Migraines can be a headache
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2003 1:06 PM
 Everyone has had a headache; studies show that some have them as often as 15 times a month.
Most are mild and stress induced, and will cause some inconvenience, but nothing long term or insufferable.
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Surprisingly, 26,000,000 Americans suffer from severe headaches known as migraines, with over 2/3 of them being women.
Some Migraine sufferers could have been having migraines since childhood, starting around the age of 10, though it is not often recognizable in children because they can't communicate what they are feeling as well as adults.
If one parent is prone to migraines, it is 50% more likely their children will also experience them.
Migraine headaches can last anywhere from 4-24 hours, symptoms can include sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, 10 – 20% of sufferers experience an “aura” (a halo of light around people and objects), blind spots, loss of vision, or numbness.
There are effective
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| Migraines can start as early as age ten |
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ways to treat migraines, but there is not a cure. It is difficult to find the proper treatment, as what works for one does not always work for another. Some people may be relieved with basic over-the-counter medications, while others require a much stronger prescription medicine, and still others need only an herbal remedy.
It is easy then to see why it becomes so difficult to find out what works for each sufferer.
Situation may also trigger a headache, such as lights being to bright, loud noises, strong emotions, exhaustion and stress. Keeping a record of when you get a headache can help decipher when and what causes the migraine.
Migraines can be caused by food such as:
- Canned,
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| What works for one does not work for others |
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cured, aged, or pressed lunchmeats.
- Drinks that contain alcohol, especially Red Wine.
- Cheese, sour cream, milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
- Nuts, especially Peanuts or anything containing peanuts.
- MSG (Monosodium glutamate).
- Carob, chocolate and cocoa.
- Caffeinated food and drinks, such as coffee and cola.
- Soy Sauce.
Other things can trigger a migraine headache such as:
- Being tired, depressed, or stressed.
- Dieting or missing meals.
- Altitude and weather changes.
Laying down in a quiet dark room, taking a nap, or putting a cold compress on your forehead, can be affective for soothing migraines.
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| Caffeinated food and drinks can trigger migraines |
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If you experience migraines more then 3 times a month, or they interrupt your daily routine, you may want to consider talking to your doctor.
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