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What Are Migraines?

If someone has ever mentioned having a migraine and you responded with a comment about it just being a headache, then you’ve been fortunate enough to never have suffered from a migraine - otherwise you’d never make that comment in the first place. A migraine does more than cause a bit of pain in your temples or that spot over the bridge of your nose where you get a sinus headache. This nervous system disease saps your strength, causes nausea and even makes the sufferer unable to see properly.

If you’re thinking that migraines aren’t very common, these statistics may surprise you:

* In developed areas, migraines are as much as 300 to 500 percent more common than in third world and Asian countries.

* More than 500,000,000 (five hundred million) people have migraines every year.

Since millions of people worldwide suffer from migraines each year, this disease is actually fairly serious. A migraine is not just a little headache - they cause people to lose work time, miss out on family events and generally enjoy life less than people who don’t get them.

So what exactly are migraine headaches and where do they come from?

There are actually two types of migraines. If you’ve been suffering from migraines and have a common migraine, it hits without warning. If you have a classic migraine, you do get some warning that it is coming, but the warning isn’t a nice one and is almost as bad as the headache itself. Anywhere from ten to thirty minutes before the actual headache hits, people who suffer from classic migraines will have something called an aura. Auras can include many symptoms, but visual difficulties, such as flashing lights, zig-zag lines and temporary loss of vision, are the most common warning signs. Other aura symptoms are difficulty with speech, feeling confused, tingling in the face or hands and weakness in arms or legs.

Migraine sufferers don’t always feel pain on both sides of their heads. This is because these headaches are unilateral, or on one side. Most people develop a headache around one eye or one side of their jaw and neck. As the migraine persists, it will envelope the rest of that side of the head. During a bad migraine, noise or light can worsen the pain and the sufferer may vomit from the pain they experience.

Another term for a migraine is vascular headache. This means that the headache happens because the blood vessels around and inside your skull change their shape and size. This is what actually causes the migraine pain and what makes it so difficult to treat at times.

Children rarely suffer from migraines. Teen boys develop migraines earlier than girls who will eventually suffer from this disease. However, in later years, women will be more likely to develop migraines than men. The good news is that, for many people, episodes of this nervous system disease eventually becomes less intense and less frequent. The bad news is that migraines can last for quite some time. There have been cases where these headaches lasted for as long as two weeks, although a range of a few hours to two days is more common. Some people have migraines several times a week, while others only have two or three episodes a year.

Finally, although more than one person has feared that the terrible pain of a migraine is because of a brain tumor, migraines are not caused by an underlying disease. They are very painful and dehabilitating while they are happening, but they aren’t fatal at all.

There are ways to deal with, cope and even treat your migraine headache and you can find more information, from a fellow, migraine sufferer by following the resource section at the bottom of this article.

Got another throbbing migraine and just sick and tired of the pain? Find out more about the cause for migraine headaches now. Learn how to combat and defeat your migraine headaches one and for all at http://www.migrainehelper.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Roche

How to Massage Migraine Headaches

Massage, a common method of relieving migraine headaches, can be done by a professional – or you can do it yourself using this technique.

A light massage combined with migraine pressure points will give you the greatest relief. You need only a few simple points about how to massage a migraine headache.

Migraine Pressure Point Defined

It is important to learn the migraine pressure point or points that bring relief. A migraine pressure point is a point on your body that, when pressed, will lessen the pain in your head. Surprisingly, a migraine pressure point is not necessarily the point that hurts most.

A migraine pressure point may be pressed and released in slow, rhythmical fashion, and deliberately massaged to gain relief. This will release congested energy and blood from the head and ease your pain.

Migraine Pressure Point Technique

You will be treating each migraine pressure point with these simple steps.

* Use only the pads of your thumbs or first two fingers – never the ends.
* Keep the pressure light to moderate, depending on how sensitive the point is to your touch.
* Press hard enough so you can feel hardness or tension under your thumb or fingers.
* If a migraine pressure point hurts so much that you can’t take a deep breath, apply less pressure on that point.
* Let your fingers sink into the migraine pressure point as you apply pressure gradually. Feel your thumb or finger going gently, gradually deeper and deeper.
* While your thumb or finger is as deep as you want to go, massage the point with tiny, circular movements of your finger.
* Keep your thumb or finger on the migraine pressure point until you feel a movement or change there. It may feel softer or warmer.
* Now slowly, gradually release the migraine pressure point until your thumb or finger leaves the skin.
* Repeat several times at same point.

Migraine Pressure Point Locations

Remember to be firm, but gentle. Insufficient pressure on a migraine pressure point will not be effective – too much pressure will create tension in your surrounding muscles.

Here are a few migraine pressure point locations to get you started. Start with the first, and work your way through each point, consciously relaxing as you do so.

1. Migraine Pressure Point at Base of Skull

Locate the bony base of your skull in back. Place your thumb pads under the skull’s base, each thumb about 1 inch from your spinal column. Holding your thumbs against the two points, tilt your head back slightly. Now press upward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions of the thumbs, still holding the pressure. When you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 again. Repeat 5 times.

2. Migraine Pressure Point at Mid-Forehead

This migraine pressure point is located at the middle of your forehead, right between your eyebrows. Using the migraine pressure point technique described above, and your thumbs or one of the first two fingers, press inward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

3. Migraine Pressure Point at Eye Corners

Feel the face at the outer corners of your eyes. Move your fingers away from the eyes until you find the spots just behind the bone. Using the migraine pressure point technique and one or two finger pads, apply pressure gradually inward, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

4. Migraine Pressure Point on Hand

Surprisingly, you have a migraine pressure point on each hand. It’s the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger. Using the thumb pad and index finger of your opposite hand, gradually squeeze the upper portion of this migraine pressure point, counting to 10 and breathing deeply. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

5. Migraine Pressure Point on Foot

The last point you will use to massage migraine headaches away is located on the top of each foot. Locate the place where the bones come together between your big toe and your second toe. With thumb or finger pads, press downward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 again. Repeat 10 times.

Different bodies respond differently to pressure points. These should work for you. If you want information on additional migraine pressure points, ask a local shiatsu professional. A professional will also be able to give you a complete treatment for relief or prevention of migraine headaches.

© 2007, Anna Hart. From a family of migraine sufferers, Anna has studied migraines extensively, and invites you to read more of her articles about these excruciating headaches at http://www.migrainereliefblog.com. Anna continues to post valuable information on that site about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of migraines. If you want to learn more about relief for migraine headaches, you won’t want to miss her articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart

What Are The Different Types Of Migraines?

If you’ve been suffering from migraine headaches, you may have noticed the symptoms are almost the same for everyone - a painful ache in one spot that becomes worse and spreads over one side of your face - sometimes almost entirely. The nausea and vomiting you feel are also common symptoms of most migraines. So, since these symptoms are so much the same, there’s only one type of migraine, right?

Actually, there are quite a few types of migraines, but most people suffer from one of two types, the common migraine or the classic migraine. The difference between these two headaches is that the common migraine does not have an aura and classic migraines do have an aura.

An aura refers to visual symptoms that begin before the classic migraine actually starts. These symptoms may include seeing jagged lines in front of your eyes or actually losing vision for a few minutes, hearing ringing or other noises that aren’t actually there, feeling numb or having tingly sensations, or smelling odd odors. This aura can actually be useful, because it can and does serve as a warning that a very painful migraine is on the way. This would at least allow you to take some preventive measures. For people who suffer from a common migraine, there is often no warning. Suddenly, they feel pain in their jaw or eye socket and it rapidly spreads and increases in intensity until they have a full blown migraine.

While few people develop one of the rarer migraines, there are several you may want to know about. These migraines are just as painful as the more common migraine types.

* Exertion Migraines are over more quickly than most types of migraines. You can develop one of these migraines if you overextend yourself while you are exercising and develop dehydration at the same time, if you lift something heavy, if you have a sneezing fit, or even if you bend over.

* Retinal Migraines are migraines that cause you to temporarily lose vision in an eye. You will probably lose vision before the head pain actually begins.

* Hemiplegic Migraines have a rather scary symptom. If you suffer from this type of migraine, you’ll actually develop temporary paralysis on the side of your body that the migraine is forming on.

* Ophtalmoplegic Migraines are one of the longest lasting types of migraines. This form of the disease begins with pain around the eye and eye problems continue throughout the entire migraine. Visual distortions and blurred vision are common symptoms of this type of migraine.

* Noctural Migraines are fortunately very rare and develop during the night. They are intense enough to wake the migraine sufferer from their sleep.

* Basilar Artery Migraines are usually limited to teen girls or young women. This migraine develops by causing the basilar artery to constrict, which leads to dizziness, poor co-ordination, vomiting and even problems with speech. This migraine type eventually should become the more standard classic migraine, with its accompanying aura.

* Abdominal Migraines are a type of migraine that doesn’t actually involve head pain. Instead, this migraine usually causes stomach pain. The normal nausea and vomiting other migraine types cause occurs after the stomach pain starts. This migraine type occurs most commonly in young children.

So as you can see although most people simply refer to a migraine headache there are many, many different types of migraine itself. That being said most people tend to suffer from either the classic or common migraine.

You can learn more about migraines and what you can do to treat them, naturally and otherwise, by following the links at the end of this article.

There’s just one type of migraine headache right? No there are actually many different types of migraine headaches. Discover more about what causes migraines and what you can do about them at MigraineHelper dot com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Roche

Migraine Facts

Migraine is a kind of ordinary and very painful headache that usually occurs on one side of the head. It often commences at teenage years or early childhood. It runs in families and has a tendency to recur.

More often than not, one side of the head experience miserable pain that last from four to 72 hours if not treated. An attack requires the sufferer to have a bed rest. The frequency of its occurrence varies; one can suffer from it once or several times in a month or in a year.

A migraine typically starts in a certain area on one side of the head, then extend and builds in severity over 1 to 2 hours and then the throbbing pain slowly diminish. Migraine headache go together with lightheadedness, sensitivity to brightness, and chills.

Migraines may occur between the ages of 10 to 40 years old. In a number of instances, the migraine attacks usually diminishes or ends in later adult life, or when one is over 50 years old.

Hereditary links is often associated with migraine. Occurrence of the illness may happen among members of the family. Probably generic factors can be involved why a person is prone to being afflicted with it. Sufferers may acquire the sensitivity to cause what brings about inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves near the brain, resulting to pain. Nonetheless, migraine is not considered as a hereditary condition.

Aretaeus of Cappodocia (2nd century AD) is known as the “discoverer” of migraine because of his definitive descriptions of the illness. It was during this era that a number of causes of migraine were noted. Celsus (215-300 AD) accurately picture what is now acknowledged as among the common migraine triggers: wine in take, acid indigestion, cold, or glaring brightness from fire or sun.

In the ancient times, most migraine sufferers are male as medical documentations disclosed. Only a few narratives of the disorder in women can be established. Findings of an accepted study done just throughout the last century illustrated the dominance of the disease in women.

More women suffer from migraine. They comprise 75% of the migraine cases. In every 4 women 1 is suffering from it, while 1 of 12 men can go through it at some times in their life.

There are two classifications of migraines as to the symptoms they produce these are:

Ø Migraine with aura/Classic Migraine (with warning signs), and

Ø Migraine without aura Common Migraine (no warning signs).

Migraine with aura is characterized by an unusual sensation (aura) that is in occurrence 10 to 30 minutes prior to the head pain. The warning sign may include: queasiness, nausea, enlarge blind spots, blinking or zigzagging light, strange sounds or smell and parasthesia (lack of sensation) in victim’s face, tongue and extremities, verbal communication defects. The symptoms are the same as that of the common migraine except that the onset of throbbing is more abrupt.

Migraine without aura is the most prevalent type and may take place only in one area of the head. It progressively builds up to full excruciating intensity and is aggravated by continuous motion, light or noise. Nausea and vomiting are among the indication of the attack.

Migraine attacks have two phases: Preheadache phase and Actual headache phase. During the preheadache stage, the limitation of the arteries to supply blood to the brain leads to neurological disorder, while the actual headache phase, the arteries that transport the blood to the scalp are widened and the swollen blood vessels inflamed excruciatingly by the released of a number of body chemicals.

The exact reason for having migraine is not clear and yet to be discovered. One presumption is that blood vessels in areas of the brain go into become narrower which may be the explanation for the aura. The blood vessels may then expand afterwards, which may account for the headache. The blood vessels then little by little become normal again. It is now considered that several chemicals in the brain increase its activity to add up to any blood vessel action. There are apparent reasons why those who are afflicted with migraine undergo such changes.

The headache is oftentimes so intense that it impedes with regular routinely daily activity and may keep the person awake. The attack is weakening and migraine sufferers are usually left feeling crippled and exhausted after the head pain has passed.

Factors that triggers the condition are as follows:

· Some type of beverages, foodstuff, and food additives (e.g., red wine, alcohol, citrus fruits, chicken liver, nitrates, monosodium glutamate)

· Environment (e.g., weather, altitude, time zone changes)

· Sensory stilulation (e.g., bright light, hearing sounds, fragrances)

· Female hormonal

· Hunger

· Not enough hours of sleep

· Medical prescriptions

· Stress (e.g., anger, distress, overexertion, shock)

For more information go to: http://www.byebyemigraine.com http://www.a-1hypnosis.com or http://www.myalpha-power.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

Migraine Tips

Migraine is a throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head that gets worse by light and noise and is usually followed by nausea and vomiting.

Migraine usually affects people 18 and older. It tends to recur periodi­cally but what really causes migraines is not well under­stood. The attack lasts couple of hours to several days and has a tendency to relapse. Even after the pain is gone, mild sensation could lasts for weeks. In some cases, attacks can dis­appear for weeks, months, or even years.

TRIGGERING FACTORS

Some women have migraines just before, during, or just after menstrual periods.

Stress, insomnia, over sleeping, and hunger may also trigger migraines.

Cheese (pizza) is also a triggering factor in some people, while in others it only aggravates an already existing condition.

Usually Migraine is preceded by a sensation such as salty taste in the tongue, aura, nausea, flashing lights and blind spots.

MOST COMMON CAUSES OF MIGRAINE

-Heat
-Bright light
-Blinking light
-Foggy weather (High Ozone level)
-Hunger
-Tension and stress
-Cheese (mozzarella)
-Alcohol
-Too much Caffeine
-Lack of Caffeine
-Hard pillow
-Insomnia
-Lack of sleep
-Over sleeping
-Change in sleep pattern

Diagnosis

Migraines are diagnosed based on symptoms. No procedure can determine the di­agnosis.

In a migraine, throbbing pain is felt on one side of the head. The pain may be mild but could become severe. Physical activity, light, sounds, or smells may make the headache worse. The headache is often followed by nausea, and vomiting.

A migraine attack often involves more than just a headache. A number of people also experience an aura preceding an attack. They see uneven, glittering, or flashing lights. The aura occurs within the hour before the attack and ends as the mi­graine begins.

Prevention

People can avoid exacerbating aspects of Migraine by paying more attention to the triggering cause of the pain. Since the cause varies from person to person, it is imperative that the patient keeps track of all the things that happened before the attack to see if there is a trend involved. Avoiding that cause would definitely relieve the frequency of the occurrence. For instance, in some people caffeine may be a factor while in others over-sleeping is. Some may get the attack only after they have eaten pizza or any other product containing cheese. Avoiding that may help prevent the attack in future.

Treatment

The key is to take the medicine right at the onset of the attack.

Patient should close the eyes and lie down in a dark and quite room during an attack.

Most commonly used drugs are regular analgesics available over the counter like Tylenol, Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil).

Preventive drugs include the beta-blockers like Atenolol or Calcium channel blockers.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may help reduce the intensity and the frequency of migraine attack. This because people who get migraine are believed to have abnormally low levels of energy reserves in their brains, and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) enhances the energy supplies.

Herbs such as Ginkgo and Feverfew helps in lowering the intensity of the pain.

Dr Faiyaz Hakim, is a physician at the UMass affiliate Wing Memorial Hospital at Palmer,MA. He also conducts weekly meditation classes at the Wing Memorial and is a consultant for http://www.themedicine.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Faiyaz_Hakim

Herbal Medicines For Migraine Treatment

This is a persistent ache in the head, usually a response to stress or tension, ‘or to toxins circulating in the blood as a result of infection.

Typical migraine symptoms include visual disturbances or hallucinatory “aura”; throbbing headache (classically on one side, known medically as hemicrania); nausea and vomiting; sensitivity to light, movement, and touch; and mood swings. Attacks last between two hours and two days. Migraines are often confused with headaches but are a quite separate disorder of the nervous system, although treatments for the two conditions overlap.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition Elimination diets pinpoint trigger foods, but avoid missing meals altogether because low blood sugar levels can bring on both headaches and migraines.

Aromatherapy A combination of aromatic oils and massage is an excellent way to soothe head pain. An aromatherapist will prescribe your own personal combination of oils, or you can massage your own head and temples with lavender, basil, or camomile oils. An inhalation, or hot water bath, containing the essential oil of true melissa, rosemary, or sweet marjoram can provide soothing relief.

Herbal Medicine The herb feverfew is one of the most effective natural medicines for migraine. Dried feverfew is sold in capsules by health food stores, and the recommended daily dose is 125mg, or one fresh leaf in a sandwich daily. Valerian is a natural herbal sedative that helps reduce stress and is useful for headaches: pour a cup of boiling water onto two teaspoons of the root and infuse. Willow bark and meadowsweet are natural herbal painkillers. Lavender can also help.

Homeopathy Treatment should be constitutional but remedies for acute attacks include Natrum Mur., Lycopodium, Silica, and Spigelia.

Relaxation Exercise and Meditation These can help to relieve the cycle of tension, stress, and headache.

Alexander Technique Migraine and head pain may be triggered by tensed muscles, and exercises of the Alexander Technique help maintain and develop a stress-free posture and allow the mind to focus on the structure of the body.

Acupuncture Migraine sufferers respond to treatment on the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians, some of which are on the head.

Prevention

Take vitamins B3 and C.

Exercise regularly. Learn to recognize and anticipate stressful situations that are likely to trigger an attack.

Read out for Herbal medicines Check out hoodia diet pills and constipation

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Brain

Treating Migraines with Botox Injections

The one-sided headaches that many migraines patients suffer from is an extremely painful condition. Medical researchers have found that patients with migraine condition taking Botox treatment have felt a phenomenal relief in their pain. These days increasing numbers of doctors use Botox for migraine patients. As Botox has chemical properties that can control neurological activities, it prevents the release of acetycholine, a signal that the nerves need to cause muscle contraction.

The upside of treating migraines with Botox is that there are very few side effects if the medicine is properly administered. When the Botox injection is administered for the forehead migraine it causes a release in the muscular tension and that is one main cause behind reduction of migraine related pains. In general Botox for migraines works by causing a relaxing effect on the nerve cell signaling systems that have to do with the perception of pain. It eliminates an irritant to the nervous system, which would then reduce the chances of a migraine developing in future.

A botox treatment for migraines is easy to administer and it turns out to be cheaper for patients. Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Many people return directly to work or normal activity following Botox treatment. Doctors suggest Botox for migraines as an alternative to the treatment by other medicines, which are taken through the blood stream and have unfavorable side effects. Hence botox is the best and ultimate treatment for patients suffering from migraines.

Most common side effect, if any, from Botox treatment of migraines is the needle may puncture a small blood vessel during the injection and a black and blue area may develop. Such an area can last 5-10 days and may require make-up to cover. More severe forms of complications from botox for migraines are too rare to be considered a serious health risk and are easily avoided when a qualified medical professional is rendering the treatment.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

Living Migraine Free

Don’t treat your migraines, prevent them. A life without migraines is obtainable, I know. I was a migraine sufferer for 12 years and have been treating… preventing them for my patients for 15 years. The 95+% success rate achieved at my office comes from a combination of research, common sense and the hard work of my patients.

When I was a teen I suffered from terrible migraines several times a week. Like most of you I tried medications and bio feedback with little help. Regular chiropractic care offered relief, but my migraines continued. Relief came to me by accident, I was doing a food shopping and did not have enough money for everything. I had choice of eating or drinking my daily 2 liter bottle of Pepsi, I chose eating. Like magic my migraines disappeared over the next week. It took several weeks to recognize that soda, alcohol, etc. were causing my migraines, but once I eliminated them I felt great. Trigger foods are well documented but aren’t the whole answer.

When I first started treating patients I was sure that a simple elimination diet was the answer for my migraine patients, but many did not respond. I was determined to find the answer to treating migraines. I did a review of thousands medical research articles on migraines and found the clues I needed. The best way to treat migraines is to successfully prevent them. In order prevent migraines I needed to determine the true underlying reason migraines occur.

They key to preventing migraines is realizing that they are caused by an overload of toxins in the body. A migraine can be seen as a really severe hangover caused not by alcohol, but all types of toxins from in and out of the body. The liver, the body’s main system for eliminating toxins is overwhelmed in migraine suffers. The liver is not diseased, it just is not functioning fast enough to keep the body detoxified. Simple examples of a toxin can be alcohol, chemicals, caffeine, and drugs. Toxins also include hormones and chemical compounds the body naturally produces, but cannot detoxify fast enough. Toxins can even be foods if the digestive tract cannot break them properly, such as preservatives, artificial coloring and artificial flavorings This simple concept has lead to thousands of former migraine suffers living pain free. If toxins and slow liver function lead to migraines; then reducing the toxic load and increasing the livers function will prevent migraines.

Tracey T. was 40 years old and had been suffering with migraines for 13 years. She was taking Pamelor, Topamax, Esgic Plus, and Zomig with no relief. She was under the care of a neurologist, her 4th one, and getting a migraines daily. She was in good health overall and followed a healthy lifestyle; exercised and avoided alcohol and caffeine. She began her nutritional supplements, improved her diet and increased her water intake. Her 2 month check up showed that she had had only 1 migraine in 8 weeks and several mild headaches. She was working with her doctor to eliminate her medication and was now only taking 1, at reduced amount. A six month review showed that she was off all medication and doing great.

There are 10,000s of medical studies on migraines. The medical research I reviewed overwhelmingly supports a lifestyle change with nutritional supplementation approach.

Medical Research …. How it supports this approach

1. low B vitamins and Magnesium levels ……. needed nutrients in liver detoxification

2. woman 3x more likely to suffer with migraines …. woman produce more hormones to that need to be detoxified,

3. increase frequency and severity of migraines with menstrual cycle ……….the female body produce up to 4x as many hormones during a menstrual cycle

4. elimination diets helpful …. reduces toxin intake, less to detoxify so the liver can keep up with demand

5. medications cause 30-40% of headaches …… medications need to be detoxified by the liver, increasing the toxic load

6. triggered by smoke, perfume, etc….. smells are all chemical compounds that increase the toxic load on the liver

There are also two lab tests that support that prove that slower liver detoxification is associated with migraines. The first is a liver function test, this is not your typical blood test. A functional liver test will measure how long it takes your body to breakdown and detoxify different chemical compounds including; caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen. The second test in cutting edge genome scanning. Migraine sufferers have been linked to a genetic defect in liver detoxification.

The liver needs about 8 weeks of reduced toxic load and nutritional support to detoxify. When my patients start the process we ask them to keep a diary of every migraine, how severe it was and how long it lasted. Most patients start to see a decrease in the frequency or severity within 3 weeks and are migraine free by their 8th week. Woman can usually tell they are better by their 3rd menstrual cycle. You may find that the 1st and 2nd week are a little rough as you adjust to your new diet and the body dumps the toxins. The following are some guidelines to follow:

Lifestyle changes to Prevent Migraines I recommend that my patients shoot for 100% success. The more you limit the toxins entering your body the greater your chance of success. An elimination diet alone will not work for most migraine sufferers. You will need to take nutritional supplements along with your lifestyle changes to live migraine free. Life does not always allow you to stay within the guideline, do the best you can.

Avoid the following:

caffeine and deceffeianted coffee, teas and sodas

chocolate

artificial coloring

artificial flavoring

preservatives

nuts

personal care products with heavy perfumes, switch to all natural cleaning products, switch to all natural

cigarette smoking or second hand smoke

alcohol - all forms

Consume the following:

60-80 ounces a day

High fiber foods; fruits, vegetables, grains

Nutritional Support: to promote increase liver detoxification

Artichoke

Tumeric

Silmayrin

Glutathione

Cysteine

Cod liver oil

All natural multivitamin

B complex

Patients who are using OTC and prescription medication are slower to detoxify. Migraine suffers presently taking prescription medications should talk to their doctors. Together you can work out a plan to reduce and then eliminate your medications. Patients using medications on an as needed basis try to reduce the frequency of use, after a couple of weeks with new diet and lifestyle.

Questions and Answers:

Q: Why doesn’t my doctor know this?

A: Doctors are trained to treat diseases, not dysfunction. Doctors are most likely causing 30-40% of all migraines from the migraine medication they are prescribing and the rebound effect they cause.

Q: Is your protocol safe?

A: The lifestyle changes and nutritional support recommend are very safe

Q: Can I continue on my medication?

A: Yes, continue on your medication and start the protocol when you are feeling better talk to your doctor

Q: Are there any side effects?

A: You may feel a little worse for 1-2 weeks, but it is worth it to be migraine free in about 8 weeks

Q: What kind and where can I get the nutritional supplements?

A: The nutritional supplements listed are available in any good health food store. My office use professional grade nutrients that are available only through healthcare professionals, they are not available health food stores.

I welcome your comments and questions. Please email me at szodkoy@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

Dr. Steven Zodkoy
Chiropractor
Certified Clinical Nutritionist
Certified Nutritional Specialist
Diplomate American Clinical Board of Nutrition

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Zodkoy

Migraines - The Bane Of My Existence

First off. I’d like to say that I’m not a member of the medical community. You will not find this article full of medical lingo. I am however, a woman who has suffered from migraines for over 30 years.

Migraines, AAARGH! Everyone who has, or currently having migraines, just upon hearing the word, knows how debilitating they can be. The sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and the vomiting. They can also last for hours. Some people have migraines occasionally, while others, such as myself, have them constantly.

Migraines, according to the medical community, is caused by the sudden constricting and releasing of blood vessels. However, they aren’t 100% sure of this.

Migraines can be brought on by a number of things. Diet, food allergies, hormones, and even a faulty gallbladder. There is still research being done on the relationship between hormones, and migraines. I noticed my migraines had eased up a little when I entered menopause. Unfortunately, for my daughter, she too will suffer from migraines as they are genetic. What a legacy to pass on!

There are many medications to choose from for temporary relief. Over the years I’ve taken; Axert, Zomig, Maxalt, Fioricet, Topamax, Paxil, Cymbalta, Atenolol, and Toprol. There are 3 others, but I don’t recall the names due to the fact, I only took them for 1 day. The only one that seems to work for my migraines is Maxalt. Make you to read or ask about side effects of any medications before taking them. This was something I learned the hard way, after taking a couple of the above listed prescriptions.

There is lots of information out there if you want to go the alternative health route. Herbs such as, Feverfew, and Valerian are worth checking out. Also, caffeine has been known to be of help. Do not drink too much, too often, as this may bring on migraines. I’ve read a couple of articles claiming sex relieves migraines as well. I think whoever wrote those articles, don’t know what a migraine is. If your a migraine sufferer, my heart goes out to you. I hope, one day soon, they’ll find a permanent cure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Franzell

The Different Types of Migraine

Migraines are usually referred to as headaches when in fact the two are different. Most people can have headaches from time to time but how would you know if you are already suffering from migraine? Here are some simple diagnoses, if you have a combination of these symptoms, you should see a physician for your treatment:

•Weakness causing you to stop from daily activities.

•Blurred visions

•Dizziness

•Sensitivity to odors, light or noise

•Abdominal pains: an upset stomach followed by vomiting or nausea

•Appetite loss

•Fever, although rare

•Aura characterized by flashing lights or dots, jagged or wavy lines and blind spots

•A feeling of being very cold or warm

•Paleness

•Throbbing or pounding pains which can be moderate to severe. The pain can affect the entire head or pains can shift from one head part to another.

•Fatigue

According to statistics, in Canada alone, approximately 200,000 children and 3,000,000 adults are suffering from migraines. The intensity, symptoms and frequency differ from a person to another. 28 million Americans are diagnosed of having migraines every year. Women comprise the 70% of migraine sufferers; they are two to three times more probable to develop migraines.

Migraine should be taken seriously because the reoccurrence of pains can paralyze a victim.

The attack usually lasts for a few hours or days but the afflictions typically hits unexpectedly. To have a better understanding of migraines, you have to know its different types.

Two of the most familiar types of migraine are classic and common. The standard symptom for both types is sensitivity to light; both can have equal intensity of attack. What then are the differences between the two?

Classic migraine has an aura or visual symptoms which arise 10 to 30 minutes prior to an attack. The symptoms can include sights of zigzag lines or flashing lights. Aura can be characterized by hearing and seeing strange things. It can affect the senses of touch, taste or smell.

A person suffering from classic migraine can lose vision temporarily. There is weakness of leg or arm, confusion, speech difficulty or tingling of hands or face. Classic migraine is more common among women than men.

On the other hand, common migraine occurs without an aura; but the person suffers from the symptoms vomiting and nausea.

In addition to the common and classic types of migraine, other forms of migraine are:

• Hemiplegic migraine which can cause temporary one sided paralysis and sometimes loss of balance and dizziness (vertigo). The symptoms occur 10 to 90 minutes before the actual attack.

• Ophthalmoplegic migraine which can be felt around the eyes. This can involve disturbances in the vision; an example is having double vision and tired eyes.

• Benign exertional headache is characterized by a brief headache which is caused by bending, running, coughing or lifting. The headache rarely lasts for a long time but usually begins prior to the start of any activities.

• Menstrual migraine is more predictable and usually occurs during menstrual periods.

• Basilar Artery migraine is a pain connected to the main artery of the brain. The pre migraine symptoms can include double vision, poor muscle coordination or dizziness. This kind of migraine is common among young adult women and adolescents and is usually associated with menstrual cycle.

• Status migrainosus is exemplified by long lasting and intense headaches and nausea. The attack can last for 72 hours or longer. Behavioral symptoms such as depression and anxiety often follow the distress. It is very rare and extreme and usually requires hospitalization; some drugs can also trigger this kind of migraine.

• Headache free migraine is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and other visual problems. Patients suffer from all the said symptoms except headaches.

• Another form of migraine is the abdominal migraine which is typical among children. The pain is severe in the midline abdomen and can last from 1 to 72 hours.

There are different migraines brought about by certain activities or tensions in life. While the differences are not that extremes, certain medications should properly be given to avoid further illnesses. Consulting a physician is always a good move to know the health problem and to acquire the necessary treatments for you.

For more information go to: http://www.byebyemigraine.com http://www.a-1hypnosis.com or http://www.myalpha-power.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

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