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Does it seem like migraines make your arms and legs hurt, in addition to causing excruciating headaches? It’s not your imagination- migraine sufferers are three times as likely to suffer from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), according to research studies on migraine headaches with chronic muscle pain in the arms, legs, hands or feet.

CRPS is still a relatively-new form of chronic pain that is just beginning to attract more awareness. Still, many scientific journals have commented on complex regional pain syndrome, including this one that was published by Cephalalgia which compared CRPS in patients with migraines and people without any form of chronic headaches.

Migraines and CRPS

There seem to be no similarities between migraines, which cause severe headaches, fatigue and nausea, and CRPS, which causes debilitating muscle pain in a single arm or leg; scientists have noted some significant correlations between the two:

• Muscle pain from CRPS and migraines are both neurological conditions.
• Both involve chronic pain to an isolated area.
• If you have CRPS, you are 3.6 times more likely to suffer a migraine headache than the rest of the population.
• Also, patients who suffer CRPS muscle pain are almost twice as likely to suffer some form of chronic headaches as people without sore arm or leg muscles from CRPS.
• CRPS, like migraines, is more common in women than in men.
• Also like migraines, CRPS can develop in grade-school aged children.
• Nearly 60% of the CRPS patients examined in the study experienced migraines with aura, compared to migraine headache sufferers without CRPS.
• About 61% of CRPS-migraine patients reported getting severe headaches prior to severe muscle pain from CRPS.

What is CRPS?

Complex regional pain syndrome is a type of chronic pain that usually occurs after an injury. With CRPS, nerve pain is out of proportion with the injury, causing extreme muscle pain in the arm or leg without any signs of bone damage.

CRPS is caused by damage to the nervous system, but can also occur as part of a  neurological disorder.

3 Undeniable Truths about Chronic Pain

CRPS symptoms include:

• Swelling
• Extreme muscle pain
• Skin rashes and discolorations
• Unusual sweating constrained to the affected area
• Sore, stiff joints
• Poor muscle control
• Difficulty walking or moving the affected limb
• Muscle tremors

Treatments for CRPS

Medications and therapies for CRPS and/or migraines include:

• Pain relievers, including over-the-counter NSAIDs and prescription opioids
• Antidepressants
• Anticonvulsants
• Steroid medications
• Medications to prevent bone loss
• Botox
• Hot/cold therapy
• Topical pain relievers
• Exercise and stretching
• Relaxation techniques
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Biofeedback
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Natural vitamins, minerals, and herbs that support neurological functioning, including B vitamins, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and butterbur

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

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Sources:

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fact Sheet

Migraine may be a risk factor for the development of complex regional pain syndrome

Image courtesy of Praisaeng/freedigitalphotos

 


 

According to a recent study, long-term stress triggers migraines and other debilitating ailments, especially if you fall into a certain age group… Here are some interesting results from the 45-year study on stress and chronic pain, and some tips to help you lower your risks for frequent migraine headaches.

Women, stress, and headaches

There’s a lot of hype about stress being the strongest of all migraine triggers, but very little research proving the influence that stress reduction and other natural therapies can have on migraine headaches.

Now, results from a Swedish study on 1,500 middle-aged women which began in 1968 have been published, proving the undeniable link between perceived stress and ailments such as headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and stomach pain.

Here are some of the details of that study:

•About 1,500 women participated in the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg study on migraines in middle-aged women.

•Women were asked if they suffered from anxiety, fear, nervousness, irritability, anger, or sleeplessness resulting from family or work relationships and health problems.

•In 40% of participants, long-term stress triggered chronic pain symptoms of migraine headaches, aching muscles and joints, or gastrointestinal disorders.

•Twenty percent of women suffered from constant stress during a period of at least five years.

•Stress triggered most migraines in women between the ages of 40-60, the same age range for a large number of migraine patients.

Also read: Ease Stress, Effortlessly! 5 Migraine Management Tips

Which pain symptoms are most predominant?

In the study, scientists focused on three main categories of chronic pain: migraine headaches, muscle and joint pain, and gastrointestinal complaints.

•For muscle and joint pain, 40% of middle-aged women who suffer from high stress are affected.

•For chronic migraine headaches, 28% of participants saw a spike in migraine frequency during long-term stressful periods.

•For gastrointestinal pains, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea, another 28% of women saw a correlation between stress and chronic pain.

It’s interesting to note that all three of the ailments listed are common symptoms of migraine; in addition to intense headaches, many migraine patients also suffer from stomach pain, severe nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, neck aches, eye pain, and draining fatigue.

Read: The Earliest Symptoms of Migraine are not Headaches

So, if you are a middle-aged woman who experiences all of these symptoms with migraine, then stress may make you nearly 100% more likely to get a migraine attack in the near future.

Reduce migraine triggers!

Overwhelmingly, natural preventative measures, used in conjunction with doctor-approved migraine treatments, have the most impact on migraine prevention.

These include:

•Migraine trigger avoidance

•Following a migraine-friendly diet

•Keeping a migraine diary

•Stress reduction techniques
•Yoga or tai chi

•Keeping a regular sleep schedule

•Preventing dehydration headaches by drinking enough water

•Taking essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that impact migraine triggers resulting from vitamin deficiencies, neurological disorders, and vascular irregularities.

The Fab Four

For good health with migraines, experts advise taking these basic four ingredients:

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, butterbur, and coenzyme Q10

Read more here- Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

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Sources:

Clear Link Between Perceived Stress and an Increased Incidence of Psychosomatic Symptoms

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/freedigitalphotos

What can a migraine alert dog do for you? The real question is: Why didn’t we all think of this sooner? Out of all the effective natural therapies available for chronic migraines, alert dogs are possibly the most overlooked. Here are 3 ways your migraine alert dog can help.

Migraines with aura alert

Service dogs aren’t just for the blind- many organizations train dogs to provide emotional support and handicap services for people who are in wheelchairs, as well as people who are at risk for seizures from epilepsy or diabetes. In many respects, a migraine with aura is similar to a seizure, so a migraine alert dog can be helpful to warn you when a migraine is approaching, giving you advance warning to lie down and take preventative actions.

Migraines and Epilepsy: 4 Commonly Asked Questions

For more information on adopting or training a migraine alert dog, visit Pawsibilities and Dogster.

Stress management

The more stressed you are, the likelier you are to have a migraine attack; that’s a direct correlation that has been proven time after time in various scientific studies on migraine triggers.

Likewise, many studies have been conducting proving the therapeutic benefits of having a pet- especially a dog- in relieving stress, anxiety, depression, and yes- even pain. Enter the migraine alert dog…

Pain experts say that just petting a dog for 15-30 minutes triggers feel-good chemicals in your brain that help to quiet pain signals and lessen even excruciating migraine headache pain. Plus, your dog likes it, too!

Ease Stress, Effortlessly! 5 Migraine Management Tips

Workout buddy

Daily exercise is an effective way of relieving stress and reducing migraines naturally, but only if you stick to the routine. You don’t have to lift weights, join an aerobics class, or even work yourself up into a sweat to benefit, but you do have to keep it regular and try not to “fall off the wagon.”

According to many studies, having a workout buddy- or a migraine dog that needs daily walking- significantly increases your likeliness to stay with the program.

Exercise or Topamax: Which would you pick for Migraine Prevention?

What are other natural migraine therapies?

Do you already have a dog that helps you manage migraines? Good! Here are some other natural migraine therapies that don’t require prescription medication:

• Natural supplementation of vitamins, herbs, and minerals that benefit migraine sufferers, including the big four: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), butterbur, and magnesium.
• Acupuncture
• Yoga and tai chi
• Relaxation techniques
• Aromatherapy
• Stress management counseling
• Exercise
• Restrictive dieting
• Keeping a migraine diary

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

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Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Image courtesy of federico stevanin/freedigitalphotos

There are many natural, alternative therapies that help migraine headaches dramatically- one underrated ingredient that has entered the spotlight recently is ginger root. In addition to supplementing with vitamin B2, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur, health experts are also recommending this natural ingredient, proven to help people suffering from chronic migraines.

Can ginger help migraines?

According to a migraine study just released by Phytotherapy Research, using natural ingredients such as ginger to help symptoms of migraines is significantly effective for a large number of migraine patients. For the study, they examined the efficacy of ginger powder for migraine attacks, compared to the triptans such as Imitrex, which are commonly prescribed for preventing migraines.

They found that gentle ginger extracts provided positive results that paralleled Imitrex, without causing any of the dangerous side effects associated with prescription migraine medications.

The study

In the double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 100 patients who regularly experience migraines were randomly provided with one of two medications: sumatriptan (Imitrex) or natural ginger powder.

Scientists took into account migraine headache severity, duration of head pain, and time between onset of migraine attacks and medication usage for each patient, for a total of five consecutive migraine attacks thereafter.

The results

It made almost no difference if test subjects used prescription-strength sumatriptan or all-natural supplements such as ginger root.

Two hours after taking medication, regardless of whether they received the Imitrex pills or the ginger, patients reported similar results.

And when asked if they were satisfied with the help they received for migraines, and if they were willing to continue usage, patients similarly gave the same positive response for either treatment.

What about side effects?

Side effect results, however, vastly differ.

The majority of prescription migraine medications such as Imitrex and Topiramate create debilitating side effects that include severe dizziness, memory loss, fatigue, heart palpitations, and sometimes, headaches.

Migraine Medication Pros and Cons: the Basics

Conversely, ginger extracts and other natural ingredients for migraine help by supporting good health- boosting neurological functioning, sustaining normal blood pressure, supporting red blood cell production for oxygen, and destroying free radicals that cause inflammation.

Get more natural migraine help

Countless similar studies have been conducted pointing to the benefits of natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals for people who suffer migraines.

Overwhelmingly, scientists found that a combination of butterbur, riboflavin (vitamin B2), CoQ10, and magnesium provided the most significant results when compared to prescription migraine drugs.

To begin supplementing with natural ingredients that help migraines, consult in your primary care doctor, neurologist, or migraine headache specialist.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

Why use Natural Migraine Treatments?

Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain

Sources:

Comparison Between the Efficacy of Ginger and Sumatriptan in the Ablative Treatment of the Common Migraine

Image courtesy of blucolt/flickr

Rebound headaches, triggered by over-the-counter pain relievers, are often problematic with migraines. How do you know when you’ve taken enough Tylenol, Advil, or Excedrin for migraines…and what are you supposed to do about painful lingering headaches once you’ve reached your limit? Below are some frequently-asked questions people have about preventing rebound headaches and migraines.

What is a rebound headache?

Rebound headaches, also called analgesic overuse syndrome, are persistent headaches that occur from taking too many NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain relief.

If you take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or other headache medications for longer than a 5-day period, then you may be inadvertently increasing your risk for chronic migraines, or making an already-severe form of migraines even worse.

Over-the-counter analgesics, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, or other pain-relieving medications can, over time, increase frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks.

Which drugs cause rebound headaches?

The most common NSAIDs linked to rebound headaches with migraines are:

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Naprelan)
• NSAID-caffeine combinations
• NSAID- butalbital combinations
• Opioids

Why use Natural Migraine Treatments?

How can I prevent rebound headaches?

To put a stop to rebound headaches and prevent further migraine headaches, doctors may recommend a multi-pronged approach to migraine prophylaxis and treatment.

Options include:

• Migraine prophylaxis medications, under the supervision of your migraine specialist, neurologist, or general practitioner
• Biofeedback
• Migraine trigger avoidance
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Restrictive dieting
• Supplementing with natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals that aid migraine patients, including riboflavin, butterbur, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

Best for Migraines: Advil or Tylenol?

Migraine Medication Pros and Cons: the Basics

Are You on the Rebound with Your Headache?

Sources:

Rebound Headaches

Image courtesy of winnond/freedigitalphotos

You’re not imagining it- if you get frequent migraines, then ADD/ADHD (yes, adults can have it) may also account for your long list of ailments, like nausea, crushing headaches, brain fog, attention problems, and hypersensitivity to lights, sounds, touch, scents- everything! Here are some findings that scientists have linking chronic migraines and ADD/ADHD.

Migraines and ADD/ADHD

Millions of people suffer excruciating headaches from migraines, and likewise, millions of adults in the US struggle with attention problems and sensory overload caused by ADD/ADHD.

Today, scientists believe that migraines and ADD/ADHD have more in common than we realized, and may provide important clues in devising appropriate treatments for people suffering from  fatigue, disorientation, and a low tolerance for noise, even when they’re not having a migraine attack.

“…we think that this association between ADHD and migraine is mediated by a mutual comorbidity in mood disorders,” explains author Ole Bernt Fasmer, MD, PhD, regarding the study that was published in Psychiatry Weekly.

What do they have in common?

It can’t be a coincidence that some of the strongest migraine triggers involve the senses. In addition to changes in weather, food ingredients, and hormone fluctuations, many sensory-based environmental factors increase your risk for having a migraine attack, including:

• Bright fluorescent lighting
• Glare from harsh sunlight
• Flickering lights
• Stark white backgrounds
• Black and white striped or zigzagged patterns
• Strong perfumes
• Cigarette smoke
• Loud noises
• Chatter, people talking all at once
• Large crowds

10 Surprising Facts about Migraines you probably didn’t know

Interestingly enough, the same migraine triggers associated with hypersensitivity are the same ones that bother adults with attention problems ADD/ADHD.

And it isn’t a coincidence. In a famous 2012 study conducted by researchers in Norway, Migraine, Asthma, Mood Disorder, and Comorbid Adult ADHD, scientists found that males with ADHD have a 23% risk for migraines, compared with 11% of the general population. Furthermore, females, who are three times more likely than males to suffer from migraines, have a 34% risk of having severe migraines and ADD/ADHD, compared to 25% in women who don’t have attention problems.

What exactly is ADD/ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) is a condition that we use to describe people exhibiting a certain set of behaviors in relation to their ability to focus, filter out sensory stimuli, and form and execute goals, along with several other cognitive skills.

Currently, about 9 million adults in the US have some form of ADD/ADHD.

Treatments for migraines and ADD/ADHD

As always, learn as much as you can about migraines and ADD/ADHD, and visit an experienced doctor for a correct diagnosis.

To treat migraine headaches and attention problems from ADD/ADHD, your doctor may prescribe medications that address your specific symptoms.

Additionally, many natural vitamins and herbs can help to boost cognitive functioning and sustain energy, enabling patients of migraines and ADD/ADHD to maintain mental focus and alertness throughout the day.

These include essential B vitamins, including riboflavin and vitamin B12, which help to preserve the nervous system.

Other beneficial nutrients include magnesium, CoQ10, and butterbur extracts.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

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Sources:

Migraine, Asthma, Mood Disorder, and Comorbid Adult ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder Association

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/freedigitalphotos.net

Knowing which foods to eat is an instrumental part of migraine prevention. While most people know which foods to avoid– wine, pizza, and sourdough bread, for example- many migraine patients don’t know which foods they should include in their diet, foods containing magnesium and riboflavin that help with migraines.

Migraines are a chronic neurological condition that causes excruciating headaches, stomach-wrenching nausea, incessant fatigue, and hypersensitivity to stimuli in lights, sounds, scents, and touch.

While scientists have not yet developed a cure for migraines, or even a medication formulated specifically for the migraine patient, there are many helpful natural treatments that can help, including following a migraine-friendly diet.

Many healthy foods that help with migraines contain nutrients that target specific biological processes that occur during a migraine attack, including the aura phase, intense headaches and nausea, and fatigue that occurs during recuperation.

As with any other migraine treatment, consult your headache specialist before switching to a new diet, and keep a migraine diary to help you learn which foods to avoid.

The following foods, assuming they are on your “green light” list, may help with migraines.

Spinach

Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach provide magnesium, a nutrient that is instrumental in hundreds of important biochemical reactions throughout your body.

Magnesium promotes healthy nerves and muscles, supports the cardiovascular system, regulates blood sugar levels, and helps to convert food into energy.

Foods containing magnesium are especially beneficial for women that suffer from menstrual migraines. In many studies on migraines, scientists have noted high correlations between migraine frequency and magnesium deficiency.

In addition to spinach, other good sources of magnesium include yams, cantaloupe, walnuts, and whole grains.

Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?

To boost magnesium intake, consider taking natural magnesium supplements that are gentle on the stomach.

Seafood

Seafood is high in two essential nutrients that help migraines; omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, such as vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

Omega-3’s have anti-inflammatory properties that help migraineurs, while B12 vitamins protect the nervous system, boost energy, and sustain production of red blood cells needed for oxygen.

Vitamin B12 and omega-3 oils occur naturally in sardines, salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, and crab meat.

Low Fat Dairy Products

If dairy foods don’t trigger migraines, then you should try to include them in your diet; they may actually help a great deal. Low-fat yogurt, cheeses, and milk are rich sources of riboflavin, another B vitamin that helps people who suffer migraines by boosting cellular energy.

Several scientific studies focusing on migraine frequency have confirmed the benefits of taking extra doses of riboflavin supplements.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients

Nondairy food sources of riboflavin include meat, eggs, and nuts.

Melon

Dehydration is a common trigger of migraine headaches. During the summer time, snack on thick wedges of watermelon, which contain natural electrolytes to keep you hydrated and avoid headaches.

Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help with migraine headaches. Plus, foods containing ginger may help to stave off nausea and stomach pain that occur during a migraine with aura.

Add fresh ginger juice to carrot salad, or squeeze a few drops into a cup of tea for a tummy-soothing brew.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

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Sources:

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Magnesium- Health Professional Fact Sheet

Image courtesy of [cipher]/flickr

There are hundreds of migraine triggers that lead to headaches, and smoking tobacco may be one of them. Some researchers believe that smoking a certain amount of cigarettes each day makes you more prone to migraine headaches, while others disagree that tobacco may actually benefit patients of migraine disorder. So, who’s right?

The smoking-migraine controversy

According to an article that appeared in the Journal of Headache and Pain, migraine sufferers who smoke at least five cigarettes per day are more likely to experience headaches, compared to nonsmokers who get migraines.

This was based on a study that examined 361 medical students, and found that among 58 who got migraines, 29% were smokers who noticed more headaches when they exceeded 5 cigarettes in one day.

However, earlier studies suggest that migraineurs who smoke should continue to do so, that tobacco may help to relieve anxiety, a common trigger of migraines.

To counter that argument, one may say that tobacco provides a false sense of relief from symptoms of nicotine addiction, and that the health hazards associated with smoking far outweigh any possible benefits.

Smoking migraine triggers

Besides smoking, other migraine triggers may include hormones, certain foods, unusual sleep patterns, or strong scents, including, yes, secondhand tobacco smoke.

Inhaled tobacco, whether firsthand or environmental, can trigger migraines by elevating your blood pressure, constricting blood vessels, and irritating the sinuses. It may also cause sinus headaches, which in turn may provoke a migraine headache that can last for days.

Migraine Headaches and Hypertension: What’s the Link?

To reduce the frequency of migraines, it’s essential to avoid triggers at all costs.

If you smoke, then cut down on cigarettes, or completely stop smoking, with the help of some migraine-friendly supplements, such as essential vitamins, minerals, and herbs that benefit migraine patients.

Good ones to try are vitamin B2 (riboflavin) for neurological sustenance, butterbur for sinus functioning, CoQ10 for antioxidant properties, and magnesium, which supports many biochemical reactions in the body that are linked with migraines.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

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Sources:

Smoking as a precipitating factor for migraine: a survey in medical students

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane/freedigitalphotos

Finally, scientific proof that migraines exist- Migraines are a hereditary, neurological disorder that has been baffling scientists for decades. Now, researchers found a genetic mutation that may explain why certain people suffer from one of the most common types of migraine headaches.

The study on familial migraines provides an important clue to understanding migraines with aura, and why certain people are more likely than others to experience throbbing headaches, nausea, and the characteristic bright, shifting visual auras.

Proving migraines exist

Scientists from UC San Francisco believe they have discovered the first gene of its kind in which mutations directly correlate with migraines with aura; the casein kinase I delta (CKIdelta) gene mutation was present in a significant number of migraine patients…and their parents.

The study, which was published by Science Translational Medicine, “puts us one step closer to understanding the molecular pathway to pain in migraine,” says senior investigator Louis J. Ptácek.

“It’s our initial glimpse into a black box that we don’t yet understand.”

This is the first time researchers have been able to provide both clinical and scientific evidence proving that the casein kinase I delta gene directly causes migraines with aura.

Migraine symptoms

Migraines with aura cause a wide range of symptoms; besides excruciating headaches, other signs of migraine with aura include severe nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and eye pain.

Patients also experience hypersensitivity to mild stimuli such as lights, noise, scents, and touch.

To measure migraine symptoms in lab mice, scientists focused on decreased threshold to pain and signs of cortical spreading depression (CSD), a common indicator of migraines with aura that can be observed through medical imaging.

“…as we come to a clearer understanding, we can start thinking about better therapies…There are good drugs now, but they only help some patients, some of the time. The need for better treatments is huge.” – Ptácek

Migraine tips

Your migraine management regimen should include a multi-pronged approach to relieving headaches, preventing migraine triggers, and coping with daily stress.

Even if migraines are hereditary, you can reduce your risks by exercising daily, keeping a migraine diary, learning how to relax, and supplementing with vitamins and minerals that benefit migraine patients, such as riboflavin, CoQ10, butterbur, and magnesium.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

Are Migraines Always Hereditary?

What Causes Migraines? The Long and Short Answers

Is Migraine Disorder a Real Illness?

Source:

Genetic Mutation Linked with Typical Form of Migraine

Casein Kinase Iδ Mutations in Familial Migraine and Advanced Sleep Phase

Image courtesy of ddpavumba/freedigitalphotos.net

To stay healthy when suffering from migraines, it’s important to supply your body with plenty of essential nutrients that support neurological functioning, kill free radicals, and nurture the cardiovascular system. Many vitamins that aid migraine patients are found in healthy foods, such as meat, seafood, and vegetables.

While you should take vitamins and minerals that aid migraineurs, you can further the effects of healthy supplementation by including many of these essential nutrients in your daily diet.

Listed below are vitamins that most benefit migraine patients, and their food sources.

Magnesium

Your body needs healthy stores of magnesium for over 300 vital biochemical reactions, including muscle strength, nervous system integrity, strong bones, and good circulation.

Magnesium deficiency is often comorbid with migraines, resulting in symptoms such as strong headaches, fatigue, hypertension, and muscle pain.

To get the most magnesium in your diet, try to include plenty of whole grains, particularly wheat bran and wheat germ, which are among the richest sources of magnesium.

Other excellent food sources of magnesium are nuts, such as almonds and cashews, and leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach.

Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?

Calcium

Your body needs plenty of calcium, a mineral used to sustain strong teeth and bones, but is also crucial for regulating your blood vessels, muscles, intercellular communication, and hormone levels.

A significant number of migraine patients are at risk for osteoporosis, as females experiencing menopause see a reduction in their rate of calcium absorption.

Sometimes, symptom such as headaches, neck stiffness, fatigue, and disorientation that occur with migraines may signify a need for more calcium fortification.

The richest source of calcium is plain low-fat yogurt, but other good sources include dark green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, and many fruit juices.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin is an essential B vitamin that is helpful for boosting energy, supporting red blood cell production, and providing antioxidants that sustain the immune system.

Migraine patients experiencing brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, and poor concentration benefit greatly from riboflavin supplementation, in addition to inclusion of vitamin B2-rich foods in their diet.

You can get the most riboflavin from animal-based foods such as beef liver and chicken, but you can also find it in fortified cereals.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients

Iron

Iron is the key nutrient in hemoglobin, a substance in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your brain and other parts of your body.

Iron anemia causes symptoms that mimic those of migraine disorder, such as extreme fatigue, vertigo, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss.

To make sure you’re getting enough iron in your diet, eat plenty of red meats, seafood, and legumes.

Lycopene

Lycopene has strong antioxidant properties that benefit migraine patients by enhancing cardiovascular functioning and cellular integrity.

Unfortunately, the richest source of lycopene is often a migraine trigger. Tomato sauces and tomato-based condiments contain the highest levels of lycopene, and are a red-light food in migraine prevention.

So, if tomatoes increase your chances of having a migraine attack, then opt for watermelon, which is also a good source.

Potassium

Potassium is important for migraine management, as it helps to prevent dehydration, a common trigger of headaches. The potassium electrolyte also regulates normal cardiovascular health, supports strong muscles, and boosts stamina by converting carbohydrates from the foods you eat into energy.

You can get the most potassium from sweet potatoes, tomato products, beets, and a variety of meat, fish, and poultry.

Your turn!

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.

Like this? Read more:

10 Ridiculously Healthy Vitamins for Women Migraine Patients

Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos/David Castillo Dominici