The Causes Of Menopause Migraine And Headache

Migraines and headaches are one of the most common and disturbing symptoms women can suffer from during menopausal years. The intensity of migraines and headaches can become severe and upset your life considerably. You should be aware of the causes and factors related to migraines and headaches during menopause in order to control these pesky symptoms effectively. But what causes menopause migraines and headaches? The causes of menopause migraines and headaches can be divided into two groups; psychological and physical. Psychological causes aren't as common as physical causes; In fact, it is normally accepted that physical causes are responsible for menopause migraines and headaches in most women. * Psychological causes of menopause migraines and headaches. Anxiety and other forms of daily stress, overwork and fatigue can cause menopause migraines and headaches. If these factors are not controlled, they can destabilize you emotionally and this can lead to your bodily functions becoming unbalanced, creating changes that will lead to menopause migraines and headaches . Usually these cases are temporary and menopause migraines and headaches stop when the stressful time ends. * Physical causes of menopause migraines and headaches. Because the most probable cause of migraines and headaches during menopause is hormone imbalances, it is generally accepted that declining estrogen hormones are responsible for these migraines and headaches. In short, when hormones fluctuate, blood vessels in the brain overreact, causing headaches and migraines. Therefore, when estrogen hormones start dropping, it is very probable that migraines will become more frequent and more intense. This can happen in menopause or even when a woman has her normal periods in which hormonal fluctuations also occur. Therefore, the best way to avoid migraines and headaches during menopause is to keep a healthy balanced level of estrogen hormones. There are other infrequent and rarer causes for migraine and headaches during menopause, such as: hereditary genes, stroke, and some medication. However, hormonal imbalance is the most common cause of migraine and headaches during menopause.

The Most Effective Method To Head Off Migraine

Medication is a proven way to treat and prevent migraines. But medication is only part of the story. It is also important to take good care of yourself. The same lifestyle choices that promote good health can reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines. In fact, combining lifestyle measures with medication is often the most effective way to handle migraines. 1. Seek A Calm Environment: At the very first sign of a migraine, retreat from your usual activities if possible. * Turn out the lights. Migraines often increase sensitivity to light and sound. Relax in a dark, quiet room. Sleep if you can. * Try temperature therapy. Apply hot or cold compresses to your head or neck. Ice packs have a numbing effect, which may dull the sensation of pain. Hot packs and heating pads can relax tense muscles. Warm showers or baths may have a similar effect. * Massage painful areas. Apply gentle pressure to your scalp or temples. Alleviate muscle tension with a shoulder or neck massage. * Drink a caffeinated beverage. In small amounts, caffeine can enhance the pain-reducing effects of acetaminophen and aspirin. Be careful, however, drinking too much caffeine too often can lead to withdrawal headaches later on. 2. Sleep well: Migraines may keep you from falling asleep or wake you up at night. Likewise, migraines are often triggered by a poor night's sleep or insomnia. Here's help encouraging sound sleep: * Establish regular sleep hours. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day even on weekends. If you nap during the day, keep it short. Naps longer than one hour may interfere with nighttime sleep. * Unwind at the end of the day. Anything that helps you relax can promote better sleep. Listen to soothing music, soak in a warm bath or read a favorite book. But watch what you eat and drink before bedtime. Large meals, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can interfere with sleep. * Minimize distractions. Save your bedroom for sleep and intimacy. Don't watch television or take work materials to bed. Close your bedroom door. Use a fan to muffle distracting noises. * Don't try to sleep. The harder you try to sleep, the more awake you will feel. If you cannot fall asleep, read or do another quiet activity until you become drowsy. * Check your sleep aid medications. Medications that contain caffeine or other stimulants including some medications to treat migraines may interfere with sleep. 3. Eat wisely: Your eating habits can influence your migraines. Consider the basics: * Be consistent. Eat at about the same time every day. * Don't skip meals. Breakfast is especially important. * Avoid foods that trigger migraines. If you suspect that a certain food such as aged cheese, avocados or raisins is triggering your migraines, eliminate it from your diet to see what happens. 4. Manage stress: Stress and migraines often go hand in hand. You can't avoid daily stress, but you can keep it under control which can help you prevent migraines. 5. Keep a migraine diary: A diary may help you determine what triggers your migraines. Note when your migraines start, what you were doing at the time, how long they last and what, if anything, provides relief. Eventually you may be able to prevent migraines by changing patterns in your daily life. 6. Strive for balance: Living with migraines is a daily challenge. But making healthy lifestyle choices can help. Ask your friends and loved ones for support. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, consider joining a support group or seeking counseling. Believe in your ability to take control of the head pain.

Migraine Headaches – A Brief Overview

Migraine headaches are characterized by a series of 4 phases that occur with some regularity but which do vary widely among sufferers: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. The prodrome phase may take place anywhere from a few hours to days before onset of a headache, with symptoms that can include mood changes, fatigue, and craving for certain foods that may themselves be migraine triggers and unexpectedly may lead to constipation problems. Some migraine sufferers also experience an aura, with sensations of flashing lights, numbness and tingling, or altered vision before or during onset of the severe head pain. This aura experience is generally short-lived and considered part of the classic migraine sequence, but the majority of migraine sufferers do not experience an aura. Interestingly, the aura phase can occur on its own, with no subsequent headache pain, which is known as optical migraine or acephalalgic migraine, among various other terms. But most migraines occur without any aura, known simply as common migraine. Pain during the headache phase is generally described as severe throbbing or a pulsating sensation that occurs on one side of the head or temple. It can last anywhere from 2 hours to 3 days. This type of headache is usually associated with sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia), or smells (osmophobia) and is frequently accompanied by lightheadedness, nausea, gastric upset, and vomiting. By the postdrome phase, the pain has mercifully subsided, but the sufferer is typically left feeling tired and worn-out. Some also report experiencing negative psychological effects such as slower thinking or flat affect after a migraine, and in some cases the after-effects can last several days. Women may also experience migraines at the onset of their monthly cycle. These hormone-related headaches are often referred to as menstrual migraines. Approximately 70 percent of migraine sufferers are women, and there is no doubt that chronic migraines can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Perhaps this is related to hormonal fluctuations, or perhaps to how individual respond to stress in they lives — but these two are interlaced!

Migraine And Headache During Pregnancy: What You Can Do About Them?

Many women experience an increase in headaches during pregnancy. This is because hormonal changes during pregnancy including fluctuations in estrogen may trigger migraines. In fact, in women with no prior history of headaches, about 1 to 2 percent have their first migraine during pregnancy. Headaches due to hormonal changes often become less frequent in a woman's second and third trimester. Migraine and headaches during pregnancy also may be due to: Poor posture or muscle tension, especially in third trimester; Stress; Fatigue and lack of sleep; Caffeine withdrawal, if you have suddenly stopped drinking soda or coffee because of your pregnancy; Dehydration; Sinus congestion and allergies in anti aging skin care product and other medications; Hunger or low blood sugar. You do need to be careful about how you treat your migraine pain during pregnancy. Many migraine or headache medications may have harmful or unknown effects on a developing baby. Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and most prescription migraine drugs aren't safe for pregnant women. Also, some herbal remedies used to treat migraine headaches, such as feverfew and butterbur, aren't recommended during pregnancy. However, most pregnant women can safely take acetaminophen. It is a good idea to check with your healthcare practitioner before taking any medications to cure your migraine headaches. To help relieve or avoid migraine headaches during pregnancy without the use of drugs, consider these tips: * Use A Compress. Apply a warm compress (such as a hot towel) to your face, eyes and temples to alleviate sinus headaches. To relieve tension headaches, apply a cold compress to the back of your neck. * Avoid Headache Triggers. Learn to recognize the foods or stresses that trigger your migraine or headaches so that you can prevent them. Keeping a diary of your means, activities and headaches for several days can help you pinpoint your triggers. * Rest. Lie down in a dark, quiet room with your eyes closed. * Exercise. Regular low-impact exercises in addition to relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, yoga or visualization, can help keep headaches at bay. * Eat A Healthy Diet. Smaller, more frequent meals can help keep your blood sugar from getting too low, which may help prevent migraine or headaches. Avoid going for long periods without eating. * Keep A Regular Sleep Schedule. Go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day, even on weekends. * Maintain Good Posture. This is especially important at the end of your pregnancy when your back is straining under additional weight. * Try massage. Have your partner or a friend massage your shoulders and neck to relieve tension and reduce headache pain. Massaging your temples also may help.

Ways To Eliminate Migraine Triggers Naturally

Many everyday things can trigger a migraine headache. Depending on your sensitivity, it might be red wine, caffeine withdrawal, emotional stress, or skipped meals. To take control of migraines, you must understand your migraine pattern. The first step is tracking your migraines by using a headache diary. Make notes of activities before or when a migraine occurred. What were you eating? What were you doing? How much sleep did you get - after you've done with your search engine optimization project - the night before? Did anything stressful or important happen that day? Many people are sensitive to the same things, that may include: * Common Migraine Triggers: emotional stress, menstrual periods, changes in normal sleep cycle, extreme fatigue, specific foods and beverages, excess caffeine intake or withdrawal, skipping meals (fasting), changing weather conditions, exercise, smoking, bright and flickering lights, and odors. * Foods Additives and Chemicals That Can Trigger Migraines: Natural chemicals in foods, food additives, and beverages can also trigger migraines. These include: Tyramine (a substance found naturally in aged cheeses, and also found in red wine, alcoholic drinks, and some processed meats.) Food additives/preservatives like nitrates and nitrites found in hot dogs, ham, sausage and other processed or cured meats, salads in salad bars. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Chinese food. Alcohol specifically the impurities in alcohol or by-products your body produces as it metabolizes alcohol. * Other Common Food or Beverage Triggers: Aged cheeses: blue cheese, mozzarella, feta, cheddar, Parmesan. Alcohol: red wine, beer, whiskey, champagne. Caffeine: coffee, chocolate, tea, colas, sodas. Pepperoni, hot dogs, luncheon meats. Bread and other baked goods. Dried fruits. Smoked or dried fish. Potato chips. Pizza, peanuts, chicken livers, and other specific foods. To Avoid Your Triggers: * Watch What You Eat And Drink. If you get a headache, jot down any food or drink you had before getting it. If you see a pattern over time, eliminate that item. * Eat Regularly. Skipping meals can trigger migraines in some people. * Curb The Caffeine. Excess caffeine (in any food or drink) can cause migraines. But be careful: Cutting back abruptly also causes migraines. * Be Careful With Exercise. Although physicians advise getting regular exercise to stay healthy, exercise can trigger headaches. You may need to take an anti-inflammatory drug to prevent exercise migraines. * Get Regular Sleep. Changes in your normal sleep patterns can cause migraines. Being overly tired can also trigger migraines. * Learn To Cope With Stress. Emotional upsets and stressful events are common migraine triggers. Anxiety, worry, fatigue, and excitement can intensify a migraine's severity. Learn to cope with stress better - through counseling, biofeedback, relaxation training, and possibly taking an antidepressant. If you have questions about these triggers, talk to your physician. By taking steps to avoid your migraine triggers, you can take control of your headaches and your life.

Health Risks Associated With Taking Migraine Medications And Antidepressants At The Same Time

Research suggests that combining migraine medications called triptans with certain antidepressants including selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Although the risk appears to be quite low, debate continues about the level of risk. Serotonin syndrome happens when your body has too much serotonin — a chemical found in your nervous system. Triptans, SSRIs and SNRIs naturally raise serotonin levels on their own. When these medications are taken together, the effect may be more pronounced. Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur quickly within minutes to hours and may include: Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, fever, increased heart rate (tachycardia), changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes (hyperreflexia), extreme agitation or restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, seizures and coma. With prompt treatment including stopping any medications that may be increasing your serotonin level - signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome stop within 24 hours. Left untreated, serotonin syndrome may be fatal. Less seriously, there may be a risk of interactions between other antidepressants and migraine medications. A class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIS) can affect how triptans work - increasing the level of triptans in your blood. And SSRIS and MAOIS should be used sparingly with migraine medications called ergotamines, since these antidepressants can slow down the speed at which ergotamines break down. If you are taking migraine medications and antidepressants, talk to your doctor especially if you notice any changes in your health and if you think you are having a hard time working with your website design Lexington campaign. Don't stop or change the dosages of any of your medications on your own. If you experience signs or symptoms of serotonin syndrome, seek immediate medical attention.

Migraine Headaches With Aura Increases Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke In Women

Women who suffer from migraine headaches with aura may be up to 3 times more likely to develop heart disease than other women, and part of the reason may be in their genes. A new study suggests a genetic link between women's heart disease risk, migraine with aura, and a genetic variant carried about 11 percent of the population. Migraine symptoms vary and may occur with a warning sign called an aura. The aura usually begins about 30 minutes before the headache starts and consists of visual cues such as seeing spots, wavy lines, or flashing lights. Some people may also have numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in their hands. In the study, researchers examined the relationship between genes, migraine headache, and heart disease in more than 25,000 white women who participated in the Women's Health Study. The women were tested for a certain gene variant in the MTHFR gene, which in previous studies has been associated with an increased risk of vascular events in patients who experience migraine with aura. They also completed a questionnaire about migraine headaches. Eighteen percent of the women reported having experienced a migraine headache at least once in their lives. About 13 percent of the women in the study had a history of migraine headaches within the past year and were labeled the active migraine group. Of active migraine sufferers, 40 percent had migraines with aura. Over a 12-year follow-up period, 625 women suffered from a heart-related event, such as heart attack or stroke. The genetic variant by itself did not seem to increase risk. Active migraine with aura doubled the risk. But women who had both the genetic variant and active migraine with aura were 3 times as likely to experience a heart-related event compared with women who did not have the gene variant or migraines. In this latter group, the majority of the increased risk was related to a fourfold increase in risk of stroke. According to researcher, this gene by itself does not appear to increase the risk for overall and for specific cardiovascular disease, but rather this research suggests a possible connection between the gene variant and migraine with aura. And the result suggest that women with migraines accompanied by aura should be counseled in ways to reduce their heart disease risk. Doctors should try to reduce heart disease risk factors and advice young women who experience migraine with aura not to smoke and to consider birth control pill alternatives. Because this study looked only at women, researchers say more study is needed to determine if the migraine with aura and the genetic variant carry the same heart disease risk in men. While it is too early to start testing young women with migraine with aura for this gene variant, more focused research will help you to understand these complex links and will help you to purchase the best gift ideas for Christmas that is to potentially develop preventative strategies.

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