even salads and juices they have prepared, thus avoiding additives that may be causing problems. There is also the need to de-stress. For this you can't beat a really good massage and including it as part of your regular lifestyle may serve to show you how stressed everyday living can make you. Maybe regular visits to the gym and sauna will help to keep you focussed on the four main parts to life - work, rest, and play with family, friends, and work colleagues in the right proportions.

Migraine Relief - How to Relieve Your Migraine Headaches - Headache Relief

Migraine is a severe headache, which can affect one side of the head, the whole head, or the head and neck regions. A quick migraine relief remedy is therefore required, as it can start as a mild attack which gradually builds up to become severe or may even start as severe.

Migraine has been thought, for many years, to be a woman's disease. Women got migraine when they were pregnant, or when they were stressed whereas men rarely experienced migraine. Now, however, it is becoming clear that men may also be prone to migraine.

When one notices an oncoming migraine, for better migraine relief, one should take action immediately. This is because quick action can provide good relief and reduce severity and duration. Also for better migraine relief, one should stop what he/she is doing and find a quiet place to lie down and rest.

Turn the air conditioner down to cool off, turn off anything making noise, darken the room or cover the eyes. Cooling the head with a damp cloth or ice pack can also help relieve the pain.

For long term migraine relief, one should seek treatment. The treatment reduces migraine symptoms such as duration or frequency. The treatment should be done by a physician and one should avoid over the counter pain killers.

Using over the counter drugs without physicians prescription can lead to severe recurrent migraine. This is due to the fact that one can over medicate him/her self thus causing the headache to rebound, and eventually turn into chronic migraine.

Headaches and Migraines - Causes and Cures

Migraine is a form of headache, which is very severe and comes with other symptoms like, problems with vision, nausea and a lot of sensitivity. Migraines are generally happen due to differences in the chemicals present in the brain.

There are various causes of migraines, like physical, hormonal, emotional, dietary, environmental, medicinal and also hormones.

Medicinal Causes:

Intake of certain medications causes migraines. These medications could be sedatives, medication prescribed for menopause which is HRT that is 'Hormone Replacement Therapy' and also birth control pills.

Physical Causes:

Physical activities like bad body posture, a lot of travelling, work timings, tension in the shoulder or the neck, sleeping quality and also fatigue. Menopause could also cause migraine.

Environmental Causes:

Environmental conditions like pungent smells, dazzling lights, smoke, change of weather, in case the temperature is very low or even a lot of humidity, watching a lot of television or usage of computer would also cause migraine and places where there is poor ventilation and short of fresh air also triggers migraine.

Emotional Causes:

Emotions also affect migraine to a large extent. When the person suffering from migraine undergoes too much depression, tension, stress, shock, anxiety or even too much excitement would lead to migraine.

Dietary Causes:

Dietary factors also cause migraine. Foods like cheese, fruits citrus by nature and also chocolate trigger migraine. Other factors like dieting or irregular eating habits, too much of alcohol and caffeine like coffee or tea and also dehydration lead to migraine.

Hormonal Causes:

Fluctuation in hormones also causes migraine. Women tend to get an attack of migraine around the time of their menstrual cycle; this is called the 'Menstrual Migraine'.

Till date no cure has being found for migraine, but there are many treatments for this condition which help in easing the pain. The treatments are mostly in the form of medicines, which are available in plenty, it is important to know which would best suit you.

Anti - Sickness Medicines:

In cases where nausea is an indication of migraine, then you would be prescribed anti-sickness medications. These are available in the form of tablets and also suppository. These can be taken along with the painkiller.

Triptan Medicines:

Triptan medications are the next step in case painkillers do not help in reducing the migraine pain. They are not like painkillers. These medications tend to contract the blood vessels near the brain. These medications are available in the form of nasal sprays, injections and tablets.

Anti - Inflammatory Medicines:

These medications have anti-inflammatory properties as such they are quite effective in treating the pain.

Painkillers:

These are the most commonly used form of medication used to treat migraine. In fact this is the first step to treat a migraine. There are many painkillers available, like aspirin and paracetamols. These are available in the form of tablets and soluble tablets. The soluble painkillers affect faster as the body absorbs them faster.

Complementary Medicines:

Medications like homeopathy treatment and acupuncture also help in reducing the pain, but these are not proven to be as effective.

Combination Medicines:

Combination medications are medicines which contain both the properties that are they help in the reduction of pain as well as act as anti-sickness.

Migraine Clinics:

These are specialized clinics where the specialist will conduct an examination and check the harshness of the migraine and put you on treatment accordingly.

To Your Health!

Migraine Headaches: 12 Warning Signs and 6 Symptoms of Migraines

Do you have just a headache or is it a migraine? Here's how to tell the difference between a regular headache and a migraine headache. Look for these 12 warning signs and 6 symptoms of migraines.

Headaches of any kind can be quite painful. However, with a migraine, the pain goes above and beyond anything that you might have previously experienced. How can you tell if your headache can be called a migraine headache?

Headaches as most of us know them are characterized by a throbbing or pressure in our heads. The pain comes on slow, then gets worse if left untreated. This pain can continue for hours until we discover the cause of the pain and resolve it. Most of us can get through a day with a normal headache. A few pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs and we're good to go.

Migraines are often described as a chronic pain, a regular episode each week, month, or even year. Each episode can last for hours or, in some cases, for days. The pain can occur on either side of the head or both at the same time, or switch from one side to the other. The pain is more like a stabbing sensation along with throbbing. Many migraine sufferers report stabbing pain in their eyes and temples. With such intense pain, migraines can interfere with work, home life, and even the ability to think clearly.

The migraine headache sufferer is sometimes completely debilitated by the pain.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of migraine headaches is the first step to getting relief. Here is a basic overview of what constitutes a migraine:

Warning signs of an approaching migraine headache

There are warning signs that a migraine is about to occur which, when recognized, can aid in the diagnosis and relief of a migraine. The term used for this announcement that a migraine is coming is "prodrome." The term 'migraine with aura' of used typically to refer to a migraine episode in a person who often experiences an aura before a migraine headache. These signs may occur hours or as much as a day before the onset of the actual migraine headache.

People have reported seeing auras, which are visual disturbances, before a migraine develops.

Auras that affect your vision can include:

1. flashes of light

2. blind spots (like looking directly at the sun)

3. shiny spots or stars

4. zigzag pattern

There may also be auras creating other sensory disturbances. These auras affect a wide range of areas such as:

5.numbness

6. tingling

7. problems with speech

Other warning signs which are not classified as auras are more common; and, because they are common, these warning signs are often missed by the migraine sufferer.

These warning signs can include:

8. irritability

9. depression

10. increased energy

11. unusual thirst

12. sweet cravings

Symptoms of a Migraine Headache

What happens if you don't recognize the warning signs that a migraine is coming? How will you know what you are experiencing is actually a migraine headache? The symptoms of migraines are distinctive from other headaches.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a migraine headache:

1. intense stabbing pain

2. nausea with or without vomiting

3. sensitivity to light

4. sensitivity to sound

5. sensitivity to certain odors

6. sudden onset of pain

Unlike ordinary headaches, migraines often come on full tilt. Their intensity is great from the beginning. Exposure to bright lights, as well as physical activity can increase the pain. If you close yourself off in a dark, quiet room, and your headache lessens, you may be experiencing a migraine.

Without definite symptoms and warning signs, some people miss the migraine diagnosis. If you suspect you may be suffering from migraine headaches, pay attention to see if any of these symptoms ring true for you. Treating a migraine headache at the first warning signs often increases the chance of a faster recovery. That is why recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of a migraine is the first step to pain relief.

You Can Now Naturally Stop Migraine Pain

Migraines are the cause of a lot of pain for people than suffer from them, and they can be the thing that is stopping you from enjoying your life to the fullest. However this could change for you today. A recent study in Australia has drawn the conclusion that B vitamins and folic acid can significantly reduce the pain that migraines cause their sufferers.

Private companies that have heard about this study have recently produced supplements containing vitamin B and folic acid to aid people that have been suffering from migraines long term, and frequently. These supplements furthermore can help to boost the general health of the people that take them.

50 long term migraine sufferers took part in a trial of a new supplement containing vitamin B and folic acid. The trial had the following results:

1. The sufferers had a reduced number of headaches.

2. The sufferers suffered less pain from the headaches they got

3. The sufferer's headaches were more manageable. The people who got a headache were normally able to continue with whatever task they were doing at the time they got a headache.

Taking a vitamin supplement which is natural is much healthier than taking painkillers frequently. Painkillers are easy to become addicted to, and addiction to painkillers can harm your body.

Migraine sufferers frequently discover they have increased levels of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid that in high levels has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. These new supplements can help to reduce the levels of this amino acid in your body as well as combating migraines.

Headaches and Depression

Headaches and depression have long been linked. Frequently patients and doctors assume that headaches are merely a physical manifestation of depression or mental illness as these conditions are known to cause body aches. This is not necessarily true. Headaches and depression both have roots in the neurons and neurotransmitter activity in the brain but most experts believe that one condition does not appear to cause the other (although who wouldn't feel depressed if they suffered from reoccurring severe headaches?) Instead headaches and depression are known to typically co-exist in many patients.Hopefully in time the physical reasons for this will be revealed by research. In the meantime, it is important as a headache sufferer to be aware of how you may be affected by depression.

What causes depression?

Depression is not merely an emotional state. Instead, depression is believed to be caused by an inability to produce or receive sufficient amounts of the neurotransmitters that handle moods - specifically serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Today we also know that migraines are also believed to be affected by these exact same neurotransmitters, although the exact mechanism has yet to be explained fully.

How do I know if I am depressed?

Ask yourself - Am I unable to enjoy activities that normally would make me happy? Have you recently gained or lost a substantial amount of weight? Do you seem to be sleeping all the time or not at all? Do you feel tired and as though you are moving in slow motion? Do you have very negative feelings of worthlessness and guilt?

If the answer to any of the questions above is yes and you have been experiencing these symptoms for two weeks or longer, then you may be depressed.

If I am depressed, what are my options?

Only your doctor will be able to determine if you are depressed and in need of prescription medications. However, if you also suffer from migraines, then know that prescription anti-depressants have been shown to prevent migraines as well. Most commonly tricyclic or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) are prescribed to treat headaches and depression as both of these medications affect the amount of serotonin received by neurons in the brain.

If you do begin taking prescription medication for depression, be sure to inform your doctor of any medications you may already be taking for your headaches including any natural or herbal remedies as these may cause negative side effects or prevent your medication from working properly.

Comments: 7 Things You Should Know About Optical Migraines

Migraines - How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help With Headaches

Some have found the benefit of chiropractic treatment to help with headaches. However, chiropractic as a whole is thought to relieve back pain if the spine is out of alignment. Many have never thought about asking a chiropractor to help with their chronic headache pain. It has been shown that as many as one out of six Americans suffer from major headache pain, and some have daily pain. More chiropractors are seeing patients that suffer from headaches, and they are providing a surgery and drug-free way of pain relief.

Chiropractic as a whole is about relieving pain, and helping patients live healthier lives, pain free and without the use of prescription medications. Many headaches, particularly those that are chronic in nature are due to the spine near the neck being out of alignment. A chiropractor manually manipulates the spine, which increases blood flows and helps with posture. Additionally, the doctor may apply trigger point therapy and massage along with some stretching or exercising the patient can do at home.

Headaches caused by musculoskeletal problems with the neck and spine is within the perimeters of the chiropractic specialty. Though many are finding relief from manipulation of the spine coupled with massage and trigger point for many different types of headaches. This is not unusual because the chiropractic profession looks for many ways in which to provide relief for the patient rather than focusing on medications or surgeries as many MD's do.

While there are many different types of headaches, they are a symptom of something else in the body. So a chiropractor does not necessary treat headaches instead; they find the main cause of the problem and address this since this will alleviate the pain and not simply mask it as is often the case with meds. Additionally, chiropractic treatment help reduce the muscle strain, and nerves in the neck, which in many cases is the cause of the problem.

Lastly, when the root of the headache results in spinal alignment issues, once the spine is manually adjusted, the headache pain dissipates almost immediately. Most of the time, a patient will see a chiropractor for a specified treatment plan and then continue with a maintenance plan. The maintenance plan requires the patient to see the chiropractor occasionally instead of regularly as during the treatment plan. Headaches are a problem for many people, but there is a way to become pain free without the used of drugs. Additionally, making an appointment with a chiropractor for headache pain could be the best thing the patient ever did.

How Does a Migraine Start?

Sometimes you think that if you could just know that it's coming, then you could try preventative methods to avoid as much pain as possible. Just how does a migraine start?

Unfortunately, no one really understands the exact cause of a migraine. The symptoms are known. We also know that something happens to the blood vessels in the brain during a migraine. We also know that chemicals in the body send unusual message with will precipitate a migraine.

The migraine control center is found in the brain stem. This is the area just above the spinal cord and below the cortex. The brain stem is very important to life functions within the body: breathing, blood pressure, and sleep patterns. During a migraine attack, messages from the brain stem are coming out wrong and sending confusing messages. This leads to the migraine chain reaction.

Does something external cause migraines? Is it genetic? Research is confirming that migraines are a genetically based disease. Migraine sufferers are also known as migraineurs. If both parents suffer from migraines, your chances of suffering are great as well.

If only one parent has migraine headaches, you have a 50% chance of developing them as well. The brain of a migraineur reacts differently to visual input. Hypersensitivity may cause the brain to over react to triggers that would not occur in a non-sufferer. Today migraines are sometimes referred to as a neurological disease that is based on an inherited genetic abnormality. More research is being conducted.

So what is really going on, and how does a migraine start in the first place? The brain stem may send out confusing signals. The correct messages could be short circuited, and migraine auras may be triggered due to a wave of increased electrical activity and blood flow. This could be followed by a period of calm. Blood vessels or the covering of the brain could become inflated. This will cause a migraine headache to begin and bring throbbing pain.

This chain reaction will cause a number of things to happen throughout the body. Everybody has different symptoms of a migraine. Some people do not have actual pain, but others do. You may experience nausea, but not everybody does. Most people do not see strange blinking lights right before a migraine starts, but some people do.

How does a migraine start? The answer is that it is unique to every sufferer. The weather can act as a trigger, stress can affect migraines, and some attribute the cause to hormones. If you are confused, know that you are not alone as even scientists do not have all of the answers. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ways to treat the pain. If you are interested in seeking a more natural approach, talk to your doctor about that as well.

Can Migraines Be Helped by Taking Vitamins?

The Best Migraine Vitamins and Minerals

Magnesium

Have you heard about magnesium? These days magnesium is one of the most popular natural supplements for the treatment of migraines. Why is this? Many headache and migraine sufferers are believed to have a magnesium deficiency. If you wish to add magnesium to your diet try to eat more clams, whole grains, beans, greens (like spinach, swiss chard, and even seaweed), and nuts/seeds. Supplementation is also an easy option as magnesium supplements can be found in most grocery and health food stores for relatively little money. Typically, 400 mg is the amount most people would begin supplementation. Just make sure that if you are trying to increase the magnesium in your diet that you avoid foods and behaviors that cause your body to excrete magnesium such as drinking too much coffee or alcohol, and eating excessive amounts of high fat processed foods.

Riboflavin

Taking 400mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2) has been show to help migraine sufferers by reducing how often one develops headaches. What foods are highest in riboflavin? Meats such as beef and lamb, yeast, and mushrooms.

Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids: EPA and DHA)

Omega-3 supplementation can help prevent migraines as well as reduce pain during an attack. How much is recommended? Any amount that guarantees a concentration of concentration of 360mg of EPA and 240mg of DHA. Make sure that the supplement you buy contains both EPA and DHA and not just ALA (alpha-linollenic acid) otherwise you will not get sufficient active ingredients.

Vitamin C

You already know that vitamin C can help prevent colds, but did you know that vitamin C can also prevent migraines? Its true! The recommended dosage is 2,000mg per day and this can be consumed quickly and easily by taking two packets of the powdered vitamin C blend "emergin C."

Remember, while many people are able to take vitamins and minerals successfully to treat headaches and migraines, there will always be people who have existing health conditions or who take prescription medication with which these supplements may interfere and cause serious side effects. Always check with your doctor before making any changes to your current prescription medicine or natural supplement program.

Eye Migraine - How to Treat Silent Migraine

Individuals around the world confront with different types of the migraine attacks. Eye migraine is one of these types. The sufferer does not have the symptom of the headache pain that is associated with the normal type of migraine. However, to stop the silent migraine, you have many methods to choose from. Eye migraine does not have the typical migraine symptoms such as head pain ( headache ). There are many ways may help in treating the silent migraine such as:

1- Aromatherapy

You need to use it to soothe nerves and senses. Eye headache can be combined with meditation. You have to light two candles while you meditate to get more suitable treatment.

2- Improve the food to be healthier

You need to include fruits and fresh vegetables to your food to make your body less vulnerable to the migraine reasons and boost the inner energy. You have to reduce the food intake that can trigger the silent migraine such as chocolates and nuts.

3- Get rid of the bad habits

You have to reduce your amount of alcohol and caffeine. By changing your bad habits, you can treat your migraine.

4- Rest

You should have much rest as possible. You need to modify your schedule and choose the less active rest types. You have to get 8 hours of sleep each day.

5- Eye compress

It may help you to get rid of the silent migraine in no time. You have to apply a wet towel after the beginning of the first symptoms of the eye migraine.

6- Enjoy meditation

Relaxation and self awareness are ancient techniques, which may prevent and eliminate the eye migraine symptoms. You need to meditate at the home after knowing the simple techniques from a class, video or a book.

Migraine-Associated Vertigo - Are You Dizzy! This Could Be What You Have

Migraine-associated vertigo is dizziness that is associated with a migraine headache condition. Dizziness is one of the most common reasons people present to the doctor. Migraines are common as well. The job of the diagnostician is to determine whether the dizziness and headache are related and then, whether the dizziness is a manifestation of migraine, or whether they co-exist by chance.

SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO

Published, peer-reviewed journal articles will describe migraine-associated vertigo using words including: episodic rotational vertigo with or without nausea and vomiting, positional vertigo, constant imbalance, movement-associated disequilibrium, illusory self or object motion, head motion intolerance, and/or light-headedness, photophobia, phonophobia, osmophobia, and/or visual or other auras.

A HEADACHE IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS OF MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO.

Having suffered with migraine-associated vertigo myself, and having been connected with other suffers, let me put this into plain language. A migraine can cause too many bizarre symptoms to list. MAVers typically report the following: Symptoms may go on 24/7 for many years. I know a woman who has had migraine-associated vertigo for 23 years. Common are crushing fatigue, brain fog, surrealism, as if looking through a coke bottle, visual snow so dense it's hard to make out people's faces. Then there are the symptoms related to dizziness: rocking motion, true vertigo, bed swings, feeling as if the floor or bed is moving, and floor drops.

This is a wicked illness to live with - it's not just dizziness, which would be bad enough - it is a debilitating, life-robbing illness.

What's frustrating is that friends and family think you are just dizzy. They don't understand why you "won't" eat the chocolate cake they made you, or "won't" get out of bed and get some sunshine and meet you for lunch.

HOW TO TREAT MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO

Prophylaxis is the ONLY way to treat migraine-associated vertigo, otherwise you will get rebound. First line prophylactic approach is strict adherence to the "Migraine Diet." David Buchholz, M.D., formerly of Johns Hopkins, in his Book, Heal Your Headache, gives a comprehensive version of the diet.

If after three months, there is no clear difference in your migraine-associated vertigo, the patient will move onto the next step. If, however, there is significant help with the removal of trigger foods, the job is to add back foods, one at a time, to find out which food(s) is the culprit. Most people find definite food triggers which make a big difference in how they feel.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS:

The best alternative treatment I've come across is Laminine. It has been reported on American Health Journal and broadcast on PBS. Let me explain.

Our body has pathways to heal itself. Problem is, we live in a toxic environment and eat toxic foods. Out natural pathways are too sick to work. Thus, we live longer, but sicker lives.

A medical doctor in Canada discovered a way to extract the 'life-essence' of a nine day old fertilized avian egg. Through research, it was found that on exactly the ninth day, all the ingredients necessary to create life are at its highest level. In fact, the life-giving proteins are so potent at this stage that a live chick is hatched a mere two weeks thereafter. This method of extraction and freeze-drying processes proved to be a historical monumental success for this medical doctor's patients. The product has been patented and is being sold around the world under the name Laminine.

Bottom line, the product works at the level of our body's stem cells. Stem cells can turn into any cell of the body that is needed. In a healthy body, if you have corrupted nerve cells, they would die and new stem cells turn into nerve cells to replace them, etc. Laminine feeds us those stem cells and opens our healing pathways again.

It doesn't matter what your diagnosis is: physical, psychological, mental - Laminine will allow your body to bring it back into homeostasis. There have been dozens of clinical studies I can direct you too as well as incredible testimonials.

Laminine feeds the body so that our natural healing pathways can work again. It's simple as that. Our bodies return to a state of homeostasis. Corrupted cells die, as they are intended to, and new healthy cells are replicated.

Another GREAT alternative treatment is Enzacta's Alfa PXP. It works on the premise as above and I put my name behind it. However, it is more expensive than Laminine, but it does do the job.

NEXT STEP: MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO PROPHYLAXIS

CSD Blockers: Anticonvulsants

Topiramate is about 75% effective for migraine-associated vertigo. The starting dose is 25 mg and therecommendation is to titrate as needed, in weekly 25 increments, up to 150 mg. Side effects include, but are not limited to, weight loss, hair loss, speech disturbance, difficulty in word-finding and tingling in the hands and feet.

Neurochemical modulators: antidepressants

Venlafaxine (Effexor) is 80% effective for migraine-associated vertigo. Mechanism is notvery clear. Effexor is an SNRI and SSRI. It is very useful in managing the sensory amplifications seen in migraine. It is inexpensive. The starting dose is 12.5 mg, increasing slowly to a maximum of 75 mg. Side effects are minor.

In sum, this horrific illness will not go away, it only gets worse. There are ways to ease your suffering so immediate action is necessary. If you are dizzy, go to a neurologist, who will do extensive testing (they love to do tests because they get paid a lot of money to do them). After that is out of the way, go to a neuro-otologist. If you suffer from migraine-associated vertigo, and if he's good (try to find one who is associated with a university) he'll see migraine-associated vertigo all over you and get you started back to health right away.

But first you need to make the choice to get out the door and take action!

For more information go to: http://www.stoprocking.com

Is There a Right Migraine Diet?

In treating migraine, medical practitioners always recommend that patients follow a healthy diet coupled with adequate exercise. This is to help maintain the body in its optimum level, to better cope with the symptoms of the disease. Even so, most migraine sufferers wish that their doctors could lay out a meal plan for them to follow to cure the migraine, an effective migraine diet.

Just as there is no cure for migraine, there is also no special migraine diet. However, a healthy diet does exist, one that will make a person feel better and can help prevent certain diseases. This diet, which is also recommended for migraine sufferers, consists mostly of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat milk products, lean meat, nuts and beans. In making food choices though, the migraine food triggers should be taken into consideration. Yogurt, nuts and beans have been known to start a migraine attack. If a migraineur has already identified his trigger, it should be left out of his migraine diet.

There are certain foods to avoid too, such as those rich in saturated fats, salt and sugar. Colas, eggs, and cakes belong here. Alcohol is to be shunned as well. For migraineurs, this would not be a difficult thing to do since red wine and beer are common triggers. Some ingredients that are mixed with everyday food have to be eliminated from the diet but this is more difficult to do since they are not visible. These substances are tyramine found in cheeses, nuts, beans and yogurt; nitrates used to preserve meats and found in hotdogs and bacon; MSG, a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese dishes, phenylethylamine found in chocolate, garlic and onion.

Determining a food trigger takes time and effort. Migraineurs react to food in different ways. It is possible that one type of food can start an attack in one person while it takes a combination of several to affect another. An easy way of identifying a trigger is to keep a migraine diary recording the foods that were eaten and occurrences of attacks. After several months, the sufferer will be able to see a pattern of the kind of food to avoid. The record will not only identify the triggers, it will also pinpoint if there are other factors also start a migraine, such as skipped meals or menstrual periods. Correlations between triggers and attacks will be made more evident with documentation.

When the relationship between certain kinds of food and migraine has been determined, the sufferer should then try to eliminate these from his diet for several weeks. Food elimination is to be done in a phase by phase process so as not to make abrupt changes in the patient's lifestyle. Further, one has to make sure essential vitamins and minerals are still taken in adequate amounts. Records of food and incidence of attacks should still be kept. Most importantly, this has to be done only after consultation with the physician.

For the migraineur, it is essential not only to eat right but to eat it at the right time and in the right way. This is the secret to finding the right migraine diet.

Got Migraines? Hidden Ingredient in Your Food May Be the Culprit

Those who don't suffer from migraines don't understand how the blinding pain and associated symptoms (nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, etc.) can be debilitating. Migraines often result in the inability to work, or even move from a quiet, dark room for the duration of the migraine episode. If you are one of the more than 28 million Americans plagued by migraines, pain relief may be as simple as a change in your diet.

Neurologists specializing in migraine treatment have noted a correlation between monosodium glutamate (MSG) and migraines. Patients of such noted neurologists were able to decrease their number of migraines to a minimal amount after being placed on a MSG-free diet.

What is MSG?

MSG is an additive added to food to enhance flavor. Glutamate is an amino acid (which is a building block of all proteins), and can be found naturally in some foods such as tomatoes, grapes, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and spinach. These foods rich in glutamate naturally have enhanced flavor, which is why you often find them in many meals and recipes. MSG is the synthetically manufactured version of natural glutamate. MSG is then used as an additive to increase the flavor in a variety of foods including soups, sauces, meats, Asian cooking, and snack foods.

How does MSG work?

Naturally occurring amino acids interact with brain cell activity. When MSG is added to food, it changes the normal brain chemistry to make the food taste better. Your tongue has several receptors which help identify tastes such as sweet, sour, etc. Free glumatic acid registers with your taste buds to signal the presence of protein. MSG, therefore, tricks your tongue into thinking the food in your mouth is both a protein AND nutritious. Unfortunately, it also changes your tongue's ability to recognize nutrition in future foods as well (your tongue will register nutrition in food that may not have nutritious value). This also allows portions of real, nutritious food to be replaced with MSG and significantly bring down the cost for food manufacturers. As a result of ingesting MSG the pancreas is stimulated to increase insulin production. The insulin flood causes a drop in blood sugar, and you're hungry only an hour after you've eaten. This is a definite plus for food manufacturers and restaurants.

How does MSG affect migraines?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates there is a portion of population that may be sensitive to MSG. The Journal of American Medical Association identifies MSG as a trigger for migraines. There is scientific evidence that MSG can cause a migraine attack, while other evidence goes further to suggest MSG actually affects the way serotonin functions normally in the brain. Serotonin is an important part of understanding migraines, because serotonin is a "brain chemical" that calms overreacting brain cell activity. MSG excites the brain cells. If MSG affects serotonin's ability to pacify overreacting brain cell activity, while simultaneously exciting brain cells further it is easy to understand how quickly a migraine would develop.

What can I do?

Unlike other migraine treatments in which you are given a drug and simply have to wait to see if the drug provides migraine relief, you can do something about your migraines right now! Just by reading this article you are one giant step closer to getting your migraines under control. You have the power! MSG is a common migraine trigger for many, many people suffering from migraines. Now that you know about MSG you have the power to remove the trigger from your diet. You can begin avoiding foods with MSG in them, and begin MSG-free living and pain free!

This can be a little intimidating at first, because MSG hides under many different names in products: hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), hydrolyzed plant protein (HPT), "natural flavoring", BHA, BHT, maltodextran, modified food starch, whey protein, glutamate or glutamic acid, carrageenan, and caseinate are examples. There are large amounts of MSG in soy products, so you'll want to avoid all soy products (including soy sauce and products containing soy lecthin). These can be large changes in diet, but for those suffering from the agony of migraines it is often a small exchange to make for pain free living.

It is so important to be an informed consumer. Reading labels on your next shopping trip may be a bit intimidating, but can also be very empowering. You will be amazed at the vast number of products containing MSG, and the large amounts of MSG you've been consuming without even realizing it! Your local health food store or coop can make shopping a new pleasure, as these markets offer a variety of products without MSG. Keep a "headache journal," or daily log in which you record what you eat, how you feel (any headaches, migraines, etc.), and what medications you take. Notice patterns and positive changes in your migraines the longer MSG is absent from your diet.

The headache journal is a very resourceful tool for both you and your doctor. Make sure and take your journal with you to all your doctor appointments. If you know other migraine sufferers, please share this information and article with them! It is unfortunate how few migraineurs are aware of the MSG-migraine connection. No one deserves the debilitating pain of migraines, and for many simply eliminating MSG from their diet is the difference between a lifetime of migraines and pain free living.

Migraine Headache Symptoms and Causes - What Are They?

When describing migraine symptoms and causes, it first helps to understand what is a migraine. A migraine is not just an ordinary headache, as those who suffer from it will know only too well. A migraine headache can be severe and persistent and is accompanied by a wide range of other symptoms.

• Artery Constriction

Migraines are the result of a constriction of the arteries in the brain, which reduces blood flow to the brain. This is followed by dilation or widening of these arteries. Hence the often unique throbbing sensation experienced with a migraine headache.

• Symptoms Can Vary

Migraine symptoms vary greatly from one person to another. About one in every five migraine sufferers will have what is called a classical migraine. Associated with a classical migraine is a visual disturbance known as an aura. This is flashing light in front of the eye preceding a migraine. This can be in conjunction with pins and needles and an altered sense of smell and taste.

Most patients commonly see zigzag patterns of brightly colored lights flashing or even a blind spot in the form of a hole, usually in one eye only. This aura can last from about 10 to 30 minutes. This is usually followed by the headache, but not always as some migraine sufferers only experience the aura. This is known as an ocular migraine.

In most cases the main migraine symptom is a moderate to severe headache. This is usually confined to one side of the head and can alternate from one side to the other. It is often a throbbing or pulsating headache and will get worse with physical activity. Often there is pain behind the eyes, which can be relieved with pain killers or a cold compress.

Women vs. Men

Women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men. This is because of regular hormonal changes. Women can get migraines just before or after their menstrual period.

More Symptoms

As well as migraine symptoms of the head, a migraine sufferer may experience a variety of other symptoms. These include:

• the feeling of nausea,

• vomiting,

• diarrhea

• very cold hands and feet.

• If the patient is having a visual disturbance, feelings of dizziness and disorientation can occur.

Be Cautious

One very disturbing migraine symptom is that of temporary paralysis on one side of the body. This is known as a hemipleic migraine and can be very frightening if experienced for the first time. As this can mimic the signs of a stroke it is always important to have these sort of migraine symptoms checked out by your doctor to confirm that it is a migraine.

• Light and Sound Sensitivity

Migraine sufferers are generally very sensitive to light and sound during an attack. This is why it is well known that to lessen the effects and aid recovery, being in a darkened, quiet room is very beneficial.

For some people the early warning signs that a migraine is imminent can be easily missed. Migraine symptoms can occur well in advance of an attack. Feelings of elation or intense energy, cravings for sweets, thirst, drowsiness, irritability or depression, are all early warning migraine symptoms.

• Triggers to Watch For

Migraines can be triggered by a wide variety of causes, such as, certain foods, stress and tension, dehydration, hormonal fluctuations, to name a few. It is important that if you are a migraine sufferer that you try to identify the triggers to your migraine and try to avoid them where possible.

* Keep a Diary

Migraines often go undiagnosed and untreated. If you experience migraine symptoms it is well worth keeping a diary or record of your attacks. Try to find what if anything is the trigger to your migraine attack. Migraines although common can be very disruptive to daily life. There are now numerous treatments available, either home remedies, over-the-counter or from your doctor to help relieve migraine symptoms.

What Do We Mean by a Migraine Headache?

The most common symptom of a migraine headache is an acute throbbing pain which is normally located on just one side of the head near to the area of the temple. Unlike normal headaches, migraines are also often accompanied by other symptoms which include sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Migraines are fairly common and affect about 10% of the population of the United States, or in excess of 28 million Americans. They are also far more commonly seen in women than in men (about three times as many women suffer from migraine) and can also be found occasionally in children.

Although migraines are so common and often very painful with attacks lasting anywhere from a few hours to two or three days, only about 50% of all sufferers ever consult their physician and the remainder choose to suffer in silence.

It had long been thought these headaches were caused by a of dilation of the blood vessels in the head but, although there is no general consensus, medical opinion seems to be moving away from this theory in favor of a genetic cause for this condition. Current thinking is that the condition results from the interaction of certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin, with the nerve cells. At this time however the truth is that we really do not know what cause migraines.

There are in fact two different forms of the condition, the first of which is referred to as 'classical migraine', which is characterized by an associated 'aura'. In this case the term 'aura' is used to refer to visual light effects which are experienced immediately prior to the onset of a headache including such things as bright light spots and flashing lights. In a few people a complete loss of vision can be experienced for a few minutes before the arrival of the headache.

The second form of the condition is simply a migraine without the prior symptoms of an 'aura'.

Just as we do not really know what causes a migraine, so too we have very little idea about just what triggers an attack, although there are a number of factors which do seem likely to trigger an attack in sufferers. For example, getting too much sleep appears to be one factor, as does skipping meals or eating certain types of food like cheese.

Hormonal factors are also thought to influence both the onset and severity of attacks and one piece of evidence for this is the higher incidence of migraines among women. This in part is thought to be because estrogen affects the blood vessels and it has been noted in some studies that there is a connection between the contraceptive pill (which contains estrogen) and migraine headaches.

Just to confuse matters however, studies have also shown that simple everyday activities like walking up stairs can trigger an attack, as can exposure to heat or cold, loud noises, flashing lights and even stress.

Happily, there are several medical treatments available today, although no single treatment has proved to be really effective in all cases. Over-the-counter medications are however rarely effective and, if you suffer from migraines, you are best advised to seek the help of your physician in finding a solution which works for you.

Midlife and Menopause - What You Need to Know About Hormonal Migraines

Midlife, Perimenopause, and Menopause

The transition from midlife to menopause is especially difficult for the migraine sufferer. No one knows for sure why migraines start to increase in frequency and severity as one approaches midlife. Perhaps it is simply due to increased stress and responsibility. Be sure to take time for yourself and take your own medical concerns seriously (meaning treat your condition according to whatever method you feel is right for you be that a western medicine approach, alternative therapies, or wellness - or any blend of the three.)

Perimenopause

Many women start to experience the transition towards menopause in their 40's. During this time periods become very unpredictable due to the fact that your hormone levels are dropping but are still prone to unpredictable surges. This can result in periods that last longer than usual (sometimes weeks or months) or periods that are simply skipped. Likewise, the erratic hormone fluctuation can also increase migraine frequency and severity.

Treating Hormone-Related Migraines

The safest approach is to use prescription medication to prevent migraines.(See Chapter 5 for a complete explanation of migraine medications.) Some studies have shown that calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and anticonvulsants are not as effective at treating migraines brought on by fluctuating hormones. However the advantage of these particular drugs could be their relatively low side effects.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Migraines

If you decide to pursue hormone replacement therapy to treat the symptoms of perimenopause (including migraines) know that this method can carry certain health risks (such as a potential increased risk of breast and uterine cancer) that should be discussed by your doctor. It is also useful to know that this therapy could aggravate migraines - progesterone is sometimes a migraine aggravator (but is needed in HRT to keep a healthy hormone balance and prevent the development of caner due to treatment.) In many cases there can be a delayed reaction of a few months before there is a noticeable increase in migraine frequency or severity. For this reason, it is not always immediately obvious that the medication is a problem.

If your course of hormone replacement therapy makes your migraines worse, be sure to notify your doctor as he or she may be able to give you a different estrogen preparation (different blends, or a transdermal estrogen patch) that you could react more favorably to. Also, some women report more success using hormone replacement therapies that they take daily (meaning, you may do better taking the pill daily and skipping the seven day break) - much like oral contraceptives, avoiding hormonal fluctuations appears to be key.

If you are using hormone replacement therapy to deal with other menopause-related issues such as osteoporosis know that there are nonhormonal treatments available such as Fosamax.

What You Should Know about Aspartame and Migraines

If you had a migraine, it's better for you to avoid sodas. Diet sodas sweetened with aspartame, at any rate. In case that word doesn't ring a bell, how about NutraSweet? Equal? Little blue packages in the sugar bowl on restaurant tables?

If you were to go solely by the information about aspartame that you can find on the internet, you might every well think this product was created by the devil himself. Truly, the amount of web space devoted to attacking aspartame and its brand name NutraSweet is phenomenal. The product has been vilified like almost no other product on the market, blamed for everything from memory loss to schizophrenia. Although the jury is still out on aspartame's culpability in relation to many dangers, there is no getting around the fact that aspartame has been linked to migraines in many studies.

Aspartame is used in NutraSweet, an artificial sweetener. But aspartame isn't really a sweetening agent. What aspartame does is release an amino acid neurotransmitter in the brain called aspartame. In essence, though approved by the FDA as a sweetener, aspartame is really a drug.

The New England Journal of Medicine, a world-renowned medical journal, has conducted studies that have found a connection between heavy consumption of diet drinks sweetened with aspartame and migraine headaches. One study in particular seems heavily slanted toward finding a connection as those taking part reported having headaches on 33% of the days in which the study was conducted as opposed to the control group which reported headaches on only 24% of the days.

One scientist who has conducted research came to the startling conclusion that 90% of all migraines are caused by allergic reactions to food or food additives. His findings also suggest that aspartame is the most common food additive related to migraines. Another study came to an equally amazing conclusion that 10% of all migraines are related to aspartame consumption. A study conducted at the Univ. of Florida came to perhaps the most jaw-dropping conclusion of them all, finding that aspartame increased the frequency of migraine headaches in over fifty percent of the patients who took part in the study.

Despite all these studies, however, no conclusion has yet been drawn which firmly establishes what it is about aspartame that causes migraines in headache sufferers. The prevailing theory has to do with a biochemical known as seratonin. You may have heard that word before. Indeed, seratonin pops up quite in medical stories as it seems play a part in conditions ranging from appetite loss to mood alteration to sleep problems. When it comes to migraines, seratonin is thought to play a part through the lowering of levels of it in your body thanks to the effects of aspartame, thereby exacerbating pre-existing conditions that cause migraines. So it?s really no so much a case of aspartame being the cause of migraines, but rather being a quick-drawing finger on the trigger.

Believe it or not, but there's also a danger from ceasing your intake if aspartame. Doesn't that figure? If you are currently drinking a large amount of diet sodas or using a lot of NutraSweet in your coffee or tea, the one thing you don't want to do is suddenly stop for a few months and then go back. Many people report that they quit having headaches after stopping their use of products containing aspartame. Then they resumed their use of aspartame and were unfortunate enough to find that the headaches returned and were far worse than before.

Naturally, the makers of NutraSweet dispute any connection existing between their product and migraines. Then again, they dispute any connection between aspartame and any health concern. The bottom line is that enough complaints have been filed with the FDA and enough studies have been conducted to establish at the very least a large amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting a connection. And since even the big two soft drink makers have products diet products that sweeten with Splenda? a sweetener with no bitter aftertaste? there really isn't any reason at all to take the risk.

Painless Migraines - The Names and the Stages of the Painless Migraine

Many people think that migraine is an excruciating pain, but the migraine symptoms are far more than pain. The typical migraine type has four phases or stages: pre headache, aura, headache and post headache. Many migraine patients suffer from all these stages, while minority experience painless symptoms! So what are the symptoms of the painless migraine?

Technically, this painless migraine has many other names such as optical, silent, visual, vestibular, eye and optical migraine.

What are the painless migraine symptoms?

These symptoms begin with the typical migraine stage ' pre headache phase ', progresses in the aura stage, and then stops with skipping the pain ' headache stage'. If you have the painless migraine, you have many visual disturbances and other migraine-without headache symptoms.

The painless migraine phases

Pre headache

It is also named as the prodrome. This where the symptoms begin. This stage may remain many hours or even days before recognizing the normal migraine symptoms.

Prodrome recognizing may be helpful to you as it is warning you that changes of visual migraine are beginning to take place. The symptoms of this phase are:

1- Food cravings

2- Fatigue

3- Depression

4- Constipation

5- Irritability

6- Diarrhea

7- Neck muscle stiffness

The aura

It may last less than an hour. Many people believe that the aura is only visual disturbance ( flashing lights, spots and zigzag lines in front of the eyes ). They think this aura affects only the eye. This explains the physician's term ' painless, visual migraine '.

The migraine aura has other symptoms, including:

1- Dizziness

2- Difficult in finding words which you want

3- Hearing ability decrease

4- Confusion in thinking

5- Partial paralysis

6- Olfactory hallucinations ( smelling odors, which aren't there )

7- Reduce touch and feel or increased touch and feel

8- Sight loss ( blurry or partial vision )

9- Auditory hallucinations ( hearing sounds, which aren't there )

10- Numbness or tingling of your face

11- Visual hallucinations ( seeing sights which aren't there: zigzag lines, spots, wavy lines, flashing bright lights ).

If you have the visual migraine, your symptoms will stop here. You won't experience the headache pain.

Migraines and Chocolate

Chocolate is considered a common migraine trigger; the connection between this guilty pleasure and the excruciating pain of migraine headaches was investigated during a large study, the results of which were published in the Lancet(1).

Chocolate is one of the few foods which has been investigated in double blind controlled studies, to determine how much of a trigger it really is - unlike many other food products, which have merely been included as part of larger studies using a wide range of possibilities.

These double blind, focused studies, apparently left ambiguity on the subject. A 1974 study undertaken at the London Hospital apparently concluded that whilst chocolate may be a trigger, it wasn't a significant one(2). This was a full five years prior to the Lancet study, which ranked chocolate near the top of the list along with other triggers, considered predominantly to cause migraines.

Another study done in 1997 also used a double blind protocol and placebo to try and pinpoint chocolate as an aggressive migraine trigger - again with inconclusive results. The study, carried out at the University of Pittsburgh, Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute, concluded there was no difference between patients given chocolate and others given the carob placebo in either occurrence or severity of migraines(3).

Of course, one must take into account the overwhelming amount of anecdotal and testimonial evidence from hundreds of thousands of migraine sufferers who report chocolate as a trigger. Many of these claim that removing it from their diet caused instant cessation - whereas accidental or careless reintroduction caused just as immediate recurrence of symptoms.

There does exist an unpublished study, on which correspondence exists, involving a trial with 20 patients who, believing chocolate to be a migraine trigger, were subsequently challenged with either chocolate or a placebo. The 8 receiving the placebo had no incidence of migraine - five out of the 12 who received chocolate did have a typical migraine attack. The small number of people in the test group meant that the subsequent results were not completely conclusive.

As is so often the case with food intolerances, what one person can eat without an ill-effects, can create an unpleasant or even harmful reaction in another. Consider the simple peanut - a killer for some, a harmless snack for another.

Obviously scientific studies are interesting and essential, but however much we crave it, chocolate is something we can live without. The most effective method to discover if it's a trigger food for the individual, is to cut it out from their diet for a few weeks. If your migraines are bad enough, it's a simple sacrifice to make.

(1) Grant ECG; Food, Allergies and Migraine; Lancet, May 5 1979;966-969

(2) A. M. Moffett, M. Swash, and D. F. Scott - Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1974 April

(3) Marcus DA, Scharff L, Turk D, Gourley LM - Cephalalgia 1997 Dec; 17(8):855-62

(4) CM Gibb, V Glover, M Sandler, Bernhard Baron Memorial Research Laboratories

Ocular Migraine - What is This 'Highly Dangerous' Migraine and How to Accurately Know If I Have It?

Many people think that migraine headache is just a migraine headache. We have a misconception that there is only one type of migraine and that there are no other types. Medically speaking there is a number of different types of migraine and ocular migraine is one them.

What is Ocular Migraine?

This type of migraine is commonly caused visual disorders. The strange thing about this type of migraine is that you may or may not suffer from an actual headache.

Symptoms

Ocular migraine is a migraine without the headache. What it does is; it distorts the images seen by the eye. It causes the distortion at the center of the image and moves to one side. It only affects one eye at a time,so it is not the cause of temporary blindness.

As the migraine progresses, the images that you see may change to color gray or the image may be wavy. Medical experts have different understanding of what ocular migraine is.

Others say that age is the primary cause of this migraine. On the other hand, others say that is commonly seen in young adults. But whatever the case, it is frightening to think that you may lose your sight just because of this.

Some experts describe ocular migraine as a disturbance in your vision that does not cause headache. Some say that it is a one-sided blind spot and can last for less than an hour accompanied by a headache.

The bottom line is, if you have visual disturbance of an aura in one of your eyes then you may have ocular migraine. It is safe to assume that it may or may not be accompanied by headache.

oBlind spots in your field of vision: An example of this is; if you are looking at a flower and you are not seeing the center of it. Another one is if you are watching TV and you only see the sides but not see the center. The reason why this happens is because one of your eyes is affected by ocular migraine.

oWhen you are looking through the affected eye you see a shade of grey in what you see. It is like watching TV behind a thin grey cloth.

oAnother symptom is when you look through the affected eye and you see something like rain streaming down a window.

Episodes of ocular type of migraine do not last that long. You may feel that you will never be able to see clearly again but rest assured that what you see is only temporary and will not cause long term damage to your eye.

When experiencing migraine episodes, it may interfere with your regular activities like driving or reading.

How to Test for Ocular Migraine

One way to easily test is by closing one eye and look through the other one. Look for the symptoms described above and if you open the other eye and the symptoms stop then you have ocular migraine. If the symptoms do not stop even after opening the other eye then you have traditional migraine aura.

Migraine Aura: Is a Headache Coming or Something Worse?

Migraine aura is a symptom or group of symptoms that precede a migraine. They can last a few minutes or as long as a week. The most common migraine aura is the visual aura. This can manifest as blurry vision, flashing lights, zigzags, or a mirage effect. It is thought that these are caused by a depression of blood flow that ultimately leads to the excruciating headaches. Visual disturbance is one of the warning signs of stroke.

Numbness or tingling on one side of the body can also be a symptom. Facial drooping is common, and can be confirmed by trying to smile. And, while migraine aura will eventually resolve itself, these symptoms can also be attributed to stroke which needs immediate treatment. Better safe than sorry.

Migraine sufferers are some of the most misunderstood people, literally. When having aura, sometimes they just don't make any sense. Another type of migraine aura which requires immediate medical attention is the slurred, or garbled speech, and trouble forming thoughts. Anytime this symptom occurs, it is a medical emergency. It is thought that migraines do not leave permanent damage. However, this symptom could be sign of a stroke and, in that case, minutes count.

There are also mini-strokes, Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), which closely resemble migraine aura. They resolve within 24 hours and leave only minute damage behind. They are also called warning strokes, because there is a high likelihood of having a real stroke within one week. These are extremely important to diagnose. If you have migraine aura, you are almost three times as likely to have a stroke.

The Stroke Awareness Foundation features the acronym FAST! It stands for Face, Arms, Slurred Speech, and Time. Face refers to the facial drooping that can occur. Arms refers to the one-sided numbness or tingling. Slurred speech is self-explanatory. Time refers to the critical nature of the stroke emergency. Brain cells begin dying within minutes of the onset of stroke. The best stroke treatments are those given within the first three hours.

Visual Disturbances, numbness and tingling, and garbled speech and thought are all frightening experiences. It could be bad, or it could be worse. At best, you could have a very bad headache coming on. Even if you are a seasoned migraine sufferer, you need to go to the ER when you experience migraine aura symptoms that mimic stroke. It may be an inconvenience, but it could save your life.

Infectious Mono Symptoms - Headaches and Migraines

The Epstein Barr virus can infect the nerves of the body to cause infectious mono symptoms like headaches and migraines. The virus also infects the liver which in turn can trigger headaches in susceptible people.

Conventional pain killers may bring temporary relief to these symptoms however they do not address the cause of the headache or migraine. Aspirin in particular should be avoided because of its association with Reye's syndrome - a rare condition that causes inflammation of the brain and liver with potentially fatal consequences.

The natural approach to relieve infectious mono symptoms of headaches and migraines is to relax the nerves and muscles of the back and neck, cleanse the liver and re-hydrate the body with plenty of pure water.

The best way to relax nerves and muscles is to take a high dose magnesium and B complex supplement. Epsom salt baths which are naturally high in magnesium can also loosen tight muscles and relieve headaches. Simply add a couple of cups of Epsom salts to a hot bath and have a long soak before bedtime.

If your infectious mono symptoms of headaches are chronic or long term then having a regular massage or seeing a chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist is a good idea. They can work on your muscles and the health of your spine to ensure optimal nerve supply throughout the body.

If your infectious mono symptoms are not clearing with the above advice, then it is time to consider your liver function. A classic indication of a congested liver is headaches. To cleanse your liver, start with half a lemon squeezed into a glass of warm water on rising. Drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of water throughout the day. A more potent liver tonic based on liver cleansing nutrients and herbs like methionine, inositol, choline, dandelion and milk thistle can be added when you are feeling a bit stronger.

If your infectious mono symptoms persist then it is advisable to get a thorough check up with your doctor to ensure there is no other disease contributing to your symptoms. Other conditions that can cause recurrent headaches and migraines include anemia, low blood sugar, allergy, hormonal imbalances, and neurological disorders.

In most cases, headaches and migraines in mono are short-lived particularly if the above advice is followed.