Articles Index
Children With Migraines
Most children will experience at least one headache before the age of 15 so it important for parents to understand how to help children with migraines. About 5% to 10% grade school children will get a migraine and up to 20% of adolescents will experience one. Although the treatment of headaches in children is fairly straightforward, diagnosis isn’t always as simple.
Coping with Migraines
I interviewed one of my patients with migraines and asked her about what she thought was important to share with others who may be suffering similarly. We talked for quite a while about how migraines have impacted her life and what she has done to cope. Having opportunities to share with others can be an important part of learning to deal with a frustrating, but manageable condition.
More Headache Triggers
There are many migraine and headache triggers, and many of them happen to relate to food. You are probably aware of some of these, and you may even know all of them, but be sure to read on and find out if any of these culprits are causing your problems.
Finding a Doctor
Many of us will end up looking for a new doctor more than once in our lifetimes. Others of us will look year after year. If you change employers, or your current employer changes insurance plans, you may need to start asking questions to find the best healthcare provider for your particular needs. You may not know where to start, but learning to “interview” a potential practice is definitely in your best interest. Here are 7 questions to get you started as you look.
Migraine Aura
Many time migraine headaches are preceded by some sort of visual disturbance known as migraine auras. They usually occur anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours before the pain of a migraine starts. These symptoms typically last for anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes. There are times when the aura occurs without actual pain, and in these cases it is known as a migraine equivalent.
Headache Triggers
Headache triggers vary widely, and no one person experiences headaches the same way as another. There are very common triggers, however, and learning to anticipate problems before they start is a great way to prevent headaches.
Famous People With Headaches
Migraine headaches are a pain to famous people and us “regular folks” alike. Celebrity news being as plentiful as it is right now, it’s easy to read reports of current celebrities and their struggles with health issues, headaches included. Looking back through history we see many important historical figures that seem to have been plagued by migraines. In some cases we can also see how migraines may have impacted the way these people saw the world.
Mental Health and Headaches
For years, physicians have suspected that mental health and headaches have a close connection. Current and recent research is beginning to show that many people who suffer from various types of mental illness will also have headaches or migraines. Whatever your specific circumstances, know that mental illness can affect the way you feel pain, especially headaches.
Headache Diary
A headache diary can be a useful tool when trying to achieve the best level of care for your migraines and headaches. Charting the specifics of your headache episodes will help your health care provider determine what type of headache[/link] you are experiencing and how best to treat them. Find a notebook, a calendar, or create a computer file where you can easily keep track of it all and get started today.
Preventing Headaches
One of the most effective treatments for headache is preventing headaches before they start. Headaches can be triggered by a number of things, so understanding how to interrupt the cycle can be a huge benefit, and a wonderful way to improve your quality of life.
Prescription Migraine Treatments
Typically, most migraine sufferers will try an over-the-counter medication first, but often they will end up needing some sort of prescription migraine treatment as well. Many of the abortive treatments available for headaches will treat not only migraines, but other headache types as well. However, there are a number of specific prescription migraine treatments available. As with all treatments for migraines, be sure to discuss questions and concerns you may have with your health care provider.
Dangerous Headaches in Pregnancy
While you don’t need to worry much about many headaches, there is such a thing as dangerous headaches in pregnancy. Migraines won’t necessarily get worse during pregnancy, and they can be treated fairly easily, but occasionally a headache can be a warning sign of more serious problems.
Headache Warning Signs
The American Headache Society has a handy mnemonic device for remembering headache warning signs—reasons to call your doctor right away. All you have to do is remember to “SNOOP.”
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin Syndrome is an extremely dangerous condition that is usually caused by an adverse reaction to some medication. It can be the result of medication interactions, overdose, or even therapeutic use. There are numerous drugs used to treat headaches that can cause Serotonin Syndrome so headache sufferers would be wise to learn more about this potentially life-threatening condition.
Cleaning Headaches
When we talk about cleaning headaches we’re not just talking about those stubborn stains that won’t come out. Common household cleaning supplies can be a trigger for many migraine sufferers, and finding ways to keep your home clean without exposing yourself to the offending substances can be different kind of headache all together.
Vacation Headaches
Just like headaches caused by the holidays, plenty of people suffer from vacation headaches. Of course, there are plenty of figurative headaches that come about by vacation and travel, but there are some “real” headache causes to consider as well. Here are some tips to help you travel a bit more headache free in the future.
Pregnancy Medication Categories
The FDA requires manufacturers to label all medications with one of five pregnancy medication categories. These categories provide a way to classify the risk of taking each medication during pregnancy. While no medication is completely safe, this is a way for patients and healthcare providers to make educated decisions about whether to use a medication or not during pregnancy.
FDA Medication Watch List
The Food and Drug Administration is now keeping a list of medications with questionable safety profiles: the FDA Medication Watch List. This list is updated quarterly and includes the trade name, generic name, and potentially problematic issues.
Pregnancy and Migraines
Pregnancy and migraines have an interesting relationship. Many women report that their migraine headaches improve during pregnancy, but for others they may get much worse. And for other women, they may experience their first migraines during pregnancy. Whatever your situation may be, there are a few things to keep in mind as your pregnancy progresses.
Diagnosing Headaches
Diagnosing headaches does not need to be a complicated matter. In order for your physician to properly diagnose your headache and prescribe an adequate treatment, it is important to relay symptoms in an orderly and logical format.
Women With Migraines
Given that some estimates say up to 75% of migraine sufferers are women, it is worthwhile to explore important distinctions of women and migraines. Women can benefit by understanding special circumstances and health risks unique to them.
Treating Migraines in Children
With all of the choices available, finding the best option for treating migraines in children can be a daunting task. The old adage “children are not just little adults” is quite appropriate, and it is important to exercise caution when treating children. There are some guidelines available to health care providers when it comes to treating children with migraines.
Tylenol Use in Headaches
Acetaminophen is likely the most commonly used pain reliever today. It has long been touted as a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of pain, including headaches, whether you have migraines, tension headaches, or cluster headaches. Acetaminophen use comes with some risk, however, so understanding proper dosing and potential hazards is important. As always, discuss any medication uses or changes with your health care provider.
Persistent Daily Headaches
New persistent daily headaches (NPDH) can be a scary and difficult condition to develop. It is a form of chronic daily headache (CDH) that begins very abruptly. CDH refers to a number of headache types that occur more than 15 days in any given month. In the case of NPDH, these daily headaches develop over no more than a three-day period.
Vestibular Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches that are associated with episodes of vertigo are known as vestibular migraine headaches. These are relatively uncommon, but very debilitating headaches.