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With chronic fatigue together with migraines, it can be incredibly difficult to stay focused at work and get the job done. Most days you wake up feeling tired and headachy, and you just want to quit! But don’t- here are some helpful pointers to help you turn things around at the workplace and get back on track.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that goes hand-in-hand with migraines. In addition to suffering from intense headaches and nausea, many migraine patients also struggle with overwhelming fatigue that begins from sunup and steadily worsens throughout the day.

Chronic illness is a national dilemma

Coupled with chronic migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome can be a deterrent to financial stability; chronic pain sufferers have difficulty maintaining a regular work schedule while battling with daily tiredness, strong headaches, and numerous bodily ailments.

As a result, nearly 50% of people with chronic fatigue or migraines end up unemployed, often without any benefits.

On a larger scale, national productivity goes down, and all because the workplace is not set up to accommodate to people with chronic illnesses who still want to report to work.

Increase awareness!

Many sufferers of CFS and migraines are wary of mentioning their chronic illness to coworkers, because they think they’ll be discriminated against or called “lazy,” or worse…fired on the spot.

You can use other people’s ignorance to your advantage! Educate them about what it means to have chronic fatigue syndrome, that CFS and migraines are both real medical conditions that are recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For tips, read Helping Others Understand Migraines- 8 Communication Tips

Be your own advocate!

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you have the right to request certain accommodations that will enable you to keep your job and manage chronic fatigue at work.

• Would it help if you could receive more flexible working hours?
• Could you keep your job on a part-time basis?
• Could your boss help you reduce migraine triggers at work, by eliminating fluorescent lighting and instituting a fragrance-free work area?
• Could you get a longer break during the day, so that you can take some pain medication, rest your head, and close your eyes, even for a few minutes longer?
• Are there any aspects of your job that can be completed at home?

These are all things that your employer should be willing to discuss with you, especially if you have been diagnosed with migraine disorder or chronic fatigue syndrome and have medical documentation to prove it.

Get help!

If you are absolutely unable to report for work, and need some time off to experiment with a new migraine treatment, then you may be entitled to receive compensation while you recuperate and get your life back on track.

Contact the Social Security Administration to find out if you’re eligible for disability benefits.  For advice about filing, read Social Security Disability for Migraine- 5 Tips for Filing

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, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

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On the Job With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Image(s) courtesy of marin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the most essential nutrients for your wellbeing, touted for its usefulness in sustaining neurological health in people with migraines, as well as boosting longevity, increasing energy, and supporting cardiovascular functioning.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance that your body produces for energy and cellular metabolism, and is also a valuable antioxidant. As you age, your body produces less CoQ10, necessitating the need for supplementation in order to avoid deficiency.

Coenzyme Q10 has been the focus of many scientific studies for its valuable properties in migraine prevention, as well as heart disease and neurodegenerative illness.

Increasingly, researchers are noticing a broad spectrum of health benefits that may be attained through this oft-neglected supplement.

Migraines and CoQ10

Taken together with magnesium, CoQ10 has provided optimum results in more than half of migraine patients who participated in several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on migraine prophylaxis.

Positive health benefits of CoQ10 in migraine management were apparent for migraine with aura patients and migraine without aura patients alike.

Additionally, CoQ10 deficiency is thought to be a trigger of migraine headaches in adults and teens.

CoQ10 has been used to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Scientists believe that its neurological health properties may also benefit patients of migraine disorder, which is also a disorder of the nervous system.

CoQ10 and your heart

Coenzyme Q10 is most popularly known for its effectiveness in cardiovascular medicine, as it helps to sustain normal blood pressure and regulates LDL cholesterol. Since heart disease is a risk factor for migraine with aura patients, CoQ10 does double duty by reducing your chance of migraines and heart disease at the same time.

Treatment

To benefit from CoQ10 in treating migraines, ask your doctor to give you a screening for coenzyme Q10 deficiency, and ask about the appropriate dosage for your age and health profile.

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, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

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Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial.

CoQ10 Deficiency Implicated in Migraine Headache Pain in Teens

CoQ10 helps heal neurodegenerative disease: Study

Image(s) courtesy of renjith Krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To prevent migraines, you need to keep your body healthy, and that means getting all your basic vitamins and minerals, including nutrients that specifically benefit the female anatomy. Listed below are 10 essential vitamins and other supplements that benefit women with migraines.

Most migraine patients are women, three to one. It’s unknown exactly why this is the case, but researchers suspect it may be related to the number of migraine headache triggers that run high in females…

…factors such as hormonal fluctuations, emotional stress, magnesium deficiency, and daily fatigue make it especially difficult for women to manage migraines on a day-to-day basis.

Natural migraine prevention

Some of your biggest allies in migraine prevention can be found at your nearest vitamin store.

By boosting energy, promoting restful sleep, sustaining neurological integrity, and correcting underlying vitamin deficiencies, supplements such as Coenzyme Q10, magnesium, B vitamins, and melatonin can help keep migraine triggers down to a minimum while also preventing menstruation problems, infertility, cardiovascular disease, and bone loss.

Listed below are some excellent vitamins and minerals which address health issues that occur most often in women.

1- B vitamins

B complex vitamins are among the healthiest nutrients for your nervous system, which is where migraine disorder resides.

Vitamin B deficiencies may cause a wide range of debilitating symptoms that exacerbate migraines; conditions common with women, such as depression, muscular pain, fatigue, stomach cramps, birth defects, and nausea.

For optimum health, include B vitamins such as riboflavin and vitamin B12 in your daily vitamin regimen against migraines.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients

2- Coenzyme Q10

As you age, your ability to manufacture Coenzyme Q10 decreases, necessitating the need for supplementation.

CoQ10 is vital for sustaining healthy brain cells and for maintaining energy. CoQ10 is currently used to benefit migraine patients, in addition to people suffering from Parkinson’s disease and hypertension.

Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information

3- Magnesium

Magnesium is essential for over 300 vital biochemical reactions throughout your body, including nervous system functioning, vascular health, and energy synthesis.

Sometimes, migraine patients suffer from an underlying magnesium deficiency caused by an inability to absorb magnesium from foods.

Magnesium deficiency is linked with migraine headaches, in addition to chronic diarrhea and nausea.

Many oft-cited scientific studies stress the necessity of supplementing with magnesium as part of your natural migraine management plan.

Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?

4- Iron

If you get heavy menstrual periods, then you are particularly at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Iron is essential for healthy red blood cells, immune system functioning, and cell metabolism. Iron also benefits women migraineurs by aiding in cognitive functioning in reducing symptoms like brain fog, memory loss, and constant fatigue.

Get chewable iron tablets from our Amazon store.

5- Calcium

Bone loss becomes a problem for women past menopause; for that reason, females need to build up their calcium levels before they think they’ll need it- as early as possible. Calcium is important for healthy strong bones, but for women migraine patients it is also helpful for blood vessel integrity, hormonal balance, and nerve cell communication.

6- Folate

Folate is part of the B-complex vitamin family, and it is vitally important for healthy reproduction, intercellular communication within the nervous system, and emotional health in fighting depression, a comorbid condition of migraines.

7- Omega 3

Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and fish oil supplements aid women migraine patients by enhancing cognition skills needed for good memory and mental focus. Omega 3s also lower your risk for arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and many other types of chronic pain.

8- Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium, in addition to promoting a healthy response to inflammation and supporting healthy neuromuscular functioning.

Order high-potency vitamin D-3 from Amazon!

9- Biotin

Although biotin deficiency is rare, supplementing with extra biotin helps to fight depression and nervous system disorders that often occur in women with migraines.

10- Melatonin

Melatonin helps you maintain a normal sleep schedule by promoting restful sleep. This is an essential step in migraine prevention, as irregular sleep patterns are common migraine triggers.

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, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond

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The 18 Best Supplements for Women

Image(s) courtesy of Kittikun/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

They’re not migraines; yet, cluster headaches cause excruciating head pain that can last from 15 minutes to three hours, debilitating to the point of earning the nickname “suicide headaches.”

What are cluster headaches?

There are several types of chronic headache disorders, and cluster headaches are in a league of their own, inflicting intense head pain in its sufferers, most often waking them from their sleep with sharp headaches on one side of the head.

A typical cluster headache attack can last minutes, or it can drag on for hours of uninterrupted torture. Most people who get cluster headaches spend about a quarter of their time battling strong headaches, while a smaller percentage, about 15%, suffer from chronic cluster headaches that occur almost every day.

How long will my Migraine Headache Last? A Migraine Symptom Chart

Cluster headache attacks are characterized by pain that begins at the side of the head, and slowly progresses towards the temples, causing intense burning pain and flushed face.

Similar to migraines?

Cluster headaches are in a separate category of chronic headache from migraines, although they do bear some similarities.

• Migraines and cluster headaches both cause pain on one side of the head.
• Both are debilitating enough to cause impairment and interfere with work.
• Cluster headaches, like migraines, are believed to occur in the brain.
• Cluster headaches and migraines both have no cure.
• Cluster headaches and migraines share common triggers, such as bright lights, high altitude, exertion, certain foods, and alcohol.
• Medications used to treat both migraines and cluster headaches include triptans and anti-inflammatory medications.
• Like migraines, cluster headaches are also being experimentally treated through the use of electronic nerve stimulation.

If your Headache is a Migraine…Are you sure?

Because of the lack of awareness of cluster headaches, many patients are misdiagnosed as sufferers of migraine disorder.

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, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

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Cluster headache

Image courtesy of SodanieChea/flickr

You’ve been looking for that “off” switch for your migraine headaches practically since the day you were born; now, a new remote-controlled device may give you the relief from migraine or cluster headaches that you’ve been dreaming about.

Technically, it’s pain relief

There’s no cure for migraines, and prescription drug treatments are often a gamble, causing debilitating side effects and sometimes, not even providing the anticipated relief from headaches.

Enter Autonomic Technologies Inc., a California-based biotech company that hopes to change the face of headache treatment as we know it.

Borrowing from research developed by the Cleveland Clinic in treating Parkinson’s disease, scientists were able to provide headache relief in 67% of European cluster headache patients who participated in the trial…

…within only 15 minutes.

“We could see almost immediately visual changes in the patients,” says Dr. Frank Papay, developer of the surgical implant procedure. “We could just see them relax.”

Migraine Neuro-Stim Procedure: What to Expect

What is it?

The device is tiny, about the size of an almond, and it’s placed among a group of nerve cells that reside behind your nasal passages, near the eyes. Upon activation, it delivers an electrical shock to your nerve cells that effectively stops headaches in their tracks.

Dr. Papay compares the procedure to getting your wisdom teeth pulled out, although it’s worth noting that the area requiring operation is decidedly much closer to the brain than to your jawline.

To initiate, simply press the provided remote control to your cheek whenever you feel a migraine attack coming on.

Where can I get it?

Right now, the headache-killing device is being used to treat cluster headaches in Europe. Developers hope to gain approval to use the device for treating migraines, as well, in the coming year.

Collaborations are being made with the FDA in the hope of bringing the device to the American market, hopefully within three years, but probably longer.

Your turn!

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

Share with your friends!

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Like this? Read more:

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Helps Migraines

Source:

A remote-controlled device to stop severe headache pain

Image(s) courtesy of imagerymajestic/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s not your imagination, and you’re not hallucinating. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, a neurological condition associated with migraines with aura, is a well-documented phenomenon that causes some pretty eerie symptoms such as distorted body image, loss of time perception, and disorientation.

Named after the famed author and migraine sufferer, Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a rare type of migraine with aura that mimics an “out of body” experience.

Although it most often occurs during childhood, many migraine sufferers continue to experience Alice in Wonderland Syndrome into their adulthood. Occurrences can last for seconds or minutes, may happen chronically or sporadically, and are usually a silent migraine.

Symptoms of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Migraine patients who experience the unusual syndrome describe seeing other people and things as topsy-turvy, in slow motion, or through a long tunnel; even body parts appear larger or smaller than they should, similar to the sensation described by Alice in the eponymously named children’s tale.

Frequently, symptoms occur while falling asleep, as a night terror, or as part of a set of symptoms that occur with sleep paralysis.

Common symptoms include:

• Altered body image, notably in the size and shape of the head and hands
• Impaired sense of distance from surroundings
• Loss of spatial awareness
• Objects in environment appear magnified or telescoped
• Distorted time perception
• Abnormal reactions to touch
• Unusual sounds

What’s the cause?

Scientists don’t have an exact answer as to the cause of this rare neurological phenomenon, but they theorize that Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and migraines with aura both occur in the occipital lobe of the brain, a region associated with vision perception.

A separate study on migraine prevention suggests a link between topiramate usage and increased episodes of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, particularly at nighttime.

“After reduction of topiramate to 50 mg/day, the nocturnal phenomena ceased within 2 weeks…’

We agreed with the patient to a rechallenge and increased the daily dose to 75 mg/day.’

Two weeks later the distortions reappeared again and the patient decided to discontinue the drug”

Diagnosis and treatment

Although the symptoms themselves are not dangerous, doctors recommend that patients experiencing unusual migraine auras get tested with an MRI, and screen for possible (although rare) underlying conditions such as brain tumor, brain infection, or epilepsy.

There are no specific treatments for Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, but by following the usual protocol for migraine treatment you can reduce the frequency of debilitating episodes.

• Work with your GP or neurologist to find the most effective migraine treatment
• Keep track of medication usage and other relevant info in your migraine diary, and share the data with your headache specialist
• Follow a migraine-friendly diet that eliminates known triggers in food
• Eat and sleep at the same times each day and night, even during the weekend or while on vacation
• Experiment with natural alternative methods for managing migraines
• Supplement with daily vitamins, minerals, and herbs that benefit migraine patients, including riboflavin, butterbur, CoQ10, and magnesium.

Your turn!

Have you experienced Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and have you noticed any correlations with migraine treatments?

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, Facebook, or Google+.

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“Alice in Wonderland syndrome” associated with topiramate for migraine prevention

Alice In Wonderland Syndrome

Body image disturbances (Alice in Wonderland syndrome)

Image courtesy of whale05/flickr

Migraines can make it difficult to get a full night’s sleep, but by practicing migraineur sleep hygiene, you can get to sleep and wake up feeling refreshed, without having your rest interrupted by migraine headaches.

Practice migraine sleep hygiene

What is sleep hygiene? It’s not wearing clean pajamas or washing your face before bedtime; sleep hygiene are tactics you can use to promote good restful sleep.

For migraine patients, good sleep hygiene also reduces your chances of starting the next day with a raging headache and having a migraine attack triggered by insomnia.

So, to avoid morning migraines and get a good night’s sleep, follow these guidelines:

1- Notice daytime symptoms

Often, we’re so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we tend to ignore the early warning signs of an approaching migraine. Sometimes, we’re just too busy to even notice the earliest symptoms of the prodrome migraine phase.

Stiff neck, unusual food cravings, sudden fatigue, irritability, disorientation and even euphoria are signs that should prompt you into activating your migraine attack plan of action, whether it be prescription prophylaxis medications, abortive drugs, or natural supplements for migraine.

If you suffer from chronic migraine, then a good rule of thumb is to take scheduled time out breaks throughout the day and do a quick migraine-symptom “audit.” Then you’ll be better prepared for the impending migraine headache and maybe even nip it in the bud!

2- Unplug

Abstain from using electronic devices two hours before bed. This includes your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or any other smart phone. Don’t watch TV to get to sleep, either. Chatting on the phone, engaging in social media, and watching late-night television are all things that stimulate your brain, when what you really need to be doing is getting into a relaxed state.

3- Eat right

Don’t eat anything heavy after the 6:00 pm hour, and don’t snack within a few hours of beddie-bye. Avoid caffeinated beverages after midday, as well. If you normally use migraine pain relievers with caffeine, take the minimum amount in the evening hours.

4- Set the stage

Establish a relaxing nighttime ritual that is conducive to sleep and also reduces stress. Meditate, practice stretching exercises, or take a warm bath with lavender oil- these are all things that are essential for preventing migraines and inducing the sleep response.

5- Keep it regular

Adopt a regular sleep schedule. Not only will your internal clockwork kick in, telling you when it’s time to go to sleep, it’s also beneficial for preventing migraines, as fluctuations in sleep patterns are common migraine triggers.

6- Take your vitamins!

Take natural supplements that benefit migraine patients while promoting sleep. Good nutrients to try are magnesium, riboflavin, CoQ10, and serotonin. Additionally, many people find that sipping on herbal tea helps to unwind. Natural herbs that promote sleep and benefit migraine sufferers are butterbur, chamomile, and lemon balm.  For a complete list of natural ingredients for migraines, see this- Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Win a free bottle of Migravent!

Enter to win a free bottle of Migravent! No purchase necessary, no obligations involved. Now, through February 10, 2013. Enter our Migravent Giveaway.

Your turn!

What natural supplements do you use to prevent migraines and get a good night’s sleep?

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, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

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Preventing Migraine Headaches from Disrupting Sleep

Image(s) courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There’s no end to the amount of bad advice we get once people know we suffer from migraines, all of it well-meaning, but very often born from migraine myths and misinformation.

If you can count the days on your hand that you haven’t had a migraine attack this month, then you’re one of millions who suffer from chronic migraine headaches, which can last for hours or days.

We say we’ll try any advice at least once to get rid of these horrible migraines once and for all, but we’re really talking tongue-in-cheek.

Here are some oddball and not-so-scientifically-confirmed migraine advice that you may have received:

1. Trepanation. That’s right! Drill a tiny hole directly into your skull. This may have been popular with ancient cave-dwelling migraine sufferers, but then they didn’t have Advil.
2. Get pregnant! Thanks…what’s behind door #3?
3. Apple cider vinegar. No, you’re not supposed to drink it. Apparently, just inhaling the scent of apple cider vinegar in a vapor bath is enough to abort that migraine- presto!
4. Ear candles. Insert beeswax candle into ear, light the other end, and forget your headache while your hair catches on fire. Great advice- thanks!
5. Inhale pepper. A gigantic sneeze is what you need to stop a migraine. Good advice? Nope.
6. Stand on your head. It might improve circulation, but it won’t do much for migraines.
7. Try not to think about it. Okay, I’m going to test out this trepan theory after all, but instead I’m going to drill a nail into your forehead, but try not to think about the pain that’s boring into your skull…
8. Quit your stressful job. Yup, poverty is a great way to reduce stress and prevent migraines! Plus, you’ll lose weight; which leads us to…
9. Lose weight. Studies indicate that people who are morbidly obese are twice as likely to suffer from migraine attacks as individuals who learn how to manage their weight successfully. Here’s another tip: Studies also indicate that people who refrain from giving out unwanted and unasked-for migraine advice are less likely to suffer a concussion inflicted by a flailing purse loaded with bricks.
10. Move. I don’t know what to make of this advice. Is there another land in an alternate dimension where migraines don’t exist? Because last time I checked, millions of people all over the world suffer from migraines. Even the ones who live in Alaska.

Your turn!

What bad migraine advice have you gotten? Do you disagree with any of the advice we’ve listed here?

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

Win a free bottle of Migravent!

Here’s good advice for migraines- Enter to win a free bottle of Migravent! No purchase necessary, no obligations involved. Now, through February 10, 2013. Enter our Migravent Giveaway.

Share with your friends!

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

Like this? Read more:

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Image(s) courtesy of Michal Marcol/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Does light sensitivity trigger migraine attacks, or is it the other way around? Here’s the scoop on the latest research on migraine attacks, with and without aura.

According to a new study on migraine triggers, scientists have found that not all triggers are as powerful as we think; warning migraine patients not to jump the gun on migraine trigger avoidance when it comes to things like exercise and indoor lighting.

Migraine triggers that aren’t

In the study, which was published by Neurology, scientists examined 27 patients of migraines with aura, all of which have previously attributed bright lights and strenuous exercise with triggering severe migraine attacks.

• Scientists exposed each participant to “migraine triggers” such as exercise, bright flickering lights, or a combination of both, in an effort to see if they would experience a migraine attack.
• Migraine patients who were told to exercise either ran or pedaled on an exercise bike for 1 hour, exceeding their maximum pulse rate by 80%.
• Participants were also told to look at a series of bright, flashing lights for 30-40 minutes.
• After 3 hours, 11% of migraine patients experienced a migraine with aura.
• Another 11% developed a migraine headache without aura.
• Most interestingly, none of the study participants suffered a migraine attack as a result of light exposure alone.

What causes migraine attacks?

Migraine headaches are a genetic neurological illness that causes crushing, excruciatingly painful headaches that can take anywhere from several hours or days to disappear.

In addition, migraine attacks inflict symptoms such as severe nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, fatigue, and dizziness in its patients.

Migraines with aura include an extra phase which occurs previous to the migraine headache. Stroke-like symptoms such as strange visual disturbances, vertigo, disorientation, sudden speech slurring, partial paralysis, and sometimes loss of consciousness can strike minutes before debilitating head pain.

Migraines with aura patients are at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke than patients who don’t receive the premonitory aura, according to research.

Although scientists know that migraines occur as a result of a nervous system malfunctioning, they do not know enough about the exact cause to be able to find a “migraine cure.”

By keeping a migraine diary, you can effectively find out exactly which migraine triggers in food or your environment are the real culprits here.

“Our study suggests that if a person is exposed to a suspected trigger for three months and does not have a migraine attack, they no longer have to worry about avoiding that trigger,” says study author Jes Olesen, MD.

What can we learn here?

Scientists theorize that rather than triggering migraine attacks, extreme light sensitivity and eye pain may occur in the earliest stages of a migraine, as a symptom of the migraine attack itself, and not as a migraine trigger.

So if you’ve been avoiding things like indoor lighting, you be causing yourself unnecessary stress.

More so, if you’ve been excluding moderate exercise from your daily routine as a means of trigger avoidance, then you may be causing yourself unnecessary harm.

“People with migraine with aura are told to avoid possible triggers, which may lead them to avoid a wide range of suspected factors,” says Olesen. “Yet the most commonly reported triggers are stress, bright light, emotional influences and physical effort, which can be difficult to avoid and potentially detrimental, if people avoid all physical activity.”

In addition to avoiding migraine triggers in food,  health experts also recommend daily exercise, meditation, and vitamin supplementation as a natural means of managing migraines.

Your turn!

Which migraine triggers do you actively avoid?

Are there any migraine triggers that you’re uncertain about?

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, Facebook, or Google+.

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Image(s) courtesy of Sura/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By now, you’ve probably already noticed that changes in the weather mean that a migraine attack is imminent; now, scientists believe that the occurrence of lightning may be added to the list weather-related migraine triggers.

Migraines and lightning

The study, which was published by Cephalalgia is the first of its kind to link migraine headaches with lightning; a breakthrough in identifying migraine triggers that currently affect over 28 million migraine sufferers.

By accessing various migraine diaries and weather data for people living in Ohio and Missouri, University of Cincinnati researchers noticed a 28% increase in migraine headaches among patients who lived within 25 miles of areas that were struck by lightning.

Additionally, scientists noted an overall 31% increase in headaches when lightning occurred nearby.

Senior author Vincent Martin speculates that the link between migraine frequency and lightning could result from electromagnetic waves, ozone, or simply an increase in allergens produced by stormy weather.

Co-author and son Geoffrey Martin agrees that the study “gives some insight into the tie between headaches or migraines and lightning and other meteorologic factors.”

Migraine triggers

Migraine severity, frequency, and duration are all influenced by elements in your environment- migraine triggers.

While migraine triggers don’t directly cause migraine attacks, they do increase your risk of having one. The more migraine triggers you are exposed to, the more likely you are to have a migraine attack.

Changes in weather patterns are among hundreds of factors that increase your chances of experiencing migraine headaches; other weather-related factors include humidity, barometric pressure, and extreme heat.

In addition to fluctuations in weather, other common migraine triggers are food ingredients such as chocolate and aged cheese, stress, bright lights, strong scents, and fluctuations in sleep, hormones, and eating habits.

In the absence of a cure for migraines, doctors strongly recommend migraine trigger avoidance as an important tool in preventing or reducing migraine headaches.

Enter to win a free bottle of Migravent!

Now, through February 10, 2013.  For details, see our Facebook page, or enter here.

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, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

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Lightning and its association with the frequency of headache in migraineurs: An observational cohort study

Image courtesy of redagainPatti/flickr