What Is a Ocular Migraine? The Symptoms and Triggers Of Ocular Migraine

Ocular Migraine, also known as Ophthalmic migraine and retinal migraine is a very common form of migraine that is often painless, yet can be very distressing.

Ocular symptoms may include visual problems such as an 'aura'. This is a white flashing light that pulses in the visual field. Strange visual disturbances can occur or a scotoma or small blind spot. This may or may not be accompanied by a headache. Other visual migraine symptoms of an ocular migraine may be flickering lights around the scotoma, or a zigzagging line inside the blind spot. For some they may experience pain on one side of the head, usually a throbbing pain, but others may only experience the disturbed migraine vision. It is known for it's one-eye disturbances and can involve total blindness in one eye.

• Cause of Ocular Attack?

Even if pain is not experienced during an ocular migraine, the reasons for the cause of the attack are the same. The inflammation of the blood vessels and nerves that surround the brain changes the blood flow which contributes to the visual migraine symptoms.

An Ocular migraine attack can last from as little as a few seconds to up to half an hour. The visual disturbances a person sees can be very disturbing and often disorientating. There is however, no lasting or permanent damage to the eye. Although this is the case, anyone experiencing a visual migraine should always consult a doctor as there are other conditions that can cause visual disturbances.

• Dangers

Since someone who is having an migraine attack can suffer considerable visual impairment, it is advisable to be aware of when an attack is coming on and take precautions to ensure your safety. This is particularly important when driving, crossing the road or using machinery. It is always best to stop what you are doing until the attack passes. As some people can temporarily become blind in one eye.

• Cause of Ocular Migraine?

Despite much medical research and technological advancements the cause of ocular migraine is still unknown. However, it is well known that certain triggers can bring on an attack of any type of migraine including ocular migraine. Such triggers include, stress, fatigue, alcohol and smoking. Some foods can trigger an attack, caffeine, cheese, chocolate and citrus fruit have all been linked to migraine attacks. Even certain smells such as perfume can bring on an attack. Flashing or flickering lights can also trigger an attack.

• Diary Keeping

It is for this reason that it is well worth keeping a diary if you are a frequent migraine sufferer. Recording when you have an attack and what happened or what you have eaten prior to an attack can be very useful in managing your own ocular migraine attacks and limiting them.

• Eye Exercises

One suggested way to minimize the recurrence of ocular migraines is by practicing eye exercises. This is especially useful for those who do a lot of close up work or spend long periods of time on the computer. Roll your eyes up and down and then from side to side. This helps to stretch the muscles in the eyes.

Often when ocular migraine sufferers only experience attacks infrequently, medication may not be prescribed. However, if you suffer severe pain with the attack there are many good painkillers to deal specifically with migraine pain.

• Remedy

Many people who have an migraine attack may not realize it is a migraine, especially if they suffer no pain that is associated with migraines. Fortunately, ocular migraines are mostly harmless. Resting and waiting until the symptoms have passed is really the only remedy once one has started.

Whiplash Injury Symptoms - Headache After Whiplash Injury

Headache after whiplash injury is common. After neck pain it is the second commonest symptom that these patients experience. The cervical spine originating head pain can often outweigh the neck pain in terms of severity - particularly in the early weeks after injury.

Nearly two thirds of cervical spine injury patients experience headache. About half of those who develop it after whiplash injury feel the pain in the back of their head, a further third get symptoms all over the head and a smaller number feel the whiplash related discomfort at their forehead or behind their eyes.

Headache after whiplash injury often shows itself for the first time on the morning after the accident. The pain sweeps up from the neck and over the back of the head. Most sufferers find that heat on the back of the neck will ease the headache. Cold makes it worse.

Neck movements often aggravate the problem - particularly if the neck is moved towards extension: looking up to the ceiling is often very painful.

Patients with whiplash related head pains often also get shoulder pain and touching the big trapezius muscles over the back of the neck and shoulders often provokes pain or spread of symptoms upwards. There are often tender spots or trigger points in these muscles.

Women get pains in the head after whiplash injury more often than men - the reason for this is unclear but might relate to the smaller structures of the female neck anatomy.

So what causes whiplash injury headache? Many research studies have looked to explain why this problem happens. It seems most likely that the situation arises from a mixture of inflammation in the neck muscles and irritation of the nerves that go from the neck, up and over the head.

Research has shown that whiplash injury headache can persist for a year or more in some patients - but for most the head pain improves within a month or two of the accident.

How should it be treated? Well, the research is not good quality so there is no definitive answer to this. In my experience the symptoms are often quickly improved by hands on physical therapy or by acupuncture. Anti-inflammatory tablets help some patients and - for a minority of these patients - injections deep into the spinal tissues can transform the situation.

Migraines - Their Causes and How to Treat Them

This article contains important information about the causes of, and treatments for, migraines. Be sure to read this article completely clear through to the end so you will not miss any of this valuable information, especially information about the causes of migraine headaches and what you can do to prevent or even stop them from happening.

In a class of their own

Migraine headaches are unique and in a class of their own. If you suffer from these headaches, we don't have to tell you how painful and debilitating they can be.

These headaches are also often called vascular headaches. This is because many experts believe they are caused by the blood vessels in your brain and not by tension - either muscular or nervous.

One theory about migraines

One theory about the cause of migraine headaches holds that blood vessels constrict in your brain and then suddenly dilate or expand. This causes blood to rush to your head and generate an extreme such as sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. However, there are a number of other theories about the cause of migraine headaches as science is still unable to pinpoint the exact cause.

If you have an extreme case of migraine, you may also have such symptoms as speech and language problems.

Migraine headache triggers

What triggers migraine headaches? It can be dietary, stress related, hormonal or even occur for unknown reasons. If you're lucky you may be able to prevent migraines simply by avoiding certain foods such as meets containing nitrates (for example, hot dogs and deli meats) and aged cheeses. If you are not so lucky, it may not be possible for you to find your exact migraine triggers. However, with the proper treatment it is possible to lead a more productive life.

Migraine drugs

There are a number of prescription drugs available to fight the pain of migraine headaches. Some of these are to be taken daily to prevent the onset of a migraine. If you suffer migraine headaches frequently, your healthcare provider may prescribe some of these medications. If you suffer from these headaches only occasionally, you may be prescribed a drug designed to prevent your migraine headaches from coming on. As you These medications can be quite expensive. However, if your migraines are causing you to miss work and are affecting the quality of your life, the cost may be worthwhile.

Unfortunate but true

It's unfortunate but true that if you suffer from the pain of migraines you probably find it difficult to participate in your normal, daily activities. However, your primary physician -- or a neurologist -- can prescribe medication that can improve your life and help you live without this terrible pain.

New Breakthrough Treatment Stops Headaches and Migraines

Fast Headache and Migraine Relief

Are you popping painkillers day-in and day-out to eliminate your headaches and migraines just to survive through your day? Are you using your last sick days suffering with the throbbing, nagging pain feeling like you're going crazy...feeling like the only permanent relief is to blow your head off?

If you're experiencing neck and shoulder stiffness...if you're experiencing frequent and chronic sinus or tension headaches or have severe migraine symptoms...there is now a proven, natural treatment plan ready made for you that will give you fast relief - if you start using the treatment plan today - that will forever stop the recurring, nagging tension headache and migraine pain you're experiencing.

A new breakthrough guide "Real Headache Help:The Ultimate Guide To Banishing Headaches And Migraines," developed by Researcher Lana R. Howard, is a proven, highly effective bold treatment plan that gives headache and migraine sufferers instant fast relief.

This is an amazing all-natural breakthrough treatment plan that you've been looking for! The plan reveals why you absolutely must avoid using over-the-counter medications and prescription pain killers - at all costs! Not only that, you'll immediately discover the right fortified treatment plan for you that specifically shows you:

• What trigger foods and beverages you should avoid


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• How to dramatically relieve yourself from the throbbing nagging pain


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...using drug-free treatments and therapy combined with natural remedies and alternative medicines - not even your Doctor knows about!

Surprising Facts About Headache And Migraine Sufferers

More people must be made aware of the healthful benefits of using natural alternatives - without over-the-counter painkillers and prescription drugs. The U.S. population alone spends over $350 Billion per year on drugs!

According to The World Health Organization (WHO), a 2004 study showed a surprisingly higher percentage of adult women (a whopping 80%) suffered from tension headaches while two-thirds of adult men experienced tension headaches.

The study further showed 6% to 8% of men suffered from migraines while 15% to 18% where women

Lastly, 1-in-20 adult men and women experienced some form of headache every single day!

Cause Of Headaches And Migraines

Medical Research Studies have shown some of the leading causes of headaches and migraines can be attributed to problematic dietary deficiency programs, stress and stress-related issues (excessive heat, lack of sleep and excessive consumption of alcohol).

Furthermore, what you might be unaware of is that a constant headache and migraine pain can be symptoms of other serious medical ailments such as:

• Heart Disease


• High blood pressure, and


• Vascular disorders

...leading to strokes, brain aneurysms and even death!

A female friend of mine, Diane, passed away suddenly (at 30!) because she failed to recognize the severity of her ongoing headache and migraine symptoms she was experiencing.

You need "Real Headache Help:The Ultimate Guide To Banishing Headaches And Migraines" IF:

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3. You have tight-pressing pain on both sides of your head


4. You have nausea...are vomiting...are sweating or have cold chills


5. You are sensitive to light and sound (but not both)


6. You are experiencing moments where you have sudden loss of vision, numbness or partial paralysis - all of which can be symptoms leading to a stroke or even death!

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Prophylaxis Migraine - Prevention For Migraines

Migraine prophylaxis refers to the treatment of patients to prevent a migraine headache in the future. It is simply known as migration prevention. Migraine prophylaxis is the common treatment that patients with recurring headaches often take part in, especially if the migraines are disabling and interfere with everyday life. Most prophylactic treatment for patients with recurring headaches usually includes intake of medicine on a daily basis. In some cases, other preventive measures are done; there are also other components in prophylactic migraine treatments.

Prophylaxis treatment in patients depends primarily in headache frequency, the severity of the migraine-related headache, the length of the individual headache due to migraine, and the way the person responds to different headache therapies. There are migraine headaches that occur frequently and there are those that can bring acute pain. One of these is rebound headache, a daily headache which occurs because of pain overuse. These headaches are due to medications and are much more difficult to treat than migraine headaches that appear sporadically and spontaneously. In some cases, extreme acute headaches can occur about once or twice a month. These kinds of migraine headaches are considered as enough reason for a person to engage in prophylactic treatment. The patient suffering from migraine and his/her physician have to decide whether it is beneficial for the patient to be on the offensive and prevent migraine-related headaches or simply treat the migraine whenever it occurs.

When doctors advise prophylactic treatment, they look for some sort of indicators. These indicators include some migraine headaches characteristics such as an average of two to eight severe headaches a month, headaches less frequent but are long-drawn-out, usually enduring for a few days, severe attacks that can disrupt daily life, predictable migraines, etc. When a patient's migraine headache qualifies in one of these indicators, the doctor is likely to consider prophylaxis treatment.

One important step is to choose which medication will suit the migraine prevention program intended. There are many choices available and many medications are proven to be effective. However, doctors will not be able to immediately know whether a certain medication is perfect for a patient. To know the correct medication, however, one must have to do a sort of trial and error procedure. The selection process for the correct medication initially begins with doctor asking his/her patient to take in a highly effective migraine prevention medication. Should the supposedly effective migraine not work, the patient moves to other medications, normally the less proven or less robust agents. Less proven medications do not necessarily mean that they are not effective; it usually means that it is not effective with as any people as other medications are. When these medications are either not successful or have side effects that patients want to avoid completely, some other medications are tried. This continues until the right fit of the medication and patient occurs. Most doctors call this procedure as an intelligent trial and error for medications.

Prophylaxis for migraines can be very effective in preventing migraine. But it has to be noted that if any medication is taken excessively during a week, it can cause rebound headaches. But with the help of consultation with the doctor alongside the intelligent trial and error procedure for medications, prophylaxis for migraines can be a helpful tool for any person suffering migraines.

What Are Migraines and Why Do They Hurt So Bad?

When you often seem to suffer from severe headaches, you should know that this could be the manifestation of a migraine, especially when occurring on one area of your head. At the moment there are merely speculations on the physical causes of these disorders. There have been however some studies to indicate that some changes in the serotonin levels of the brain could be the medical explanation.

The process happens in this way: when these levels are too low, the blood vessels become swelled and it is this swelling that provokes the unbearable pain. This level of serotonin is produced by the brain, and various factors contribute to lowering its level. Blood sugar level, light, eating habits, estrogen, are all factors to lead to migraine manifesting.

Migraine sufferers can tell you how bad this pain is, and as a result they are completely unable to go on with their daily activity or tasks. Suffering from migraine can come with various symptoms, as not a single migraine can be the same with another. These symptoms include vomiting, nausea, spotty vision, a great deal of sensitivity towards light, smell, noise.

They come also with acute throbbing pain in multiple parts of the head, with feelings of confusion, exhaustion, stiffness in the shoulders and neck, as well as dizziness. Not to mention that to many migraine sufferers moving the head merely, let alone the whole body, leads to experiencing stronger pain.

Migraine manifests itself in various types: the classic migraine and the common one. The first one is announced by the different way of seeing, by irritability, depression, and feeling restless. The second type, common migraine, starts slowly and ends up in lasting longer time (up to three days, the most).

The causes of migraines are counted as light in excess, certain foods (but these foods can vary from one person to another) and also the level of estrogen inside our bodies. This last factor is more often the cause for women to experience awful migraine headaches considering that they are prone to more changes inside their bodies at the hormonal level.

As to the remedies, there are various pain killers that many migraine sufferers prefer taking and that actually help them. But to others, there is the need of a medical prescription that indicates some medication prescribed in accordance to their condition and way of the body to deal with it.

When you experience migraine, you should make sure that you lye down in a dark quite room and place a cold compress on your head or over your eyes, or even both. One can even reach to avoid migraine from manifesting, resorting to solutions such wearing sunglasses, not eating those foods that lead to migraine sufferance, as well as sleeping the necessary hours and avoiding the stress. Due to the fact that migraines are quite debilitating, one should do whatever it takes to stay away from their manifesting.

Triggers - The Cause of Migraines?

Introduction

Factors that collectively contribute to starting the cascade of reactions known as migraine are called triggers. Triggers can be anything from sleep pattern changes, certain foods and chemicals, hormone levels, weather changes, and sensory overload (strong sunlight, perfume.) The point at which the migraine begins is your trigger threshold. The further beyond your threshold you go, the more severe your symptoms become. Once the system gets going it's hard to know how long the associated symptoms will last, even after triggers have been reduced. Keeping trigger levels over one's tolerance levels on a regular basis may be a major contributing factor to chronic headache and migraine symptoms.

How Does it Work?

Here is an analogy: Think of your body's tolerance for triggers like clear glass measuring cup or a chemistry beaker.The glass can be filled a variety of different colored marbles - each color represents a different trigger. The clear cup can only hold so many marbles. You can fill it entirely with one color marbles or a variety. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that when the glass becomes full - the migraine process begins. How full your glass is as a starting point can vary from day to day and sometimes is entirely out of your control. If hormones and weather changes are trigger factors for you, then sometimes you will start the day out with your glass partially full without doing anything at all. This explains why sometimes eating a little chocolate or sleeping in can trigger a migraine and then other times not.

Reactions to triggers as well as tolerance thresholds are different from person to person. Some people are very sensitive overall and others are not. What is a trigger for one person may not be for another. All of these factors make controlling headaches and migraines very difficult for doctors and the medical community who prefer "one size fits all" treatments.

Can you really prevent headache and migraine attacks by avoiding triggers?

• Many people have had great success with treating their condition with trigger avoidance. However, there will always be some people who will not be able to experience relief from their symptoms using these techniques. Why is this?


• You may have headache and migraine triggers you cannot easily avoid (such as sensitivity to strong smells.)


• You may be so sensitive that you have many triggers and even the smallest amount of exposure may affect you.


• You may have trouble determining what your triggers are as some such as food and weather will provoke a delayed reaction of between two hours and three days.


• Your triggers may not cause migraines independently but rather in combination with other triggers - making them harder to spot. (Example: drinking red wine may not cause a migraine attack on its own but when combined with drinking on an empty stomach or without drinking enough water - it will.)


• You may enjoy certain triggers so much (say chocolate) that you are not willing to give them up.

Keep in mind that even if your triggers seems unavoidable that there is benefit to be gained by controlling avoidable triggers. Remember that everyone has a unique trigger threshold - essentially your capacity to tolerate triggers of all kinds. This capacity is like a glass - it can only hold so many triggers - but preventing avoidable triggers from entering the glass leaves more room for triggers you cannot avoid (or those you choose not to avoid.) This also explains why sometimes you notice a migraine after exposure to a trigger and then other times nothing happens. It all depends on how close you are operating to your trigger threshold.

New Migraine Headache Relief - How Long Should We Wait For A Miracle?

Will this new miracle migraine medicine ever see the light of day? For migraine patients there is real hope for a new treatment. The person behind this discovery is professor Lars Edvinsson, at the University Hospital in Lund, south Sweden, that discovered this peptide, called CGRP, in 1984. This drug was slated for release on the market 2010. So, what was the reason for this not to take place?

For about two years time we have now seen in the magazines and on the internet about the new "miracle medicine" Telcagepant. So what was the great news about this drug in the first place? Absolutely no side effects! Wasn´t that just a dream for all us migraine sufferers all over the world? Unfortunately, that dream did not last longer than a year.

Just suddenly the American drug company Merck, that developed the medicine, withdrew the introduction of this drug. And the hope for the migraine patients dropped very quickly. Soon we understood that it was the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, in USA, that did not approve of the introduction of this Telcagepant drug. Later on we heard that it was Merck themselves who stopped the introduction and informed the FDA about it. So what now? Is the hope gone for all those patients that are waiting for their new migraine headache relief medicine?

It was said that the medicine should have no side effects whatsoever. That was a very nice thought, but everyone with just a little understanding of how medicines work inside the body knows that this is almost impossible. But, the main reason for stopping the introduction was most likely side effects on the liver. Apart from that they found nausea, fatigue, dizziness and dry mouth. Those are very common side effects for many medicines and could not have been the main reason for rejecting the drug. So most likely it was the liver problem that made Merck and the FDA stop the introduction.

Now the introduction will take place in autumn 2011 in spite of the fact that the liver problem has not yet been solved. But I guess that the FDA allows Merck one year to get the side effects under control. One year, in this case, is a lot of time to get things working and hopefully get rid of that liver ghost. So there is still hope for this new migraine headache relief medicine. But one year is a long time to wait for many migraine patients.

Migraine Headaches - Causes and Symptoms

Migraine headaches-for some, they can be downright incapacitating to the point that the ability to function daily is impaired, as well as the individual's quality of life. However, by using an extensive array of prescription and over the counter drugs, it is possible to prevent and treat migraine headaches. Truthfully, the medical community is still unsure as to the exact reasons for migraine causes, however, it is believed by many that the serotonin levels in the brain have a large role in the cause of migraine headaches. Normally, when a migraine sufferer has a headache, they also have low serotonin levels, too.

Occasionally, a migraine headache will be preceded by something called an "aura." Auras go hand-in-hand with classic migraine headaches. During a classic migraine attack, spots or strange colors may develop in the sufferer's field of vision. Another warning sign of an impending migraine is having a tender scalp. Mood alterations are possible-irritability or depression are two good examples. Sometimes, the symptoms will actually start to show the day before the migraine attack. Usually the migraine headaches that follow are pretty intense, but are fairly short in duration.

Some migraines that last for long periods of time, common migraine headaches, are a longer variation of the problem. These can be seriously incapacitating, and a real detriment to a sufferer's daily life. Fortunately, many medications are able to prevent migraines from coming on and reduce pain. Plenty of liquids, and sleep are also imperative in aiding the prevention of migraine headache onset. During a migraine, stay in a quiet, dark environment. Reduce tension by putting a cold compress where needed and gently-but still using a good amount of pressure-massage the scalp. One of the top causes of migraines is believed to be stress, so it should be eliminated as much as possible.

Migraine headaches are also believed to be caused by some foods. Yes, that's true. The line of reasoning is that some people are not able to handle certain types additives in the foods, especially if they are aged, or have something like MSG in them. The receptors in some peoples' brains are just not able to process these things, and as a result, a migraine occurs.

For example, doctors say that migraine sufferers should avoid red wine. Processed meat, as well as canned meat are known to be recurrent causes of migraines, too. Excess amounts of aged cheese, cultured dairy products, and caffeine are all also known triggers for migraines. So, if you do suffer from migraine headaches on a regular basis, see a doctor for a full work-up as well as the whole list of drinks and foods that should be avoided.

Aura Migraine Can Be A Great Problem

Aura migraines afflict around 15% of the people who suffer from migraines in the world. These are special kinds of migraines that are heralded by odd visual and tactile stimulus that signal the onset of the migraine. Knowing the symptoms of an aura migraine allow you to get help before it hits in full, so in a way while aura migraines are more severe than regular migraines, they at least have the advantage of offering early warning signals that allow you to get medication quickly.

One of the symptoms of an aura migraine gave birth to it's name. This symptom is visual in nature, usually manifesting as black spots dancing before a person's eyes or an odd haziness around the edges of a person's field of vision, sort of like looking through a fuzzy fish eye lens. Other people experience bursts of color or "stars" in their vision and sudden dizziness, akin to what happens to most people when they sometimes stand up too fast.

On the tactile level, and indicative of a more serious migraine coming on, aura migraines also sometimes leads to numbness in the face or the fingertips, and/or a general feeling of "tinglyness", like pins and needles, across the entire body.

The reasons for the eye blurring is because aura migraines affect, to a certain extent, the nervous system of the sufferer. In a person with a migraine, the outer surface of the brain starts overloading with pain stimuli that causes a blockage of transmitted and received impulses from the rest of the body. The brain continually transmits and receives electrical impulses through the nervous system, and the pain of a migraine interferes with these signals.

The optic nerves, being the most closely situated to the brain, are the first to be affected by this overload. This manifests in the optical symptoms of an aura migraine. The pain feedback basically messess around with signals the eyeballs are sending to the brain. On a more serious level, aside from dancing spots and blurriness, severe aura migraines have been known to shut off input from the eyes, causing temporary blackout and loss of vision during the migraine.

The numbness and tingly feeling is also connected to this symptom. This is more serious, as a severe aura migraine can not only cause numbness in the victim, it can actually lead to temporary loss of motor coordination and control functions. The impulses in the brain that accompany the migraine can literally cut off the person's ability to move his or her limbs.

The original theory behind aura migraines was that blood vessels which supplied blood to the brain contracted from the pain brought about by the migraine, and the symptoms were brought about by a loss of blood flow to the brain as well as an increase in trapped blood pressure inside the skull and sinuses. The main support behind this theory came from the fact that the sympotoms of an aura migraine are similar to that experienced by aircraft pilots during blackout, when severe gravitational forces in a turn forced blood away from the brain. We now know this theory is false.

A study of aura migraines using an electroencephalogram shows a depression, or decrease, in brain activity and electrical impulses on the actual afflicted area that the migraine is hitting. Unfortunately, this "depressed" zone on the surface of the brain is surrounded by an aura, or corona, of hyperstimulated nerve cells. It is this hyperstimulated area that actually cuts off any input and output from that section of the brain during an aura migraine.

At it's worst, aura migraines have been known not only to cause loss of motor function and vision, but unconsciousness in the victims. The lack of stimuli from the brain to certain parts of the body, combined with the oveload of pain stimuli in the affected part of the brain, causes temporary loss of consciousness.

Physicians and neurologists have been studying the patterns of migraines, especially aura migraines, for several years. While to this day there are plenty of theories surrounding the cause of it, there are as yet no solid conclusions. Pain remedies and medications have been developed however which lessen the effects of aura migraines and allow the victims to get relief when they feel one coming on.

Five Things You Can Do to Stop Your Migraine Headache

Migraine Treatment: Step 1 - Sleep

Sleep has long been recognised as a treatment for migraine. Many people with migraine take to their bed, as it is the only way to get comfortable. Sleep will inevitably follow, and it is a common experience to waken with your head feeling a lot better - if not completely gone.

An irregular sleep pattern and sleep deprivation can trigger migraine attacks. If you are able to do so, try and improve your sleep hygiene - wind down before bedtime, have a milky drink, make sure your day is active enough that you feel tired, avoid stressful situations before going to bed and make sure that you allow sufficient time to sleep. A recent research programme showed that doing these things to improve sleep pattern could reduce migraine severity by up to 30%.

Migraine Treatment: Step 2 - Water

Dehydration is a lack of water in your body. Many people with migraine will deliberately increase the amount they drink, as they know that if they get dehydrated a migraine will certainly follow. The exact amount which is best is not known. A cup (100ml) every 1 to 2 hours during your waking day may be more than enough for most people. There is a famous case of an engineer who took great care to record his water intake and the frequency of his migraine attacks. He realised (when he did the statistical analysis!)that regular water drinking reduced his migraine frequency by about 50%!. Please note if you have kidney trouble you may not be able to be free to increase your fluid intake by this amount - check with your doctor if you are unsure). In warmer climates or during periods of hot weather the amount you drink may need to increase.

Migraine Treatment: Step 3 - Exercise

It is a commonly accepted fact that exercise causes naturally made painkillers (called endorphins) to be released into your brain. Regular exercise will contribute to a sense of well being. When you feel fit, headaches are less likely to occur. A problem is that migraine people can sometimes cause headaches by exercising too much, especially if tired or dehydrated or if exercising in bright sunlight. I'd suggest starting with gentle exercise such as walking half to one mile a 3 times each week, then builiding this up until you enjoy walking 2 or 3 miles at a time. Walk interesting routes, go with a friend, anyhting to make you stick to the routine. You do not have to train to run a marathon! Regular exercise, like walking, I'm sure, is a big help. There are studies of gym-based activities such as rowing, cycling or stepping. In one study doing these activities for up to one hour 3 times a week did reduce migraine frequency by between 30 and 50%. However, another more recent study using exercvise cycles did not show such a strong response. Exercise should, however, be p[art of your migraine reduction programme.

Migraine Treatment: Step 4- Diet & Weight Management

There is no end to the amount of information written about diets. A lot of people talk about triggers such as coffee or chocolate. If you find that a specific food always produces a migraine, then it makes sense to avoid it. However, if you analyse a trigger food, you may find that when you ate the chocolate you were a bit underslept, had missed your lunch, were under a bit of stress or it was a warm day when you hadn't had much to drink. No wonder when you took that mid-afternoon snack of chocolate you ended up with a migraine! My advice is this - eat regularly, try to avoid missing meals. When you eat - enjoy it! Better to enjoy your food and relax than get stressed over what is supposed to be one of life's simple pleasures.

It is now known that being overweight is strongly associated with recurrent severe migraine headache. If you do happen to be overweight, reducing your weight through a planned calorie restriction and exercise programme can reduce the amount of headache you have. People with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 are up to 6 times less likely to have severe migraines, than those who are severely overweight or obese.

Migraine Treatment: Step 5 - Stress avoidance and Biofeedback

This is hard. You are a young mother, holding down a job, your partner works long hours, you have deadlines, need to keep the house running, children or parents to sort out etc etc etc. This sort of common stress can take its toll. More major stress will also provoke headaches. Learning to deal with stress is difficult. However, I often find that people who get stressed are usually very bad at looking after themselves - when did you last take a few hours off just for yourself? Stress avoidance is helpful. Biofeedback is a technique that allows you to feel more in control of your pain. If you can learn this, it is said to be very effective at reducing the frequency of migraine headaches. Stress management can reduce migraine frequency by up to 50%.

So that's it - 5 things you can do to treat your own migraine - this is exactly what I try to tell my patients. Note that a lot of this is within your own control - sleep, exercise, water intake, diet, stress avoidance. It is a powerful thing to feel in control. Medicines will help, but unless you look after yourself, medicines are not the whole answer.

Please note, this information assumes that your diagnosis is correct, and this article is not a substitute for proper medical care. If you are not sure of your diagnosis or have symptoms that concern you, you are advised to speak to your doctor.

Migraines Without Headaches, the Silent Migraines

Migraines are often though as always accompanied by head splitting pain. But there are migraines without headaches, also called as silent migraines. This is a common migraine type although it is not very popular. It is often triggered by stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, among plenty of others. It is also known as the migraine aura but without headache.

Interestingly, silent migraine usually takes place later in life. Men are also more prone to experience it than women. Migraine aura pertains to other symptoms that go along with migraine, usually referring to visual problems due to migraines. These include seeing zig zag lines, flashing lights, dizziness and vertigo. There are actually a lot of possible symptoms that can hit a person such as slurred speech, numbness, acute pain in different parts of the body like in the face or on the skin. Normally, these are more acute than in other types of migraine.

Since silent migraine is not accompanied by headaches, it can be very hard to diagnose. Often times, it is misdiagnosed. This is aggravated by the misconception that migraines only occur with headaches. There are times that instead of silent headache, hypoglycemia, inner ear disorders fibromyalgia and other conditions are diagnosed instead of silent migraine. However, the problem with migraines without headaches is that to be able to actually diagnose it, other conditions and disorders have to be ruled out. Symptoms are also not that particularly helpful. For example, having something wrong with the vision can also be because of some eye conditions. But the important thing is that the possibility of a condition being a silent migraine should always be kept.

But there are things that can be done to be able to diagnose migraine without headache correctly. One is to have a through and accurate family history medical records for a doctor to refer to. It has to be remembered that migraine is a disease that can be passed on from one member of a family to the next one. Cases of migraines in relatives and other similar looking cases can lead to diagnosis of silent migraine. Without an accurate and thorough family history, a doctor may not suspect that silent migraine may possibly be the culprit. Another thing to do is to observe the symptoms and other things related to the condition. It is best if to be able to describe the situation and symptoms to the doctor. Even the seemingly mundane and small things like irritability and euphoria, yawning, stiff neck can be things that should be included in the session with a specialist such as a doctor. It is best to write these things down in a daily diary of sorts.

Silent migraine, despite the absence of the headache, is a migraine. Its treatment procedures are just like the ones for other forms of migraines. These procedures can include medication such as aspirin or the common over the counter medicines such as Advil or Tylenol. These medications are fast acting and provide immediate relief. These medications can also be consulted with doctors and hopefully lessen the effects of silent migraine.

Poems - 1990-1994

1

I do not question the sun

adding wings to wounded giants

or depressing them to crouch down

the memories lanes or erect

new walls with odours of hate

and love cagily crumping

the shade between earth and sky

I do not question the moon

skirting the cherished wishes

on dreamy edges of winter

unforcing climax with sticky

fingers splintering sensations

or skittish little riddles

frosting the heart at fifty

I love light without ashes

of wood or fuming desires

in the morass of frustration

I sing psalms people understand

through lines on palms or relics

of private rains lunch

I live time shaking sun and moon

2

I don't fear death

nor do I worry about

life-after-death

but I fear I know

what life has been and could be

without fortuity

of birth and continuance

of our failure to

undo what we do ourselves.

3

We do not know the weeds

that grow in bed with flowers

staring like weary cops

unmindful of birds at dusk

the more they know legends

the worse it becomes to live:

let's clean the sky of tales

of covenants and prophets

and be at peace with earth's

bushes and weeds and flowers

4

Moon-bleached ashes of ages

riot in the night

there is no smoke

my diffidence rises as snake

in dream meanders

the dragon's tail

my teeth nibble at the garbage

near the mango tree

I stand like the tin

on rusted roots morning

flares up will to live

beyond breedy space

5

Strayed far from the nest

I'm fedup living with dust

for years fleeting shade

bereft

of melody

of spirit I sink to

the hades of utter loss

I can't

recon hidden mysteries

I have lost the sea

for a mere cupful

void of patience and

peace now as I touch the breasts

of the field I crave

for a pure breath

native to

my being I search

sweet savours

of love

6

I seek the roots that shape

my desperate cries, my bones

that ache in bed I image

the snakes in forgotten heritage

I weave delight with Baha'i mind

and prayers in English before Kali

standing alone with psalms

or Tablet of Ahmad, perhaps

I cross-breed in soul

but, who hears or sees

the ancient hands that signed

the first poems for man?

I sound strange, and strange I am

rooting about among vehicles

for my antimony with names

7

The rain-soothed walls of Shivalay

shine in sun like the gravelled path

now slick with wet mud and cow-dung

obscure footmarks of Monday-worshippers:

I forget the sutras today and feel

the damp incense inside like I did

standing in the empty sentry-box

compromising with the rusted letterbox

not opened for years at the left turn

the mime of hope and worship and slow effacement

of illegible signatures on deity's back

don't help me flesh my verses or mitigate

pounding rains, rituals and repetitions

8

It's too much to live

amid the lies made to keep

the wheel moving:

now knee deep it's better

we seek shelter in the hush

of sky or the charred

ocean floor leaping

to still the cries of ghosts

that were children once

death is no wound nor

cracks inside any solace:

lies of living lock

the footprints in drifts

in wildness fossilise

word and connections

9

One may or may not justify

one's romance with lethargy:

to understand what lies beyond

rainbow or under the tree shade

one must leave much for another

day or season, or mood or dream

and leisurely sketch happiness

with dapple of light and darkness

10

It's a slow awakening

of winter like my drugged eyes

--coalfield's gift for bread

no use making up myths--

and searching for fire eastward

silent burst of orange

and mynahs in twos and threes

hopping to catch their preys

--all a drama of exile

and no thrill--I live out

my life on the edge, denounce

and metamorphose into a moon

under cloud-cover, rising

sliding ritually in bed swallow

humiliations, arrogance and ridicule

to escape whores in the street

and AC rooms while days

wheel by in their polished world

I negotiate a price for the next day's sun

11

If you see light

after the day's end

you can hope here

life is still left

glow-worms still fly

to greet the evening star

in open sky

behind the fighter planes

there's still a Cross

ready to shower love

12

Living their smallness

in a small world they have ceased

to grow and be human

life has lost meaning:

I can't be comfortable

with their bragging ego

corrupt to the core

they eat into our fabric:

I must search my own way

through empty cups and alleys

in body rain love

or plant new peonies

13

They close their eyes

or shut them with rupees

matters little

but I worry

when with sight in their hands

they free shadows

of legless men

who denude files in sun

and smell a beast

freedom to act

means freedom to harm as

silence stinks louder

than protest noises

lumped in chaos or monologue

quickened for a quid?

14

Why should I suffer

their smallness if they move in

carpeted corridors

and sit in AC rooms

to do the very things they

hate to follow themselves

with privileges

in the name of rules order

not to leave station

without prior permission:

it's virtual house arrest

for the sin of bread

I must resurrect

symbols of authority

and take off afresh

to find new haven

and set the bait to scratch fact

beyond their fiction

15

Its no use testing blood

for asthmatic wheezing

dust of alienness

has thickened on my throat

patches in the x-ray

reveal I'm still foreign

I don't expect kind words

in my own country

my heart lacerates:

I cough wordless plaints

16

The hot humid morning

like the night

constricts

breathing pipe:

clouds concentrate

but rains need time

to fall

we must wait

till the share scam

is smoked out

and resources

restored

17

I seek you

in the grammar of silence

I seek you

in the accent of love

stretch your living hand once

I'll kiss death out of flesh

18

Moonlight lingers

on mango like the fruit

sweet yellow sun

in my courtyard

cool shade travels with thin cloud

I see love dance

in the sky silk

silence measures new cup

brimful of joy

19

When the sun is erotic

and the moon lyric

the winds turn tempestuous

in the orbit of love

legs slide by calls of pleasure

for life to continue

20

Time floated in our echoes

and love carved our destiny

day in and day out together

we've sailed to cross continents

of body fate and psyche

sleeping in the same bed, but

isn't it disappointing we

haven't seen the same dreams together?

21

The hospitality

of a brief transcendence

you lead me to

while at the top

I feel the imperious sway

is a memory:

I must wander into

your body's forays

before I drift down

into the slums of sleep

22

Anxious about the next morning's

soothing sun, security and peace

when I fail to sleep I seek

solace in her soft moist thighs

and pray to God to bless my passion

for a moment let me forget

the cares of a crazy world

23

Rains revive memories

shattering emotions

in solitude

I stick my neck out

but the oracle is immune

the shell no longer saves

24

How soon the rain loses exuberance

leaving the walls damp and faces sullen

aches of all sorts and onset of asthma

allergies that make moments miserable

in Sawan furious changes occur

each year I wonder it's degeneration

or burial of warmth in watery smell?

25

She sees

many faults in me

points out all I shouldn't do

even hates my hugs and kisses

in bed

yet life

rolls on mocking

compromise of living:

to keep home she conceals within

the angst

26

The original place

where the olive rested once

now stinks with dried blood

a famine of love

in menopausal silence:

erection can't create

27

Ripe on the branches

mangoes fall one by one

end of the season

they pull the blind

to peel their image

in mirror it limps skyward

28

The rains

cry to meet earth

fall from sky day and night

remind love always yields to arms

open

29

Desert storm

by night

turns lusty:

close combats

canons, rockets

inflatable

tanks and dollies

mobile launchers

phallic missiles

go off

boys jog

in women's tents

ejaculate

continue sorties

commanders promise

no penalties

30

She wonders why so much passion

and heat and intensity in bed

each night why so much love-making

why such blind delight in sex

even after fifteen years

why such urgency and excitement

at forty-three and two children

to sense spring between the thighs

as if I've nothing to prove

beyond maleness or neural itch

ever hungry for love and

its fulfilment in giving

I seek her spirit through body

rise to heaven together

and forget demeaning aloneness

31

The steep ways of love

grows eyes on palm rocked in

whirling melody.

In the fragrance of her breath

blooms the bud of joy

I gather the fruits.

Flickers of peace hide

god in heart like running brook

love in nudity.

She gives me of herself

each day and night fulfils in me

God smiles in her eyes.

Love waves rise and fall

between our shores of soul

we drink each other's sea.

32

I seek new strides

in each of your moves

new dreams in your eyes and thighs

nude lyrics in lips

shape the night's sway

set my heart afire

I seek the lingering fragrance

the rhythm that frenzies the soul

the timeless joy you conceal

I seek the hues that blaze being

and shade the nest I rest in:

your chains renew freedom

each time I look at you

I see natural woman

the fount of poetry

33

Exploring the self

lost in the mind and the world

to know the unknown

sex is a search for

joys of making in poetry

bliss in creation

performing on tip

of grass the dance of Shiva

finale of love

34

We had a pact

we'd drink together

after the children retire:

the night dawned we couldn't

sit to make moments

memorable and condemned

love to argument

over nothing

35

While we were talking about

love, marriage and migraine

she kept fiddling with

her reticule--opening

putting her pen in and out

and shutting again

36

Standing at the edge

I long to float with waves and

wave with instant wind:

on the dreamwater's breast

I read tomorrow's wonder:

the secret waking

37

The leaves

fall and rust with

ashes heaped up by wind

in the lawn rises the pale earth

for breath

I hear trees

ticking and

April heat pass

leaf by leaf

38

(i)

Time stands still

in November chill

I fill emptiness

with words paint seasons

on your face

(ii)

In my impatience

I werdle or opup more

they take their own time

here waiting is more aweful

than meeting and going

(iii)

I thought I'd exchange

my anxieties for a bit

of peace but thinking

was easier than happening:

I couldn't even sleep

39

In the art of living

let's not look for perfection

but give wildness a chance

for the garden to be:

colours of error reflect

depths of desire that seed

the thought before action

40

Is it the love of ritual

or the ritual waste:

every year they steal light

to illumine puja pandals

and blare non-stop nasty songs

the whole night disturb peace

show power at its lowest

but the goddess keeps mum

perhaps self-loathingly

sleeps for demons to write histories

not fit for the light of the day

or for me. Self-pity

is no wisdom when I yield

to pressure and visit

places I hate

I'm sorry my goddess and I

stare in two directions:

who cares for the burning

in my heart now

night frustrates like day

with the ashes of insight

I create verses

and learn to rest restlessly

coughing, sitting or

sniffing her crotch like a dog

but nothing ceases

in the air only wounded

senses and high decibel

noise nobody feels

I touch her and yet

she doesn't respond to my need

41

They are not so much

schemers as blunderers

blinded by politics

of convenience

religiously guard

against encroachment

on their privileges

as leaders create

a new elitism

a new tyranny

of mid-term poll when

prostatectomy

at sixty frightens

them to favour anyone

as in sex giving away

balancing oppositions

despite impulses

for equality

they are trapped by gains

from oneness with top

no use prying secrets

or imprecating

them sotto voce

in public houses

money buys the girls displayed

inside or vicarious

pleasures outside bouncers

panders and husky men

gyrate when they retreat

with straight pecker

they mar the future

and bury the nation

42

So much is lost

between the day break

and rise of the evening star

and not a soul screams

in this zoo man

is worse in wild nakedness

43

Dusty colonies

recount in grammar of cough

new tales of hazards

near opencast pits

they move with graves on shoulders

mark my white shirt black

44

I am pocked with grief I think

I have buried all my angst in

the halfdry halfwet midden

in my backyard for mice and moles

to frisk and buzz and doze when down

in the mouth someone throws

empty cans to rip off moments

of freedom I think about smell

of ripe decay and discards

by wall mottled with pee

as they unscrew betrayal and

smile ingratitude my son shows

the smuts on my trousers and

says I must keep the distance

to feel safe among devils

45

In the chilly deep of this winter

the shifting clouds wave hands

will the day keep all the promises of the dawn?

I see milky blood dripping down their nails

there is nothing save the spirals of smoke

midst the swelling dreams rocked by waltzing sun

my thirst for sleep and rest is reduced

to orgiastic pain melting down

into the sea of barren academics

I search the red tears shed on the Cross

and face a mirage of abject helplessness

as truth carved out of myths between dream and day

46

How long shall I seek freedom in the myths we unmake

licking hairy darkness or feeling sweetness of hips

through untamable wildness of the heart chase images

that abide circles of paroxysm ascending from

the mist and raw voices starting spume in the faces

as each star twinkles uncertainty crossing the moon

what is left to slice out of the passage through red light

except old sorrows ready to leap to the bone?

now there's nothing to hold on to against lies that shade

bondage of nearness and the horizon I couldn't touch

47

I'm not all in mind

body and soul but broken

I look beyond to find

the fire that rages and makes

the whole in me burning:

I seek the ancient hands

that shape eternity

in new forms and renew

the ever alive in me

48

We would be better beings

if we could understand

the worst in us

not to evade

or hide ourselves

from others' gaze

but to remake

words to probe reality

get close to others and know

roots don't grow in cosmetic

void or cries in melody

they need nursing

clear contact like

child and mother

communing reason

and vision like

dream and action

49

Is it the fear

of dying penting up, don't know

I can't resist

restlessness of moth

at light is me:

stains of non-being

I can't relocate

despite dreams and

life dragging on

with quaint wings of

fleshless flies and strange echoes

wincing and cringing

day and night haunt

conceal shy tears

survive surprises

50

Coal grows golden

each moment in quiet corners

raw wind singes.

Truant from spirit

in coal culture hollow mind

I turn dying ember.

Is there a release

from unliving life day by day

breathing heartless air?

Sounds turn fainter each day

with graying geometry of hope

I stand a rusted sign.

There's something that sustains

us all in a world so perverse

it could be even worse.

I've passes one more year

not knowing the song next year

goodbye is too real.

Intractable Migraines - The Symptoms of the Intractable Migraine Headache

Intractable migraine is a migraine type that has some of the common signs of simple headache in addition of vertigo. Changes in the inner ear are the main factor for this vertigo. It is responsible for your body balance. When this vertigo happens the stand or walk ability is changed.

Simple migraine type is a headache which occurs on of one side of our heads, and it is painful. Aura and visual disturbances may be occurred before this painful headache phase in this simple migraine and many other migraine forms such as intractable and ocular migraine ( it is also named as a vestibular, ocular, painless, eye, visual and silent migraine ).

When intractable migraine sufferers feel its symptoms that the pain ( headache ) is accompanied with this imbalance feeling. It can cause nauseas and vomiting. Intractable migraine patients can not perform any tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery.

Intractable migraine with vertigo is assumed to be caused by genetic factors. There is no change in the brain evident on MRI test ( magnetic resonance imaging test ) that leas a doctor to believe the reasons nature is physical. Many physicians notice hyper excitability in the stem area of the brain. This hyper excitability may cause dizziness.

Many sufferers may be misdiagnosed because they have common vertigo as the headache is not associated with this migraine in all time. This migraine misdiagnosis is presented in older sufferers, and females tend to be diagnosed with this migraine more often than ladies.

The main signs of this headache are seeing spots, flashes and ears ringing. Females experience this migraine more than males with ratio 3:1. intractable headache medications and treatments are no different from other medications of migraine types

The Causes Of Migraines

It is estimated that just over one billion people worldwide suffer from migraines and the condition affects the female population far more than the male population. Migraines are very detrimental in the lives of all those who suffer from them. Even with the advanced levels of medical technology today, migraines still have not been studied, diagnosed, or treated in a satisfactory manner. Moreover, people pay no heed to headaches which could easily be a migraine, often ignoring the pain and assuming that it is just a temporary headache that will eventually take care of itself.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a severe headache that is distantly related to vascular headaches which will often start on one side of the head and then spread and increase to other parts of the head.. A person suffering from a migraine will often experience nausea, vomiting and have a strong sensitivity to light and sound. It is also quite common for the

hands and feet of the victim to turn cold and sweaty. In general, the ache will rise gradually to an intense level of pain, before settling to a certain level.

The pain is caused by 'vasodilation', which is when the expansion of blood vessels and chemicals released from the nerve fibres which curl around them, combine.

The temporal artery which is located outside the skull and under the skin of the fore-head expands itself during the migraine attack. It is this expansion of the temporal artery which stresses and stretches the nerves around it, forcing them to release certain chemicals. It is these chemicals which cause the pain and inflammation and may also cause the artery to expand further, which again amplifies the pain.

Causes of Migraines

There are many factors that can cause migraine headaches and a 'migraine trigger' is the main reason which will stimulate a headache in a person who is prone to whichever trigger that may be. Most people affected by migraines are generally unable to identify the reasons for a migraine, but there are many triggers that may lead to migraines - such as excessive stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, poor quality sleep, skipping meals, flickering or bright lights, eating chocolates and caffeine consumption. There is often a time gap which can vary from a few hours to a couple of days between exposure to a trigger and the actual migraine attack.

Skipping breakfast or lunch: If you are fasting or dieting by skipping breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you are increasing your chances of getting a migraine. Fasting will cause a release of stress-related hormones and will also lower blood sugar levels.. People who suffer from migraines should avoid fasting and skipping meals.

Exposure of Eyes to Bright Light: A migraine attack can also be brought on if one exposes their eyes to a very bright light or some other high-intensity visual stimuli. Bright lights not only affect migraine patients but also affect non migraine sufferers. Direct exposure to sunlight, vehicle headlights or watching television for too long can also precipitate migraine headaches.

Caffeine Consumption: Caffeine is present in many products that we consume daily like coffee, chocolates, tea, cola, and OTC analgesics. Caffeine can actually be good for health if consumed in low quantities, but if consumed in excess, it can cause insomnia, headaches, anxiety and irritability.

Sleep: Migraine headaches can also be caused by sleep deprivation or if one is sleeping more than necessary. Poor quality of sleep, which includes waking up at short intervals throughout the night can also cause migraines. Well-planned sleeping routines have been proven to decrease the frequency of headaches. Quality sleep can also help to reduce the duration of a migraine.

Hormones in Women: With the female population, hormonal changes may also induce migraines for many women. The sufferer may experience what is known as a 'menstrual migraine' which is a headache that occurs before, during or immediately after a period.

As there is no medical cure for migraines, it is highly advised by doctors to keep away from all migraine triggers.

Migraine Facts

Migraine is a kind of ordinary and very painful headache that usually occurs on one side of the head. It often commences at teenage years or early childhood. It runs in families and has a tendency to recur.

More often than not, one side of the head experience miserable pain that last from four to 72 hours if not treated. An attack requires the sufferer to have a bed rest. The frequency of its occurrence varies; one can suffer from it once or several times in a month or in a year.

A migraine typically starts in a certain area on one side of the head, then extend and builds in severity over 1 to 2 hours and then the throbbing pain slowly diminish. Migraine headache go together with lightheadedness, sensitivity to brightness, and chills.

Migraines may occur between the ages of 10 to 40 years old. In a number of instances, the migraine attacks usually diminishes or ends in later adult life, or when one is over 50 years old.

Hereditary links is often associated with migraine. Occurrence of the illness may happen among members of the family. Probably generic factors can be involved why a person is prone to being afflicted with it. Sufferers may acquire the sensitivity to cause what brings about inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves near the brain, resulting to pain. Nonetheless, migraine is not considered as a hereditary condition.

Aretaeus of Cappodocia (2nd century AD) is known as the "discoverer" of migraine because of his definitive descriptions of the illness. It was during this era that a number of causes of migraine were noted. Celsus

(215-300 AD) accurately picture what is now acknowledged as among the common migraine triggers: wine in take, acid indigestion, cold, or glaring brightness from fire or sun.

In the ancient times, most migraine sufferers are male as medical

documentations disclosed. Only a few narratives of the disorder in women can be established. Findings of an accepted study done just throughout the last century illustrated the dominance of the disease in women.

More women suffer from migraine. They comprise 75% of the migraine cases. In every 4 women 1 is suffering from it, while 1 of 12 men can go through it at some times in their life.

There are two classifications of migraines as to the symptoms they

produce these are:

Ø Migraine with aura/Classic Migraine (with warning signs), and

Ø Migraine without aura Common Migraine (no warning signs).

Migraine with aura is characterized by an unusual sensation (aura) that is in occurrence 10 to 30 minutes prior to the head pain. The warning sign may include: queasiness, nausea, enlarge blind spots, blinking or zigzagging light, strange sounds or smell and parasthesia (lack of sensation) in victim's face, tongue and extremities, verbal communication defects. The symptoms are the same as that of the common migraine except that the onset of throbbing is more abrupt.

Migraine without aura is the most prevalent type and may take place only in one area of the head. It progressively builds up to full excruciating intensity and is aggravated by continuous motion, light or noise. Nausea and vomiting are among the indication of the attack.

Migraine attacks have two phases: Preheadache phase and Actual headache phase. During the preheadache stage, the limitation of the arteries to supply blood to the brain leads to neurological disorder, while the actual headache phase, the arteries that transport the blood to the scalp are widened and the swollen blood vessels inflamed excruciatingly by the released of a number of body chemicals.

The exact reason for having migraine is not clear and yet to be discovered. One presumption is that blood vessels in areas of the brain go into become narrower which may be the explanation for the aura. The blood vessels may then expand afterwards, which may account for the headache. The blood vessels then little by little become normal again. It is now considered that several chemicals in the brain increase its activity to add up to any blood vessel action. There are apparent reasons why those who are afflicted with migraine undergo such changes.

The headache is oftentimes so intense that it impedes with regular routinely daily activity and may keep the person awake. The attack is weakening and migraine sufferers are usually left feeling crippled and exhausted after the head pain has passed.

Factors that triggers the condition are as follows:

· Some type of beverages, foodstuff, and food additives (e.g., red wine, alcohol, citrus fruits, chicken liver, nitrates, monosodium glutamate)

· Environment (e.g., weather, altitude, time zone changes)

· Sensory stilulation (e.g., bright light, hearing sounds, fragrances)

· Female hormonal

· Hunger

· Not enough hours of sleep

· Medical prescriptions

· Stress (e.g., anger, distress, overexertion, shock)

Silent Migraine - What Is the Silent Type of Migraines?

One eye vision loss can be a very frightening thing. The fear and powerlessness you feel may very dangerous and traumatic depending on what you are doing at the time. This is caused by what are called silent migraine. The temporary vision loss may be accompanied by a pain (headache).

Silent migraine happens when there is a sudden blood vessels tightening which causes problems with the eye blood flow. This migraine type is usually painless and harmless. It doesn't cause permanent brain or eye damage.

The silent migraine which most people suffer from come with warning signs set called migraine auras. These will distort the both eyes' vision and come with other symptoms such as headache, shimmering spots, blind spots and flashes of light.

Eye migraines are a trigger of the neurological system. Something like medications, chemicals in food, lights or hormonal changes may cause the body to react. During this migraine, things happen, which affect the flow of the blood to the brain vision area. This often when the silent migraine take place. If you are doing something, which might create issues with the eyesight loss, then stop. If you are driving, pull over the road side until your vision returns.

Even though eye migraine is harmless, sometimes a visit to your physician may give you some tips on how to prevent and treat this migraine in the first place, however, sometimes this type isn't easily treated because of the processes that trigger this migraine aren't understood. The vision loss that comes with eye migraine isn't related to the eyes directly.

Instead, the signs affecting your eye occur due to the pressure of the migraine in the brain visual cortex which located in the skull back. Still, consulting the doctor whenever you have vision problems is important as you can deal with another visual condition unrelated to a silent migraine.

While eye migraine isn't as serious as some migraine forms, they may still be a frightening experience.

Migraines Triggered by Wheat?

Several case studies have linked food intolerance and migraine; this article is one in a series which takes a closer look at some of the foods less commonly suspected when a food sensitivity is thought to be at the root of a migraine problem.

Most people think first of red wine, chocolate and cheese as the most common foods that will cause a migraine. However as long ago as 1979 the prestigious Lancet published a study on migraine and food intolerances citing wheat as the most common reactive food(1).

In fact wheat has recently been linked to a flurry of other health problems ranging from fatigue to bloating.

Wheat is a major allergen, and about 78% of people with migraines linked to food intolerance are sensitive to wheat as the main trigger(1). This may be unrecognized for a long time, because wheat is so prevalent in foods, that cutting it out completely is extremely difficult and involves detailed scrutiny of labels for unsuspected sources. Consult your health professional for detailed advice, failure to do so may otherwise expose yourself to considerable suffering, by unwittingly still consuming wheat-containing food or drinks.

Some maintain that claiming allergy to wheat is an affectation, citing the desire to follow celebrities such as Rachel Weisz who has been public about her wheat intolerance. Many others, however, simply point to the incredible obstacles that face those who would cut wheat and gluten out of their diet, and ask what person would struggle to surmount them if there was no real benefit.

Many migraine sufferers are actually believed to also be victims of celiac disease, a severe wheat and gluten intolerance which can cause major gastrointestinal problems and fatigue in addition to migraines. One of the most frustrating aspects to migraines is the inability to stop them once they gain control, so any form of prevention is always welcome.

In a study done at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, researchers discovered a marked improvement in migraines among celiac patients when placed on a gluten free diet, leading some to speculate that a large percentage of migraine patients do in fact have celiac disease(2).

Other links between wheat intolerance and migraines have been studied, and in at least one case, nine out of ten patients experienced relief from headaches; whilst the tenth refused to eliminate gluten from their diet(3).

Many people choose to go vegan to improve their diet and remove foods they are intolerant to. While a significant number of them cease having headaches shortly after beginning a vegan lifestyle, others have a sharp increase in the number and severity of headaches.

The Coeliac society has several forums and many reports of first hand experiences of vegans who discovered they had celiac disease causing various health problems, as many vegans depend on wheat/soy products to replace the protein they would normally gain from meat and dairy. For some it turned out that the large amount of wheat they were eating to replace proteins and carbohydrates they were missing out on by avoiding dairy and meat had triggered gluten intolerance. With the the large amounts of gluten eliminated from the diet, the migraines ceased(4).

Based on this information, it appears more than likely that wheat and gluten are responsible for triggering a migraine, subsequently, a trial abstinence period would be an effective way to prove this. (5).

Sources:

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

(2) Am J Gastroenterol. 2003 Jul;98(7):1674; March edition of American Journal of Gastroenterology.

(3) American Academy of Neurology (2001, February 14); Gluten In The Diet May Be The Cause Of Recurring Headaches; Science Daily.

(4) The Celiac Society, The Gluten-free Vegan

(5) Celiac Disease, A Hidden Epidemic, Peter Green, MD.

Research by Grace-Alexander

Frequent Migraine Triggers

Migraines are headaches that are caused by a decreased blood flow to the brain and increased pressure on the blood vessels. They are often preceded by an "aura," or a sense that the headache is coming on. Some people also experience visual changes prior to the headache. These headaches often are accompanied by a sense of nausea and occasionally vomiting. Most sufferers feel better lying still in a dark, quiet room. Although the exact mechanism of migraine headaches is not yet known, migraines are often triggered by particular lifestyle factors, including diet, environment (indoor and outdoor), medications, sleep habits, and hormonal changes. Try to keep a diary of your headaches compared to your lifestyle, and look for a pattern to discern your own particular triggers. Knowing what to avoid can change your pattern of attacks. The triggers listed here are the most frequent ones that migraine sufferers should pay attention to.

Food Triggers

o Chocolate

o Citrus fruits

o Tomatoes

o Preserved meats

o Dairy products

o Nuts

o Coffee

o Red wine

o Alcohol

o Sulfites

o Preservatives/flavor enhancers/MSG

o Salt

o Olive Oil

o Coconut and coconut oil (includes suntan lotions)

o Aspartame

Environmental Triggers

o Glare

o Loud or repetitive noise

o Strong odors (perfume)

o Certain weather conditions, such as dry winds or heat

o Changes in the weather

o Altitude changes

o Chemicals such as insecticides

o Air pollution

o Second hand smoke

o Fluorescent lighting

o Flickering lights (computer monitors)

Physiological Triggers

o Stress

o Exercise

o Hormonal changes

o Birth control pills

o Too much or too little sleep

o Medicines such as antihistamines, aspirin, or diuretics

o Hypoglycemia and missing meals

Say What You Mean and Do What You Say

The majority of people want to do the right thing. Even though we succumb to temptation, most people regret that they didn't honor their most prized characteristic--being true to our higher self and integrity.

Many of our behaviors are automatic and long ago established without our intentionally making the choice. We don't even realize we are not acting from our high selves. For example, a friend or business associate might ask you for some information. You might give an answer like: "No problem, I'll look that up for you and let you know." The fly in the higher self moment comes to pass when we don't get back to them.

Another example is we get a call from someone while we are on the phone talking with someone else. We say to the second party, "I am on the other line (true) I will call you back." However, we don't call them back, and the person has to call again, at which point we exclaim. "Oh I was just thinking of calling you."

Sometimes we even justify our lack of honoring our high self by saying, "I forgot." However, the issue is not that you forgot, but rather that you did not follow through on what you said you would do. Saying one thing and doing it is a wonderful opportunity to build trust. How else is another person going to know you can be trusted in other situations if you aren't trustworthy in the present situation--and a minor one at that?

Trust is important. Being trustworthy develops the inner moral fiber of one's being. It also is a quality that enables you to build an authentic relationship with another person. If the other person does not know whether they can trust what you say, how can anything of substance be built between you and the other person? Of course, there are circumstances when you won't be able to follow through on your commitments. That circumstance can be easily and readily remedied--simply tell the person immediately that you are unable to follow through. Trust will begin to build even though you have disappointed them.

In addition, we seldom hold other people accountable when they say one thing, but do something else or fail to follow through. If we accept unaccountability as 'par for the course' we are tacitly telling the other person, their behavior is acceptable. The reason for failing to hold people accountable is fear of the repercussions--they might not like us or we worry we will be considered a 'hard nose' or 'perfectionist.' However, when we lack the courage to say what we believe or worry about the repercussions of speaking up, we become enablers to unacceptable behavior.

There are consequences to saying one thing and doing another. Most importantly, it cuts into our ability to experience the truth. While we live this untruth, it limits our ability to expand our consciousness. This leads to emptiness, sadness and depression which, in turn, can affect us physically--migraine headaches, hypertension, etc. In addition, we don't develop quality relationships with people. Rather, a relationship develops on false perceptions--I don't tell you the truth and you do not tell me the truth. An inauthentic agreement ensures an inauthentic relationship.

Life and living is an inner-being expansion. Moral development is key to our health and happiness. Saying What You Mean and Doing What You Say is easy to practice. As we practice, it becomes a habit. We then find that we can rise to the occasion and bring out our higher self in all situations. We begin to notice that we are a person of our word and that we have the capacity to develop authentic, meaningful and rewarding relationships in all areas of our lives--significant other, marriage, work and friendships.

Can Exercise Cure Migraines? You Better Know This Before It's Too Late

There is a big myth surrounding migraines and exercise. According to scientific facts, exercises are known to promote regular release of endorphins. Endorphins are our body's natural pain controllers. But many people claim that they've experienced migraine attacks after physical exertion. So who's right?

The truth is quite contradictory as both groups are right. Moderate exercise reduces the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. However, strenuous exercise can be dangerous. In fact overtraining your body can cause an increase in migraines.

Even people who haven't experienced migraines can experience it. Regular exercise increases your stamina, fitness levels and boosts your immune system as it relieves stress.

On the other hand, over training can make you feel sick and dizzy. Most people believe exercise to be a headache trigger.  Exercise can be migraine trigger only if:

* You do not eat properly before exercising

* You don't consume enough water while exercising

* You over train without warming up

In order to reduce your migraine attacks, you must perform moderate exercise every day.  If you are taking martial arts classes of any kind, it is recommended that you attend these classes daily instead of attending them once a week. Certain Martial Arts like Krav Maga are designed for the Elite and are hence strenuous.

Working out every day for 30 minutes is better than working out once a week for two hours.

Make sure you eat the right foods before you begin your exercise. Do not eat anything heavy. Avoid drinking milk before exercise.  I recommend that you eat bananas before starting your exercise session.

Cloudy Eyesight - Vision Blurred in One Eye

Cloudy eyesight-Blurred vision in one eye- is this condition bothering you? It makes you wonder what can make your vision blurry in just one eye? Wearing glasses or contacts is a common solution that most people restore to. But does it offer a cure or prevention for this condition - is a long debated question.

Usually this cloudy eyesight or blurred vision in one eye can be a result of migraine headaches; herpes eye infection, ear infection, vitamin deficiency, hypertension, high blood pressure, sinus infection etc. In some cases the blurred vision can either get better or worse as the day goes on. Blurry vision or cloudy eye is also known to be transient in nature. some people may experience this condition suddenly with blurriness lasting for a few moments to few hours or even days.

When it lasts more than a few days is when we usually start to freak out. We start to wonder whether it is cancer, tumors or eye shingles or something more serious that is causing you this blurred vision. It 's not uncommon to see your ophthalmologist say "There's nothing wrong with your eyes" and prescribing some glasses or contacts. Sometimes even the CT scans and the tumor tests come negative too.

One thing what ophthalmologists might overlook is to test for ocular herpes. Ocular herpes is known to affect even the non-vision sensitive areas of an eye. However when this occurs in the center portion of an eye it makes your vision very vague and blurry. Usually the affected vision gets back to normal eventually with a possibility of some transparent scars which usually disappears eventually.

Eye strengthening exercises for this condition can be quite helpful in recovering natural vision. Simple and natural eye exercises a few minutes a day can also keep this condition from occurring often.

Facts About Migraine Ocular

Migraine Ocular, otherwise known as Ophthalmic (Eye) migraine, is a common yet maybe painless type of migraine known to man. Generally, a person may experience visual problems such as scotoma or a small blind spot, which may or may not be accompanied with a headache pain, and can be diagnosed as having an ocular migraine episode.

Other visual symptoms of migraine ocular are related to the scotoma. Some may have scintillations or flickering lights around the scotoma while others may have metamorphopsia or a zigzag line inside the blind spot. While some individuals would feel the throbbing pain on one side of their head during or at the onset of ocular migraine, others may not. However, even if the person with migraine ocular does not experience headaches, that person is not exempted from the typical reason behind migraine attacks. The inflammation in the nerves and blood vessels that surround the brain changes the blood flow which contributes to the visual symptoms of migraine ocular.

Ocular migraine attack may last some few minutes to as long as 30 minutes. Even though the visual images that a person sees during migraine attack can be quite alarming, there is no permanent damage to the eye. However, frequency of visual symptoms as well as severity must be consulted to health professionals and specialists for proper check up, diagnosis and medications as necessary. It is possible that the person may have other conditions that may require treatments not associated with migraines. It is suggested that the person should seek medical help as soon as migraine ocular symptoms are experienced.

Since visual acuity is compromised during migraine ocular, the potential hazard increases. This may even reach dangerous levels such as when the person is driving or just crossing a busy intersection. Whenever episodes of ocular migraine pose threat to safety, it is always best to stop whatever task it is on hand and let the migraine take its course. Take medications only when necessary and as much as possible, do not self-medicate.

The cause of migraine ocular is still unknown, despite medical and technological advancement. However, studies and researches have shown that people can manage their migraines. This begins by determining what are their specific trigger marks and how can they be avoided.

As with most of the other types of migraines, ocular migraine is triggered by stress, fatigue, bad vices such as alcohol and cigarettes, some foods, caffeine and other contributors. When a person knows his (or her) definite trigger marks, it will equip him (or her) to deal better with migraines. To know which factors affect migraines, it is handy to keep a logbook, or any other form of journal, and record migraine ocular episodes as they come and what happened prior to the attack.

One way to minimize recurrence of migraine ocular is to do eye exercises, especially for those who perform close-up work for long periods of time such as working in front of a computer or from watching televisions. Roll the eyes, look up and down, and then from side to side to stretch eye muscles. It will also help to shift the vision to something green or other cooler shades or hue at regular intervals to relax the eyes.

Heads Up! The Way You Are Sleeping May Be Killing You!

Every one of us has a mysterious double life.

For about two thirds of the time we are conscious beings, thinking about the world within and without, and negotiating our ways through the obstacles of life. For the other one third of the time we are nearly lifeless lumps of flesh, unconscious to everything but our own fantasies, as we lie flat in bed asleep. We all know that sleep is important for health. But for an activity that consumes about 8 hours of everyday of life, surprisingly little is thought about the act of sleeping, or the way our culture teaches us to sleep. Sleep behavior, like all human activities, is defined by our culture.

Sometimes, the practices taught by our culture can impact on the way our bodies function. As medical anthropologists, we research ways our cultural practices may be affecting our health. And we have found that the way we have been trained to sleep may be one of the most important causes of various diseases plaguing our society.

Of course, when you consider the culture of sleeping, it includes such isues as the length of time to sleep, and time of day for sleep. Do you take frequent naps or do you sleep 8 hours straight? Do you sleep at night or during the day?

Other issues concern sleepwear. Do you sleep nude, or with pajamas or lingerie? Do you sleep in your underwear? Should the sheets be natural fabrics, such as cotton or silk, or is polyester okay? What about the detergent and fabric softeners used in the sheets, pillow case, and pj's?

Should you eat before you sleep? What is the impact of watching television before sleep? Should you take sleeping pills to help you sleep?

These are some of the culturally defined issues that help determine how we sleep, all of which may have some potential impact on health. However, there is one cultural issue that tops the list of importance, and which may greatly determine your health status. It has to do with your sleep position. Are you sleeping on a firm, flat bed, face down, with your nose and eye compressed against the bed and pillow? Or are you on your back with your head slightly elevated, as is the case for many native cultures that use hammocks or other non-flat surfaces for sleep?

The reason we ask this last question is because the circulation to the head and brain is completely related to your body position when sleeping.

We all have had a time of experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness when getting out of bed too quickly. This effect is called orthostatic hypotension, and results from the fact that blood pressure falls when you lie down, and sudden raising of the head may temporarily deprive the brain of sufficient blood pressure, resulting in the dizziness or lightheadedness. The blood pressure soon rises, increasing the blood supply to the brain, as you feel normal again.

This phenomenon shows that the body's position, relative to gravity, influences head and brain circulation. You can also demonstrate this by doing a head stand, which many yoga practitioners do daily. Intracranial pressure rises dramatically, as blood rushes to the head, which becomes beet red, and the neck veins swell out, as blood pools in the venous system.

But apart from these examples, very little, if anything, is mentioned in medical physiology textbooks about gravity and its impact on circulation. Yet, you cannot fully understand brain circulation without considering gravity.

The effect of gravity on brain circulation is purely mechanical, and relates to the position of the head relative to the pumping heart. When we are standing up, the head is above the heart, so blood must pump against the force of gravity -- from the heart to the brain -- lowering the effective pressure with which the arterial blood is delivered to the brain. Meanwhile, drainage of blood from the brain to the heart is facilitated by the pull of gravity.

In contrast, when we lie down and are horizontal, the heart and head are now on the same plane. This eliminates the effects of gravity on brain circulation. Blood from the heart pumps powerfully into the head without gravity's resistance, increasing intracranial pressure. And blood returning from the brain to the heart must do so without gravity's assistance, causing a back-up of blood in the brain.

Essentially, intracranial pressure increases, and overall brain circulation diminishes, when you are lying flat compared to standing up.

Of course, the body is intelligent and has mechanisms for controlling brain pressure under different gravity situations. When the brain gets pressurized from lying down, there are various pressure receptors in the head and neck designed to lower blood pressure, thereby preventing too much brain pressure and the possibility of blowing a blood vessel or creating a cerebral aneurysm. This is why blood pressure is lower when we are sleeping, and horizontal.

But these brain mechanisms for adjusting pressure have their limits. As we go through the day in a vertical position, gravity relentlessly pulls our body's fluids downwards, which is why many people have swollen feet and ankles by day's end. Once we lie down, the gravity effect is lost, as fluid leaves the legs and returns to the head. So despite our brains normal defense mechanisms, throughout the night intracranial pressure increases and is highest in the morning, after hours of lying flat, and lowest at the end of the day, after hours of being vertical.

What happens when intracranial pressure is high from long periods of lying flat? The increased arterial pressure causes extra cerebral spinal fluid to form in the brain's ventricles, increasing intracranial fluid pressure. The ventricles swell and the cells of the brain become bathed in excess fluid, essentially causing brain edema. This edema would lower the available oxygen and sugar for brain cells. The lack of gravity assisted drainage from the brain would cause a back-up of blood in the venous system and collecting sinuses in the brain. The brain's circulation would become relatively stagnant, as the only force moving blood through would be the pushing force of the arterial pressure (which is greatly reduced after going through the cerebral circulation) and the sucking force of the heart's right atrium. And in addition to the brain swelling under the pressure, the eyes, ears, face, sinuses, gums -- the entire head -- will become pressurized and the tissues congested with fluid!

There is one field of medicine that avidly studies this effect of gravity on physiology. That sub-specialty is Space Medicine. Astronauts in space are in a zero-gravity field, and it is known that this causes blood to shift to the head and brain, causing increased brain pressure and accompanying migraines, glaucoma, Meniere's disease, and other problems associated with a pressurized, congested brain. To study the negative effects of zero-gravity here on Earth, these space scientists have people lie down flat! However, since medicine is so wide a field, with sub-specialists learning more and more about less and less, there is little exchange of ideas between space medicine and Earth-bound medicine. Otherwise, someone would have realized that lying flat is what we do when we sleep. If it causes problems for astronauts, then couldn't it cause problems for everyone else?

We found out about this Space research while we performed our own research into sleep positions as a possible cause of migraines. We hypothesized that sleeping too flat for too long each night could lead to brain pressure and fluid accumulation (edema) within the brain tissue, with associated hypoxia and hypoglycemia. The brain cannot function well without proper amounts of oxygen or sugar, and this condition would be at its worst in the morning, which is when most migraines occur.

While migraines have been thought of as a pathological phenomenon, it is also possible that the migraine is the brain's defense mechanism to receive new blood along with sugar and oxygen. After all, the only way the brain can get what it needs is from the bloodstream, and during a migraine arteries to the head open up and send blood with force throughout the brain. Perhaps, we reasoned, the migraine is a type of emergency "brain flush", replacing old blood with new. If so, could we prevent migraines by having migraine sufferers sleep with their heads slightly elevated?

We tested our theory by having about 100 volunteer migraineurs sleep with the heads of their beds elevated, from 10-30 degrees. Head elevation, we theorized, would improve the brain circulation by providing some gravity assistance to drainage. Interestingly, we found that Space Medicine researchers discovered that brain circulation (and heart pumping) is optimal at a 30-degree head of bed elevation.

To our amazement, we found that the majority of the migraineurs in our study experienced relief by this simple sleep position change! Many had no new migraines, after being migraine sufferers for 30 or more years! The results were very fast, within a few days. And there were very interesting side effects, too. Our volunteers woke up more alert. Morning sinus congestion was significantly reduced for most people. Some reported that they no longer had certain allergies. Could we have discovered the real purpose and cause of migraines?

The implications of these findings were, frankly, astounding to us. So many diseases are related to increased brain pressure of "unknown" cause. Sleep position was never studied as the cause of this increased pressure. The implications go far beyond the prevention and treatment of migraines. Any condition that is related to brain pressure, and that is usually worse in the morning after a night of horizontal time, can be potentially related to this gravity and sleep position issue.

Keep in mind that the brain is the central nervous system controlling and modifying all bodily functions. If certain centers of the brain are congested and pressurized daily by sleeping too flat for long hours, those centers can malfunction. Depending on the way a person sleeps, the idiosyncrasies of their brain circulation, and other variables, different people might experience this brain pressure differently. For some, the respiratory centers of the hypothalamus might be particularly congested, resulting in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (which has been associated with head and body position while sleeping), sleep apnea, or even asthma. Sleep apnea has been shown to be treatable with changes in sleep position.

Strokes are clearly associated with brain pressure, and usually occur at night or in the early morning, while sleeping. This is when brain pressure is highest.

Glaucoma is clearly caused by this mechanism. It is already known that eye pressure increases when the head is down, and decreases when the head is up. It is essential to note the head position when taking eye pressure readings because of this sensitive relationship between intraocular pressure and head position. Eye pressure is also highest in the early morning. Elevating the head while sleeping should be routine for glaucoma treatment and prevention.

Baggy eyes and sinus congestion seem to be related to head pressure. Just as the brain gets extra pressure when lying down, the head and face are pressurized, too. People with these problems usually find immediate relief by sleeping elevated 10-30 degrees.

Alzheimer's disease, we believe, might be the end disease caused by chronic brain congestion and pressure from flat sleeping. The cerebral ventricles of the Alzheimer's brain are expanded, suggesting a history of ventricular pressure, and generalized lesions along the ventricles may indicate areas of brain tissue that have deteriorated from this chronic pressure. Other research has already shown Alzheimer's is associated with increased brain pressure, but the cause has been considered unknown, as is the case with almost all brain pressure problems.

It should be noted that the blood-brain barrier cannot function properly when pressurized. Excessive intracranial pressure can cause leaks in this barrier by expanding the basement membrane, allowing heavy metals, e.g., aluminum and mercury, as well as viruses and bacteria, to enter the brain that would have otherwise been excluded. This may be why heavy metals have been associated with certain brain problems, such as Alzheimer's.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also known to be associated with congestion of the "impulse center" within the brain that helps control behavior. We found several children with ADHD experience profound improvement of self control by elevating their heads while sleeping.

In addition to head position relative to gravity, we also have found side or belly sleeping can create problems. For example, we found several cases of carpel tunnel syndrome related to sleeping on the hands or wrists, and shoulder pain from sleeping on the side. And keep in mind that head pressure increases, and drainage diminishes, when the head is rotated to the side. Sleeping on the back avoids compression of limbs and internal organs.

It is also interesting to note that patients with asymmetrical problems will typically be worse on the side they sleep on. For example, eye pathology will be worse in the eye on the side of the face that is slept on most. Ear infections will be worse on the "down" ear. You can also tell the side a person sleeps on by observing the shape of the nose. Apart from injuries, the nose should be symmetrical, but becomes curved away from the pillow because of sleeping on the side of the face and pressing on the nose for hours each night. The nose will point away from the side that is most slept on.

Men should be told that side sleeping may result in testicular compression and possible dysfunction. And women who sleep on their sides or stomachs subject their breasts to compression and impaired circulation. Side sleepers may have more breast trouble on the side they sleep on.

We should forewarn the practitioner, however, that, while the effect of elevating the head while sleeping will be dramatic and transformative for many patients and should be considered essential to disease prevention strategies, the fact is that many people resist changing their sleep behaviors. They have been conditioned to sleep a certain way since birth. And even when they want to change their sleep position, it's difficult to ensure compliance when the subject is unconscious! It takes tremendous will power to alter sleep behavior. But it is well worth the trouble, as people usually see within a week of sleeping elevated.

We found the best methods for head elevation include using more pillows, using a foam wedge, placing blocks under the legs of the bed frame at the head of the bed, or using an adjustable bed. While the ideal position is with the head from 10-30 degrees elevated, 10 degrees elevation is fine to start with. The legs should be slightly elevated, too, and the person should try to stay on his or her back as much as possible. The ideal position is one you would be in if leaning back in a recliner chair. (Recliners would be fine to use, too, but they usually give poor lower back support.) Also, be aware that some people will find one degree of elevation more comfortable than another. People with low blood pressure may need their heads lower than those with higher blood pressure. Others may have some neck and shoulder discomfort from the new position. However, by experimenting with pillows under the arms, underneath the buttocks (which prevents sliding down the bed), and under the feet and legs, the patient should find a comfortable solution.

Also, when taking in to effect patient history, realize that neck injuries and tight neck muscles can impair venous drainage of the brain by compression of the jugular veins by the tight muscles. Neck massage and spinal adjustments may help improve overall brain circulation. We have had a few case histories where there was little or no improvement from head elevation, but the subjects had a history of neck injuries.

Of course, there will be times when people feel lightheaded and need to lie down to get more blood to the head. It might also be better for people to sleep less at night and to make up for lost sleep with a nap, or a siesta, during the day. That would avoid extremes of high and low brain pressure. But our culture makes it necessary for most people to do all their sleeping at once. Sleeping, after all, is a cultural issue. The point is to be aware of how you feel, and realize that your body position relative to gravity may be a key factor affecting health and disease.

We are continuing to research this effect of gravity and sleep position on health, and encourage practitioners to communicate their patients' experiences with us. We also highly encourage you to read our book, Get It Up! Revealing the Simple Surprising Lifestyle that Causes Migraines, Alzheimer's, Stroke, Glaucoma, Sleep Apnea, Impotence, and More! (ISCD Press, 2001), where we discuss the profound implications of this theory, including a lengthy list of references about brain pressure and various diseases and the effect of gravity on brain circulation. After you see the evidence, you will probably be as amazed as we are that sleep research has been ignoring this critical aspect of sleep.

Sleeping too flat each day may be the greatest lifestyle mistake people are making in our culture. Some of the worst diseases of our time may be all in our bed!