Answers to "What Is a Migraine"?

By John Edward Fox

What is a Migraine?

There are different classes of headaches, but in my opinion the migraine headache is the most devastating headache of them all.

A migraine attack may occur at any time day or night, (although researchers have found that most migraines strike in the A.M., as opposed to later in the day.)

A migraine may develop in many different ways, in some cases lasting hours, and sometimes the migraine attack can linger for days.

There are Migraines with Auras, which may include several pre-migraine symptoms, such as numbness in the extremities, followed by aural anomalies that may include flashing or undulating lights that normally last up to one hour.

After the pre-migraine episode has concluded, the pain phase begins. This phase, which causes extreme headache pain, may last for days.

It is relatively common to experience migraines without the pre-migraine symptoms, but the headache will usually be just as painful as the Migraine with Aura attack.

What causes a Migraine

Researchers have concluded that migraines are caused by a combination of events.

It is thought that blood vessels in the head become dilated, and this dilation causes the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that encompass these blood vessels.This occurrence is the main reason for the extreme pain associated with migraine headaches.

At the same time, the Temporal Artery, which is located on the outside of the skull, just beneath the skin, also becomes enlarged, causing inflammation, which increases the migraine headache pain.

The migraine attack will often cause the Sympathetic Nervous System to come into play. The Sympathic Nervous System controls the body's respnse to stress, which is thought of as the " Fight or Flight " response. Once activated, the Sympathetic Nervous System is responsible for feelings of nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

The increased Sympathetic Nervous System activity also heightens sensitivity to light and sound, may cause impaired vision during a migraine.

This system will also slow down the release of food from the stomach into the intestine, which makes absorption of migraine medications much less effective.

The causes and cures of migraine headaches are constantly being debated by the scientific community, but with the advances in medical science, i'm quite sure a cure for this very painful, and chronic condition is in the foreseeable future. Until then, we should keep searching for information and ideas that we can use, and be proactive in treating this agonizing malady.

To Your Health,
John Fox

John Fox lives in New York, and writes articles on pain related topics.

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Question - What Is a Migraine?

By John Edward Fox

Head Pain

Migraines have plagued mankind for thousands of years. In 400 B.C., Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, described experiencing flashinglights, followed by excruciating pain throughout his head.

Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Elvis Presley, and Stephen King are only a few famous people that have suffered with this condition.

Migraine Headache

A migraine is a headache that affects different parts of the head, usually accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity,and an aversion to any type of noise.

The onset of migraine headaches usually occurs between five and fortyyears of age.Twice as many adult women suffer from migraines than adult men.

Although many of the migraine headaches in men may be related to somesort of trauma, there are still other possible causes, which include food triggers,stress, environment, and hormonal disturbances.

In many cases, migraines that affect women are hormonal in nature. A vastmajority of women will experience their first migraine headache with their first menstrual cycle. Migraines in women will often occur between two days before the menstrual cycle until two days after.

During pregnancy women tend to have much less migraine symptoms than atany other time, which leads researchers to believe that hormones are a factorin migraines in women.

Children also suffer from migraines, but the symptoms are somewhatdifferent than adult migraines. They may feel abdominal pain, nausea andvomiting, pallor, dizzyness, and confusion. There seems to be fewer instances of pre-migraine episodes, and migraine headaches usually only last one to two hours.

Migraine causes

This condition is vascular in nature, and is caused by vasodilatation ( enlargement of the blood vessels in the head ). This will cause a release of chemical compounds from the nerves that surround the major arteries of the brain. These chemical compounds will then cause inflammation, headache pain,and further enlargement of the blood vessels, which causes increasing levels of pain.

In many cases, there is a pre - migraine episode that may include blurry vision, pulsating zig zag lights, usually on the right side ( but can occur on the left side also ), and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. In some rare cases, patients have complained of flashing lights on both sides of their vision.

The severity of migraine pain differs from one individual to another, but all other symptoms are usually very similar.

The intervals between migraine attacks vary, and there's no definite way to predict when a migraine headache will occur.There is reason to believe that certain triggers can induce instances of migraines.

Treating migraines can be very problematic, because no two cases are exactly the same. Each migraine headache can have slightly different triggers, symptoms, and treatment options.

There are various medications for migraines available, but there's no evidence that any of these treatments are effective in all cases of migraines.

John Fox lives in New York, and writes articles on health related topics.

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Migraine Diet

By John Edward Fox

In America, the incidences of migraine headaches are rising every year, due to the environment, daily stress, the food we eat, and numerous other factors.

Although there is no definite cure for migraines, there are things we can do to minimize the frequency, intensity, and duration of these painful attacks.

One thing we can do is monitor what we eat, and avoid foods that might trigger a migraine headache.

Another strategy is to eat foods that could ease the symptoms of migraine.

There are many possible migraine triggers, and certain foods seem to be at the top of the list.

Foods To Avoid For Migraine Relief:

> Foods high in Tyramine or Phenylethylamine:

While everyone has differing food triggers, Tyramine and Phenylethylamine are common food triggers in migraine cases.

Processed meats, nuts, seeds, and aged cheese all contain these amino acids.Tyramine is also found in red wine, which is a known migraine trigger.

> Nitrates:

Nitrates, found in cured meats such as bacon, hot dogs, and salami, are triggers that can cause migraine headaches. Vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and radishes also have high levels of Nitrates.

> Sulphites:

Prunes, figs, Apricots, and certain grape juices are Sulphite rich, and may be migraine food triggers.

> MSG:

MSG ( monosodium glutamate ) is a flavor enhancer that is to be avoided in migraine treatment.

> Aspartame:

Also known as Nutrasweet, this artificial sweetener is believed to be a migraine trigger.

> Alcohol:

Excessive amounts of alcohol can cause migraine headaches because of the high levels of Tyramine that alcoholic beverages contain.

The Migraine Diet:

These are foods that have been shown to reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine headaches.

> Fish:

Eating fish that is high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids ( Pacific Herring, Mackerel, Albacore Tuna, Salmon ) will lower the production of Prostaglandins, chemicals that may cause inflammation in the body, which can be a major cause of migraines.

> Foods Rich In Magnesium:

Soy milk, seafood, and black beans all have high levels of magnesium, a mineral that is important for blood pressure, heart rhythm, and helps with migraine relief.

> Tryptophan:

Turkey, black-eyed peas, whole grains, and walnuts are high in Tryptophan. The amino acid Tryptophan contributes in the production of Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that reduces the frequency of migraines.

> Water:

Drinking plenty of water will flush the body of harmful toxins, and will insure that the body is well hydrated. Dehydration is thought to be a major trigger of migraine headaches. A minimum of six to eight glasses of water a day should keep the body hydrated, and will aid in migraine prevention.

> Sices:

When dieting, sprinkling a dash of cayenne pepper or ginger may ease migraine symptoms.

> Olive Oil:

Olive Oil, high in Vitamin E can improve circulation, and reduce inflammation, which contributes to migraine symptoms.

> Caffeine:

Moderate servings of caffeine may ease migraine pain by regulating blood vessel constriction.

When using a migraine diet, remember to eat regularly, with moderate portions, and drink plenty of water.

Also, keep a daily diary, to learn what foods may trigger your migraine, and discover the foods that will control these painful attacks.

To Your Health,

John Fox

John Fox lives in New York, and writes articles on pain related topics.

Foods That Enhance The Effect Of Sinus Treatment

By Shruti S Sharda

If you have been suffering from a sinus infection for more than 8 weeks, then you might have chronic sinusitis. This is a condition that affects millions of people. It certainly is no picnic to suffer from a sinus infection. The headaches, sinus congestion, runny nose, fever and chills are bad enough, but sometimes the condition becomes debilitating. There are a number of remedies available, but the challenge is finding the right sinus treatment for you. There are foods that can help boost the treatment that you have chosen by improving your immune system and acting as expectorants. Incorporating more of these foods into your diet can go a long way in minimizing sinus inflammation, while helping treat chronic sinusitis. Some of these foods are listed below -

* Garlic - Adding garlic to your dishes can significantly improve your body's capability to fight off an infection, due to the natural occurring antibacterial and anti-fungal components it has. It is easy to get more garlic in your body. You can just add them to soups and dishes. You can also add it to boiled water and inhale the steam.

* Mushrooms - Chronic sinusitis is sometimes caused by a fungal infection in the nasal chamber. When this happens, it is treated more like an allergic reaction. This type of infection is especially common, if one lives near a large body of water or in damp places. Mushrooms are great for boosting the immune system, so incorporating fungi, like Reishi and Miatake mushrooms, can help make your sinus treatment more effective.

* Omega-3 rich foods - Eggs, fish and nuts should also be a mainstay of your diet. These foods are rich in omega-3 that reduces congestion and swelling of the sinus. Cold-water fish, like anchovies, salmon and sardines, and nuts, like pecans and walnuts, are great sources of omega-3. Supplements like cod oil or flaxseed are also a good way to get your daily dose of omega-3.

* Pineapples - This fruit is full of the protein-digesting enzyme Bromelain. The enzyme is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is very effective in treating different kinds of infections. Studies have also shown that Bromelain breaks down mucus and reduces inflammation.

* Vitamin C - This vitamin is an important component of any sinus treatment. It is a natural occurring antihistamine with strong antioxidant properties that reduces inflammation and raises your immunity against diseases. Eating more helpings of fruits and vegetables which are high in vitamin C, like artichokes, blueberries, broccoli, lemons, oranges, strawberries and tomatoes, will do you a lot of good.

* Zinc - Known to fight the cold virus, zinc can also fight the fungal and bacterial infections that lead to sinusitis. Ideally, 15 mg. of zinc should be taken three times a day.

There is a wide range of treatments available for chronic sinusitis, but some have side effects that might be difficult to deal with. People with sinusitis can also opt for natural remedies, which are often free from any adverse effects. Whatever sinus treatment you choose, make it more effective by increasing your intake of the foods listed here.

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