The aim of yoga for back pain is to increase flexibility, suppleness, strength, stability, posture, breathing, coordination, body-awareness, better posture, balance, improved self-awareness, and increased blood flow and oxygen circulation.

Yoga for back pain consists of a series of gentle moves - at its most basic, stretches and poses designed to create flexible, supple muscles. It is combined with meditation to a larger or lesser degree. For the advanced yoga practitioner, there are more strenuous and complicated poses. A novice should start out with simple, gentle movements under the guidance of a professional yoga instructor who understands you have a back problem.

If your back pain is very bad, precluding you from too much movement, the meditative and visualization exercises in yoga will endow you with a sense of well-being and relax your body - giving you some measure of back pain relief.

Strictly speaking, yoga is not an exercise routine, but a series of poses that release the body’s natural energy and creates a sense of well-being and suppleness. Yoga for back pain is ideal in that it places little strain on the spine and can also be useful as a method of warming up and cooling down between more vigorous exercises.

Yoga for back pain increases the strength of both back and abdominal muscles, to give your spine better support. We’re not amoeba and without the support of the muscles of our backs and tummies, our spines would collapse.

There are two main types of yoga for back pain: Hatha yoga concentrates more on increasing muscle strength and coordination, while Raja yoga relaxes the mind and teaches you to breathe correctly and deeply, something many of us don’t do. But, the two are designed to work together to create a sense of mind/body harmony.

Yoga for back pain is meant to create improved body awareness and should never be uncomfortable or painful. If you have bad body posture from years of working at a desk in an office or not standing correctly, you may find some poses initially uncomfortable, but with gentle, regular repetition, you will learn to train your body.

You can practice many yoga for back pain techniques during the day, at home, and enjoy the benefits of a few minutes of relaxing meditation almost anywhere you are - even in the traffic or at the supermarket.

If you suffer from severe backache, do first mention to your doctor you are interested in doing yoga for back pain.

Technorati Tags: pain, migraine, chronic pain

If you were to go solely by the information about aspartame that you can find on the internet, you might every well think this product was created by the devil himself. Truly, the amount of web space devoted to attacking aspartame and its brand name NutraSweet is phenomenal. The product has been vilified like almost no other product on the market, blamed for everything from memory loss to schizophrenia. Although the jury is still out on aspartame s culpability in relation to many dangers, there is no getting around the fact that aspartame has been linked to migraines in many studies.

Aspartame is used in NutraSweet, an artificial sweetener. But aspartame isn t really a sweetening agent. What aspartame does is release an amino acid neurotransmitter in the brain called aspartame. In essence, though approved by the FDA as a sweetener, aspartame is really a drug.

The New England Journal of Medicine, a world-renowned medical journal, has conducted studies that have found a connection between heavy consumption of diet drinks sweetened with aspartame and migraine headaches. One study in particular seems heavily slanted toward finding a connection as those taking part reported having headaches on 33% of the days in which the study was conducted as opposed to the control group which reported headaches on only 24% of the days.

One scientist who has conducted research came to the startling conclusion that 90% of all migraines are caused by allergic reactions to food or food additives. His findings also suggest that aspartame is the most common food additive related to migraines. Another study came to an equally amazing conclusion that 10% of all migraines are related to aspartame consumption. A study conducted at the Univ. of Florida came to perhaps the most jaw-dropping conclusion of them all, finding that aspartame increased the frequency of migraine headaches in over fifty percent of the patients who took part in the study.

Despite all these studies, however, no conclusion has yet been drawn which firmly establishes what it is about aspartame that causes migraines in headache sufferers. The prevailing theory has to do with a biochemical known as seratonin. You may have heard that word before. Indeed, seratonin pops up quite in medical stories as it seems play a part in conditions ranging from appetite loss to mood alteration to sleep problems. When it comes to migraines, seratonin is thought to play a part through the lowering of levels of it in your body thanks to the effects of aspartame, thereby exacerbating pre-existing conditions that cause migraines. So it s really no so much a case of aspartame being the cause of migraines, but rather being a quick-drawing finger on the trigger.

Believe it or not, but there s also a danger from ceasing your intake if aspartame. Doesn t that figure? If you are currently drinking a large amount of diet sodas or using a lot of NutraSweet in your coffee or tea, the one thing you don t want to do is suddenly stop for a few months and then go back. Many people report that they quit having headaches after stopping their use of products containing aspartame. Then they resumed their use of aspartame and were unfortunate enough to find that the headaches returned and were far worse than before.

Naturally, the makers of NutraSweet dispute any connection existing between their product and migraines. Then again, they dispute any connection between aspartame and any health concern. The bottom line is that enough complaints have been filed with the FDA and enough studies have been conducted to establish at the very least a large amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting a connection. And since even the big two soft drink makers have products diet products that sweeten with Splenda a sweetener with no bitter aftertaste there really isn t any reason at all to take the risk.

Technorati Tags: pain, chiropractor, back pain

Most of these medications warn against the same type of side effects, but the frequency of complaints about those side effects vary tremendously from one user to another.

Excedrin Migraine

Active Ingredients: Acetaminophen 250g, Aspirin 250mg, Caffeine 65mg.

Forms: Geltabs, Tablets, Capsules.

The recommended dose of Excedrin Migraine is two tablets taken at six-hour intervals. Excedrin Migraine actually contains the exact same ingredient combination as Excedrin Extra Strength. In fact, the only difference between Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength is that Excedrin Migraine comes with instructions containing a warning about treating migraines. The instructions warns patients to consult with a physician if their headache is accompanied by vomiting or requires bed rest. Excedrin Extra Strength also does not specifically contain migraines under its use section.

Excedrin has established a fine reputation among consumers. Usually it ranks at or near the in customer satisfaction surveys.

Advil Migraine

Active Ingredients: Ibuprofen 200mg. Also contains 20mg of potassium.

Forms: Liquid filled capsule.

Important information: In the United States Advil Migraine is the only over the counter migraine medication available in liquid capsule form.

You should be aware that Advil Migraine contains the exact same ingredients as regular Advil. Customer satisfaction concerning this product varies. While many report that their recommended dosage often relieves their pain, many other complain that one must exceed dosage in order to get relief. Others complain that it upsets their stomach if they don t take it on a full stomach. Still others have complained about side effects such as nausea (see above), hives, swelling, etc. And yet others are simply unwilling to pay the extra price for this medication when they can buy the exact same medication under the regular Advil label.

Motrin Migraine Pain

Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg.

Forms: Caplets.

Contains the exact same ingredients as Motrin IB. You should be aware that Motrin Migraine pills are smaller than most other migraine pills. The advantage here is that they are easier to swallow, but at the same time because they are so small they could easily be mistaken for candy by a small child so be sure to keep them out of reach of the young ones. As with Advil, although perhaps even more, customer satisfaction truly runs the gamut when it comes to Motrin. Some migraine sufferers absolutely swear by it, while others say they will never take it again. There doesn t seem to be any pattern as to why it works so well one some patients and not at all on others. It is recommended that you at least try Motrin because it just may be the answer to your prayers. On the other hand it may no do you good at all. So therefore you ve got all to gain and only a little bit of money to lose.

Naproxen

Naproxen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that work by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Naproxen is sold under a wide variety of brand names across the world, including Aleve, Anaprox and Naprosyn.

TheraPatch Headache Cool Gel

One of the latest products to hit the markets are pads that can be placed on the forehead, temple or the back of the head which contain a gel that cools the skin for up to four hours. You can get the TheraPatch in two forms. One contains no medication whatever, while the other uses the patch as a device to deliver an analgesic. TheraPatch Cool contains menthol, camphor and methyl salicylate, while TheraPatch Warm contains capsaicin. LecTec is also offering medicinal patch products as a drug delivery alternative in the cough-cold and anti-itch sections.

Technorati Tags: pain, migraine, chronic pain

Like most surgeries, some people adapt and recover from wisdom teeth extractions better then others. There are certain situations when this is more likely then others. Wisdom teeth can be in three different states before extraction: fully impacted, partially impacted, or non impacted. Impacted teeth means the teeth have not erupted from the gums yet. Recovery from impacted wisdom teeth extractions is much more difficult then non impacted. Non impacted extractions involve simply pulling a tooth.

Another factor that affects recovery time for wisdom teeth extractions is how old the patient is. The younger the patient, the less developed the wisdom teeth actually are. That means, the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully formed. When a root of a wisdom tooth is fully formed it must be extracted. When impacted, this root lies very close to a nerve. If harmed during surgery, a patient may no longer have feeling in their chin after recovery. The younger the patient, the less likely that a surgeon will have to cut the root out as well.

Recovery from wisdom teeth extractions also depends on how well a patient can follow instructions. All surgical sites require care. Oral surgeons recommend lightly swishing salt water around the wound for better healing recovery. There are also certain foods one should avoid as well as actions. You should not drink through a straw or smoke. All of these things could affect the recovery time for your wisdom teeth extraction site.

The extraction of wisdom teeth is a surgery many people experience. All surgeries require proper follow up care for a positive recovery. The recovery time for wisdom teeth extractions depends on many factors including age, and proper follow-up care.

Technorati Tags: pain, chronic pain relief, pain medication

One way to tell it s a migraine is by the length of time it lasts. A migraine isn t going to go away in a half-hour. Unless you are very, very, very lucky. Chances are your headache, if it truly is a migraine, is going to last anywhere from four to seventy-two hours. Yes, that s right. Seventy or more hours is not common, but neither is unheard-of. Should your headache last that long, of course, you should be in the emergency room. Don t wait nearly that long to seek medical attention.

A migraine usually isn t just a headache. Which is to say that one or more of the following usually accompanies a migraine: nausea, vomiting, extreme pain, sensitivity to lights, and auras. It is the aura component, perhaps, that most especially defines and differentiates a migraine, though, it must be admitted, some people do suffer migraines without experiencing auras. Therein lies the difficulty of treating migraines: No two are quite alike. Another person suffering from their own version of a migraine may never experience the symptoms you may experience with every migraine.

No reliable records on the number of people who suffer from migraines has ever been compiled, but it has been estimated that worldwide the number of sufferers could be as high as 100 million, though that number is definitely on the high end of estimations. Migraines are not limited to adults, either. Unfortunately, many children suffer from migraines. Regardless of how many migraine sufferers there really are, almost all estimates agree that two-thirds of migraine patients are women.

Actually, to speak of a migraine headache is somewhat misleading. In fact, there are really two types of migraines, the common migraine and the classic migraine. Although there are differences, both result from the dilation, or expanding, of blood vessels that had become constricted due to the release of seratonin. This dilation causes pain in the nerves. Both types can occur as infrequently as a few times a year or as often as a few times a week.

The common migraine is the slower to develop and is often preceded feelings of anxiety, depression or tiredness. In addition, you may find yourself subject to irritability, sudden cravings or bouts of unexplained yawning before the onset of a common migraine. Once the headache begins, a common migraine is almost always limited to just one side of the head.

The classic migraine develops in a much more complex way. In fact, there are four stages in the onset of a classic migraine headache: prodome, aura, headache, and postheadache.

The prodome stage, like the beginning of a common migraine, may begin with feelings of fatigue, irritability, or depression. The prodome stage takes about 24 hours before it slides into the aura stage.

The aura stage involves an expanding area of blindness caused the narrowing of blood vessels. The blind area is girdled by a shimmering border that may increase to include up to half your field of vision in each eyes. In addition, often there are visual disturbances such as bright spots, flashing flights, zigzagging lights. Sometimes sufferers also experience burning sensations or a weakness on one side of their body. Generally, this stage lasts anywhere from ten minutes to half an hour.

The third stage occurs when those constricted blood vessels dilate and blood literally gushes to the brain. At this point the headache as we think of it really begins with a severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head, though it is not uncommon for the pain to expand to include both sides of the head. The pain often gets magnified by bright lights or loud noises.

The fourth and final stage is the postheadache, characterized by tiredness to the point of outright fatigue.

Migraines differ from tension headaches in that tension headache pain tends to cover the entire head. On the other hand, it s not uncommon for migraine pain to be localized not just on one side of the head, but sometimes in one particular spot of the head, such as at the temple or behind one ear.

Technorati Tags: pain, migraine, chronic pain

Just above your upper molars, way in the back, is an area known as the maxillary sinus cavity. This area of your sinus normally drains through a hole in your nose, but if the hole becomes blocked for any reason, the fluid can build up in the maxillary cavity and become infected.

The roots of those back molars actually extend up into this sinus cavity, and when the pressure from the fluid builds, the result is pain in the teeth, what most people refer to as a sinus tooth infection.

However, it can happen the other way around. An infection in one of those maxillary molars can travel up the root into the sinus cavity, again resulting in what we call a sinus tooth infection.

A sinus tooth infection can be a little confusing for dentists to diagnose right off the bat. If there is any decay already showing on the molars, a dentist may naturally assume that to be the cause of the discomfort. However, treating the cavities will not provide relief from the sinus pain.

Perhaps one of the best early indicators of a sinus tooth infection is that all the teeth in the back area of the mouth hurt, not just one. If further examination provides evidence of a maxillary sinus infection, your dentist will proceed accordingly.

To relieve the sinus tooth infection pain, your dentist will treat the sinus infection with a course of antibiotics, such as tetracycline for adult patients.

Tetracycline is known to cause yellowing in forming teeth, but this isn’t a problem for adults. The course for tetracycline is longer than most antibiotics, and suits the sinus tooth infection because there are no blood vessels in the maxillary area and it takes longer for the infection to subside.

A little education is a great tool. Now that you know the underlying cause of a sinus tooth infection, you’ll be able to recognize it sooner if it ever happens. You and your dentist will be able to get a jump on your sinus tooth infection sooner, and you’ll be out of pain even quicker.

Technorati Tags: pain, chronic pain relief, pain medication

Instant relief for migraines may be accomplished with over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or migraine-strength aspirin. But one man s instant is another man s intolerable wait. There are certain steps you can take that have proven effective in instantly relieving migraine pain in other sufferers. Most, if not all, probably won t work for you, but you just may get lucky enough to stumble across one that does the trick.

1) One of the causes of migraines is the rush of blood to the head, so constricting the blood vessels to slow down that rush can often lead to relief. As anyone who remembers elementary science class knows, heat expands and cold contracts. Therefore, applying cold compresses to the forehead and/or back of the neck is a good starting point.

2) In keeping with the same concept as the above, try dipping your fingertips into ice cold water and massaging your temples and neck. This method combines the attempt to constrict blood vessels with the soothing relief of a massage, and is much better for those people who just can t stand to have a wet cloth weighing down on their forehead.

3) Some migraines are triggered by stress, in particular the building up of anger. Believe it or not, but one method of relieving the pain very quickly is simply to watch something funny. Don t make the mistake of going to a movie or a comedy club, however. The key here is relaxation. Find a place where you can relax by yourself and cool down while laughing.

4) Aerobic exercise is another terrific method of instantly relieving pain. In addition to taking your mind off the pain, the exercise gets the blood flowing throughout the body, helping to constrict

5) Maybe the most enjoyable method of attaining relief quickly and if you choose this method you may not necessarily want to think of terms of quick release is by engaging in sexual activity. Some research has concluded that migraines are especially difficult to get rid of because the pain is so intense that sufferers can t think of anything else. Sex is a great way to get your mind off your suffering. Indeed, instead of a headache as an excuse not to have sex, think of a migraine as the perfect excuse to have sex.

6) Turn out the lights, pull shades and close the curtains. Turn off and otherwise eliminate all noise. Lay down comfortably, whether that means flat on your back with no pillow or on your side with two pillows. Simply relaxing in a dark, quiet room is often enough to quickly alleviate your pain.

7) Intake caffeine. While caffeine can trigger a migraine, it can also be used to relieve it. Generally speaking, caffeine as a relief method works best for those whose migraines are, indeed, not caused by caffeine. Keep a journal to determine what seems to be causing your headaches and if you re sure that it isn t caffeine, then at the first sign of a headache, try drinking coffee, tea or a soda high in caffeine.

Take a course in biofeedback and engage in this highly recommended manner of migraine management.

9) Move to a different environment. Smells, noise and even colors may have triggered your headache. You may actually be able to get rid of the pain simply by moving away from the trigger.

10) This one is pretty radical and may not even be considered by many of you, but if your head is pounding hard enough and you reach the point where you are willing to try anything, then this is the method for you. Often, migraines are caused a buildup of toxicity in the digestive tract. One way to clear that out and get rid of the headache is with a cool water enema.

Technorati Tags: pain, chiropractor, back pain

Botox (botulinum toxin) is a purified protein that belongs to a class of compounds known as neurotoxins that initially approved the US Food & Drug Administration to treat eye muscle disorders known as strabismus and blepharospasm. Since then, obviously, its use has extended to other, more cosmetic uses. Botox weakens or paralyzes (depending on dose) muscles by preventing the release of acetylcholine, a signal that the nerves need to cause muscle contraction. This is the same substance that is produced in spoiled food and causes the illness known as botulism. However, in medical use, the Botox is injected directly into the muscles involved rather than absorbed into the bloodstream, and the doses used are much less than those that cause botulism.

The jury is still out on whether Botox will ever make it into the realm of medical treatment that patients naturally turn to for migraine relief, but if you think that that Botox is the only treatment found to help with migraine that was originally created for treatment for another ailment, take a look at this list. Everything on it has been used in migraine relief and everything on it was originally designed for use against something else.

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (blood pressure meds)Alpha-2 agonists:

Clonidine, aka Catapres

Guanfacine, aka Tenex

ACE Inhibitors:

Benazepril, aka Lotensin

Captopril, aka Capoten

Enalapril, aka Vasotec

Fosinopril, aka Monopril

Lisinopril, aka Zestril, Prinivil

Moexipril, aka Univasc

Perindopril, aka Aceon

Quinapril, aka Accupril

Ramipril, aka Altace

Trandolapril, aka Mavik

Angiotensin II Inhibitors:

Candesartan, aka Atacand

Eprosartan, aka Teveten

Irbesartan, aka Avapro

Losartan, aka Cozaar

Olmesartan, aka Benicar

Telmisartan, aka Midcardis

Valsartan, aka Diovan

Beta Blockers:

Acebutolol, aka Secral

Atenolol, aka Tenormin

Betaxolol, aka Kerlone

Bisoprolol, aka Zebeta, Emconcor

Cartelol, aka Cartrol

Labetalol, aka Normodyne, Trandate

Metoprolol, aka Lopressor

Nadolol, aka Corgard

Penbutololm aka Levatol

Pindolol, aka Visken, Syn-Pindolol

Propranolol, aka Inderal

Timolol, aka Blocadren

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Amlodipine, aka Norvasc

Bepridil, aka Vascor

Diltiazem, aka Cardizem, Tiazac

Felodipine, aka Plendil

Flunarizine, aka Sibelium (Canada)

Isradipine, aka DynaCirc

Nicardipine, aka Cardene

Nifedipine, aka Adalat, Procardia

Nimodipine, aka Nimotop

Nisoldipine, aka Sular

Verapamil, aka Calan, Verelan, Isoptin

Other Antihypertensives:

Guanfacine, aka Tenex

Mirtazapine, aka Remeron

ANTIHISTAMINES:

Cyproheptadine, aka Periactin

Pizotifen, aka Sandomigran (UK)

ANTIDEPRESSANTSTricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):

Amitriptyline, aka Elavil (discontinued), Endep

Amoxapine, aka Asendin

Clomipramine, aka, Anafranil

Desipramine, aka Norpramin

Doxepin, aka Sinequan

Imipramine, aka Norfranil, Tofranil

Nortriptyline, aka Pamelor, Aventyl

Protriptyline, aka Vivactil

Trimipramine, aka Surmontil

MAOI Antidepressants:

Isocarboxazid, aka Marplan

Phenelzine, aka Nardil

Tranylcypromine, aka Parnate

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):

Citalopram, aka Celexa

Escitalopram oxalate, aka Lexapro

Fluoxetine, aka Prozac

Fluvoxamine, aka Luvox

Paroxetine, aka Paxil

Sertraline, aka Zoloft

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs):

Duloxetine hydrochloride, aka Cymbalta

Other Antidepressants:

Bupropion, aka Wellbutrin, Zyban

Mirtazepine, aka Remeron

Trazodone, aka Desyrel

Venlafaxine, aka Effexor, Effexor XR

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder MedsSelective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor:

Atomoxetine HCl, aka Strattera

ARTHRITIS MEDSCox-2 Enzyme Inhibitors:

Celecoxib, aka Celebrex

NEURONAL STABILIZING AGENTS (antiseizure meds)

Carbamazepine, aka Tegretol

Clonazepam, Klonopin

Clorazepate, aka Tranxene

Divalproex, aka Depakote

Gabapentin, aka Neurontin

Levetiracetam, Keppra

Lamotrigine, aka Lamictal

Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal

Tiagabine, aka Gabitril

Topiramate, aka Topamax

Valproate Sodium, aka Depacon

Zonisamide, aka Zonegran

Ergot Alkaloid:

Methylergonovine, aka Methergine (the only ergot used as a preventive)

Leukotriene Blockers:

Montelukast, aka Singulair

Zafirlukast, aka Accolate

Zyleuton, aka Zyflo

Other:

Baclofen, aka Lioresal

Botulinum Toxin Type A, aka Botox

Dietary Supplements:

Coenzyme Q10

Feverfew

Butterbur, aka Petadolex

Magnesium

Vitamin B2

5-HTP (Check carefully with doctor because of interactions with meds including triptans)

Lecithin

Technorati Tags: pain, migraine, chronic pain

Magnesium and calciumMagnesium and calcium help attack migraines by keeping blood vessels malleable and helping the brain process serotonin.

Suggested dose: 400-mg magnesium and 100 mg calcium twice a day. Best taken with food to ease absorption. People with kidney disease should check with their doctor before taking magnesium.

FeverfewFeverfew is rapidly becoming one of the most popular of all the natural migraine remedies on the market because of its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Studies show that it can decrease both the frequency and severity of migraines when taken over several months.

Suggested dose: 250 mg taken every morning, either with or without food, most effective when taken for extended periods. Look for standardized preparations containing at least 0.4% parthenolide, the active ingredient.

5-HTP5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), is a form of acid tryptophan, an amino acid the body converts into serotonin. Although it make take several months to achieve the maximum benefit, some claim it is as effective as drugs. Nausea is the main side effect, but if it occurs, it usually dissipates within several days.

Suggested dose: 100 mg of 5-HTP 3 times a day. Take around mealtime. Don’t combine with prescription antidepressants, such as Prozac.

RiboflavinRiboflavin, or vitamin B2, is believed to help prevent migraines by nourishing the brain’s energy reserves. It may be even more effective than feverfew or 5-HTP when migraines are ongoing.

Suggested dose: 400 mg every morning. Riboflavin is most effective when taken long term for relief of chronic migraines.

Vitamin CVitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that may also boost the production of stress-relieving hormones. Excess stress is thought to play a role in triggering migraines.

Suggested dose: 1,000 mg 3 times a day. Take with food. Reduce dose of vitamin C if diarrhea develops.

Pantothenic acidPantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, strengthens nerves and promotes energy production. Like vitamin C, it may help the body produce stress-busting hormones. Pantothenic acid also plays a role in serotonin production. Suggested dose: 400 mg twice a day. Take pantothenic acid with meals.

KavaKava, finally, can be a very useful herb for the relief of stress and anxiety, which are thought to trigger migraine attacks in some people.

Suggested dose: 250 mg 3 times a day. Kava may be most beneficial during times of high stress. Look for standardized extracts containing at least 30% kavalactones, the active ingredients in the herb. In America, the Food & Drug Administration has issued a warning about kava s possible adverse reactions in the liver recommending that users consult a physician if any of the following is applicable:

Severe headaches develop suddenly, particularly if they first appear after age 35.

A headache is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, weakness on one side of the body, loss of speech, blurred vision, or disorientation.

A headache is accompanied by inflamed, clogged sinuses.

A severe headache develops after intense physical exertion or a blow to the head.

Migraines become more severe or more frequent.

The following supplements and herbs may be helpful in the treatment of migraine headaches:

Both Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) and Gamma Linolenic Acid reduce the severity and frequency of migraines by over 75%.

Fish oil helps prevent migraines by reducing blood vessel spasms.

Vitamin B2 appears to completely suppress migraine headaches.

Vitamin B3 (Riboflavin) helps to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines.

Vitamin D provides relief when used in conjunction with calcium.

One interesting supplement found to help with migraine relief is capsaicin, the chemical that makes hot peppers hot. It can be applied as an ointment inside the nose, though beware of burning.

Technorati Tags: pain, migraine, chronic pain

Belladonna Extracted from nightshade, this one is great reducing fever as well as treating those sudden throbbing headaches that tend to worsen with motion and light, but are partially relieved by pressure, standing, sitting, or leaning backwards.

Bryonia for headaches with a steady, sharp pain in the forehead that may radiate to the back of the head; these types of headaches worsen with movement and light touch, but improve with firm pressure; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are irritable and may also experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation

Gelsemium for pain that extends around the head and feels like a tight band of constriction; pain usually originates in the back of the head and may be relieved. following urination; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel extremely weak and have difficulty keeping their eyes open.

Ignatia for pain that may be described as a feeling of something being driven into the skull; these types of headaches tend to be triggered by emotion, including grief or anxiety, and the treatment is appropriate for both children and adults.

Iris versicolor for periodic migraines that begin with blurred vision, especially after eating sweets; pain usually occurs on one side of the head and may be partially relieved by gentle movement and/or fresh air

Kali bichromicum for aching and pressing pains on the forehead (particularly between and behind the eyes); may be accompanied by sinus congestion or nausea and vomiting; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who prefer to lie down in a dark room and who experience relief from warmth and eating.

Lachesis Get its bite by being extracted from the poison of the Bushmaster snake. Best for migraines on the left side of the head that are typically worse in the mornings and before menstruation; this type of headache is aggravated by warmth and sunlight and relieved by open air and firm pressure.

Natrum muriaticum one of the most common remedies used for migraine headaches, particularly those that are described as “hammers beating the head;” pain is relieved when the individual is lying down, alone, in a quiet dark room; these migraines may be associated with either menstruation or a grieving experience and are worse in the middle of the day; this remedy is most appropriate for children who look pale and feel nauseated, nervous, and emotional.

Nux vomica for headaches that are described as a “nail being driving into the head;” often accompanied by nausea and/or dizziness; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are constipated and irritable.

Sanguinaria for right-sided headaches that begin in the neck and move upwards, recur in a predictable pattern (such as every seven days), and are accompanied by nausea and vomiting; pain is aggravated by motion, light or sun exposure, odors, and noise; this remedy is appropriate for children who may have a craving for spicy or acidic foods, despite having a general aversion to eating due to the headache.

Sepia for migraines that are accompanied by nausea and are relieved when the individual is lying down; light and movement tend to worsen symptoms; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are moody and don’t like being alone, but worry about being with others.

Pulsatilla for headaches triggered by eating rich, fatty foods, particularly ice cream; pain tends to move but may be concentrated in the forehead or on one side of the head; may be accompanied by digestive problems or occur around the time of menstruation; children for whom this remedy is appropriate often develop these symptoms while at school.

Spigelia for migraines described as a stinging, burning, or throbbing pain, often on the left side of the head; symptoms tend to worsen with exposure to cold weather and with motion, but are temporarily relieved by cold compresses and when the individual is lying on the right side with the head propped up.

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If the child is old enough to answer, the doctor will probably want to specifically question the child. Don t be surprised or offended if the doctor wishes to question the child alone, he just wants to hear her describe the symptoms on her own. It s quite possible the doctor will instruct or request that you begin keeping a headache journal, which is simply a diary in which you keep track of such things as: how often the child has the headaches, how bad the headaches are, how long the headaches last, what medications were given and whether or not they helped, and anything that makes the headaches begin, get worse, or get better.Once important information about the headaches has been gathered, the doctor may want to do a complete physical exam. After the exam is complete, often the doctor may want to conduct blood tests, cranial computed tomography, or a magnetic resonance imaging study. For migraine and tension-type headaches, treatment might begin with nothing more complicated than improving sleep and nutrition habits. Headache triggers, if they have been identified, will be recommended to be avoided. For many kids, simple changes in lifestyle often produce a huge difference in how often they suffer from headaches, how bad the pain is and how long the headaches last. If a drug treatment thought best, doctors often first recommend acetaminophen for headaches in children. If the pain doesn t stop with this treatment, let the doctor know immediately and make sure you never give more medicine to a child than is recommended. Even though acetaminophen is available without a prescription, it can still be dangerous to a child if too much is given.In addition, there other medications that the doctor recommend. The more information about your child s condition that you can provide to the physician, the easier it will be for the doctor to find the best medication for that child. Even with the best information, be prepared to undergo several trials before determining the most effective medication because each child reacts differently to medications. The medication may also be prescribed for the child’s nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, if these symptoms are present.Preventive treatments may be prescribed by a doctor if the child’s headaches are severe or if they occur with great frequency. Many times kids and teenagers who have very bad headaches, as well as their parents make the decision not to use preventive treatments because they don t want t to have take medicine every single day. The choice in this matter must be made by each child and his parents based on how difficult it may be for the child to cope with the headaches and how well medications work if taken after the headaches start. Just be aware that there are many preventive medications that can be tried.Some nondrug treatments, like biofeedback and relaxation therapies, can be helpful, particularly in older children. These techniques must be learned by the child who will then practice and use them to cope with headache pain when it begins. If the techniques are practiced every day, they sometimes are even able to help prevent headaches from starting. Biofeedback machines measure electrical impulses or heat from the child’s skin and show these measurements on a TV screen, a flashing light bulb, or a beeper. The feedback from their own bodies can help the child to practice relaxation and make internal adjustments that help relieve the headache pain.Because stress and anxiety play a part in many childhood headaches, it might be helpful for some children to see a mental health specialist, like a psychologist. Mental health specialists can help children with the relaxation techniques described above, and also help them deal with the stress and anxiety they are feeling.

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UNCONTROLLABLE MIGRAINE TRIGGERS

Weather

Weather changes is one of the most common, not to mention probably being the least controllable, triggers for a migraine. Most people who suffer from migraines need not invest in a barometer to know when the pressure is dropping. Those living in hurricane areas can tell days beforehand if one of those monster storms is on the way. Any drop in the barometric pressure that occurs in combination with an approaching warm front should be considered a possible trigger for an intense migraine episode. If there remains any doubt that those who claim weather changes coincide with their headaches, consider that a study conducted by The New England Center for Headache resulted in 51% of respondents showing sensitivity to weather patterns. While no one can control the weather, if your headaches are simply unbearable you might very well consider moving to somewhere with a significantly different climate.

Environmental factors

Among the many environmental factors that affect frequency of migraine headaches that are difficult to escape and almost impossible to control are intense odors and aromas, fumes, tobacco smoke and bright lights. With the increased move toward marginalizing cigarette smokers and the banning of smoking from an ever-increasing multitude of public places, it is becoming somewhat easier to escape from tobacco smoke. Escaping from bright lights may be easy at home, but when you re at work it s going to prevent a challenge unless you have a very accommodating boss. As for smells, you re going to have to do some work to figure out which particular odors are pulling the trigger. Once you figure it out, then you can decide on how much trouble it will be to eliminate them.

Hormones

Often it isn t until young girls begin menstruation that migraines begin. One possible explanation for this is has to do with low levels of estrogen and hormonal fluctuation around the onset of puberty. The good news is that many women report that migraines completely disappear after menopause. Unfortunately, many other women report that their migraines increase in intensity around the same time. Beware of engaging in hormone replacement therapy or taking oral contraceptives as well, as both could possibly increase the frequency of migraines.

Migraine Triggers That Can Be Controlled

Sleeping and waking routines

Either too much sleep or too little sleep can become a trigger for a migraine. It s difficult to control getting more or less, but if you can establish a routine and develop sleeping habits that can be followed religiously every day, then you may be surprised at just how quickly your migraines hit the road.

Food triggers

Various studies have pointed the finger at food as being the primary culprit when it comes to triggering migraines. Indeed, some studies have concluded that up to 25% of migraines may be caused by dietary factors. Many foods, food additives and other food-related constituents contain chemicals that affect blood pressure and it is this effect on the constriction of cranial vessels that triggers the migraines.

Among those chemicals that are found in food that have been linked to migraine development:

Tryamine - found in some cheeses, red wine, pickled fish, and certain types of

processed meat.

Phenyl ethylamine

Sodium

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Histam 5

Among the foods that have been identified by the National Headache Foundation as playing a role in migraine development are:

Chocolate, cocoa and carob

Nuts (including peanut butter even though peanuts are not a nut, but a legume)

Citrus fruits, bananas, figs, red plums, and raisins

Beans

Bananas

Pickles, marinated food.

Dairy products

Aspartame (NutraSweet)

Overripe fruits

Fermented products: soy sauce / breads with high yeast content.

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Thoracic back pain is often referred to as middle back pain as it is experienced in the middle area of the back below the shoulder blades. The thoracic region consists of the 12 vertebra behind the chest. As with all vertebra, the thoracic vertebra are separated by discs of cartilage - if one of these discs slip it may press on the spinal cord or a nerve causing either extreme pain or loss of sensation.

There may be a number of causes of thoracic back pain, including: congenital disease; injury; aging, fusion of the thoracic vertebra; bad posture; tumor of the spine; osteoporosis or rheumatism; or a totally unrelated illness.

Nerve disorders, like multiple sclerosis, stroke, poliomyelitis and meningitis, have also been known to cause severe thoracic back pain.

But it doesn’t have to be a life-threatening disorder that causes thoracic back pain. I found that sleeping on the hard ground during a camping trip gave me severe middle back pain - but I only started experiencing it after I had returned home three days later.

Considering there are so many possible causes, if thoracic back pain lasts for longer than a few weeks, you should visit your doctor. Often thoracic back pain is treated non-specifically, i.e., symptoms are treated rather than the cause.

On the whole, unless back pain - whether thoracic back pain or any other backache - is not found to have a cause, treatment may be a matter of testing various back pain treatments until you find something that relieves the backache.

Medical practitioners who may help you include: a general practitioner, osteopath, orthopedic surgeon, chiropractor, spinologist or rheumatologist.

It is inadvisable to consider surgery unless the cause of the thoracic pain is known and there is no alternative treatment. The importance of following a good diet, taking gentle exercise and considering natural treatments like heat treatments, massage and yoga, cannot be overemphasized.

Posture is to backs what a toothbrush and paste are to teeth and a healthy diet should always include a multi-vitamin with zinc and iron.

Interestingly, zinc is essential to about 80 body processes, including enzyme production and is recommended for depression, another unfortunate side-effect of chronic thoracic back pain.

Do speak to your doctor before trying complementary therapy. While pyramid power has been advanced as the cure-all for everything including backache, I personally don’t hold much truck with it. However, the efficacy of acupuncture, reflexology, osteopathy and yoga to alleviate thoracic back pain is sworn by many loyal followers of natural treatments.

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Eat whatever they feel like eating whenever they feel like eating. Foods are a primary trigger for migraine headaches. Some studies claim that the overwhelming majority of migraines are triggered by food and food additives. Foods to definitely beware of include aged cheeses, chocolate, lunchmeats and hot dogs that contain the food additive nitrate, as well as foods high in monosodium glutamate.

Consume caffeine excessively. Caffeine can be a major trigger of migraines and even worse is caffeine withdrawal. If you are going ingesting a large amount of caffeine, make sure you have access to it when the withdrawal begins.

Delete the Weather Channel from your TV. Fluctuations in barometric pressure, extreme changes in heat and cold and other weather changes can affect your migraines. Be aware of any changes in the weather and especially any changes in weather conditions when traveling.

Take up smoking. Smoke, whether directly ingested or secondhand, is a top thing to avoid of you are a migraine sufferer.

Engage in visual overstimulation. Visual stimulation, especially sudden contrasts between light and dark, can trigger headaches. Take notice of the conditions in which you watch television or work at the computer or play video games. When doing any of these things, it s also a good idea to take a break if you can.

Take a high stress job. Stress levels contribute mightily to migraines and if you can avoid the stress in any situation, it s a good idea to do so.

Use more than the recommended dose of painkillers. If the recommend dose isn t doing the trick, find another method of treatment, don t increase it. Using more than the recommended dose of not just prescription medicine, but over the counter remedies can result in what is known as a rebound headache. All too often the more medication one takes to combat the migraine, the more frequently the headache will recur. Instead of taking more of the same medicine, switch to a different brand or try an alternative treatment.

Ignore the benefits of supplement therapy. Many vitamin supplements and herbal remedies have proven quite effective. Don t think of them as suspect, new-age, voodoo treatments and investigate them fully to see if it s for you.

When you feel a migraine coming, get into your car and go to the mall. The best place for you when a migraine occurs is in a dark, quiet place with as much isolation as possible. Lay down, relax and try to focus on your breathing.

Ignore your temperature. Body temperature often fluctuates during migraines and resetting it can be a pathway to relief. If you are hot, put a cold, damp washcloth over your forehead. If you feel cold, put a warm washcloth over your forehead.

Keep a hectic, irregular schedule. A schedule based on routine to the point of getting in a rut may be boring, but it helps with migraines. Try to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. Try to keep the same schedule before bedtime when you can. Regular sleep patterns have been found to be very beneficial in combating migraines.

Disregard all opportunities for exercise. Exercise can help with migraines. Aside from the other benefits of exercising regularly, it has been established beyond a doubt that physical fitness in general helps stave off migraines and the physical act of exercising itself can bring instant relief to a headache.

Keep your doctor in the dark. If you have been having migraines more than a few times a year, you need to let your doctor know. It may not seem like any big deal, but a few times a year this year could translate into a few times a month next year. The sooner you begin battling migraines, the sooner you will no longer have to deal with them.

Don t worry about your migraine medication if you re trying to get pregnant. Women who are attempting to have a baby should consult with their doctor well beforehand to make sure the medications or other treatments they are taking won t interfere with their baby s health.

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Abdominal Migraine Occurs most typically in children with a family history of migraine. Usually these children grow up to become typical migraine sufferers in adulthood. The attacks are characterized by periodic bouts of abdominal pain lasting for about two hours. Along with the abdominal pain they may have other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, flushing or pallor.

Nocturnal Migraine Attacks usually occur during the early morning hours, most commonly around 4:00 A.M., often the cause of the patient waking up. Studies indicate a possible link to changes in adrenaline levels. An alteration in the sleeping pattern can also provoke an attacks.

Cyclic Migraine Syndrome Patients with cyclic migraine usually experience ten or more attacks per month. They differ from the similar cluster headache because they last longer aren t associated with the typical cluster symptoms. Patients do have typical migraine symptoms during these headaches. Lithium carbonate has proven helpful in some cases. Thyroid function and the level of medication should be closely monitored with this type of headache.

Complicated Migraine

A migraine aura normally lasts from 20 minutes to an hour, however some sufferers have been known to experience aura symptoms lasting for two days. The aura also typically ends before the headache itself begins. When migraine aura symptoms are prolonged it is referred to as a complicated migraines. There are several forms of these complicated migraine attacks. There is ophthalmoplegic migraine where patients develop a partial or complete paralysis of the nerves that are needed for eye movement. There is retinal migraine where the patient’s visual symptoms occur from the retina itself versus the portion of the brain involved in vision, as is the case for the typical migraine aura. There is hemiplegic migraine, which can be inherited and has been linked to one of several chromosomes. Patients develop stroke-like symptoms with sensory and/or loss of strength of muscles. There is basilar migraine. Here patients start with a typical migraine aura then progress to developing neurological symptoms related to the bases of the brain called the brainstem. Unlike typical migraine attacks where numbness can occur on one side of the body in this form both sides are affected. The headaches in basilar migraine are often at the back of the head and may result in very severe vomiting.

Basilar Migraine When migraine affects the circulation in back of the brain or neck, it can cause basilar migraine. Occurs most frequently in young women. Symptoms include dizziness, double vision, vertigo, slurred speech, fainting. Some patient have been known to lose consciousness. Status MigraineA migraine that last longer than 72 hours. Repeated doses of dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) administered intravenously is one of several medicines that may help to resolve prolonged migraine attacks

Hemiplegic Migraine Very rare and very severe. The sufferer may experience temporary motor paralysis and sensory disturbances on one side of the body preceding the actual headache, often accompanied by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation. The neurological symptoms subside along with the head pain. There is typically a family history associated with this particular type of headache.

Ocular Migraine Also referred to as migraine aura without headache or retinal migraine. Symptoms include repeated attacks of one-sided blind spots or blindness lasting less than an hour and associated with a headache. It is important to rule out eye disease or a disorder of the blood vessels leading to the eye as possible causes.

Ophthalmoplegic Migraine Very rare and unusual. The pain usually surrounds the eyeball and lasts from a few days to a few months, caused by weakness of the muscles surrounding the eye. It is important to confirm the diagnosis of ophthalmoplegic migraine as similar symptoms can be caused by pressure on the nerves behind the eye.

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Generally by the late teens, the jawbone has grown to its approximate adult size. For most people, this size is too small to hold the developing wisdom teeth. An interesting note is that our jaws are smaller than those of our earliest ancestors. The reason is that the early humans needed larger jaws and extra teeth in order to chew their diet.

If there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth in the back of the mouth, they may become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth will definitely cause pain in the jawbone as time goes on. Impacted teeth may also be partially trapped in the jawbone and gums causing wisdom teeth pain.

Impacted wisdom teeth can grow in a number of directions causing a great deal of pressure and pain in the jawbone. Wisdom teeth can grow away from other teeth, toward other teeth, or even in a vertical or horizontal direction. If this type of growth occurs, the best decision is to have the wisdom teeth removed early to lessen the pain process.

Fortunately not everyone experiences wisdom teeth pain or complications. For many, their jaws are large enough to hold the added teeth and the wisdom teeth grow in correctly.

Other complications caused by wisdom teeth growing in can be gum disease, crowding, and cysts. For most people experiencing wisdom tooth pain, there will be swelling and discomfort.

See a dental professional for a thorough examination of your wisdom teeth and gums if you are experiencing pain or discomfort. The dentist will be able to remove the wisdom teeth and thereby remove the wisdom teeth pain. Surgery to remove the wisdom teeth can be done either in the dentists office or at an oral surgeons office.

The healing process will begin immediately after the removal of the painful wisdom teeth. The mouth will heal faster if you follow your doctors instructions carefully and completely. It is important to call your doctor if you begin to experience excessive bleeding, swelling, severe pain, fever, or any reaction to your medications.

Normally, your doctor will require a follow up exam to make sure the socket is healing correctly.

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All contemporary knowledge about migraines points to chemical reactions in the brain causing blood vessels to constrict and then expand creating a sudden blood flow as the process which creates the headaches associated with migraines. Therefore the key to avoiding migraines is limiting exposure to triggers. An enormous list of triggers has been accumulated through research into migraines. Among the most common triggers to be aware of: Stress, aroma, menstruation, sleep pattern disturbances, climate change, and diet. It s very important know triggers your migraine so you can determine whether to avoid it or not. The Conventional Wisdom: You can kiss your migraines goodbye after menopause.

The onset of migraines has been linked the start of menstruation and sixty percent of women will suffer a worsening of their coincident with their monthly periods. The link between menopause and migraines has to do with the cycling of estrogen levels; controlling estrogen levels is the best way to improve headaches in women. Menopause does create changes in migraines, but it can hardly be concluded that they put a stop to them. Two-thirds of women with migraine will experience an improve in their migraines after natural menopause. On the other hand, only one-third can expect an improvement hysterectomy or surgical menopause, and two-thirds will actually experience a worsening.

The Conventional Wisdom: Quit smoking and your troubles evaporate like smoke itself.

Nicotine modifies the quantity of pain-signaling chemicals in the nervous system. These are chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, norephinephrine, and dopamine. Smokers generally are at a greater risk for headaches and this risk is related to the amount of nicotine consumed. The more nicotine a smoker takes into his system, the greater his frequency of headaches and the more severe those headaches will be. Quitting smoking helps one’s overall health, with the added benefit of reducing headaches.

The Conventional Wisdom: You are what you eat, at least as far as migraines are concerned.

Restrictive diets are a common prescription for those suffering headaches. There are so many different foods associated with triggering migraines that each diet must be individualized. Generally speaking, however, these diets will likely include avoiding foods that contain tyramine (aged cheeses, alcohol, sour cream), phenylethylamine (chocolate), nitrates (hot dogs), and dopamine (broad beanpods). Studies evaluating single foods are mixed at best. For instance, there have been several studies into the effect of aspartame (Nutrasweet) on headaches with no conclusive evidence for either side of the issues.

Chocolate is another commonly reported headache trigger food. Several studies have been done on this link. One study tested over sixty females who were chronic migraine sufferers. The testing used chocolate bars and chocolate-flavored carob bars for control. To ensure there were no psychological effects from women who believed that chocolate caused headaches, the samples were even flavored with mint. The result showed that even those women who did believe that there is a connection between chocolate and migraines did not experience when they didn’t know if they were eating chocolate or carob. Cheating on the diet and eating other restricted foods like peanut butter, colas, or pizza along with chocolate did not result in increased headache activity either. Most studies have concluded that foods can trigger headaches, but there is a growing resistance to this idea. One reason for the misconception, these studies conclude, is that mood and behavior changes that preface a migraine attack often include food cravings, thereby creating a false association between eating the food and getting a headache. According to these scientists, it s not the food that triggers the headache. Instead, the food craving is merely a sign that the headache process has begun. In addition, sweet craving typically occurs in response to stress, fasting, and menstruation. Again, the true trigger may be the stress, fasting or hormonal changes, with chocolate (or other craved foods) a reaction to the trigger rather than acting as a trigger itself. If you believe foods may trigger your headache, expect to get a headache within 12 hours of eating the food item. Elimination of certain individual foods may be helpful for a minority of headache sufferers, but restricting a wide variety of foods on a long-term basis often merely increases your stress and can lead to a headache.

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National Headache Foundation, 428 West St. James Place, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60614-2750. Call (888-NHF-5552) or (312-388-6399). (http://www.headaches.org)American Headache Society (http://www.ahsnet.org/) and affiliated organization American Council for Headache Education (http://www.achenet.org/)19 Mantua Road, Mt. Royal, NJ 08061. Call (856-423-0043)AHS Publishes the journal Headache (http://ahsnet.org/journal/)MAGNUM (Migraine Awareness Group: A National Understanding for Migraineurs), 113 South Saint Asaph Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314. Call (703-739-9384) or (http://www.migraines.org)American Academy of Neurology, 1080 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116. Call (651-695-1940) or (http://www.aan.com/)Web site offers good information and provides names of neurologists for specific locations.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Building 31, Room 8A18, 31 Center Drive, 2540, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-2540. Call (301-496-5751) or (800-352-9424) or (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)American Medical Association information site for migraine (http://www.ama-assn.org/special/migraine/)Upstate Medical University (State University of New York) has an excellent migraine Website, designed for doctors, but accessible to the patient, as well. (http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpmirx.htm)

Migraine-Lane - supporting women who have migraines - A place for female migraine sufferers to find an outlet for frustrations, set-backs, and joys. Share what helps your migraines. Migraine-Lane embraces traditional and natural, holistic approaches to healing.

Migraines2Many - This is a group for people who suffer from migraines and their friends and family who feel the after-effects. This is an open forum to discuss your pain, problems, questions, treatment, and to just plain vent when you need to.

The Neurology Webforums at Massachusetts General Hospital - Active discussion board for headache sufferers. Exchange ideas, experiences, comments, questions, and answers with others who have severe headaches.

Trix’s Migraine Page - Online community and resource center run by and for migraine sufferers to cry, vent, laugh and share stories of success and failure. It includes a special place for partners of sufferers.

Yahoo MigraineHelp Support Group - This group is a place for migrainuers and their loved ones to know that they are not alone. Moderator Teri Roberts is an expert in the field of migraine and also a sufferer herself.

Clinical Research Uncovers Missing Links in Resolving Migraine Headaches and Chronic Pain - Article proposes that by merging craniosacral concepts of chiropractic with functional dental orthopedics, a more comprehensive system emerges which has the ability to orchestrate structural balance of the entire human frame.

Efficacy of Zomig (Zolmitriptan) Unaffected by Migraine’s Relationship to Menses - Doctor’s Guide article discusses a new study that shows Zomig (zolmitriptan), a product of AstraZeneca , is effective in treating migraine regardless of its relationship to menses.

FDA Approves Investigational New Drug: Application for Cannabis In Migraine Treatment - Press release on FDA approval for Ethan Russo, MD, a neurologist in Missoula, Montana, to study the effects of smoked cannabis (marijuana) as compared to oral dronabinol (Marinol) and injected sumatriptan (Imitrex) in the acute treatment of migraine.

IHS: Aspirin-Acetaminophen-Caffeine Combo More Effective Than Ibuprofen In Acute Migraine Treatment - Short article summarizing findings presented in July 2001 at the 10th Congress of the International Headache Society.

Migraine Headache Prevention — Loma Linda University - Information on a migraine headache study compiled at Loma Linda University, California that found a strong link between migraine headaches and high fat consumption.

Photic Stimulation for Migraine Headache - The complete text and graphics of an article originally published in Headache in 1989.

American Council for Headache Education19 Mantua RoadMt. Royal, NJ 08061(856) 423-0258www.achenet.org

National Headache Foundation428 West St. James PlaceSecond Floor, Chicago IL 60614-2750(888) NHF-5552www.headaches.org

JAMA Migraine Information Centerwww.ama-assn.org/special/migraine/migraine.htm

The National Migraine Association

113 South Saint Asaph Street, Suite 100Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 739-9384www.migraines.org

World Headache Alliancewww.w-h-a.org/world.asp

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Unfortunately, many of the books available on migraines were not written by anyone with any particular knowledge or qualifications. Many books on the subject contain bogus information or are really nothing more than advertising ploys bent on selling you even more bogus treatments.

It would be impossible to read them all, but we ve done some research for you and have managed to weed out the completely useless from the least slightly useful.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines: The Breakthrough Program That Can Help End Your Pain by Alexander Mauskop.

Offers a natural therapy program that combines over-the-counter supplements (magnesium, vitamin B2, feverfew) with stress-reducing tips, exercise tips and a plan to avoid environmental triggers.

Breaking the Headache Cycle : A Proven Program for Treating and Preventing Recurring Headaches by Ian Livingstone and Donna Novak.

The authors take as their central position that theory that migraines are related to an unusually sensitive nervous system. The authors are convinced that medication alone won t cure migraines, but should be used as just one aspect of an overall containment program that includes breathing exercises, diet changes, and even taking part in support groups. In addition, the book promises to educate the reader on how to spot migraines before they hit and ward them off and even ways to keep migraines from forming.

All In My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache by Paula Kamen.

A first person account of the migraine-suffering author s attempts to find relief for his headaches through such alternative approaches as cranial-sacral adjustments, acupuncture, gluten-free diets, yoga and, yes, even magnets. What really makes this book interesting is Kamen s take on the medical establishment treats patients suffering from so-called invisible ailments and chronic pain by turning their problems into psychological disorders.

The Women s Migraine Survival Guide: The Most Complete, Up To Date Resource on the Causes of Your Migraine Pain and Treatments for Real Relief by Christina Peterson.

Offering advice especially geared toward women, especially information on why women are more affected than men, how menstruation, pregnancy and menopause related to migraines, advice on alternative treatments including vitamin supplements, acupuncture, and herbs.

The Headache Prevention Cookbook: Eating Right to Prevent Migraines and Other Headaches by David & Laura Marks

The idea here is that if you follow the authors diet and recipes for a minimum of eight weeks then you can narrow down the foods that trigger your migraines by the gradual reintroduction of foods at a rate of one per week so that it s easier to track which one is the culprit. Once the culprit is exposed, you can attain a future free of headaches by simply avoiding the trigger food.

Conquering Your Migraine : The Essential Guide to Understanding and Treating Migraines for all Sufferers and Their Families by Seymour Diamond and Mary Franklin.

Advice on identifying migraine danger signs, treating migraine when you suffer from depression, identifying possible 21st century miracle drugs, tips on relaxation therapy, biofeedback and other alternative preventative therapies.

In addition to the books described above, a wealth of helpful information on a wide variety of topics related migraine headaches can also be found in the following books. And it seems as if a new book about migraines comes out every week so keep an eye on your bookstore shelves.

Overcoming Migraine: A Comprehensive Guide to Treatment and Prevention by a Survivor by Betsy Wyckoff.

50 Ways to Control Migraines: Proven Relief for Adults, Adolescents, and Child Migraine Sufferers by Ceabert Griffith.

Migraine Headache Prevention and Management edited by Seymour Diamond.

Everything You Need to Know Migraines and Other Headaches by Barbara Moe.

Dietary Triggers for Migraine by Agnes Hartnell and G. Scott Tyler.

Migraine, What Works: A Complete Guide to Overcoming and Preventing Pain by Joseph Kandel and David Sudderth.

Managing Your Migraine: A Migraine Sufferer s Practical Guide by Susan L. Burks.

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Sinus headaches

Sinus headaches usually result from a sinus infection or allergies, or else follow hard upon the heels of a cold or the flu. The cause of sinus headaches are an inflammation of the sinus passages, which are the air cavities located behind and above your nose. The increased pressure that results from the closing of infection of the sinuses is what causes the headache. The pain is involved with a sinus headache can be quite severe and last for an extended period of time. They tend to begin in the morning after waking.

The usual treatment for sinus headaches is antibiotics but physicians are beginning to question the validity of this approach because of the building up of resistance to the drug when it taken repeatedly. Common sinus headache symptoms include pain and pressure around the eyes, an ache in the upper teeth, fever or chills and swelling about the face.

Heat and ice can be used to relieve the facial pain of sinus headaches with many doctors recommending hot compresses, hot drinks such as tea or broth, and even a steamy shower. A cool-mist humidifier can also be of tremendous help in keeping your sinuses moist.

Migraine headaches

So how do migraines differ from sinus headaches, then, and how do you determine which one you ve got. To begin with, there isn t just one migraine headache, but two. Migraines with aura and migraines without aura. Common migraine symptoms include pain that is prefaced by visual disturbances, a throbbing on just one side of the head that ranges from mild to extreme, nausea, vomiting, an increased sensitivity to both light and noise.

Migraines require a trigger to get your head to hurting. These triggers are wide in scope and can very significantly from person to person. Most migraines seem to be triggered by food. The most common food triggers seem to be wine, chocolate, aged cheese, processed meats, Chinese food and caffeine. Other triggers include flashing lights, loud noises, menstruation, intense exercise, weather changes, exposure to smoke or perfumes, lack of sleep, stress, or sex In addition, some medications such as birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy have been proven migraine triggers.

So what s the big deal with misdiagnosing a migraine headache as a sinus headache? Well, for one thing all that money you re shelling out on medicine specifically marketed it not actually designed to treat sinus headaches will do you no good whatever if you are suffering migraines. In addition, if you are under the delusion that you are experiencing sinus headaches you may be unduly extending the life of your migraines by continuing to eat food triggers, or continuing to experience environmental triggers that you could and should otherwise avoid.

Basically, treating a migraine headache as it were a sinus headache is really no different from treating a toothache as it were a sinus headache. The problems are completely different, regardless of how similar they may seem and how much they may have in common physiologically. A sinus headache is a headache; a migraine is a disease that has as one its symptoms excruciating head pain. Do yourself a favor. If you are absolutely convinced you are suffering sinus headaches, go see a doctor who knows the difference.

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Sexually triggered headaches have been reported by people engaging in all kinds of sex acts, from masturbation to intercourse, with or without orgasm. Some headaches even seem to have been caused more by the position people got themselves into than the actual sex act in which they were engaging. Although they do occur, sexually triggered headaches appear to be rather rare, affecting roughly one out of every 350 headaches or so. Even so, the problem is widespread and has a major lifestyle effect on those who get them.

When sexual activity causes migraine attacks its called coital cephalgia, exertional headache, or effort Migraine. As the names suggest, these headaches may be merely exertional headaches brought about by sex or any other strenuous activities. They may or may not be linked to orgasm or sexual arousal. Coital headaches are far more common among males than females and often last a day or more. Headaches or Migraine attacks induced by sexual activity may strike prior to, at the time of, or following orgasm.

Headaches instigated by sexual activity have been divided into three patterns. Sudden onset applies to almost three-quarters of them, beginning either right before, during, or immediately after orgasm. This head is normally quite severe and can either build slowly or suddenly explode inside your head. The subacute pattern applies to only one-quarter of instances and begins before orgasm with intensity building until orgasm. The pain associated with this type is a dull ache. It is occasionally accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The least common pattern is the postdural headache in which the pain is located the lower back of the head and increases upon standing erect. It is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

If coital headaches become chronic it s advised that you take migraine medication. Be sure to check with a physician if you experience an explosive headache brought on by exertion. It may be more than a headache and could lead to an aneurysm.

However, all is not bad news when it comes to sex and migraines. Sexual activity can actually be used as treatment for migraines. A study conducted at the Headache Clinic of Southern Illinois University found that some women actually were able to relieve their migraine headache pain through achieving orgasm. While the level of the relief varied, those who obtained complete relief represented the highest percentage. In comparison to medications, orgasm as a method of relieving migraine is less effective, but provides relief much quicker when it does so. This particular study did not involve men, but there exists plenty of other evidence suggesting that sex may work to relieve migraines in males as well.

Other studies have found that sexual activity and orgasm triggers an endorphin rush in the brain. This chemical reaction works as sort of a natural analgesic to block pain. In regard to how sex works in conjunction with migraines, serotonin is released during orgasm, causing a constriction of the dilated blood vessels in the brain that were causing the migraine. The increased endorphin usually last anywhere from one to three hours.

Ultimately, then, the question of whether sex is good or bad for headaches is left unanswered. For some people sexual activity must be considered a trigger, while for others a method of treatment. Once again when it comes to migraines, there is no concrete answer and it seems as though more questions are raised than answered. The key is to explore both sides of the issue and not be inhibited by embarrassment. If sex does seem to cause your headaches, be honest with your partner and your doctor. On the other hand, don t be afraid to try out sex as pathway toward relief. Even if it doesn t work, it s worth the old college try.

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With modern understanding of how pain works and affects us, severe lower back pain where there seems to be no obvious cause of the pain is increasingly being treated as a disorder in itself. This is especially true in cases of chronic back pain.

It has been shown that people can undergo surgery under hypnosis, without experiencing the pain they would most certainly have experienced without hypnosis. Amputees experience pain in limbs that aren’t there. Shark bite victims talk about feeling no pain at the moment of being attacked.

Everyone experiences pain differently. Two people with the same injury may express pain differently depending on their attitude towards pain and showing emotion, their emotional state and the circumstances when the pain started.

Simply put, a soldier will physically experience as well as express the pain of a pin prick very differently to the way pain is expressed and felt by a small child.

On the opposite extreme, a so-called sexually frigid person may feel no physical sexual stimulation from sensations most non-frigid people would be unable to not respond to.

This seems to indicate that pain is something more than measurable physical damage and needs to be treated as such. It’s also why natural treatments like acupuncture and mental suggestion like hypnosis seem to have such a positive, even profound, effect on sufferers of severe lower back pain.

Acupuncture - the insertion of needles in certain energy areas of the body - can create an altered perception of pain. Studies have shown that often pain relief is a case of mentally coming to terms with pain as a bodily sensation that can be controlled by the mind. Pain is sometimes caused by fear. Hypnosis is often used to cure fears - like fear of flying or fear of dentistry. Acupuncture and hypnosis are essentially treatments that use the mind to take back control of physical sensation.

It is no surprise in light of the above that one of the most debilitating side-effects of severe lower back pain is depression and sleeping problems and that the healthier a person is - both emotionally and physically - the better they are able to cope with severe lower back pain.

Having said that, sufferers of severe lower back pain include healthy, active, happy and youthful sports people, film stars, doctors, lawyers and psychologists. Coming to terms with back pain may, ironically, be the best way to cure it.

Technorati Tags: pain, migraine, chronic pain

Not long ago it emerged in newspaper reports that German literary genius Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, famed not only for his writing but admired for his upright posture, suffered from a degenerative disease that leads to deformation of the spine. Apparently he suffered for more than 40 years with severe back pain.

Charles Darwin is said to have suffered from lumbago, severe back pain in the lower part of the back.

Howard Hughes, the American billionaire famous more for his eccentricities than his money, was another well-known character who lived, or tried to live, with severe back pain. He is said to have taken large does of morphine for the pain creating secondary medical problems, including constipation, and probably responsible for many of the rumors of his apparently bizarre lifestyle. His back pain started after he was involved in a plane crash.

Poet John Keats was known to have a C-shaped spine. He stooped and suffered much of his life with severe back pain.

Do you suffer in silence or try every advertised so-called cure or therapy for your severe back pain? As individuals we all experience, and deal with, pain differently. That is why it is important to consult an expert for the best treatment for your pain.

Severe back pain cannot be cured overnight. It can however be eased with pain killers - the most commonly used include Naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors, both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - and sensible back health like gentle exercise, massage, therapy, warmth and good posture habits.

After the common cold, back pain is the most common cause of work absenteeism. Unfortunately, how we work, stress at work and the kind of posture we adopt while performing our jobs, e.g., sitting at a desk all day or manual labor, are all contributing factors to the state of our back health. It is only recently people have recognized the importance of learning good posture from an early age for health and not just aesthetic reasons.

Severe back pain is a common cause, as well as common symptom, of depression. It’s a vicious circle of deteriorating health. The “snap out of it” approach has never worked with depression and neither does it work with severe back pain.

With more and more people suffering from this debilitating disorder, it is essential that anyone with severe back pain consult an expert to treat the problem before the pain starts to affect their emotional and not just their physical life.

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Pain is a warning signal; without this warning signal, we’d damage our bodies by overexertion and ignore diseases and disorders that could have been cured if we’d heeded the warning.

Pain varies from mild to severe and differs for different people. Pain one person might ignore, another may take pain killers to avoid. Consider women who opt for natural child birth without the benefit of conventional pain relief. Think about how young boys are brought up to ignore a grazed knee - “big boys don’t cry”.

Anyone ever say to you: ‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t step on your toe hard. It can’t possibly hurt’? The measurement of pain is a personal measurement; there’s no ruler or measuring jug that measures how much pain you feel.

Pain is never a product of the imagination, but it can be influenced by emotion. If you feel it, it’s there. Amputees often feel pain or sensation in a limb that doesn’t exist, but that doesn’t make their pain any less ‘real’ - pain messages are still being sent to the brain, and the pain still needs to be managed.

Pain can be worse if not anticipated, or if someone is not in a good frame of mind or is physically run down and less able to cope with physical pain. Chronic pain may result in an anticipation of pain that can set off an emotional response akin to fear and horror.

This is why unconventional methods to relieve back pain can be very effective. Natural pain relief teaches patients to relieve back pain by managing it through visualization techniques, disassociation techniques, massage, hypnosis, relaxation, acupuncture, exercise and homeopathic remedies.

Distraction and visualization techniques, for instance, focus on pleasant thoughts or pictures that soothe, relax and distract.

The power of emotional support can also not be underestimated. Sometimes patients looking to relieve back pain that doesn’t appear to have an obvious cause are labeled hypochondriacs. This may lead to depression; ironically a contributing cause to many cases of severe back pain.

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There are three major types of relaxation techniques:

Autogenic training. Utilizes visual imaging and bodily awareness to advance the patient into a state of deep relaxation. The patient imagines a tranquil location, then begins focusing physical sensations that gradually move upward from the feet toward the head.

Progressive muscle relaxation. Involves the slow tensing up and then releasing of each muscle group individually, beginning with the muscles in the toes and finishing with the head.

Meditation. Uses either Transcendental Meditation involving the repetition of a mantra, mindfulness meditation in which patients focus their attention on their momentary thoughts and sensations.

Research has shown that in many cases meditation improves one s quality of life, while reducing stress. Studies also reveal that relaxation techniques assist in the reduction of the perception of pain. One study using patients undergoing colorectal surgery concluded that patients who listened to guided-imagery tapes before, during, and after the operation had less pain and needed fewer pain medications than those who did not. Meditation is also used extensively in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, relaxation techniques have been found useful in strengthening coping skills in migraine sufferers.

Fortunately, relaxation techniques can be done just about anywhere at any time. These techniques include:

Deep breathing

Active relaxation

Stretching exercises

Visualization

Passive relaxation

Deep breathing: Simply breathe in deeply through the nose, letting your stomach expand as much as possible. It may be helpful to place your hands firmly & comfortably on your stomach during the exercise. Once you ve breathed in as much as possible, hold your breath for a few seconds & then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this for 3 or 4 breaths several times a day.

Active relaxation: First tense, then relax each muscle in the body. Start with the muscles in the head & move down to the muscles in the feet.

Stretching exercises simple and easy and can be literally anywhere. It s a wonderful way to loosen up tight muscles and combat stress. Muscle tension is an automatic physical response to stress and the benefit of simple stretching exercises is often overlooked as a relaxation technique.

Another relaxation technique that can help to reduce stress is clearing the mind or visualization. Visualization is a type of directed meditation that involves using the mind s eye to clear away mental clutter or to actually visualize how a stressful situation can be handled successfully. Picturing the stressful situation in your mind such as a business presentation or an athletic performance & then visually rehearsing the outcome does this. Visualization techniques also may be used to imagine a peaceful scene such as ocean waves lapping on the beach to create relaxation.

Meditation & self-hypnosis are passive relaxation techniques that can be used to create relaxation. Four elements are used in meditation: a quiet environment, a point of focus like a neutral word that can help with concentration, a passive, accepting attitude & a comfortable position.

Meditation once or twice a day for 10-20 minutes each time can bring rapid relief from chronic stress & also increase a person s ability to tolerate stress.

Learning ways to help yourself relax can have many benefits, perhaps the most important of which is developing a feeling of confidence about facing the everyday challenges of life, including helping to:

Reduce unhealthy stress & anxiety

Increase resistance to illness & disease

Lower blood pressure

Reduce the heart rate

Relieve muscle tension

Cope with medical problems, such as chronic pain or diabetes

Prevent, manage & cope with migraine headaches

Cope with extremely stressful or painful situations, such as childbirth.

Relaxation techniques are also considered very safe with delightful lack of side effects, although there have been very rare and unusual cases where people have actually raised their levels of anxiety rather than lowered them after using the techniques because of a heightened awareness of body sensations. Even more rare are the reports of pain, heart palpitations, muscle twitching, and crying spells.

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Migraine medications work to raise serotonin levels to ease pain, but when too much medication is ingested something happens to the serotonin levels which causes the chemical to lose its effectiveness. Research shows that serotonin levels are lower when you take too much pain medication and then rise slightly after the headaches get better and you stop taking the medication.

Either over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs can lead to rebound headaches if taken too often or in greater amounts than recommended. In addition to sedatives and tranquilizers, other rebound-causing medications include:

Caffeine-containing analgesics (Excedrin, Anacin, etc.) Caffeine is a primary ingredient in many headache medicines. Although caffeine-based medication can relieve migraine pain when temporarily, taking medicine containing caffeine every day as well as drinking caffeine-loaded beverages such as coffee or soft drinks can lead to more frequent and severe headaches. If the headache worsens whenever you stop having caffeine, the caffeine may be causing some of your headaches.

Butalbital compounds (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Phrenilin, etc.) Isometheptene compounds (Midrin, Duradrin, etc.) Decongestants (Sudafed, Tylenol Sinus, Dristan, Afrin, etc.) Ergotamines (Ergomar, Wigraine, Migranal and D.H.E. 45) Triptans (Imitrex, Amerge, Zomig, Maxalt and Axert) Opioids and related drugs (Tylenol with codeine, Percocet, Darvocet, OxyContin, etc.) Medications that include any form of codeine, such as Tylenol 3, Vicodin and Percocet, must be used with care because they can cause dependency quickly.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from rebound headaches:

Your headache occurs daily or almost daily (three or four times a week).

You are considered a sufferer of a primary headache disorder and you use instant prevention medication frequently and in large quantities.

Your headache deviates in strength, form, severity, and location on the head.

Even the slightest physical movement or bare minimum of intellectual expenditure cause the onset of the headache.

You have a lower than normal threshold for pain.

Your headache is accompanied by any of the these symptoms: nausea, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, memory problems, difficulty in intellectual concentration, depression.

You begin to notice evidence of an increasing tolerance to the effectiveness of analgesics over a period of time.

You suffer withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly are taken off the medication.

You notice a spontaneous improvement of headache pain when you discontinue the medications.

Should rebound migraines develop due to the overuse of medication, recovery cannot be accomplished unless the sufferer ceases taking the drugs. On the other hand, should it turn out that caffeine is causing the rebound, you may be able to get away with merely reducing your intake instead of eliminating it altogether. Before deciding on whether you want to stop gradually or abruptly, consider the following:

Most headache drugs can be stopped suddenly, but make sure you consult with a physician before withdrawal. Certain non-headache medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs or beta-blockers, require gradual withdrawal.

If you decide to go the route of gradually laying off standard headache medications, withdrawal should be completed within three days or shorter. Any longer and discouragement and impatience sets in.

Alternative medications may be administered during the first days. Examples of drugs that may be used include dihydroergotamine (with or without metoclopramide), NSAIDs (in mild cases), corticosteroids, or valproate.

Whichever method you decide to take when stopping your medication, expect a period of worsening headache afterward. Most people feel better within two weeks, although headache symptoms can persist for as long as four months and in some rare cases even longer.

If the symptoms do not respond to treatment, or if they cause severe nausea and vomiting, the patient may need to be hospitalized.

The good news is that many patients experience long-term relief from all headaches afterward, and one study even concluded with over 80% of patients significantly improved four months after withdrawal.

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Some of the most common reasons for tooth pain after filling a cavity are:

A. Trauma to the tooth pulp. This cause of tooth pain after
filling a cavity may indicate that the inner tissues of the
tooth were not as healthy as originally thought. If tooth
pain after filling continues, a root canal may be called
for.

B. Improperly shaped fillings may cause continued tooth pain
after filling cavities. Sometimes adjustments will need to
be made to the shape of the filling after swelling of the
surrounding tissue has gone down.

C. The nerve of the filled tooth may be broadcasting pain
signals which are picked up by the nerves of nearby teeth.
This referred pain may be the cause of tooth pain
after filling in teeth that were not originally involved.

What can you do to treat tooth pain after filling?

A. Report the problem to your dentist if the tooth pain
doesn’t subside within two weeks after filling.

B. Over the counter pain killers may provide a small measure
of relief until you can see your dentist again.

C. De-sensitizing toothpastes may bring some relief for
tooth pain after filling cavities until the tooth’s
nerve has had time to recover.

D. Follow through with whatever procedure your dentist
recommends to alleviate tooth pain after filling your
cavity, whether it’s simple re-shaping of the filling
or root canal therapy.

So, while it’s not uncommon to experience tooth pain after filling cavities, it’s also not something to ignore. There may be many underlying causes for your pain, and only your dentist is qualified to diagnose the exact source. Treatment will vary according to the cause, but there is a way to alleviate tooth pain after filling cavities.

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Basilar migraines

The basilar migraine, also known as basilar artery migraine, is very rare, but potentially very dangerous. It was previously thought to occur almost exclusively in teenaged girls and young women, but later was acknowledged to occur in both sexes and all ages. With the possibility of leading to strokes or transient ischemic attack (TIA), symptoms include partial vision loss, double vision, dizziness, vertigo, severe vomiting, slurred speech, loss of coordination, numbness (on one or both sides of the body), weakness, and general confusion. These symptoms generally subside with the onset of the actual headache, though it is also possible that they can last for several days after the pain goes away. .

Ocular migraines

This is a rare type of migraine also known as a retinal migraine noted for repeated vision disturbances that includes loss of vision in just one eye. This loss of vision can be partial or complete and usually lasts less than an hour. Once these visual disturbances go away, you may be left with a dull ache behind the eye that lost vision. In some cases, your entire head may feel pain.

Hemiplegic migraines

Hemiplegic migraines are usually genetic in nature, but they have been known to occur in people with no family history of migraines a all. Symptoms include temporary paralysis, or arm and leg weakness on one side of the body, followed within the hour by the actual headache. Unfortunately, the paralysis or weakness does not necessarily subside when the head pain does. Hemiplegic migraines usually develop during childhood.

Ophthalmoplegic migraines

Ophthalmoplegic migraines cause pain around the eye and paralysis in the muscles that surround the eye. Other symptoms include droopy eyelid, double vision and vision problems. Actually, ophthalmoplegic migraines are considered an inflammation of the nerve, and therefore a type of neuritis, which makes them suspect as even being a true migraine. Usually diagnosed in children, these migraines often last for extended periods of time, sometimes as long as months at a time, therefore a complete physical exam is necessary to eliminate the possibility of the symptoms are caused by something more serious.

Status migrainosus

Status migrainosus is a description of a migraine attack that lasts longer than seventy-two hours and can often lead to more serious problems such as dehydration. The pain and nausea associated with status migrainosus can reach such a high level of intensity that patients often require hospitalization. Certain medications, or even medication withdrawal, often cause this type migraine syndrome. Should you find yourself at this level of migraine suffering, the best step is immediately get to the emergency room where treatment will consist of fluids through an IV and pain medication.

Abdominal migraines

Abdominal migraines are a breed apart from traditional migraines because they also cause pain in the stomach as well as the head, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Quite often abdominal migraines are diagnosed in children who often outgrow the abdominal part, but remain afflicted with traditional headache migraines. Abdominal migraines are often treated with anticonvulsant drugs like propranolol, also known by the brand names Inderal and Deralin.

Women-only migraines

While the majority of migraine sufferers are women, some migraines are specifically associated with the hormonal oscillations only experienced by women. Migraines are commonly linked to menstruation and, in addition, many women only suffer migraines when they are taking an oral contraceptives. Hormone replacement therapy has been linked to migraines in women who are undergoing menopause or are already past menopause. Paradoxically, many older women have hormone replacement therapy related headaches, while other women who suffered through pre-menopausal migraines report their cessation following menopause.

Most of these migraines should be considered very rare and highly unlikely to develop, yet the seriousness of all of them is enough to cause an immediate physician exam should you feel you are indeed suffering from them.

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The pain is felt on just one of the head and is often severe or extreme.

Aura (visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zigzagging lines, numbness, paralysis) experienced twenty to sixty minutes before onset of head pain.

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Sensitivity to light and noise.

Inability to continue with your daily activities.

What foods are known triggers of migraines?

alcohol, especially dark drinks like rum, red wine.

beer, scotch, or bourbon.

dairy products, aged cheeses, etc.

monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in processed meat and Chinese food.

citrus fruits, dried fruits, bananas, and avocados.

aspartame, an artificial sweetener known by its brand name NutraSweet.

tyramine — found in fresh breads

caffeine found in coffee, tea, and sodas.

What are some non-food triggers of migraines?

Stress is a major contributor to migraine headaches.

Hormonal Changes at the time of ovulation or at the start of the menstrual cycle can trigger migraines for many women.

Fatigue, as well as changes in sleep patterns. In addition, either too much sleep or too little sleep can trigger headaches.

Nicotine, whether ingested through cigars, cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

Birth control pills can trigger migraines in some women.

Fasting or missing a meal can trigger a migraine because of low blood sugar.

Changes in the weather or altitude can trigger a migraine headache.

Motion sickness caused by air travel or car trips can trigger a migraine.

When I should think about seeing a doctor about migraine headaches?

If the headache occurs suddenly and can be described as severe.

If the pain is felt on just one side of the head.

If the headache is accompanied by pain in the eye or behind the ear.

If the headache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances including hallucinations, or sensitivity to light and sound.

If the headache has a definite pattern to it; for instance, a pattern in which the time of the day it occurs, the circumstances under which it occurs or the length of time you experience the pain is similar.

Any headache that results in a period of confusion or a loss of consciousness should result in immediate medical attention.

If the headache results in number, paralysis or weakness in the legs and arms.

If the headache becomes persistent, especially if you have not been a headache sufferer up to that point.

If the headache impairs your ability to function in a normal manner at work, home or during social functions.

If the headache bares any similarity to headaches that other members of your family suffer.

What s the first thing I should when a migraine hits?

Turn off the lights, close the shades, draw the curtains and lie down on a comfortable bed.

Apply an ice pack to the area of pain.

Take medicine as directed by your health care provider.

What s the best medication for a migraine?

There are a multitude of drugs on the market with the potential to help in the prevention of migraine headaches. The following list contains those drugs that have been shown to work best.

Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and nadolol (Corgard) have been shown to be relatively safe and effective. Metoprolol (Lopressor) and atenolol (Tenormin) are alternative drugs in the same class.

Anticonvulsants have been used in the treatment of migraines. Valproate (Depakote and other brand names) tops the list in terms of research backing up its effectiveness, but babapentin (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax) are also considered effective.

Tricyclic antidepressants can be quite effective, but come with the price of side effects that include sedation, blurred vision, dry mouth and constipation. The best choice here is typically thought to be amitriptyline (Elavil), though many other sufferers swear by nortriptyline (Norpramin).

Serotonin antagonists such as methysergide (Sansert) have proven a solid treatment for many, but come with potentially serious side effects.

Technorati Tags: pain, chronic pain relief, pain medication

Studies show that stimulating certain subtypes of serotonin receptors constrict blood vessels in the head, thereby eliminating an acute migraine attack. Ergotamine and DHE can also cause nausea and vomiting because they stimulate dopamine receptors. This research has led to the development of the new triton drugs that switch on appropriate serotonin receptors, providing effective migraine relief without many of the side effects of earlier drugs.

Examples of medications currently on the market used to prevent migraines include: propranolol (brand name: Inderal), timolol (brand name: Blocadren), divalproex (brand name: Depakote) and some antidepressants.

Symptomatic relief medications are used, as their description suggests, in the relief of the actual symptoms that are most commonly associated with migraines. These include head pain, nausea and vomiting.

Abortive medications are used at the first sign of a migraine in an attempt to halt the process that causes the headache pain. Abortive medications work by constricting the blood vessels, bringing them back to normal and relieving the throbbing pain.

Preventive (prophylactic) medications are prescribed for severe headaches that occur more than twice a month, and that significantly interfere with daily activities. Preventive medications are intended to reduce both the frequency and the severity of the headache and are usually taken daily. A medicine called ergotamine (Ergostat) has been effective both when used by itself and when used in combination with other medicines. Dihydroergotamine (Migranal, D.H.E. 45) is related to ergotamine and has also found to be effective.

Other prescription medicines for migraines include

sumatriptan (brand name: Imitrex)

zolmitriptan (brand name: Zomig)

naratriptan (brand name: Amerge)

rizatriptan (brand name: Maxalt)

almotriptan (brand name: Axert)

eletriptan (brand name: Relpax)

frovatriptan (brand name: Frova)

If after taking any of these medications you still suffer migraine pain, then an even stronger medicine may be recommended. These ultrastrength migraine medications include a narcotic (brand name: Stadol nasal spray) and medicines that contain a barbiturate. Before moving on to this hard stuff, however, be aware that these medications are often habit-forming and should be used with extreme caution and only as absolutely needed. As with any medication, it is important to carefully follow the label instructions and your physician s advice.

The effectiveness of migraine treatment depends on a variety of factor. It s very important to determine what your migraine trigger is. How successful you are in avoiding your, how proactive your are in administering your treatment, the patient is in using treatments such as relaxation or drugs and how well the patient responds to treatment.

The seven triptans include sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and naratriptan (Amerge). Unlike traditional migraine medications, which help the body tolerate headache pain, triptans help manage the source of migraine pain by reducing “swelling” of the blood vessels in the brain and reducing inflammation, thus helping alleviate migraine pain.

Triptans are not recommended, however, for ocular migraines, because the constricting affect they have on blood vessels could cause problems in the retinal vessels, resulting in vision loss. The best treatment for ocular migraine, says Dr. Mays, is prevention avoiding triggers, minimizing stress, maintaining a consistent schedule and getting enough sleep.

Treating migraines with prescriptive medication can be very effective, but don t count on it. Many do find relief through the newer medications on the market, but there are plenty who suffer through the trial period without any gain in the end. You may have to try out several medications before you come across the one that finally ends your misery.

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