Posts Tagged ‘Migraine’

How to head off a headache like tension headache, migraine and cluster?

Understanding the source of your headache is the key to ease the pain. Headaches can be triggered by any number of factors, including lack of sleep or food, anxiety, or even medications. But if your headache does not go away, try the remedies specific to the type you are expecting.

Tension Headache Where it hurts most:
- It occurs on both sides of the head.
- These headaches are very common are usually triggered by extreme stress or neck strain.
Ease the ache:
- Over-the-counter drugs are usually all that’s needed.
- You may also find relief with a massage to loosen tight neck muscles.
Stop it:
- Sit up straight at work.
- Sitting hunched over your desk all day can set it off, especially if you are under stress.
- Keeping tension headaches at bay may be as simple as a quick walk outside away from the tumult of the office.

Migraine

Where it hurts most:
- Usually on one side of the head.
- Migraine’s symptoms are intense, throbbing pain, accompanied by nausea and/or sensitivity to light or sound.
- It is not fun and is more common in women.
Ease the ache:
- Prescription medicines are most helpful.
- Rest in a quiet, dark room.
Stop it:
- Identify and eliminate your triggers (the most common are red wine, caffeine and cheese).
- Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce frequency and severity.

Cluster

Where it hurts most:
- It occurs behind one eye.
- This type of pain is signified by a sharp pain that strikes suddenly, and goes away just as quickly.
- They come in groups or clusters and can reoccur for days or months.
- Cluster headaches are rare, affecting less than 1% of adults, but men in their 20s are more likely to get them.
Ease the ache:
- Oxygen therapy has been shown to help alleviate the pain.
- Get yourself checked for sleep apnea – up to 80% of cluster headache sufferers aso have the condition, and treating one may help eliminate the other.
Stop them:
- These headaches are hard to predict but there are several drugs including methysergide maleate, that your doctor may recommend as a preventive measure.

-

| More

If you found this post informative, why not sign up to receive new posts ?
It's simple, and free, and you can even opt to receive by email:
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to Good Health Tips by Email

Benefits of Ginger to the human body

Ginger Scientifically known as Zingiber officianale is a natural pungent spice which is used for ages in Indian and Chinese cuisine and medicines. This spice is widely grown in Africa and Asia and Indian Ginger is supposed to have the best medicinal qualities.

Health benefits of ginger:
 Helps combat Flu or common cold symptoms: This remedy is used by our ancestors to relieve sore throat and other common cold symptoms. Continuous use of Ginger and Honey helps to alleviate sore throat for children and adults. To mitigate the disastrous effects of common cold, just have ginger tea every morning especially in the winter.
 Helps in Digestion : Ginger helps in digestion and thus soothes the stomach. It is especially useful in food poisoning as it cleanses the stomach.
 Used to mitigate menstrual cramps: An old grandmother’s remedy of giving Ginger concoctions to alleviate menstrual cramps is again proved true.
 Heart Burn Remedy: Try using Ginger Tea to reduce heart burn, especially during pregnancy. It really works.
 Motion sickness: We used to carry ginger and lemon in our bags to counter motion sickness while traveling for long hours, especially in mountainous terrains.
 Morning Sickness: Ginger is as effective as vitamin B6 to counter morning sickness in pregnant women. Ginger tea reduces the squeamish feeling after a meal too.
 Migraine Relief: Ginger tea is useful in giving relief during migraines.
 Pain Killer: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties which renders it as an effective painkiller. Just try it while you have a back ache, it immediately soothes you down.
 Cancer treatment: Research proves that continuous use of ginger which has 5-LO enzymes which is useful in treatment of colon and ovarian cancers. It is proven to reduce the motility and activities of breast carcinoma cells. It also causes death or apostasis of breast cancer cells.
 Ginger contain Zinzibain which reduces parasites and eggs. In ancient times children used to be fed Ginger extracts to reduce worm infestation.
 Ginger also an antioxidant properties and is used to combat viruses, chills and fever.
 It also helps in cleansing the kidney thus reducing kidney damage.
 Ginger is also used to soothe and reduce tension.
 Ginger on the whole helps in healing and boosting the immune system and is a irreplaceable ingredient in Ayurvedic medicines.

Cosmetic benefits:
Ginger is improves circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties. Continuous use of ginger improves the skin tone and also lightens the skin. It is also used to fight acne and pimples as it cleanses the circulatory system.

Culinary use:
Ginger is used as a spice to render a pungent taste to vegetables and non vegetarian food. It is an integral part of Indian and Chinese recipes. Ginger cooked with sugar is called candied ginger and is used as a confectionery. It is used as a flavouring agent for cookies, cakes, bread, ale etc.

Food preservative:
Ginger has strong antimicrobial and anti fungal properties that make it a useful food preservative. Ginger is used to make pickles, jams, syrups and even beer. Ginger has numerous uses and can be consumed in the natural form or as extracts. Ginger extracts in the form of capsules, paste, powder and cream are available. Natural ginger is available as candies, in dried and pickled forms which can be consumed with ease.
Best way to maximize the use of Ginger is to use in in cooking or mix it with juices. Get ginger, peel it and store it frozen or just dunk it in a flower pot and cover it with mud. This keeps it fresh for a long time. Just peel it and use it for your daily needs and feel the difference.

Preventing and Curing Migraine

PREVENTING MIGRAINE :
The best way to prevent migraines is to learn what triggers (sets off) your migraines and then try to avoid these triggers. Take a break from activities that provoke a migraine, such as using the computer for a long time. If you know that certain foods trigger your migraines, try to avoid them. Some people find that cutting back on caffeine intake or drinking a lot of water can help prevent migraines. Keeping organized to lessen stress as well as regularly scheduled exercise can also help discourage these distracting headaches from disrupting one’s life. Whatever the cause of your migraine, do all you can to maintain a daily calendar that doesn’t overwhelm you and keeps your life in balance. Eat healthily and learn to relax. Be good to yourself to keep any migraines from controlling your life.

Non-medication therapies for migraine
Therapy that does not involve medications can provide symptomatic and preventative therapy. Using ice, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques may be helpful at stopping an attack once it has started. If possible, sleep is the best medicine.
Generally, leading a healthy life style with good nutrition, adequate water intake, sufficient sleep and exercise may be useful. Acupuncture has been suggested to be a useful non-medication therapy.

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE FOR MIGRAINE :
Migraines can be treated with 2 approaches: abortive and preventive.
- Abortive : The goal of abortive therapy is to prevent a migraine attack or to stop it once it starts. The prescribed medications stop a headache during its prodrome stage or once it has begun and may be taken as needed.
- Preventive : This type of treatment is considered if a migraineur has more than 1 migraine per week. The goal is to lessen the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks.

Click to learn more