Migraine Triggers
January 29, 2008
Migraines affect roughly 7.5% of the world’s population. These severe headaches can be anything from extremely annoying to downright debilitating once they strike, depending on the level of the headache’s severity. On the average, migraine attacks are a leading cause of absenteeism at work and the incapability of some people to spend “quality” time with their loved ones.
From a medical standpoint, people have yet to exactly pinpoint what causes a migraine. There have been thousands of different studies conducted in an attempt to give an exact clinical definition of the causes of migraine, but no common factors have been found.
In the past, it was believed that migraines were caused by an insufficient blood flow to the brain. This was because the symptoms that accompanied migraines closely resembled those suffered by aircraft fighter pilots during “blackout”. Recent neurological studies conducted with electroencephalograms showed that the main reason for the symptoms that accompany migraines are actually due to an overload of nerve impulses on the surface of the brain itself.
Regardless of the medical facts, the studies were at least able to pinpoint major triggers for migraine attacks based on the lifestyles and conditions of the people they were studying. Until a true medical diagnosis can be found, those people who suffer migraines can at least learn to recognize these triggers to help them cope with their headaches. Some of the major migraine triggers are:
Loud Noises and Bright Light - it was found that some people who suffered from migraines were constantly subjected to loud noise and/or bright lights. The heavy sensory input seems to trigger migraines. Teenagers who often go to flashy, noisy nightclubs, military men, construction workers, and even traffic enforcement officials were shown to sometimes develop migraine attacks after being subject to extremes of light and sound from part of their daily routines. For these people, finding active duty in an area with less sensory input is recommended.
Dietary Intake - cheese, for some obscure reason, along other dairy products like milk and ice cream, seems to trigger migraine attacks in some people. Chocolate has also been known to be a culprit. There is absolutely no medical reason for this, as the people who suffered the migraines were not physiologically allergic to these substances. Also, for other people, it is exposure to the twin vices of alcohol and cigarette smoke that cause migraine attacks. For those who have migraines triggered in this fashion, a change in diet and lifestyle is recommended.
Poor Posture - a poor posture, which in some cases actually leads to mild deformity in the spinal column, has also been observed as a cause of migraines. Some theories about this include the effects of the deformity on a person’s nervous system, as well as the additional muscular stress a slouch places on a person’s back and shoulders. While inconclusive, it is nonetheless a fact that poor posture has been known to cause migraines in some people. The solution is simple. Start sitting up straight.
Physical Exertion when Out of Shape - it is a sad but true fact that a lot of people in the world are overweight and out of proper physical condition. In the cases of these people, they are sometimes subject to migraine attacks when they undergo heavy physical exertion. This is NOT an excuse for these people not to exercise. As a matter of fact, it is highly recommended that these people get into shape, but just that they do so more gradually without tiring themselves out too much.
Severe Emotional Stress - high blood pressure and severe emotional stress is probably one of the leading causes of migraine attacks. Any time certain people are distraught emotionally, it triggers all sorts of physiological imbalances, including ulcers and migraines. It is severely recommended that these people find a way to cope with the sources of their stress or find a way to alleviate the overload on their emotions to avoid the migraines, as well as the other negative things that accompany high stress situations.
Hormonal and Blood Imbalances - lastly, hormonal and blood stream imbalances, most notably dysmennorhea in women, diabetes, and anemia, have been known to include migraines as part of their effects. The only real solution offered in this case is to take medication that will either help the physical aspect of the problem or, if the imbalance is caused by a natural process like menopause, at least the ingestion of painkillers to help deal with the migraine attacks.
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 Headaches - Is Natural Relief Possible Without Drugs?
January 29, 2008
Natural treatment methods for migraine headaches are usually harmless and also cheaper than traditional pain medications. Sure, it’s possible you could experience a negative reaction or even increase your headache pain because of a natural treatment, but the odds are far less than with pain-relieving medications.
People are different from each other. A natural treatment that might relieve one person’s migraine headaches may not relieve someone else’s. But on the same measure, just because one migraine headache treatment does not work for one person does not mean it won’t work for you. There are many effective alternatives to taking medication when it comes to relieving migraine headaches. One of these alternative methods may be just what you have been looking for.
Chiropractic adjustments, or chiropractic manipulations, are a very popular natural treatment method for headache relief. Patients with migraine headaches have been visiting chiropractors for over 100 years, and with very good results. Studies have shown that over 80% of headache patients find relief with chiropractic care. Plus, chiropractic treatment has been shown to be extremely safe. Spinal problems do cause headaches and by correcting these spinal problems many headache sufferers find welcome relief.
Biofeedback is another form of treatment that is safe and can be effective in eliminating pain. Biofeedback is a training program designed to help a person develop the ability to control their autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. Functions that are normally automatic can be controlled voluntarily. This technique makes it possible for a person to control their own heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and of course, the relaxation of their tense muscles.
Stress can cause tension, which can lead to muscle tightness (muscle tension) and cause headaches. By relaxing these tense muscles, especially in the neck, it is possible to relieve the tension causing the migraine headaches. With biofeedback, once the technique is learned there is no longer any need for the biofeedback equipment. The patient with migraine headaches can now produce the desired effect at any. They can control certain bodily functions, such as muscle relaxation, which can help reduce and relieve their migraine headaches.
Most people are unaware that too much salt can cause headaches. And by simply lessening the salt intake headaches can sometimes be prevented.
Food allergies or sensitivities can also cause migraine headaches. Certain foods such as cheese, alcohol, monosodium glutamate (a food additive), nuts, beans, caffeine, chocolate and onions can cause migraines. Foods that cause headaches are called “triggers.” People who experience migraine headaches because of food sensitivities can eliminate their pain by simply eliminating the foods causing the pain.
However, it’s not always easy to discover which foods are the culprits. One way is to keep a food diary. Get a small notebook, with each page representing one day. On each daily page make three columns. The first column will contain the hours in the day. The second column will be a list of the foods eaten that day. And the third column will list the symptoms that you experience.
As an example, if you had eggs and toast for breakfast at 8 AM you would write “eggs and toast” in the food column that corresponds with 8 AM. Make a note of everything that is eaten on this list and at what time they were eaten.
When you eventually experience a migraine headache you write “migraine headache” or “headache” down in the symptoms column at the time it began. For example, if one of your headaches begins at 2 PM you will write “headache” in the symptoms column for 2 PM.
It may take a few weeks or even a few months, but after experiencing a few migraine headaches, with the help of the food diary, you will be able to tell which foods cause headaches. Over time, by figuring out which ingredients in these foods are causing your pain, you will be able to eliminate these ingredients and relieve some pain.
Another very common cause of tension headaches and migraine headaches is just plain stress. People who experience tension can get headaches from their increased tension.
Relieving tension can often relieve migraine headaches. Tension can be relieved in many ways such as with biofeedback training (as explained above), taking a warm bath or shower, lying down and resting in a quiet dark room, putting something cold on the back of the neck (at the base of the skull) or having someone massage your neck muscles and possibly your temporal region to help relieve your tension and muscle spasms. Regular exercise can also, over time, reduce tension.
These are just a few of the many natural treatment methods that are available to migraine headache patients. They are all considered safe and are effective for many people. If you have headaches it may be beneficial to try some of these treatments or search out others on your own. But as always it is a good idea to talk with your doctor before attempting to treat yourself for a health problem.
Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has treated many patients with migraine headaches. He has patented a unique neck pillow that was designed to correct neck problems that cause headaches. For information about his natural approach for migraine headaches relief please visit his site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Larry_A._Johnson,_D.C.
How To Get Rid Of A Migraine
January 29, 2008
If you are a migraine headache sufferer you know how important it is to get pain relief fast. A migraine can be so severe that it can put a stop to your whole day. Many people who have migraines may have two or more each month. This article will examine a few ways to get rid of a migraine headache.
If you experience auras with your migraines then you have a warning system in place. It you start to notice bright flashes of light, dark spots in your field of vision or zigzag lines in your vision field, then you are about to develop a migraine. Take an over the counter NSAIDS right away. These drugs such as, Advil and Motrin can help with mild pain from migraines. It is probably a good idea to lie down in a dark, quiet, room also. A cool cloth applied to the forehead may be of some comfort.
If your migraines are severe, you need to see your doctor. He will prescribe prescription strength migraine medicine for you such as,Imitrex. This was the first drug that was developed specifically to treat migraines. Imitrex acts like serotonin and binds itself to the serotonin receptors in the brain. This cause the blood vessels to constrict, therefore relieving the pressure on the brain and the migraine pain.
Since Imitrex was developed a few other drugs have been created also. They work in similar ways to Imitrex but have fewer side effects and will cause fewer rebound headaches.
Since nausea is a common complication that occurs with a migraine, your doctor may prescribe an anti-emetic medication such as Reglan, Compazine or Phenergan. These medicines do not decrease the pain from a migraine, but they can stop the nausea and vomiting associated with it. Some of these drugs do have the ability to make you relaxed and very sleepy. Being more relaxed can help your pain medicine work better and possibly shorten the duration of your migraine.
The best thing you can do for your migraines is to find out what causes them. Keep a diary and try to pinpoint certain triggers that may set off a migraine headache. Some people are overly sensitive to certain perfumes or flowers. Others may develop a migraine after eating certain foods.
Your other option is to talk to your doctor about preventive medicines for migraine headaches. Studies have found that certain cardiovascular drugs and certain antidepressant medications have been highly effective in the prevention of migraines. New studies are being done all the time. Who knows, maybe eventually they will find a cure for your migraine headaches. But for now all you can do is try to prevent them or if you feel one coming on, try to treat it as quickly as possible.
For more migraine headache information please see the complete guide to migraine headaches. Jeff also suggests http://www.FreeArticles.com for reading more than 40 free migraine headache articles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JD_Wilson
Migraine Relief with Ice Remedy
January 29, 2008
When you have a migraine headache – or a loved one has – you want a migraine remedy. You visited your physician before, and you know his advice was to take over-the-counter pain medication and rest in a dark room, but that isn’t enough. You want to get relief sooner.
One of your friends suggests getting migraine relief with ice, and you want to know more. What is a migraine remedy that uses ice?
Cryotherapy – the Ice Remedy
At the Department of Neurology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D. decided to study whether or not cryotherapy (treatment with ice) was effective as a migraine remedy. Dr. Robbins enlisted 45 migraineurs in his study and, when they experienced an episode, gave them only a cold head wrap as a migraine remedy. Here are some of Dr. Robbins’ findings.
* 35.5 percent of the 45 patients said that, as a migraine remedy, the ice was not at all effective.
* 29 percent of them said the ice remedy was a little bit effective for migraine relief.
* Cryotherapy was fairly effective for 26.5 percent of those participating.
* Only 9 percent said the cold head wrap was completely effective as a migraine remedy.
Robbins, Lawrence D., M.D (1989), Cryotherapy for Headache, Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 29 (9), 598–600.
If you were among the 35.5 percent who said the ice treatment was useless as a migraine remedy, you might never try it again. Nevertheless, as a result of his cryotherapy study, Dr. Robbins says: “You have a 50-50 chance of getting some pain relief within three minutes of applying a soft, cold ice pack wrapped in a towel to your head.”
Reasoning Behind the Ice Remedy
It is clear that the ice migraine remedy works for many people. It is clear, too, that it works to a degree most of the time. Perhaps a better understanding of how it works will help others test cryotherapy.
During a migraine episode, the blood vessels in the head tend to dilate – open more widely. They may become swollen with blood, causing pressure on the nerves surrounding them. The nerves begin to send pain signals, and you sense a migraine.
To get migraine relief with ice, you surround the head with a cold wrap, gradually cooling the blood vessels. As they cool, they become constricted, and return to normal size. This can lessen blood flow to the head, and reduce pressure on the nerves, providing a migraine remedy.
Migraine Ice
A relatively new product to hit the market, “Migraine Ice” headache pads are advertised as giving “instant cooling, soothing relief” that lasts, sometimes up to 4 hours. The pads are convenient, and require no refrigeration. Those who have frequent migraines can keep the pads in a desk or locker at work for a ready migraine remedy. To use, you simply remove the pad from its pouch, peel off a protective film, and apply the pad to the back of your neck.
Soft Ice
Another convenient product that claims to provide migraine relief with ice is Soft Ice. This is available as either a neck wrap or a head wrap. Since this product delivers comfortable cold therapy that chills the head or neck, it may be just what you need as a migraine remedy.
Traditional Ice Pack
There are many brands of ice available to use as a migraine remedy, and most do the job equally well.
Obviously, you do not need a commercial cold wrap, though, to get migraine relief with ice. A simply, traditional ice pack will do as well. An ice pack is a waterproof bag with a cap at the top that allows you to fill the bag with ice. Once full, the bag is capped, and the ice pack can be applied to neck, forehead, or other parts of the head.
Alternative Ice Pack
If you are away from home, and do not have access to an ice pack, an alternative ice pack can be made with crushed ice and a towel. Simply place the crushed ice on the towel, and fold it to contain the ice.
To best use your ice migraine remedy, go to a dark room. Place the ice pack on your neck or head and rest.
CAUTION: To avoid frostbite, keep commercial cold packs in place for only 20 minutes at a time. If the skin begins to feel the least bit numb, remove the cold pack immediately.
This migraine headache information is for educational purposes only. Please seek advice from your physician for any migraine headache.
©2007, Anna Hart. Member of a “migraine family” and sympathizer with all migraineurs, Anna invites you to read more of her articles about migraine relief at http://www.migrainereliefblog.com You won’t want to miss Anna’s article on how to get migraine relief through migraine pressure points.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart
Migraine, When The Lights Flash - There’s One Coming
January 29, 2008
A migraine may feel like one long pain but the attack falls into five distinct stages, including the interval between one migraine and the next.
Those stages are:
* Prodomal phase (may last 1-2 days)
* Aura phase (may last around 1 hour)
* Headache (may last from 4 hours to 3 days)
* Resolution of migraine and recovery period (1-2 days)
* Migraine interval (time between end of resolution and next prodomal phase)
Here, we are going to look at the aura phase.
What does migraine with aura mean?
About a 25% of sufferers get a warning that a migraine attack is coming. The aura symptoms usually develop over a 5-20 minute period and then can last for an hour or less.
What is an aura like?
The sufferer might start yawning or feel unusually hungry and thirsty. They may also start to smell a distinctive odor, in just the same way that epileptics do just prior to a seizure. The most frequent type of aura is a visual one. Other forms of aura can be to do with a distorted sense of touch, movement or difficulties in finding words.
But of those people who suffer from aura, most will have experienced visual distortion. This can be in the form of dazzling or flashing lights. Or objects and people may start to look as if their edges are jagged or they are splitting. Their vision can also become dotted with black spots, form into a herringbone shape or become blurred. People describe it as looking through snow, a distorting glass mosaic, or like seeing the static on a TV in their normal vision. Many people who experience auras, say that they see the same things each time, although some see different things too.
Is it scary?
Opinions differ depending on what the sufferer ‘sees’. Some find it very disturbing and disorientating, while other find it an intensely creative time.
Some migraine auras can be hallucinatory, with sufferers describing a range of ‘visions’. These have included:
* Animals
* Humans or human-type beings
* Psychic experiences
* Mystical experiences
* Magical experiences
Some very famous people have suffered from migraines. Some of them may well have been affected by migraine aura, intensifying their creativity. You may be surprised at the list:
* Elvis Presley – recently revealed as a sufferer. Puts a new slant on his problem with medications.
* Whoopi Goldberg
* Princess Margaret, late sister of Queen Elizabeth II
* Lewis Carroll – creator of the classic Alice in Wonderland
* Virginia Woolf
* Miguel de Cervantes
* Emily Dickinson
* Sigmund Freud
* Friedrich Nietzsche
Some say that Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat and Pablo Picasso all suffered from migraines although this is a guess based on their styles of painting.
What treatment is there for the aura?
Treatment is aimed at minimizing or preventing the migraine itself. Rest in a dark, quiet room and take painkillers. Soluble ones work faster. Medications containing buclizine may help to calm down any sickness.
If over the counter drugs don’t help, quickly see your doctor.
More migraine headache information can be found at Headache.HealthHows.com, a resource rich site with ideas and tips, concerning the cause and treatment of headache, in all its many forms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Wilding
Some Popular Alternative Migraine Treatments
January 29, 2008
Anyone that suffers from frequent and persistent migraine headaches may be ready to try just about anything to get them to stop, and to keep them from every coming back. Between the pain, the nausea, and the dizziness, sufferers often find themselves willing to try just about any of the migraine treatments that are available to them. In this article we’ll list some of the most effective treatments, and some that are considered “alternative” but that seem to work for many.
Beta blockers are among the most common migraine treatments prescribed today. They work by slowing down the heartbeat and were originally designed to treat high blood pressure; the slower the heartbeat, the lower the blood pressure. Many have found that they are very effective as migraine treatments as well, as they slow the nerve impulses that may trigger migraines. If you’ve been prescribed beta blockers, be sure to follow your doctor’s order completely.
Another medicine that is usually prescribed for high blood pressure but that works as effective migraine treatments are calcium channel blockers. These cause the blood vessels to relax, which is how they affect blood pressure and relieve migraines. Like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers need to be taken exactly as prescribed.
There are other migraine treatments that are not as harsh as these and which don’t require a prescription. For example, one study in Belgium found that persons who took Vitamin B2 daily had about 30% fewer migraines than they did before. Feverfew leaf is one of the most common homeopathic migraine treatments, and is also used to treat arthritis. It seems to work as an anti-inflammatory agent and controls the release of serotonin, which is believed to contribute to migraines.
Botox injections are quickly becoming popular migraine treatments. As they paralyze the nerves, they prevent them from sparking a migraine headache. While there is still much debate over the use of Botox injections as migraine treatments, many who have tried them have reported that they do seem to work. If all other options have failed, you may speak to your doctor about them.
Acupuncture is another of those migraine treatments that is still considered alternative. This may be because it is still unclear to many doctors and scientists as to why acupuncture works the way that it does. Many experts assert that it is really nothing more than suggestive and has no real medical value. However, many who have tried it report that it does work, and since it seems to do no harm, it can be considered as an option for those who have tried everything else, or who do not want to try harsh medicines.
Of course, preventing a migraine in the first place is always one of the best migraine treatments there is. If you know that a particular set of circumstances will trigger a migraine in you, such as certain foods, bright lights, and undue stress, do what you can to avoid or reduce these. Take up a relaxing hobby such as yoga or meditation and mind your diet. After all, what’s the point of researching migraine treatments if you won’t do what you can to prevent them from happening in the first place?
Alyssa Nair has written articles on natural headache remedies and how to stop them before they start. Read the helpful tips and advice about alternative medicines that cure many different types of headaches.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alyssa_Nair
There Are Many Options of Migraine Medicine
January 29, 2008
Every year millions of Americans suffer from crippling migraine headaches. A migraine is more than just a bad headache; it is an intense, debilitating, headache that makes it difficult for the sufferer to function and engage in normal, everyday activities. When a migraine strikes the first thing its victim wants to do is find the fastest road to relief, and that is usually possible only with the help of migraine medicine.
Over-the-counter medication is the first line of defense against the incapacitating pain of a migraine headache. There are many varieties of over-the-counter pain relief available, but the one that works best for you might only be determined through trial and error. Ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and naproxen – best known as Motrin, Bayer, Excedrin and Tylenol, and Aleve respectively (although all are available under generic names) - are the primary and best known options in the market of migraine medicine. However, as any migraine sufferer knows, sometimes those medications are simply too little, too late, to provide any real relief from a painful migraine.
There is another option: try to get the migraine before it gets you, and preventative migraine medicine is designed to do exactly that. Preventative migraine medicine is taken every day, and it is probably not the best option for someone who suffers from intermittent or sporadic migraine headaches. If, on the other hand, you suffer from frequent – more than twice a month - and debilitating migraine headaches, then a daily prevention regime might be the most logical option for you. A daily regimen can not only stop the migraines from occurring, it will lessen the amount of painkillers you are ingesting. That is important to consider because high dosages of pain killers, even of the over-the-counter variety, can have adverse side effects on your body.
Just like over-the-counter options, a daily prescription migraine medicine may require some trial and error by you and your physician in order to find the right medication and dosage for your situation. You may be required to chart the frequency and severity of your headaches in order to assist the physician in finding the most effective migraine medicine. It is important to remain patient and positive during the process, as it can take weeks or even months before the ideal medication and dosage is discovered. After six to twelve months of successful headache control, your physician may think it is in your best interest to taper the dosage of the medication with an eye toward eventually freeing you from the burden of daily medication, as well as the painful condition of migraine headaches.
If you suffer from migraine headaches then you owe it to yourself to fully investigate the options that are available to you. Migraine medicine exists in many forms, and it can help those who suffer the rare - but still painful – headache, as well as those who suffer frequently. But not all migraine medicine is created equal, and if you are struggling to control your condition then consult your physician in order to develop a migraine medicine strategy that works for you.
For easy to understand, in depth information about migraine medicine visit our ezGuide 2 Migraine.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bery
Is Your Period Giving You a Migraine?
January 29, 2008
Millions of women around the world suffer from migraines. Unfortunately, there are dozens of different types of migraines so correctly diagnosing the type of migraine and curing it are very difficult and rarely accomplished.
For millions of women PMS is synonymous with fatigue, mood swings, cramping, irritability, bloating… the list could go on and on! Unfortunately, a large population of women also experience migraines both pre-menstrual and during the menstrual cycle as well. Some women may experience these migraines but not see any connection. It is helpful to mark on your calendar both the days of your period, and all days you experience migraine to look for possible patterns. The patterns will be there. Migraines before and during your period are caused by the changes in the hormones and hormone levels during the cycle. In order to reduce menstrual migraines, the key is to keep the hormones as level as possible.
Here are the top ways to end menstrual migraines:
* Use alternative forms of birth control.
Female birth control such as the birth control pill, the birth control patch (and others) alter the hormones in the female body, and cause hormone levels to fluctuate during the “placebo week” (the time the hormone is not being ingested to allow for a menstrual cycle).
* If you are on the birth control pill, use lower hormone level pills.
Talk to your gynecologist to ensure you are taking the birth control pill with the lowest hormone levels possible (while still being effective).
* Consult your doctor about reducing your number of menstrual cycles.
Birth control pills such as Seasonale are formulated for just 4 periods a year. Reducing your number of periods reduces your menstrual migraines.
* Prescription medication specifically for menstrual migraine pain
There are prescription medications for migraine pain made to deal specifically with menstrual migraines (such as Frova). Talk with your doctor about what options are available to you.
* Buy organic!
If you’re not buying organic milk, you’re very likely ingesting hormones and antibiotics with every glass of milk you drink. Farmers who mass produce milk feed antibiotics to their cows to help fight off diseases that could cause lower production. Ingesting additional hormones only adds to fluctuating hormone levels in your body. Buy organic milk, dairy products, and beef.
If you find yourself with a menstrual migraine before you’ve been able to act on the tips above there are many natural remedies to aid in migraine pain relief. Deep breathing techniques used in both yoga and meditation forces the brain to focus on the breath instead of the pain, while simultaneously relaxing the body. Massage and acupressure can be applied by another, or you can do these for yourself. Ice applied to the neck or a cold compress to the head are both popular migraine pain relievers. You can apply peppermint oil to your temples for the migraine pain, and the aromatherapy is helpful for nausea. Always, rest and relaxation is the key.
If there is a silver lining at all to the cloud of menstrual migraines it could be these migraines don’t catch you by surprise! If your cycles are regular you’ll be able to predict when the menstrual migraines will occur, and can work with your doctor(s) to prevent the migraines.
Sarah Swanson is a fellow migraine sufferer. With years of migraine research, and real life experience she understands how important it is for migraine sufferers to be as informed as possible. Sarah has authored numerous articles and books about migraines to inform and empower fellow migraine sufferers. For more information on migraines, or to contact the author visit http://www.myspace.com/nomoremigraine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Swanson
Informative Speech on Migraine in Children
January 29, 2008
Picture this. Your 9-year old daughter staggers to the breakfast table; hands on head, and moans plaintively, “I can’t go to school today. I have a headache.”
“Nonsense,” you say. You give her an aspirin with breakfast and say, “Off you go. You’ll feel better when your history test is over.”
But what if this happens every few weeks? Might it be migraine? Is there such a thing as migraine in children?
Betsy’s Migraines – a true story
My introduction to the possibility of migraine in children came when I was teaching fourth grade in Massachusetts. That’s when I met 9-year old Betsy. Betsy was a pretty child, but headaches kept her from making either friends or academic progress. Betsy claimed to experience regular bouts of migraine in children. Her doting mother vowed that Betsy’s attacks were real, but I was skeptical, since they always coincided with things Betsy disliked.
Even more suspicious was Betsy’s behavior during attacks. She began with plausible head-holding and tears. She begged for her mother to come and get her. Then, her act always went over the top. Looking around the room to be sure she had attention, Betsy shook her head violently from side to side. “You have to do this when you have migraine,” she announced loudly. She hit her head, and turned on the waterworks – always keeping a shrewd eye on her audience. When her mother arrived, Betsy abruptly stopped shaking her head, and moaned piteously. The curtain fell as her mother wrapped Betsy in her arms and ushered her from the room.
True Migraine in Children
While I never received professional confirmation that Betsy suffered migraine in children, I did learn that the condition is authentic. Its name is “migraine in children”, even when it refers to only one child.
Facts about Migraine in Children
Migraine affects people of all ages, social classes, races, and cultures. It is most prevalent between ages 20 and 50, but migraine in children hits younger generations. Often misdiagnosed initially as a “headache excuse” to avoid unpleasant tasks, migraine in children is real. Let me give you seven facts.
* Migraine often runs in families.
* Young babies and preschoolers can suffer migraine in children.
* Migraine in children begins earlier in boys than in girls.
* Up to 6 years, boys are affected equally or slightly more than girls.
* At elementary school level, 10 percent suffer migraine in children.
* The prevalence of migraines increases during secondary school.
* 20-30% of young women and 10-20% of young men experience migraines.
Migraine in children attacks every age from birth to age 20.
Symptoms of Migraine in Children
So, since your young daughter may be suffering migraine in children, and not simply avoiding a test, we need to look for signs. What are the symptoms of migraine in children?
1. PAIN: First of all, migraine in children is very painful, with severe throbbing in the head. Your daughter will probably report pain in the forehead, or the middle of the head, rather than just one side.
2. PALLOR: Typically, migraine in children will cause sufferers to appear ill and pale. There may be dark rings around the eyes.
3. QUIETNESS: A child suffering migraine in children will be very quiet. You may have trouble getting your child to say more than, “My head hurts.” He or she will choose to sit or lie in aching silence.
4. STILLNESS: Unlike Betsy in the schoolroom, children with migraines do not want to move any part of their bodies. They certainly do not want to shake their heads. If a headache complaint is followed by a running off to play, do not suspect migraine in children.
5. NAUSEA: For those taking notes, we’re on the fifth symptom now. Your child may complain of feeling sick in the stomach. He or she may not want to eat anything, and may vomit.
6. ABDOMINAL PAIN: In very young children, the main symptoms of migraine in children are abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
7. VISUAL DISTURBANCES: Some children experience changes in vision during an attack of migraine in children. They may have blurry vision, see flashes of light, or describe zigzag patterns in front of their eyes.
8. PHOTOPHOBIA: Your child may complain of light being too bright, and may want to go to a dark room. For those who like to sound knowledgeable, this light sensitivity is known as photophobia.
9. PHONOPHOBIA: Moving to the eighth symptom, migraine in children may cause them to hold their ears, or complain that you’re talking too loudly. Instead of turning up the television volume, they turn it down or off. This is sound sensitivity, also known as phonophobia.
10. OSMOPHOBIA: Migraine in children will sometimes cause sensitivity to smells. Even if you aren’t cooking liver-and-onions, your child may complain that dinner smells awful. For those who want the technical term, smell sensitivity is known as osmophobia.
11. MOTION SICKNESS: Those who suffer migraine in children have a tendency toward travel sickness. Even when not in a vehicle, a sufferer may complain of dizziness.
12. CONFUSION: Finally, and this is the last symptom we will look at, if your son or daughter is suffering migraine in children, he or she is likely to exhibit confusion and trouble concentrating. You might tell your teenager, “You aren’t thinking straight.”
Is It Migraine in Children?
There you have 12 symptoms. Some will exhibit all – others will exhibit a few. Some will have authentic migraine in children – some will not. How do you tell?
PATTERN: First, note whether your child’s attacks follow a regular, intermittent pattern. Migraine in children comes back again and again, following a pattern. Look for headaches that are very severe, lasting a few hours, and followed by an interval of no symptoms. Days or weeks later, a similar attack occurs, followed by another symptom-free interval. Migraine in children has a rhythm.
FAMILY HISTORY: Check to see if there is a history of migraine in your family. There may be a tendency toward migraine in children.
PHYSICIAN: Ask your doctor. A doctor will focus on ruling out other serious diseases or underlying conditions. If there are none, you will have the doctor’s reassurance, and a plan for effective treatment. I am not a professional, and my information must always be checked with your health care professional.
If your child’s attacks are migraine in children, you can provide relief.
Relief of Migraine in Children
* SLEEP: Sleep is the most important factor when it comes to migraine in children. In many cases, several hours of sleep in a dark, quiet room is all that is required.
* ICE PACK: Try placing a cold compress on your child’s head as he or she lies in a dark, quiet room.
* OTC: With your physician’s approval, use over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.
* PRECRIPTION: Your physician may want to prescribe a medication for recurring attacks of migraine in children.
* WARM BATH: A hot Epsom salt bath may help an older child or teenager.
The most effective of these is usually sleep.
How Migraine Affects Your Children
In closing, I’d like to tell you about Thomas.
Thomas was a mischievous, high-maintenance little boy. From the time he could toddle, Thomas was on the go. Morning to night, he seemed never to stop. He talked incessantly, played loudly. Everything Thomas did was at top speed and volume.
Then, one bright autumn day in his eighth year, Thomas didn’t want to eat breakfast. Pale and listless, he lay on the couch, eyes closed. When his buddy called that the school bus was coming, Thomas covered his ears and moaned. When Mother opened the curtains to let in sunshine, Thomas covered his eyes. It was his first migraine.
Thomas lost that day. He missed the introduction of multiplication at school. He missed a film in history class. He missed an afternoon hayride with his cub scout pack.
Thomas lost many days after that. He lost days to migraine in children, and he lost symptom-free days out of fear. He began moving more quietly, more slowly. As additional migraines came and went, his bubbly laughter was gradually replaced by sadness and worry.
Thomas’ story is fictional, but it describes the experience of many who suffer migraine in children.
If you think your son or daughter may have migraine in children, I urge you to take him or her to your family doctor. Check for underlying problems, and discuss treatment possibilities.
Whatever you do, don’t ignore migraine in children. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve their quality of life.
© 2007, Anna Hart. Migraines are a part of Anna Hart’s family history, and although she personally does not suffer from them, Anna can sympathize with those who do. For that reason, she has turned her teaching and speaking skills to informing others about migraines. She posts regular migraine-oriented articles at: http://www.migrainereliefblog.com . If this article on migraine in children has been helpful to you, Anna invites you to read more about migraine relief in her current and upcoming blog entries.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart
How Do I Know If I Have an Ocular Migraine?
January 29, 2008
To many people, a migraine headache is a migraine headache. They assume, falsely, that all migraines are pretty much the same. So when one of the 15% of our population that suffers from migraine says they have an ocular migraine, non-sufferers may raise a skeptical eyebrow. The truth is, however, that there are many different kinds of migraine.
Define Ocular Migraine
An ocular migraine is a type of migraine that focuses on that part of the aura in which visual symptoms predominate. There may never be an actual headache.
Symptoms of Ocular Migraine
If you are familiar with regular migraine pain, and now hear of ocular migraine, you may very well ask, “How do I know if I have an ocular migraine? I have no headache.”
An ocular migraine is sometimes called a migraine without headache. It is a migraine that distorts images when you look at them. The distortion usually begins in the image’s center, and then moves to one side. Ocular migraine is likely to affect only one eye at a time. As an ocular migraine progresses, images may turn grey or wavy. You may even lose your sight temporarily.
Doctors differ in their understanding of ocular migraine. Some say that ocular migraine is more likely to occur as you get older. Others say it is typically seen in young adults. It can be quite frightening, as you may think you are losing your sight forever.
Physicians differ, too, in their understanding of ocular migraine symptoms. Some use the term to explain visual disturbances of aura without headache. Other use it to refer to one-sided blind spots in the field of vision, or blindness, that lasts less than an hour and is associated with a headache.
Do you have ocular migraine? With or without a headache, if you have the visual disturbances of an aura in only one eye, yours may be an ocular migraine.
Specific Symptoms of Ocular Migraine:
How do I know if I have an ocular migraine? I will have one or more of the following specific symptoms. See if any of these is true of you.
1. Holes in your field of vision – places where there is nothing. Perhaps you are looking at a flower, and the center of the flower is missing. Or you are watching television, and you can see the outside of the screen, but cannot see the center of the picture. When you close the unaffected eye, you can see that portion of the screen. The affected eye, however, has a blind spot.
2. When looking through the affected eye, you see everything as though hidden behind a shade of gray. It is as though you were watching television and someone slipped a piece of thin gray cloth over the screen.
3. Another test for ocular migraine is to see if the affected eye sees things as though looking through a window with rain streaming down over it. The watery glass effect will be limited to one eye.
Ocular Migraine Symptoms Are Temporary
Although you may feel, during an optical migraine episode, that you will never see clearly again, the symptoms are temporary and will not cause lasting damage to your eye.
While they are present, however, ocular migraine symptoms will interfere with daily activities such as reading and driving.
Why Ocular Migraine Is Not Just Another Migraine Aura
Ocular migraine and migraine with aura are very similar, and some people have difficulty distinguishing between the two. The source of the visual disturbances is the key. If it is migraine with aura, the source of visual trouble is the brain’s occipital cortex. If it is ocular migraine, the source is the eye’s retinal blood vessels.
Test Your Suspected Ocular Migraine
A relatively good test for ocular migraine is to cover or close one eye. If the symptoms remain, cover or close the opposite eye. If the symptoms stop, you probably have an ocular migraine. If the symptoms do not stop, but affect both eyes, you are probably experiencing traditional migraine aura.
CAUTION: Although yours may be ocular migraine, it may be something else. You are urged to seek advice from your physician. You will want to rule out serious eye disease, or a blood vessel disorder in vessels near the eye.
©2007, Anna Hart. Migraines are a part of Anna Hart’s family history, and although she personally does not suffer ocular migraine, Anna can sympathize with those who do. For that reason, she has turned her teaching and speaking skills to informing others about migraines. She posts regular migraine-oriented articles at http://www.migrainereliefblog.com If this article on ocular migraine has been helpful to you, Anna invites you to read about ophthalmic migraine in her current and upcoming blog entries.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart
