Migraine Headaches: 12 Warning Signs and 6 Symptoms of Migraines

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warning signs of an approaching migraine headache

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

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

Auras that affect your vision can include:

1. flashes of light

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

3. shiny spots or stars

4. zigzag pattern

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

5.numbness

6. tingling

7. problems with speech

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

These warning signs can include:

8. irritability

9. depression

10. increased energy

11. unusual thirst

12. sweet cravings

Symptoms of a Migraine Headache

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

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

1. intense stabbing pain

2. nausea with or without vomiting

3. sensitivity to light

4. sensitivity to sound

5. sensitivity to certain odors

6. sudden onset of pain

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

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

You Can Now Naturally Stop Migraine Pain

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

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

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

1. The sufferers had a reduced number of headaches.

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

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

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

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

Headaches and Depression

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

What causes depression?

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

How do I know if I am depressed?

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

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

If I am depressed, what are my options?

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

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

Comments: 7 Things You Should Know About Optical Migraines

Migraines - How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help With Headaches

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

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

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

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

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

How Does a Migraine Start?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can Migraines Be Helped by Taking Vitamins?

The Best Migraine Vitamins and Minerals

Magnesium

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

Riboflavin

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

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

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

Vitamin C

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

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

Eye Migraine - How to Treat Silent Migraine

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

1- Aromatherapy

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

2- Improve the food to be healthier

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

3- Get rid of the bad habits

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

4- Rest

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

5- Eye compress

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

6- Enjoy meditation

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

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

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

SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO

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

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

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

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

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

HOW TO TREAT MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO

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

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

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEXT STEP: MIGRAINE-ASSOCIATED VERTIGO PROPHYLAXIS

CSD Blockers: Anticonvulsants

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

Neurochemical modulators: antidepressants

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

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

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

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

Is There a Right Migraine Diet?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is MSG?

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

How does MSG work?

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

How does MSG affect migraines?

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

What can I do?

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

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

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

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

Migraine Headache Symptoms and Causes - What Are They?

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

• Artery Constriction

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

• Symptoms Can Vary

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

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

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

Women vs. Men

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

More Symptoms

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

• the feeling of nausea,

• vomiting,

• diarrhea

• very cold hands and feet.

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

Be Cautious

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

• Light and Sound Sensitivity

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

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

• Triggers to Watch For

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

* Keep a Diary

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

What Do We Mean by a Migraine Headache?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Midlife, Perimenopause, and Menopause

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

Perimenopause

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

Treating Hormone-Related Migraines

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

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Migraines

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

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

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

What You Should Know about Aspartame and Migraines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the painless migraine symptoms?

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

The painless migraine phases

Pre headache

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

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

1- Food cravings

2- Fatigue

3- Depression

4- Constipation

5- Irritability

6- Diarrhea

7- Neck muscle stiffness

The aura

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

The migraine aura has other symptoms, including:

1- Dizziness

2- Difficult in finding words which you want

3- Hearing ability decrease

4- Confusion in thinking

5- Partial paralysis

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

7- Reduce touch and feel or increased touch and feel

8- Sight loss ( blurry or partial vision )

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

10- Numbness or tingling of your face

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

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

Migraines and Chocolate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is Ocular Migraine?

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

Symptoms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Test for Ocular Migraine

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

Migraine Aura: Is a Headache Coming or Something Worse?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infectious Mono Symptoms - Headaches and Migraines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Painless Migraine - Symptoms of Optical Migraine

Many people believe that migraines are excruciating pain! But migraine symptoms are far more than pain. Typical migraine has four stages (pre headache, aura, headache and post headache). Many people suffer from typical migraine but a minority has painless migraines.

If you go by the guidelines of the I-H-S (international headache society) for classification and diagnosis of migraine disorders, you will not find painless headache!. It is called optical migraine or acephalgic (without headache) migraine.

Painless migraine symptoms:

Silent headache begins with the typical phase of pre headache, progresses to the migraine aura stage after that stops short. It skips the pain stage (headache). If you have painless migraine, you have visual aura symptoms and other without-headache symptoms.

Pre headache stage

It is referred to as the prodrome. You may enter this phase  before recognizing migraine. It is a warming stage so recognizing it is very helpful. It has many symptoms such as:

1- Neck muscle stiffness

2- Irritability

3- Frequent urination

4- Food cravings

5- Fatigue

6- Depression

7- Diarrhea

8- Constipation

Aura stage

It is lasting less than an hour. It is a visual disturbance such as: flashing lights, spots in front of eyes and zigzag lines.

Aura's phase has many symptoms such as

• 
  Visual hallucination ( zigzag lines, spots, wavy lines or flashing bright lights )


• 
  Numbness or tingling of your face


• 
  Blurry or partial vision - sight loss


• 
  Partial paralysis


• 
  Olfactory hallucinations ( you may smell odors which aren't there )


• 
  Reduced touch and feel or increased touch and feel


• 
  Dizziness


• 
  Hearing ability decreasing


• 
  Confusion in thinking


• 
  Auditory hallucinations.

If you have painless migraine, your symptoms stops here.