Headache Remedy Info

Headache Cures, more common sense than science

2006-12-16T18:06:00.000-05:00

If you experience headaches on a regular basis, you know the prevailing thought when one occurs is how to get rid of it. Headaches come in many forms and for many reasons. When you can pinpoint the cause for your headache, you have a better chance of finding the right headache cures to beat your problem.

When your headache is not a migraine, you have to search for the source. Tension headaches are quite common, and can be felt not only in the head, but in the neck and shoulders as well. Headache cures for this type of headache range from medications to message. Staring at your computer all day can give you eyestrain. This eyestrain will then contribute to a pounding headache. You can take medications for this, or can try a more natural remedy to get rid of this type. Prevention is the best remedy available. Make sure you eye prescription is up to date, always wear your corrective lenses, and take a break from staring at your computer monitor at least every ten minutes.

For headaches of unknown origin, pain relievers often help. You can help eliminate sources of stress and bad habits like smoking or drinking. Natural headache cures often work better if you know the root of the problem. Rest is often a good one, along with cutting back on caffeine and sugar. Simple headache cures often will not help raging and reoccurring headaches that don’t have an obvious cause. This is when you might want to see a doctor to discuss your pain. There are times when severe headaches (that are not migraines) can signify a medical problem.

More Migraine Treatments

2006-06-18T09:01:00.000-04:00

If you suffer from migraine headaches you know how debilitating they can be. You have probably tried a number of migraine treatments with little or no relief as well, which makes you feel like banging your head against the wall. Why not, it couldn’t hurt any worse, right? You dread the moment you get the first sign, or aura, of a migraine coming on.

You start to see spots, feel sensitive to light, smells, or sounds, and may feel dizzy or nauseated. You just want to find a dark room and tuck yourself into bed somewhere. Migraine sufferers are unable to function at work, school, or anywhere else for that matter. According to The National Migraine Association, also known as MAGNUM (www.migraines.org), reports that 36 million people in the United States suffer from migraine headaches.

With improved recognition of symptoms and diagnosis by health care providers, a 60% increase in migraine sufferers has been noted over the past decade. Migraines are different in each individual and not everyone experiences the same symptoms, which is why some migraine treatments are more effective than others, making the process somewhat complicated.

Migraine headaches are a neurological disease with biological causes that are often hereditary. Migraine treatments have improved immensely over the years, but are not effective for everyone, not to mention the side effects that some people experience. Migraine treatments are divided into separate group. There are preventive or prophylactic medications and alternative therapies for migraine treatment, and there are those that work to ward off symptoms once a migraine has ensued. Prescribed medications used in migraine treatment are beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-depressants, and Depakote (an anti-seizure drug).

Alternative prophylactic migraine treatments include feverfew leaf, butterbur root, vitamin B12, and magnesium supplementation. New research is also looking to the gut, which may be the origin of migraine headaches in some sufferers. If preventive therapy is not completely effective, prescription medications such as Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Relpax, Midrin, and Migranal can be used which lessen the severity and duration of migraines by initiating cerebral vasoconstriction. If migraine treatment is sought in a physician’s office or emergency room, a narcotic injection can be administered, such as Stadol, Phenergan, or Vistril, which are non-vasoconstricting agents used in the event other treatments are contraindicated.

These are all effective migraine treatments, but remember that not all will help every migraine sufferer. Other alternative treatments such acupuncture, biofeedback, and chiropractic manipulation have also proven to be effective migraine treatments in some patients. Avoiding certain migraine triggers is an important intervention that can be used by all “migrainuers”, such as avoiding certain foods and alcoholic beverages than have caused migraines in the past, and wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight. If you suffer from migraine headaches and you are not getting relief from your current migraine treatment regimen, then schedule a consultation with your health care provider. It is possible to get better relief and have fewer episodes, which will greatly improve your emotional outlook and quality of life.

Cures for Headaches

2006-04-29T12:29:00.000-04:00

If you suffer from frequent headaches like many people, finding some effective cures for headaches has probably been a personal goal of yours. Unfortunately, headaches are one of the most complicated and poorly understood phenomenons in the medical world. Have you ever tried asking your doctor about cures for headaches? If you ask ten different doctors about headaches, you’ll get ten different answers.

The reason why doctors give you so many different answers is because headaches can have so many causes, and a lot of them aren't really clear. If you get a lot of headaches, the first step you should do is try and figure out what kind of headaches you're getting. From my understanding, there are a few different kinds.

Many people get headaches as a response to physical strain, cramped muscles, and pinches nerves. These muscular headaches can be brutal, and are usually reoccurring to a very persistent degree. Usually, there is some level of tightness in or soreness in the area the muscle strain is occurring, like your neck or back area. Because your nerves in that region are all connected and ultimately lead to your head, strain in your neck, shoulders, or back can produce headaches. Usually these kinds of headaches start out very localized, but can often spread over your entire head. Cures for headaches of this kind are difficult, as you have to cease doing whatever it is that is causing the strain, and may need extensive physical therapy to help your muscles recover.

Then there are sinus headaches. These are especially nasty, but fortunately are rarely a constant reoccurring phenomenon. Sinus headaches result from pressure in your sinuses, as a result from allergies, colds, or a sinus infection. If you get sinus headaches a lot, you may be suffering from allergies. Cures for headaches of this type can range from allergy treatments, to decongestants. My favorite is Claritin.

Last but certainly not least, are migraines; everyone's favorite and the least understood of the headache family. There are so many potential causes for migraines its not funny. If you suffer from migraines often, like me, it's a good start to keep a kind of headache log. Record hours you slept, how well you slept, what you ate and drank, what you did during the day, anything you can think of and see if you can detect patterns with your headaches. If you can’t get your finger on it there's always painkillers. While they're certainly not cures for headaches, they are better than nothing.

Migraine Headaches and Pregnancy

2006-03-17T11:19:00.000-05:00

No one is exempt from migraines and women are especially prone so it's just a matter of averages to expect that migraines will affect pregnancies. Women should naturally be concerned about taking medications during pregnancy, whether over the counter or prescription, and since most people turn automatically to medication to treat the severe headaches caused by migraines, it's doubly important to be aware of the consequences of taking migraine headache medication during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the plain fact of the matter is that the effects of most headache medications on pregnant women and their unborn children still remains in the dark. Because of this uncertainty, women who suffer from migraines really need—when possible, of course—to work their migraine relief into their pregnancy plan right from the beginning, even before conception. Most experts in migraine prevention and relief strongly advise a slow tapering off medication prior to attempting to conceive. A slow tapering off means about a week, by the way, not several months.

Of course, many women suffer from headaches far too extreme to even consider tapering off their medication. If this is the case with you, it is highly recommended that before attempting to become pregnant you make an appointment with your doctor and to talk over the risks of sticking with your medications while pregnant. It's been well established that some medications such as Depakote have caused birth defects, but many other preventative medications such as beta-blockers and tricyclics have been proven relatively safe. If you're taking drugs by injection, like Imitrex, you'll definitely have to stop taking it because there just simply isn't enough evidence of its safety during pregnancy.

Since most birth defects occur during the first few months of life, often before the mother even realizes she is pregnant at all, it is not a good idea to wait until confirming the pregnancy before making decisions on medication and pregnancy.

Of course, there is more to pregnancy and migraines than just being careful with medication. Pregnancy means food cravings and food cravings means eating things you don't normally eat, or least eating them in a bulk you don't normally eat them in.

Food and food additives are major league triggers of migraines so when pregnant, be sure to be careful about what you eat. In particularly, avoid foods high in MSG and stay away from strong aged cheeses, which are well known triggers for migraine attacks. It couldn't hurt to avoid low blood sugar by eating complex carbohydrates rather than refined sugars. On the other hand, when using sugar substitutes be sure to stay away from aspartame (NutraSweet).

Generally speaking, a woman who doesn't have any other health problems besides migraines probably doesn't run any special risk. On the other hand, if your first migraine onsets during pregnancy, it is vitally important to get to a doctor so that he can rule out any other dangerous conditions such brain hemorrhage, meningitis, or even tumors. Further testing may be needed to determine the cause of the headache.

Migraine treatment during pregnancy tends to be of the medical alternative variety such as the use of cold packs, darkened room, and sleep. Although caffeine is one of the trickiest of all food-related migraine triggers to deal with, taking it in small doses during the first trimester is usually safe, as is the use of acetaminophen in small doses.

When it comes to both pregnancy in general and migraines in general, one of the best thing you do to is to relieve the amount of stress in your life. Yes, it's very easy to say you're going to reduce stress and it's altogether something else to actually do it, but if you can take small steps here and there to reduce or eliminate tension-causing elements from your life, you'll be surprised at the effect it has on your migraines. Not to mention the effect it will have on your pregnancy.

One last thing to be aware of concerning pregnancy and migraines. Patients are often giving hormones to induce labor and this frequently causes migraines. Labor is painful enough without adding migraine pain to it so be sure your delivery care person knows you are prone to migraines before the decision is made to induce labor.

Sex and Migraine Headache

2006-03-11T11:37:00.000-05:00

Funny thing about sex. It can be incredibly positive and incredibly negative. The same goes for sex and migraine headache. There does seem to be some sort of link between sex and migraine headache symptoms, but it is still unclear exactly what that link is.

Sexually triggered migraine headaches have been reported by people engaging in all kinds of sex acts, from masturbation to intercourse, with or without orgasm. Some headaches even seem to have been caused more by the position people got themselves into than the actual sex act in which they were engaging. Although they do occur, a sexually triggered migraine headache appear to be rather rare, affecting roughly one out of every 350 headaches or so. Even so, the problem is widespread and has a major lifestyle effect on those who get them.

When sexual activity causes migraine attacks its called coital cephalgia, exertional headache, or effort Migraine. As the names suggest, these headaches may be merely exertional headaches brought about by sex or any other strenuous activities. They may or may not be linked to orgasm or sexual arousal. Coital headaches are far more common among males than females and often last a day or more. Headaches or Migraine attacks induced by sexual activity may strike prior to, at the time of, or following orgasm.

A Migraine Headache instigated by sexual activity have been divided into three patterns. Sudden onset applies to almost three-quarters of them, beginning either right before, during, or immediately after orgasm. This head is normally quite severe and can either build slowly or suddenly explode inside your head. The subacute pattern applies to only one-quarter of instances and begins before orgasm with intensity building until orgasm.

The pain associated with this type is a dull ache. It is occasionally accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The least common pattern is the postdural headache in which the pain is located the lower back of the head and increases upon standing erect. It is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

If coital headaches become chronic it s advised that you take migraine headache medication. Be sure to check with a physician if you experience an explosive headache brought on by exertion. It may be more than a headache and could lead to an aneurysm.

However, all is not bad news when it comes to sex and migraine headaches. Sexual activity can actually be used as treatment for migraines. A study conducted at the Headache Clinic of Southern Illinois University found that some women actually were able to relieve their migraine headache pain through achieving orgasm. While the level of the relief varied, those who obtained complete relief represented the highest percentage. In comparison to medications, orgasm as a method of relieving migraine is less effective, but provides relief much quicker when it does so. This particular study did not involve men, but there exists plenty of other evidence suggesting that sex may work to relieve migraines in males as well.

Other studies have found that sexual activity and orgasm triggers an endorphin rush in the brain. This chemical reaction works as sort of a natural analgesic to block pain. In regard to how sex works in conjunction with migraines, serotonin is released during orgasm, causing a constriction of the dilated blood vessels in the brain that were causing the migraine. The increased endorphin usually last anywhere from one to three hours.

Ultimately, then, the question of whether sex is good or bad for headaches is left unanswered. For some people sexual activity must be considered a trigger, while for others a method of treatment. Once again when it comes to migraines, there is no concrete answer and it seems as though more questions are raised than answered. The key is to explore both sides of the issue and not be inhibited by embarrassment. If sex does seem to cause your headaches, be honest with your partner and your doctor. On the other hand, don't be afraid to try out sex as pathway toward relief. Even if it doesn't work, it's worth the old college try.

Massage Therapy

2006-03-07T14:49:00.000-05:00

When it comes to migraines, a little massage never hurt. But then again, a little massage never hurt whether you suffer from migraines or not. Seriously though, massage therapy has proven quite helpful in relieving headache pain. In general, you don't want to rely solely upon massage as the method for relief from your madness, but instead use it in conjunction with other therapies as well as medication and changes in your lifestyle.

How can massage help with migraines? Migraine sufferers generally suffer from stiff, tender muscles in the back of the head, neck, and shoulders. The pressure against these points in the muscle can be the cause of severe pain, pain that is akin to migraine pain. These pressure points are known as trigger points. By massaging the trigger points, one can effectively reduce the pain and tightness in the muscles, which decreases discomfort in some sufferers. Massage therapy is a terrific method for reducing tension in the muscles, not to mention for reducing stress. When beginning a massage program it is best to begin with one or two sessions a week for about a month and a half.

Several studies have been done to determine whether massage therapy really helps relieve migraine pain. The results of these studies have determined that massage therapy at the very least helps migraine sufferers sleep better and at best actually does manage to lessen headache pain. The following are the most helpful methods of massage therapy yet found to deal with migraine headaches.

Reflexology: General massage therapy based upon the pressure and massage of points not on the head, but rather the soles of the feet. Reflexology isn't so much a therapy as an art; a massage art used to relieve stress and pain throughout the body. The conceptual plan is based on the idea of zones in the feet that correspond to all areas of the body. By manipulating these zones, therapists hope to benefit the corresponding areas throughout the rest of your body.

Craniosacral therapy: Simply lie back and enjoy the sensations of your massage therapist softly massaging your skull and scalp. This method soothes the nerves and lessens the waves of pain that those nerves send, which is the cause of the actual pain.

Deep-tissue massage therapy: A deep-tissue massage is intended to help with the improvement of circulation while reducing tension within the muscles by focusing on specific body areas thought to relieve pain and stress when manipulated. The deep tissue part of deep tissue massage is in reference to how the therapists uses deep finger pressure and deliberate stroking of the areas of the body that are suffering from muscle tension or aches.

Neuromuscular massage: This therapy, which is also known as trigger-point therapy, is a muscle relaxing treatment that applies moderate pressure to your body's trigger points (spots in a muscle that, when stimulated by pressure or touch, are painful). Some believe that it can reduce nerve compression and relieve pain in tense or overworked muscles.

Acupressure: Look again, that's accuPRESSURE, not acuPUNCTURE! Acupressure techniques are employed by applying pressure from the tips of the finger to points on your head, not sticking needles into your skull. The theory is that acupressure helps headache sufferers by calming muscle tension and enhancing blood circulation. You can actually do acupressure on yourself simply by applying moderate and constant fingertip pressure with just two fingers for five minutes tops. The best method is to use one hand on top of your head and the other to apply pressure between your eyes.

When engaging in massage therapy, be aware that even the lightest, gentlest pressure from the most qualified therapist can cause at least mild discomfort, but should the pain become unbearable immediately instruct the therapist to quit massaging. To find a qualified therapist where you live, if your town features a school of massage therapy you can check with them and they will provide you with names and certification information.

Cure Headache

2006-03-06T05:26:00.000-05:00

A bad headache can go a long way to completely wrecking your day. Talking to people can be unbearable. You start to get cranky, not wanting to work or play or do anything but sit in bed and maybe watch a movie. What can you do about these demon headaches? What causes them, and how can you make them go away?

Headaches can be divided into two categories: migraines and tension headaches. Migraines are caused by the contraction of blood vessels in the brain; this causes a buildup of pressure in the brain and the resulting pain of a headache. A tension is caused by constant muscle tension, usually in the neck, upper neck, and in the back of the head. It's the constant pressure and tension in these muscles that causes a tension headache.

It can be tough to cure headaches, especially if you're experiencing a migraine headache. Some drug manufacturers have released drugs set up to cure headaches of this sort, with mixed results. Some people who have great success with one particular drug while others will get no relief at all. It's usually best to experiment with different treatments and dosages to see what works best for you, and it pays to consider talking to your doctor for a prescription headache medicine as well.

Fortunately, it's easier to cure headaches stemming from tension, as it usually just involves reducing the amount of tension in the upper neck. Massaging your own neck is often one of the quickest cures, as is resting your neck if it's usually under stress. Try rolling your head forward slowly, over to one side, then the other. Though rolling your head back can be back for your neck and throat, it sometimes helps to relax the muscles in the back of your neck. Repeat these stretches a few times, allowing your muscles to relax completely before turning your head again. Drinking lots of water is also a good way to go at curing headaches, as muscles and ligaments will contract if they're dehydrated.

Pain medicines like aspirin and acetaminophen can also help cure headaches, though it's usually more effective to cut off the pain at its source: the muscle tension. Commercial massagers can also be helpful in this respect, as can a kind friend. Reducing the amount of stress in your life is a great way to cure headaches, as most people will carry tension in their shoulders and necks when under stress. If you can cut down on the cause of the muscle tension then you can completely nip the problem in the bud.

Rebound Headaches

2006-03-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

Rebound headaches are headaches that may be caused by overusing pain medicines. Typically rebound headaches begin early in the morning, however the location and severity of the headache can change on a daily basis. Indeed, rebound headaches typically are daily occurrences and can lead to problems involving anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and depression.

Migraine medications work to raise serotonin levels to ease pain, but when too much medication is ingested something happens to the serotonin levels which causes the chemical to lose its effectiveness. Research shows that serotonin levels are lower when you take too much pain medication and then rise slightly after the headaches get better and you stop taking the medication.

Either over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs can lead to rebound headaches if taken too often or in greater amounts than recommended. In addition to sedatives and tranquilizers, other rebound-causing medications include:

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from rebound headaches:

Your headache occurs daily or almost daily (three or four times a week).
You are considered a sufferer of a primary headache disorder and you use instant prevention medication frequently and in large quantities.

Your headache deviates in strength, form, severity, and location on the head.
Even the slightest physical movement or bare minimum of intellectual expenditure cause the onset of the headache.

You have a lower than normal threshold for pain.

Your headache is accompanied by any of the these symptoms: nausea, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, memory problems, difficulty in intellectual concentration, depression.

You begin to notice evidence of an increasing tolerance to the effectiveness of analgesics over a period of time.

You suffer withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly are taken off the medication.

You notice a spontaneous improvement of headache pain when you discontinue the medications.

Should rebound migraines develop due to the overuse of medication, recovery cannot be accomplished unless the sufferer ceases taking the drugs. On the other hand, should it turn out that caffeine is causing the rebound, you may be able to get away with merely reducing your intake instead of eliminating it altogether. Before deciding on whether you want to stop gradually or abruptly, consider the following:

Most headache drugs can be stopped suddenly, but make sure you consult with a physician before withdrawal. Certain non-headache medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs or beta-blockers, require gradual withdrawal.

If you decide to go the route of gradually laying off standard headache medications, withdrawal should be completed within three days or shorter. Any longer and discouragement and impatience sets in.

Alternative medications may be administered during the first days. Examples of drugs that may be used include dihydroergotamine (with or without metoclopramide), NSAIDs (in mild cases), corticosteroids, or valproate.

Whichever method you decide to take when stopping your medication, expect a period of worsening headache afterward. Most people feel better within two weeks, although headache symptoms can persist for as long as four months and in some rare cases even longer.

If the symptoms do not respond to treatment, or if they cause severe nausea and vomiting, the patient may need to be hospitalized.
The good news is that many patients experience long-term relief from all headaches afterward, and one study even concluded with over 80% of patients significantly improved four months after withdrawal.

Treating Migraines With Homeopathy

2006-03-04T06:30:00.000-05:00

Treating migraine through homeopathy is becoming a very popular alternative to medicine-based treatments. Homeopathy is basically a method or theory of healing that attempts to stimulate the body into healing itself by using natural remedies. The following are the power list of best remedies for treating your migraine homeopathically.

Belladonna — Extracted from nightshade, this one is great reducing fever as well as treating those sudden throbbing headaches that tend to worsen with motion and light, but are partially relieved by pressure, standing, sitting, or leaning backwards.

Bryonia — for headaches with a steady, sharp pain in the forehead that may radiate to the back of the head; these types of headaches worsen with movement and light touch, but improve with firm pressure; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are irritable and may also experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation

Gelsemium — for pain that extends around the head and feels like a tight band of constriction; pain usually originates in the back of the head and may be relieved. following urination; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel extremely weak and have difficulty keeping their eyes open.

Ignatia — for pain that may be described as a feeling of something being driven into the skull; these types of headaches tend to be triggered by emotion, including grief or anxiety, and the treatment is appropriate for both children and adults.

Iris versicolor — for periodic migraines that begin with blurred vision, especially after eating sweets; pain usually occurs on one side of the head and may be partially relieved by gentle movement and/or fresh air

Kali bichromicum — for aching and pressing pains on the forehead (particularly between and behind the eyes); may be accompanied by sinus congestion or nausea and vomiting; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who prefer to lie down in a dark room and who experience relief from warmth and eating.

Lachesis — Get its bite by being extracted from the poison of the Bushmaster snake. Best for migraines on the left side of the head that are typically worse in the mornings and before menstruation; this type of headache is aggravated by warmth and sunlight and relieved by open air and firm pressure.

Natrum muriaticum — one of the most common remedies used for migraine headaches, particularly those that are described as "hammers beating the head;" pain is relieved when the individual is lying down, alone, in a quiet dark room; these migraines may be associated with either menstruation or a grieving experience and are worse in the middle of the day; this remedy is most appropriate for children who look pale and feel nauseated, nervous, and emotional.

Nux vomica — for headaches that are described as a "nail being driving into the head;" often accompanied by nausea and/or dizziness; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are constipated and irritable.

Sanguinaria — for right-sided headaches that begin in the neck and move upwards, recur in a predictable pattern (such as every seven days), and are accompanied by nausea and vomiting; pain is aggravated by motion, light or sun exposure, odors, and noise; this remedy is appropriate for children who may have a craving for spicy or acidic foods, despite having a general aversion to eating due to the headache.

Sepia — for migraines that are accompanied by nausea and are relieved when the individual is lying down; light and movement tend to worsen symptoms; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are moody and don't like being alone, but worry about being with others.

Pulsatilla — for headaches triggered by eating rich, fatty foods, particularly ice cream; pain tends to move but may be concentrated in the forehead or on one side of the head; may be accompanied by digestive problems or occur around the time of menstruation; children for whom this remedy is appropriate often develop these symptoms while at school.

Spigelia — for migraines described as a stinging, burning, or throbbing pain, often on the left side of the head; symptoms tend to worsen with exposure to cold weather and with motion, but are temporarily relieved by cold compresses and when the individual is lying on the right side with the head propped up.

Over-the-counter Migraine Medication

2006-02-25T05:41:00.000-05:00

What You Need to Know About Over-the-counter Migraine Medication.

Several reports have concluded that overusing over the counter migraine medication often results in rebound headaches. All of these medicines are recommended to be stored in an area where the temperature is between twenty to twenty-five degrees Celsius or sixty-eight and seventy-seven degrees Fahrenheit.

If you live somewhere where this can't be accomplished be aware that the effectiveness of these medications can be compromised. Also of concern is if you receive your medication by mail. Leaving the medicine in your mailbox in temperatures outside the recommended range for even a few hours can seriously impair their effectiveness.

Most of these medications warn against the same type of side effects, but the frequency of complaints about those side effects vary tremendously from one user to another.

Excedrin Migraine

Active Ingredients: Acetaminophen 250g, Aspirin 250mg, Caffeine 65mg.

Forms: Geltabs, Tablets, Capsules.

The recommended dose of Excedrin Migraine is two tablets taken at six-hour intervals. Excedrin Migraine actually contains the exact same ingredient combination as Excedrin Extra Strength. In fact, the only difference between Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength is that Excedrin Migraine comes with instructions containing a warning about treating migraines. The instructions warns patients to consult with a physician if their headache is accompanied by vomiting or requires bed rest. Excedrin Extra Strength also does not specifically contain migraines under its use section.

Excedrin has established a fine reputation among consumers. Usually it ranks at or near the in customer satisfaction surveys.

Advil Migraine

Active Ingredients: Ibuprofen 200mg. Also contains 20mg of potassium.

Forms: Liquid filled capsule.

Important information: In the United States Advil Migraine is the only over the counter migraine medication available in liquid capsule form.

You should be aware that Advil Migraine contains the exact same ingredients as regular Advil. Customer satisfaction concerning this product varies. While many report that their recommended dosage often relieves their pain, many other complain that one must exceed dosage in order to get relief. Others complain that it upsets their stomach if they don't take it on a full stomach. Still others have complained about side effects such as nausea (see above), hives, swelling, etc. And yet others are simply unwilling to pay the extra price for this medication when they can buy the exact same medication under the regular Advil label.

Motrin Migraine Pain

Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg.

Forms: Caplets.

Contains the exact same ingredients as Motrin IB. You should be aware that Motrin Migraine pills are smaller than most other migraine pills. The advantage here is that they are easier to swallow, but at the same time because they are so small they could easily be mistaken for candy by a small child so be sure to keep them out of reach of the young ones. As with Advil, although perhaps even more, customer satisfaction truly runs the gamut when it comes to Motrin. Some migraine sufferers absolutely swear by it, while others say they will never take it again. There doesn't seem to be any pattern as to why it works so well one some patients and not at all on others. It is recommended that you at least try Motrin because it just may be the answer to your prayers. On the other hand it may no do you good at all. So therefore you've got all to gain and only a little bit of money to lose.

Naproxen

Naproxen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that work by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Naproxen is sold under a wide variety of brand names across the world, including Aleve, Anaprox and Naprosyn.

TheraPatch Headache Cool Gel

One of the latest products to hit the markets are pads that can be placed on the forehead, temple or the back of the head which contain a gel that cools the skin for up to four hours. You can get the TheraPatch in two forms. One contains no medication whatever, while the other uses the patch as a device to deliver an analgesic. TheraPatch Cool contains menthol, camphor and methyl salicylate, while TheraPatch Warm contains capsaicin. LecTec is also offering medicinal patch products as a drug delivery alternative in the cough-cold and anti-itch sections.

All About Auras

2006-02-15T05:55:00.000-05:00

Migraines come with and without auras. Neither can be said to be less painful than the other, though the aura-less may be less stressful and frightening. Although migraines are often associated with auras, in fact only about 20% of migraine sufferers actually experience any of the symptoms of aura. The aura stage is part of the complex migraine, following the prodome stage. The aura stage usually lasts less than half an hour and its symptoms and effects can vary tremendously from one migraine sufferer to the next. Depending upon how extreme these symptoms get, the aura stage can become something quite horrifying, like a bad dream or, worse, a movie sequence of a bad dream.

The aura is all about distortions in perception. Despite the connotation of aura as a visual component, symptoms associated with auras not limited to specifically visual distortions. Characteristics associated with auras can include:

flashing lights

wavy or zigzagging lines

spots or other shapes

blind spots or partial loss of sight

blurry vision

olfactory hallucinations, or the smelling of aromas that aren't really there

tingling feeling or numbness about the face or extremities on the side where the headache develops.

difficult speaking or forming words

confusion

vertigo

partial and temporary paralysis

decrease in or loss of hearing

reduced sensation

hypersensitivity to feel and touch

The aura is caused by changes taking place within the outermost layer of the brain, the cortex.

With the depression of activity in the nerve cells, there is a resulting impairment in the function of the body part that is controlled by those cells. A slow spread in the depression of nerve cell activity is theorized to be the cause of the development of aura. The symptoms gradually build up and slowly make their way from one visual region or one body part to another.

For the migraine patient, this means the appearances of a black spot arising in his field of vision. The black spot may also be encompassed by either flashing lights or bright lines that zig and zag back and forth. The black spot will slowly—over a period of a few minutes—grow slightly larger. It is this unusual and often disturbing combination of a vision loss with accompanying flashing lights or zigzagging lines that distinguishes the typical migraine aura's so-called “positive” symptoms.

It is this combination of so-called “negative symptoms” such as the loss of vision with the “positive symptoms” such as zigzagging lines that make up the typically distinctive features of a migraine aura. The vision blackouts—the negative symptom—are caused by a depression of nerve activity. On the other hand, the zigzagging lines are caused by hyperactivity in the nerve cells. The origin of this sequence of neurological events leading to auras and headaches is still unknown. What is known, however, is that those suffering from migraines have been found to have an ingrained susceptibility to factors that generally are not headache triggers. In people with migraine, changes in body chemistry, such as menstruation, certain foods, and dozens of environmental influences, such as a change in weather, may trigger an attack.

In order to be officially designated as a migraine with aura, the headache sufferer is required to have had at least two headaches with three out of four of the following:

One or more aura symptom that originated in the cerebral cortex or brain stem.

At least one aura symptom that developed gradually over more than four minutes. Or, at least two or more aura symptoms occurring in succession.

No single aura symptom that lasts for more than an hour. (However, it is perfectly acceptable should there be successive symptoms of which extend that time, but each individual symptom should last no more than an hour).

The headache itself may begin before, at the same time, or at an interval of no more than an hour after the hour.

Caffeine Withdrawal and Migraines

2006-02-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

Taking in too much caffeine has been found to cause migraines. On the other hand taking in just enough caffeine has been found to successfully prevent migraines. What's the deal?

Caffeine withdrawal is the primary cause of caffeine-related migraines. Therefore, using caffeine as a preventative method in migraine relief can be done in two ways. The first is the easiest, and paradoxically also the most difficult. Simply limit your ingestion of caffeine to zero. No caffeine, no caffeine withdrawal. Get it? The second method involves a little work, but it does work.

All that is required is to take in enough caffeine over intervals that occur close enough together to ensure that you don't go into withdrawal. Both methods have their advantages and their disadvantages, both require certain sacrifices, but more importantly both work to keep caffeine withdrawal at bay which keeps migraines at bay.

You would think that complete abstinence from caffeine would thoroughly rid yourself of migraine headaches. And yet this is not always the case. In theory, it works just fine, but as a relief program it suffers the same fate as sexual abstinence: Not everybody is capable of sticking with the program; the urges are just too strong to deny.

Another problem is that the all too easy intake of caffeine without realizing you are doing it. Complete and total caffeine abstinence requires educating yourself on all available sources of caffeine. It's not nearly enough just to give up coffee and Mountain Dew. In order to successfully avoid caffeine you have to be aware of all the sources of caffeine. If you are going to take the route of giving up caffeine altogether, for instance, you'll have to be prepared to give up or use alternative non-caffeinated versions of: tea, chocolate, liqueur, pudding, pain-relief medications, energy drinks, diet pills, stay-away pills.

So perhaps, then, the route of maintaining caffeine intake appeals to you. The advantage here is that you don't have to print out a twenty-page list of all the products in the world that contains caffeine. You just merely need exert control over when you take in caffeine and how much you ingest. Once you establish that control, however, you can practically kiss your migraine goodbye.

This method involves the process of making sure you receive doses of caffeine It works best if you set out a pattern whereby you can intake the caffeine at regular intervals. Now don't get all excited about stopping by Starbucks throughout the day or going to the coffeemaker. Coffee and tea rely on caffeine infusion methods and therefore aren't the best method of ingestion in this particular method. Because of the diffusion, your caffeine amount varies significantly from cup to cup. Ideally, you should purchase either caffeine tablets or soda. Using these gives you much more precision over controlling the amount of caffeine you are actually taking in.

You can find caffeine tablets that contain 100 mg or 200 mg per dose. Save yourself a little money by purchasing generic rather than brand name tablets.

As for soda, the amount of caffeine varies somewhat with Mountain Dew on the high end, though if you want to take the trouble to search them out you can also find higher-dosage soft drinks specifically designed to you a jolt. For instance, Jolt Cola!

The following caffeine amounts are found in 12oz servings of these soft drinks:

Mountain Dew: 55 mg of caffeine.

Coca-Cola: 34 mg of caffeine

Diet Coke: 45 mg of caffeine

Pepsi Cola: 38 mg of caffeine

Once you have decided how you are going to go about ingesting the caffeine, the next thing to do is make sure you keep a detailed journal of your dosing. Keep an accurate record of the date and time you take the dose, the amount of the dose, how you ingested the dose (tablet, soft drink, medication, etc.), the time of dose and the amount of dose, etc. Also note any headaches you get and be sure to include such information as date, duration of headache, severity, etc. If you don't see a change immediately, try altering it a little by either changing the times you ingest the caffeine or the amount. And make sure you keep to the regimen once you've found one that words.

Botox: A Risky Weapon In The Battle Against Migraine

2006-01-29T03:39:00.000-05:00

Examining the pros and cons of the different treatments available for migraine relief. What works, what doesn’t, what side effects each treatment has, etc.

For many, migraines can be one of the most debilitating and excruciatingly painful experiences in life. Sufferers aren’t able to complete tasks and have a hard time taking care of their responsibilities when having migraine attacks. There are many potential triggers for migraines and in the summertime migraine sufferers may see an increase in episodes with the brightness of the sunlight, the change in seasons, and other environmental factors. The throbbing pain can leave them desperate for relief, which poses the question: what is the best method for getting rid of a migraine headache – Botox injections or all natural supplements? Which one is better for you and will help you feel better, faster, and for longer?

Right now botulinum toxin A (trademarked as Botox, a neurotoxin that attaches itself to nerve endings and essentially causes paralysis in the muscle tissue) is all the rage in Hollywood. Anyone who's anyone is getting injected in the eyes, cheeks, and lips. Currently, research is being conducted to see if Botox can be used to alter more than just appearance. Plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Glogau, MD conducted a small study of some of his patients that shows some signs that their Botox treatments may have aided in reducing the patient's migraine attacks. A study of 24 of his patients showed that 75 percent saw migraine relief for 4 to 6 months after their injections. Dr. Zahid Bajwa, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, was a participant in another study on the effect on Botox on migraine sufferers. Patients received three treatments during a three month period, after which there was an average decrease in the number of migraines by over 50 percent.

There are several drawbacks, however, such as side effects like bruising around the point of injection, respiratory infection, nausea, flu like symptoms, and if you can believe it, headaches. In some rare cases Botox injections can even spread and cause temporary paralysis. The cost of having Botox injections could range anywhere from between $250 to $500. This would be a monthly expense, as anecdotal research found the effectiveness from Botox occurred in individuals who received the injections on a monthly basis.

For sufferers uninterested in needles, risks or in pricey procedures and upkeep, there is an even more effective all-natural remedy. Nexoprin™, an herbal migraine aid produced by Selmedica Healthcare, is a viable option for migraine suffers who prefer a potent all-natural approach. The combination of ingredients in Nexoprin™ is the result of multiple international studies, many of them quite recent. In fact, the ingredients are prescribed for migraine prevention in several European countries on a daily basis.

Nexoprin™ comes in two parts: a capsule and a sublingual application. The capsule works as a preventive to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks and studies have shown the ingredients begin working immediately and continue to work as long as a sufferer takes them, with no decreased effectiveness. Nexoprin™ sublingual is an oral application designed to stop the headache of an attack as soon as the sufferer senses it is coming. The capsule is taken twice a day, the sublingual is used on an as-needed basis. Patients have seen anywhere from 50 to 80 percent decrease in the number and severity of migraine attacks.

Read the full Press Release

Acupuncture Treatment For Migraine

2006-01-28T02:57:00.000-05:00

For most people in the west, the entire concept of willingly sticking needles into your body is a bit suspect. In fact, most people probably have to reach a certain point of no return to even consider the very idea of acupuncture. Unfortunately, most migraine sufferers will no doubt reach that point of return at some point.

Migraines headache pain can be unbearable to the point of excruciating and almost anyone who has ever suffered more than one migraine has reached a level of pain at which they would welcome a little pinprick if it meant a cessation of their migraine agony.

But does acupuncture actually relieve migraine symptoms? Although several studies have concluded that acupuncture is an effective migraine prevention strategy, nothing conclusive has yet been determined, though much research is available to suggest that it is effective for managing mild to moderate migraine attacks.

How acupuncture treatment typically works is by inserting fine needles specific points on the body, which are then gently manipulated with the needles. This supposedly increases blood flow in the tissues. This blood flow is called the axon reflex.

It works by dilating the blood vessels around the needle area, allowing for an increase circulation where blood flow had previously been poor. This process is called stagnation and is considered to be a very good response for most chronic conditions for which one would seek acupuncture treatment, including migraine prevention.

This is not the only method of using acupuncture to treat migraines, however. Because the pain experienced during a migraine is associated with the dilation of cranial blood vessels, prompting the reaction described above by inserting needles into the head and neck might not be the best thing to do during a migraine episode.

In fact, it could worsen the pain and bring on nausea. For that reason, some acupuncture practitioners try to reduce the amount of movement in the blood vessels in the head and neck during a migraine attack by restricting the acupuncture points to those on the arms and legs. To avoid unnecessary dilation of the cranial vessels, therefore, the head and neck areas are rarely stimulated.

In addition, rather than treating the patient in a prone position as would normally be done, this method of treatment is usually done with the patient sitting up because the blood vessels are can be better controlled when in a sitting position.

This greatly reduces the possibility of undesired dilation of the blood vessels following acupuncture. Under some circumstances, a high frequency electrical current is sometimes connected to the acupuncture needles in order to help with constricting of vessels. Of course, like most other treatments for migraine pain, acupuncture doesn't come without its own side effects.

Unfortunately, when it comes to acupuncture, it’s less a question of side effects and more a question of side injuries. Unlike the most common side effects of medication—nausea, vomiting, swelling, hives—when acupuncture goes bad it can be life threatening. The most common serious injury associated with acupuncture involves the accidental puncture of the lung, which often results in a partial collapse of the lung.

In addition, one should also be aware of the dangers of infection. The most common infection associated with acupuncture treatments is viral hepatitis, which can potentially develop into a serious infection of the liver. Other possible side effects include bacterial infections developing locally at the site of needle insertion in the skin and elsewhere in the body. Generally, side effects seem to relate to poor hygiene and training of the acupuncturist so make sure you see some qualifications of your acupuncturist and get some recommendations beforehand if possible.

Throwing a money wrench into the whole idea, unfortunately, was a report sponsored by the Journal of the American Medical Association that claimed to find no available evidenced supporting the contention that acupuncture possesses any effectiveness in treating migraines. Until other studies conclusively reach the same opinion, however, the decision on whether to seek treatment by sticking needles into your body remains between you and your pain threshold.

Migraines - Food Triggers

2006-01-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

According to an ever-increasing number of studies, food and food additives are the most common trigger for migraine headaches. Some studies put food as the culprit behind kicking off the physiological reaction that causes migraine headaches in as much as seventy percent of cases. Other, however, lay the blame for good at a much lower percentage.

It would be an exercise in futility, or at least an exercise in filling up what precious free (headache-free) time you have to test every single food that is related to triggering migraines. You definitely get ahead in the showdown by becoming aware of what foods you commonly eat that are known to trigger the deathly, pounding pain that drives you mad.

Avoiding a suspected food trigger or group of food triggers entirely, however, is not the answer. Doing this can adversely affect other areas of your health, not to mention that you’re just asking for headaches (migraine or otherwise) by skipping meals or not eating enough.

Certain foods are almost guaranteed to be at the top of your list when hunting down the triggers of your migraines. For instance, foods that are rich in the amino acid tyramines (aged cheese, red wines) should always be considered. In addition, if you eat a lot of hot dogs and deli foods and notice you have a lot of migraines as well, you should know that certain nitrates used in large amounts in these kinds of food are probably the trigger.

Chocolate is often a major suspect in the hunt for the true killers of head peace because of its high content of phenylethylamine, but several studies have questioned the validity of this dichotomy. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is probably public enemy number one when it comes to food additives and migraines.

There simply isn’t enough space here to provide a comprehensive list of all food and food additives suspect to play a part in triggering migraines, but here a list of the most common.

peanuts and peanut butter

caffeine in all products, not just coffee

dairy products

yeast

some beans (which includes peanut), as well as broad, lima, Italian, lentil, soy, peas

avocados

dried meats

sauerkraut

pickled herrings

canned soups and packet soup mixes

chicken livers

ripe banana

soy products as well as the bean itself

sodium nitrate, which is used to preserve hot dogs, bacon and cured meats
the preservative benzoic acid and its associated compounds

MSG, common name for monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer which is now in almost universal use in almost all processed foods

nuts

sourdough breads

cheeses which have been aged, i.e. cheddar

red wines, beer, champagne, vermouth

chocolate

anchovies

As alluded to early, going without food or severe curtailing of your diet is nothing but another trigger and should be avoided. Instead, plan regular meals throughout the day. You might want to try to a restrictive diet, in which you limit your food intake for about a month. (Restrictive diets are not recommended if you are pregnant, however, because by avoiding the potential trigger, you could also be upsetting your balance of nutrition.)

If you experience no change in your migraine routine, you can probably assume that your trigger is not food-related. On the other hand, should you find that migraine situation improves over the course of this restricted diet, then simply add foods back your daily routine one at a time. If it is a certain kind of food that you are eating turns out to be responsible, the headache should probably trigger within twelve hours of consumption.

Eating a certain food should trigger a headache within 12 hours. Then you can limit those few foods to which you are sensitive. Never restrict all your possible food triggers. For one thing, it’s probably not going to help you narrow it down and for another avoiding all your favorite foods is just going to make you more stressful which may trigger the headache anyway.

Test yourself with food triggers to determine if food actually is a trigger for you.

Keeping a Headache Diary or Journal

2006-01-12T05:33:00.000-05:00

Which do you prefer, diary or journal? The denotation of the words is basically the same, but let's face it, there are major connotative differences. Diary kind of sounds like something a teenaged girl keeps track of her crushes in, while a journal sounds like something a novelist keeps track of her ideas in. Whatever you decide to call it really doesn't matter, what does matter is that you seriously consider keeping one.

Migraines headaches have triggers. For most people, narrowing down what that trigger is and successfully avoiding it can seriously curtail the frequency or severity. In some cases it may even lead to never having a migraine again.

Although the hardware involved is generally up to your preference, keep in mind that you may be wanting to show your entries to a doctor, so unless have the kind of penmanship that people tend to notice and comment upon, it's highly recommended that you enter the information into the computer so you can print it out.

The trick in keeping a migraine journal is sticking with it. You're on the lookout for patterns. Patterns that will ultimately link together to form an answer to your question: Why do I get headaches when I do? It may take weeks or even months to reach this answer. Give it time since patterns and correlation's don’t occur overnight. Keep at it and be specific. Try to write the information down as soon as a headache occurs.

So what goes into a headache diary or journal? The following are guidelines, but each individual journal will probably differ. You may notice things that affect your headaches that other people don't. And even if you notice something that you think couldn't possibly have any effect on your pain, go ahead and record it. You never know, right?

Your headache diary should definitely include information about:

when the head pains started, including whether there is a pattern to what time of day they generally onset

the frequency with which your headaches occur

any other accompanying symptoms such as nausea or visual disturbances

the duration of the headache and if there anything that seems to affect how long the attacks last

exact location of the pain

what kind of pain you feel: throbbing, piercing, aching

what you eat, trying to notice if there is a consistency in the ingredients

what time you eat

what medications you are taking, including any vitamins and other health-related products

any exercise you do, when and for how long

how much sleep you get

weather conditions, especially any significant changes in barometric pressure

Women should record all details of their menstrual cycle, especially anything you may have done differently preceding the attack

Any lifestyle that occurred during the ten hours prior to the onset of the headache. Some things to be aware of, especially, are things that might have contributed to increasing your stress levels, any change in bowel movement, any change in sleeping patterns, etc.

Be very aware of alcohol consumption and caffeine consumption. Both alcohol and caffeine play a huge part in triggering headaches. Record not only how much alcohol you may have ingested, but also what kind, i.e., beer, wine or hard liquor. In addition, realize that caffeine is not limited to coffee, tea and soft drinks. Sports drinks are loaded with caffeine, as is many candies and gums.

Don't worry about getting too explicit, but keep track of your sex life. Women especially need to keep track of whether they achieved orgasm or not in close proximity to the onset of a migraine.

If you're the type who feels that keeping a handwritten notebook is just way too medieval and you just absolutely have to engage with technology in order to do something like this, you are in such luck. Eheadahcejournal.com allows users, for a price, to keep an anonymous online track of their headaches. Additionally, the software will allow you to make nifty little charts and reports that you can print out to help in narrowing down exactly when, why and how your headaches get triggered.

Dealing with Student Migraines in School

2006-01-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

According to the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE), school nurses treat an average of at least ten students a month for headache complaints. Many of these turn to be migraine headaches. If you thought migraine was just an adult disease, consider the following statistics.

Recurring headaches occur in 38% to 83% of children 7 to15 year of age

Recurring headaches occur in 1% to 37% of children 3 to 6 years of age

Migraine headaches occur in approximately 1.2% to 11% of children.

Headaches in children is a far more serious problem that most people realize. The truth is that most kids under eighteen have headaches several times a year, typically either tension headaches or migraines, though children certain cannot be considered immune to cluster headaches. The frequency of migraines rises among females once they enter puberty; far more teenaged girls experience migraines than teenaged boys. This disparity is usually linked to estrogen changes the begin with the onset of menstruation.

There are several warning signs that indicate that migraines may be a problem. A child need not be complaining of more than a few of these in order to be concerned about the possibility that he is suffering from migraines. Just one or two may be enough to warrant further investigation. School is certainly an environment that is conducive to several of these symptoms and so even if a student does complain of two or three of these that also doesn’t necessarily mean that migraines are the cause.

Be aware not only of a student complaining about things, but also the consistency and the context. For instance, if student exhibits signs of nausea and must leave the room suddenly to vomit, it could be a sign of a migraine, or it could just be a math test next period. A student suffering from migraine often exhibits personality changes. This may be unusual in elementary school, but once a student makes it to the upper levels of education, you can pretty much guarantee personality changes. Be especially attuned to statements by the student indicating that the severity of the current headache is the worst he's ever experienced. This is definitely something be concerned about. If the student is running a fever of complains about a stiff neck, a migraine could very possibly be the root the cause.

It's very important for teachers to take an active role in identifying students who may be suffering from migraines. Headaches, especially migraines, can seriously undermine the entire school experience. In addition to affecting the student's academic performance, headaches may also curtail the student's desire and ability take part in activities and extracurricular fun. Headaches may even be a sign of more serious trouble, from depression to a tumor. Teachers also present a secondary authority source that may be less threatening to the student that family members; she may be more comfortable confiding about a history of headaches in you than in her parents.

Finally, there are some things a teacher can do to help students who suffer from headaches. They won't necessarily relieve the pain and they certainly won't solve the problem, but they could help and they certainly won't hurt.

Children and teens should drink at least 4 to 8 glasses of fluid a day so if your school policy allows permits, allow students to bring water bottles to your class.

It is recommended that children get 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night so why not help them achieve that by giving them a little extra time to get their homework done before going home, offer extra encouragement for them to get sleep.

Certain foods such processed meats, cheeses, caffeine, chocolate can trigger a migraine so if you notice your student who is suffering from headaches is constantly ingesting some or all of these, advise him to abstain.

Stress and uncertain schedules often trigger migraines, so if you notice the student is taking on too much, arrange a conference with his parents to discuss the possibility that rearranging his schedule may contribute to lessening his headaches.

Believe the child when he complains of headaches and send him to the clinic.

Best Seven Ways to Avoid Migraines

2006-01-06T11:25:00.000-05:00

The problem with migraine prevention is that there isn’t just one cause for the headaches. There are very many triggers for migraines, in fact, and trying to avoid them all would be an exercise in hermitry. Who wants to spend the rest of their life living in a cave just to avoid headaches? That being said, there are a few things you can do to avoid migraines and here are the top ten.

1) Cut the caffeine. Among the multitude of products linked to migraines is caffeine. Taking in too much can lead to a headache of monstrous proportions. Unfortunately, it’s not only too much caffeine that lead to a headache, it’s caffeine withdrawal if you’re used to taking in a lot. Best to cut back slowly.

2) While we’re talking about caffeine, let’s also talk about NutraSweet. Aspartame has been the culprit for many people who have complained of migraines. Go in search of why aspartame causes migraines and you will run into what seems like the biggest cover-up since Roswell. Most of what you’ll read hasn’t been proven, but then again neither have the makers of NutraSweet proven that their product doesn’t contribute to migraines. Avoid it and you may well avoid a horrendous headache.

3) Establish a regular pattern of sleeping and waking. In fact, get as anal-retentive as you can about this. A regular pattern of going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time, on weekends as well as weekdays, can do wonders. Many people who have instituted a rigid routine of sleeping and waking have discovered that their migraines disappear completely and forever. Or at least as long as they continue the pattern.

4) Give up the pill and try another form of contraception. Birth control pills and their effects on hormones can be a major hazard when it comes to migraine pain. You don’t necessarily have to go off the pill entirely. Some women have found that merely changing brands puts an end to their migraine misery. If that doesn’t help, however, you may look into other forms of female contraception or, if you and your partner don’t mind, switching over to condoms.

5) There are more reasons to give up smoking than you can count, but avoiding migraines is another reason to put on the list. Of course, that’s easier than said than done if you are the smoker, but remember, secondhand smoke is just as likely to cause a migraine headache as actual smoking. So if you can, remove yourself from the environment in which people are smoking. Better yet: Get them to remove themselves. You do have the right to not have to be around their smoke, especially if their smoke is causing your headaches.

6) Change your lighting. Very bright lights can often trigger very severe migraines. You might consider using the softer, filmy kind of light bulbs. Or use lamps instead of overhead lights. Or stop using fluorescent lighting, if that’s possible. If you spend a lot of time at the computer monitor, take frequent breaks and get as far away from the pulsating waves of the monitor as possible.

7) Cheese, chocolate and wine may sound like the ideal ingredients for a romantic picnic, but if you are prone to migraines the last thing you may be feeling is romantic following that afternoon getaway. Aged cheeses especially are dangerous because they contain the amino acid tyramine. Chocolate contains phenylethamine. Both chemicals contribute to migraines and alcohol is a trigger as well. Stay away from all three and find other ways to get in a romantic mood.

Essential Migraine Medications

2006-01-04T03:31:00.000-05:00

Although there are many other alternative therapies for treating migraines, probably the first thing most of us will turn to is medication. Society today looks for quick answers found inside a pill, tablet or capsule to all our various ailments. There is certainly nothing wrong with resorting to medication, but when it comes to migraines one should be especially careful about what kind they use.

ASPIRIN

Aspirin is the grand old standby for pain relief. It seems as though aspirin has been around forever and its reputation is getting better every day as it has become a recommended daily preventative measure against heart attacks. Here are some thing to keep in mind when using aspirin to treat migraines.

• Aspirin should never be given to children under 12.

• Absorption of aspirin is much more effective and the chances for stomach problems are significantly decreased when dissolved in water.

• Aspirin can be used in combination with codeine; however be aware that codeine often causes constipation and/or dizziness.

PARACETAMOL

• Similar to aspirin, but usually less irritating to the stomach lining.

• Is often used in combination with codeine or sedatives which often strengthens its ability to relieve pain.

• Paracetamol can cause liver damage if taken in excessive quantities.

SUMATRIPTAN (Imigran)

• Prescription drug developed specifically to act against migraine headache.

• It has been proven to be quite effective against migraine.

• Imigram is available in tablet, injection and nasal spray forms.

• Sumatriptan effects include nausea, and chest and throat tightness.

• Sumatriptan should be avoided by those suffering from heart disease, poor
circulation or angina.

METOCLOPRAMIDE (maxalon)

• A prescription medicine used in combination with aspirin as an anti-nausea drug.

• May improve the absorption of other migraine drugs.

ERGOTAMINE (Ergodryl, Cafergot, Migral)

• Another effective prescription drug, this one was originally derived from a fungus that grows on rye.

• Unlike the other medications, this one is not a painkiller, but instead works specifically to reduce the pressure of blood vessels which causes migraine headaches.

• Is often used in combination with caffeine in order to improve its effectiveness.

• It is available in both tablet and suppository form

• Has been known to cause nausea.

• Works by causing a narrowing of the arteries, which may worsen poor circulation.

• This medication should not be used in individuals who suffer from heart angina. Dihydroergotamine (Dihydergot) is a similar drug that is given by injection.

PIZOTIFEN (Sandomigran)

• This is perhaps the most commonly prescribed preventative medication for migraines.

• Common side effects associated with pizotifen include sedation and weight gain.

PROPRANOLOL (Inderal, Deralin)

• Originally introduced to treat high blood pressure.

• Multiple side effects ranging from insomnia, depression and weight gain to nightmares, impotence, and dizziness due to low blood pressure.

• May aggravate asthma and poor circulation, but is usually safe in heart disease and angina.

• Some people experience problems in absorbing this drug, so high doses may be required.

AMITRIPTYLINE (Tryptanol and other brands)

• The medication works on headaches independently of its antidepressant action.

• Side effects include dry mouth, sedation, weight gain, occasionally blurred
vision, constipation, and bladder problems.

• New antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) and similar drugs are not as effective as headache preventatives.

VALPROATE (Epilim)

• Introduced initially to treat epilepsy, it was found to act against most forms of headaches.

• Side effects include weight gain, nausea, tremor, hair loss and liver injury.

FEVERFEW

• Not so much a medication as an herbal extract that has been found effective for treating migraine headache.

• Few side effects, but be aware that some commercial preparations of feverfew may
be too weak to be active against headache.

METHYSERGIDE (Deseril)

• Methysergide is related to ergotamine.

• Often causes upset stomachs and has also been known to cause muscle aches and dizziness.

• When used over long periods of time, methysergide has caused severe scarring around the kidneys, therefore it must be used strict medical supervision.

Dentist Discovers way to Cure Migraines Without Medication

2006-01-02T06:21:00.000-05:00

Migraine headaches are a painful condition affecting 28 million Americans, and tension headaches are even more common. According to one of the world's most prominent headache scientists, tension headaches represents one of the most costly diseases in modern society because of its high prevalence. What if there were non-invasive, non-narcotic treatments for these headaches?

When used for severe migraine and tension headaches in a major medical center emergency department study, which included pregnant women, this medical device allowed relief and dismissal of 80% of these patients in less than one hour. In a New York Medical College Department of Medicine controlled acute migraine study, it proved more successful than Imitrex, the most widely prescribed migraine medication. In both studies, no side effects were reported. These results were recently published by Dr. Mark Friedman, in Headache, the American Headache Society journal. Because of these outstanding study results, this technique was approved for treating migraines by the FDA (June 2004).

Treatment is based on the discovery that headache patients have an inflamed tender area above the upper molar teeth. Unrelated to the teeth or gums, this local inflammation creates a swelling, which puts pressure against the adjacent maxillary nerve - causing the headache. This is contrary to current theories that describe migraine as caused by an inflammation in the outer covering of the brain.

Dr. Friedman demonstrated this link in a multi-hospital study by comparing the tenderness and temperature of the upper molar area in patients during one-sided migraine or tension headaches. In these patients, the temperature and tenderness was consistently greater on the symptomatic side. Tenderness and increased local temperature are signs of inflammation. Dr. Friedman's (Intraoral Vasoconstriction) IVC device, held by the patient during treatment, works by chilling the inflamed area to eliminate the swelling. This reduces pressure against the nerve for headache relief..

Since this tenderness and swelling exists even in the headache-free state, headache patients are much closer to a headache, even when pain-free, and treatment is effective for headache prevention even during these periods.

A topical anti-inflammatory gel, designed to adhere to and penetrate the gum tissue, applied by the patient at home, works as a powerful headache preventive. Dr. Friedman measured a value called Headache Burden, which equals total monthly headache hours multiplied by average headache intensity (0-10 scale).

Used for a month, the gel showed an 81% decrease in migraine, tension, and post-traumatic headache frequency and severity. The Journal of Heart Disease (2002) published this study, because unlike typical migraine drugs, these treatment(s) do not affect the coronary vessels. Following the first treatment, patients return soon for 1 - 3 more treatments, even if they are between headaches. They receive the home application gel at the second treatment. Dr. Friedman plans to make the chilling device available to the general public. .

These treatments work exceptionally well for pregnant and medically compromised patients.

After exercise headache - more serious than you think?

2005-12-31T11:53:00.000-05:00

by James Cottrill

It's surprisingly common - you're exercising, everything's fine, and then POW - a headache strikes! Or, sometimes, a headache hits while you're exercising. Is it just a minor annoyance? Or could it be a signal that something serious is going on? Should you go to the doctor, or just shrug it off?

If you already suffer from headaches or migraine, it may just be that your exercise is starting the headache chain-reaction. In that case, it's important to look at the overall picture and make sure you're getting the treatment you need for headaches. Your doctor may recommend a pain killer to take just before you exercise, to stop the pain before it starts.

In the case of migraine, this is called an "effort migraine", and it's very common. A throbbing headache in the back of your head may be an "exertion headache", which again usually requires some pain killers and is not serious.

But after exercise headache can be a warning that something serious is going on. As a general rule of thumb, if you get a new headache after you exercise, you should see a doctor right away. Any sudden change when it comes to headache could be a sign of something serious, so don't wait.

Some of the more serious headaches have to do with the blood vessels in the head. A headache after exercise could indicate an abnormality in the blood vessels themselves, or could warn you of a brain hemorrhage (or haemorrhage) (blood flow when blood vessels break).

If you're exercising in the heat and begin to have sore muscles, difficulty breathing, and dizziness along with headache, you could be experiencing early signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. You'll soon be past helping yourself, but friends will need to make sure your body is cooled off quickly.

Of course, everyone is afraid of brain tumours. Tumours (tumors) are very rare, so don't panic at the first sign of headache. Unlike typical headaches, these generally get worse over the course of several weeks, and are usually worse in the morning. They get worse when you exercise, and almost always include other symptoms, such as blurred vision, unsteadiness or weakness. Again, if you get a new headache, see your doctor right away. You want to catch these things as early as possible.

Here are some other things that may tip you off that your exercise headache is very serious: - You have injured your head in the past - You experience paralysis or a tingling sensation - Your neck is stiff - You're waking up at night with pain - The headache isn't going away - You're experiencing other symptoms elsewhere - Any other change in symptoms

Remember, even if you have other symptoms, it may not be an immediate problem. But it's worth it to talk to your doctor and remove all doubt. Even if it's not a sign of another disease, dealing with the pain will help you benefit more from exercise and your relaxing time too. Your health is worth it!

About the Author
James Cottrill is a health writer at http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com . He lives with his wife and children in the shadow of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. You can read more about exercise headache at http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/after-exercise-headache.html

Famous Migraine Sufferers

2005-12-29T01:53:00.000-05:00

Think you’re alone in suffering from migraines? When the really bad ones hit, it certainly seems as you alone are the only suffering. As a matter of fact, however, not only are migraines incredibly common, but some of the most famous and well-known people in history have suffered from this debilitating neurological disease.

Not only have famous people suffered migraines, but some of those people have actually left behind artistic records of their pain and suffering. In fact, Lewis Carroll’s timeless children’s classics about Alice in Wonderland are thought to have been inspired by Carroll’s migraine with auras.

Goodness knows there are precious few, if any, people in this world—whether migraines sufferers or not—who haven’t gotten at least a figurative headache from the boneheaded decisions of politicians. But several of the most famous and infamous politicians in history suffered migraines themselves. Among the biggest headache causers and sufferers were Roman dictator and future salad inspiration, Julius Caesar, and French emperor and future pastry inspiration Napoleon Bonaparte.

With all those cannons and muskets going off, is it any wonder than Thomas Jefferson would get a headache while writing the Declaration of Independence. And talk about your irony, or rather your coincidences: Both the commanding generals on each side of the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee for the Confederacy and Ulysses S. Grant for the Union were both migraine sufferers.

Lewis Carroll wasn’t the only writer to suffer from headaches, nor was his the only books to be written in response to effects of migraines. Migraines influenced the work of Virginia Woolf and Miguel de Cervantes. Emily Dickinson even a poem about migraines, utilizing as a metaphor the disease the very apt image of coffin nails.

Even more so than writers, painters have been especially moved to create artwork reflecting their state of mind during the pangs of migraine headaches. Impressionist paintings by Vincent Van Gogh have been variously described as being influenced by cataracts and insanity. One of the latest theories attributes his unique paint strokes and vivid colors to visual disturbances stemming from migraine auras. The technique of pointillism—large images created by the eye piecing together small dots of color—created by fellow Impression Georges Seurat also bears a resemblance to visual images that people have reported seeing during the aura stage.

If listening to someone drone on about their therapy sessions with a psychoanalyst has ever given you a headache, you may be happy to know that the Father of Psychoanalysis himself, Sigmund Freud, is assumed to have suffered from migraines.

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche theorized the concept of the Uberman, a master race. One can only assume that he felt he himself belonged to this elevated plateau. Still, one can’t help but think maybe Ubermen should somehow be above such mundane problems as headaches. Unfortunately, Nietzsche was, indeed, plagued by migraines. So much for a master race, I suppose.

Musicians and actors have also been prone to migraines. Among his other maladies, the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, was prone to headaches. Other celebrities who have admitted to battling headaches include actress and comedienne Whoopi Goldberg, British royal family member Princess Margaret, and even Cindy Brady herself, actress Susan Olsen.

As an example of just how debilitating migraine headaches can be and of how democratic the disease can be, consider the story of Terrell Davis, migraine sufferer and star American football player in the NFL. The end of the football season in American culminates, of course, with the Super Bowl. During Super Bowl XXXII Davis, the running back for the Denver Broncos and the eventual Most Valuable Player of the game, missed the second quarter of the game because of a migraine. Smack in the middle of the biggest game of his career, Davis found himself unable to continue playing because of the onset of a terrible headache pain along with double vision.

Because Davis had informed himself and educated himself about his disease, however, he was able to return to play after halftime. He had kept a journal and was aware of exactly what triggers were involved, allowing him to overcome the effects of the migraine.

Biofeedback and Migraines

2005-12-27T03:20:00.000-05:00

One method of alternative treatment for migraines that is increasing in popularity is biofeedback.

Biofeedback is basically a way for a person to learn control over a body function. Functions that include muscle tension and even levels of hormones in the blood have a direct influence upon headaches. By using biofeedback techniques, information concerning these functions are supplied to the person undergoing the technique.

A biofeedback session begins with a technician attaching your body via wires to a computer that will monitor such things as heart rate, brain waves, pulse, muscle activities, perspiration and skin temperature. The readings of these monitors will be presented as sounds or as video images. There are basically two goals involved in biofeedback. Making yourself more attuned with how you feel when your body is undergoing a variety of physical changes, for instance, changes in blood pressure, and secondly, teaching you how to adjust your physical responses so that you can effectively avoid problems associated with them, such as migraines. The biofeedback sessions typically last from thirty to sixty minutes, whereas the actual number of sessions you will need depend greatly upon your condition as well as the progress you make. Regardless of how well you respond, it is best not to exceed fifteen sessions. The final step involved in biofeedback technique is fully understanding what you have learned and then effectively applying it to you lifestyle without the benefit of the biofeedback machines.

Not all biofeedback is alike. Indeed there are a variety of methods and the one you choose will be dependent upon your individual needs.

Electromyogram (EMG). An EMG uses electrodes or other types of sensors to measure muscle tension. By alerting you to muscle tension, you can learn to recognize the feeling early on and try to control the tension right away. EMG is mainly used to promote the relaxation of those muscles involved in backaches, headaches, neck pain and grinding your teeth. An EMG may be used to treat some illnesses whose symptoms tend to worsen under stress, such as asthma and ulcers.

Temperature biofeedback. Sensors attached to your fingers or feet measure your skin temperature. Because your temperature often drops when you're under stress, a low reading can prompt you to begin relaxation techniques. Temperature biofeedback can help treat certain circulatory disorders, such as Reynaud's disease, or reduce the frequency of migraines.

Galvanic skin response training. Sensors measure the activity of your sweat glands and the amount of perspiration on your skin, alerting you to anxiety. This information can be useful in treating emotional disorders such as phobias, anxiety and stuttering.

Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG monitors the activity of brain waves linked to different mental states, such as wakefulness, relaxation, calmness, light sleep and deep sleep.

Biofeedback has proven an effective method for many seeking alternative, non-traditional, non-medicated relief from migraine. There are several appealing factors at play in choosing to undergo biofeedback. For one thing, if successful if you reduce and possibly eliminate your dependence upon drugs. For those who don't respond to medication, it potentially can help your situation significantly. Once you begin biofeedback you may get the extra-added appeal of feeling as if you have genuine control over your disease. And, last but hardly least, it could seriously curtail your medical expenses.

However, like all other treatments, there are some drawbacks. For instance, if you are one of those anal-retentive types who have to know how something works instead on relying on the fact that it does work, you should know that experts aren't completely certain of the why when it comes to biofeedback. Many people who are consistently successful at using it to fend of a variety of health problems are totally ignorant of how they do it; all they can tell you is that their symptoms have subsided with the help of this technique where they didn't subside with any other.

Although biofeedback is considered to one of the safer methods of migraine treatment, it is still recommended that you discuss it with a doctor who is knowledgeable about the technique. You should also be aware that biofeedback has been known to interfere with the use of some medications, such as insulin.

The Monthly Headache - and how to kill it

2005-12-26T06:35:00.000-05:00

by James Cottrill

For those who didn't know already, it's becoming more and more clear that headaches and hormones are linked. Of course, there are countless sufferers who could have told you that already. But what can be done about them? Are some treatments more effective than others?

If you're a woman getting a monthly headache, there's a strong chance it's migraine. The trend seems to be that changes in estrogen and progesterone levels trigger migraine attacks. It's believed that there's a link between estrogen and serotonin, a chemical which seems to be closely related to migraine. When the estrogen in your body drops, so does the serotonin. Migraine seems to most often occur when that drop occurs. This is why many girls get their first migraine attack during adolescence.

This also explains the changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause. Depending on the person, migraine attacks may begin or stop as estrogen levels change during different phases of life. It's common for migraine attacks to diminish with age.

Lynn Griffiths from Griffith University in Australia has been doing research on migraine from a genetic standpoint. It's well known that there's a genetic link when it comes to migraine. Griffiths believes that there's a complex interaction going on, and her team of researchers have confirmed that two hormone related genes - the ones with the oestrogen and progesterone receptors - are involved.

Dr Christina Peterson, author of The Women's Migraine Survival Guide, writes that you can tell hormonal shifts may be a factor in your headaches "if your headaches occur just before your period or during menstruation; this is the case for 60 percent of women with migraines". These are commonly called Menstrually Related Migraines (MRM).

So how can you fight these kinds of headaches? The best thing to do is to go to a doctor you trust and get her advice. Make sure she listens to what you have to say, and understands your medical history. Discuss the possibility of menstrually related migraine.

Your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug, such as Nalfon (fenoprofen calcium), Relafen (nabumetone), or Naprosym (naproxen). Many women have also found triptan class drugs to be lifesavers when it comes to MRM. These are drugs specifically designed for migraine, and they're taken right away when the attack starts.

Some triptans that have been particularly effective are Eletriptan (Relpax) and Frovatriptan (Frova). If one triptan doesn't work for you, keep trying. It may be that where one has failed another will be a complete success.

There are several other things you can try if these aren't fully effective, such as a drug containing an ergotamine agent, and estrogen therapy. There are many other migraine treatments available that may kill your attack before it starts.

A migraine, and a MRM, is not just a bad headache. Some migraine attacks don't involve headache at all. This is why you need to find treatment that's right for you, and not necessarily a common painkiller (although that may help some). You don't have to put up with the monthly migraine - fight back!

About the Author
James Cottrill is a headache sufferer and health writer at www.Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com. He lives with his wife and two children in the shadow of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. For more on hormone related headaches and migraine, visit http://www.Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com/hormonal-headache.html

Top Controllable and Uncontrollable Migraine Triggers

2005-12-26T06:13:00.000-05:00

The pain associated with migraine headaches is caused by a physiological reaction within the cranial blood vessels. There are, however, many environmental triggers that can cause that biological reaction. Some of these triggers are, thankfully, somewhat controllable. On the other hand, some of them cannot be controlled at all, at least not unless you undertake a lifestyle change.

UNCONTROLLABLE MIGRAINE TRIGGERS

Weather

Weather changes is one of the most common, not to mention probably being the least controllable, triggers for a migraine. Most people who suffer from migraines need not invest in a barometer to know when the pressure is dropping. Those living in hurricane areas can tell days beforehand if one of those monster storms is on the way. Any drop in the barometric pressure that occurs in combination with an approaching warm front should be considered a possible trigger for an intense migraine episode. If there remains any doubt that those who claim weather changes coincide with their headaches, consider that a study conducted by The New England Center for Headache resulted in 51% of respondents showing sensitivity to weather patterns. While no one can control the weather, if your headaches are simply unbearable you might very well consider moving to somewhere with a significantly different climate.

Environmental Factors

Among the many environmental factors that affect frequency of migraine headaches that are difficult to escape and almost impossible to control are intense odors and aromas, fumes, tobacco smoke and bright lights. With the increased move toward marginalizing cigarette smokers and the banning of smoking from an ever-increasing multitude of public places, it is becoming somewhat easier to escape from tobacco smoke. Escaping from bright lights may be easy at home, but when you’re at work it’s going to prevent a challenge unless you have a very accommodating boss. As for smells, you’re going to have to do some work to figure out which particular odors are pulling the trigger. Once you figure it out, then you can decide on how much trouble it will be to eliminate them.

Hormones

Often it isn’t until young girls begin menstruation that migraines begin. One possible explanation for this is has to do with low levels of estrogen and hormonal fluctuation around the onset of puberty. The good news is that many women report that migraines completely disappear after menopause. Unfortunately, many other women report that their migraines increase in intensity around the same time. Beware of engaging in hormone replacement therapy or taking oral contraceptives as well, as both could possibly increase the frequency of migraines.

Migraine Triggers That Can Be Controlled

Sleeping and waking routines

Either too much sleep or too little sleep can become a trigger for a migraine. It’s difficult to control getting more or less, but if you can establish a routine and develop sleeping habits that can be followed religiously every day, then you may be surprised at just how quickly your migraines hit the road.

Food triggers

Various studies have pointed the finger at food as being the primary culprit when it comes to triggering migraines. Indeed, some studies have concluded that up to 25% of migraines may be caused by dietary factors. Many foods, food additives and other food-related constituents contain chemicals that affect blood pressure and it is this effect on the constriction of cranial vessels that triggers the migraines.

Among those chemicals that are found in food that have been linked to migraine development:

• Tryamine - found in some cheeses, red wine, pickled fish, and certain types of
processed meat.

• Phenyl ethylamine

• Sodium

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

• Histam 5

Among the foods that have been identified by the National Headache Foundation as playing a role in migraine development are:

• Chocolate, cocoa and carob

• Nuts (including peanut butter even though peanuts are not a nut, but a legume)

• Citrus fruits, bananas, figs, red plums, and raisins

• Beans

• Bananas

• Pickles, marinated food.

• Dairy products

• Aspartame (NutraSweet)

• Overripe fruits

• Fermented products: soy sauce / breads with high yeast content.

7 Natural Headache Remedy or Remedies

2005-12-26T06:02:00.000-05:00

Instant relief for migraines may be accomplished with over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or migraine-strength aspirin. But one man’s instant is another man’s intolerable wait. There are certain steps you can take that have proven effective in instantly relieving headache pain in other sufferers. Most, if not all, probably won’t work for you, but you just may get lucky enough to stumble across one that does the trick.

1) One of the causes of migraines is the rush of blood to the head, so constricting the blood vessels to slow down that rush can often lead to relief. As anyone who remembers elementary science class knows, heat expands and cold contracts. Therefore, applying cold compresses to the forehead and/or back of the neck is a good starting point.

2) In keeping with the same concept as the above, try dipping your fingertips into ice cold water and massaging your temples and neck. This method combines the attempt to constrict blood vessels with the soothing relief of a massage, and is much better for those people who just can’t stand to have a wet cloth weighing down on their forehead.

3) Some migraines are triggered by stress, in particular the building up of anger. Believe it or not, but one method of relieving the pain very quickly is simply to watch something funny. Don’t make the mistake of going to a movie or a comedy club, however. The key here is relaxation. Find a place where you can relax by yourself and cool down while laughing.

4) Aerobic exercise is another terrific method of instantly relieving pain. In addition to taking your mind off the pain, the exercise gets the blood flowing throughout the body, helping to constrict.

5) Maybe the most enjoyable method of attaining relief quickly—and if you choose this method you may not necessarily want to think of terms of quick release—is by engaging in sexual activity. Some research has concluded that migraines are especially difficult to get rid of because the pain is so intense that sufferers can’t think of anything else. Sex is a great way to get your mind off your suffering. Indeed, instead of a headache as an excuse not to have sex, think of a migraine as the perfect excuse to have sex.

6) Turn out the lights, pull shades and close the curtains. Turn off and otherwise eliminate all noise. Lay down comfortably, whether that means flat on your back with no pillow or on your side with two pillows. Simply relaxing in a dark, quiet room is often enough to quickly alleviate your pain.

7) Intake caffeine. While caffeine can trigger a migraine, it can also be used to relieve it. Generally speaking, caffeine as a relief method works best for those whose migraines are, indeed, not caused by caffeine. Keep a journal to determine what seems to be causing your headaches and if you’re sure that it isn’t caffeine, then at the first sign of a headache, try drinking coffee, tea or a soda high in caffeine.

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2005-12-26T04:49:00.000-05:00

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