Feeling Tense! Discover the Truth About a Neck Spasm Headache

There is a wide variety of headaches all with different severity levels. But did you know that the most common type of headache is the tension headache? Tension headaches known also as muscle contraction headache are caused by spasms and tensions of the muscle located in your neck and shoulders. So I guess it"s fair to say that "Neck Spasms headache" is a fairly accurate description of the condition.

Although tension headache or neck spasm headache are amongst the most common type of headaches, they are difficult to treat. To help you overcome this situation, this article is going to resume the various ways that a neck spasm headache can be treated so if you are suffering from this condition you can then take an informed decision about the type treatment that best fits your individual lifestyle and condition.

What are the Real Causes of a Neck Spasm Headache?

Has you already know, a neck spasm headache also known as tension headache is caused by tension in muscles neck, creating pain at the top and the base of the head. But the real question to answer is what the causes of those tensions? Actually there are multiple possible causes for the spasm in your neck, all with different degree of severity.

Some of the most serious causes of muscle spasm in the neck are often related to car accident, like a rear end motor vehicle accident. Of course most of the cases are not that serious and are caused by less important factors such as:

- Bad posture

- Neck held in a bad position for to long

- Work at a computer

- Driving for long period

- Etc...

Available Treatment for a Neck Spasm Headache

There are of course multiple ways to treat a neck spasm headache. One of the most common or used method is "manipulative therapy". The goal of the therapy is to reduce the muscle spasm allowing the spine to return to its normal position. This method is usually performed by quickly stretching the muscle. Other methods like "counter-strain" are also used to treat this type of headache. If you are the kind of person who doesn"t like to take medicine then manipulative therapy could be a good option for you to get rid of your neck spasm headache.

Autor: Frederic Madore

If liked this article about neck spasm headache, please visit my website at http://www.headache-solution.com. We offer quality information about the various headache relief solutions for any headache types.

Added: July 31, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Myth Or Reality- Obese Children Snore More?

When you first hear the term of snoring, there is a direct association to adults, instead of children. There are the rare occasions that snoring is normal for kids, directly due to tiredness but a child w who snores on a regular basis really needs to be carefully monitored, diagnosed and cured.

Just as adults, there are many reasons that children tend to snore, and there are more than several secondary results due to the child's snoring problem. Snoring in children is linked to many reasons, but no matter the cause, a solution truly needs to be found. If you know that your child does not have a problem due to cold or allergy congestion, then there is the possibility of asthma. You can monitor your child's activities, along with secondary physical reactions to see the number of physical signs related to asthma.

The next step is to look at physical reasons such as obesity. If your child is overweight, then he or she is very likely to have all kinds of related health issues, and may include the issue of snoring. If this may be the case, there is then the need to help your child with a better all-around nutritious daily diet. It may be necessary for health reasons and to directly stop snoring, having more energy and indirectly fighting off the pre-disposition of any obesity related future diseases. Just as adults, if there is a lot of extra fat around the child's facial and neck area, then they are most likely to snore directly from the extra fat constricting the breathing passage ways.

If obesity is not the issue, then there needs to be the consideration of a doctor's visit for a full check on any types of physical abnormalities. Another common problems related to snoring in children is due to inflamed tonsils. Children's tonsils tend to be larger than adults breathing airways and their tonsils. Although, kids may have larger tonsils for a while, until they 'grow' into them, the biggest worries are when the child's tonsils are extra large, that could be due to continued throat infections. This is one physical cause that truly needs to be checked for and determined by the child's physician.

There are several specific daytime functional concerns that all parents need to be aware of if they have children that regularly snore. Snoring in children has now been linked to home, school and overall social behavioral problems. There could be many morning wake-up issues that are worse than the average child. Your child may have moderate to even severe headaches when having unresolved snoring issues throughout the night. There will also be an overwhelming desire to sleep during daily activities while excess drowsiness is a sign of inadequate restful sleep at night. Snoring by children has also been linked to ADHD so these are valid reasons to finding anti snoring treatment for your kid.

Autor: Renee Moller

Visit our articles section at Stop Snoring Articles and how to cure snoring problem.

Added: July 31, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Myth-Or-Reality--Obese-~

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a neurological disease. A migraine is a very painful type of headache. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. More than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine, with women being affected three times more often than men. This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Migraine is the second most common type of headache syndrome in the United States. Tension headaches are the most common. Migraines most commonly are found in women, with a 3:1 female-to-male ratio.

In childhood, however, migraines are more common in boys than in girls. More than 80% of patients who develop migraines will have a first attack by age 30. Migraines continue through the patient's 30s and 40s. Less than half of all migraine sufferers. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus headache or tension-type headache. Migraines' secondary characteristics are inconsistent. Triggers precipitating a particular episode of migraine vary widely. The efficacy of the simplest treatment, applying warmth or coolness to the affected area of the head, varies between persons, sometimes worsening the migraine. A particular migraine rescue drug may sometimes work and sometimes not work in the same patient.

Migraine pain is caused by vasodilation in the cranial blood vessels (expansion of the blood vessels), while headache pain is caused by vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels). Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some people can tell when they are about to have a migraine because they see flashing lights or zigzag lines or they temporarily lose their vision. Migraines are classified as either "with aura" or "without aura." An aura is a group of neurological symptoms, usually vision disturbances that serve as warning sign. Patients who get auras typically see a flash of brightly colored or blinking lights shortly before the headache pain begins.

However, most people with migraines do not have such warning signs. Migraines often begin in adolescence, and are rare after age 60. Eighty percent of migraine sufferers experience "migraine without aura. Some of the symptoms associated with migraine headaches, such as nausea (80%), vomiting (50%), yawning, irritability, hypotension, and hyperactivity, can be associated with dopamine receptor activation. Dopamine receptor hypersensitivity has been shown experimentally with dopamine agonists such as apomorphine, bromocriptine, and pergolide. Dopamine antagonists, such as metoclopramide (Reglan), haloperidol (Haldol), and prochlorperazine (Compazine), have been shown clinically to treat migraine headaches effectively.

There is no specific cure for migraine headaches. Many factors may contribute to the occurrence of migraine attacks. They are known as trigger factors and may include diet, sleep, activity, psychological issues as well as many other factors. The goal is to prevent symptoms by avoiding or altering triggers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are helpful for early and mild headache. NSAIDs include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and others. A recent study concluded that a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine could effectively relieve symptoms for many migraine patients. Migraine-specific medications and analgesia are the keys of ED care.

Triptans are a mid-line treatment suitable for many migraineurs with typical migraines. They may not work for atypical or unusually severe migraines, transformed migraines, or status (continuous) migraines.Rest in a darkened, quiet room is helpful. Alternative treatments are aimed at prevention of migraine. Migraine headaches are often linked with food allergies or intolerances. Identification and elimination of the offending food or foods can decrease the frequency of migraines and/or alleviate these headaches altogether. Herbal therapy with feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) may lessen the frequency of attacks. Some patients find cool compresses to painful areas helpful.

Autor: Juliet Cohen

Juliet Cohen writes articles for acne treatment and depression treatment. She also writes articles on skin disorders.

Added: July 29, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How Snoring affects our Children.

Most all children are caught snoring at night. You as parents, may even find your little infant occasionally making a tiny little snore or two, but very often, neither your child's snoring nor infant's snoring is much to get worked up over. In fact, there are times children and infants occasionally snore as they may be very tired and relaxed.

With exhaustion comes deep sleep and extreme relaxation of the child's internal body parts, affecting the softest tissue at the back of where their nose and throat meet. The more relaxed this area is, the more likely that the breathing will be slightly restricted. The noise is from the direct vibration in the soft tissues due to blockage of the breathing passage way. It is the infant or child that has regular loud snoring that is a real concern for worry, for factual explanations and a real cure for their child.

If your child snores loudly every night or even almost on a nightly basis, be aware that this is signal for concern. First, you must take into account any kind of temporary physical health issues that may be going on, that would directly or indirectly cause the snoring in your child. Some of the most common causes for snoring in children and even adults are colds, seasonal allergies or environmental allergies, or even one of asthma's warning issues.

With colds and even allergies, there are several ways to resolve your child's snoring issues. Humidifiers are the first all natural step to take, so to put moisture in the air. Many humidifiers not only add needed moisture, but added all-natural menthol types of concentrated liquid medications to the water helps as a natural decongestant.

If you have been noticing signs of asthma apart from the snoring, it is best to contact your child's pediatrician, for a full evaluation. Asthma and respiratory allergies are serious issues for any parent and need medical evaluation and the appropriately fitted remedies. In either case, the humidifier will do good, along with any other doctor suggested remedies and or medications for your child.

The best bet if you are not sure as to what is going on is to keep an eye on all of your child's signs during the daytime and at night, during their sleep time. By watching their overall changes of health behaviors, you will know how to explain everything very clearly to your child's pediatrician. Snoring on a nightly basis is a very serious issue, whether the snoring is done by a child or adult. Changing sleeping positions, nasal drops, decongestants and anti allergic medications may be some of the best anti snoring remedies too. However, unless you feel that snoring is actually posing as a health risk, mild to occasional snoring is understandable in infants and older children.

Autor: Renee Moller

Visit our articles section at Stop Snoring Articles and how to cure snoring problem.

Added: July 29, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/How-Snoring-affects-our~

Is Your Child Suffering From Abdominal Migraines?

Abdominal migraines, also called periodic syndrome or tummy migraines, are one of the variants of migraine headaches that commonly occur in children ages five to nine years old. Children who are affected usually have a family history of migraines and often develop migraine with or without an aura in their adult years.

The incidence of abdominal migraines is misunderstood and often ignored as a cause of abdominal pain among people. It was thought to be strongly related to where the migraine originated in the part of the brain area called post trema. Abdominal migraine occurs due to a disordered intestinal motility that is triggered by an abnormality in the brain waves.

The usual symptoms associated with abdominal migraines include recurrent central abdominal pain that is usually located around the umbilicus and lasts for several hours accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain may last for 2-6 hours and may keep on re-occurring for the next three to four days and is often strong enough to interfere with the daily activities of children. The patient may become pale with accompanying dark shadows under the eyes and flushing. As with other types of migraines, an aura, or visual disturbance may precede an attack symptoms including flashing lights, numbness around the mouth, muscle weakness and even paralysis.

There is no specific test that can help diagnose abdominal migraines in children. The diagnosis can be made by conducting a detailed and careful program of observational research over time and using imaging or scans that may help in the identification of abdominal migraine symptoms. A Visual Evoked Response (VER) test can be performed in children to provide a further indication of the presence of abdominal migraine by having a fast wave form response to flashing light.

Once abdominal migraines attack have started, there is very little that can be done with regards to its management. Positive reassurance and living a stress free life may do more than taking any medications. The best treatment is often prevention. The triggers of abdominal migraines are likely to be the same as for adult migraine, which includes stress, bright flickering lights, caffeine, cheese, chocolate and fizzy drinks among others.

The common medications that are often prescribed by healthcare providers are Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for abdominal pain. If the individual experiences frequent abdominal migraines and is becoming worse, he can be given a long term preventive treatment that lasts up to six months. Most often, when no attack is experienced for a long time and when he avoids the triggers seriously, an individual may live an abdominal migraine free life. Long term preventive medications that are prescribed include cyproheptadine, propranolol and fluoxetine. However, for migraine attacks that are experienced infrequently, drugs that are prescribed for other forms of migraines are prescribed such as NSAID, anti nausea medications and triptans.

Autor: John Rodgers

To find out more about migraine headaches and symptoms visit John Rodgers site at http://migraine-treatment.info

Added: July 29, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Divorcing Due to your snoring? Read Before Its Too Late.

So many people are still not fully aware of the health issues directly and indirectly related to snoring problems on a continuing basis. Not only is snoring seriously unhealthy for the person who is kept up nightly from their spouse's or partner's snoring, but snoring is also a very serious issue for the person who snores. For all those directly or indirectly involved, a solution must be found, because snoring is very serious, no matter the extent what level the snoring problem is considered to be.

For both the person who snores and the person who has to try to sleep through it, until a solution is found, both people have to deal with the erratic patterns of sleeping. With this comes daily restlessness and mild to extreme irritability for one or both of those suffering from snoring and sleeplessness.

Snoring has now scientifically been linked to heart disease, strokes, severe depression, and even erectile dysfunction. For those sleeping with the snorer, study indicates cases of severe depression, weight problems and mood swings. High blood pressure is connected with both, having heightened sensitivities and irritability beyond normal.

Snoring in a marriage has now been directly correlated with marriage issues beyond periodic spats. In many cases, the one trying to get some sleep during their husband's or wife's nightly snoring will end up moving out of the bedroom and into a quieter part of the home. This is like a band-aid for the problem, because there will be better sleep for the one that moved out of the room, and even some pressure may be taken off of the person who snores, but all of this relief is truly only temporary, because other issues start.

One of the strongest bonds that rekindle a marriage on a regular basis is sharing the same room together at night. It is a safe-haven for so many couples for keeping the bond between the husband and wife through intimate talks, physical intimacy and snuggles before sleep. Both of these are necessary bonds to keep any couple going stronger through busy and hectic days of life.

If there is a separation due to snoring, all of the extremely important parts of marriage will disappear, putting an unwanted wedge between any married couple. In severe cases, there may eventually be marital separation, and even divorce that originally started from snoring.

With the problem of snoring, it is best for so many reasons to not ignore it or try to resolve it without a physical separation within the marriage. Snoring is not only a problem for one person in a marriage, but for both within the marriage. It is time to take action and find the best remedy available.

Autor: Renee Moller

Visit our articles section at Stop Snoring Articles and how to cure snoring problem.

Added: July 28, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Divorcing-Due-to-your-s~

A Herbal Remedy For A Headache

Headaches are a difficult thing to deal with, especially when they seem to come, one right after another. Some people get reactive headaches from the environment around them, such as is the case of those that get headaches when a strong weather system is moving through the area, through stress or allergies to various things in the environment. There are also some types of headaches that accompany different types of sicknesses, such as those that come along with the flu, or in the case of a sinus infection. It really doesn't matter why you suffer from headaches, if you have one then the only thing you really want to do is to make it stop.

Many people rush to the drug store or a medicine cabinet at the first sign of a headache, and while this may help the pain to go away it also is not necessarially the best thing for you from a natural standpoint. Still others seek out a herbal remedy for a headache, or some other natural cure to try and keep the body in balance. If you are looking for a herbal remedy for a headache then here are two that have helped me in the past. The first one I would do at the first sign of a headache. I would take Arnica Salve and rub it onto my temples and the area where the top of my nose meets my face (between the eyebrows). This would generally give me some relief rather quickly. The other thing that I would do is to make an herbal tea, particularly chamomile, and you might find that this helps too if you don't have allergies to chamomile tea. Of course a good old cold compress and a nap do wonders as well.

Autor: Nicholas Matthews Nicholas Matthews
I hate not being able to sleep ...

Don't let headaches ruin your life. Make simple small changes at home and be headache free for a lifetime. Download our Special Report at http://www.headache-stop.info/

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Added: July 28, 2008
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Bed Partner Of A Snorer? Best Remedies available!

A night with the person, who snores, is a night full of mental anguish and sleeplessness. Snoring may not seem to bother the one who is doing it, but there is no ignoring the noise produced by sharing the same bed. For the person who sleeps with the snorer, there is constant interruption and nudging just to get them to give you a moment's peace. As they snore away, you are there tossing and turning. There too, may be on-going pushing, poking and jostling of the snorer throughout the night, just to arouse them long enough for disrupting the snoring pattern.

This may work for awhile, if the snorer just happens to adjust to that desperately desired non-snoring position, and even if they do stop for awhile, it is like a game of chance as to if or when the snoring machine partner of yours will come back on. This game will go on throughout the night, each and every night until there is a solution found. Now moving out into the spare room is the only option unless you help your loved one and yourself all in one swoop, by sincerely finding a solution to cure the snoring problem once and for all!

Finding the real solution can and usually does take a good amount of trial and error. There just has to be an open mind for you and the bed partner who snores, when it comes to finally finding the true ending to the nightly relentless snoring problem.

The first thing to do is seriously discuss the snoring issue with your partner. Since many of those whom are doing the snoring, are not directly aware of how truly bad their snoring problem is, they need to be made aware. If they do not believe you about their snoring during your discussion, record what it is like for a few nights to sleep with them constantly snoring throughout the night. There is no need to explain when it is all there for the snorer to hear with their very own ears.

After real evidence and acknowledgment of the snoring problem, the next step is to make a plan together on how exactly start the ball rolling toward a true night's sleep. If you both agree that the snoring is beyond annoying, but not quite a serious sleep apnea issue, then starting off with anti snoring remedies may be the best place to begin in resolving the issue.

If side sleeping positions, eliminating unhealthy habits, and allergy or cold remedies do not help to stop snoring, the next step is using the many clinical proven products could be the solution. There are several good products very reasonably priced to begin with. There are also wonderful nasal sprays to open the passages ways for clearer breathing, all-natural throat sprays that will work throughout the night, and various brands of nasal stripes that are adhesives placed upon the widest part of the outer nose to widen the breathing passage ways naturally.

Autor: Renee Moller

Visit our articles section at Stop Snoring Articles and how to cure snoring problem.

Added: July 28, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Bed-Partner-Of-A-Snorer~

Migraine Headache Treatments

There are lots of resources offering migraine headache treatments that you can search in the different media. Although different theories are used explaining how a person gets to experience migraine headaches, there are numerous varied migraine treatments and alternatives that you may want to check out.

However, first things first, the details of treating migraine headache must be placed in order. If the person manifests symptoms of migraine, preventative treatments are often the first step. This type of treatment plans to get rid of your migraine before it even starts, and they are orally or intravenously taken. Once the onset of the migraine symptoms, such as a swelling sensation on a certain portion of your head, nausea, and weariness, manifest themselves, it is wise to move to taking the abortive prescriptions as prescribed by your doctor. The most common group of headache busters is called triptans, which are primed to control serotonin. However, this group of medicines, which include Sumatriptan, Naratriptan, and Almotriptan, among others, exclusively targets headaches and is not used for body pains.

On the other hand, if the migraine headache has been going on for almost a week, and you were not able to take preventative or abortive medications before it got worse, then the person is left to take rescue measures in order to suppress the pain and lessen the occurrence of the headache attacks. Some of the medications involved in rescue treatment are calcium channel and beta-blockers to control blood pressure, anti-seizure drugs, and anti-depressants. Rescue treatment is usually issued by doctors, and the medicines are taken with gradual increase in dosage after a period of time.

If non of the treatments work for an individual, you may want to try resting for a while. The pain and weariness accompanied by migraine headache are intensified when exaggerated physical activity is done by the person, so complementing your medication or treatment with proper rest and care could help you with your headache problem. Also, you may want to cut down on taking the coffee if you are a regular caffeine junkie. Consumption of products that contain caffeine happens to increase the pain. On the other hand, if the medication prescribed by your doctor does not work, you may want to try out over-the-counter medicines. Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are readily available in your nearest drugstore, so you may want to consider buying and trying them out if the prescription drugs did not work. However, going against your doctor"s orders might be a risky thing to do, so proceed with caution.

Aside from these general migraine headache treatments, there are other places where you can search for alternative methods in dealing with your headache. Search the Internet and you will not only see websites offering their advices on which drugs to take during a migraine headache attack, but you will also get to hear from ordinary people who have successfully dealt and have recovered with the pain using their own methods. Also, you should refer to your doctor every time you feel that none of the treatments he has given are working. If in doubt, you can always get a second opinion from another doctor.

Autor: John Rodgers

Find out more about migraine medications at John Rodgers site at http://migraine-treatment.info

Added: July 27, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Are You On The Verge Of A Divorce Due To Snoring?

Snoring is a world wide phenomenon that has become a growing concern for a random number of reasons. Some snoring issues are easily correctable and some are not so easy to figure out, but still need to be checked for the sake of future ill health issues. It is now known that there is several serious health risks if the snoring problem continues abated. Some of the future long term health risks include high blood pressure, strokes, heart problems and erectile dysfunction. One of the most immediate health risks created by snoring is sleep deprivation and sleep apnea.

Sleep deprivation for the person who has the snoring problem may or may not be aware of their snoring being so interruptive to getting the best night's sleep or not. But when a person snores, they are trying to breathe through slightly blocked to severely blocked air passage. It is not possible to sleep well without being able to breathe appropriately. Depending on the narrowing of the air passage way blockage, there will be a difference in the severity of the snoring issue and in the sleep deprivation.

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can be a leading cause of low production, daytime drowsiness, and low alertness throughout the day while in severe cases, there has been noticed a high percentage of numerous work and car related accidents. Highly skilled jobs such as construction, medicine etc. require high levels of concentration and alertness as they are job of tremendous responsibilities that sleep deprived workers deal with daily. Sleep deprivation directly related to snoring alone is not yet known exactly, but the numbers are believed to run quit high due to the fact that sleep deprivation from snoring also has to include the spouses or partners. Under research it has been found that those who sleep with a person who snores almost suffers worse cases of sleep deprivation than the ones doing the snoring!

The combination of snoring, sleep deprivation and erectile dysfunction within a marriage is more likely to be a cause of divorce than ever previously realized. It does not take long for most people to quickly fall under sleep deprivation and then find constant spats and moodiness between you and your spouse due to the lack of quality sleep. Many of those having to sleep with a person who snores also either finds themselves moving to another room for getting a decent night's sleep or making their snoring partner to move out of the shared bedroom until the snoring problem has been resolved. This type of separation, even under the best of circumstances is really bad for the health of the marriage, if carried out for too long.

The only answer is to put an end to the snoring before either person becomes unhealthy from too much lack of sleep or the terribly ill effects eventually brought upon the person who is snoring nightly. Either way, stopping your snoring problem as soon as possible is very important for many reasons, or there are now many safe ways to end your snoring for good. It is all just the matter of finding the best anti snoring method for you!

Autor: Renee Moller

Visit our articles section at Stop Snoring Articles and how to cure snoring problem.

Added: July 27, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Are-You-On-The-Verge-Of~

Triggers And Treatments For Migraines

Migraines are a fairly common neurological disorder that are often described as a severe throbbing or pulsating headache and can last anywhere from several hours to several days. These painful headaches are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.

For those that suffer migraine attacks it can severely inhibit their lifestyle as they may often find themselves unable to carry out their normal day to day duties. For many people while there is no definitive treatment that totally stops an attack, there are ways to try and prevent or minimise the severity of them. While it"s always recommended you discuss both your symptoms and treatment with your local doctor there are ways to help reduce or minimise the pain associated with a migraine.

Many migraine attacks are brought on by certain triggers, these can be emotional, environmental or dietary etc. some of these triggers include things like:

Certain food: chocolate, nuts, preservatives etc. Some medications may also be a trigger.

Your environment may induce the signs of an attack: Bright or flickering lights, pollutions, allergic reactions, glaring screens or sunlight. Even changes in the weather can bring about a migraine.

Your emotions and hormones may also be a reason for a migraine: high stress situations or sudden relaxation from such situations, menstrual cycles and birth control pills may also play a part.

While you may have no control over some of those triggers listed above and that by no means is a comprehensive list, in certain instances if you can deduce what may be a factor in having a migraine attack you can try to reduce or avoid those situations or products etc.

Some migraine sufferers are also given a warning of some sort prior to the migraine beginning these too come in different forms depending on each individual:

Some may have a visual sign: blurred vision or wiggly lines before their eyes. Others may smell certain odours as a sign a migraine is coming; these signs may start up to an hour before the pain of the migraine begins. While other people may have altered moods up to a day before the severe headache actually begins.

If a sufferer is aware of these signs they can try to prepare for the attack by taking any prescribed or over the counter medication to help stave off or minimise the attack once it arrives.

As mentioned above if you suffer from migraines or believe you do make sure you take the time to talk to your doctor about the pain and symptoms, each individual is different and may require a different treatment based on the type of migraine and symptoms they have.

Autor: V Brown V Brown
Level: Platinum
V Brown is a single mum living in Australia. She recently introduced a new puppy to her family and has started sharing her experiences, that ... ...

For more information on migraine triggers and other causes and treatments please take a look at Migraines

Added: July 27, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Precisely What Are Migranes?

No fewer than 29 million Americans are afflicted by migraines and that represents some 10% of the population. Migraines afflict women about 3 times more often than men and migraines are not confined to adults with a substantial number of children suffering from them as well. A migraine attack lasts anywhere from a just few hours to several days and in the case of longer attacks sufferers generally have secondary effects for longer periods. Despite the fact that migraines are so common close to half of all sufferers do not see a doctor about the condition.

One common symptom of a a migraine headache is a sharp throbbing pain on one side of the head which is often localized near the temple. It is also frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to both noise and light.

Just what causes migraine headaches is not known and, despite the fact that for many years it was believed that they resulted from a dilation of the blood vessels, Current research now favors other explanations. As well, while there is no general consensus of opinion, many researchers believe that the condition is a genetic disorder that affects how some brain chemicals such as serotonin interact with the nerve cells.

The difficulty in unraveling the mystery of migraines is amplified by the simple fact that migraines come in two different types.

The first type is referred to as 'classical migraine' and is associated with something which the professionals call an 'aura'. This has nothing to do with mystic fields around the body but refers to the symptoms sufferers experience just before the arrival of a headache. For these migraine sufferers it is normal to experience visual hallucinations such as flickering lights and bright spots or even to suffer loss of vision immediately prior to the onset of a headache.

When these visual symptoms are absent sufferers suffer from the second type of headaches.

Trying to pinpoint just what gives rise to a migraine headache is not easy although research data collected over many years might point to the final answer. For instance, individuals who get insufficient sleep appear to be at greater risk, as are individuals who experience too much sleep which has been linked to a greater incidence. Migraine attacks are also often linked to eating certain food items such as cheese and to missing meals.

It is also believed that some hormonal factors have an affect on both the onset and severity of attacks and one piece of evidence in support of this is the far higher incidence of migraines among women than men. In fact, one study showed an incidence of 17% in men against just 6% in men. Additionally, studies have also revealed a link between contraceptive pills and migraines and we known that Estrogen, which is a main component of birth control pills, affects the blood vessels.

But the list of factors which trigger migraines does not end here and simple everyday activities such as walking up a flight of stairs or more intensive physical exertion can trigger an attack, as can stress, extremes of heat and cold and loud noises and flickering lights. It has also been reported that migraines occur more frequently with a combination of these trigger factors present.

Happily, there are a variety of medical treatments available, though none has been shown to be overwhelmingly effective in all cases, and completing a diary of your attacks will often help you to identify lifestyle changes which could help in curing migraines. If lifestyle changes on their own do not do the trick then there are a variety of medicines that your physician can prescribe.

Autor: Don Saunders

TheMigraineHeadacheCenter.com provides migraine headache information including details of migaineheadache treatment

Added: July 26, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Precisely-What-Are-Migr~

Migraine Food - Stop Pulling the Triggers

There are many different types of headaches, from those that are caused by sinus problems or sickness to chronic migraines that come in clusters. Almost everyone suffers from headaches from time to time, and for most people those headaches can be treated easily enough using over the counter pain killers. But for others that suffer from things such as migraines there seems to be no real relief from the suffering, and if you are suffering from migraine headaches, no matter how infrequent, it is just not an acceptable way to live. For most people, however, there are some things that act as triggers to the migraine headaches. Those triggers could be things such as the environment that they are around, allergens, or even migraine food.

Here is a short list of migraine food. These are things that tend to cause migraines in some people.

* Peanuts

* Caffeine (both in food and in drinks)

* Yeast and yeasty products

* Chocolate

* MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

* Red Wine

* Beer

* Cheese

There are some others that you will have to avoid according to your own personal triggers and keeping a diary of the foods that you are eating, along with recording your health and how you are feeling will help you to identify these triggers.

There are also some foods that are considered beneficial migraine food by many people, although there isn"t any medical proof to back it up, of course. For many, a raw food diet that consists of uncooked fruits and vegetables has helped, while others drink herbal teas, such as peppermint. Just make sure that you keep track of what you do so you can identify the foods to avoid.

Autor: Nicholas Matthews Nicholas Matthews
I hate not being able to sleep ...

Don't let headaches ruin your life. Make simple small changes at home and be headache free for a lifetime. Download our Special Report at http://www.headache-stop.info/

Stop Headaches and Migraines Now, an Online Special Report, Now Available to Download.

Added: July 26, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Natural Treatments for Migraine

There is a huge controversy regarding natural treatments for migraine among migraine sufferers and scientists. Are there any natural options that work? The answer is not a simple one.
For the majority of natural remedies that are traditionally passed from one generation to another, they are thought to lack scientific proof and to only use the placebo effect as a means of providing relief to patients. Despite the above fact natural treatments for migraine are widely spread and people seem to disregard scientific appeals.
One can understand that natural remedies exist for certain reasons:
1) The majority of them are based on natural substances that are easily available.
2) Usually the natural treatments are handled better than the prophylactic medications that a migraine sufferer often has to take everyday to prevent migraine attacks from occurring and with fewer side effects.
3) The cost of natural remedies are most of the times markedly less than the one of migraine medications, especially the modern ones.
4) They may work after all!


One of the most common natural treatments for migraine headache is apple cider vinegar. It is believed to normalize the body's pH so that migraine can be prevented. It is not scientifically proven to work but some people use drops of apple vinegar in their water or inhale the fumes of boiling water that contains apple vinegar.

Feverfew is natural herb that allegedly helps to prevent migraine attacks and to decrease the frequency of them. The migraines that occur are supposed to last less and have fewer and less severe accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Feverfew has been tested safely in research studies up to 3-4 months. No scientific proof exists for a period of use longer than that.

Apart from those two natural treatments for migraine there are some organized methods where a combination of strategies is used to treat migraines. Whatever you do, before taking any supplement consult your physician as some substances can interact with your current medication or medical conditions you might have.

Autor: Nick Kanellopoulos

Check an alternative treatment for migraines at http://medicineportal.weebly.com/migraines.html Get Permanent Relief From Migraine Headaches

Added: July 25, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Natural-Treatments-for-~

Stop Your Sinus Migraine

Migraine headaches and sinus problems sometimes go hand in hand, and they are probably more common than what you think. Some people have problems all the time with their sinuses, either because of a change in the weather, or perhaps allergies but the problems are generally the same, extreme pressure in the sinus areas that brings along with it a massive headache. If you are suffering from sinus migraine problems then here are some things that you can do to help overcome them.

Many people that suffer from sinus migraines don"t really try to hit the problem at the source. They try to treat the headache, and while this is necessary if the sinus problems aren"t addresses the problem just keeps coming back again. There are many reasons why you might be having sinus problems, but here are some things that you can try to see if you are able to keep them away. The first thing that I would try is some nasal irrigation, otherwise known as Neti. This is where you flush our your sinus cavities by pouring a saline solution through your one nostril and allowing it to come out the other. This may sound unpleasant, but if done properly it actually is quite enjoyable. Another thing that you can try is to remove some of the allergens from your environment, especially where you sleep. Get a good air filter and make sure that you change your sheets frequently. Also make sure that you are going to bed with clean hair as the allergens that collect in your hair during the day will be on the pillow and you will be breathing then through the night. It"s a tough battle, but if you are successful the you will be able to say goodbye to your sinus migraine problem once and for all.

Autor: Nicholas Matthews Nicholas Matthews
I hate not being able to sleep ...

Don't let headaches ruin your life. Make simple small changes at home and be headache free for a lifetime. Download our Special Report at http://www.headache-stop.info/

Stop Headaches and Migraines Now, an Online Special Report, Now Available to Download.

Added: July 25, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Do You have Tension or Migraine Headaches?

Nearly everyone has had a headache. But, there are some people that have learned how to eliminate them and during the year they might have one or two. Most of these headaches are usually related to stress, depression or anxiety. The most common type of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are due to tightening of muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw. You are most likely to get tension headaches if you work too much, don't get enough sleep, miss meals or use of alcohol.
Very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention. For example, a severe headache may be a sign of meningitis. Then there are the most common headaches in women - the migraine headaches. Migraines can originate from some brain disorder, from neck vertebrae shifting, or from anxiety. In elderly people, a headache with tenderness of the scalp or temple may be due to temporal arthritis, in which blood vessels in the head become inflamed.
Now, why is it that headaches become a common problem among people? They become a common problem since they affect our daily routine. A mild or severe headache is a nuisance, which takes the joy out of life. Once you have a headache, you became agitated and irritable it becomes hard for you to focus on what you're doing. Headaches decrease your awareness and give you tunnel vision - vision where you are concentrating your pain and not what is happening around you.

According to a recent survey, seven out of ten people have at least one headache a year. The majority of headaches last for only a few hours, but some can persist for weeks. Migraine headaches are the most severe headaches, which can last all day and can occur everyday. Nearly forty-five million Americans suffers from chronic headaches and most of these headaches cost billions of dollars in lost productivity every year and plenty of misery.

A majority of headaches come from anxiety and neurosis. I know many people will deny that they are neurotic, but this does not change that fact that they are. Denial is the first signs of neurosis. People don't know how neurotic or how much stress or anxiety they have. They go day by day stressing over their day job, their children, their school, and the relationships they have. Stress causes neck and shoulder muscle tension causing imbalances in the muscles holding the neck vertebras in place. This can lead to simple or severe headaches.

If you have re-occurring headaches, take time to get a shoulder and neck massages every once in a while. Compliment this with getting a chiropractic neck adjustment to release the muscle imbalances that can cause your headaches.
Headaches can have many causes, but serious causes of headaches are rare. Sometimes headaches warn of a more serious disorder. But, if you have a sudden or severe headache, it is best to seek medical help right away to see if it is related to a serious disorder or just related to your unhealthy lifestyle.

Autor: Rudy Silva

Rudy Silva is a nutritionist that provides you more tips on how you can eliminate headache pain at this site: http://www.remedies-for-headaches.com/

Added: July 25, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Do-You-have-Tension-or-~

Migrain Headache Cure - Simply Changing Daily Habits Permanently Quenches Chronic Headache In Mins

Most of the common diseases affecting the world can easily be prevented if each and everyone of us can take time to look at our life styles and change those things that are harmful to our health.

For example, in the case of headache and migraine,the causes or what triggers them are different for everyone!

The cause of headache for Mr. A will not be exactly the same for Mr.B, though the symptoms may be the same for both persons. Therefore, you have to carefully think back where you have gone wrong with regards to your health, like retracing your steps and your headache will vanish! Before I started this write up, I had already spent 16hrs. in my office doing some other jobs. But since I must make a post to my blog today, I had no choice than to write.Then I had a serious headache.What did I do? simple, I stopped writing, took a shower and had a sound nap .Woke up 2hrs. later and the bloody headache had vanished.

What triggered my headache? lack of rest for over 16hrs. What did I do to cure the headache? I took the best form of rest, sleep.

You see ,you can do the same to your headache if you can take time to check out what causes your headache. For migraine or a serious headache, if you can afford to avoid the following foods that cause chronic headache, for example, age cheeses, onions,pickles, cured meats, red wine, beer, sour cream, nuts of all kinds, freshly backed yeast products, eggs, tomatoes, citrus fruits and caffeinated drinks.

So what do you do if you stopped eating all those goodies? Eat fish like salmon and tuna rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help prevent migraines.

Also a lot of other triggers that can worsen your condition, are ,lack of sleep and rest,changes in the weather, hormonal swings that occur with menstrual cycle, the use of birth control pills and environmental chemicals, including cigarette smoke.

From now on, figure out what triggers your headache or migraine and you will be relieved gradually but certainly in a few minutes.

You may think that this is a simple problem. But do know that 29 million Americans suffer from migraines? For a serious symptom. Take the following quick steps.

1. Mix two drops of peppermint oil in a teaspoon of olive oil, rub on your forehead and temples to instantly cool the pain

2. Or put two drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and inhale three times, the pains will go away.

You can see that headache and migraine can be permanently cured with self-care home remedies. The secret to it is to really know what causes yours and simply avoid it.

Autor: Obiakor David

Obiakor David is a researcher and a health and fitness buff.He has written a lot about migraine and headache. Do you know that headache and migraine are your body's cey for help? One out of three drugs for this disease cause side effects .What do you do if you are under attack? Find out at, http://www.obiakordavid.wordpress.com

Added: July 24, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Just What Is A Cluster Headache And How Can We Go About Dealing With It?

Although they are somewhat rare cluster headaches are said to be amongst the most painful conditions which you can experience. Happily they are quite rare and, while other often painful headaches such as migraines affect approximately 10 percent of the population, under one in three hundred people suffer from cluster headaches. Most people describe cluster headaches as being far worse than a migraine and a lot of women say that they are more painful than giving birth.

Cluster headaches, which often appear as a stabbing pain behind one eye or close to the temple, are distinguished by the fact that they normally occur at regular times. In other words they have a tendency to attack at a specific time of the day, last for an hour or less, and then attack again at the same time the following day with this pattern repeating for a number of weeks or even months. Also, cluster headaches have a tendency to hit without any warning and are unlike migraines which are frequently preceded by familiar symptoms such as flashing lights.

Precisely why we get cluster headaches is something of a mystery although some scientists think that they are caused by an abnormality in the hypothalamus, which is a small gland that controls the body clock and is influenced by changes in the length of the day and other things.

Yet another notable difference between migraines and cluster headaches is the gender of sufferers. In the case of migraine headaches approximately three quarters of the some 28 million sufferers in the United States alone are women while only one quarter are men. In the case of cluster headaches by contrast between eighty and ninety percent of sufferers are men.

Treatments for normal or migraine headaches are usually of little use for cluster headaches and once miracle drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen have little if any effect.

One treatment that has been demonstrated to be quite effective is the inhalation of pure oxygen. This treatment cannot of course be used until after the onset of the headache but inhaling pure oxygen for a severa minutes will often ease the headache considerably.

Yet another reasonably good treatment is the use of a class of drugs called triptans that are commonly used in treating migraines. Here however the drug had to be given in the form of a nasal spray to be effective and this can prove far from easy because cluster headaches will sometimes cause swelling in the nasal passages. When this is the case then the drug may also be effective if it is given in the form of an injection. Once more this is a treatment that needs to be used once the headache has appeared.

As cluster headaches attack with a clear pattern it would be especially useful to have some form of preventative medication that could be used regularly shortly before a headache appears. Unhappily however because the condition is so rare and is not well understood we do not have much data about which drugs may or may not be effective as preventative treatment.

In extreme cases surgery designed to block nerves and other neurological procedures may be carried out althoughthis is very much a last resort and is not always entirely effective.

Autor: Don Saunders

TheMigraineHeadacheCenter.com provides a wealth of information on both migraine headaches and cluster headaches

Added: July 24, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Just-What-Is-A-Cluster-~

Which Headache Medication Is Right for You

If you take medications for blood pressure, heart conditions, depression, anxiety or other disorders than you know that there are side effects that we have to contend with every time we take our meds. Some will cause stomach upset, cramping and/or other discomforts and in order for us to live longer lives we must take these medications. As with most other medications, Zoloft headache medication is no different and had its side effects and this includes headaches.

Any time your body takes in a new chemical or ingredient it is not used to it will react in different ways. Some people will have a reaction to some vitamins and some of the minerals and may get a headache. The most common drug reactions are:

Stomach upset

Cramping

Tenderness in muscles or joints

Headache

Sleeplessness

Grogginess

Blurred vision

Nervousness

Diarrhea

Most side effects will subside after your body gets used to your new medication. Sometimes you could have allergic reactions or the medication might be too strong. Either way you will want to be closely monitored while starting any new medication. Every one reacts differently to medication and depending on the person and other medications that person may be will also be different.

Make sure your doctor knows of all the medication you are taking even if you take vitamins or over-the-counter medications of any kind. Make sure your doctor knows of any herbal products you are using also. Some Herbal products will react with other medications and you should always use caution with herbal products also. Your doctor may recommend something you can do to help you with the Zoloft headache medication as well.

Most people"s reactions will ease up after getting used to the new meds. If your condition worsens or changes you must make sure you notify your doctor immediately of these changes. If you have thoughts of suicide go to the hospital or call 911. If your reaction is severe get to the hospital and they will contact your doctor from there.

Most of the time when starting a new treatment regimen, the good will out weight the bad and the side effects will ease up after a time of adjustment. Sometimes your dose may need to be changed or the medication may need to be changed. Keep close contact with your doctor when starting a new treatment. Anytime you take a prescription drug, you need to pay close attention to the directions and the possible side effects to prevent further health concerns.

Autor: Judy Wellsworth

You can also find more info on Headache Remedies and Headache Treatment Options. i-headache.com is a comprehensive resource to know about i-headache.com

Added: July 24, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Understanding Migraine

Migraine is a neurological syndrome that causes several symptoms, the most prominent symptom being the headache. Usually, migraine causes severe or moderate one-side and pulsating headache, which may last from four to seventy two hours. The other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting and a great sensitivity to bright lights and noise. A majority of the people having migraine experience a preceding aura, which gives a strange light and unpleasant smell.

Migraine can be classified into four types depending upon the intensity of the headache namely, no pain, mild pain, moderate pain and severe pain. Mild pain is the one that does not disturb the usual day-to-day activities, moderate pain exists but does not fully prevent usual activities and the severe pain disturbs all activities. The most commonly occurring type of headache is the migraine without aura wherein the patients suffer from headache with unilateral location and moderate or severe headache along with nausea and or high sensitivity to bright lights and sound.

Migraine without aura can be diagnosed if there are at least five attacks fulfilling the criteria such as untreated headache for six to forty eight hours, at least two symptoms of unilateral location, moderate or severe pain, obstructing routine physical activity, and pulsating quality. While experiencing a migraine without aura, there must be nausea or vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound.

The next common type of headache is migraine with aura and people suffering from migraine with aura may also experience without aura. Migraine with aura is characterized by at least two attacks with visual symptoms, sensory symptoms and speech disturbance which are all fully reversible. The visual and sensory symptoms may affect just one side of the body and each symptom may last from 5 to 60 minutes.

Acephalgic migraine is a type of migraine in which the patient may experience other symptoms but not headache. Other types of migraine are abdominal migraine and menstrual migraine. The signs and symptoms of migraine vary from one patient to another and therefore, cannot be generalized. But still, there are four phases of migraine namely, prodrome, which occurs hours or days before the headache, the aura, which is just before the headache, the pain phase, which is the headache and the post drome.

The causes of migraine, known as triggers, can be many. They may be due to environment, behavior, infection, diet and so on. The treatment for migraine headaches may vary from simple remedies like applying hot or cold water to the head, getting adequate rest in a dark and silent room or a cup of coffee at the right time to over-the-counter medications. Naproxen is found to be effective in aborting migraine headache and a light or moderate headache can be controlled through paracetamol. A simple analgesic combined with caffeine may be of great relief.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 24, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Understanding-Migraine/~

5 Tips To Reduce Headache

If you always suffer from headaches for being cooped up in the office all day, you are not alone. Such headache is often accompanied by fatigue and tired eyes which is due more to the office environment than anything else.

It makes you lose concentration and interest and you ended up feeling irritable and unproductive.

But wait, before you start reaching for that painkiller tablet, try these 5 tips first and see if they help.

1) More Fresh Air

Most office buildings are air-conditioned where supply of fresh air is poor. The air quality worsens with the chemicals released from the air-conditioning system, air fresheners, insecticides, pesticides and the pollutants already existing in the building. When we breathe in these harmful substances, it's no surprise that we have headaches.

The best way is to open the office windows regularly to let in fresh air, though this is near impossible in most high-rise office buildings.

Alternatively, get out of the buildings at times for a breather. We can also help improve the air quality by installing air purifiers or/and filters and ensure regular cleaning and servicing of the air-con system in the offices.

2) Your Eyes Need to Breathe Too

If we overwork our eyes, it could lead to headaches too. This is because the muscles around our eyes get cramps which will stress the optic nerves connecting to our brain.

Ideally, after every hour focus at the computer or the documents, we should try to look into a distance from a high place for 5 minutes to give our eyes a break.

If the problem persists, go for a checkup with your optometrist to find out if it is time you need a new pair of spectacles.

3) Mind Your Sitting Position

Many of us may not be aware that a poor sitting posture may hinder blood circulation, thereby causing headaches. As a rule of thumb, always keep the head aligned with the spine, and the wrists straight and aligned with the forearms. That's why our chairs are very important in giving us a good support for our backs to avoid slouching.

Avoid habits that could strain your muscles thereby causing headaches, e.g. we love to grip the phone between our shoulder and ear to talk on the phone while our hands are still on the keyboard. In the long run, we can develop headaches due to prolonged straining of the muscles.

4) Stress is the Killer

Stress, coupled with exhaustion & anxiety, could easily lead to headaches or tension in the neck muscles. Though this is mostly unavoidable in our fast-paced environment, we should somehow learn to "spread out" our stress.

We can stop work awhile to crack a joke or two with colleagues, or to enjoy a ten minutes tea break at the pantry. Sometimes, a little distraction does us good.

5) DIY massage Light hammering with your fingers

Rest your hands on top of your head at each side and spread your fingers. Using your fingertips, start knocking lightly from the top and to the sides, for at least 10 times on each area. When you reach the sides of your head, slowly massage the areas with your fingers to ease the pressure. Do this for at least 10 minutes or till you feel relaxed.

Head massage with your palms

Place your palms on top of your head and start massaging from top and to the sides. You can adjust the pressure applied according to your needs. After that, use your fingers to comb through your head like you're combing your hair but the pressure exerted should be greater than just combing your hair. This is also a way to massage the acupoints on your head so as to feel relaxed.

Autor: Laura Ng Laura Ng
Laura Ng is 100% passionate in helping people to achieve the Highest quality of Good health through her website, ionehealth.com ...

Laura Ng is passionate in providing quality nutritional facts and health tips, plus recommending 100% toxic-free vegan recipes to anyone who cares about his/her health. Join her iOneHealth Club now to receive more health secrets and freebies available to her members only. You'll gain plenty but lose nothing. Promised. Visit http://www.ionehealth.com now.

Added: July 23, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Common Migraine Symptoms

A majority of the migraine attacks are accompanied by headache, which is an intense, throbbing or pounding pain involving one temple. At times, the pain may be located in the forehead or around the eye or the back of the head. Usually, migraine attack reoccurs and is a chronic disability. The headache is generally on one side of the head, though it may rarely happen on both the sides. The unilateral headache changes sides alternatively, from one attack to another, which is, in fact, characteristic of migraine (otherwise it may be a more serious problem).

Daily routines like walking upstairs aggravate a migraine headache. The most common and obvious symptoms of migraine are nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. Some people experience warning symptoms called aura before the actual beginning of a headache. An aura is a group of symptoms, mainly a vision disturbance which foretells that a headache is coming. But, most of the people do not have such warning signs. In fact, migraine headaches are classified based on their symptoms such as migraine without aura, migraine with aura and mixed tension migraine.

Migraine without aura: The most common symptoms can be a throbbing pulsating headache, which is usually worse on the sides of the forehead, generally only on one side, that can be either severe or dull, lasting for six to forty eight hours. The other symptoms are dizziness, vertigo (a feeling that the room is moving), loss of appetite, fatigue and nausea. There may be symptoms after a migraine attack too. It can be dullness, neck pain and a need for more sleep. Such symptoms may be accompanied apart from headache.

Migraine with aura: Before the headache, the warning symptoms may occur anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours and the aura or vision changes happen in one or both the eyes. The symptoms may be one or more of the following; seeing zigzag lines, seeing flashing lights, temporary blind spots, sensitivity to bright light, visual hallucinations, blurred vision and eye pain. Accompanying the headache, there are other symptoms like loss of appetite, chills, increased urination, increased sweating, irritability and fatigue. The "pounding" headache starts on one side and spreads to the other side that typically starts as a dull ache and progressively worsens over several minutes to hours. So, the patients wish to rest in a quiet, dark room.

Mixed tension migraine: This migraine is a headache with features of both tension and migraine headache. The symptoms include headache on one or both sides and the person may feel dull, tight and the pain, which varies from mild to severe, may get worse with activity, lasting from 4 to 72 hours. Sensitivity to light or sound, depression, tingling, sluggishness, numbness, and weakness are other symptoms.

Unfortunately, migraine headache is a recurring chronic ailment, which may recur after 24 hours for some people.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 23, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Common-Migraine-Symptom~

Migraines and Miracles in My Life - 2

My earliest recollection of severe headaches was when I was about 3. I was lying on the sofa, watching the 'Wizard of Oz" with my brothers while my mother was frying chicken. My head hurt so bad it felt like it was going to split. The smell of food cooking was making me very nauseous and before the end of the show, I had a full blown migraine (although it would be another 15 years before I got the name of what I was experiencing).

I learned to live with the migraines and adapt my life around the times I'd been in so much pain. I believe that I had an angel watching over me every time I was so sick and felt like I could die and did almost die. The years that I could not perform daily activities were offset by miracles of my angel always with me.

My angel was with me when I was 52 years old and having a severe headache. It was a Friday in February. It was a miracle that my son was home from college and he'd just taken a life saving course. My son and angel were with me that Friday afternoon when I had a stroke. Because of the stroke, the miracles were going to be obvious in my life. In "Strokes and Miracles", I'll share details of my stroke and how miracles kept me alive and at peace during that scary time.

Migraine can be very troublesome. It can be debilitating for anyone. As there is no cureas yet for Migraine, we have to depend upon pain relieving pills. These pills may also caiuse side effects. Migraines do come suddenly but we get a warning before the headache gets bad. At that time take care to relax and sleep in closed room with no noise. That may stop the migraine from getting out of hand.

Autor: CD Mohatta

Social network users, click for Christmas myspace comments. You can also use Christmas myspace graphics. For Christmas Layouts- click Christmas Myspace Layouts to add to your profile.

Added: July 22, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Protecting Kids from Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraine is the pain in the abdomen even when there is no headache and it occurs often in children but rarely in adults. It is common in children aging five to nine years old. Abdominal migraine consists primarily of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and the patient may become flushed or pale. Typically, the pain lasts anywhere from one to six hours.

The most frustrating part of abdominal migraine is the diagnosis because young children have difficulty in trying to explain how they feel. Since migraine is believed to be genetically based, it is quite certain that there is a member in the family who also has a migraine. Besides medical history and family history, diagnosis usually involves a physical examination, blood and urine tests and tests such as sonography. Non-drug treatment like bio feed back is helpful in both children and adults and beta-blockers can be a preventive medication.

In most of the cases, a child with abdominal migraine would still have migraine as an adult, though the symptoms may change. It has been studied that migraines can do permanent damage and so, the sooner the treatment, the better. The children who experience abdominal migraine eventually develop migraine with or without aura. An abdominal migraine can be diagnosed through attacks of abdominal pain lasting 1 to 72 hours and characteristically, pain in midline location and periumbilical part, and of dull or just sore quality with moderate or severe intensity.

A child suffering from abdominal pain may have either one or any two of anorexia, nausea, vomiting and pallor (dark shadows under the eyes). The child suffering from abdominal migraine experiences pain, which is severe enough to interfere with normal routine activities. Most children with abdominal migraine are certain to develop migraine head ache in their later life. The attacks are self-limiting and resolve almost spontaneously and the patients have no symptoms between attacks.

The abdominal pain usually occurs in the morning, though it may also occur at any time of the day. The other symptoms are photophobia, phono phobia and dizziness. Since there is no diagnostic test to confirm abdominal migraine, it is achieved only through patient's medical history and family history, evaluating the symptoms and ruling out other causes of symptoms.

If the abdominal migraine is of serious nature, the patient can be allowed to take rest and the condition usually improves with sleep and he or she should be allowed to lie down in a quiet and dark room, undisturbed.

If the abdominal migraine is not frequent, medications used for other types of migraine are given and when they are frequent, preventive therapies used for migraines can be given. But fundamentally, the choice of medication largely depends upon the age of the patient.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 22, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Protecting-Kids-from-Ab~

What Causes Migraines And Other Headaches

Nearly 90% of men and 95% of women have experienced at least one headache in their life. Today, migraine affects about 15% of the general population. Migraine is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It affects more women than men and it runs in families suggesting that there is a genetic link.

The cause of headaches on a pathophysiologic level is not well understood. Different types of headaches have different triggers. And what triggers a headache differs from person to person. Headache triggers range from the simple such as eyestrain, poor posture and dehydration to nutritional deficiencies, certain foods, environmental triggers, hormonal fluctuations and medical conditions.

Experts agree that migraine is a neurological disease. Migraineurs have hyperactive nerve cells. It has been observed that during a migraine serotonin levels are low and dopamine levels are elevated. Some researchers maintain that prior to a migraine blood platelets release serotonin, which causes intercranial blood vessels to contract. They subsequently dilate when serotonin levels drop putting pressure on the nerves of the smooth muscles in the blood vessels. In tension headaches, which are the most common type of headache, the smooth muscles around the scalp or in the neck and shoulders contract. Recent findings however suggest that the cause of headaches is more complicated than that and some research points to a connection with the limbic system, the seat of our emotions1. Many experts now speculate that migraine and tension headache have the same origin in the brain.

In order to get lasting relief we need to look beyond the immediate triggers some of which we can avoid, and some of which are unavoidable, to the underlying cause of a headache, which goes beyond chemical changes that take place in our brain.

The underlying cause of headaches seems most often to be

Stress

Though not all headaches result from stress, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 87% to 95% of all physical and nonphysical health problems have stress as their origin. Headaches are the primary symptom of stress manifesting itself in the central nervous system. Stress affects hormonal fluctuations, which in turn bring about the chemical changes that control the pain pathways. Stress comes from two sources. We experience stress from external circumstances and from internal thoughts conscious, subconscious or semi-conscious. External stressors are the triggers; internal stress makes us vulnerable to the triggers.

If you suspect that external stress is the culprit in making you sick and you are not able to remove yourself from the stressful situation, you can learn to control your response to these stressors through various techniques among which are Biofeedback, Yoga, Qigong, Meditation and relaxation techniques such as Shiatsu and Progressive Relaxation..

Internal Stress

Our coping mechanism to deal with stressors can be impaired due to psychological factors. Often self-destructive thoughts such as negative self-talk, anger, jealousy, fear, feelings of guilt either real or false and inner conflict, are subconscious or semi-conscious. We don't realize that these destructive thoughts cause us to be chronically in a flight or fight mode. Our bodies are continuously flooded with stress chemicals, which over time cause us to succumb to disease in the place where we are genetically most vulnerable. In case of headaches it is our head. These unhealthy thought patterns can also create clinical depression, a mental disorder often associated with headaches. These thoughts and feelings may have their origin as far back as our early childhood.

To relieve the stress we have to bring these unconscious, unhealthy feelings to the surface and address them. This can be done through psychotherapy, in depth counseling or through a method that is pioneered by Dr. Alexander Loyd, N.D., Ph.D., called 'The Healing Codes'. This system makes it possible for a person to address his subconscious negative emotions and heal them in 15-minute daily sessions. According to Dr. Loyd it is based upon the knowledge that everything at its root is an energy frequency (E=MC2) and that illness and disease can be traced to an unhealthy energy frequency. (Similar to the way an MRI determines health problems.) If you can change the unhealthy frequency to a healthy one, the illness or disease will go away without drugs, surgery, counseling, or even effort.

The Healing Codes teaches you the technique to bring about a change in your emotional well-being and spiritual health which in turn alleviates the physical issues related to it. In other words it deals with the underlying cause of your headaches. This natural healing system has brought healing to hundreds of people.

Another energy healing system that has gained considerable popularity due to its proven effectiveness in healing all types of diseases is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). This healing system promotes healing by tapping with the fingertips on established energy meridian points. It's based on the premise that "The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system."

EFT concurs with the notion that our unresolved negative emotions are major contributors to most physical pains and diseases.

In summary, whatever the immediate triggers of your headaches, in order to get permanent relief, it behooves you to explore if there is an emotional basis for your distress and seek the proper care to resolve it.

1. Keith R. Edwards - Mechanisms of Prolonged Headache.

Autor: Elisabeth Ullom

I was a chronic headache sufferer for over twenty years. Pharmaceutical drugs were ineffective or I couldnn't tolerate the side effects. I turned to natural therapies and found some relief but it was when I began to deal with my emotional issues that my headache symptoms began to improve. I created my website because I want to help other headache sufferers find the help they are looking for.

Elisabeth Ullom
http://www.headachefreeliving.com

Added: July 22, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Menstrual Migraine and its Symptoms

A migraine attack can occur once in a month, once a week or even once every day and hence it is episodic. It occurs in the brain and nerves and so is neurological and therefore, migraine is defined as an episodic neurological disorder.

The migraine attack may occur for the first time for boys at about 10 years of age and for girls, the peak age for experiencing a migraine is near 14 years, during their first menstrual period. So, it is sensible to conclude that migraines may be hormonally related and is often referred to as a menstrual migraine.

When compared to other migraines, menstrual migraines last longer, are more severe, occur more often with nausea and vomiting and are more difficult to treat. Migraines are related to changes in the level of estrogen during a woman's menstrual cycle, which drops immediately before the start of menstrual flow.

Premenstrual migraines regularly occur during or after the time when the female hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease to their lowest levels. But generally, migraine attacks disappear during pregnancy. Women who undergo hormone replacement therapy for menopause and those who take birth control pills experience change in the frequency or severity of migraine headaches.

Strictly, a menstrual migraine is the one, which starts from two days before to three days after the first day of period and occurs around most of the periods. There are two types of migraine; pure menstrual migraine is the one, which occurs only around periods and not at other times and menstrual associated migraine is the other that occurs around the periods and at other times too.

Migraines become more frequent while a woman approaches the menopause, since the level of estrogen tends to fluctuate at this stage. However, once past the menopause, the number of migraines tends to reduce. A migraine diary maintained for three months or so helps to see the pattern of migraines and confirm it as a menstrual migraine.

For women, who have a severe menstrual migraine, it is better to prevent them before the attack -at least to make it less frequent and less severe. It is good to maintain a dairy to compare before and after treatment. Once the migraine attack takes place, the treatment for it is the same as for other causes of migraine, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers and taking estrogen supplements.

Anti inflammatory painkillers can be used to treat migraine attacks and a short course can be used to treat as soon as the period starts, until the end of the menstrual period. But people who have duodenal ulcer or asthma cannot take such medications. A few days use of anti-inflammatory pill will have no side effects. Another option for treatment of menstrual migraine is to enhance the level of estrogen just before and during the periods, which is like hormone replacement therapy just for seven days each month.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 22, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Menstrual-Migraine-and-~

Migraines - Not Your Ordinary Headache!

Introduction

Migraine is a disease, a headache is only a symptom. These headaches, with nausea and vomiting, usually begin in childhood and tend to becomes less severe and frequent with age. They can occur any time of the day, though it often starts in the morning. Migraine pain is caused by vasodilation in the cranial blood vessels (expansion of the blood vessels), while Headache pain is caused by vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels). The disease characteristics can include: Pain typically on one side of the head with a pulsating or throbbing quality, Moderate to intense pain affecting daily activities, Nausea or vomiting, Sensitivity to light or sound.

Attacks usually last from four hours to 3 days, sometimes longer and visual disturbances or aura Exertion such as climbing stairs makes headaches worse. Approximately 20% of sufferers experience aura, the warning associated with migraine, prior to the headache pain. It is often mis-diagnosed as sinus headaches or tension-type headaches and affects up to 15% of the population. Migraines can induce a host of serious physical conditions including strokes, aneurysms, permanent visual loss, severe dental problems, coma and even death. Sufferers experience not only excruciating pain, but social ostracism, job loss, disruption of personal relationships, and prejudices in the workplace. These headaches seem to be caused in part by changes in the level of a body chemical called serotonin and they are not the same in all people.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a migraine may include: Moderate to severe pain on one or both sides of the head, Pulsating or throbbing pain, Pain worse with physical activity, Nausea with or without vomiting, Sensitivity to light or sound. Approximately 20 percent of these people experience what's called an aura prior to the headache pain. Symptoms of an aura include flashes of light, zig zags, or blind spots in your vision or tingling in one arm or leg. With a Classic migraine, a person has these visual symptoms 10 to 30 minutes before an attack: sees flashing lights or zigzag lines, has blind spots or loses vision for a short time. With a Common migraine, a person does not have an aura, but does have the other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Women also tend to report higher levels of pain, longer headache time, and more symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

Treatments

Treatment is divided into eliminating particular triggers, management of the specific attack, and long-term prevention. There are two basic ways to treat migraine headaches with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve the symptoms during the attacks. Many people use both forms of treatment. Other home treatment methods can help, such as doing relaxation techniques and using cold packs. In your headache diary (you should keep one), make a list of home treatment methods that work for you in different situations. Alternative medical treatments with medications belonging to the group known as the Phenothiazines have proven useful as non-analgesic options for treating severe headaches. At present, there is no known cure for the disease, only treatments for the symptoms. Furthermore, such treatments are not yet totally effective and sufferers may show a diminished tolerance to a variety of medications, treatments, and pain management regimens. As always, talk with your doctor about what sets off your headaches and to help find the right treatment for you.

Conclusion

Migraine is a true neurological disease and often becomes worse in the first trimester of pregnancy, but many women are headache-free later in their pregnancy. This disease and epileptic seizure disorders are also interrelated. People who suffer from these headaches are frequently dismissed as neurotic complainers who are unable to handle stress. It is the second most common type of headache syndrome in the United States and is most commonly found in women, with a 3 to 1 female-to-male ratio. They can continue through the 30s and 40s.

Migraines afflict 28 million Americans, with females suffering more frequently (17%) than males (6%). This type of headache is one of the most common problems seen in emergency departments and doctors' offices. Occurrence among females increases sharply up to age 40 years and then declines gradually. Headaches tend to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors contribute to a persons susceptibility to the disease.

The National Headache Foundation suggests you talk to your doctor about your headaches IF: you have several per month and each lasts for several hours or days, disrupts your home, work, or school life, you have nausea, vomiting, vision, or other sensory problems. Tests will be run to determine if you have migraine or not. Before your appointment, write down: how often you have headaches, where the pain is, how long they last, when they happen, such as during your menstrual cycle, other symptoms, such as nausea or blind spots, any family history of the disease. By just talking with your doctor, you may be able to give enough information to diagnose migraine.

Autor: Richard Ealom

Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them". Need more information Please visit our website @ http://rainydrops.com/a-migraine/migraine.php or http://rainydrops.com/alternative-orthodox.php

Added: July 21, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Controlling Migraine during Pregnancy

Migraine is a type of vascular headache caused by the blood vessels dilating and constricting in the head. When the blood vessels dilate, they cause severe pain and during pregnancy, the blood volume increases and hence the migraine headache attacks. The general symptoms of migraine during pregnancy are the same as for other migraines like, nausea, blurred vision or visual disturbances, severe throbbing pain on side of the head and so on.

Migraines almost disappear for some women during pregnancy and for some others, they may get worse or even happen for the first time. It is usual for the migraine to occur during the first trimester, and disappear during the second and third trimesters. But the consoling factor is that, despite the throbbing and severe pain for the mother, migraines do not pose a big direct threat to the fetus. So, an expectant mother has to take the help of a physician to confirm that the pain is from migraine and not because of any other cause.

The treatment for migraine during pregnancy is to maximize the relief as well as minimize the potential for fetal harm. But, the most ideal approach can be to prevent migraines and if it persists, try for natural methods, followed by medications. If the triggers of migraine are identified, it would be easier to prevent migraines.

Common dietary triggers for migraine are chocolate, cheese and coffee. Food preservatives, often found in processed meat can prompt migraines. Also, stress, loud noises, skipping meals, sleeping disturbances and bright lights can also trigger migraines.

It is sane to first try natural methods to alleviate migraine headaches during pregnancy. Relaxation techniques such as gentle yoga, meditation, and deep breathing may be helpful. Other methods are taking rest in a darkened room, cold packs and sleep. It is also suggested that regular exercises involving light walking can also be helpful to relieve migraines during pregnancy. Massage, performed by a prenatal massage therapist is another natural technique of reducing migraine headache and a safe natural treatment is acupuncture.

Generally, over-the-counter medications are not safe for pregnant women. Studies show that caffeine consumption in pregnant women must be limited to less than 300 mg per day. It is advisable for pregnant women to maintain a diary, which includes details as to when the headache happened, how long it lasted, what triggered it and so on. Such minute details may help in preventing further attacks of migraine headaches. Since triggers are different from one person to another it is important to maintain a diary. Preferably pregnant women should not take anything with aspirin unless prescribed by a health care provider.

Pregnancy is the time when a woman experiences physical and emotional changes and gives an overwhelming and exciting time for the expectant mother. At such a situation, migraine headaches may become severe or more frequent, but there are always treatment options. Therefore, if extra care is taken to identify the migraine triggers and find the treatment that is effective, pregnancy can be an enjoyable experience.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 21, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Controlling-Migraine-du~

Migraine Headaches, Top 10 Triggers

In this article I will go over my 30 years plus past experience with Migraines and then get right to the top 10 Migraine Triggers and a source for a cure.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

My job involves a lot of driving, however, much of my time is spent on the interstate, and as you know there are a lot of shiny windshields, bumpers, backs of semis, and much more. Every day brought the chance for Migraine Headaches. I loved the outdoors too, but I found myself dreading walking out the door. Even reflections coming in the house was starting to give me problems.

They used to take me down for the day. Then over time my headaches started changing, so did my Migraine Triggers. It got to a point where I was having one twice a week, and they were getting really extreme. More things become Migraine Triggers for me too. Then they switched to the other side of my head, and could return part way through the day.

When they start changing or go from Ocular Migraine to a regular Migraine Headache with pain, you are wise to seek advice from your doctor to investigate the reason for the change. Ocular Migraines can be a real cause for concern under certain conditions.

At this point, life was becoming quite unbearable for me. My quality of life was non-existent. I was turning into a real grump too. Migraine Triggers were waiting everywhere. I could always tell when a Migraine was going to start, my vision would start to go away. I mostly suffered from Ocular Migraines.

I am practically Migraine Headache free now, but anyone who has had a true Migraine Headache knows how miserable one can be. I started having Migraine Headaches when I was a teenager.

Top 10 Migraine Triggers

Alcoholic Beverages

Environmental factors

Foods that contain caffeine , monosodium glutamate, and nitrates

Glare from chrome, windows, etc.

Stress

Hunger can cause Migraines

Lack of sleep is also a contributing factor

Medications (over-the-counter and prescription)

Smells, Perfume, etc.

Hormonal changes in women.

The main Migraine Triggers for me was as follows; reflections off chrome or windshields, sometimes coffee, Tea, Diesel exhaust, stress was a major one. I found even chocolate was a Migraine Trigger sometimes for me.

Both of my Parents had suffered from migraines till we found a cure. It was quite a relief indeed. I have posted the cure on my website for Migraine Headaches and Migraine Triggers if you are interested in that, it's at the bottom of my page here.

After I started this routine, I went almost 6 months without having a Migraine Headache, even though all the Triggers were still there. That was really a weird experience. I had a hard time getting my parents onboard.

This may not treat all suffers of Migraine Headaches, and there are a lot more Triggers than what I mentioned here. But it will give you a place to start. One source I found during my research that has a lot of good information on the subject and has some great steps for increasing oxygen in your bloodstream can be found by following the link below that goes to my website where their link is. If I feel a Migraine Headache coming on now, I can usually always prevent it with a simple exercise also. This exercise can even be done while driving down the road. That is real handy when you are in the middle of a road trip, and an Ocular Migraine tries to comes on (Tries mind you!).

They have information to help you Discover An All-Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Migraine Headaches And Migraine Triggers. I had considered taking some of the prescription ones out of desperation, but they sounded too risky.

One other thing that really got my attention was that you are about 50% more likely to have a stroke after a Migraine. To heck with that! I think avoiding them is the best solution. However, both the Migraine Headache and the raise in risk of stroke are only the symptoms of another problem.

Autor: Randi W Clifford

That about does it for me. I hope you find relief from your agony, I feel your pain, and nausea. Although a thing of the past now, I feel very fortunate.

Best wishes for a Migraine Headache free life,

Randi

Migraine-Headaches-101.com

I am a past sufferer of Migraine Headaches; both of my parents had suffered from them also. We are all virtually Migraine free now because of some very simple changes in our lives. Now I'm all smiles and spreading the great news!

Added: July 20, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Proven Methods for Migraine Relief

The main objective of migraine relief is to relieve the pain after it has started and just before it gets worse. Generally, migraine relief aims to rapidly relieve the pain, try to prevent additional symptoms such as nausea or vomiting and to offer a cost effective sustained relief. Most of the people, even before diagnosing as migraine, prefer to take over-the-counter medicines, which are got without a prescription and generally include ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen.

OTC medicines may be effective for some people with migraine but it is always advisable to use with caution because, sometimes, OTC medicines may actually worsen the headache, rather than relieving it. Such medicines may also cause rebound headaches. So, it is good to consult a physician if a person takes OTC medicines more than three times a week. The best way for migraine relief is prescription medicines. For acute migraine pain relief, class of medicines called "triptans" is proving to be highly successful.

Triptans constrict the blood vessels in the brain, which causes the throbbing pain and brings them back to normal size, thus offering great relief. Triptans are not only good in relieving the headache but also in treating other symptoms of headache such as nausea and sensitivity to light. To make the best use of triptans, it is advisable to take them at the very first sign of pain. There are other remedies also for migraine headache. Applying cold compresses or simply taking rest in a room devoid of light may help to relieve migraine headache.

The migraine headache relief is said to be effective if, apart from relieving the pain, the medication also relieves nausea and other symptoms associated with migraine headache. Generally, migraine relief therapy works within two hours and refrains the pain from reoccurring. When some people tend to overuse pain relief medicines, whether they are OTC or prescription medicines, a type of headache called chronic daily headache may occur. When the effect of the pain relief medicine wears off, the pain often worsens and hence the name rebound headache.

There are other natural methods of relieving migraine headache such as relaxation training and stress management. Relaxation training involves progressive muscle relaxation and meditation, which provide techniques to gain control over the body's response to migraine headaches. The trigger which causes the migraine headache may be physical, mental, or emotional, which causes imbalance in human body in some way or other. Stress management is a natural approach to relieve the pain of migraine by reducing the self-generated stress.

But once a person has a migraine headache, relief therapy can be the only solution for which he or she has to take the medication in the early stages of showing the symptoms. As always, the best migraine relief can be the one that suits the health condition of an individual, which may vary from one person to another.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 20, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Proven-Methods-for-Migr~

There Are Two Types of Migraines

MIGRAINE WITH AURA - this type of migraine is known as the classic sort.

An aura means that the migraine sufferer will experience a sensory warning sign about 10- 30 minutes before the headache actually sets in. The usual signs are the feeling of nausea and/or an aversion to bright lights and loud noises. You might see flashes of light before your eyes. Dizziness could set in and you could feel nauseous and vomit.

You could get blurred vision and partial deafness. Vision can be partly and temporarily lost while a feeling of numbness will take over the hands and arms. This would feel like "pins and needles". This numbness could affect the face as well. Usually this numbness will be most acute in the lips and tongue.

Once the headache sets in these symptoms normally go away and the sufferer is left only with the acute headache. Many regular sufferers just have a feeling that there is a migraine on the way. It is usually a restless tired feeling.

There could be a mood swing as well that triggers a warning. After experiencing the feeling many times they will know how to identify it.

A bright light that suddenly shines in your eyes, even if it is just for a split second, can trigger off an attack in some sufferers or a very loud noise.

This type of migraine is more severe than the one without aura.

MIGRAINE WITHOUT AURA - this type of migraine is know as the common sort.

These headaches start without any warning symptoms. They can start at any time of the day or night. One minute you will be feeling fine and the next you will be experiencing the pain of an attack.

It could just start as a dull throbbing, which is bearable or it could crescendo into a more aggressive pain.

There are times when the sufferer experiences unbearable pain that prevents them from being able to do anything except lay still on the bed in a darkened room until the pain subsides.

Almost always the patient has partial blindness from the pain and any form of concentration is virtually impossible. Noise of any kind makes the condition worse.
Usually this condition does not clear up until the patient has had a bout of vomiting. This seems to relieve the pressure in the head. The headache will then subside. This will not be the case with every attack.

Some attacks will last longer than others. They could last a few minutes or hours depending on the severity of the attack

Some sufferers are left feeling weak and listless for days after an attack. There could be a lack of concentration and a stiff neck.

If the symptoms are only visual and there are no other symptoms such as a headache consult an ophthalmologist in case the cause is an eye disease and not migraine. You could then get this condition treated.

Autor: Mabel Van Niekerk

This author writes various articles pertaining to migraines. http://www.curemigrainesnow.com

Added: July 20, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Effective Migraine Treatment Methods

The intense throbbing pain in one particular area of the head is known as a migraine headache, which is often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting. For some people migraine can be predicted through the onset of "aura"(visual disturbances or a temporary loss of vision), which precedes the migraine. The triggers, which cause migraine headache, can be anxiety and stress, lack of food or sleep, exposure to light and hormonal irregularities.

The treatment to migraine with drugs can be approached in two ways either by preventing the attack or by relieving the symptoms during the attack. Most of the people take a combination of treatment by preventing future attacks and taking medications to relieve the pain and restore function. If the migraine headache is associated with menstrual cycle, then, hormone therapy can be useful. The occurrence and severity of migraine attacks can be reduced through other stress management strategies such as exercise, biofeed back, relaxation and the like.

The disabling effects of the headache can be limited to a great extent, by taking a combination of drugs to prevent and treat migraine attacks. Taking the right medicines prescribed by the physician and avoiding triggers that cause migraine can prevent migraine headache.

When a physician analyzes a patient"s medical history to carry out the appropriate treatment, his objective is to prevent or reduce the number of migraines, which is known as the prophylactic treatment, and to alleviate the symptoms and cut short the actual duration of migraine, which is known as the abortive treatment.

Prophylactic treatment: This is prescribed for patients who suffer from frequent headaches- as many as three or more a month-which are not cured by abortive treatment. The treatment is first started with one medication, called mono therapy, but a combination of medicines may be needed and if that is effective, the dosage is often reduced or the drug may be discontinued.

Most of the drugs used for migraines, invariably, have adverse side effects. Beta-blockers are generally preferred medications, but asthma and diabetic patients should use them with caution. The side effects include insomnia, gastrointestinal upset and low blood pressure and may also cause problems in nursing infants. Anti seizure drugs used for treating migraine may cause nausea, sedation, liver damage and tremors.

Infrequent migraines, which occur less than three times a month, can be relieved using over-the-counter medications, like analgesics, which should be taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. During a migraine headache, people prefer to rest or sleep alone in a quiet and dark room. Cold packs can also be applied to the head for temporary relief. But frequent use of analgesics can cause rebound headaches and the side effects include dizziness, stroke, high blood pressure and many more. Stress management techniques and stress reducing activities like meditation, yoga and exercise may help to prevent migraine headaches.

Autor: Lesley Lyon

http://www.shunmigraine.com deals extensively with all types of migraines, the causes, prevention and treatments.

Added: July 20, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Effective-Migraine-Trea~

It Is Not As Simple As You Think To Diagnose A Headache

You would think that diagnosing a headache would be one of the easiest things in the world as almost all adults suffer from headaches and when you suffer from one then you definitely know about it. But, in spite of the noticeable pain, diagnosing a headache can be a bit harder than you might suppose.

Astonishingly there are no general tests for use in diagnosing headaches and if you believe you are suffering from a headache and are experiencing pain then all you can do is to tell your physician exactly how you are feeling and it is his job to produce a diagnosis on the basis of what you tell him. However, one significant problem is that when talking about symptoms descriptions can and do vary markedly.

Some people are simply not as clear as others when describing how they feel and our often limited vocabulary does not help very much. Talking about experiencing a 'stabbing pain' might seem like a very good description to you but it does not necessarily be too helpful to your physician.

As if all of this was not bad enough diagnosis is made harder because headaches fall into several different categories.

Simple tension headaches which arise from inflamed facial or neck muscles and dilated head blood vessels amongst other things do not usually get diagnosed by physicians at all as most people simply treat them themselves with painkillers or just wait until they fade.

By contrast, migraines are more painful and are more likely to be the subject of a visit to the physician although even with migraines roughly half of sufferers never ask for professional help.

Physicians are able to use several factors in order to diagnose a particular type of headache and recommend a suitable treatment and, in spite of the fact that the pain felt is subjective, the type of pain is indicative of the type of headache. Migraines, for example, frequently produce powerful pulsating or throbbing sensations while in ordinary tension headaches the pain is generally more diffuse and constant.

Migraine headaches are also normally accompanied by nausea as well as a sensitivity to light and sound, cold extremities and other signs which sufferers will recognize. And, as these symptoms tend to be more or less the same from one sufferer to another, physicians are faced with an objective group of symptoms on which they are able to form a sound diagnosis.

Cluster headaches are distinguished by a strong pain behind an eye or temple which occurs for roughly half an hour to one hour and then re-occur the following day at approximately the same time. Cluster headaches can last for weeks and, again as they are fairly regular, physicians have something to go on.

In those cases where headaches are the result of some serious underlying condition like a brain tumor, physicians are able to identify this without undue difficulty. For example, MRI or CT scans can reveal well known patterns which can link a headache to the underlying physical problem.

A headache which progressively worsens over time provides physicians with a clue, as do patterns of pain which shift rapidly, and this could for example point to an aneurysm (a weakened blood vessel) as the root cause.

Diagnosing headaches is complex as a result of many different types of headache and the variety of symptoms. Nonetheless the key is to gather together as much information as is possible from both the patient and clinical tests.

Autor: Don Saunders

TheMigraineHeadacheCenter.com provides specific information about migraines and other related topics such as what causes headaches in morning

Added: July 19, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/It-Is-Not-As-Simple-As-~

Natural Migraine Treatment

More than 20 million North Americans suffer from migraine, a one-sided, severe, throbbing or pulsating headache often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, as well as by nausea and vomiting. Migraines are also called vascular headaches, because they usually involve spasm of the arteries of the head, resulting in a pulsating pain. There are no successful medicines for it, only natural migraine treatments can help.

The headaches may last from a few hours to several days or even longer. About 10 percent of migraine sufferers experience a warning aura before the headache starts; this early symptom involves a visual disturbance, such as partial or temporary loss of sight or flashes of light and color. An aura may also cause tingling on one side of the face or body or a disturbance in the sense of smell.

Even those who don't experience an aura may have warning signs in the few hours leading up to a migraine, such as feelings of cold, craving for a specific food, mood changes, a sudden burst of energy, or frequent yawning. Migraines affect women about three times as often as men, and they commonly start between the ages of 18 and 44. Doctors think that they begin when triggers - dietary, hormonal, environmental, emotional, and other factors cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict and then relax. These distorted blood vessels prompt nerve endings to send out pain signals.

Natural migraine treatment involves relaxation techniques. In addition to using relaxation techniques, some doctors recommend taking a course in biofeedback to learn how to raise the temperature of your hands, thereby diverting some of the blood flow from the head to another part of the body. This technique can be used at the start of an attack.

Autor: Arun Vimal
Added: July 19, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Mystery Behind the Common Headache

There can be very few people who have not experienced a headache and yet, despite the fact that they are so common, their cause remains something of a mystery. Also, although we often simply talk about a headache it is surprising how few people know that there are in fact several different types of headache.

Migraines for example affect about 10% of the US population (roughly 28 million individuals) and attack three times as many women as men. Yet, despite the fact that such a large section of the population regularly suffers from migraines, we still do not know what causes them. There are of course several theories, the latest of which is that they are caused by the interaction of brain chemicals like serotonin and the nerve cells of the brain, but we really do not know for sure that this is the cause.

Cluster headaches, which are much rarer but also much more intense than migraine headaches, affect only about one person in every three hundred and tend to attack men rather than women. Once again however we have only a tentative idea about what causes the stabbing pain which is often felt behind one eye in these particularly painful headaches. Some people suspect that a defect in the hypothalamus might be the cause but, as yet, there is no firm evidence to support this theory.

The commonest form of headache is what we normally refer to as ordinary or tension-type headaches and once more these are only partly understood. In this case the list of possible causes is extremely long and includes everything from what we eat to how stressed we are. Trying to pinpoint a precise cause has however so far proved too difficult and just what produces the ordinary everyday headache remains a mystery.

Perhaps the only saving grace is that there is a large number of medications available to cope with the different types of headache and most of these are both safe and effective for the majority of sufferers.

Migraines have long proved difficult to treat and the original ergot drugs used to treat them had varying degrees of success. These were then largely replaced by triptans which proved to be more effective but unfortunately carried some drawbacks. Nowadays however the second generation of triptan drugs are proving safe, have fewer side effects and work well for most sufferers.

We have also seen an increase in the use of preventive medications for migraines such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications and a variety of other drugs which are commonly used to treat other well known conditions. For some people these will indeed stop headaches from occurring at all, while in other people they act to reduce the frequency of headaches.

For ordinary headaches traditional over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin or paracetamol (which have been around for more than 100 years) and newer drugs such as ibuprofen provide safe and effective relief in most cases. For people who suffer from regular headaches though care does need to be taken as even the humble aspirin can have side effects if taken too frequently and, for example, lead to such problems as gastrointestinal bleeding.

Even though there is still so much that we do not understand about headaches the fact that we are able to treat them effectively is a comfort to the many sufferers and especially to the large number of people who suffer from often very debilitating migraines. Surprisingly enough though only about half of all migraine sufferers ever seek medical advice and so there are millions of people today needlessly suffering in silence.

If you are bothered by headaches and simple over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or paracetamol do not do the trick then, rather than sit and suffer in silence, call in and see your physician who will almost certainly be able to help to relive your headaches.

Autor: Donald Saunders Donald Saunders
Level: Platinum
Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including: "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies", "Jet ...

TheMigraineHeadacheCenter.com provides information on all types of headache including such things as cluster headaches and sinus headaches

Added: July 18, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Fioricet - Specific Recommendations

Butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine come together to form the medication commonly known as Fioricet. Supplies as tablets for oral administration, Fioricet is generally recommended for tension muscular headaches but also for the following medical conditions: migraines, degenerative disease of the spine, fibromyalgia (rheumatoid disorder characterized by pain and muscle rigidity), spondylolisthesis (vertebra dislocation creating pressure on the spinal nerves, causing intense pain) and for premenstrual pain.

Fioricet tablets contain the above-mentioned ingredients: butalbital 50 mg, acetaminophen 325 mg and caffeine 40 mg. Inactive ingredients include: magnesium stearate, cellulose, starch and stearic acid. Given the fact that butalbital can be addictive, Fioricet is prescribed with increased attention. Butalbital is part of the barbiturate class of drugs, having both sedative and hypnotic properties. It slows down the functioning of the central nervous system, having the same effect on nerve impulses. All these properties finally induce relaxation, relief from the intense pain felt. Acetaminophen is a mild analgesic with antipyretic properties. Caffeine is known to stimulate the central nervous system but also contributed to the constriction of blood vessels, reducing the consequences of severe tension headaches.

What are the potential side-effects of Fioricet? The combination between these three drugs can lead to severe allergic reactions with dsypnea, throat closing up (edema of the glottis, the speech organ) and swelling of the lips, tongue or face in general. Emergency medical assistance is required in patients with slow breathing, irregular heartbeat and all the signs mentioned above. Serious liver damage can also happen in case of large quantities of acetaminophen. The harmful effects of prolonged Fioricet treatments are noticeable through the following symptoms: icterus (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), feelings of sickness, abdominal pain and general discomfort. Patients might also experience intense weakness. Liver damage is commonly linked to blood problems, including strange bleeding or easy bruising. Long-term Fioricet treatments can also modify the concentration of glucose in the blood, with fatigue, vertigo and passing out as symptoms.

The important thing to understand about the symptoms mentioned above is they appear on rare occasions. The doctor must be notified about their existence and perform a thorough investigation in order to determine underlying causes of these unusual reactions. The best thing for you to do is stop taking the medication step-by-step (not all of a sudden as you risk powerful withdrawal symptoms to appear) and wait for your doctor"s approval before re-starting the treatment. Fioricet may also make you feel dizzy, drowsy and tired but these are not serious side-effects. They usually appear at the start of the treatment and diminish in intensity after a while. Fioricet will make your mouth to feel dry (xerostomia) and provoke nausea or vomiting. This medication is also responsible for appetite loss, muscular fatigue and cramps. In some cases, side-effects include agitation and feelings of intoxication.

Do not refrain from going to the doctor if any other side-effects or adverse reactions appear. Also, be sure to inquire about potential drug interactions and substance abuse situations caused by excessive intake of butalbital. Fioricet should never be taken at the same time with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors as this combination can lead to extremely serious adverse reactions. As for acetaminophen and butalbital, they can increase the potency of other medication and lead to intense drowsiness. We are talking about tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives, pain-relieving medication, anti-anxiety drugs and muscle relaxants. You should not follow any other treatment before consulting with your doctor first.

As butalbital causes drowsiness and reduces the functioning of the central nervous system, it is not advisable to drive or operate other vehicles while under Fioricet treatment. Also, doctors have become increasingly concerned with the large intake of acetaminophen. Many of the patients who follow a treatment with Fioricet take other drugs that contain acetaminophen and the results are not pleasant at all. This is why you should always check the prescription label of other medicine you are taking and read about possible acetaminophen content. Medical specialists do not recommend patients to take more than 4 mg of this substance in a day. Increased attention should also be given to the quantities of caffeine ingested, no matter if you take pills or three cups of coffee per day.

Fioricet is administered orally, with a glass of water. If you have stomach problems, you can always take the medication with food or a glass of milk. The dosage should always be respected and the doctor consulted if the symptoms do not improve. Taking excessive quantities of this drug can lead to overdose, with insomnia, severe agitation and constant tremor. Patients who are suspected of overdosing should be immediately sent to the closest medical unit and treated. Other OD symptoms include irregular heartbeat, tonic convulsions, excessive sweating, shallow breathing and even coma.

The doctor will monitor your treatment closely if you suffer from kidney or liver disease. Certain precaution is required in those with a history of substance abuse; Fioricet should be administered only under close supervision. This drug is not recommended for those who have a drinking problem or those who have been diagnosed with porphyria. As the effects of Fioricet on fetuses are not known yet, this medication is not indicated for pregnant women. Breast-feeding is also a contraindication as active ingredients can pass into the mother"s milk, harming the baby. The light-blue round tablets should never be administered to children under 12.




Autor: megan m

If you don't have health insurance you know what it's like to dread over those expensive doctor visits and prescription costs. If you need a pain reliever, you can buy Fioricet online

Added: July 18, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Fioricet---Specific-Rec~

Migraine Relief Needed - Study Shows There is All Natural Migraine Help For You

Need migraine relief because you are suffering from chronic migraines? According to this study, migraine sufferers should be hopeful. There is an all natural supplement that could be give you the migraine relief you need. As a matter of fact, if you are suffering from migraines, you know that the medication that is typically subscribed is very strong... and studies have shown, a lot of it can be very dangerous.

Anyway, there is good news.

A study was done with 32 patients who had chronic migraines. They had migraines at least 2 to 8 times a month. Each person was given only 150 mg of coenzyme Q10 (also known as "Co Q 10") each morning at breakfast for 3 months. 31 out of the 32 people finished the study and no bad effects were linked with Coenzyme Q10 therapy. The great news? 61% had greater than a 50% reduction in migraine days at the end of 3 months! That's 10 patients! And 93% of the patients had at least a 25% reduction in number of days with migraine and The promising news? Only 2 out of the 32 patients showed no improvement. So the odds are very good that Co Q 10 might help with migraines.

Where do you buy Co Q 10? You can get it at your local health store but they will charge you a LOT of money for it. You can also buy it online for a lot cheaper... but be careful about where you buy it. A lot of vitamins have "fillers" in them that are not good for you. Make sure you buy an "all natural" Co Q 10. Be careful.

To find out a place where you can buy "all natural supplements" such as Co Q 10, visit http://www.provennaturalcures.com/discountvitamins.html

Source: Rozen TD, et. al. Open label trial of Coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive. Cephalagia 2002; 22:137-141.

Autor: Hope Pope Hope Pope
Level: Basic PLUS
Hope Pope is the owner of Proven Natural Cures website. This website includes information on all types of natural cures. ...

Hope
http://www.provennaturalcures.com

Added: July 18, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Get Rid Of Sinus Infections Forever - From A Nurse!

Sinus infections are diagnosed in more than 30 million US residents every year and are among the most common reasons people see their doctor. Sinus problems are usually diagnosed after taking a medical history, doing a physical exam and evaluating the signs and symptoms. However most people know they have a sinus problem or sinus infection before they ever visit their doctor. The doctor visit may follow days or even weeks of trying to cure a sinus infection.

Sinus problems are frequent among people with immune problems. Sinus infections can last for weeks or months without the right treatment and often people go through dozens of sinus solutions without any luck.

In the past sinus infections were treated with antibiotics which were prescribed for 7- 10 days in an attempt to reach the sinuses, however they are usually not prescribed anymore because it's an established fact that most sinus infections are caused by fungi or viruses. In addition the antibiotics generally were not able to reach the deep sinus cavities. Americans have spent billions of dollars on drugs or medications that promise relief from sinus symptoms and these did not work.

Sinusitis can be acute, which is usually temporary, or chronic, which requires a more permanent solution. Sinus problems can affect breathing and produce a cough from irritating the cough reflex in the throat from sinus drainage. For people with acute or chronic sinusitis, the openings of the cavities are usually narrow and blocked.

Four sets of sinus cavities reside within your head. These are openings that drain mucous and debris out of the nasal passages. Although they are rare, complications can occur including abscess, orbital cellulitis, meningitis or osteomyelitis.

The goal of sinus treatment is to get rid of the sinus infection or sinus problem, reduce the swelling of the openings to the sinus cavities, promote good sinus drainage and prevent any serious complications.

You may get relief from an air purifier if your sinus infections are allergy-related or you live in a smoke-filled house. Put a warm, wet washcloth on your face several times a day. Try to avoid flying if you're congested. If you have to fly take along saline nasal spray to try to keep the tissues moist. The dry air irritates the sinuses, increasing the chance of infection if you don't have one.

Check for possible soreness over some of the sinuses by gently pressing or tapping on the cheeks and forehead although for the deeper sinus cavities this won't work. Make sure to drink plenty of water to help thin and moisten the mucus.

Eat lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants and many other nutrients that boost your immune system and help your body resist infection. Avoid the obvious - smoke, dust, fumes, aerosol sprays, pollutants and anything airborne. Sinus infections are also much more common when there is exposure to cigarette smoke.

Living with chronic sinusitis or battling occasional acute sinus infections or sinus headaches doesn't have to be a lifetime problem. You can get rid of sinus infections without antibiotics and avoid sinus surgery. A clear understanding of how the sinuses work, knowing all you can do naturally, applying common sense and treating sinus symptoms early will help you get rid of your sinus problems for good.

Autor: Helen Hecker

For more info on how I cured myself of chronic sinus infections go to a nurse's website http://www.Sinus-Solutions.com for tips, sinus treatments, natural sinus treatments, causes and remedies for all types including info on symptoms, surgery, nasal irrigation and sinus headaches

Added: July 18, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Get-Rid-Of-Sinus-Infect~

Sinus Headache Symptoms

The pain in Sinus is much more intolerable as compared to any other headache. A patient of sinus feels pain in sinuses. There are various sinus headache symptoms, which confirm that a person is suffering from it. The pain starts from the upper part of sinus then it continues to nose and finally in the cheeks. The person feels pain in these areas only.

If you have sinus infection, then it is important to notice the specific pain area. It is so, because migraine sufferers have to tolerate the pains in full head. On the other hand, sinus headache occurs in the localized areas that have been described above.

Another sinus symptoms are stuffy ears and fever. During the flight journey, the ears of the sufferer would affect extremely. So for a safer side, he should bring benadryl syrup.

Whenever the body temperature gets high, it is necessary to visit a specialist. May be you are suffering from sinus headache that can make the situation worst if it does not cure on time. However, a mild fever does not mean that you are suffering from this painful disease.

Some of the other sinus headache symptoms are postnasal drip and nasal congestion. Postnasal drip is the situation when a person experiences the accumulated mucus at the back of the throat while lying down. Nasal congestion is the blockage of nasal passages and sinuses.

Extreme pain in forehead when you wake up from the sleep is another of the symptoms. The sufferer feels pain and pressure around cheeks, brow and forehead. Moreover, lethargy and fatigue is the normal situation that comes under the sinus headache symptoms.

Cure these symptoms by following the prescribed medicines and the natural homemade remedies. Inhale steam and nutritive diet heals the pain fast and effectively. Also, Pranayamas like anulomaviloma, sitkari and Asans include uttanpadasana, and shavasana is also one of the best treatments to keep the sinus headache away.

Be sure to find out the exact problems and causes of your pain. Do not just treat the sinus headache symptoms blindly. Consult a specialized doctor and then start working over the prescribed course.

Autor: Mikel Martin

Would you like to know how I treated my sinus infection in 4 days without any drugs? If yes then visit sinus infection blog or sinus treatment blog.

Added: July 17, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Migraines: Not Just A Bad Headache

A migraine is a complaint that is quite often suffered by other family members, all of which have probably been experiencing them from a young age. Often these attacks can last for days where the victim must seek bed rest; however, if it is treated, they can end in a matter of hours. These attacks also leave the suffer feeling exhausted and might take them a while to recover fully.

Some sufferers only experience only one attack per year whereas for someone who is liable to frequent attacks, this in the range of one or two every month. Some symptoms seem to be consistent with most victims; those of a feeling like those associated with cold or influenza and a problem with bright lights. Migraine can affect people from as young as ten and up to the age of forty; however, by the time someone reaches fifty, attacks almost never occur.

It is quite common for members of the same family group to suffer with migraine attacks; however, science has not yet proved that there is a genetic factor at work. There is a condition that causes an inflammation of blood vessels in the brain and it is possible that people who suffer have sensitivity in this area. Science cannot as yet explain why this condition is more likely to affect women than men but women have a three times greater chance of having the condition than men; however, the chance of a man experiencing the condition on a regular basis is only one in twelve.

Another symptom that is not consistent is those people that know when they are going to have an attack anything up to 30 minutes before it happens; this sensation is called migraine with aura owing to the type of feeling they experience. A number of different warning signs have been exhibited such as queasiness, blinking or zigzagging lights, reduction in the sensations of taste and problems speaking.

Other symptoms exist but these appear to be the most common. Migraine sufferers who do not have any warning are said to have attack without aura but still suffer extreme pain; this condition can escalate and is made worse by any movement, loud noises and bright lights which can cause the person to vomit.

Whilst the exact reason why some people suffer with migraine still eludes medical science, the theory that the narrowing of blood vessels to the brain is the closest they have come to discovering a migraines cause. It might be that it is the expansion of the blood vessels afterwards that causes the headache; however, all suffers say the attack knocks them out and they are unable to carry out even the most simple of daily tasks. There are many possible triggers for an attack such as adverse weather conditions, food belonging to certain groups, altitude, drinks, powerful bright lighting, poor sleep patterns and stress caused by personal problems.

Monitoring and recording the triggers in a diary can help avoid future attacks so it is something that all sufferers must learn to carry out.

Autor: Carol Bell

For more information about migraines and other health matters visit our website http://www.superiorhealth.co.uk

Added: July 17, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Migraines--Not-Just-A-B~

Sinus Headache Treatment

Approximately 45 millions people of America suffer from sinus every year. It has been found that the majority of people depend on the antibiotics and other medicines. They find it the only available treatment. But after its cure, the same sinus associated pain appears again and makes a tense situation for the sufferers. Now, they do not need to depend on the prescribed drugs completely. Some natural treatments have been found to cure the sinus headache effectively. The natural treatment saves the hard earned money of people and would make the victim feel a lot better.

The first natural sinus headache treatment is the hot and cold compression. Apply a hot compress over the sinus pain areas for 2-3 minutes and then a cold compress for 30-60 seconds. Repeat this effective technique for 3 to 4 times per treatment.

Irrigate the nasal passages with the salt-water solution. This would wash away the accumulated mucus, dust particles, bacteria and pollutants. Also, it decreases the swelling of mucous membrane. But before going to prepare this, it is better to consult a doctor for the correct directions.

Take a cotton fabric, dip it into cold water and then place it on forehead for a few minutes. This sinus headache treatment would lessen the sinus pain quickly.

Another sinus headache treatment is a eucalyptus or peppermint steam inhalation that provides the immediate relief. It opens up the sinus passages and cleans out the mucus and other dust particles. Also, for a sinus headache patient, jalapeno pepper, ripe grapes juice is good to lessen the headache. With these, a patient should add other nutritive food and drinks also. He has to avoid the oily, spicy food and cold beverages for some days.

Some home made pastes work excellent on the forehead. Like thick mixture of dry ginger and milk. The other one is, the mixture of basil leaves, cloves and one tablespoon of dried ginger. Apply this paste on the forehead.

The natural treatment has the potential to cure the sinus headache fast. Sufferers can follow any one- sinus headache treatment that has been described above.

Autor: Mikel Martin

Have you given your life completely to sinus infection; thinking there is no way out? Get your Sinus Treatments or visit Sinus Treatment Blog.

Added: July 17, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Headaches: What You Can Do to Help

Most of us have had a headache at some point in our lives; others live with "chronic" headaches. Headaches can be associated with many factors including stress and tension, postural imbalances, allergy and sinus problems, hormone imbalances, and migraine-related complexes. In this article, we will focus on the impact of our behavioral patterns on headaches.

Physical stress, emotional stress, tension and postural imbalances affect all of us in some way. Continual muscular tension and soft tissue bracing patterns can lead to myofascial restrictions and pain. As Myofascial Release practitioners, we find that no matter what type of headache, there is almost always tissue tightness, tension, and myofascial restriction surrounding the head, shoulders, neck, face and jaw.

Often we even find myofascial restrictions extending down to the sacrum (the base of our spine) and the pelvis. This results in the constant compression of nerves, blood vessels, bones, and joints in these areas. It is critical that we become aware of our behavioral patterns as well as our individual and unique anatomical variations in order to address the underlying causes of our headaches.

Do you ever find yourself slumping in front of the computer, television, or steering wheel of your car, with your head hanging forward? Continual posturing of the head in a forward position compresses the space between the base of the cranium and the top of the neck (the sub-occipital space). Also our jaw automatically opens, requiring us to clench the jaw to keep it closed. Over time the tissue in this area adapts and remains in a shortened position, pressing the bones together, contributing to our headache.

At the same time, stress creates additional muscle tension in the body which exaggerates the postural imbalance, further squeezing vital structures, specifically, the dural tube. The dural tube is a thick connective tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. It extends like a stocking from the top of our head to the base of our spine. Because the dural tube contains the cerebral spinal fluid, compression and restriction through this area creates pressure much like that in a water balloon, resulting in headaches.

The balance of the cranial bones affects the amount of pressure placed on the dural tube and the head. Our cranium is actually a "puzzle" of bones that expands and contracts very subtly like expansion joints on bridges, to accommodate the fluid flow in the brain and spinal cord. If micro movements along cranial structures did not occur every time cerebral fluid is pumped, our head would explode or at least feel like it could. Restriction of the tissue between the cranial bones creates undue pressures on the dural system and the head leading to headaches. So what can we at HOPT do to help you with your headaches?

As Myofascial Release therapists, we are highly trained in techniques to decompress the base of the cranium, lengthen the dural tube and balance the cranial bones; all of which can significantly reduce pain and tension and increase mobility in the head, spine, shoulder and jaw. Also, we at HOPT feel that it is extremely important to guide and assist our patients in body awareness principles and practice. If you are not aware of your behavioral patterns that contribute to headaches, how can you change them? Awareness is empowering! Awareness is the key.

What YOU can do:
Self treatment is essential. It is how we change the behavioral pattern that is associated with our pain. When we learn new ways to take care of our bodies, we leave behind the old patterns that may have contributed to our pain.

The following are some self treatment techniques:

Tune In
Take time each day to quiet yourself and notice your breath. Notice if your breath goes easily into your body or if there is any resistance. Next, imagine your inhale filling your head, neck, shoulders and down your spine. Notice any tension or bracing in these areas. With each exhale, allow your entire body to soften. Practice this technique throughout the day or whenever you feel tension building in your head, neck, shoulders or body in general. Couple this method with the following
techniques.

Sphenoid Lift
Imbalance of the sphenoid bone, a cranial bone, can contribute to headaches. While sitting, gently place your index and second finger on the side of your head just behind your eye socket (the soft space). With your elbows supported on a table or pillows, gently shift the tissue forward without actually gliding on the skin. "Tune In" and wait at least two minutes or until you feel a release or softening.

Ear Pull
Grasp the lower outer edge of your ear and gently pull out and back until you feel a gentle stretch. With your elbows supported, "Tune In" and wait here at least two minutes or until you feel a release of softening of the tissues.

Occipital Release
Put two tennis balls in a tube sock and tie a knot on both ends. Lie down on your back and place the tennis balls behind your head, just above the base of your skull. If the tennis balls tend to slip into the neck space, slide them higher on your head. "Tune In" and allow your body to soften into the tennis balls for 5 to 15 minutes. The more you participate by doing your home exercises, the more those activities will integrate into your daily life. This will make an even more profound impact on your continued treatment sessions at HOPT. Your increased body awareness allows our therapists to assist you even further. Remember, healing is a process not an event.


Kristi McGrath, PT

Autor: Landon Wisser

Hands on Physical Therapy is located in Austin, Texas. Hands on Physical Therapy provides a specialized approach that addresses whole body acute and chronic pain patterns. Their staff has extensive training in manual therapy techniques which are utilized for treating structural and soft tissue imbalances within the body.
Handsonpt.net

Added: July 17, 2008
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Headaches--What-You-Can~