Migraine News

Are Migraines Hereditary?

Yes, migraines have a tendency to run in families. Four out of 5 migraine sufferers have a family history of migraines. If one parent has a history of migraines, the child has a 50% chance of developing migraines, and if both parents have a history of migraines, the risk jumps to 75%.

Can Migraines Be Prevented?

Yes. You can reduce the frequency of your migraine attacks by identifying and then avoiding migraine triggers. You can keep track of your headache patterns and identify headache triggers by using a headache diary.

Recalling what was eaten prior to an attack may help you identify chemical triggers.

Stress management and coping techniques, along with relaxation training, can help prevent or reduce the severity of the migraine attacks.

Women who often get migraines around their menstrual period can take preventive therapy when they know their period is coming.

Migraine sufferers also seem to have fewer attacks when they eat on a regular schedule and get adequate rest.

Regular exercise -- in moderation -- can also help prevent migraines.

What Food Triggers Headaches?

Some of the most common food, beverages, and additives associated with headaches include:

*Aged cheese and other tyramine-containing foods: Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods. It is formed from the breakdown of protein as foods age. Generally, the longer a high-protein food ages, the greater the tyramine content. The amount of tyramine in cheeses differs greatly due to the variations in processing, fermenting, aging, degradation or even bacterial contamination. Tyramine is also found in red wine, alcoholic beverages, and some processed meats.

*Alcohol: Blood flow to your brain increases when you drink alcohol. Some scientists blame the headache on impurities in alcohol or by-products produced as your body metabolizes alcohol. Red wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne are the most commonly identified headache triggers.

*Food additives: Food preservatives (or additives) contained in certain foods can trigger headaches. The additives, nitrates and nitrites, dilate blood vessels, causing headaches in some people.

*Cold foods: Cold food, like ice cream, can cause headaches in some people. It's more likely to occur if you are over-heated from exercise or hot temperatures. Pain, which is felt in the forehead, peaks 25 to 60 seconds and lasts from several seconds to one or two minutes. More than 90% of migraine sufferers report sensitivity to ice cream and cold substances.

Can Migraines Be Prevented?

Is Caffeine a Headache Treatment or a Headache Trigger?

Caffeine can be both beneficial and harmful for a headache sufferer. Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter headache medications. Caffeine additives make pain-relievers 40% more effective in treating headaches. Caffeine also helps the body absorb headache medications more quickly, bringing faster relief.

While caffeine-containing medications can be beneficial, these medications, combined with consuming too much caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks or chocolate) from other sources, may make you more vulnerable to getting rebound headaches.

Can Headaches Be Prevented?

Headaches can cause untold pain and suffering. But, you don't have to resign yourself to be a headache sufferer. There are steps you can take to prevent headaches. Here are just a few ways to keep headaches at bay.

*Follow your treatment plan. Avoid taking medications that have not been ordered by your doctor.
Reduce emotional stress. Take time to relax and take time away from stressful situations. Learn relaxation skills, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
*Reduce physical stress.  Proper rest and sleep will allow you to deeply relax so you can face the stressors of the new day. When sitting for prolonged periods, get up and stretch periodically. Relax your jaw, neck and shoulders.
*Exercise regularly. Get at least 20 minutes of exercise three times a week. But, don't over do it!
*Keep a regular routine. Eat meals and snacks at about the same times every day, and get enough sleep at night.
*Quit smoking. Smoking can trigger headaches and make any headache, especially cluster headaches, worse. Ask your doctor for information about smoking cessation programs in your community.
*Seek help when you are unable to cope. Talk to a friend, family member, religious or health care professional if your problems are getting to you.
*Know your headache triggers. Keep a headache diary to keep track of what triggers your headaches and avoid these triggers in the future.
*Preventive therapy. Women who often get headaches around their menstrual period can take preventive therapy when they know their period is coming.

What Pain-Relievers Are Responsible for Causing Rebound Headaches?

Many commonly used immediate relief medications, when taken in large enough amounts, can cause rebound headaches. Medications once thought of as "safe" are turning up as the likeliest culprits. These include:While small amounts of these medications per week may be safe (and effective) -- at some point, the continued medication use can lead to the development of low grade headaches that just will not go away.

*  Aspirin
*  Sinus relief medications
*  Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
*  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Aleve, Motrin (or ibuprofen).
*  Codeine and prescription narcotics
*  Over-the-counter combination headache remedies containing caffeine (such as Anacin, Excedrin, Bayer Select)
*  Ergotamine preparations (such as Cafergot, Migergot, Ergomar, Bellergal-S, Bel-Phen-Ergot S, Phenerbel-S, Ercaf, Wigraine and Cafatine PB)
*  Butalbital combination pain-relievers (Goody's Headache Powder, Supac, fioricet)
While small amounts of these medications per week may be safe (and effective) -- at some point, the continued medication use can lead to the development of low grade headaches that just will not go away.