Posts Tagged ‘eat’

Ways to Minimize the Risk of Migraine Headaches

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

When chemicals are released into the nerve fibers and the blood vessels enlarge, it can cause migraine headaches. And when this type of headache strikes, it can render you unable to carry on with your daily activities. Not only do migraine headaches cause debilitating pain, they can also cause sensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, blurred vision, diarrhea, and cold hands and feet.

Migraine headaches can strike both young and old. But this type of headache typically affects people under the age of 40 and those with a family history of the condition. Women are also more prone to suffering from migraines because of hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and oral contraceptive use.

The things that bring on migraine headaches can vary from person to person. Some potential triggers include:

* hormone fluctuation
* stress
* poor sleep habits
* bright lights
* loud noises
* strong odors
* overexertion
* obesity
* smoking
* skipping meals
* certain foods
* dehydration
* low blood sugar
* alcohol consumption (particularly red wine)

Migraine headaches are unpredictable, so there is no guarantee that you won’t suffer from them. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

Identify and Avoid Triggers

Use a journal or diary to write down the things that happen before the onset of your migraines. This will help you identify the things that trigger these headaches. Do the headaches happen after a glass of wine, or after you forget to eat breakfast? Once you identify the primary triggers, you can avoid them in the future.

Get Plenty of Sleep

When you don’t get enough sleep, you become more prone to migraine headaches. So aim to get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night (children require more rest). But don’t snooze too long as too much sleep can also trigger migraine headaches.

Eat Right and Exercise

Exercising and eating right improves your body’s ability to manage day-to-day stress. Your diet should include plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Also, drink plenty of water to keep the body properly hydrated.

Aim to get at least one-hour of moderate physical activity each day. Your workout routine can include a combination of walking, jogging, biking, yoga, Pilates, swimming, and aerobics.

Avoid Certain Foods

Foods that contain aspartame, nitrates, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and tyramine can contribute to migraine headaches. Some examples of these types of foods include:

* aged cheeses
* hot dogs
* lunch meats
* spices
* soy products
* low calorie sweeteners
* fava beans
* hard sausages

Over the counter pain relievers can be used to manage mild migraines, but more severe pain may require the use of prescription abortive medications and pain relievers. Your doctor will determine if these types of medications are appropriate for your situation.

Although rare, severe headaches can be caused by serious health conditions such as aneurism, meningitis, and tumors in the brain. So if your migraines are persistent, or accompanied by speech or vision difficulties, see a doctor immediately.

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Changes That Can Help My Migraines

Friday, January 29th, 2010

What lifestyle changes can help my migraines?

Making a few minor changes in your lifestyle can make your migraines more bearable. Improving sleep habits is important for everyone, and especially those with headaches. What you eat also has a huge impact on migraines, so dietary changes can be extremely beneficial, too.

Avoiding Food Triggers

Eating A Healthy Diet – One study indicated that a low in fat/ high complex carbohydrate diet may significantly reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine headaches.

Eating Regularly – Eating regularly is important to prevent low blood sugar. People with migraines who fast periodically for religious reasons might consider taking preventive medications.

Consuming Fish Oil – Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory and nerve protecting actions. These fatty acids can be found in oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, or sardines. They can also be obtained in supplements of specific omega-3 compounds (DHA-EPA).

Drinking Plenty Of Water. – Even if you don’t feel thirsty, you can still be dehydrated. Dehydration is thought to play a role in over 50% of all migraines. Drinking an 8 ounces glass of water every hour or so, can really help with migraine frequency and intensity.

Aerobic Exercise – Exercise relieves stress. Low impact, moderate exercise has been shown to help prevent migraines. Walking, hiking, treadmill or elliptical machines are good choices. Remember to warms up and not do anything to suddenly or vigorously..

Behavioral Treatments – Many neurologists who specialize in treating migraine patients recommend behavioral techniques that reduce stress and help patients to identify it. Research indicates between 35 – 50% reduction in migraine and tension-type headaches with these techniques generally including: biofeedback therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques.

Avoiding Oral Contraceptives – Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been associated with worse headaches in 18 – 50% of women and have also been linked to a higher risk for stroke in women with classic migraines (with auras). This is due to the hormonal modulation that these kinds of drugs cause.

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Treatment Options For Migraine Headaches in Women

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

There are many treatment options for migraine headaches in women. One may choose anything from natural remedies, lifestyle changes, prevention, to prescription medications. Just like no two snowflakes are the same, no two people suffer migraines in the same way. Although migraines are different in every person, researchers believe that women who suffer from migraines are hypersensitive to migraine triggers. By knowing what triggers a migraine, doctors can use the avoidance of known triggers as treatment options for migraine headaches in women.

Migraine triggers are defined as any factor regularly associated with the onset of a migraine. As you read through these examples try and see if you can pick out a few triggers that you think may have been responsible for one or more of your migraines. Try to think of the meal you ate or what you were doing. Was it a bright sunny day, a cloudy day, did you work longer that day, go shopping? Try writing down in a journal details about your day and see if you find anything from this list in your journal.

Drug/ Chemical Triggers

* Anti-asthma medication
* Histamines
* Diuretics
* Nitroglycerin
* Reserpine
* Hydralazine

Physical Migraine Triggers

* Head Trauma
* Not Eating at regular times
* Intense physical play or work
* Irregular sleep patterns
* Sleeping too much or too little
* Fatigue

Food Triggers

* Alcohol
* Meats with sodium nitrates (hot dogs, deli meats)
* Dairy Products
* Aspartame
* Chocolate
* Caffeine (including those beverages like coffee, tea, soda)
* MSG (monosodium glutamate) an additive found in some processed meats, soups and salad dressings. MSG can also be called for in some recipes, especially in Asian foods
* Citrus foods

Hormonal Triggers

* Pre menstruation and Menstruation
* Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
* Hormone Supplements

Environmental Migraine Triggers

* Bright Sunlight
* Certain Patterns (stripes, zigzags etc)
* Motion or travel (car travel, boats)
* Flashing or flickering lights (fluorescent lights going out)
* Second hand smoke
* Strong odors
* Air pollution

Psychological Migraine Triggers

* Stress
* Anxiety
* Worry
* Depression

As I stated before, no one person will get a migraine from every one of these triggers but there can be one or more that set off a migraine when you come in contact with them. Treatment options for migraine headaches in women involve many strategies; managing triggers are just one aspect. Staying away from any triggers that you know cause a migraine in you can result in the prevention of a migraine altogether. You are in charge of your health care; make sure you cover every option.

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