Possible migraine reducer - Vitamins?

Migraines and multi-vitamins - Over the last few days, I've seen several news sites reporting on reports that certain nutritional supplements can offset migraine pain, even prevent them. Yes, I know that the FDA isn't going to address the role of vitamins to treat migraines BUT I've been keeping track of the role of supplements and herbs in the treatment of headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, anxiety and chronic pain...for over 10 years now.

The multi-vitamin treatment for migraines really isn't big news because many migraine sufferers might already be supplementing with magnesium but the new studies are saying that migraine relief might be as close as a bottle of multi-vitamins. I agree to a degree. Ten years ago when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia and had already been having migraines since childhood...I discovered a multi-vitamin that provided higher levels of the supplements recommended by homeopathic practitioners then. Vitalert has been a mainstay of my daily life for ten years now, chosen for the antioxidant levels of nutritional and herbal supplements.

Before changing any current treatment, please check with your doctor but if you are looking for a multi-vitamin that does have the anti-oxidant levels of riboflavin and magnesium then consider trying Vitalert (to read what Vitalert contains...put Vitalert in the search box and it comes right up, then scroll down)

Here is one of the articles popping up in newspapers online => Migraines and OTC
Treatment




Wishing You A headache free day ~

Tammy Ames RN BSN

Migraine Headaches and Hormones - Triggers for Headaches

Although the role of hormones with the onset and duration of migraines is still being studied there is a growing belief that hormones, especially estrogen, are part of the migraine mechanism. Why? Because women are 3 times more likely than men to experience migraines and the incidence of migraines for women is highest during their reproductive years.

Between hormone fluctuations during a month, even during a day, AND physical "triggers" often associated with migraines ~ It's wise to start a headache journal. It's also very important to keep a copy of these triggers so you can see if they bring on headaches for you so you can avoid them.

Triggers for Migraine Headaches

• alcohol
• preservatives like MSG, nitrates, nitrites
• certain cheeses
• sleep deprivation
• skipped meals
• emotional stress
• dental problems

I found Tedd Mitchell MD's article about migraine headaches with a charting form you can use with your own headache journal. Dr. Mitchell also discusses research on hormones and headaches.

Headache triggers that bring on my migraines? MSG, sleep deprivation,skipped meals, stress, fluid retention (hormones!) - Please, leave a comment - share what works for YOU even what things you need to avoid to keep those headaches at bay...

Tammy

Headaches and Stress - Learn to be more resilient

Frequent Headaches and STRESS go hand in hand. Anyone that suffers with chronic frequent headaches whether they are tension headaches, migraine headaches, even cluster headaches KNOW that they need to reduce their level of stress.

Guess what...the stress in my life doesn't really change...yes, sometimes it's easier to handle but life comes at you from every angle. I'm a huge believer in learning how to be more resilient. More flexible...conditioning yourself to react more positively when things get tough.

I found this great ebook called Turn Stress into Energy and Enthusiasm by Michael Licenblat B.Sc.(Psych) a Resilience Expert from Australia. The concept is to condition your mind AND body to become more resilient to pressure. He calls it 'pressure proofing' yourself. Since the American Medical Association has conceded that "Stress may be the cause of almost 80% of all human illness and disease" then it should motivate us to get a handle on how we deal with everyday stress in our lives.

Throughout my adult life, every doctor has told me to reduce my stress for my headaches, back pain and fibromyalgia BUT even I know its not always possible to change those things in our life that are uncontrollable. We can focus on how we RESPOND to stress with the bonus being less headaches, chronic pain, depression, insomnia and more.

Take a look at Turn Stress into Energy and Enthusiam. Do you think he's on the right track? I do and I'm working on my mindset to see if I can't take control of my headaches and more.

Tammy

Frequent headaches - Finding Relief

Neck pain and shoulder pain lead to frequent headaches. If you suffer with frequent headaches, this isn't news for you. I rarely have "just a headache." I start with a crick in my neck, a tightness in my shoulder and a knot between my shoulder blades OR I wake up with a killer headache with a stiff neck and my shoulder all messed up. Having had migraines and tension headaches since I was a child, I seem to accept to readily that it's just another day with a headache. BUT...

sometimes we miss some obvious (or for those stubborn headache suffers, like me ~ less obvious) ways to not only relieve headaches but even prevent them.

Believe it or not, one source of shoulder and neck pain that leads to headaches for women and men is abdominal weight gain which puts your thoracic spine (between your shoulder blades) into overtime. We'll talk more about abdominal weight gain soon but for women there is solution for headaches that start in your shoulders and neck.

Women with abdominal weight gain often need more support for their back with a bra that fits well and makes it easier for your back to keep you upright. The best bra for chronic back pain, shoulder and neck pain that leads to frequent headaches is a sports bra.

In my journey to find a sports bra that will help me get my spine and neck straightened out, I discovered the one that works for me: full figure sports bra by Sassybax. Getting a bra that eases the strain on your spine is just one step closer to stopping frequent headaches for women.

Tell me, what have YOU found has eased your chronic headaches? I'm waiting to read your comments and resources.

Tammy Ames RN