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We’re all aware of the dangers of misusing painkillers for migraine headaches, but how many of us really understand the right and wrong ways of using pain pills?  Here are some common mistakes that people make with their prescription painkillers for migraines and other types of chronic pain, as reported by WebMD, Living with Chronic Pain.

Err #1: Overdosing on migraine pain pills

Sometimes, your prescribed dose of migraine medications work right away- in ten minutes or less.  Other times, the same dose might seem to do nothing at all.  You tick away the seconds, wait ten more minutes, and then agonize over whether to take another few pain pills or wait it out.

According to Kristen A. Binaso, RPh, spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association, using more painkillers than prescribed can be disastrous.  Not only will it fail to provide extra relief, as the extra dose of painkillers often reduces the effect of the first dose, but you may overdose.

“This ‘one is good so two must be better’ thing is a common problem,” says Eric R. Haynes, MD, of the Comprehensive Pain Management Partners.  “Patients should follow the instructions their doctor gives.  Ask before leaving the office: Can I take an extra pill if I still hurt?  What is the upper limit for this medication?”

Bottom line: If your painkillers aren’t working as prescribed, notify your migraine doctor right away.  Don’t be tempted to take extra meds without your doctor’s permission.

Err #2: Combining prescription migraine painkillers with OTC migraine painkillers

Again, this goes back to overdosing on pain pills.  Sometimes, migraine patients supplement their prescription painkillers by taking over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers for extra relief, without being familiar with main active ingredients of either.  In many cases, you end up taking the same analgesic such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen twice, and risking serious injury.

Bottom line: Ask your doctor about using OTC migraine pain relievers in addition to prescription medicines.

Err #3: Not telling your doctor about all medications that you’re taking

It’s important to be upfront and honest with your doctor, especially if he’s prescribing pain pills for migraines.  Many painkillers pose harmful drug interactions, and some may reduce their effectiveness.  If you’re taking antidepressants, diabetes drugs, or medicine for hypertension, then your doctor needs to be informed before prescribing pain medication.

Bottom line: Tell your migraine specialist about every single medication that you’re currently taking, even if you think it might be unrelated to migraine meds.

Err #4: Driving under the influence

You might not realize that a certain painkiller may make you sleepy until you try to drive after using it.  Even a drug that is marked “non-drowsy” might produce a lethargic reaction in some.  Keep in mind that driving while sleepy is just as dangerous as driving drunk.

Bottom line: The first time you take a new painkiller, take it at home, and monitor your reaction to it.  Don’t go into the car immediately after using a new migraine painkiller.

Err #5: Sharing migraine meds

Another oft-reported error people sometimes make is to share their pain medications with others.  Your doctor considers several important factors before prescribing your migraine medications, and just because a certain painkiller is safe for you, that doesn’t mean it is harmless for every other migraine patient.  Other people might have underlying health problems, allergies, or current medications that may interact lethally with your painkillers.

Bottom line: Even if somebody tells you that he’s in pain with migraines, don’t give him your prescribed migraine pills. Instead, offer to help him find painkillers with his doctor’s approval.

Err #6: Not consulting in your pharmacist

Your pharmacist is there to help you understand your prescription painkillers- what’s written on the labels, what dose you should be taking, and possible drug interactions.  Many people often forget what their doctor said during the last visit, and neglect to ask the pharmacist.  If you figure that you’ll just “wing it,” then you run the risk of overdosing.

Bottom line: Never rely on your own memory when taking migraine medications.  Keep written instructions from your doctor, or logged into your migraine diary. If you’re ever unsure about dosage information, then ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Err #7: Using meds past the expiration date

After a certain amount of time, drug ingredients start to break down; they become less effective and in some cases, more dangerous for the user.

Bottom line: Check expiration dates regularly, and dispose of expired drugs.

Err #8:  Chopping pills without permission

Believe it or not, the thin line running down the middle of a pill is there for a reason; it instructs you where to cut should you need to take half a dose.  According to Binaso, cutting a pill any other way can be extremely hazardous, particularly if there is no scoring.

Bottom line: Unless your doctor gives you permission to cut a pill in half, don’t.

Please tell us…

Do you currently take prescribed painkillers for migraines, but would like to stop?  What side effects bother you most about your migraine medications?  Have you tried supplementing with natural migraine treatments that don’t cause damaging side effects?

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about migraine medications:

Do you get Cold Feet over Migraines? Could be your Migraine Medication

Epic Fail! Top 10 Migraine Analgesic Errors Doctors Make

Are Doctors Overprescribing Painkillers for Migraines? Fox News Report

Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information

Source:

Pain Medication Mistakes: Overdoses, Side Effects, and More- WebMD

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which occurs in beef and fish, helps to maintain proper immune function and neurological health.   Many studies have cited favorable results in patients who take Coenzyme Q10 after only one month of treatment.  Here are some ways to get enough CoQ10.

What is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), otherwise known as vitamin Q and ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble compound produced by your body for generating cellular energy in the mitochondria.

Health benefits associated with coenzyme Q10 include:

• Improved heart health
• Strong immune system functioning
• Maintaining already healthy blood pressure
• Promoting neurological health
• Also read Got your Vitamin Q?

Coenzyme Q10 benefits

Numerous studies have been conducted in finding the most effective nutrients for migraines:

• In a study published by Cephalalgia, 150 mg of CoQ10 was given to 32 test subjects.
• After one month of treatment, patients began to notice positive results.
• Three months of treatment with CoQ10 resulted in a 55.3% improvement in neurological health conditions.
• No side effects from CoQ10 supplementation were noted by scientists during this trial.
• Overall, 61.3% of patients who took 150 mg of coenzyme Q10 each day were rewarded with improved neurological health and increased feelings of well being.
• Also read Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information

Which foods have the most coenzyme Q10?

The richest food sources of CoQ10 have only a few grams per serving, and much of that is lost during cooking over high heat, such as frying.

Here are some  foods that are high in CoQ10, according to the Linus Pauling Institute:

• Fried beef, one 3-ounce serving-  2.6 mg
• Pickled herring, one 3-ounce serving- 2.3 mg
• Fried chicken, one 3-ounce serving- 1.4 mg
• Soybean oil, 1 tablespoon- 1.3 mg
• Canola oil, 1 tablespoon- 1.0 mg
• Steamed rainbow trout, one 3-ounce serving- 0.9 mg
• Roasted peanuts, 1 ounce- 0.8 mg
• Roasted sesame seeds, 1 ounce- 0.7 mg

Other sources of CoQ10 include broccoli, pistachios, cauliflower, oranges, strawberries, and eggs.

How much fried beef can one person eat?

If you don’t suffer from migraines, fibromyalgia, or hypertension, then you get enough nutrients from food sources- enough to avoid deficiency.

But what if you need extra doses of CoQ10?  How many ounces of beef, fish, or beans would you have to eat, assuming that soybeans and peanuts are not migraine triggers?

• 57.7 servings of fried beef, or about 11 lbs.
• 65.2 servings of marinated herring, or about 12 lbs.
• 20 lbs. of fried chicken
• 150 tablespoons of canola oil
• 11.7 lbs. of roasted peanuts

Wouldn’t be easier to take CoQ10 supplements?

Look for quality ingredients, including a mixture of the following potent vitamins, minerals, and herbs:

• Coenzyme Q10
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Magnesium
• Butterbur, PA-free

Please tell us…

What natural migraine nutrients do you take?

Have you asked your doctor about the effectiveness of riboflavin, magnesium, and CoQ10?

If you’ve tried many prescribed migraine drugs without finding relief, what is the main reason that is holding you back from trying natural ingredients?

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about natural migraine treatments:

The Do-it-Yourself Migraine Detox Diet: What to Expect

Sources:

Coenzyme Q10- Linus Pauling Institute

Open label trial of coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive- PubMed, NCBI

Coenzyme Q10 Effective for Migraine Prevention

Getting rid of a migraine headache takes more than just good migraine medicine-often, you need a cool dark room to escape to while waiting out the pounding headache and stabbing eye pain that come with most migraine attacks.  Photophobia, or extreme light sensitivity, is a common migraine trigger; to achieve the perfect photographer’s darkroom during the daytime, just follow these room-darkening tips for migraineurs.

1- Use color to your advantage

Stark white backgrounds are notorious migraine triggers; dark neutral colors like brown and burgundy are much easier on the migraineur’s eyes.  Cover your harsh white walls with deep shades of coffee, garnet, or sapphire to reduce migraine eye pain.

2- Invest in blackout curtains

Many department stores and furniture shops sell “eclipse curtains” that block out about 95% of the sun’s rays.  In addition to preventing migraine headaches, they are also energy-efficient and will keep your room cooler in the summertime.  A cheaper alternative is purchasing blackout cloth that is available at most craft stores, and covering with regular drapes.

3- Toss your towels

If you can’t afford to splurge on new migraine-proof curtains, then another option is to drape thick towels or dark bed sheets over your windows.  Use Velcro to block out any stray rays of light.  It might not be fashionable, but it achieves the same end result- soothing darkness.  This is also a great idea for making a bedroom migraine-friendly while traveling or visiting relatives.

What are the Signs of Migraine Attack? 30 Migraine Symptoms

4- How about Styrofoam?

Another cheap alternative to blackout curtains- have a piece of Styrofoam or black poster board cut to size, and use it to “plug” your windows.  Cover with drapes and you’ve created a perfect migraine recuperation zone.

5- Fake stained glass

Many home decorating stores sell removable vinyl window-tint films that block out light; they are easy to apply, come off without leaving any marks, and are an attractive way to diffuse migraine-inducing glare.

6- Cover your eyes

Eye masks aren’t just for catching your beauty sleep; today, many contain therapeutic ingredients for relieving eye pain and migraine headaches.  Look out for cooling gel eye masks or lavender-infused sleep masks that can be microwaved for soothing warmth.

7- Keep the wattage to a minimum

If you need just a pinch of light, then keep some low-wattage bulbs handy.  Alternatively, store a few tea lights with matches in your bedside table; the gentle glow is easier on your photosensitive eyes, and it won’t trigger migraines

Please tell us…

How do you maintain your dark migraine sanctuary?

Do you have any tips you would like to add?

Please feel free to comment, ask questions, or leave suggestions.  We’d love to hear from you!

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about migraine triggers:

Lights…Camera…Migraine! 10 Curious Facts about Light Sensitivity

Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere

Before, we discussed diagnosing migraines with a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap– how it’s necessary to eliminate pseudotumor cerebri, which can mimic the trigger migraine headaches.  (See Diagnosing Constant Migraines with a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) – Why it’s Necessary)  The spinal tap collects cerebrospinal fluids, and detects any underlying neurological disorders that may be causing constant headaches, nausea, and vision problems.

This section will prepare you for taking the spinal tap, and elaborate on some migraine-like aftereffects.

Before the test…

Before you go in for the lumbar puncture:

• You may have a light meal the morning of the test.
• Ascertain whether you may take your migraine medications on the day of the test, including any alternative migraine treatments.
• Bring a copy of your medical records, just in case.
• Notify your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Notify your doctor of any medications you are taking, prescription or over-the-counter, including migraine painkillers, or preventative treatments for migraines.
• Do not take any blood thinners or aspirin for three days before the spinal tap.
• Directly before the spinal tap, you will be asked to empty your bladder.

During the test…

If you’ve ever had an epidural, then you are already familiar with the basics of this procedure, which usually takes about 30 minutes.

• The lumbar puncture may be done in your doctor’s office or even in ER.
• You will be asked to lie on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest, or sit on the edge of a bed with your back bent into a semi-circle position.
• If your doctor requests a fluoroscopy, you will instead be asked to lie on your stomach while the needle is inserted into your back, so that the fluoroscopist may take pictures of your spine.
• Your doctor will clean your lower back and apply a local anesthetic.
• Next, you will be asked to sit very still while a long needle is inserted into your spine to draw cerebrospinal fluids.
• You might feel some pain, numbness, tingling, and an electric-type sensation in your legs and midriff. This is a reaction to the needle touching a spinal nerve, and is no cause for alarm.
• A manometer is then used to measure your cerebrospinal fluid tension, while your doctor checks for any sign of blood or other stimuli in your brain fluids.  Several specimens will be collected and sent for lab work.
• After the spinal tap, you will be asked to lie down for several hours. You may feel dizzy and tired.
• You may get migraines, or migraine-like headaches that may last for a few days, in addition to back pain.
• To relieve headache and back pain, doctors recommend lying flat on your back, but not taking painkillers.
• If you experience any unusual headaches unlike migraines or symptoms like fever, neck stiffness, or numbness in your lower back, alert the hospital immediately.

After the test…

• After the spinal tap, you will be asked to lie down for a few hours.
• You may feel dizzy and tired.
• You may experience intense headaches similar to migraine afterwards.  Post-procedure headaches may last for a few days.
• Back pain is also a common aftereffect that may take a few days to go away.
• To relieve headache and back pain, doctors recommend lying flat on your back until the pain dissipates.
• At home, you should drink plenty of fluids.
• If you experience any severe headaches unlike migraines or other symptoms like fever, neck stiffness, or numbness in your lower back, alert the hospital immediately.

When will I get my results?

Depending on the specific lab test, your results may arrive anytime between two hours and two weeks. If tests are negative, then you should speak to your migraine headache clinic or neurologist about experimenting with alternative cures for migraines, like acupuncture, biofeedback, vitamin therapy for migraines, or herbal supplements.

Please tell us…

Do you suffer from migraines that come once or twice per month, or are your migraine headaches constant?

Would you consider getting a spinal tap to rule out idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about migraine prevention:

Top 20 Simple Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Migraines

4 Headaches that Require Emergency Intervention

Diagnosing Constant Migraines with a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) – Why it’s Necessary

Sources:

Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)

Diagnosing migraines is a process of elimination; before your MD can diagnose migraine, he has to rule out all other scenarios.  Say you’ve had a migraine headache for weeks.  You know you don’t have a brain tumor, at least that’s what the MRI says. You haven’t suffered any brain trauma, haven’t been in a car accident. What other options are there for diagnosing migraines?

One often-overlooked test for diagnosing migraines is the spinal tap, medically known as a lumbar puncture.  A spinal tap collects cerebrospinal fluid from the area around your brain and spinal cord, and uses that information to find the cause of chronic pain symptoms like migraine-like headaches, tinnitus (ear ringing), and muscular soreness.

Why get a spinal tap?

In diagnosing everyday migraines, it’s important to try everything.  If you’ve gone through an exhaustive collection of migraine medications without results, then it might be time to find out if another condition is triggering your headaches.  Your migraine headache might be from pseudotumor cerebri, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension.  And the only way to confirm that is by getting a lumbar puncture.

Pseudotumor cerebri

When cerebrospinal fluids build up and cause pressure in your skull, it creates tumor-like symptoms.  Doctors don’t know exactly what causes this neurological disorder, hence the term “idiopathic” intracranial hypertension.  Pseudotumor cerebri is not a brain tumor, but it feels like one, and it also triggers a migraine attack.

Migraine Headaches and Brain Aneurysms- Learn the Difference

Symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri include:

• Chronic headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Tinnitus
• Painful tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
• Muscular weakness
• Myofascial pain
• Altered sense of smell
• Confusion
• Visual impairments
• Vision loss

Who gets pseudotumor cerebri?

More women than men suffer from pseudotumor cerebri, another common factor it has with migraines.  It also occurs more frequently among the obese, which is not said to influence migraine disorder directly, although numerous studies note a decrease in migraine symptoms when sufferers lose considerable weight.

Should I get a lumbar puncture?

That is for you and your migraine headache specialist to decide.  Before you submit to the test, your doctor will need a complete report of all medications you are taking, particularly blood thinners, if you have any allergies, and if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide when and where the procedure may be done.

Coming up in part II of Diagnosing Constant Migraines with a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap), we will discuss what to expect before and after the test.

Please tell us…

• Do you suffer from migraines that come once or twice per month, or are your migraine headaches constant?
• Would you consider getting a spinal tap to rule out idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about migraine prevention:

Top 20 Simple Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Migraines

4 Headaches that Require Emergency Intervention

Sources:

Pseudotumor cerebri

Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)

Diagnosing Migraines and Headaches With a Spinal Tap

Excitotoxins are amino acids that trigger migraines by overstimulating your nerve cells until they are damaged or dead.  In migraine headache disorder, even small amounts of excitotoxins cause migraine symptoms like excruciating headaches, as the migraine brain is especially sensitive to migraine triggers in food.

What are excitotoxins?

Excitotoxins are amino acids that occur in many foods you eat like lunchmeat, avocadoes, and artificially sweetened beverages; they are necessary for delivering messages from one neuron to another.  Certain amino acids, in large amounts, can be hazardous to your health, causing neurological damage.  Since migraineurs are hypersensitive to even the smallest amounts of excitotoxins, they need to avoid foods that contain these amino acid migraine triggers in order to avoid nerve cell loss.

The following amino acids are classified excitotoxins:

• D- Glutamate (glutamic acid) – found in MSG and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
• Homocysteic acid (homocysteine) – elevated levels of homocysteine is linked with Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Domoic acid– found in shellfish.
• Aspartate (aspartic acid) – found in cured salami, sausages, oats, and certain vegetables like sprouts, asparagus, and beets.  Aspartate is the main ingredient in the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in NutraSweet and Equal.

Where’s the MSG? Hidden MSG Lurks Everywhere

Are neurotransmitters bad?

No.  Your brain needs small amounts of neurotransmitters like glutamate for transmitting messages from one nerve cell to the next; they stimulate your neurons into communicating important sensations like sound, taste, touch, and vision, and are also used for cognitive skills like memory and logic.

Certain amino acids, like the ones mentioned above, can become toxic to your nervous system.  MSG contains both L-glutamate and D-glutamate, or example.  While L-glutamate is only harmful in large doses, even the smallest dose of D-glutamate can trigger severe migraine attacks.

Excitotoxin-related illnesses and conditions

The following illnesses and conditions are linked with excitotoxicity:

• Migraine disorder
• Stroke
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain damage
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease

How do excitotoxins trigger migraines?

When excitotoxins permeate your nerve cells, they set in motion a series of events that result in loss or damage of neurons, causing neurodegenerative disorders for some.  For migraine sufferers, excitotoxins trigger a release of chemicals that result in painful headaches.

Excitotoxicity causes:

• Low energy metabolism
• Calcium ion penetration
• Free radical penetration

Defend yourself against migraine triggers

If you keep a migraine diary and avoid eating migraine triggers, then you might think that you are doing all you can to prevent migraines.  This is not true; keeping the excitotoxins at bay is only one part of migraine therapy.

If you can build up a defense system for your nerve cells, a wall that migraine triggers cannot invade, then you decrease your chances of suffering migraine attacks by at least 50%.

The following supplements are effective for maintaining healthy nerve cells in the presence of excitotoxins:

• Coenzyme Q10: Helps to regulate and balance healthy metabolic function and protect cellular and tissue health.
• Riboflavin: Like coenzyme Q10, riboflavin (vitamin B2) also supports cellular health.
• Magnesium: Regulates calcium channels.
• Taurine: Stabilizes excitotoxin activity.
• Lecithin: Maintains healthy nerve cells.

Please tell us…

• What treatments do you currently use to prevent migraines?
• Are you on a restrictive diet for migraines?
• In addition to medications, what natural nutrients do you take for migraine symptoms?

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care a

bout!

Read more about migraine triggers:

Lights…Camera…Migraine! 10 Curious Facts about Light Sensitivity

34 Migraine-Inducing, Stomach-Turning Toxic Chemicals in Perfume

Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere

Sources:

Amino acids as dietary excitotoxins: a contribution to understanding neurodegenerative disorders- PubMed, NCBI

Migraine Triggers -Excitotoxins

Plasma levels of neuroexcitatory amino acids in patients with migraine or tension headache

Excitotoxins in foods- PubMed, NCBI

Over the years, migraine painkillers become less effective, causing rebound headaches instead.  That’s when you know it’s time for a migraine detox diet.  By eliminating migraine toxins like food migraine triggers and medications, and introducing natural ingredients, you effectively improve your body’s natural response to inflammation.

Important!  Before considering a detox diet for migraines, please notify your doctor or other headache specialist.  Never stop taking any prescription migraine medications or recommended over-the-counter (OTC) migraine treatments without first consulting your primary physician.

How does the migraine detox diet work?

If you’ve been keeping a migraine diary to no effect, then you might benefit by going on a complete migraine detox.  Instead of painstakingly trying to identify your personal migraine food triggers one by one, the detox diet requires you to cut out all “red light” foods at once.  By going cold turkey, you rid your body of all toxins and start anew, slowly introducing new foods into your diet while carefully monitoring your body’s reaction.

What are migraine toxins?

Before starting a detox program for migraines, it’s important to understand exactly what we mean by “toxin” for migraines.

Specifically, migraine toxins are all ingredients that enter your body and trigger a migraine attack, yet have no effect on people who don’t suffer migraines.  In the detox diet, all medications, including painkillers for migraines, whether over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed, are considered toxic.

Again, it is crucial to obtain your doctor’s permission before undergoing any detox program for migraines or ending any migraine medication.

List of migraine toxins

Migraine toxins may include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
• Stimulants
• Hormone pills
• Vasodilators (hypertension medications, nitrates)
• Preservatives (nitrates, nitrites, tannins)
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG, Important: Read Where’s the MSG? Hidden MSG Lurks Everywhere)
• Food coloring
• Artificial sweeteners
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Overripe fruits (avocadoes, bananas, red plums)
• Dried fruits (raisins, figs, prunes)
• Legumes (most beans, peas in pod)
• Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, onions)
• Fermented condiments (pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi )
• Aged cheese
• Yogurt, sour cream
• Cured, smoked, or processed meats and fish
• Yeasted breads or pastries
• Tree nuts and peanuts

Migraine nutrients promote detox

In addition to cutting out migraine toxins, you should begin taking natural ingredients for migraines that are healthy and support neurological functioning.

The following nutrients are supported by scientific evidence:

• Magnesium: Magnesium reduces stress, soothes tension, supports neurological functioning, and promotes a healthy circulatory system, making it a healthful nutrient for migraine patients.  Also, magnesium naturally regulates calcium channels.  This placebo-controlled study on migraines and magnesium found impressive results with patients who received 600 mg of magnesium each day for 12 weeks.
• Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10): CoQ10 is a vitamin-like nutrient that has been featured in numerous controlled studies, such as this study published by the National Library of Medicine, in which 150 mg of coenzyme Q10 per day greatly benefited more than 60% of the test subjects involved.
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Riboflavin is an essential B vitamin that is also beneficial with migraines.  In this study, 59% of patients who received 400 mg of riboflavin each day for three months experienced dramatic health benefits.

Migraine detox side effects

During the first few weeks of migraine detox, you will likely experience unpleasant side effects, as toxins are released into your bloodstream.  Side effects of migraine detox may include migraine headaches or non-migraine headaches, such as rebound headaches.

Other migraine detox symptoms may include:

• Irritability
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Exhaustion
• Muscle pains
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Bad breath
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Acne
• Cold symptoms

Please tell us…

• Have you completed a migraine detox program?
• If so, was it as a hospital inpatient, or on an outpatient basis?
• If you haven’t attempted detox, what is the one thing that is holding you back more than anything else…withdrawal symptoms or fear that it won’t work?
• Please share your comments, suggestions, and questions with us!

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about natural migraine treatments:

Weight Loss Headaches- Why they happen, How to avoid them

Sources:

The Migraine-Prevention “Detox” Plan

Open label trial of coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive- PubMed, NCBI

Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study- PubMed, NCBI

Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial- PubMed, NCBI

It’s the great Catch-22 of migraine disorder: weight loss headaches.  We’re constantly reminded about the strong link between obesity and migraines.  Experts encourage losing weight to reduce migraine symptoms.  Sounds promising,  but every time you start a weight-loss diet, what do you get for your efforts?  A big headache.  Weight-loss headache: It’s not necessarily a migraine headache, but it sure doesn’t help to keep you on the weight-loss bandwagon, either.  Here are some possible reasons for new headaches that you get whenever you try to lose weight.

Hunger headache

Migraine brains like consistency; any deviation from your normal eating habits- skipping meals, or fluctuations in your blood sugar- will likely trigger a migraine attack the size of Texas.

Of course, what you eat is just as important as how much or how often you eat.  A cup of cooked white pasta might have the same amount of calories as a cup of whole-wheat spaghetti, but nutritionally, they are worlds apart.  Ounce for ounce, whole-grain foods are packed with more vitamins, minerals, and tummy-filling fiber than starchy white processed foods, leaving you feeling more satisfied after finishing a meal and less likely to suffer a hunger headache.

Solution:

• When cutting back on calories, make it gradual.  Avoid crash dieting.  Aim to lose one or two pounds per week…or month.  The slower you lose the weight, the longer you will keep it off, anyways.
• Don’t skimp on quality while shopping for low-calorie foods to stock your pantry.  Avoid “diet” foods that are devoid of vitamins and minerals, yet packed with preservatives, refined sugars and flours, and artificial fillers.  Include filling foods in your diet, like protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that do not trigger migraines.
• Don’t fall for imitation foods like “fat-free cream cheese” or sugarless pancake syrup.  Instead, opt for natural maple syrup and real butter, and just use less.
• Eat small meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism moving and to keep migraines at bay.
• Be prepared.  Always keep an emergency stash of your favorite non-perishable treat in your car, purse, and work desk.

Which Foods Trigger the Most Migraines? See our Checklist

Dehydration headache

Sometimes your become dehydrated when trying to lose weight.  When this happens, your blood vessels constrict in an effort to retain moisture, causing spasms, and decreased oxygen to the brain. The result is dehydration headache.  So, how much water do you need?  Currently, experts recommend that you drink half of your body weight in ounces.  If you weigh 180 pounds, then you should drink at least 90 ounces (approximately 11 cups) of water each day.

Solution:

• Make it easy to fulfill your daily water requirement.  Stock up on plenty of good drinking water, and stash water bottles around your house.  Keep a bottle by your telephone or computer.  Stash one in the car and your emergency migraine tote bag.
• Invest in a good quality stainless steel water bottle, and keep it clean.  Metal water bottles stay ice cold longer than plastic bottles, and they last forever.

Stay Hydrated without Drinking Water- 5 Hydrating Foods

Detox headache

Ironically, eating healthier can give you a headache.  If part of your migraine diet plan includes following a restrictive diet, then you’re eating fewer foods that supply toxins to the body.  As a result, your body goes into detox mode, sweating out toxins throughout your day.  A few side effects of detox, however, include migraine-like headaches and skin disruptions like acne.

Solution:

• Hang in there!  Detox is a temporary phase and worth the efforts.  Countless studies prove that weaning your body off migraine triggering foods and chemicals significantly reduces migraine frequency and severity.
• Supplement with natural vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Some excellent nutrients are magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10.

Please tell us…

• Are you currently using a migraine treatment that causes weight gain as one of its side effects?
• Have you been successful in losing weight while battling with migraines at the same time?
• Please share your success stories with our readers!
• As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions.

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Read more about migraines and nutrition:

Eat like a Migraineur- 7 Migraine Diet Tips

How to Make a Migraine Headache Diary

Chocolate for Curing Migraines- 10 Astonishing Cocoa Facts

Sources:

From the Dietitian: Avoid the Hunger Headache

Headaches When Losing Weight- LIVESTRONG.COM

“I’m worried this might be the early stages of a migraine.  I get this light disruption thing.” Those were the words of Russell Brand a few weeks ago, echoing the concerns of millions of other migraine headache sufferers around the world. Only instead of retreating to a quiet shade-drawn bedroom to stave off the coming migraine attack, he continued his 90-minute comedy act under a bright Hollywood spotlight, migraine, nausea, and all.

Migraines are equal-opportunity destroyers

Disclaimer: Russel Brand was not contacted regarding this blog post. This is a review of news headlines, as referenced below.

When “Get him to the Greek” star Russell Brand had an on-stage migraine attack recently, his audience got a taste of what it’s like to be struck suddenly with crippling migraines.

First came the light sensitivity; he apologized to his audience for the delay as he halted his routine for a moment, explaining that the bright lights of the stage were probably triggering his migraines.

Next, he revealed that he had terrible pain, and needed painkillers.  “I feel nauseous now,” he said.  “I feel sick.  Sorry about this.”

A stagehand brought him some migraine painkillers, and Russell continued his show, still apologetic.

“I think I’m such a professional showman this is beyond ridiculous stopping to take medication.”

For most migraineurs, getting on-the-spot medical attention for a migraines is like squeezing sugar from a lemon; it’s a long, nasty process with fruitless results.

Why the apologies?

We’ve all been there, yet it’s still hard to watch.  When people suffer from chronic pain, they shouldn’t have to apologize for it.  Yet that’s exactly what Russell Brand did for his audience when he felt the first symptoms of a migraine attack striking while he was performing onstage, fresh after signing divorce papers for his estranged ex-wife, Katy Perry.

Such is the dilemma for all people who get frequent migraines, celebrities included; once you feel the telltale signs of an approaching migraine, your only thought is to escape by whatever means possible.  Locate your nearest exit, retreat, and apologize profusely along the way.  (Except when you can’t.)

By the way…

Coincidentally, rapper Diddy was recently hospitalized for a migraine attack that occurred after a post-Grammy party at the Playboy Mansion.

Imagine anybody else calling 911 and explaining that he was hung over from a giant Hollywood bash, and was suffering from a killer migraine, and could somebody please take him to the hospital; or strolling into ER, wanting attention for a migraine headache that was triggered by too much partying.

For most migraineurs, getting on-the-spot medical attention for a migraine is like squeezing sugar from a lemon; it’s a long, nasty process with fruitless results.

Migraines are disabling

Fortunately, Russell Brand only had to endure 90 minutes of work time before being allowed to go home and wait out the migraine storm.  And most likely, his job prospects are still good.  Not to begrudge him his well-deserved fame, but for millions of blue-collar migraine patients, that is not the reality.

Most migraine patients have only three options regarding migraines and work:

1. suffer the migraine attack in silence until 5:00,
2. miss work, or
3. miss work while trying for months or years to qualify for disability insurance, which is always a gamble.

Please share your thoughts…

• Do you think media attention on migraines will bring us closer to getting a cure?
• Have you been denied disability, even though your migraines keep you from working?
• What migraine treatments do you currently use, and how satisfied are you with their results?
• As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions!

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about migraines at work:

Migraine Headaches Are Not an ADA Disability, Says US Court

Migraines at Work- Can my Employers Fire me from my Job?

Social Security Disability for Migraine- 5 Tips for Filing

Sources:

Russell Brand Forced To Stop Show After Migraine Attack

Russell Brand Suffers Migraine Attack Onstage

Diddy Hospitalized For Extreme Migraine Headache: REPORT

A new study confirms what you already knew- migraines in women cause depression.  Scientists surveyed 36,000 women for a Women’s Health Study, hoping to learn more about cancer prevention, and instead stumbled upon this serendipitous discovery linking migraine headaches and depression.  This is one of the largest studies to expose the high risk of severe depression among female migraine sufferers, and chronic headache patients around the world hope it will open the doors to more extensive research on migraine illness and depression.

Women’s health study links migraines and depression

A recent study backed up by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) concluded some revealing findings about female migraine sufferers and depression.

While the study’s initial aim was to research vitamin E and aspirin for preventing heart disease in women, Dr. Tobias Kurth of Brigham and Women’s Hospital was able to use the 14-year data to make the following observations:

• Out of 36,000 women participants, approximately 6,000 admitted to suffering from migraine headaches.
• In the beginning of the study, none of the female participants reported any prior history of depression.
• During the 14-year follow-up, researchers recorded deep depression in about 4,000 women.
• Scientists concluded that women who suffer from migraines or other chronic headaches are about 40% more likely to suffer from severe depression than are women who don’t get migraines.
• While scientists cannot confirm that migraines cause depression, nor vice versa, they do, however, acknowledge a proven correlation between the two.

Migraine symptoms

Migraine attacks are invasive, and difficult to get rid of.  Particularly strong migraine attacks can last for days, and require another few days for recuperation.  For many chronic migraine patients, pulsing headaches are an everyday occurrence.

Other migraine symptoms besides headache include:

• Severe nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• tinnitus
• Hypersensitivity to things like lights, sounds, and scents

If you experience migraines with aura, then you may also experience:

• Visual distortions
• Momentary partial blindness
• Momentary partial paralysis
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Olfactory hallucinations
• Temporary speech impairments
• Disorientation
• Loss of spatial awareness

Migraines are disabling

Migraine attacks are so debilitating that when they strike, you are at their mercy.  They block out all other priorities, much in the same way an eclipse blocks out the sun.  You miss work, you make excuses to friends for your absence, and all household chores get put on the backburner.  When a migraine attacks, you can do little else other than lie in bed in a dark room and wait…

Migraines and depression

Suffering from migraines is an isolating experience, and it’s depressing watching life go by outside your bedroom window.  Even migraine-free days are haunted by feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and anger.

Depression makes it hard to imagine that things can ever be better, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy; where there is little hope, there is little relief from pain.  On the flip side, chronic pain patients who manage to overcome depression and keep their hopes up are exceedingly more likely to cope well with their pain symptoms and recover.

Migraine treatments that do double-duty

It’s not uncommon for headache specialists to prescribe antidepressants for their migraine patients.  For some, using antidepressants such as sertraline may reduce migraine symptoms and conquer depression at the same time.

In addition, many people suffering from migraine headaches and depression would do well to eat healthy foods, include minimal exercise, and take daily doses of vitamins and supplements.

Examples of recommended supplements include butterbur (PA-free), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and riboflavin (vitamin B2).

Please tell us…

• Do you agree that women with migraines are 40% more likely to suffer depression, or do you think that number might actually be higher?
• Please share your experiences in coping with migraine disorder.
• We welcome your questions and comments!

Spread the love…

Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!

Read more about migraines and depression:

Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics

Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder

Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?

Sources:

Migraines Linked to Depression

Migraines Linked to Depression in Women

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