HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES

Some women find relief from migraines they've had since adolescence during premenopause; others experience these debilitating headaches for the first time, usually as a result of fatigue, stress and rapidly changing hormone levels. They may also be triggered by sudden, and often short-lived, sensitivities to certain foods, a common side-effect of HRT. Chronic, as well as sudden, headaches can be triggered by citrus fruit, yogurt, aged cheese, miso, cured meats, red wine, aspartame (NutraSweet), MSG, chocolate, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco.

According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches and of these, 28 million suffer from migraines. There are several types of headaches with over 150 headache categories established.

How do you know if it's a migraine?

1. Throbbing or pounding pain. Unlike other types of head pain, migraine pain in the head is characterized by a relentless throbbing or pounding -- as though one's pulse is beating severely in the head. The pain usually begins on one side of the head, at the temple, and can spread downward to the eye, face, and even neck.
2. Pain that disrupts normal activity. The simple act of moving may be difficult if you have a migraine, and pain may be aggravated by activity.
3. You feel sick to your stomach, or feel like vomiting. While nausea and vomiting can be caused by a number of factors including certain diseases, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, or eating spoiled food, it may also accompany migraines in some sufferers.
4. Sensitivity. You are unusually bothered by, or especially sensitive to, light or sound. During (and sometimes prior to) a migraine attack, many sufferers experience strong, painful reactions to light, loud noises, and certain odors.
5. It is important to realize that everyone's migraine is different. You may only have some of the symptoms listed above, or you may have them all. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.
6. Some individuals also experience warning signals or an aura prior to the onset of symptoms. Auras are visual disturbances such as flashing lights, blurred vision or zigzag lines. Only about 15% of all migraine sufferers experience an aura which occurs shortly before the migraine pain starts.

QUICK TIPS

• Eat something 4-5 times each day to even out blood sugar levels.
• Drink 2-4 quarts of water each day.
• Even for a migraine, you can often ward off a headache by drinking 1 tsp. of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water - it usually works in minutes!
• White willow is the herb aspirin was originally mimicking, and can be helpful to treat headaches.

Click below for more information on other symptoms: