Grumpy? Blame Joe
YOUR DAILY DIET TIP
By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified, Special to Lifescript
Published September 15, 2011
www.lifescript.com
It’s true that skimping on sleep can have a negative impact on your morning. But sleepiness may not be the only explanation for your headache, lack of concentration and lingering fatigue. Caffeine withdrawal may also be to blame. Why? Simply put, many of us are addicted to our morning cup o' Joe. Whether you want to believe it or not, caffeine is a stimulant drug. So when you go without, you can experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Upwards of 90% of Americans drink at least one cup of fully caffeinated coffee daily, making caffeine the most used and socially acceptable stimulant drug of all. It’s up to you to decide if caffeine is OK for you. But if you decide to crush your coffee habit, take it slow.
Start by reducing the number of cups of coffee you have daily until you get down to just one cup. Then, partially dilute your cup of regular strength coffee with decaffeinated coffee, shifting the balance to more and more decaf as each day goes by. Within one or two weeks, your cup should be entirely decaffeinated.
Slowly easing into a caffeine-free lifestyle will help you avoid the pounding headaches and annoying withdrawal symptoms that will otherwise plague you. If you’re not ready to completely give up your caffeine habit, you should at least consider reducing your intake.
Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!
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MY THOUGHTS
Is that so? Yes, I do remember the migraines when I was cutting back on my 4 grande cafe mochas a day. I still have daily coffee. Once a day. At the most two. And almost always black. Come to think of it, my migraines have become less and less frequent.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Plastic Surgery for Migraines
Plastic Surgery For Migraines?
Brow Lift Cures Patients of Debilitating Headaches
POSTED: 4:19 pm MDT August 11, 2011
UPDATED: 4:33 pm MDT August 11, 2011
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/education/28840242/detail.html
PATERSON, New Jersey -- Susan Neuberger doesn't take any pain-free second for granted. She's suffered from migraines for 33 years.
"It felt like somebody stabbing me," said Neuberger. "I missed work at least once every two weeks, at least."
She took medications for years but never got real relief. Then she met Dr. Silvio Podda. He'd read an article about a plastic surgeon who performed brow-lift surgery on 40 migraine patients.
Click here to find out more!
"Out of those 40 patients, all of them that had done the procedure, they never had any more episodes of migraine," said Podda, medical director at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center.
Podda suggested Neuberger try it since there are few risks to the cosmetic procedure.
First, Neuberger received Botox injections to temporarily paralyze muscles and nerves in her forehead. Then she received the procedure.
Podda made two small incisions on the top of Neuberger's head and removed nerves and the glabellar muscle, the one that gives people a frown expression. That simple release reduces the pain.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found the brow-lift procedure completely eliminated migraines in 57 percent of patients. Podda said that's huge.
Neuberger said on the day she had the surgery, it changed her life.
"I have not had a migraine since that day. That was Dec. 4, 2009," said Neuberger.
Now she doesn't miss out on anything.
"When people say they were given a new lease on life, I was, by Dr. Silvio Podda, and that was the best day of my life," said Neuberger.
Podda said there aren't many risks to a brow-lift procedure. However, a rare one can result in damage to the frontal nerve in the face.
MY THOUGHTS
No Way! I'd be too scared to go under the knife to ease my migraine. Avoiding my migraine triggers is enough.
Brow Lift Cures Patients of Debilitating Headaches
POSTED: 4:19 pm MDT August 11, 2011
UPDATED: 4:33 pm MDT August 11, 2011
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/education/28840242/detail.html
PATERSON, New Jersey -- Susan Neuberger doesn't take any pain-free second for granted. She's suffered from migraines for 33 years.
"It felt like somebody stabbing me," said Neuberger. "I missed work at least once every two weeks, at least."
She took medications for years but never got real relief. Then she met Dr. Silvio Podda. He'd read an article about a plastic surgeon who performed brow-lift surgery on 40 migraine patients.
Click here to find out more!
"Out of those 40 patients, all of them that had done the procedure, they never had any more episodes of migraine," said Podda, medical director at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center.
Podda suggested Neuberger try it since there are few risks to the cosmetic procedure.
First, Neuberger received Botox injections to temporarily paralyze muscles and nerves in her forehead. Then she received the procedure.
Podda made two small incisions on the top of Neuberger's head and removed nerves and the glabellar muscle, the one that gives people a frown expression. That simple release reduces the pain.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found the brow-lift procedure completely eliminated migraines in 57 percent of patients. Podda said that's huge.
Neuberger said on the day she had the surgery, it changed her life.
"I have not had a migraine since that day. That was Dec. 4, 2009," said Neuberger.
Now she doesn't miss out on anything.
"When people say they were given a new lease on life, I was, by Dr. Silvio Podda, and that was the best day of my life," said Neuberger.
Podda said there aren't many risks to a brow-lift procedure. However, a rare one can result in damage to the frontal nerve in the face.
MY THOUGHTS
No Way! I'd be too scared to go under the knife to ease my migraine. Avoiding my migraine triggers is enough.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
RECURRING MIGRAINES?
Recurring Migraines? Alternative Medicine Can Help
News by Granny Med
(March 16, 2011) in Health / Alternative Medicine
By Kate Wharmby Seldman
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/recurring-migraines-alternative-medicine-can-help
Migraine sufferers have long been caught between a rock and a hard place: they need painkillers to subdue their intense headaches, but if they take these medications too often, they run the risk of causing rebound headaches. Doctors say analgesics like ibuprofen should only be used for two days a week. So what can patients do the rest of the time? Alternative remedies may be the answer.
Migraine headaches leave sufferers in intense pain, often nauseous, and sensitive to light and sound. The pain is usually unilateral, or occurring on only one side of the head. Migraineurs, as sufferers are often called, might lose entire days to these intense headaches, which have been known to last up to 72 hours. It’s still unknown what causes migraines; it may have to do with serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, but as yet, there’s no conclusive evidence pointing to a definite link.
Traditionally, migraine treatment has involved pain medication – which, as previously mentioned, may exacerbate the problem if used too frequently; beta blockers, which have side effects like erectile dysfunction and fatigue; or tricyclic antidepressants, which have similar side effects to beta blockers. SSRI antidepressant medications haven’t been shown to be effective for migraines, even though it’s thought that serotonin plays a role in the problem. The last resort is migraine surgery, in which muscles and nerves are removed from the head and neck to prevent their causing pain during future headaches.
An article in Britain’s Guardian newspaper states that good sleep hygiene is an important part of natural treatment for migraines. This involves establishing a regular “window of sleep,” say, 11 PM to 7 AM, and sticking to that schedule. Exercise and nutrition also play a significant role in migraine prevention, as does avoiding caffeine – sometimes hard to do, as migraine medicines like Excedrin contain this substance.
Medical studies indicate that Coenzyme Q10, a vitaminlike substance used as a nutritional supplement, can reduce the intense pain of migraines when taken regularly. Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, has also been shown to help soothe migraine intensity. Guardian reporter Naomi Alderman said these two supplements reduced the frequency of her migraines – she usually had six migraines a month, and after two months of taking Q10 and riboflavin, she experienced only one. They also cut the intensity of the pain.
Oddly, Botox could be considered an “alternative" solution for migraines: when the wrinkle-removing toxin is injected into certain muscles in the head and neck, it helps future headaches hurt less. This treatment was FDA-approved in 2010.
Read more at GrannyMed
MY THOUGHTS
If you're a migraine sufferer, you would do anything to ease the pain. But I don't think I would go for Botox or migraine surgery. Enough sleep, good nutrition and exercise can really help. The best for me is a hard message concentrated at the upper back and shoulder blades.
News by Granny Med
(March 16, 2011) in Health / Alternative Medicine
By Kate Wharmby Seldman
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/recurring-migraines-alternative-medicine-can-help
Migraine sufferers have long been caught between a rock and a hard place: they need painkillers to subdue their intense headaches, but if they take these medications too often, they run the risk of causing rebound headaches. Doctors say analgesics like ibuprofen should only be used for two days a week. So what can patients do the rest of the time? Alternative remedies may be the answer.
Migraine headaches leave sufferers in intense pain, often nauseous, and sensitive to light and sound. The pain is usually unilateral, or occurring on only one side of the head. Migraineurs, as sufferers are often called, might lose entire days to these intense headaches, which have been known to last up to 72 hours. It’s still unknown what causes migraines; it may have to do with serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, but as yet, there’s no conclusive evidence pointing to a definite link.
Traditionally, migraine treatment has involved pain medication – which, as previously mentioned, may exacerbate the problem if used too frequently; beta blockers, which have side effects like erectile dysfunction and fatigue; or tricyclic antidepressants, which have similar side effects to beta blockers. SSRI antidepressant medications haven’t been shown to be effective for migraines, even though it’s thought that serotonin plays a role in the problem. The last resort is migraine surgery, in which muscles and nerves are removed from the head and neck to prevent their causing pain during future headaches.
An article in Britain’s Guardian newspaper states that good sleep hygiene is an important part of natural treatment for migraines. This involves establishing a regular “window of sleep,” say, 11 PM to 7 AM, and sticking to that schedule. Exercise and nutrition also play a significant role in migraine prevention, as does avoiding caffeine – sometimes hard to do, as migraine medicines like Excedrin contain this substance.
Medical studies indicate that Coenzyme Q10, a vitaminlike substance used as a nutritional supplement, can reduce the intense pain of migraines when taken regularly. Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, has also been shown to help soothe migraine intensity. Guardian reporter Naomi Alderman said these two supplements reduced the frequency of her migraines – she usually had six migraines a month, and after two months of taking Q10 and riboflavin, she experienced only one. They also cut the intensity of the pain.
Oddly, Botox could be considered an “alternative" solution for migraines: when the wrinkle-removing toxin is injected into certain muscles in the head and neck, it helps future headaches hurt less. This treatment was FDA-approved in 2010.
Read more at GrannyMed
MY THOUGHTS
If you're a migraine sufferer, you would do anything to ease the pain. But I don't think I would go for Botox or migraine surgery. Enough sleep, good nutrition and exercise can really help. The best for me is a hard message concentrated at the upper back and shoulder blades.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Migraine Headache Triggers
Pain Management: Migraine Headache Triggers
Original Content | January 01, 2006
Migraine Triggers
Migraines are often associated with triggers such as not eating, perfumes, eating certain cheeses, white or red wine and poor sleep quality. Migraine medications are unique in their action upon the nervous system. A headache specialist should be consulted whenever the treatment of more prolonged and difficult-to-manage headache syndromes is required.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcohol may be the most common dietary trigger. Red wine and beer are among the most likely to cause problems
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, iced tea and soft drinks have been the culprits for some migraine sufferers. Even decaf coffee and tea can be a problem.
Monosodium Glutamate
Many of us associate MSG with Chinese foods, but it is found in just about all processed foods—everything from frozen dinners, soups and gravy to salad dressings, bread crumbs, veggie burgers and protein concentrates. Read your labels to try to avoid: hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, natural flavor or flavoring, and Kombu extract—since these are ways in which MSG may appear.
Processed meats
Aged, canned, cured, fermented, marinated, smoked, tenderized and/or preserved with nitrites can all be problematic. Foods like hotdogs, pepperoni, salami, bologna, beef jerky, bacon and smoked or pickled fish can all be triggers.
Stress
This is often a very strong trigger. Many migraine sufferers experience a bout immediately after a highly stressful situation.
Changes in barometric pressure
A change in the weather is often associated with the onset of a migraine. This also lends itself to the problem many migraine sufferers experience when trying to travel. The high altitude, dry air, motion and noise may all be triggers.
MY THOUGHTS
i'm not sure if i've shared this already. but it's worth sharing again just to remind everyone of migraine triggers. i ate 5 measly pieces of casuy after xmas. i had migraine for 3 days.
Original Content | January 01, 2006
Migraine Triggers
Migraines are often associated with triggers such as not eating, perfumes, eating certain cheeses, white or red wine and poor sleep quality. Migraine medications are unique in their action upon the nervous system. A headache specialist should be consulted whenever the treatment of more prolonged and difficult-to-manage headache syndromes is required.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcohol may be the most common dietary trigger. Red wine and beer are among the most likely to cause problems
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, iced tea and soft drinks have been the culprits for some migraine sufferers. Even decaf coffee and tea can be a problem.
Monosodium Glutamate
Many of us associate MSG with Chinese foods, but it is found in just about all processed foods—everything from frozen dinners, soups and gravy to salad dressings, bread crumbs, veggie burgers and protein concentrates. Read your labels to try to avoid: hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, natural flavor or flavoring, and Kombu extract—since these are ways in which MSG may appear.
Processed meats
Aged, canned, cured, fermented, marinated, smoked, tenderized and/or preserved with nitrites can all be problematic. Foods like hotdogs, pepperoni, salami, bologna, beef jerky, bacon and smoked or pickled fish can all be triggers.
Stress
This is often a very strong trigger. Many migraine sufferers experience a bout immediately after a highly stressful situation.
Changes in barometric pressure
A change in the weather is often associated with the onset of a migraine. This also lends itself to the problem many migraine sufferers experience when trying to travel. The high altitude, dry air, motion and noise may all be triggers.
MY THOUGHTS
i'm not sure if i've shared this already. but it's worth sharing again just to remind everyone of migraine triggers. i ate 5 measly pieces of casuy after xmas. i had migraine for 3 days.
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