Night terrors often result from sleep apnea, stress, post-concussion syndrome, cluster headaches, or migraine headaches. Frequent sleep terrors cause insomnia, stress, and anxiety, leading to more migraine headache symptoms.

What are night terrors?

Have you ever woken up in the middle of a night and felt an odd sensation of falling backwards?  Some people wake up suddenly in the middle of the night, jerked awake by a frightening dream, feeling of impending doom, or a migraine headache.  Mostly, night terrors happen to children, but a small percentage of adults also suffer from frequent- and disconcerting- sleep terrors.

What causes night terrors?

Children may experience night terrors from nightmares, anxiety, fever, noise, or bedwetting.  However, when adults experience night terrors, it is usually a result of some influencing factor.  Some causes of night terrors in adults include the following:

• Lack of sleep
• Sleep apnea
• Stress, anxiety, or panic disorder
• Head injuries
• Drug interaction, including alcohol, street drugs, antihistamines, sleeping pills, and beta-blockers
• Migraine headaches

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1) Migraine headaches

Characterized by throbbing head pain on one side of the head, other migraine symptoms include nausea, stomach cramping, visual distortions (migraine with aura), light sensitivity, and partial paralysis.  Migraine attacks last for several hours, and possibly days.  A night terror migraine may occur during the sleep stage 3 or sleep stage 4, or during REM sleep.

2) Cluster headaches

Nighttime cluster headaches cause intense pain on one side of the head, often felt behind the eye, temple, or cheekbone.  Other symptoms of cluster headache include tearing at the eyes, stuffy nose, and profuse sweating at the hairline.  A cluster headache attack strikes suddenly and vanishes suddenly, and generally lasts no longer than a few hours.  Cluster headaches occur repeatedly in one 24-hour period, often striking consistently at the same time of day or evening.  Cluster headache sufferers who experience nighttime attacks awaken with night terrors, causing them to feel fatigued and stressed during the day.

Is it a Cluster Headache or a Migraine?

3) Hypnic headaches

If you wake up early in the morning to a rude headache, then you might be suffering from hypnic headaches.  Hypnic headaches are painful, but not symptomatic of any physical damage.  Hypnic headaches usually last about one hour, and might occur because of a bad dream or early morning sleep terror.

7 Headache Symptoms you definitely shouldn’t ignore

4) Hypnic jerks

Hypnic jerks, or exploding head syndrome , are night terrors that often occur just as you’re drifting off to sleep, though they can also occur during any other sleep stage, including REM.  Symptoms of exploding head syndrome include strong involuntary muscular twitches, unusual head sounds (cracking, popping, gunshot or explosions), sensation of “falling,” and brief lightning flashes, or aura.  Unlike with hypnic headaches, hypnic jerks are not associated with head pain.

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5) Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania (CPH)

Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania is similar to migraine headache, and causes a series of sharp, intense jabs of head pain in a row.  Unlike cluster headaches, which may last hours, CPH head pain is shorter in duration.  Like cluster headaches, chronic paroxysmal hemicrania occurs at the same time each day, usually in the night hours, causing night terrors.

6) Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder headaches

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder headaches are associated with bruxism; symptoms include involuntary teeth clenching and grinding, during both the day and night, resulting in jaw pain, headache, and muscular tension.  TMJ disorder usually results from stress, but may also signify a misshapen jaw line.  Nighttime teeth grinding occurs during stages 1 and stage 2 of sleep.  People who suffer from chronic bruxism might awaken in the middle of the night with severe headache, disorientation, and anxiety.

Is it Migraine or TMJ Headache? Temporomandibular Disorder

7) Post-Concussion Syndrome

Somebody who has suffered a head injury, such as a concussion, is often prone to night terrors caused by memory loss, anxiety, depression, nervousness, or other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Also read:

Are Sleep Seizures, Exploding Head Noises Causing Insomnia?

Sources:

Night terrors- CNN.com

Sleep and Headaches

Sleep terrors (night terrors): Causes – MayoClinic.com

Causes Of Night Terrors- LIVESTRONG.COM

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This Halloween, treat yourself to sweet migraine headache management- the following candy treats are natural nutrients for headaches that promote digestive health, well-being, and improve your body’s response to inflammation.

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#1- Cinnamon Red Hots

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Cinnamon soothes tension and helps your body maintain a healthy inflammatory response, according to many experts.  If chewing on a cinnamon stick isn’t your thing, then try sucking on red-hot cinnamon candies for natural pain benefits.

#2- Hershey’s Chocolate with Almonds

Chocolate and almonds are both high in magnesium, a dietary supplement that is proven to improve neurological health.  If chocolate is not a headache trigger, then go for the double-magnesium power of chocolate and almonds!

#3- Andes Chocolate Mints

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For sinus headaches, peppermint is touted for its ability to help maintain respiratory regularity.  Peppermint also relieves occasional acid indigestion and sour stomach.

#4- Ginger candy

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For ultimate migraine pain management, spicy ginger has it all.  Ginger has been used through the centuries for soothing muscular pain after exercise, in addition to alleviating bloating, enhancing respiratory health, and maintaining the body’s natural defenses.

#5- Lemon drops

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For bad breath and getting a bad taste out of your mouth, try old-fashioned lemon drops.  Lemon increases your production of saliva, which aids in relieving dry mouth and promoting dental health.

#6- Halva sesame seed candy

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For PMS symptoms, indulge in honey-sweetened sesame candy.  Sesame seeds contain vitamin E, which provides antioxidant protection and regulates estrogen levels.  Fluctuating hormones are a common migraine trigger. (Read Why do Women get more Migraines than Men do?) Also, sesame seeds are rich in magnesium, calcium, and copper, the latter of which is helpful for maintaining proper joint functioning.

#7- Chewing gum

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For stress relief, health experts recommend chewing sugarless gum.  If you suffer from migraines caused by TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder, then you probably chew on pencils as a way of releasing muscular tension and jaw pain.  Well, consider this a tasty natural alternative!

Related Reading:

Sinus Headache Remedies from the Kitchen- Eat This, Not That

Is it Migraine or TMJ Headache? Temporomandibular Disorder

Sources:

Five Candies That Can Act As Medicine

How to Cure a Headache with Cinnamon

9 Foods That Can Help Soothe a Headache

Migraine Headaches- a Chick Disease?

Men, if your wife says she has a migraine headache, you should believe her.  Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraine illness than men are.

And more likely than not, she’s not just suffering from throbbing head pain.  The symptoms of migraines also include nausea, stomach cramping, sensitivity to bright lights, strong scents, and loud noise, and visual hallucinations (migraine with aura).

Here are some explanations that researchers have come up with to explain the puzzling phenomenon of migraines and women:

Women have a shorter fuse.

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According to a UCLA study reported by Science Daily, women respond to migraine triggers quicker than men do.  That is, the part of the brain that is responsible for causing chronic migraine pain is more active in women than in men.  Researchers hope to target this phenomenon, Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD), in order to find a cure for migraines.

Women who get Migraines are also Likely to get This

Women are more hormonal.

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Throughout her lifetime, a woman experiences fluctuating hormone levels. Starting with the onset of puberty, when menstruation brings escalating hormone levels, continuing on to pregnancy, and finally menopause, when estrogen levels plummet, the average female rides a hormonal roller coaster, with migraines hitching along for the ride.

Does Menopause Cause Migraines?

Women take birth control medication.

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You might think that taking oral contraceptives, which stabilize hormone levels, would be a good cure for migraines, wouldn’t you?  Well, actually, for some women, birth control pills may trigger migraines, causing them to have increased episodes of migraine attacks while menstruating.

Women’s Lifestyle Habits That Trigger Migraines

Read more about women and migraines:

Why Do Women Get More Migraines?

Symptoms of a Menstrual Migraine

Sources:

Migraine fact sheet- womenshealth.gov

Why Women Have More Migraines: The Role of Hormones

Cortical spreading depression (CSD): a neurophysiological correlate of migraine aura- PubMed – NCBI

Why do women have more migraines than men?

Why Women Get More Migraines Than Men

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If you suffer from sinus infection symptoms (migraine-like sinus headache, sore throat, fever), then you’ll appreciate these natural ingredients for sore throat and migraines that you can find in your kitchen. It’s easy!

Tis the season for sinus infections

As if migraine headaches weren’t bad enough, prepare yourself for sinus infection season, complete with nagging symptoms like head congestion, ear infection, runny nose, constant cough, and yes- sinus headaches.  Sinus headache symptoms include intense pressure and pain behind your cheekbones, nose, and forehead, in addition to the usual sinus infection symptoms, like runny nose, facial swelling, and ear infection.

Migraine or Sinus Headache? Make Sure your Headache Doctor Knows the Difference

Natural ingredients for headaches

Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants may relieve sinus headache temporarily, but they can also be habit-forming, in addition to causing dizziness.  As for taking antibiotics, only your doctor can recommend the proper course of action, although research suggests that frequent antibiotic usage can be harmful to your health.

Your best bet for whole-body pain management is using natural nutrients for sinus infections, such as the ones suggested by naturopathy experts:

Chili pepper therapy

Spicy chili peppers benefits respiratory functioning, according to research led by the University of Cincinnati. In the study, a nasal spray derived from hot chili peppers, Capsicum annum, was beneficial for symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis, including stuffy head, sinus headaches, and runny nose.  You don’t have to use a pepper spray, though.  Just indulge in spicy foods that don’t cause migraine headaches, such as mango salsa, grilled peppers, or spicy burritos (sans the migraine-triggering cheese).  Alternatively, horseradish would also be effective.

Chicken soup for your headache

It’s important to stay hydrated when you have a sinus infection, and nothing is better for clearing up stuffed nasal cavities than a hot bowl of steamy chicken broth.  It’s not just because of the rising steam, which also helps- scientists believe that chicken soup contains unique  ingredients that make it the best for soothing minor throat pain.

Take a tea break

In addition to chicken soup, drink plenty of liquids, such as herbal teas.  Some of the best teas for respiratory health and managing migraines are ginger tea, chamomile tea, and peppermint tea.  Add soothing honey for taste, and lemon juice for extra vitamin C.  Also, increase your consumption of water and fruit juices.

Don’t eat this!

Health experts believe that certain foods may worsen sinus infection symptoms, including sinus headaches.  Some foods should be avoided because they might be allergens.  They are:

• Fried foods
• White sugar
• White flour
• Caffeinated beverages
• Artificial sweeteners
• MSG
• Dairy products
• Chocolate

Also read this:

How to make your own Emergency Migraine Attack Survival Pack

Plan a Headache-Free Summer Vacation: Five Travel Tips

Sources:

Heat in chili peppers can ease sinus problems, research shows

Sinusitis – Treatment for Acute Sinusitis

What Foods To Avoid Eating For Sinus Headaches- LIVESTRONG.COM

Sinus Headaches: Symptoms and Treatment

Image Credits:

Free Digital Photos: Sinus Pain, Woman with allergy,  Red chili, Chicken , Girl keeping warm

Time Management Tips for Healthy Living: Stress management tip: A cluttered home leads to anxiety disorder, stress and migraines; these simple home organization tips show you how to de-clutter your house quickly.

Simplify- it’s the new “downsize”

In the 90’s, the buzzword was “downsize.”  Instead of laying off employees, businesses would engage in “corporate downsizing.”  Switching from a minivan to a hatchback meant you were downsizing your gas budget.  Going on a diet meant you were downsizing your physical space.

Today, the new buzzword is “simplify.”  We have accumulated so much stuff- smartphones, laptops, Bluetooth headsets, instant text messaging, and hordes of other social media tools- that the surmounting stress has us gasping for breath, yearning for a simpler time- a time when we weren’t on-call 24-7.

A time when we could step out of our office, and actually BE out of our office.

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Save time, without going back in time

The days of snail mail and non-digital devices are (almost) over.  You can’t travel back to a simpler time, but you can learn how to manage the time you have.  By learning how to reduce clutter at work and at home, you will also reduce stress, and thereby alleviating anxiety, depression, and chronic migraine headaches.

Even if you’re not a Feng Shui master, you can effectively organize your house, even small living spaces, and simplify your life in a way that promotes peace and balance.

Here are some helpful de-cluttering tips:

De-clutter your workspace

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• Clear off your desk and empty its drawers.  For now, put all papers, desk accessories, and miscellaneous objects in one pile for sorting.  Using a non-scented all-purpose cleaning spray, gently wipe off all the dust and grime.  Now, sort through your pile of paperwork, and throw away anything you don’t need.  Consider taking digital photos of important documents.  Do you still need the originals?  Set up a filing system for need-to-store papers, like tax forms, and label each section appropriately. 
• Clear your computer space.  Do you have any saved files you don’t need?  Erase them.  Are your files organized in a way that makes it easy for you to find them?  Consider renaming files that don’t clearly describe their contents.  Reduce the number of icons on your desktop, and uninstall any programs that you don’t use or need.  Your computer will run more smoothly, efficiently, and you will increase productivity.

De-clutter your living space

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According to the Fly Lady, just 15 minutes is sufficient to declutter one living space, using what she calls the “27-Fling Boogie.”

• Put together your decluttering equipment, including garbage bags or boxes marked “toss,” “donate,” or “sort,” a bottle of spray cleaner and a dust rag.
• Set your timer for fifteen minutes per room or clutter zone.  So, if you live in a 3-bedroom apartment with living room, then you will spend a total of 75 minutes decluttering your home.  (You weren’t going to forget the kitchen, were you?)
• Starting at the door, get to work!  Pretend this is a reality show, and the object is to end up with as much stuff in your “toss” and “donate” bags.  Remember the “use it or lose it” rule- if you haven’t used something in over a year, then you might as well get rid of it.
• Now the fun part- put away all your items to be sorted, and enjoy your newly clean living area!
• When the timer goes off, go on to the next room, and start over.
• Throw out your garbage before you get second thoughts, and drop your bag of donations off at your nearest collection center.

De-clutter your breathing space

You’ve managed to simplify your work and home space; now it’s time to take the mental clutter out of your life.

• Make a list of all your commitments, including work, social life, and family.  Is there anything on your list that causes more stress than satisfaction, or anything that interferes with your home life?  Give yourself permission to let go of any unnecessary obligations that you don’t enjoy.
• Reduce the amount of electronic stimuli in your life.  Studies show a direct correlation between migraine headaches and eyestrain, and frequent smartphone usage.  Try to get by with less television viewing, movie streaming, or Facebook chatting.  You turn your cell phone off before meetings, but why stop there?  Silence your cell phone during meals, while exercising or just for a few quiet moments with your spouse.  You have voicemail- use it.
• Don’t multitask.  You might think that you’re getting more work done in less time, but you’re really just producing sub-standard work.  People who try to do two things at once get frustrated easily, are unable to concentrate, and are easily distracted.  Instead, focus on one task at a time, be it cooking, mopping the floor, calling customer service, or helping your child with his homework.

If you liked this, then you’ll also like:

Seven Traits of Highly Happy People with Chronic Illness

Blow Off Migraine Pain with 4 Simple Yoga Breathing Exercises!

Stop Your Next Panic Attack in 4 Simple Steps

Sources:

FlyLady.net- How to Declutter

Embracing the Art of Decluttering

How to Declutter Your Life and Reduce Stress

Top Clutter Zones Organized

“Mind Sweep” – Clearing the Stress of Mental Clutter

Simplify your life to reduce stress – MayoClinic.com

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Migraine Headache Pain Relief on the Go- Every migraine patient should carry a survival pack for headaches and migraines, including migraine-headache pain relievers and emergency plan numbers to call.  Having a migraineur’s toolbox on hand is essential for getting rid of a headache while traveling, but also as part of your emergency preparedness plan for concussion, or other types of head injury.

Here are some tips for packing your own migraine relief survivor kit.

What to pack?

Your migraineur’s survival kit should contain enough tools to prepare you for any migraine emergency, regardless of headache pain and causes. Whether you suffer from sinus headaches, tension headaches, or chronic migraines with aura, you should include the following:

• Variety of pain treatments for head pain, such as an extra bottle of prescribed migraine medication.
• Pack natural ingredients for migraines, such as magnesium, riboflavin, and butterbur.
• Emergency phone numbers of migraine clinics, headache specialists, and pharmacies
• Contact information of close friends and family to alert in case of serious head trauma, or other life-threatening injuries.

Here are some other great tools to include:

Snap Heaters, $11.95 and Ice Pack Instant Cold Compress, $0.99

• An emergency ice pack, such as the Ice Pack Instant Cold Compress (above)
• Instant heat pack, such as a reusable Snap Heater (above)
• A bottle of water, in case your headache cause is dehydration. Read Stay Hydrated without Drinking Water- 5 Hydrating Foods

• If you headache is caused by neck pain, then a comfortable neck pillow, such as the Boomerang Pillow (shown below)
• Soothing herbal tea for migraine relief, plus disposable hot cup.  Some good choices are feverfew, plus ginger or peppermint for nausea.
• Dark sunglasses, or eye shades
• A relaxation CD, with guided meditation for stress relief
• An extra iPod shuffle with headphones, synced with your favorite relaxing tunes
• Your medical history, in a folder or medical ID flash drive jewelry
• Earplugs, in case loud noise is to blame for your head pain
• Air sickness bag, in case of sudden nausea and vomiting
• Aromatherapy aids, such as lemon-scented sachet or peppermint essential oils.
• Boomerang Pillow, $19.88, Walmart

Related reading:

Top 20 Simple Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Migraines

Sources:

What should I put in my Migraine tool bag? Migraine.com

How can I prepare a migraine kit for my migraine headaches? – Sharecare

Headache Emergency Kit

Home Remedy Tea For A Migraine | LIVESTRONG.COM

If you suffer chronic illness, wearing medical alert jewelry should be part of your emergency preparedness plan; here are cute medical history bracelets, dog tags, and more. Explain your Medical History…with Style!

Dancing to the Hospital Hokey Pokey

If you know chronic pain, then chances are you also know all about chronic pain flare-ups, and the following scenario:

• You call the paramedics, and wait patiently for the emergency response team.
• You explain your medical history.
• Sitting in the emergency waiting room, while your head is reeling with pain, and you begin experiencing extreme nausea and stomach cramps, you explain your medical history again (to the nurse this time).
• Finally, the emergency room physician is ready to admit you.
• You explain your medical history.  (Why didn’t the nurse write this all down? You ask yourself.)
• After convincing the ER doctor that no, you are not a drug seeker, and no, you do not push hospital-prescribed narcotics on small children, and yes, you  really need some pain relief right now, the attending physician begrudgingly scribbles into his notepad, and hands you a prescription for pain relievers- your all-expense-paid ticket to Paradise.
• You rush to your pharmacy to fill out your prescription.
• Amidst leering glares, you explain your medical history once again to your pharmacist, who assumes you are the world’s biggest drug addict, and who (not so discreetly) checks your arms for telltale needle marks.
• Eventually, the pharmacist hands you your medications, but not before lecturing you on the dangers of drug addiction and the satisfaction that comes with disciplined pain endurance.

Rude Headaches, Ruder Pharmacists- 6 Ways to Avoid Conflict

Isn’t there an easier way to get medical services, without also getting the run-around?

Yes, there is!  Save your breath, save time, and save your sanity, to boot.  Be prepared for sudden migraine attacks, fibromyalgia flare-ups, or Crohn’s disease relapses.  Medical ID jewelry has progressed from the traditional Medic Alert bracelets; many web sites offer cute, stylish engraved jewelry such as dog tags, “friendship bracelets,” flash drives and pendants that immediately alert paramedics, nurses, or bystanders to your medical history.

Here are some fashionable, yet practical, examples of emergency alert jewelry:

2 GB Black Leather and Stainless USB Heart Medical ID Alert Bracelet, $30.95, Sticky Jewelry

A Very Special Heart, Assorted Styles, $189.00, A Very Special Heart

Vintage Mosaic Bracelet, $69.99, 911 Medalert

Boys Beaded Medical Bracelets, $39.95, Creative Medical ID

Stainless Steel Small Silicone Flex Bracelet,$19.95, American Medical ID

Gold Filled Charm, $28.00, Oneida Medical Jewelry

Conventional migraine pain relief

Migraines- throbbing head pain, nausea, fatigue, and stomach cramps- plague millions of citizens each day.  Sadly, there is no universal “cure” for migraine headaches, but modern medicine has succeeded in delivering headache relief to migraine sufferers through conventional medications, such as Maxalt, Imitrex and a series of other pain relievers and preventative medicines. 

However, many of these migraine treatments come with a price tag- Topamax, an anti-seizure drug, causes mental disorientation, and memory loss, and many triptan pain relievers cause dizziness and muscular weakness.

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Natural nutrients for migraines

Some alternative medicines are gaining popularity, as more migraine sufferers find that the side effects of prescribed medications are sometimes almost as unbearable as the migraine symptoms themselves. Other migraine patients have found health benefits by supplementing with traditionalChinese medicine, such as acupuncture, reflexology, or herbs.

Remember, always consult with a medical practitioner before trying any new migraine treatment. Even natural herbs can cause a negative reaction if taken incorrectly.

For migraine management, experts in naturopathic medicine prescribe the following herbal tinctures, teas, and supplements:

1. Butterbur
2. Magnesium
3. Feverfew
4. Passionflower
5. Ginger
6. Ginkgo biloba
7. Pine Bark
8. Turmeric
9. Licorice
10. Indian Lilac
11. Gulancha
12. Chebulic Myrobalan
13. Sacred Basil
14. False Daisy
15. Dong Quai
16. Kava kava
17. Valerian
18. Jamaican dogwood
19. Black willow
20. Black horehound
21. Fenugreek
22. Peppermint
23. Rosemary
24. Camomile
25. Marjoram
26. St. John’s wort
27. Fennel
28. Caraway seed
29. Lemon balm
30. Chinese Herbal Tonic:

Combine 9 grams (.30 ounces) of each of the following herbs, and grind into a powder using a mortar and pestle or clean coffee grinder.  Inhale small amounts of this tincture a few times per day.

• Cnidium
• Mastic
• Myrrh
• Polygala root
• Asarum
• Gypsum
• Trichosanthes root

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Related reading:

Biofeedback for Treating Migraines- Top 4 FAQ Answered

6 Safe Migraine Treatments for Pregnant Moms

Alternative Migraine Treatments: Thinking outside of the Botox

Sources:

Herbal Medicine for Migraine

Migraine: Treatments and drugs – MayoClinic.com

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To end migraine triggers, buy unscented, natural home cleaning products & fragrance-free shampoos; here are the best perfume-free lotions, soaps, and cleaners. Eliminate perfume-y odors from your life!

Do you ever wish you were hard-of-smelling?

Does the mere thought of strolling down the supermarket detergents aisle give you a throbbing headache?

If strong fragrances constantly trigger migraine attacks, know that you are not alone.  Out of dozens of migraine triggers (food, bright lights, and weather), scents are one of the most offensive to chronic migraine sufferers, and the hardest to avoid.  Perfumes, fumes, and toxic-smelling odors lurk everywhere- in household cleaners, such as laundry detergents, dish soap, and fabric softeners; makeup, skin lotions, and hand soaps also reek of overpowering, headache-inducing fragrances.

Short of wearing an Activated Carbon Filter (ACF) Pollution Mask to work every day, what’s a migraineur to do?

Shop for non-irritating, fragrance-free all-purpose cleaners.

The best cleaning products for migraine patients are the ones labeled “unscented” or “fragrance-free.” However, don’t assume that because something is marked “all-natural” or “green cleaning,” that it’s necessarily free of perfumes, or even migraine-friendly, for that matter. 

Natural scents such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil, or lavender oil, common ingredients in many “natural cleaning” products, can either relieve migraines or trigger them.

Hair products that don’t stink

Stony Brook Botanicals Unscented Shampoo

Jessicurl Gelebration Spray

Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel

Magick Botanicals Oil Free Fragrance Free Conditioner

Home Health Everclean Dandruff Shampoo, Unscented

Fragrance-free lotions and soaps- really!

Kiss My Face Fragrance Free Olive & Aloe Moisturizer

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60+

Allafia Shea Butter & Honey Extra Gentle Body Soap

Karen’s Naturals Organic Sunflower Lotion

California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash

BabyGanic Fragrance Free Hand Wipes

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Shikakai Baby Hand Soap, Unscented

Unscented nail polish, makeup and deodorants

Acquarella Safe Nail Care, featuring water-based odorless nail polishes and nail polish removers

Jason Naturally Fresh “Unscented” Stick Deodorant for Women

Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Liquid Foundation

Alima Pure Mineral Makeup

The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel

Home is where your heart…and nose…is

method Smarty Dish Detergent, free of dyes and perfumes

Seventh Generation Free & Clear: Liquid Fabric Softener

Planet Environmentally Friendly Household Products – Delicate Laundry Wash

Ecover Non-Chlorine Bleach, Unscented. Whiten your tighty-whities sans chlorine.

Clorox Green Works Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner

Mountain Green Free & Clear Dryer Sheets

Biokleen All-Purpose Cleaner

Also read:

Perfumes and Migraines: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Stinky

Thoughtful Gifts for Migraine Sufferers- 20 They will Love

Manage your migraines by changing your lifestyle. Here are 20 tips on eating healthy, reducing stress, and finding the right migraine management tactic. Change your life, one step at a time!

1. Mind your blood sugar. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common migraine trigger.  Avoid eating sugary foods, as that will cause your blood sugar to rise temporarily, before dipping back to abnormally low levels again.  Opt instead for foods that have natural sugar and dietary fiber.
2. Keep things fresh. Cook your meals using fresh fruits and vegetables over canned or freeze-dried.  Frozen veggies, however, are okay- they have the same healthy nutrients as the broccoli and carrots on the fresh produce aisle.
3. Avoid phony baloneys. Cut artificial sweeteners and food colorings out of your diet, or at least reduce your consumption of artificially flavored treats, such as diet soda, candy, and Cheetos.  Often, foods containing synthetic ingredients cause allergic reactions or headaches.
4. Don’t go trigger-happy. Avoid the temptation to indulge in foods that you know for a fact trigger migraine headaches; think about the aftereffects, instead.  Invest in a good migraine cookbook.
5. Take notes. Unsure about potential headache triggers?  Invest in a migraine journal– studies show that keeping track of your eating habits, feelings, and environment in a headache diary is instrumental in diagnosing migraine triggers.
6. Take your meds. Stay on top of your migraine medications, and renew your prescriptions on time- all the better to avoid an unnecessary trip to ER.
7. Think fast. Feel a headache coming on, but you’re not sure?  Don’t wait for a full-blown migraine attack to ruin your day.  If you get a migraine aura, respond accordingly.
8. Think ahead. Whether you’re going on a 3-day vacation or just a long drive to the city, be prepared for the possibility of a migraine; carry a migraineur’s first-aid kit, map out nearest pharmacies and ERs, and make your backup plan before going out the door.
9. Eat frequently. Let’s face it- migraines are not flexible.  Any fluctuations in your eating habits will likely result in crippling head pain.  Eat small healthy meals throughout the day, and don’t let more than three hours lapse between snacks.
10. Sleep tight. Changes in your sleeping habits are also common migraine attack triggers.  Migraine sufferers who take naps in the middle of the day or sleep in on their day off usually wake up with a head pounding “weekend headache.” Adhere to a strict sleep schedule by waking up at the same time each morning, and going to sleep at the same time at night.  Don’t take a catnap, and don’t change your sleeping hours when on vacation.
11. Lose a couple. Try to keep your weight down to a healthy level through diet and exercise.  Studies show a correlation between obesity and migraine.
12. Keep fit. Exercise improves the mood, regulates your cardiovascular system, keeps blood flowing smoothly, prevents chronic illness, and fights depression.  Some excellent activities for migraine sufferers and other patients of chronic pain are yoga, tai chi, spinning, and light aerobics.
13. Gain a new perspective. Keeping your hopes up, thinking positive, and not taking life too seriously are all traits that are common among people who eventually overcome their chronic illness symptoms.
14. Take a break. Schedule some time just for yourself, and use it doing something you love that puts you in a good mood.  Take a ceramics painting class, treat yourself to a relaxing massage or aromatherapy session, or just lose yourself in a used books store.  It’s a great way to alleviate stress, rejuvenate, and collect your thoughts.
15. Say ohm. Learn how to calm your mind through meditative exercises, such as Hatha yoga and progressive relaxation.  Meditation takes practice at first, but eventually you will learn how to slow your breathing, transport yourself mentally, and find your inner peace.
16. Try going dairy-free, just once. Sometimes, people suffer from allergic reactions to lactose for years without even knowing it.  Lactose intolerant individuals often suffer migraine-like head pain that disappears once they cut dairy products from their diet.  Try it for a week, and see what happens.
17. Manage stress. Stress is the leading trigger of migraine headaches, in addition to innumerable other chronic illnesses.  Avoid stressful situations whenever you can, practice healthy stress-relieving tactics, and learn how to cope with the stress in your life that just won’t go away.
18. Stay connected. Millions of Americans suffer from migraine illness, so there’s no reason to suffer alone.  Find out about any neighborhood migraine clinics or meetings.  Check the internet for migraine forums, migraineur blogs, and “migraine awareness” advocacy sites like the American Headache Society.
19. Educate yourself. Scientists make breakthroughs in migraine cures and headache remedies every year.  Stay informed about your current migraine treatments, including side effects and dosage information.
20. Open your mind to nature. Conventional migraine medications aren’t 100% effective, or without risks.  Many like Topamax cause side effects such as brain fog and memory loss.  Some popular natural ingredients for for migraines include herbs such as butterbur extracts and vitamins and minerals, such as riboflavin and magnesium.

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Sources:

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