Supposedly so. I've been reading up on it and it seems there are about to be 20 different drugs coming out soon to help us Migraineurs! There hasn't been a new migraine medicine out since 10 years! Allahu Akbar!
I'll try ti get some more information on release dates (if that term fits) or any other info on samples and what not, insha Allah
Thursday, April 13, 2006
There are a lot of other health issues that I would like to talk about, but I'm not sure if I should talk about thm on this blog, since it is for migraines or make a new blog for it?
Since my An American in Saudi Arabia blog is about life in Saudi Arabia and my al-Madinah blog is about the Prophet's City, Islamic University of Madinah and daily issues that us students go through... it seems this blog is the only place to talk about other health issues...?
Any Suggestions?
Since my An American in Saudi Arabia blog is about life in Saudi Arabia and my al-Madinah blog is about the Prophet's City, Islamic University of Madinah and daily issues that us students go through... it seems this blog is the only place to talk about other health issues...?
Any Suggestions?
What Are the Symptoms of the Different Types of Head Pain?
Migraine:
throbbing, intense pain, generally moderate to severe
usually one-sided, though the pain can move from side to side, and sometimes affects both sides
pain is often near the eye of the affected side
often disabling
may last hours, days, or even weeks
in some instances, the Migraine may continue long enough to require an emergency room visit, or even hospitalization, so that stronger medications can be given to break the cycle. (status migrainous)
often accompanied by visual disturbances and/or extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and odors
"Classic Migraine," experienced by about 20% of Migraineurs is preceded by warning signs called an "aura"
Migraines without the aura are termed "Common Migraine"
Tension Headache:
constant, dull pain, usually mild to moderate pain
not incapacitating
pain is often accompanied by muscle tightness in the shoulders and neck
often on both sides of the head
may last an hour, a week, or anywhere in between
the pain is often described as a band of pain around the head or "like a vise"
Sinus/Allergy Headache:
pain generally mild to moderate
centered around sinuses, above and below eyes
pressure often makes teeth ache as well
may be accompanied by feeling of pressure
behind the eyesoften relieved by decongestants,
antihistimines, or other allergy medications.often seasonal
studies have
shown that the majority of self-diagnosed sinus headaches are
actually Migraine.
Cluster Headache:
severe, sharp, stabbing pain
usually on one side of the head, centered around the eye
almost always severely incapacitating
occur in clusters of 1 - 4 headaches a day for several weeks, lasting 10 minutes to two hours each, then stopping for months
on the affected side, the eye tears, and the nose is often stuffy or runny
most frequent among men
occur most often in the fall and spring
Another migraine, it's been going on for the last like three days... may Allaah cure me of it.
I don't like taking painkillers, I prefer a goot massage or some scented lavendar candles or some tea, I'll be covering those things in coming posts insha Allaah.
I don't like taking painkillers, I prefer a goot massage or some scented lavendar candles or some tea, I'll be covering those things in coming posts insha Allaah.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Scientists still aren't sure what causes migraines. But they do know
that people who get them have blood vessels that overreact to various
triggers--frequently food--causing constriction and then dilation of
the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The result is a pulsing,
often incapacitating pain that is sometimes accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
The trigger could be a glass of soda, a bite of cheese, even that
delicious samosa from your local Halal Deli. The chemicals they
contain set off a reaction in the supersensitive central nervous system
that's behind these debilitating headaches. And since there are no
treatments that can desensitize you, your best bet at evading a
migraine is to avoid what triggers it. Here's how to eat for maximum
relief.
Know what makes you hurt.
Some scientists believe that migraine-triggering foods contain
chemicals that constrict arteries, while others believe they set off an
allergic reaction. Whatever the mechanism behind it, a food-triggered
migraine usually occurs shortly after you eat.
To avoid the pain, you need to know--and skip--the foods that initiate
it. To find your worst offenders, keep a diary that lists when your
headaches occur, how severe they are, additional symptoms, what you've
eaten, sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, and any other pertinent
factors, including food cravings. Studies show that if you're just
dying for a hot dog, a banana, yogurt, or sweets, it could be a signal
that a headache is less than 72 hours away.
Try not to miss a meal.
Fasting or skipping a meal can cause a dip in blood sugar and bring on
a headache. To keep your blood sugar constant and minimize the effects
of a missed meal, try eating frequent mini-meals and snacks throughout
the day.
P.S. I'll be talking about some of the things that can help those dilated blood vessels up in your head in coming entries, insha Allah...
Until then:
that people who get them have blood vessels that overreact to various
triggers--frequently food--causing constriction and then dilation of
the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The result is a pulsing,
often incapacitating pain that is sometimes accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
The trigger could be a glass of soda, a bite of cheese, even that
delicious samosa from your local Halal Deli. The chemicals they
contain set off a reaction in the supersensitive central nervous system
that's behind these debilitating headaches. And since there are no
treatments that can desensitize you, your best bet at evading a
migraine is to avoid what triggers it. Here's how to eat for maximum
relief.
Know what makes you hurt.
Some scientists believe that migraine-triggering foods contain
chemicals that constrict arteries, while others believe they set off an
allergic reaction. Whatever the mechanism behind it, a food-triggered
migraine usually occurs shortly after you eat.
To avoid the pain, you need to know--and skip--the foods that initiate
it. To find your worst offenders, keep a diary that lists when your
headaches occur, how severe they are, additional symptoms, what you've
eaten, sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, and any other pertinent
factors, including food cravings. Studies show that if you're just
dying for a hot dog, a banana, yogurt, or sweets, it could be a signal
that a headache is less than 72 hours away.
Try not to miss a meal.
Fasting or skipping a meal can cause a dip in blood sugar and bring on
a headache. To keep your blood sugar constant and minimize the effects
of a missed meal, try eating frequent mini-meals and snacks throughout
the day.
P.S. I'll be talking about some of the things that can help those dilated blood vessels up in your head in coming entries, insha Allah...
Until then:
Don't stress yourself out
Stay cool if exposed to heat for prolonged periods
If you have highblood pressure, watch the salts
Stay away from processed foods as much as possible
Crunching numbers at the Congressional Budget Office might give most of us a
Other foods high in tyramine include processed meats,
Beware of "Brain Freeze"
Most of us have experienced that brief stab of severe
Don't Skip Meals
"Anything that disrupts your body's normal stability
Identify Your Triggers
headache. But for budget analyst Geoff Gerhardt, the problem is
munching, not crunching. According to his calculations, ham plus cheese
equals a classic migraine.
eating processed meats or certain kinds of cheese, I start having
trouble with my vision. Then I get a strong pain in one temple or the
other, accompanied by nausea and loss of balance."
Seymour Diamond, MD, founder of The Diamond Headache
Clinic in Chicago, says more than a quarter of migraine sufferers have
specific triggers, including food. "One of the most common triggers is
aged cheese," Diamond tells WebMD.
Hold the Cheese, Please
The trouble with aged cheese is that it's high intyramine, a substance that forms from the breakdown of protein in
certain foods. The longer a food ages, the greater the tyramine content
is. For people with a sensitivity to tyramine, The Cleveland Clinic
warns against the following types of cheese:
- Blue cheeses
- Brie
- Cheddar
- Stilton
- Feta
- Gorgonzola
- Mozzarella
- Muenster
- Parmesan
- Swiss
- Processed cheese
Other foods high in tyramine include processed meats,
pickles, onions, olives, certain types of beans, raisins, nuts,
avocados, canned soups, and red wine.
these foods. Nestor Galvez-Jimenez, MD, a neurologist with The
Cleveland Clinic Florida, says some of his tyramine-sensitive patients
prefer to take their chances. "They want to drink wine even if they
know it will give them a headache. In that case, I recommend a
preventive dose of medication before dinner." He stresses that patients
should discuss this idea with their doctors before trying it.
Avoid Additives
Certain food additives, including nitrites and somefood colorings, are also common headache triggers. Like tyramine, these
additives may increase blood flow to the brain causing headaches in
some people.
Unlike classic migraines which affects are also
triggered by a substance and are felt on one side of the head,
headaches induced by additives or other substances are usually sensed
on both sides of the head:
- Occur within a specific time after substance intake
- Disappears when a substance is eliminated or within a specific time thereafter
known as Chinese restaurant syndrome, occur within an hour after
ingestion of MSG and can cause at least two of the following:
- Pressure in the chest or face
- Burning sensation in the chest, neck, or shoulders
- Dizziness
- Abdominal discomfort
additive found in soy sauce, Chinese foods and many packaged foods.
"MSG is a big one," says Galvez-Jimenez.
National Headache Foundation, says new research may show MSG is not a
typical trigger after all.
Beware of "Brain Freeze"
Most of us have experienced that brief stab of severe
pain that comes with eating or drinking something too cold. Previously
called ice cream headaches or "brain freeze," this sensation usually
lasts less than five minutes. This type of headache is usually felt in
the middle of the forehead, but for migraine sufferers this pain can be
felt in areas that are affected during a migraine. For people prone to
migraines, it can be the beginning of a full-fledged attack.
thing you know, boom, a migraine starts," Galvez-Jimenez says.
According to The Cleveland Clinic, more than 90% of migraine sufferers
say they have to be cautious with cold foods and drinks.
Don't Skip Meals
While many people have sensitivities to particular foods, others develop headaches when they don't eat.
"Anything that disrupts your body's normal stability
can cause a headache," Diamond tells WebMD. That includes oversleeping
and skipping meals.
the right times," says marketing manager Jeff Patton. "That means
eating lots of protein in the morning and having lunch on time. If I
skip either meal, I get a headache. Then I get crabby and I can't
focus, so it affects my work. It's extremely annoying."
But recognizing the link between headaches and skipped
meals doesn't make it any easier for Patton to eat according to a
regular schedule. "I still get headaches every day," he says, "because
I get distracted at work and I don't eat right."
Patton's headaches usually disappear soon after he
eats, so he rarely turns to aspirin or other medication. "By eating, I
treat the cause rather than the symptom," he says.
Identify Your Triggers
If you get headaches when you skip meals, the
connection may be obvious. But if your headaches start after meals, it
can be difficult to determine exactly which foods are to blame.
Diamond suggests setting aside some time for an experiment. "Isolate a time, eat the food in question, wait for a reaction, repeat and see if it happens on more than one occasion."
That's how beauty consultant Nicole Ehrhart pinpointed
her triggers, including cheese and chocolate. "I've been a headache
sufferer my whole life," she tells WebMD. "Through trial and error, I
figured out which foods to stay away from."
Keeping a headache diary is another way to spot
connections between your headaches and your diet. "One of the first
things I tell my patients is to do a food diary," Galvez-Jimenez says.
"Map out when your headaches start and what you have eaten that day and
the day before."
This more structured approach helped Gerhardt zero-in
on processed meats and cheese. "For six months, I made notes about what
I ate at every meal, particularly on days when I got a headache. It's
not an exact science, but I started to see some patterns. Now that I
know which foods to avoid, I get fewer migraines."
recording what you eat, particularly aged cheese and foods containing
additives, as well as the following possible dietary triggers:
While you may be able to identify and avoid triggers on
- Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) and other artificial sweeteners; foods with meat tenderizers or yeast or yeast extracts
- Caffeine in even in small amounts can trigger a migraine in some people
- Chocolate, cocoa, and foods containing nuts
- Alcoholic beverages especially red wine, beer, and sherry
- Aged, canned, cured, or processed meats such as chicken livers
and other organ meats, and sardines. Also foods prepared with nitrates
or tyramine can cause problems.- Cultured dairy products such as sour cream or buttermilk
- Dried fruits including figs, raisins, and dates
- Breads and crackers containing cheese including pizza
- Cheese: Blue, Gouda, Gruyere, provolone, and Stilton
- Smoked or dried fish
- Canned soups, or soups made from bouillon or based with MSG
your own, consider getting help if your headaches don't improve. "If
you find yourself losing time from social activities or work, or if
your headaches persist over several days, see a doctor," Diamond says.
"There are medications to relieve [food-induced] headaches, so no one
should suffer without help."
Published March 15, 2004 on WebMD By Sherry Rauh
Did you know that over thirty two million Americans suffer from migraines?
Most of them don't even know it. This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Migraines might help you find out if you're afflicted.
Of course, a proper diagnosis from your doctor will help you know for sure
Question: How do I know if the pain I am feeling is actually caused by a migraine--and not another type of headache?
Answer: You are not alone in your confusion--migraines are often
mistaken for other types of headaches. But here are some guidelines for
distinguishing between them: A migraine usually gives rise to throbbing
that affects just one side of the head. Dull, pounding pain on both
sides of the skull often indicates a tension headache (of which stress
may be the source). A cluster headache (often precipitated by drinking
alcohol or smoking) is marked by discomfort near the eye, while a sinus
headache generally lays claim to gnawing pain in the sinus region below
the eyes, above the nose, and in the forehead. (The latter often
increases in severity over the day and may be spurred by a respiratory
infection.)
Question: Why do I often get migraines around my period?
Answer: About 70 percent of women who get migraines can predict their
onset around their menstrual cycle because of fluctuating hormones. In
addition, as women approach menopause, estrogen levels fall--and
headache incidence increases. (However, on a happier note, with the end
of menopause the headaches generally taper off.)
Question: Are migraines hereditary?
Answer: Yes, migraines do run in the family. In fact, if one of your
parents suffers from these headaches, you have a 50 percent chance of
being afflicted, too. If both Mom and Dad are migraineurs, you have a
75 percent chance of inheriting their headache misery. And even if a
distant relative like your Great Aunt Bertha falls prey, you have a 20
percent chance of getting them, too.
Question: What are typical migraine food triggers?
Answer: The usual suspects include chocolate, processed meats, aged
cheese, alcohol, pickled and marinated foods, citrus fruits, bananas,
and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Substances in these particular foods
trigger the painful headaches. For instance, chocolate contains
vasoactive amines, which can bring on a headache by dilating blood
vessels. Processed meats contain additives called nitrates that also
cause blood vessels to swell.
Food triggers are tricky because they may only cause problems 10 to 20
percent of the time that you eat them. Keep a migraine journal that
records your triggers (food and otherwise) and be patient when it comes
to uncovering the culprit.
Question: Is an "aura" the telltale sign of a migraine?
Answer: Many individuals wrongly consider an aura--marked by light
flashes, zigzag lines, shimmering lights, or numbness and tingling in
the arm and face--to be the indicative symptom of migraines when less
than one-third of sufferers actually experience it. Nausea and
sensitivity to light can also accompany a migraine. While these
symptoms can often be part of migraine, they do not dictate whether you
have one. It's important to remember that there is no
one-migraine-fits-all description.
Question: How long do migraines generally last?
Answer: These headaches can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and hit,
on average, twice a month. The attacks tend to occur in three phases:
pre-headache (which can endure for several hours), the headache itself,
and post-headache (which can drag on for up to 2 days and include
nausea, fatigue, and mood swings).
Question: How are migraines treated?
Answer: "Abortive" drugs, taken at the onset of a migraine, can be
effective against these headaches. One such class of these drugs is the
triptans, which are available in tablet, dissolvable wafer, injectable,
and nasal spray forms. The triptans relieve pain by mimicking the
neurotransmitter serotonin. Some headache specialists are using Botox
in their practices. The anti-wrinkle med is injected into the forehead,
temples, or back of the head, temporarily paralyzing the muscles and
causing them to relax. To find out about these therapies and others,
talk to your doctor.
Question: Will exercise--like going for a brisk walk or jog--help alleviate migraine symptoms?
Answer: No, exercise cannot stop a migraine in progress. In fact, working out could very well worsen your migraine.
Question: Does weather really bring on a migraine?
Answer: In a recent study, researchers looked at the headache
journals of 77 migraine sufferers and found that half of the volunteers
experienced migraines triggered by the weather.
The biggest precipitating factors:
Question: Do migraines afflict men or women more frequently?
Answer: Call it unfair, but three times more women experience
migraines than men. The hormonal component may account for the
difference.
For more information check out National Headache Foundation's Web site
Most of them don't even know it. This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Migraines might help you find out if you're afflicted.
Of course, a proper diagnosis from your doctor will help you know for sure
Question: How do I know if the pain I am feeling is actually caused by a migraine--and not another type of headache?
Answer: You are not alone in your confusion--migraines are often
mistaken for other types of headaches. But here are some guidelines for
distinguishing between them: A migraine usually gives rise to throbbing
that affects just one side of the head. Dull, pounding pain on both
sides of the skull often indicates a tension headache (of which stress
may be the source). A cluster headache (often precipitated by drinking
alcohol or smoking) is marked by discomfort near the eye, while a sinus
headache generally lays claim to gnawing pain in the sinus region below
the eyes, above the nose, and in the forehead. (The latter often
increases in severity over the day and may be spurred by a respiratory
infection.)
Question: Why do I often get migraines around my period?
Answer: About 70 percent of women who get migraines can predict their
onset around their menstrual cycle because of fluctuating hormones. In
addition, as women approach menopause, estrogen levels fall--and
headache incidence increases. (However, on a happier note, with the end
of menopause the headaches generally taper off.)
Question: Are migraines hereditary?
Answer: Yes, migraines do run in the family. In fact, if one of your
parents suffers from these headaches, you have a 50 percent chance of
being afflicted, too. If both Mom and Dad are migraineurs, you have a
75 percent chance of inheriting their headache misery. And even if a
distant relative like your Great Aunt Bertha falls prey, you have a 20
percent chance of getting them, too.
Question: What are typical migraine food triggers?
Answer: The usual suspects include chocolate, processed meats, aged
cheese, alcohol, pickled and marinated foods, citrus fruits, bananas,
and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Substances in these particular foods
trigger the painful headaches. For instance, chocolate contains
vasoactive amines, which can bring on a headache by dilating blood
vessels. Processed meats contain additives called nitrates that also
cause blood vessels to swell.
Food triggers are tricky because they may only cause problems 10 to 20
percent of the time that you eat them. Keep a migraine journal that
records your triggers (food and otherwise) and be patient when it comes
to uncovering the culprit.
Question: Is an "aura" the telltale sign of a migraine?
Answer: Many individuals wrongly consider an aura--marked by light
flashes, zigzag lines, shimmering lights, or numbness and tingling in
the arm and face--to be the indicative symptom of migraines when less
than one-third of sufferers actually experience it. Nausea and
sensitivity to light can also accompany a migraine. While these
symptoms can often be part of migraine, they do not dictate whether you
have one. It's important to remember that there is no
one-migraine-fits-all description.
Question: How long do migraines generally last?
Answer: These headaches can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and hit,
on average, twice a month. The attacks tend to occur in three phases:
pre-headache (which can endure for several hours), the headache itself,
and post-headache (which can drag on for up to 2 days and include
nausea, fatigue, and mood swings).
Question: How are migraines treated?
Answer: "Abortive" drugs, taken at the onset of a migraine, can be
effective against these headaches. One such class of these drugs is the
triptans, which are available in tablet, dissolvable wafer, injectable,
and nasal spray forms. The triptans relieve pain by mimicking the
neurotransmitter serotonin. Some headache specialists are using Botox
in their practices. The anti-wrinkle med is injected into the forehead,
temples, or back of the head, temporarily paralyzing the muscles and
causing them to relax. To find out about these therapies and others,
talk to your doctor.
Question: Will exercise--like going for a brisk walk or jog--help alleviate migraine symptoms?
Answer: No, exercise cannot stop a migraine in progress. In fact, working out could very well worsen your migraine.
Question: Does weather really bring on a migraine?
Answer: In a recent study, researchers looked at the headache
journals of 77 migraine sufferers and found that half of the volunteers
experienced migraines triggered by the weather.
The biggest precipitating factors:
cold dry weather (22 percent); hot, humid
weather (12 percent); high or low barometric pressure (13 percent); and
changes in weather patterns (14 percent).
Question: Do migraines afflict men or women more frequently?
Answer: Call it unfair, but three times more women experience
migraines than men. The hormonal component may account for the
difference.
For more information check out National Headache Foundation's Web site
Monday, April 10, 2006
Migraine is a neurologic disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling headache. Migraine is the most common type of vascular headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, hypersensitivity to light (photophobia) and hypersensitivity to sound (phonophobia). The word "migraine" comes from the Greek construction "hemikranion" (ημικρανίον, pain affecting one side of the head).
I suffer greatly from Migraines, my friends and family are a witnesses to that. But, when somebody has such a crippling ailment, what are they to do? Who will buy the groceries my wife needs to prepare the food? Who will attend class, at the Islamic University, for me in the mornings? Who will attend the almost daily Lessons at Shaikh Ubaid's Masjid? And on goes the list of activities and responsibilities that one is hindered from due to these excrutiating Migraine attacks.
So my hope with this blog is to shed some light on what it is like to go through Migraines, for those family members of Magraine sufferers that may not fully understand the gravity of such pains. Also to provide some beneficial knowledge based on studies, as well as advice from my own experiences in dealing with Migraines, and others whom I know suffer so regularly.By the way, some FYI for you: Do you know what a sufferer from migraines is called?
He/She's called a Migraineur, try that for a new vocabulary word!
Stay tuned, may Allah cure all those who suffer from Migraines and other ailments...
Aameen