If you get a terrible headache whenever you exercise or rush around, it could be due to a number of reasons, which are mostly harmless. These are what's commonly known as ‘benign’ causes, which means that they are just unpleasant, and not dangerous. However, in rare instances, headaches that follow exertion might have serious underlying reasons. Thus, if it is a major cause of worry for you, see your doctor.
Effort Migraines
An effort migraine is a type of headache that commonly occurs in people who exercise a lot and engage in sports. Those who experience this type of headache often had a migraine in the past, so they may recognize familiar warning signs, like flashing lights before the headache begins. An effort migraine typically lasts between four and six hours.
An effort migraine is believed to be caused by the rise in body temperature after intense exercise or activity. A high body temperature may dilate the blood vessels in the brain and make them press on the nerves, bringing about the headache.
To relieve effort migraine, the usual medications for migraine can be effective, particularly the preventative ones. It also helps trying not to get too hot to lower your chances of getting a headache as well as taking a dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications like ibuprofen before exercising.
Exertional Headaches
Exertional headaches are a type of headache that affects one in every 100 people, and is believed to be caused by the increase in blood pressure and subsequent increased pressure in the brain's blood vessels after exercising. An exertional headache is often manifested by the onset of a sudden, intense throbbing pain at the back of the head. An exertional headache can last for six hours, during which time the headache becomes a background ache. Exertional headaches can be easily controlled by over-the-counter painkillers.
Benign Coital Headaches
Benign coital headache is a type of exertional headache that manifests regularly during or after intercourse. Because of the nature of this headache, people who experience this type of headache are embarrassed to see their doctor for treatment.
Some individuals will experience a severe and intense headache during sex. This type of headache is unusual and needs to be treated as an emergency case. Thus, if you tend to experience benign coital headaches, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that is linked to exercise. This headache arises from disorders in the cervical spine, with symptoms that usually include blurred vision. The problem can be traced to the muscles, joints or nerves. To prevent further headaches from occurring, neck problems need to be treated.
Signs that You Should Consult Your Doctor
Getting a headache while exercising could indicate a more troublesome condition, but it is rather rare if this happens. To know if it is time to see a doctor, you should have the following symptoms:
- A headache that starts suddenly from nowhere
- A headache that gets worse in the next few days
- Any type of recent head injury
- A type of headache that you never experienced before
- A headache with symptoms that you are not familiar with
- Constant pain on one side of the head
- Waking up either at night or in the morning with pain
- A stiff neck
- Numbness or tingling in any part of your body
Monday, January 18, 2010
How To Recognize The Symptoms Of Migraine Headaches
You have started to have severe headaches. These headaches last for a few hours and are recurring a couple of times a month. You suspect that it may be migraine headaches but how do you know for sure? This article will give you the signs and symptoms of a migraine. A word or caution. It is not smart to diagnose yourself. If you are having frequent headaches and aren't sure of the cause, see your doctor right away. He may want to do some tests to rule more serious problems.
A migraine is a headache that is so severe it can be disabling and it will sometimes be accompanied by an aura. An aura is a warning sign that a migraine is coming. Auras usually appear anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes before a migraine starts. A migraine can last for two hours or it can last for as long as 72 hours if not treated.
Approximately 11 out of 100 people will get migraines, and women get them more than men. Hormonal changes have been thought to be a huge factor in the development of migraines. Other triggers can be certain foods, environmental changes and stress.
The symptoms of migraine headaches are:
Pain. This can range from moderate to severe. Some people will feel pain on either side of the head, while other people may feel it bilaterally. The pain may be described as throbbing or pulsating.
A true migraine will become worse with physical activity. This is why it interrupts your daily activities. Just walking across the room can cause excruciating pain.
The pain can cause nausea and occasionally vomiting. If the vomiting becomes severe you may need to get your doctor to prescribe an anti-emetic, such as Reglan or Compazine.
Hypersensitivity to sounds or lights is another common symptom of migraines. Most people want to lie down in a dark, quiet room until the pain subsides.
Some people that have migraines will experience auras prior to a headache. These auras may continue for the duration of the migraine. An aura can consist of:
- Bright flashes of light
- Bright zigzagging lines that interrupt your vision field.
- Diffuse blind spots in your field of vision.
- A tingling feeling in a leg or an arm.
Migraines themselves pose no real threat to you. But go to the emergency room immediately if you experience a sudden headache that seems to explode inside your head. If you have a headache with fever, mental confusion or a stiff neck. A headache that continues to get worse after coughing or straining or any other sudden movement. These may all be symptoms of a more serious problem and should not be ignored.
Migraines can be manageable with the right treatment. Talk to your doctor about your best options. There is no reason for you to suffer from the symptoms of a migraine headache.
A migraine is a headache that is so severe it can be disabling and it will sometimes be accompanied by an aura. An aura is a warning sign that a migraine is coming. Auras usually appear anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes before a migraine starts. A migraine can last for two hours or it can last for as long as 72 hours if not treated.
Approximately 11 out of 100 people will get migraines, and women get them more than men. Hormonal changes have been thought to be a huge factor in the development of migraines. Other triggers can be certain foods, environmental changes and stress.
The symptoms of migraine headaches are:
Pain. This can range from moderate to severe. Some people will feel pain on either side of the head, while other people may feel it bilaterally. The pain may be described as throbbing or pulsating.
A true migraine will become worse with physical activity. This is why it interrupts your daily activities. Just walking across the room can cause excruciating pain.
The pain can cause nausea and occasionally vomiting. If the vomiting becomes severe you may need to get your doctor to prescribe an anti-emetic, such as Reglan or Compazine.
Hypersensitivity to sounds or lights is another common symptom of migraines. Most people want to lie down in a dark, quiet room until the pain subsides.
Some people that have migraines will experience auras prior to a headache. These auras may continue for the duration of the migraine. An aura can consist of:
- Bright flashes of light
- Bright zigzagging lines that interrupt your vision field.
- Diffuse blind spots in your field of vision.
- A tingling feeling in a leg or an arm.
Migraines themselves pose no real threat to you. But go to the emergency room immediately if you experience a sudden headache that seems to explode inside your head. If you have a headache with fever, mental confusion or a stiff neck. A headache that continues to get worse after coughing or straining or any other sudden movement. These may all be symptoms of a more serious problem and should not be ignored.
Migraines can be manageable with the right treatment. Talk to your doctor about your best options. There is no reason for you to suffer from the symptoms of a migraine headache.
Friday, January 15, 2010
What Causes Migraine Headaches?
A migraine is a severe headache that is recurring. You may experience migraines monthly or once or twice a year. Migraines can be accompanied by extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds, nausea and vomiting. A severe migraine will be disabling to most people. Migraines have long been a sort of medical mystery. Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of migraines, but over the years have constructed a few theories. This article is going to look at the possible causes of migraine headaches.
A lot of researchers think that migraines are caused by an imbalance in the complex systems of nerves in the brain and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain responsible for pain perception and emotions.
Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that researchers have studied. It has been proven that when you have a headache, your levels of serotonin drops. This in turn will cause the trigeminal nerve in your brain to release neuro peptides. These chemicals will cause the blood vessels on the outside covering of your brain to swell and the resulting pressure will produce a headache. This is the assumed mechanism of how a headache develops, but what causes this to happen.
Your headaches may be the result of certain triggers. The triggers that can produce a migraine are:
- Certain foods can trigger a migraine in a lot of people. Common food triggers are alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate and other canned or processed foods.
- Sometimes skipping a meal can bring on a migraine also.
- Intense physical activity, including sex, can trigger a migraine. Too much sleep or too little sleep can also be a trigger.
- Stress is a big factor in triggering migraines. If you have worked hard all week and are starting to relax on the weekend, it may be ruined by a weekend migraine headache.
- Any type of change in your environment such as, the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and even a change in the time zone, can trigger a migraine.
- Some people are overly sensitive to all types of sensory stimulus such as, bright lights and certain smells. Certain perfumes or flowers have been known to trigger migraine pain.
- Women who are going through hormonal changes will be more at risk for developing a migraine. Researchers aren't sure why the fluctuations of hormones will trigger a migraine, but the incidences of migraines seem to increase right before or during a woman's period.
- Certain medications have been know to trigger migraine headaches.
If you are having frequent migraine headaches, try to pinpoint the trigger for them. Try keeping a journal of everything that you eat or do that's out of the ordinary each day. When you have a migraine read back through your journal and try to identify a possible trigger. If you haven't started treatment for migraines, see your doctor. He can prescribe medicine that will decrease the migraines or make them less intense. Don't suffer in pain anymore, find the cause of your migraine headaches.
A lot of researchers think that migraines are caused by an imbalance in the complex systems of nerves in the brain and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain responsible for pain perception and emotions.
Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that researchers have studied. It has been proven that when you have a headache, your levels of serotonin drops. This in turn will cause the trigeminal nerve in your brain to release neuro peptides. These chemicals will cause the blood vessels on the outside covering of your brain to swell and the resulting pressure will produce a headache. This is the assumed mechanism of how a headache develops, but what causes this to happen.
Your headaches may be the result of certain triggers. The triggers that can produce a migraine are:
- Certain foods can trigger a migraine in a lot of people. Common food triggers are alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate and other canned or processed foods.
- Sometimes skipping a meal can bring on a migraine also.
- Intense physical activity, including sex, can trigger a migraine. Too much sleep or too little sleep can also be a trigger.
- Stress is a big factor in triggering migraines. If you have worked hard all week and are starting to relax on the weekend, it may be ruined by a weekend migraine headache.
- Any type of change in your environment such as, the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and even a change in the time zone, can trigger a migraine.
- Some people are overly sensitive to all types of sensory stimulus such as, bright lights and certain smells. Certain perfumes or flowers have been known to trigger migraine pain.
- Women who are going through hormonal changes will be more at risk for developing a migraine. Researchers aren't sure why the fluctuations of hormones will trigger a migraine, but the incidences of migraines seem to increase right before or during a woman's period.
- Certain medications have been know to trigger migraine headaches.
If you are having frequent migraine headaches, try to pinpoint the trigger for them. Try keeping a journal of everything that you eat or do that's out of the ordinary each day. When you have a migraine read back through your journal and try to identify a possible trigger. If you haven't started treatment for migraines, see your doctor. He can prescribe medicine that will decrease the migraines or make them less intense. Don't suffer in pain anymore, find the cause of your migraine headaches.
Possible Natural Cures For Migraines
If you suffer from migraine headaches and are hesitant about taking prescription medicines, there is some good news. There are natural ways to relieve your migraines without the side effects of prescription drugs. There are natural herbs that are effective in reliving migraines and other natural treatments that we will discuss in this article. But first let's take a look at the natural herbs and supplements.
The herb feverfew has been used in Europe for centuries. It is used to treat migraines, arthritis and fever. If you are currently taking medicine for blood thinning such as coumadin or aspirin you should not take feverfew because it will increase your bleeding time. It is especially important not to take feverfew a few weeks prior to and after surgery. It has also not been studied on pregnant women or nursing mothers, so it's best not to take it during these times.
Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in your foods and in your body. It is thought that a low magnesium level can contribute to the chemical imbalance in your brain that causes a headache. Some studies have shown that taking a magnesium supplement daily reduced the frequency and duration of migraines.
The herb butterbur has been used to relieve migraines, stomach cramps, cough, allergies and asthma. An extract from the plant is used because the raw herb in a natural state can be toxic to the liver and kidneys.
Another supplement that may help prevent migraines is high doses of riboflavin or Vitamin B-2. There has been a theory that this vitamin may help correct tiny deficiencies found in brain cells.
Acupuncture may be worth a try for a migraine cure. This method uses tiny, thin needles that are inserted just into the skin at certain points on your body to help relieve migraine pain. The insertion of the needles stimulate the release of endorphins into your body. Endorphins are known as the body's natural pain killer and they also produce a sense of well-being. More and more Americans are turning to acupuncture as an alternative form of treatment.
Another method is called biofeedback. In this method electrodes are placed on your skin and you are hooked up to a machine that monitors your heart rate, skin temperature, brain waves and muscle tension. Your are then taken through a series of relaxation techniques until you learn to control these physical responses.
Massage is a great way to reduce stress. However, it's effect on migraines have not been studied. But if you think that your migraines are caused from stress and muscle tension in your back and neck, a weekly massage may be very beneficial to you.
As you can see, there are several alternative treatments for migraine pain. The most important thing that you need to do is to make your doctor aware of any treatment or supplement you may be taking. Although vitamins and herbal supplements are over the counter medicines, they can still have a dangerous interaction with some prescription medicines. Do your research, try different methods and before you know it you may have a natural cure for your migraine pain.
The herb feverfew has been used in Europe for centuries. It is used to treat migraines, arthritis and fever. If you are currently taking medicine for blood thinning such as coumadin or aspirin you should not take feverfew because it will increase your bleeding time. It is especially important not to take feverfew a few weeks prior to and after surgery. It has also not been studied on pregnant women or nursing mothers, so it's best not to take it during these times.
Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in your foods and in your body. It is thought that a low magnesium level can contribute to the chemical imbalance in your brain that causes a headache. Some studies have shown that taking a magnesium supplement daily reduced the frequency and duration of migraines.
The herb butterbur has been used to relieve migraines, stomach cramps, cough, allergies and asthma. An extract from the plant is used because the raw herb in a natural state can be toxic to the liver and kidneys.
Another supplement that may help prevent migraines is high doses of riboflavin or Vitamin B-2. There has been a theory that this vitamin may help correct tiny deficiencies found in brain cells.
Acupuncture may be worth a try for a migraine cure. This method uses tiny, thin needles that are inserted just into the skin at certain points on your body to help relieve migraine pain. The insertion of the needles stimulate the release of endorphins into your body. Endorphins are known as the body's natural pain killer and they also produce a sense of well-being. More and more Americans are turning to acupuncture as an alternative form of treatment.
Another method is called biofeedback. In this method electrodes are placed on your skin and you are hooked up to a machine that monitors your heart rate, skin temperature, brain waves and muscle tension. Your are then taken through a series of relaxation techniques until you learn to control these physical responses.
Massage is a great way to reduce stress. However, it's effect on migraines have not been studied. But if you think that your migraines are caused from stress and muscle tension in your back and neck, a weekly massage may be very beneficial to you.
As you can see, there are several alternative treatments for migraine pain. The most important thing that you need to do is to make your doctor aware of any treatment or supplement you may be taking. Although vitamins and herbal supplements are over the counter medicines, they can still have a dangerous interaction with some prescription medicines. Do your research, try different methods and before you know it you may have a natural cure for your migraine pain.
What Is A Migraine Headache?
A migraine is different from a regular headache. A migraine is usually very severe, with pain on only one side of the head. It is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and nausea and vomiting. Migraines are a recurring condition. Some people may have one several times a month, while some may only have one or two a year. But when a migraine happens, it can be disabling.
It is estimated that 1 in 100 people suffer from migraines. Research on migraines in the past focused on changes in the blood vessels in the brain. However, new research is being done that points to changes in the brain itself. Scientists believe that the cause of a migraine involves a complex mix of chemical changes in the brain with various nerve pathways. They are still not sure what the exact chain of events are that cause a migraine, but believe that it can be triggered by such things as stress, environmental factors, or certain foods.
There are two types of migraines. There are those with auras or those without auras. Most people will have migraines without the auras. This is called the common migraine.
If you have migraines with auras you will see flashes of light, blind spots in your vision, zigzag lines in your vision and sometimes have tingling sensations in your arms or leg. These auras usually start about 15 to 30 minutes before the migraine start and serve as a good warning sign. On occasion, the aura can last throughout the duration of the migraine.
If you have migraine headaches, you probably know what helps the pain. Everyone is different when it comes to pain relief. Some people just want to lie down in a dark, quiet, room and sleep it off. Others will take medication developed especially for migraine headaches. It is important to note, that if you suffer from migraines and haven't been to the doctor for treatment of them lately, it may be a good idea to see your doctor. There are a lot of new medications available for migraines now that weren't available ten years ago.
Children can have migraines, too. Their migraines may have started in adolescence or early adulthood. There have been incidences of migraines in children as young as 1. The good news is, migraines in children don't last as long and they typically grow out of them. With children the migraine will usually cause pain on both sides of the head. Children can also have nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, but have no headache pain. This type of migraine is especially difficult to diagnose and can be very frightening for the parents.
If you have migraines talk to your doctor about treatment. Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Try to get adequate rest and reduce the stress in your life, if possible. Don't let the thought of having another migraine headache interrupt your life.
It is estimated that 1 in 100 people suffer from migraines. Research on migraines in the past focused on changes in the blood vessels in the brain. However, new research is being done that points to changes in the brain itself. Scientists believe that the cause of a migraine involves a complex mix of chemical changes in the brain with various nerve pathways. They are still not sure what the exact chain of events are that cause a migraine, but believe that it can be triggered by such things as stress, environmental factors, or certain foods.
There are two types of migraines. There are those with auras or those without auras. Most people will have migraines without the auras. This is called the common migraine.
If you have migraines with auras you will see flashes of light, blind spots in your vision, zigzag lines in your vision and sometimes have tingling sensations in your arms or leg. These auras usually start about 15 to 30 minutes before the migraine start and serve as a good warning sign. On occasion, the aura can last throughout the duration of the migraine.
If you have migraine headaches, you probably know what helps the pain. Everyone is different when it comes to pain relief. Some people just want to lie down in a dark, quiet, room and sleep it off. Others will take medication developed especially for migraine headaches. It is important to note, that if you suffer from migraines and haven't been to the doctor for treatment of them lately, it may be a good idea to see your doctor. There are a lot of new medications available for migraines now that weren't available ten years ago.
Children can have migraines, too. Their migraines may have started in adolescence or early adulthood. There have been incidences of migraines in children as young as 1. The good news is, migraines in children don't last as long and they typically grow out of them. With children the migraine will usually cause pain on both sides of the head. Children can also have nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, but have no headache pain. This type of migraine is especially difficult to diagnose and can be very frightening for the parents.
If you have migraines talk to your doctor about treatment. Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Try to get adequate rest and reduce the stress in your life, if possible. Don't let the thought of having another migraine headache interrupt your life.
How To Get Rid Of A Migraine
If you are a migraine headache sufferer you know how important it is to get pain relief fast. A migraine can be so severe that it can put a stop to your whole day. Many people who have migraines may have two or more each month. This article will examine a few ways to get rid of a migraine headache.
If you experience auras with your migraines then you have a warning system in place. It you start to notice bright flashes of light, dark spots in your field of vision or zigzag lines in your vision field, then you are about to develop a migraine. Take an over the counter NSAIDS right away. These drugs such as, Advil and Motrin can help with mild pain from migraines. It is probably a good idea to lie down in a dark, quiet, room also. A cool cloth applied to the forehead may be of some comfort.
If your migraines are severe, you need to see your doctor. He will prescribe prescription strength migraine medicine for you such as,Imitrex. This was the first drug that was developed specifically to treat migraines. Imitrex acts like serotonin and binds itself to the serotonin receptors in the brain. This cause the blood vessels to constrict, therefore relieving the pressure on the brain and the migraine pain.
Since Imitrex was developed a few other drugs have been created also. They work in similar ways to Imitrex but have fewer side effects and will cause fewer rebound headaches.
Since nausea is a common complication that occurs with a migraine, your doctor may prescribe an anti-emetic medication such as Reglan, Compazine or Phenergan. These medicines do not decrease the pain from a migraine, but they can stop the nausea and vomiting associated with it. Some of these drugs do have the ability to make you relaxed and very sleepy. Being more relaxed can help your pain medicine work better and possibly shorten the duration of your migraine.
The best thing you can do for your migraines is to find out what causes them. Keep a diary and try to pinpoint certain triggers that may set off a migraine headache. Some people are overly sensitive to certain perfumes or flowers. Others may develop a migraine after eating certain foods.
Your other option is to talk to your doctor about preventive medicines for migraine headaches. Studies have found that certain cardiovascular drugs and certain antidepressant medications have been highly effective in the prevention of migraines. New studies are being done all the time. Who knows, maybe eventually they will find a cure for your migraine headaches. But for now all you can do is try to prevent them or if you feel one coming on, try to treat it as quickly as possible.
If you experience auras with your migraines then you have a warning system in place. It you start to notice bright flashes of light, dark spots in your field of vision or zigzag lines in your vision field, then you are about to develop a migraine. Take an over the counter NSAIDS right away. These drugs such as, Advil and Motrin can help with mild pain from migraines. It is probably a good idea to lie down in a dark, quiet, room also. A cool cloth applied to the forehead may be of some comfort.
If your migraines are severe, you need to see your doctor. He will prescribe prescription strength migraine medicine for you such as,Imitrex. This was the first drug that was developed specifically to treat migraines. Imitrex acts like serotonin and binds itself to the serotonin receptors in the brain. This cause the blood vessels to constrict, therefore relieving the pressure on the brain and the migraine pain.
Since Imitrex was developed a few other drugs have been created also. They work in similar ways to Imitrex but have fewer side effects and will cause fewer rebound headaches.
Since nausea is a common complication that occurs with a migraine, your doctor may prescribe an anti-emetic medication such as Reglan, Compazine or Phenergan. These medicines do not decrease the pain from a migraine, but they can stop the nausea and vomiting associated with it. Some of these drugs do have the ability to make you relaxed and very sleepy. Being more relaxed can help your pain medicine work better and possibly shorten the duration of your migraine.
The best thing you can do for your migraines is to find out what causes them. Keep a diary and try to pinpoint certain triggers that may set off a migraine headache. Some people are overly sensitive to certain perfumes or flowers. Others may develop a migraine after eating certain foods.
Your other option is to talk to your doctor about preventive medicines for migraine headaches. Studies have found that certain cardiovascular drugs and certain antidepressant medications have been highly effective in the prevention of migraines. New studies are being done all the time. Who knows, maybe eventually they will find a cure for your migraine headaches. But for now all you can do is try to prevent them or if you feel one coming on, try to treat it as quickly as possible.
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