Overview

Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily experiences, painful headaches, and nausea. It is a common condition which affects women more frequently than it does men.

The typical migraine headache is one-sided and pulsating, lasting 4 to 72 hours. Accompanying complaints are nausea and vomiting, and a heightened sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia) and noise (hyperacusis). Approximately one third of people who experience migraine get a preceding aura, in which a patient may sense a strange light or unpleasant smell. Patients often describe triggers they feel precipitate an episode of migraine, such as certain foods and beverages (like chocolate or alcohol), stress or menstruation. In some migraine types there are typical features but the headache remains absent, and in children abdominal pain may be a prominent feature.

Although the exact cause of migraine remains unknown, the most widespread theory is that it is a disorder of the serotonergic control system. Genetic factors may also contribute. Studies on twins show that genes have a 60 to 65% influence on the development of migraine. Fluctuating hormone levels show a relation to migraine in several ways: three quarters of adult migraine patients are female while migraine affects approximately equal numbers of boys and girls before puberty,[citation needed] and migraine is known to disappear during pregnancy in a substantial number of sufferers.

The treatment of migraine begins with simple painkillers for headache and anti-emetics for nausea, and avoidance of triggers if present. Specific anti-migraine drugs can be used to treat migraine. If the condition is severe and frequent enough, preventative drugs might be considered.

The word migraine is French in origin and comes from the Greek hemicrania, as does the Old English term megrim. Literally, hemicrania means "half (the) head".

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Relationship Between Food And Migraines

Migraines are excruciatingly painful and are one of the most severe cases of headaches. The pain is extreme and immobilizing. They can begin with an aura that includes vision, auditory or olefactory (smell) and a pain that is a dull ache. It will gradually evolve into pounding pain. It can feel as if the pain happens on one side of the head or all over.

The time sequence for a migraine will vary from person to person and sometimes from migraine to migraine. The same can be said about the frequency. Some may have one migraine in their lifetime while others suffer weekly.

Because of the severity of the pain and the disability that it causes in the life of an individual most people search for cures and solutions to take the pain away. One of those options is to change the diet and nutrition that the body receives.

In some instances people can identify triggers for their migraines that are related to sugar or chocolates. Some physicians believe that these migraines are triggered by allergies to those substances. And these people are able to stop the migraines by only taking those substances out of their daily routine.

Taking out sugar, more specifically white sugar, is actually more difficult than it may appear on the surface. There is white sugar in many processed foods from breads, to cookies and packaged foods to all desserts. Suddenly the individual is faced with a complete dietary change.

Others find that by taking processed foods out of their diets, whether because of the white sugar or other chemical additives, their migraines are either greatly reduced or disappear. The theory is that we are actually what we eat, which makes perfect sense. The cells in our bodies are produced by the energy, vitamins and minerals that we take from the food we feed our bodies. If that food is full of chemical additives, white sugar and high in trans fats then the cells and energy they produce are defective.

If eating to help reduce or cure your migraines is a goal of yours then it is time to take it seriously. There are several factors that should be addressed before taking the plunge. The individual should have a basic education on how and what they will eat, how they will accommodate their lifestyle change while eating out and what alternatives might be available.

Autor: Kurt Naulaerts

Migraines can cause a lot of pain. An advanced way to fight pain is via pulsed magnetic therapy. One of the best devices is the MRS 2000.


Added: June 22, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/The-Relationship-Betwee~

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