Many of you who read our site don't always feel up to "surfing the Web" because of your headaches or migraines, so in Health Connections, I put together links to content on other About Health sites regarding issues that may be of interest to you.

Looking around About's Health Channel, I found some interesting pieces for you that apply to conditions that often come with headaches and migraines, holiday parties, and resolutions. Ready, set, surf...

• Pain Relief Linked to Expectation of Treatment Efficacy
  from Arthritis Guides Carol & Richard Eustice
  Headaches and migraines often need pain relief...
  Pain relief may be influenced by a patient's mindset or expectation that a treatment will work. According to Science Daily, the Human Pain Research Group at the University of Manchester studied a group of 40 pain-free volunteers...
   
• Can a Simple Blood Pressure Test Diagnose Fibromyalgia?
  from Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Guide Karen Lee Richards
  Many migraineurs also have fibromyalgia...
  When you go to the doctor, do you cringe when the nurse pulls out the cuff to take your blood pressure -- because you know it’s going to be painful? I know I do – and I always feel like a wimp because I can’t even tolerate a simple blood pressure test. One nurse actually called me a wimp, but another more kind-hearted nurse taught me to ask for the large cuff, which does significantly reduce the degree of pain I experience. Apparently, I’m not alone. In a recent study, 69 percent of fibromyalgia patients experienced pain from blood pressure testing...
   
• How to Simplify Your New Year's Eve Party
  from Stress Management Guide Elizabeth Scott
  Simplifying holiday parties can help reduce headaches and migraines...
  Now that the holidays are almost over and we're on the brink of a new year, you may be getting ready to party. I'll have plenty of help for your goals and resolutions in the coming days, but now it's time to focus on enjoying New Year's Eve! If you're going out, you probably already know what your plans will be. But if you're throwing a party at your house, I have some tips that can help you to make the party more simple, less stressful, and therefore more fun...
   
• Make It Your New Year's Resolution To Get Your Cholesterol Checked!
  from Cholesterol Guide Jennifer Moll
  Now that we know that migraine disease increases our risk of heart attack, let's pay special attention to our cholesterol...
  High cholesterol levels are one of the major risk factors that can predispose you to heart disease in the future. Make it your resolution to get your cholesterol checked. It's so easy to do! It only requires a trip to your health care provider and a small amount of blood. It could even save your life!
   
• Ten Steps to a Healthy New Year
  from Nutrition Guide Shereen Jegtvig
  Good nutrition makes our bodies stronger to deal with any condition, including headaches and migraines.
  If you are making your new year's resolutions and need a little help designing a healthy new lifestyle, read my Ten Steps to a Healthy New Year to design a healthy new diet and lifestyle for 2007...
   
• Resolutions for People With Anxiety Disorders
  from Anxiety & Panic Disorders Guide Cathleen Henning Fenton
  Headaches, migraines, and anxiety disorders often occur together...
  What should take priority in the new year if you have an anxiety disorder? Only you may decide for yourself. If you're not where you want to be, use the new year to make changes in how you think about your anxiety treatment. To help you, here are ten suggestions for directions you might take as you heal and recover..
   
• 2007 New Year's Resolutions for Thyroid Patients
  from Thyroid Disease Guide Mary Shomon
  Another health issue that often impacts headaches and migraines is thyroid disease...
  As we wrap up 2006, thoughts naturally turn to resolutions for the new year. Start out by sharing...