headachedrugs
February 3, 2012 | 
Author For many women with migraine, menopause can actually signal a time of headache relief. However, the years leading up to menopause when hormone levels fluctuate and ovaries produce less estrogen, headaches can actually become worse. According to Susan Broner, MD, of The Headache Institute of New York, perimenopausal
women may experience insomnia, irregular periods, and hot flashes… changes that may lead to more frequent migraines. “Some women who haven’t experienced migraines since their 20s find they return with a vengeance during perimenopause.” While this can be a troublesome time, Dr. Broner suggests there is room for optimism. “Once the hormone fluctuation stops and menopause begins, most women tend to see improvements.” HeadWise Vol 1, Issue 3 Sarah Fister Gale
Walking may be the purest and most uncomplicated exercise we can do for our bodies. Health experts tell us consistent walking not only is great at burning calories, it can also tune up our cardiovascular system, and strengthen our bones.
Its easy to get started. Make sure you wear athletic shoes that are properly fitted… you don’t want to get blisters. Begin slowly-maybe ten minutes the first few days, and increase your time as you feel stronger. Walking at a brisk pace, as opposed to a slow walk will also maximize health benefits. Walking is also a perk for our checkbooks… no fancy machines, health clubs or trainers needed! You can find many people heading to their local indoor mall to walk when the weather is snowy, rainy, or too cold!
Tennis champion Martina Navratilova, an advocate for walking also sees the intangible benefits. Enjoying the surroundings, catching a glimpse of nature, and just having fun can make the journey more meaningful….. AARP 9/10
Headaches originating in the neck are known as cervicogenic headaches or muscle tension headaches. These usually start as a dull, achy pain which gets worse as the muscles fatigue and tighten.
Poor posture can affect the muscles in front of the neck which become taut pulling the head forward while putting additional stress on the neck and upper back. This leads to a ”catch-22″ of muscle imbalances creating poor posture which, in turn, worsens muscle imbalances. This pain can often lead to throbbing and migraine-type pain. Unfortunately office environments and repetitive motions can lead to this vicious cycle.
It is important to stretch the tight muscles in the neck and take breaks from the computer every 20 minutes. Getting up and walking around helps avoid postural strain. When sitting, try to maintain upright posture. Ideally, the computer monitor should be at eye level or just above so the neck doesn’t have to strain. Keep feet firmly on the floor to keep your spine straight. Just following these simple steps can help alleviate some strain on your neck and will help develop better habits.
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Gary Small, MD, director of the UCLA Longevity Center has recently published a book that suggests simple steps we can all try to keep our minds sharp. According to Dr. Small, if everyone in the U.S. added just one healthy habit, it could prevent or delay a million cases of Alzheimer’s disease that otherwise would be anticipated to occur over a period of five years.
The book is called The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program. It suggests, for example that exercise is a good way to keep your brain sharp. However, Dr. Small says “You don’t have to become a triathlete – park your car a bit of a distance from your destination. Take one flight of stairs. Start slowly and build up.” That sounds like pretty good advice… find little ways to get yourself started. He also talked about mental challenges people can try, such as crossword puzzles. That seems like an obvious choice… yet simple conversations you may have with friends about politics can work just as well. In fact, Dr. Small suggests having a net-work of friends can lower the risk of dementia by as much as 60 percent.
Finding ways to manage your stress, such as tai chi, or a walk with a friend can be beneficial… just don’t stress about your Alzheimer’s prevention plan! Small steps can take you a long way…. Readers Digest Dec/2011-Jan/2012
Most of us could use a little more sleep. Watching television, or working on the computer keep many people up well past their “bedtime.” Many migraineurs know that insufficient sleep can trigger a headache.
The National Sleep Foundation suggests adults get eight hours each night, but the average is about seven. Older adults may sleep a bit more than adults, but it can be fragmented between day and night.
Teens need at least nine hours or more of sleep per night but rarely get it. While most high schools begin classes before 8:00 a.m. there has been a recent trend to push back starting time to 9:00 a.m. Administrators and parents have recognized the importance of allowing teens to benefit from the extra hour of sleep. Teens also tend to get less headaches and depression when they get enough sleep.
While these are recommendations, genetics and lifestyle play a part in how much sleep everyone needs. For those who power nap during the day, less sleep at night may be okay.
Dr. Gary Foster, director of the obesity center at Temple University recently led a study that compared weight loss results from Atkins-style (low-carbohydrate) diets vs. low-fat diets. While the low-carb dieters had greater increases in HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels, both groups showed improved heart disease risk factors. Those improved factors included lower triglycerides and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. According to Dr. Foster, “As little as four percent weight loss has been found to prevent development of type 2 diabetes.” Duke Medicine Health News Volume 11G
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While scientific studies have suggested that peppermint and lavender essential oils can help manage migraine headache pain, Dr. Alexander Mauskop, MD, director of the New York Headache Center recommends inhaling the scents to avoid smells that may trigger an attack. Migraststick is a small, inexpensive roller that contains peppermint and lavender essential oils. Dr. Mauskop tells patients who get stuck on a train or bus next to a heavy cologne wearer to take the roller out, and inhale. It may be worth a try….. HeadWise Volume 1, Issue 3 Allecia Vermillion
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published results of a study aimed at older adults and their consumption of vitamins B6 and B12. The study revealed that depression was more likely to be found in adults with the lowest intake of the B vitamins. However, for each additional 10 mg of vitamin B6 or Vitamin B12 the adults consumed, the risk of developing depression in a given year decreased by two percent.
In a separate study, reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) women with low levels of folate (vitamin B9) were more likely to be depressed. In the same study, men with low levels of folate did not show an increased likelihood of depression. This same USDA study found that low levels of folate were linked to symptoms of dementia and cognitive decline in men and women.
Vegetables, meat, nuts and whole grain products are good sources for Vitamin B6. Meat, poultry, fish and dairy products contain Vitamin B12. For Folate intake try leafy green vegetables and legumes….Duke Medicine Health News Volume 11G
Nutrition Action Health Letter recently reported that Minute Maid Help Nourish Your Brain 100% Fruit Juice Blend is not quite as brain enriching as it is touted to be. There is a tiny amount of DHA (One of the two main omega-3 fats in fish oil) in the juice. Yet consumers are told that “DHA is a key building block in the brain” and “Vitamin C is highly concentrated in brain nerve endings.” The upshot of this… parents may believe the juice is important for the brain development of their children, and adults may drink it to strengthen their memories. In either case, it likely will not make a difference.
A story reported in Medical News Today reports that low-fat products may cause more harm than good to the American diet.
Many well-motivated people have been led to believe that all fats are bad and that substituting sugar and flour is a better alternative than using heart-healthy plant-based oils. “This unfortunately contributes to the epidemic rates of diabetes suffered by many Americans, in addition to premature death”, says Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health. Many see oil listed as an ingredient in their food and wrongly assume it is an unhealthy fat.
Companies have eliminated unhealthy trans fats in their regular muffins and now use healthier canola or soybean oil, while the low-fat version of the muffin is loaded with sugar, flour and up to 60% more sodium to enhance flavor. It’s obvious that the regular muffin is in fact healthier than the low-fat one.
Some suggestions to keep you on the right track with your food intake:
Cut down on portion size: This is a healthier alternative to trying to reduce fat.
Reduce sugar and salt: Sugar can be reduced by one quarter without affecting the taste or texture.
Use plant oil: Canola, extra virgin and safflower are healthier than shortening or butter.
Add nuts and fresh whole fruit
Making sensible, educated choices is easy if you know what you are looking for.
