You: Being Beautiful - Tips for Getting Rid of Headaches
By Dr. Mehmet Oz
Expert Content | November 11, 2008
Pull the Trigger
Some of the foods that are known to trigger migraines include coffee or caffeine, wines, cheese, smoked meats, sugar, chocolate and anything with the chemical MSG. If you're prone to headaches and regularly indulge in these foods, eliminate them one by one from your diet to see if you can find the link between what you put in your mouth and what you feel in your head.
Same goes for some of the other triggers. For example, if your migraines might be caused by fluctuations in estrogen, talk to your doc about stabilizing medications that have a lot of estrogen, such as birth control pills—several are available that cycle only four times a year; Seasonique and Seasonale are two common ones. For once-yearly periods, consider Lybrel.
While you can treat your headaches with pain meds, the better course of action is to find the cause and stop them from occurring in the first place.
MY THOUGHTS
i never learn. i ate about 5 pieces of casuy. and here i am. with the worst headeache ever. 2 days in a row. i've been taking mefenamic acid every 3 hours. i've had a 2 hour massage. and the migraine won't go away. blasted casuy!!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Getting Help for Migraines
Getting Help for Migraines
By Margaret A. Caudill-Slosberg, MD
Original Content | July 15, 2003
If you feel you may be experiencing migraine headaches, you should start to keep a diary that tracks the process to help you understand your particular recipe for problems. You can create a printable journal online. You will want to track:
•When the migraine began, including both the day and the time.
•How long the headache lasted (be sure to include anything you noticed prior to the actual headache).
•How intense the pain was, as well as keeping track of whether you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
•What were you sensitive to during the headache? If you can make a determination, write that down as well.
•Did you take any medications within 48 hours of the start of the headache? If so, note them, being sure to include the name of the medication, what time you took it, what dose you took and the results.
•If you had foods that may have triggered your attack
•How was your sleep for the two days prior to getting the migraine?
•What was the weather like?
•Can you think of any other items you feel may have contributed? If so, don't be shy about including them.
If you feel you may be experiencing migraine headaches, you should start to keep a diary that tracks the process to help you understand your particular recipe for problems. You can create a printable journal online. You will want to track:
•When the migraine began, including both the day and the time.
•How long the headache lasted (be sure to include anything you noticed prior to the actual headache).
•How intense the pain was, as well as keeping track of whether you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
•What were you sensitive to during the headache? If you can make a determination, write that down as well.
•Did you take any medications within 48 hours of the start of the headache? If so, note them, being sure to include the name of the medication, what time you took it, what dose you took and the results.
•If you had foods that may have triggered your attack
•How was your sleep for the two days prior to getting the migraine?
•What was the weather like?
•Can you think of any other items you feel may have contributed? If so, don't be shy about including them.
Once you've tracked your migraines a few times, you may be able to see patterns emerging. This migraine diary will also be useful for your health care provider in determining what plan of action to pursue. If you have not sought help before, ask your family doctor if they have been successful in treating patients with migraine headaches, or if they feel you should see a specialist for this problem. Seeking help can feel somewhat overwhelming because many people may experience such a mixture of feelings about their headaches. Some are embarrassed, thinking they somehow cause the problem, or that they are overreacting. Others are frightened or worried that they may have something really serious going on. Regardless of your feelings and fears, talking to a doctor about your headaches is a positive first step in determining how to manage your pain.
•A migraine workup will help you to get a handle on your headaches. You definitely want to be sure what you are experiencing is migraine, so you need to rule out other causes.
•Your doctor will ask when you began having headaches, what triggers them, what they feel like, etc. This is where your migraine diary will come in very handy!
•You will want to get a physical exam. Checking your vital signs, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, neck, head, general strength and reflexes is of great benefit in determining your health in general and beginning the process of diagnosing migraine.
•You will most likely have lab tests to look for changes in blood chemistry to rule out any underlying disorders. Although there is currently no blood test to prove someone suffers from migraine, these tests help to rule out other causes.
MY THOUGHTS
i've been having migraines since high school. the most delibitating wascaused by a combination of hunger, stress and lack of sleep. when this happens, i become useless for 1-2 days and have to take pain pills every 3-4 hours. when my migraine is recurring.and often, it's time for a 2-hour full body massage.
By Margaret A. Caudill-Slosberg, MD
Original Content | July 15, 2003
If you feel you may be experiencing migraine headaches, you should start to keep a diary that tracks the process to help you understand your particular recipe for problems. You can create a printable journal online. You will want to track:
•When the migraine began, including both the day and the time.
•How long the headache lasted (be sure to include anything you noticed prior to the actual headache).
•How intense the pain was, as well as keeping track of whether you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
•What were you sensitive to during the headache? If you can make a determination, write that down as well.
•Did you take any medications within 48 hours of the start of the headache? If so, note them, being sure to include the name of the medication, what time you took it, what dose you took and the results.
•If you had foods that may have triggered your attack
•How was your sleep for the two days prior to getting the migraine?
•What was the weather like?
•Can you think of any other items you feel may have contributed? If so, don't be shy about including them.
If you feel you may be experiencing migraine headaches, you should start to keep a diary that tracks the process to help you understand your particular recipe for problems. You can create a printable journal online. You will want to track:
•When the migraine began, including both the day and the time.
•How long the headache lasted (be sure to include anything you noticed prior to the actual headache).
•How intense the pain was, as well as keeping track of whether you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
•What were you sensitive to during the headache? If you can make a determination, write that down as well.
•Did you take any medications within 48 hours of the start of the headache? If so, note them, being sure to include the name of the medication, what time you took it, what dose you took and the results.
•If you had foods that may have triggered your attack
•How was your sleep for the two days prior to getting the migraine?
•What was the weather like?
•Can you think of any other items you feel may have contributed? If so, don't be shy about including them.
Once you've tracked your migraines a few times, you may be able to see patterns emerging. This migraine diary will also be useful for your health care provider in determining what plan of action to pursue. If you have not sought help before, ask your family doctor if they have been successful in treating patients with migraine headaches, or if they feel you should see a specialist for this problem. Seeking help can feel somewhat overwhelming because many people may experience such a mixture of feelings about their headaches. Some are embarrassed, thinking they somehow cause the problem, or that they are overreacting. Others are frightened or worried that they may have something really serious going on. Regardless of your feelings and fears, talking to a doctor about your headaches is a positive first step in determining how to manage your pain.
•A migraine workup will help you to get a handle on your headaches. You definitely want to be sure what you are experiencing is migraine, so you need to rule out other causes.
•Your doctor will ask when you began having headaches, what triggers them, what they feel like, etc. This is where your migraine diary will come in very handy!
•You will want to get a physical exam. Checking your vital signs, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, neck, head, general strength and reflexes is of great benefit in determining your health in general and beginning the process of diagnosing migraine.
•You will most likely have lab tests to look for changes in blood chemistry to rule out any underlying disorders. Although there is currently no blood test to prove someone suffers from migraine, these tests help to rule out other causes.
MY THOUGHTS
i've been having migraines since high school. the most delibitating wascaused by a combination of hunger, stress and lack of sleep. when this happens, i become useless for 1-2 days and have to take pain pills every 3-4 hours. when my migraine is recurring.and often, it's time for a 2-hour full body massage.
Friday, September 24, 2010
3 Colors You Should Eat Every Day
3 Colors You Should Eat Every Day
www.ivillage.com
Eating a colorful diet may be more important than you think. Why? Because vibrantly colored produce usually contains more antioxidants, which are great for keeping you healthy and are important for getting all the nutrients you need if you're trying to lose weight. Here are three colors you should definitely aim to fit into your diet:
1. Blue and purple: Foods like blueberries, figs, eggplant, plums and beets tend to promote brain and heart health. Plus, they just taste so good!
2. Red and pink: Cranberries, pomegranates, cherries, tomatoes and red apples—all of these foods can help promote both prostate and DNA health, along with a host of other health and weight-loss benefits.
3. Yellow and orange: If you want to maintain healthy eyes and skin and keep your immune system strong, these are the colors to choose. Start with oranges, cantaloupes, papayas, sweet potatoes, squash and corn to begin seeing the benefits.
MY THOUGHTS
expensive colors!!! subsitute. maybe duhat for blueberries, star apple for plums. the yellows are much easier to get hold of. i used to love apples. when you can only eat them during xmas. i'm not too keen on them now.
www.ivillage.com
Eating a colorful diet may be more important than you think. Why? Because vibrantly colored produce usually contains more antioxidants, which are great for keeping you healthy and are important for getting all the nutrients you need if you're trying to lose weight. Here are three colors you should definitely aim to fit into your diet:
1. Blue and purple: Foods like blueberries, figs, eggplant, plums and beets tend to promote brain and heart health. Plus, they just taste so good!
2. Red and pink: Cranberries, pomegranates, cherries, tomatoes and red apples—all of these foods can help promote both prostate and DNA health, along with a host of other health and weight-loss benefits.
3. Yellow and orange: If you want to maintain healthy eyes and skin and keep your immune system strong, these are the colors to choose. Start with oranges, cantaloupes, papayas, sweet potatoes, squash and corn to begin seeing the benefits.
MY THOUGHTS
expensive colors!!! subsitute. maybe duhat for blueberries, star apple for plums. the yellows are much easier to get hold of. i used to love apples. when you can only eat them during xmas. i'm not too keen on them now.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
5 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Dr Oz: 5 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
By Mehmet Oz, MD
O, The Oprah Magazine | May 17, 2010
I once had a patient who checked in to the hospital as she was having a major heart attack. As it turned out, she'd been experiencing intermittent chest pain and nausea for weeks, without realizing that these symptoms can signal impending cardiac crisis.
Everyday aches are a part of life—especially as we age. But before you brush off your symptoms, as so many people do (one survey found that 70 percent of people delayed seeking medical attention for a sharp pain), take note of the five warning signs you should never ignore:
Spreading Chest Pain: If the pain is creeping up to your shoulder and jaw, or you feel intense pressure (like you're being tightly squeezed), a blocked blood vessel may be impeding the flow of oxygen to your heart.
What to do: Call 911 and take one full-strength aspirin. When you get to the hospital, an EKG can determine if you're having a heart attack.
Numbing Lower Back Pain: An aching back that also feels numb or pain that starts in the buttocks and extends down the back of your legs may be signs of a herniated (slipped) disk. This occurs when a portion of a spinal disk ruptures and presses on the nerve.
What to do: A physical exam by your doctor can usually diagnose the problem. Nonsurgical treatments, such as rest, painkillers, and simple strengthening exercises, will relieve symptoms in more than 90 percent of patients, but if the pain continues, you may need surgery to remove the disk.
Tingling Foot Pain: You're probably familiar with the fiery sensation that develops after a long day in four-inch heels. But if the pain is accompanied by a pins-and-needles feeling, you could have nerve damage in your feet. One surprising culprit: diabetes.
What to do: A blood sugar test can diagnose diabetes. Diet and exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and medication can prevent further damage.
Severe Headache: Migraine sufferers are more than familiar with severe headaches. But extremely acute pain—imagine the worst headache of your life—can signal a ruptured blood vessel in your brain, known as an aneurysm.ecept for the
What to do: Because the escalating pressure in your skull could reduce the oxygen supply to your brain, this symptom requires an immediate trip to the ER. The doctor will likely perform a CT scan to check for hemorrhaging, then surgeons will work quickly to drain the excess fluid and repair the vessel.
Leg Pain with Redness and Warmth: You may be tempted to chalk it up to muscle cramps, but if you also experience swelling, redness, and warmth, it could be deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in the veins of your legs. If the clot breaks free, it could travel through your bloodstream and cause a pulmonary embolism (a blockage of the arteries that supply your lungs with blood).
What to do: Don't try to massage away the pain—doing so could cause the clot to break loose. Instead see your doctor, who can diagnose DVT using an ultrasound. You may need blood thinners to help dissolve the clot.
MY THOUGHTS
am i being paranoid or do i need to have a complete check-up? except for the spreading chest pains, the other symptoms are there, especially the last 2.
By Mehmet Oz, MD
O, The Oprah Magazine | May 17, 2010
I once had a patient who checked in to the hospital as she was having a major heart attack. As it turned out, she'd been experiencing intermittent chest pain and nausea for weeks, without realizing that these symptoms can signal impending cardiac crisis.
Everyday aches are a part of life—especially as we age. But before you brush off your symptoms, as so many people do (one survey found that 70 percent of people delayed seeking medical attention for a sharp pain), take note of the five warning signs you should never ignore:
Spreading Chest Pain: If the pain is creeping up to your shoulder and jaw, or you feel intense pressure (like you're being tightly squeezed), a blocked blood vessel may be impeding the flow of oxygen to your heart.
What to do: Call 911 and take one full-strength aspirin. When you get to the hospital, an EKG can determine if you're having a heart attack.
Numbing Lower Back Pain: An aching back that also feels numb or pain that starts in the buttocks and extends down the back of your legs may be signs of a herniated (slipped) disk. This occurs when a portion of a spinal disk ruptures and presses on the nerve.
What to do: A physical exam by your doctor can usually diagnose the problem. Nonsurgical treatments, such as rest, painkillers, and simple strengthening exercises, will relieve symptoms in more than 90 percent of patients, but if the pain continues, you may need surgery to remove the disk.
Tingling Foot Pain: You're probably familiar with the fiery sensation that develops after a long day in four-inch heels. But if the pain is accompanied by a pins-and-needles feeling, you could have nerve damage in your feet. One surprising culprit: diabetes.
What to do: A blood sugar test can diagnose diabetes. Diet and exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and medication can prevent further damage.
Severe Headache: Migraine sufferers are more than familiar with severe headaches. But extremely acute pain—imagine the worst headache of your life—can signal a ruptured blood vessel in your brain, known as an aneurysm.ecept for the
What to do: Because the escalating pressure in your skull could reduce the oxygen supply to your brain, this symptom requires an immediate trip to the ER. The doctor will likely perform a CT scan to check for hemorrhaging, then surgeons will work quickly to drain the excess fluid and repair the vessel.
Leg Pain with Redness and Warmth: You may be tempted to chalk it up to muscle cramps, but if you also experience swelling, redness, and warmth, it could be deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in the veins of your legs. If the clot breaks free, it could travel through your bloodstream and cause a pulmonary embolism (a blockage of the arteries that supply your lungs with blood).
What to do: Don't try to massage away the pain—doing so could cause the clot to break loose. Instead see your doctor, who can diagnose DVT using an ultrasound. You may need blood thinners to help dissolve the clot.
MY THOUGHTS
am i being paranoid or do i need to have a complete check-up? except for the spreading chest pains, the other symptoms are there, especially the last 2.
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