Category: Headache

Orthostatic hypotension is a condition that occurs with a sudden drop in blood pressure as a person moves from sitting or lying down to standing. This drop causes dizziness — “seeing stars” — lightheadedness or even loss of consciousness. This condition frequently occurs in older people, and mild cases of orthostatic hypotension are common in the general population. You can treat this condition while it is occurring unless it is accompanied by loss of consciousness. In this case, someone should call for medical assistance immediately.

• Lie down as soon as you feel lightheaded. The dizziness and visual disturbances — “seeing stars” — will slowly go away as you rest. When you feel better, slowly move into a sitting position. Wait several minutes before you start to stand up. This resting period will give your blood pressure time to normalize. Stand up slowly with a stable surface nearby for support.
• Wear compression stockings during the day to reduce your risk of orthostatic hypotension. These stockings squeeze the calf muscles to improve blood circulation and prevent blood from pooling in the legs. You can purchase compression stockings in a medical supply store. Put them on before you get out of bed in the morning when your legs are the least swollen.
• Reduce your risk of orthostatic hypotenstion by staying hydrated — particularly in hot weather — by drinking water and limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which increase urine output.

Migraine vertigo is an unsettling condition that usually includes dizziness and headache that strikes when you least expect it. It occurs more often in women then in men. Symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, due to motion sickness. According to the American Hearing Research Foundation, “Dizziness and headache are individually very common human conditions and their combination is also a common symptom complex.” He goes on to say that they can be independent of or related to each other, and they can indicate a migraine. The exact cause of migraine vertigo is unknown, but certain methods can ease it.

• Rise slowly in the morning to a sitting position at the edge of your bed. Find a spot on the nearest wall to fix your eyes on to steady any dizziness you feel. Stay in bed sitting upright until the dizziness subsides.

• Limit your exposure to bright light and loud noises. Avoid direct sunlight during the onset of this condition for at least three consecutive days.

• Sit quietly away from noise. Sitting with your feet up, comfortably relaxing, will help abate the headache.

• Drink plenty of water, because hydration is a key component to recovery. Avoid alcohol consumption, which will aggravate the condition and/or lengthen your recovery period.

• Eat a balanced diet. Choose foods like sweet potatoes or a whole grain like brown rice, quinoa, barley and oats. Limit caffeine and chocolate intake over the three days following an acute onset of migraine vertigo.

• Breathe in slowly and fully expanding your lungs to ease the headache and the pressure, or band, you may feel across your forehead. Inhale through your nose, then exhale through your mouth five times, repeating three times or more, if needed.

• Move your neck slowly from side to side, shoulder to shoulder. Gently roll your head forward and around while sitting upright in a chair. Do this movement three times with 20 to 30 seconds rest in-between.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the rule of REST: Relax, Eat healthy, Sleep and stillness, and Time to heal.

• If you are experiencing dizziness after three days of rest and relaxation, consult with your doctor.

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Suffering from ear pain when you are in the midst of a migraine headache is not unusual. The nerves in the eyes, neck, head and ears may all experience serious irritation when something goes awry in your system and the pain from one area can be transmitted to another.

A migraine is an intense headache that occurs on one or both sides of the head. The pain sometimes manifests in the ear, behind an eye or in the temples. No one knows what causes migraines, but doctors do know that women suffer from them more than men and that migraines most frequently afflict those between the ages of 15 and 55, becoming less frequent and severe with age.

If the earache comes first, the pain may be transmitted to the outer covering of the brain, which causes the head to ache, notes the website migraineheadachepain.com.

A very serious condition called cerebral sinus thrombosis—or CVST—may cause a headache along with ear pain. CVST is a rare form of stroke that is the outcome of a blood clot of the dural venous sinuses. These sinuses drain blood from your brain. This condition may present with ear pain and a vague headache that hasn’t yet reached migraine proportions.

Eighteen structures refer pain from the eye and sinuses to the ear. If you are having a sinus headache rather than a migraine, which is sometimes hard to distinguish, you may experience ear pain along with your headache.

The website headache-migraine-release.com advises that ear pain along with severe headaches is a typical phenomenon that is misunderstood. The best way to treat ear pain of this nature is with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, or with acetaminophen or aspirin, all of which relieve pain. Your doctor may prescribe a medication that balances your brain chemicals and helps fight off migraines and the ear pain that goes with them.

Changing your lifestyle may help prevent migraines and ear pain. Do not skip meals; go to bed and get up at the same time each day; learn to better cope with your stress and try to limit your stress; exercise; limit caffeine and alcohol intake; and avoid foods, beverages and activities that appear to trigger headaches.

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Migraine is a debilitating form of headache, often accompanied by sensitivity to sound and light; nausea and vomiting may be present. A migraine may last from four hours to three days.

About 20 percent of sufferers experience “aura”, sensory signs and visual disturbances which precede the headache and for some sufferers, the headache is accompanied by earache.

Theories/Speculation

• The exact causes of migraine are not fully understood, though it is now generally accepted that the attack begins within the brain, according to Nature Medicine.

  The “migraine cascade” begins when nerve cells in the brain become over excited, causing blood vessels within the brain to become inflamed and to supply excess blood to the brain. The Headache Research Center has shown that this is followed by reduction in blood flow as the vessels contract. The mechanisms by which essential chemicals are carried in the brain are also disrupted.

How do we Feel Migraine Pain?

• The brain is unable to feel pain. Although the migraine cascade begins within the brain, pain from migraine headaches actually occurs in the membrane which covers the brain (meninges) and the blood vessels, muscles and nerves of the head and neck.

  The sensory (feeling) parts of the facial nerve are activated by the changes in the brain and send messages back to the brain. The brain interprets the message to tell us where the pain is and how severe it is.

About the Facial/Trigeminal Nerve

• The trigeminal nerve is a complex and very important facial nerve. Although it covers a relatively small area of the body, it is responsible for sending almost 50 percent of the total of sensory information received by the brain.

  It sends sensory information to and from: the eye sockets, the teeth and their connecting ligaments, the jaw muscles and joints, the tongue and lips, and the lining of the sinuses and muscles inside the ear.

Why does an Earache Accompany Migraine?

• The trigeminal nerve has three major branches, one of which is called the maxillary nerve. This runs behind the cheek bone and is responsible for sensation in the ears.

  The migraine cascade activates the trigeminal nerve and the area in which pain is felt depends upon which part of the nerve is activated. If the maxillary nerve is activated then pain will be experienced in the ears.

Summary

• The pain felt in the ears during a migraine attack is not a sign that there is any problem with the ears themselves.

  Earache may be part of a migraine attack because of the area of the trigeminal or facial nerve which is stimulated by the changes in blood flow and chemicals in the brain.

  
  
  

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Some people that suffer from classic migraines have experienced a seizure, triggered by the aura, during or directly after a migraine attack. Many doctors define this occurrence as Migralepsy.

A classic migraine begins with the aura stage, followed by severe and throbbing headache pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the aura stage of a migraine affects 20 percent of migraineurs. An aura can include visual, sensory, motor, or verbal disturbances. Visual disturbances include blind spots, flashing lights, and zig zag lines.

Seizures range in severity from hardly noticeable to debilitating. A seizure occurs when a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain causes physical and sensory disturbances, such as convulsing and blacking out. More than 30 types of seizures have been identified with two main categories, focal seizures and generalized seizures, says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Basilar migraines and migraines with a normal or prolonged aura can trigger a seizure. Cerebral infarction, caused by migraines, also causes seizures in some people.

The aura of a seizure and the aura of a migraine are similar; sometimes only the duration of the aura can differentiate the two. If you think you have experienced a seizure talk to you health care professional right away.

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One of the main reasons people engage in a protein powder plan is to develop lean muscle growth and lose weight, but they also want to look slimmer and grow healthier and stronger. Bodybuilders are the most frequent users of protein powders because of the muscle-building potential. This is a noble cause, but if you suffer from migraine headaches and are on a protein powder plan, you may be causing your migraines, or at least exacerbating them.

What is a Migraine Headache?

• More than just a regular headache that may be caused by stress, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders or even blocked sinuses, migraine headaches may be triggered by heredity, hormone levels, prescription medications, environmental conditions and allergies. People with migraines often have sensitivity to light and sound, they may experience pain on just one side of the head, dizziness, blurred vision and any other condition that relates to the fact that the brain controls our bodies. Migraines can last from a few hours to a few days and are usually incapacitating; they can occur as often as several times a week to a few times a month.

Are Protein Powders Safe?

• For the most part, yes; however, as with any supplement there is a danger of toxicity or negative drug interactions. Most protein powders have vitamins and minerals in them as well as either soy, whey, casein, egg or other form of protein that has been reconstituted in the form of a powder. Always read the labels and consult with a physician about any supplements you are taking to make sure overdoses do not occur.

Other Benefits of Protein Powders and Complications

• Protein powders are also touted as being good for heart health and lowering bad cholesterol. These and other supplements, however, have also been linked to migraines, insomnia, depression and bipolar disorder. Essentially what happens is excess proteins, vitamins and minerals lead to the loss of neurotransmitters that keep the brain chemistry in balance.

Protein Powders Linked to Migraine Headaches

• Most people who take protein powders do not experience any negative side effects, but if you suffer from migraines while taking these powders, you should consider stopping the supplement. Excess protein in your diet can also be taxing on your liver and kidneys. Excess protein can cause an imbalance in the brain’s chemistry and lead to migraines.

A Simple Experiment

• In general, people who don’t take in enough protein from food to fulfill their body’s individual requirements may benefit from a protein powder plan. However, if you begin to experience migraine headaches or an increase thereof, you may want to do a little experiment on yourself to verify whether the supplement is indeed the cause. If you stop taking the protein powder and your headaches decrease, you may be one of those who have a negative reaction to protein powders and should find other means of meeting your dietary needs.

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Some types of migraines mimic many of the same symptoms of a stroke or “mini-stroke” (transient ischemic attack or TIA). But other types of migraines may produce symptoms that the American Heart Association would call a stroke. These symptoms also experienced by people with migraines include problems in the eyes and with balance and numbness.

Eyes

• One migraine symptom is pain on one side of the head, often behind the eye. Another symptom in many types of migraines is the eyelid on the painful side of the face drooping and making it difficult to see out of one or both eyes. People suffering from strokes or TIA may also get a one-sided headache behind the eye, have one eyelid that droops and experience vision problems.

Balance

• Migraine sufferers often have problems with dizziness, which can contribute to nausea. “Migraines For Dummies” notes that people with vestibular migraines often become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning around them. This sensation may often be worse than the head pain. The patient may have difficulty speaking because of loss of coordination of the mouth.

Time Frame

• With both migraine attacks and strokes, it can feel as if the symptoms happen for no immediately identifiable reason. The symptoms often appear with a sudden intensity instead of gradually getting worse. The symptoms can take hours or days to go away in a migraine but can take considerably less time with a stroke. A patient suffering from a TIA may have her symptoms go away in less than an hour. The patient still needs to be hospitalized because she is prone to having another TIA or full-blown stroke in 24 hours.

Types

• Types of migraines that most strongly mimic a stroke are hemiplegic migraines, vestibular migraines and basilar artery migraines (BAM). These three types not only have head pain, but also often include problems with vision, balance and nausea. MAGNUM–the National Migraine Association–notes that hemiplegic migraine suffers often feel a numbness on an entire side of their bodies.

Warning

• According to “Migraines For Dummies,” anyone who experiences their first migraine over the age of 50 should immediately go to the hospital. The migraine symptoms could actually be a stroke, glaucoma, aneurysm or a complication from medical treatments, medication, a possible poisoning or complications from an old injury.

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Using heat or ice for migraine relief is a matter of personal preference. The Mayo Clinic states that some people find relief through cold compresses or hot compresses on the head or back of the neck, or by taking a hot bath.

Temporary Relief

• Cold compresses, heating pads, warm compresses or hot baths may help ease migraine pain, but they do not take the pain entirely. Medication is needed for that.

Time Frame

• Cold or warm compresses should be placed on the skin for only ten or fifteen minutes at a time. A warm foot bath or full bath be used as a treatment for as long as needed.

Speculation

• According to the Mayo Clinic, a cold compress on the head or neck may help numb the pain. Heat from a pad or a bath may help the patient’s muscles to relax. Tense muscles may add to migraine pain.

Trial and Error

• “Migraines For Dummies” (Diane Stafford and Jennifer Shoquist, MD; 2003) points out that all people experience migraines differently, so individuals may have different reactions to heat or cold on their bodies. The only way to find out how you react is to test different remedies.

Warning

• “Migraines For Dummies” also mentions that some types of migraines are so severe that patients undergoing attacks need immediate hospitalization. These types include hemiplegic migraines and basilar artery migraines.

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A white pill with the imprint 44 159 is an over-the-counter analgesic medicine called Genaced, which is manufactured by Teva Corp., previously known as IVAX.

Contents

• Genaced contains a combination of analgesics—or pain-relieving substances. Acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine are all present in Genaced.

Use

• Genaced is used to treat pain and fever, migraine and osteoarthritis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not determined whether the drug is safe to use during pregnancy.

Dosage

• The Genaced pill with imprint 44 159 may contain either a 250 mg dose or a 65 mg dose. It is important to refer to the original packaging of the pill to determine the correct dosage.

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Staring at the screen of a laptop for too long can result in a headache. This is often caused by eyestrain. Other symptoms can include dry or watery eyes, stiff shoulders and neck, tired, itching or burning eyes and an increased sensitivity to light. These symptoms are a signal that you are not using the laptop properly and are making your eyes strain to do the work. It is not difficult to cure the headache and prevent this problem from reoccurring.

Things You’ll Need

• Pain reliever

• Artificial tears eye drops

• Swallow a pain reliever with water. This relieves the headache pain, but will not prevent further problems if you do not adjust how you use the laptop.

• Take a break away from the laptop. Mayo Clinic suggests a 20/20/20 rule which means every 20 minutes focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away from you for at least 20 seconds.

• Go to an eye doctor to check your vision if you wear corrective lenses and haven’t been in for a checkup in over a year.

• Leave your computer area. Stretch your body by doing simple exercises or lie down for a few minutes with your eyes closed. This not only helps to relieve your headache, it refreshes your entire body.

• Position your laptop at least 20 inches away from your eyes. If you have difficulty reading the screen, increase the font size on your computer by hitting the “ctrl” button and the “+” sign at the same time. Decrease the font size by hitting “ctrl” and the “-” button at the same time.

• Turn the monitor off on your computer, but leave the screen up. If there is a glare on the screen, this may be the cause of your headache. Reposition the laptop, sit elsewhere or adjust window blinds, lights or curtains to remove the glare.

• Dust the laptop screen frequently. The dust on the screen reduces the contrast on the laptop screen. It also contributes to reflection and glare problems.

• Use artificial tears throughout the day if your eyes often feel dry. This helps cut down on the eyestrain and reduces the chance of your getting another headache.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use proper lighting while using your laptop. The glare from the screen in a dim or dark room increases your chance of developing eyestrain.
• If you attempt to prevent the eyestrain with home remedies, yet have ongoing headaches, double vision, eye discomfort or other changes in your vision, see a doctor. You may have an underlying eye problem, such as uncorrected vision or an eye muscle imbalance.
• Avoid using eye drops that reduce the redness in your eyes. Habitual use can make the eye problems worsen. Artificial tears can be used as often as necessary without causing other problems.

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