Stop Migraine Headache Pain Now

Stop Migraine Headache Pain Now
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Monday, December 14, 2009

Migraine Headache Causes: Common Food Triggers

No one knows for sure what causes migraine headaches. The most likely to answer to-date is that a serious of small irritations or reactions pile up until, finally, a migraine headache is triggered. Migraine triggers are different for each individual, but many migraineurs claim that a particular food or combination of foods will push them over the edge into a headache.

Keep in mind that most science disagrees with migraineurs when it comes to food triggers. There are no conclusive studies indicating a cause and effect link between certain foods and migraine headaches, so all information is anecdotal. The thing is there is a lot, tons in fact, of anecdotal evidence for the link.

While a migraine trigger food can be, quite literally, anything, some foods come up on the trigger list for enough people to merit discussion.

Cheese

Cheese is a major trigger for many migraineurs. Particularly likely to cause an attack are hard or aged cheeses. Soft cheeses like cream cheese and new cheeses seem to be fine and unlikely to cause problems.

Processed Meats

Nitrates are believed by many to be a major cause for migraine headache. For most people, the most common source of nitrates is processed meat, items like hot dogs, sausage, bacon, processed lunchmeats, etc.

Condiments

Salad dressings are a trigger for many. The reason is not known, but is probably tied to a combination of other triggers all coming together in one place.

Spices and Additives

Any spice can be a trigger. Spices as triggers may be tied, at least partially, to scent sensitivity, since many spices have a pungent odor. Seasonings that seem to give migraineurs the most trouble include monosodium glutamate (MSG), common in Asian foods, artificial sweeteners, food dyes, and vinegar.

Migraineurs who suspect a food trigger to cause migraine or headache pain should consider trying an elimination diet to pinpoint the trigger food(s).

Click on the link to learn more about migraine headache treatment. Stop the pain and find relief solutions.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Natural Pregnancy Headache Relief

Hypnosis is not just a trick to make fun of volunteers on stage. Hypnotherapists are helping pregnant women with a headache find pain relief. They may even relieve other migraine symptoms like vomiting and sensitivity to sound and light.

The hypnotherapists access the subconscious mind of their patients when they are calm and stress free. The therapist will then reprogram the subconscious mind in a way that will help migraineurs change the perception they have about the pain they experiment.

Some therapists work in a completely different direction. They teach patients how to pinpoint and avoid their personal migraine triggers. This can be perfect if smoking is one of their triggers. Hypnotherapy his well know as a natural way to stop smoking.

After using hypnotherapy with success for a while, some patients decide to learn self-hypnosis. They can achieve excellent results too. Having the reward of being more in control of their life is a great motivator. It can also be used in other aspects of life.

Hypnosis is a natural solution for patients who do not have good results with traditional migraine treatment. It is a great option for those who are either sensitive to headache prescription drugs or can't take them for medical issues. Hypnotherapy is highly recommended for women with a headache condition and seeking natural pain relief during pregnancy.

Click on the link to learn more about natural treatment for migraine headache pain relief during pregnancy.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Chiropractic Care for Migraines Treatment

Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive way to relieve migraine suffering without the use of medication. Chiropractic migraine treatment is not for everyone, but it may be particularly useful for patients who cannot use prescription medication due to other risk factors.

Migraine headaches are idiopathic. This means that despite the last century’s advances in medical science their cause is still unknown. A number of theories exist to explain migraines. They include a possible serotonin deficiency in migraineurs, genetics malformations, and arterial swelling in the cranium.

A common chiropractic theory is that subluxations in the muscles at the base of the skull and the neck cause, or contribute to, the formation of migraine headaches. Subluxations are tense areas in the muscles adjoining the small bones of the upper spinal column. On an x-ray, the bones appear to be in the correct place and medical doctors often miss the tension in the muscles. A chiropractor gently manipulates the spine to relax these subluxations.

Chiropractors offer two varieties of care for migraine patients, straight chiropractic and mixed chiropractic. Straight chiropractic only involves manipulation of the spine and spinal subluxations. Mixed chiropractic care combines traditional manipulation with other complementary techniques. The focus in mixed chiropractic is to reduce overall neck strain and tension.

Researchers at Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minnesota recently compared chiropractic care with drug therapies for migraines and chronic tension headaches. The study was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Two hundred eighteen headache patients were given either drug therapy or regular chiropractic care. Both groups reported a 40-50% reduction in headache pain at the end of the study.

Follow ups four weeks after discontinuing all care showed only the chiropractic group still enjoying the pain reduction the treatment initiated. Only 20-25% of the drug therapy patients were still benefiting from their treatment at this follow up.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Learn the Difference Between Migraine and Headache

In the US alone, thousands of people suffer from mild to severe case of migraine attacks. Migraine, which is a known neurological disease, may most likely develop from a simple everyday nuisance to a serious life-threatening experience. Since treatments for migraine headache are very costly, very few individuals consult their condition to a doctor. There are a number of recognized causes of migraine. According to experts, migraine may be triggered by the following factors:

1.Loud noises and bright lights

2.Abrupt changes in sleeping patterns

3.Too much consumption of caffeine and alcohol

4.Fluctuations in menstrual cycle

5.Too much smoking

6.Allergic reactions

7.Emotional and physical stress

8.Changes in weather

However, there are times when a migraine occurs for no reason at all. With this, experts presuppose that migraine triggers most when one is exposed to a number of environment-related factors. Doctors always advise their patients to keep a note of their headache and migraine attacks, thus, making it easier for them to identify which factors commonly trigger the painful attacks.

This will also help patients differentiate simple headaches from serious migraine condition. Many people often falsely refer headache as migraine. The truth is that migraine is not just a headache. Unlike the simple headache that can be easily cured by taking medications, migraine requires consultation to a neurologist followed by a series of treatment. Majority of the recommended treatments, however, are not entirely effective.

Differentiate migraine from headache: Know the indicators. As stated earlier, many individuals confuse migraine from a bad headache. To know if what you have is already a serious migraine condition, the following are the three indicators to consider:

1.A feeling of nausea

It is no longer a mere headache if you constantly feel nauseated. Most of the time you will feel a wave of nausea, but sometimes it goes with vomiting. Changes in body temperature coincides with this condition.

2.Unbearable pain

Another indication of migraine is the re-occurring pain on either the left or right side of the brain. The pain often starts in the eyes then goes down to the neck.

3.Visual defects

You will know if it is already a serious case of migraine when you are experiencing visual disturbances. If your eyes become overly sensitive to light; you often see flashing lights before you; or you somehow develop temporary blindness, now is the time for you to visit a neurologist to confirm your condition.

Most of the conventional treatments for migraines are not 100 percent effective. As such, many individuals suffering from migraine attacks resort to alternative cures. One of the known alternative treatments is the acupuncture, which helps prevent headache from further developing. While some make use of relieving scents and incense, others believe that sleep is the best solution for migraine. Since migraine attacks usually follow a series of pattern, doctors always advice patients to avoid interrupting the cycle by not taking any painkiller or other relieving treatment. Ignoring the pain is more likely to lessen the duration of the attack.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Natural Migraine Headache Pain Relief with Hot or Cold Compress

Many people who suffer from migraine headaches stop the pain of a migraine with the proper application of hot or cold compress of water. This type of pain relief is common with patients trying to avoid prescription drug use, especially for kids and pregnant women who prefers natural solutions.

Here are a few tips to help ease the ache of a migraine. While some migraineurs find comfort in cold, at least as many are more uncomfortable in the presence of cold. The same is true of heat used for pain relief—for some it helps, for others it makes the pain worse. Just test every option and find what best suits your condition.

Use a compress to apply on the head where pain is most severe. This is frequently on the temple where a large artery runs, or in front of the ear, another arterial locale. The dilatation and constriction of the arteries causes this situation you want to treat. By doing so, you treat at the source of the problem.

If your pain is coming from behind your eyes, cover your eyes with a hot or cold compress to ease suffering. The compress will block the light at the same time and provide even more relief for people who suffer from photosensitivity.

Taking a warm bath or shower might help in some cases. Using aromatherapy oils in your bath can be beneficial too. A fragrance you like might distract you from suffering.

Swapping hot and cold cloths at the location where the migraine pain is most intense can ease the pain. Sometimes hot and cold used at the same time can provide relief. A migraineur can apply a cold towel on his head while at the same moment soak his feet in a bucket of warm water.

It is not common for a patient to be simultaneously sensitive to both hot and cold, but it can happen in some rare cases. Using hot or cold compress is a natural solution for migraine headache pain relief.

Click on the link to learn more about migraine headache treatment. Stop the pain and find natural relief solutions.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Learn how to manage migraine headache pain relief and feel better faster.

Learn how to manage migraine headache pain relief and feel better faster. Learn how migraine headache pain is different from other sorts of pain. Review the safety tips about using headache pain relief drugs. Learn about the types and causes of headache pain.

The migraine headache pain is among the most complex forms of illnesses. In fact, this condition is very common and can apply to adults, teenagers and children as well. Even if it is unpleasant, headache pain is basically regarded as a normal part of a person’s daily life. It is among the top reasons for medical appointments to doctors and physicians today.

There are many causes of headache pain. Among the top factors that trigger headache pain are viruses, bio-chemicals, hormones, and bacteria. Genetics and low levels of serotonin are also related to a person’s susceptibility to headache pains. Serotonin is the neuro-chemical that protects an individual from pain.

Determining different types of headache pain

Pain comes with all types of headache in multiple forms. It is really important for you to know the various types of headache pain in order to have proper diagnosis and application of headache pain relief treatments.

1. Cluster headache pain

This type of headache pain is severe and sudden. Although a cluster headache has a shorter duration compared to other types of headache, it can trigger up to six times in one day.

2. Rebound migraine headache pain

A rebound migraine headache pain is oftentimes caused by over-consumption of migraine headache medications. Instead of diminishing the pain, pain reliever drugs can ultimately cause headache pains when abused.

3. Sinus headache pain

An infection, swelling, and irritation of the sinuses can ignite a sinus headache pain. This type of headache pain is oftentimes mistaken with tension and migraine pains.


4. Migraine headache pain

This type of pain occurs on the one side of the head. The pain can become severe to the point that it can interfere with a person’s daily productivity.

Each type of migraine headache pain can be triggered by a different cause. It is really important to understand exactly what is your situation in order to manage migraine headache pain relief and feel better faster.

Click on the link to learn more about migraine headache treatment. Stop the pain and find relief solution.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Migraine Headache - Natural Ways To Find Relief Without Drug

Natural ways to find relief without drug for migraine headaches are usually harmless and also cheaper than traditional pain medications. Sure, it's possible you could experience a negative reaction or even increase your headache pain because of a natural treatment, but the odds are far less than with pain-relief medications.

People are different from each other. A natural treatment that might relieve one person's migraine headaches may not relieve someone else's. But on the same measure, just because one migraine headache treatment does not work for one person does not mean it won't work for you. There are many effective alternatives to taking drug when it comes to relieving migraine headaches. One of these alternative methods may be just what you have been looking for.

Stress can cause tension, which can lead to muscle tightness (muscle tension) and cause headaches. By relaxing these tense muscles, especially in the neck, it is possible to relieve the tension causing the migraine headaches. With biofeedback, once the technique is learned there is no longer any need for the biofeedback equipment. The patient with migraine headaches can now produce the desired effect at any. They can control certain bodily functions, such as muscle relaxation, which can help reduce and relief their migraine headaches.

Chiropractic adjustments, or chiropractic manipulations, are a very popular natural treatment method for headache relief. Patients with migraine headaches have been visiting chiropractors for over 100 years, and with very good results. Studies have shown that over 80% of headache patients find relief with chiropractic care. Plus, chiropractic treatment has been shown to be extremely safe. Spinal problems do cause headaches and by correcting these spinal problems many headache sufferers find welcome relief.

Biofeedback is another form of treatment that is safe and can be effective in eliminating pain. Biofeedback is a training program designed to help a person develop the ability to control their autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. Functions that are normally automatic can be controlled voluntarily. This technique makes it possible for a person to control their own heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and of course, the relaxation of their tense muscles.


Most people are unaware that too much salt can cause headaches. And by simply lessening the salt intake headaches can sometimes be prevented.

Food allergies or sensitivities can also cause migraine headaches. Certain foods such as cheese, alcohol, monosodium glutamate (a food additive), nuts, beans, caffeine, chocolate and onions can cause migraines. Foods that cause headaches are called “triggers.” People who experience migraine headaches because of food sensitivities can eliminate their pain by simply eliminating the foods causing the pain.

However, it’s not always easy to discover which foods are the culprits. One way is to keep a food diary. Get a small notebook, with each page representing one day. On each daily page make three columns. The first column will contain the hours in the day. The second column will be a list of the foods eaten that day. And the third column will list the symptoms that you experience.

As an example, if you had eggs and toast for breakfast at 8 AM you would write “eggs and toast” in the food column that corresponds with 8 AM. Make a note of everything that is eaten on this list and at what time they were eaten.

When you eventually experience a migraine headache you write “migraine headache” or “headache” down in the symptoms column at the time it began. For example, if one of your headaches begins at 2 PM you will write “headache” in the symptoms column for 2 PM.

It may take a few weeks or even a few months, but after experiencing a few migraine headaches, with the help of the food diary, you will be able to tell which foods cause headaches. Over time, by figuring out which ingredients in these foods are causing your pain, you will be able to eliminate these ingredients and relieve some pain.

Another very common cause of tension headaches and migraine headaches is just plain stress. People who experience tension can get headaches from their increased tension.

Relieving tension can often relieve migraine headaches. Tension can be relieved in many ways such as with biofeedback training (as explained above), taking a warm bath or shower, lying down and resting in a quiet dark room, putting something cold on the back of the neck (at the base of the skull) or having someone massage your neck muscles and possibly your temporal region to help relieve your tension and muscle spasms. Regular exercise can also, over time, reduce tension.

But as always it is a good idea to talk with your doctor before attempting to treat yourself for a health problem. If you have migraine headaches it may be beneficial to try some of these treatments or search out others on your own. They are all considered safe and are effective for many people. These are just a few of the many natural treatment methods that are available to find relief without drug for migraine headache patients.