Treat Empty Nest Syndrome Migraines Drug Free
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / Anna_Omelchenko
Also in this issue: • • • • • • •
Still Have Teens At Home? Migraines May Offer Explanation for Cranky Kids Crummy Sleep and Chronic Headache Connection Tips for a Good Night’s Rest to Avoid Chronic Headaches A Brit’s Frantic Search for Effective Treatment Good News this Fall for Migraine Sufferers! Fortifying Folic Acid
Migraine Treatment Centers of America Courtesy Magazine NOVEMBER 2012
Š Can Stock Photo Inc. / Kurhan
Treat Empty Nest Syndrome Migraines Drug Free
A while back, we learned about the “Let-Down Migraine”, which occurs after stressful events or periods have passed, rather than during these times. Unfortunately migraineurs can experience headaches as a result of various triggers. If your kids left for college, you may be slammed with a double whammy. It’s important to apply coping skills for a sudden let-down in excitement from graduation parties, shopping and traveling, and the temporary depression that comes when children move to college (cheer up, they’ll be back for breaks!) Meanwhile, try the following: • Refocus your energies into work, hobbies or interests. Positive energy will overcome negative emotions. • Add some calming elements to your environment. Aromatherapy, classical and new age music can replace rap and video games. • Practice healthy nutrition with vitamins and grown-up recipes with healthy protein, veggies and herbs that your teenager would never tolerate. No harried drive-thru meals for you before rushing to meets and games! • Get fresh air and exercise every day, now that you are out of excuses!
So, rather than moping, smile! Your kids are doing great and you’ve earned well-deserved Me-Time!
Still Have Teens At Home?
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / wacker
For back to school teenagers, the stress of juggling classes, activities, and homework is daunting. If your teen suffers with migraines, the American Headache Society says this time of year can be especially overwhelming. Avoid these teen migraine triggers: • Bus Rides – noisy, hot, bumpy and miserable for anyone; offer to drive instead • Skipping Meals – Provide convenient healthy backpack snacks like dried fruit, nuts and whole grain protein bars • Excessive Screen Time – Limit viewing television and computer time. Encourage active breaks • Stress and Sleep Deprivation – Encourage your teenager to talk with you about their stress and help them develop time management skills
• Caffeine, alcohol and smoking – Educate and communicate with your child about health, self-respect and respect for the law • Hormonal Changes – While obviously unavoidable, they are also tricky to identify as triggers. It’s best to check in with your teen’s physician to make sure all is fine. Assure your teen this phase ‘shall pass’ Making sure they…and you… get regular fresh air, downtime, and exercise. It will help them – and you – make it through the school year.
Migraines May Offer Explanation for Cranky Kids It’s no surprise that when young kids get in to trouble or have difficulties performing their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, there is usually an underlying reason. If your child has been having coping difficulties and experiencing migraines or headaches, there is new medical research you may want to learn about. Doctors from the Glia Institute in Sao Paolo, Brazil and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that in a subject group of 1,856 young children, more than half of those with headaches and migraines experienced emotional and behavioral difficulties, compared with less than 20% of the non-headache group. Interestingly the more frequent the headaches, the more emotional and behavior issues they had. It may be tricky for parents to see this connection in kids because the emotional difficulties were internalized rather than disruptive or aggressive, which bother other children or adults. They may experience depression, anxiety or trouble focusing rather than picking fights. The study’s authors also referred to past studies that linked social, focus and emotional problems with migraines in kids. This research suggests that finding the right headache treatment may prove to solve your child’s depression, social problems or even lagging grades. © Can Stock Photo Inc. / jhandersen
Crummy Sleep and Chronic Headache Connection
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / wacker
After waking up with a daily chronic headache, and dragging yourself through your days, it might be time for a little ‘sleep investigation.’ You may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a sleep disorder linked with triggering migraines and headaches. Scientists from Missouri State University determined that REM sleep disturbances increase the levels of certain proteins that play a role in triggering chronic pain in facial nerves involved with the neurological events underlying migraines. The American Headache Society also indicates that snoring and sleep apnea are risk factors for transforming episodic migraines into chronic migraines. Other apnea symptoms include interrupted breathing patterns, awakening, nighttime urination, daytime drowsiness and night sweats. Experts suggest asking your bed partner to note nighttime breathing interruptions and snoring. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, you should journal your sleep activities, along with your migraines to look for a connection between the two. You may find that overnight testing by medical experts at a sleep center is necessary to diagnose your condition. If it turns out that you have a sleeping disorder, treating it could go a long way in managing the symptoms of your chronic migraines or headaches as well.
Tips for a Good Night’s Rest to Avoid Chronic Headaches Medical research linking sleep disorders with headaches and migraines presents a wonderful opportunity to learn about another drug free migraine treatment: Sleep! Scientists from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill found that behavioral modifications to improve sleeping, such as no TV watching in bed or meals before bedtime, resulted in fewer and less severe migraines. The American Headache Society’s education website suggests ways to improve your sleep:
• Women should seek medical care for hormonal issues
• Improve your stress-coping skills
• Relax before bedtime with warm baths, peaceful music, mind-body practice or prayer
• Take care of your emotional and mental health • Talk to your doctor about medicine side effects ruining your sleep • Treat underlying medical conditions
• Avoid consuming alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as they cause restless sleep, night awakening and grogginess • Avoid stimulating evening activities like surfing the Internet
• Exercise and get fresh air daily • Turn your bedroom into a ‘zen’ space With these tips, you might begin to feel better and finally get some quality ZZZZZZ’s!
Patient Care Services Migraine Treatment Centers of America 10740 North Central Expressway, Ste 275 Dallas, TX 75231
We can help!
Patient Care Services Migraine Treatment Centers of America 10740 North Central Expressway, Ste 275 Dallas, TX 75231
Place Postage Here
A Brit’s Frantic Search for Effective Treatment A British writer recently shared her personal struggle with migraines on the British news site MailOnline. Her doctors were perplexed when her migraines transformed from episodic to chronic and didn’t respond to any of the common migraine medications they were prescribing. She recounts waking up with pain and barely making it to the bathroom before vomiting and returning to bed, depressed. She spent virtually all of her time in bed and tried prescription painkillers and triptans that narrow dilated blood vessels during a migraine, to no avail. She tried magnesium and feverfew supplements; acupuncture and cranial therapy; and even gave up alcohol, cheese and chocolate! Nothing worked.
She finally visited a neurologist who specialized in migraines and headaches. At first he treated her with various medications, but she could not tolerate the side effects. He then progressed to nerve block injections. She describes her injection procedure as less than fun, but is amazed that her pain and symptoms are virtually gone and that her occasional migraine responds to a triptan. This brave woman’s story shows us how important it is to have access to the proper information, specialists, treatments and procedures that can put migraine suffering to rest. © Can Stock Photo Inc. / wacker
Let Migraine Treatment Centers of America help! Do you suffer from chronic migraine headaches? Take the first step toward living without chronic migraine pain. Complete this postcard and send it to us. I would like to have a patient coordinator contact me about the Omega™ procedure.
I would like to refer your services to my friend. Please contact him or her and let them know I referred you.
My Name:________________________________ Friend’s Name:____________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ Phone:_ _________________________________ Email:_ __________________________________ MTCA’s partner physicians are board-certified specialists. Our exclusive Omega™ migraine procedure provides migraine pain sufferers with a long-lasting, drug-free solution to treat migraine pain. www.migraine-updates.com (855) 300-MTCA
Good News this Fall for Migraine Sufferers!
As Fall fairs and autumn-inspired menus appear across the cooling country, some migraineurs might be worried about the pumpkin-flavored treats and fried delicacies. There has been some past research suggesting a link between chronic migraines and excess weight gain in women. After all is it really worth putting on weight and enduring depleting pain and nausea just for a few moments of sinful decadence? Well…. Don’t worry… here’s some good news: French researchers found that women with migraines at the beginning of a study were no more likely than the migraine-free women to gain more than the average 10 pounds. Weight gain across both groups was nearly identical. Also, the women with severe or chronic migraines were not more prone to gain more weight than those with occasional migraines. So what does this mean? Maybe a little treat on special occasions isn’t all that bad? In general, it is best to maintain a healthy weight by eating nutritiously and exercising regularly. Let’s show appreciation to the French for teaching us ‘Joie de Vivre’ by enjoying great food (in moderation please…)! © Can Stock Photo Inc. / 4774344sean
Š Can Stock Photo Inc. / gina_sanders
Fortifying Folic Acid
Migraine-afflicted women around the world may find relief from the severity of their symptoms in the dietary supplement folate. This conclusion comes from a study by dietetic experts at the Griffith University in Australia. Folate, also known as Vitamin B9, is the naturally occurring nutritional element found in foods. Folic acid is the synthetic variety used to supplement nutritional intake for individuals who don’t receive adequate amounts of the vitamin in their daily diet. Widely recognized to prevent birth defects and taken by pregnant women in their ‘super-vitamins,’ it can now be appreciated as a migraine treatment as well. After discussing this option with your physician, reach for folaterich foods like leafy greens, beans, citrus fruits and a wide variety of enriched breads and cereals. By simply adding this precious nutrient to your diet, you may be able to lessen the severity of your headaches and symptoms.
The magazine exclusively for patients and friends of Migraine Treatment Centers of America
Migraine Treatment Centers of America Courtesy Magazine 10740 North Central Expressway, Ste 275 Dallas, Texas 75231
Presorted First Class Mail US Postage Paid Dallas, TX
Tell us what you think. Email info@migrainecenters.com
Š Can Stock Photo Inc. / envivo