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The Complete Guide to Migraine Headaches

PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND REMEDIES

By Alice Peart

Copyright 2006 All rights reserved

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The Complete Guide to Migraine Headaches by Alice Peart

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Please Read This FIRST.

Terms of Use

This Electronic book is Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this

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Disclaimer

The advice contained in this material might not be suitable for everyone. The

author provides the information only as a broad overview by a lay person about

an important subject.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical

advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or

other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a

medical condition or anything which might affect your body or well-being in any

way.

The author obtained the information from sources believed to be reliable and

from her own personal experience, but he neither implies nor intends any

guarantee of accuracy.

Research is changing theories and practices in this area constantly and each

person needs to consult their own medical practitioner who knows their particular

details.

The author, publisher and distributors never give legal, accounting, medical or

any other type of professional advice. The reader must always seek those

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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services from competent professionals that can review their own particular

circumstances.

The author, publisher and distributors particularly disclaim any liability, loss, or risk taken by individuals who directly or indirectly act on the information

contained herein.

All readers must accept full responsibility for their use of this material.

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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Table of Contents

Please Read This FIRST. .......................................................................................... 2

Terms of Use ...................................................................................................................................... 2

Disclaimer ........................................................................................................................................... 2

Table of Contents...................................................................................................... 4

1. Migraine headaches - An Overview ..................................................................... 8

What Causes a Migraine? ................................................................................................................. 8

Time for a Migraine ........................................................................................................................ 9

Combating a Migraine ....................................................................................................................... 9

The Mechanism Behind A Migraine ............................................................................................. 9

Stress on the Muscles ................................................................................................................. 10

2. What are migraine headaches? ......................................................................... 12

What Happens During Migraine Headaches? ............................................................................... 12

Causes of a Migraine ....................................................................................................................... 12

3. Types of Migraine Headaches............................................................................ 14

Classification of a Migraine ........................................................................................................ 14

A Migraine with Aura ................................................................................................................... 14

Types of Migraines with Aura ..................................................................................................... 15

Migraines without an Aura .......................................................................................................... 15

4. What is A Migraine?............................................................................................ 16

Diagnosis of a Migraine................................................................................................................... 16

Causes .............................................................................................................................................. 16

Accompanying Symptoms.......................................................................................................... 17

Remedies .......................................................................................................................................... 17

5. Signs and Symptoms of Typical Migraine headaches..................................... 18

Warning Signs .................................................................................................................................. 19

6. Factors That Trigger Migraine Headaches........................................................ 21

7. What is the Real Cause of Migraine Headaches? ............................................ 25

How Does it Happen? ...................................................................................................................... 25

Other Factors ............................................................................................................................... 26

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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8. Risk Factors ........................................................................................................ 27

Major Risk Factors........................................................................................................................... 27

9. Who Gets Migraine Headaches? ....................................................................... 29

10. Migraine Headaches in Children...................................................................... 31

Causes .............................................................................................................................................. 31

Symptoms......................................................................................................................................... 32

Preventive Measures ................................................................................................................... 33

Treatments.................................................................................................................................... 33

11. Recent Research on Migraine Headaches ...................................................... 34

Recent Research Findings.............................................................................................................. 34

Implantable Neurotransmitter..................................................................................................... 34

12. How to Diagnosis Migraine Headaches .......................................................... 36

Scans and Tests...................................................................................................... 38

CT scans ........................................................................................................................................... 38

MRI scans ......................................................................................................................................... 38

Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap ..................................................................................................... 38

Sinus X-Ray ...................................................................................................................................... 38

Neurological and Ophthalmology Tests........................................................................................ 39

Skeletal Tests ................................................................................................................................... 39

Other Factors .......................................................................................................... 40

Orthodontic Care ............................................................................................................................. 40

Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain ................................................................................................... 40

13. Ten Tips to Avoid Migraine Headaches .......................................................... 42

14. Migraine Headaches and Sleep Apnea............................................................ 45

15. Natural Remedies to Prevent or Ease Migraine Headaches.......................... 46

16. Treating Migraine Headaches with Acupressure ........................................... 47

17. Treating Migraine Headaches with Massage Therapy ................................... 49

18. Treating Migraine Headaches with Detoxification.......................................... 50

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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19. Treating Migraine Headaches with Herbs ....................................................... 51

20. Treating Migraine Headaches with Acupuncture ........................................... 52

21. Treating Migraine Headaches with Biofeedback ............................................ 53

22. Treating Migraine Headaches with Exercise .................................................. 54

23. Treating Migraine Headaches with Vitamins and Supplements ................... 55

24. Treating Migraine Headaches with Traditional Chinese Medicine................ 57

25. Treating Migraine Headaches with Homeopathy ........................................... 58

26. Treating Migraine Headaches with Craniosacral Therapy............................. 60

27. Treating Migraine Headaches with Cognitive Therapy .................................. 61

28. Treating Migraine Headaches with Energy Healing ....................................... 62

29. Treating Migraine Headaches with Ayurveda................................................. 63

30. Treating Migraine Headaches with Environment and Lifestyle Changes .... 64

Environmental Changes.................................................................................................................. 64

Lifestyle Changes ............................................................................................................................ 64

31. Treating Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy .......................................... 65

32. Herbs for Aromatherapy to Treat Migraine Headaches ................................. 66

33. Herbs for Cleansing Teas to Treat Migraine Headaches ............................... 67

34. Relieving Your Stress Triggers........................................................................ 68

35. Avoiding Foods that Trigger Migraine Headaches ........................................ 69

36. Treating Migraine Headaches with Relaxation Techniques .......................... 70

37. Relieving Caffeine Headaches ......................................................................... 71

38. Can You Use Feverfew for Migraine Relief? ................................................... 72

39. Treatment Options for Migraine Headaches................................................... 73

40. The Impact of Migraine Headaches ................................................................. 77

41. How to Cope with Migraine Headaches .......................................................... 80

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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42. Myths and Misinformation about Migraine Headaches ................................. 82

43. Common Mistakes in Treating Migraine Headaches...................................... 83

44. When to Seek Professional Help ..................................................................... 85

45. How Do I Choose a Doctor for Headache Care? ............................................ 86

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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Part-I: Introduction

1. Migraine headaches - An Overview

Migraine headaches are severe headaches which can happen suddenly. They

have distinct symptoms, such as tingling in the leg (or arm) or blind spots or

flashes of light across your eyes.

You then become very sensitive to light, which is called Photophobia, and sound,

which is called Phonophobia. You also feel nauseated or actually vomit.

Migraine headaches may prevail for few hours or few days. The pain is intense.

Migraine headaches are a common ailment among more than 28 million

Americans. Another interesting statistic is more women suffer from migraines

than men do. 8% of men and 25% of women suffer from a migraine at some or

other time of their lives.

A migraine is a vascular headache as it is due to compression of arteries and

their effects on veins. You may feel pain either on one side of the head or all

over your head.

‘Migraine’ comes from the Greek word, hemikranion, which means pain affecting

one side of the head.

What Causes a Migraine?

There is no single cause for a migraine. Contributing factors could include:

intake of alcohol

certain specific food items

the menstrual cycle in women

weather changes

bright light, and

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some genetic factors.

A migraine could lead to certain psychological problems, strokes and depression.

This is because of the narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain and head which

lowers the flow of blood to the brain and results in intense headaches and pain.

Time for a Migraine

Migraine headaches commonly occur between the ages of ten and forty-six.

Inherited genetic factors causing a migraine are due to skeletal imbalances.

Normally, your doctor conducts a detailed investigation into your family history

to analyze possible causes of your migraine.

Those suffering from sinus problems also suffer from severe headaches, albeit

different from a migraine. A thorough examination by a neurologist with an MRI

and a CT scan can clear all doubts of your headache being due to sinus, brain

tumor, or seizures.

Combating a Migraine

The main aim of any migraine treatment is to lessen and eliminate the pain. This

should also reduce the vomiting and nausea symptoms. Doctors recommend an

array of treatment methods and intake of various NSAIDs like Tylenol, Advil, or

Excedrin or other drugs like Topamax, Imitrex and some others.

However, none of these drugs can provide long-term relief from migraine

headaches.

A migraine is a neurological disease. There are many new medications available.

Although they may not offer a total relief, they can reduce the frequency of

occurrence of a migraine. Again, they can stop the pain sooner after your

migraine headache starts.

The Mechanism Behind A Migraine

Migraine headaches come from excessive pressure on the temporalis muscle and

trigeminal nerve. These are the primary centers for the cause of your migraine

Copyright © 2006 Alice Peart

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headache. It results due to excessive and abnormal muscular activity leading to

a change in the blood flow and electrochemistry within your head. Normally, you

associate headaches or an attack of a migraine to a very stressful day.

Normal headaches find relief in simple medications. However, migraine sufferers

do not find any relief from such medications.

Various dental problems are often the cause for your migraine. Crooked teeth

and disjoined jaws lead to excessive clenching and grinding. Abnormal

functioning of these muscles triggers abnormal blood flow. Lack of sufficient

blood supply causes headaches which persist.

Such intense contraction of muscles leads to chronic headaches. The pain is more

intense due to overuse and overexertion of muscles. Eventually, it can lead to

joint damage. Then, your muscles try to increase activity to make up for the

damage, leading to more pain.

This vicious cycle continues and you suffer from a migraine.