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Migraine Headaches - how to manage them

May 17th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Suddenly you’re aware that something has changed… lights seem brighter, your sense of smell is sharper, and you know it’s one of your migraine headaches.

Migraines can begin in a couple of different ways. For some, the headache begins with an aura, which can consist of dots, wavy lines or flashing lights in the edge of the line of vision with one eye. These auras will usually begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the onset of the migraine headache, and can be accompanied by a tingling or numbness in the arms or face.

For others, the headache will begin with an intense throbbing on one side of the head. This pain may be followed with nausea or vomiting, and can be intensified by exposure to bright lights, certain odors or loud noises. Sometimes the pain will remain in one location, and other times it will alternate from side to side. It may be worse with movement, such as bending forward or even walking about.
If you have ever suffered from a migraine headache, you know very well just how debilitating this type of pain can be.

For many migraine sufferers, it appears that life must stop every time the symptoms surface, making these headaches a major detriment to the everyday life of many people. The good news is that there are new treatment and prevention options available, so if you are suffering from frequent migraines, you might want to talk to your doctor about what you can do to manage your condition effectively. While no one is sure exactly what causes migraine headaches, it is thought that they might be linked to the blood vessels in the brain widening or narrowing. The result of this process may lead to the swelling and pain that is known as a migraine. It has also been shown that there may be a genetic link with this condition, but it is still not certain of how or why this link exists.

Treatment of Migraines

The best treatment for a headache that has already started is to take an over the counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, lie down in a dark room, and place a cool compress over your forehead. Sleep is often the best medicine in a case like this. If over the counter remedies do not seem to take the edge off of the pain, your doctor can prescribe other types of medication that might be more effective for you. Many migraine sufferers have also found that the best way to treat a migraine headache is to prevent it in the first place. This includes avoiding the potential triggers of a headache, such as chocolate, red wine, some dairy products, MSG, and sleep deprivation. If you are suffering from frequent, debilitating migraine headaches, talk to your doctor today about your options in treatment and prevention of this painful condition.

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Pain relief: Do magnets offer pain relief?

March 2nd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Magnets are often used for pain relief. Perhaps you’ve seen people wearing magnetic jewelry - bracelets and necklaces - or have heard of people sleeping on bed covers lined with magnets, and have wondered whether magnets work for pain relief.

Some people swear by them, others look on them as placebos, however, magnets have a long history as pain relievers.

The Use of Magnets for Pain Relief - The Ancients Used Them

The use of magnets for pain relief is not a new concept. Ancient civilizations have used this therapy for years. It wasn’t until recently that modern medicine began conducting tests to see if this is a viable option for pain relief. Magnets emit energy which is referred to as magnetic fields. They have to power to pass magnetic energy through objects. This process is referred to as polarity. They can be found in many forms, some of which are used to “stick” to a refrigerator. MRI machines use magnet fields which penetrate the body to diagnose various medical conditions.

Magnets for pain relief have been used by people for centuries as a type of alternative medicine. There are historical reports of magnets being used to treat arthritis, baldness, poisoning, and gout. Because magnets attract iron they have often been used to find and remove objects from the body that contain iron. Many people used magnets for medical treatment after the Civil War because of the lack of medical treatment available to them.

It is important to note that pregnant women are advised not to use magnets for pain relief. It is not known if there are any side effects to the fetus. Also people who use pacemakers or defibrillators should avoid magnetic fields.

Magnets and Pain Relief: Pain Types Which Might Be Treated

It is also important to note that while many people feel they can achieve results with magnets, the FDA and modern medicine will often snub their noses at it. Alternative medicine is generally not recognized by the FDA as being a viable option for treatment. Also, in obese patients, the results have not been favorable because fat tends to be too dense for magnetic energy to pass through. Many people report relief from a wide variety of illnesses. Some of the illnesses with reported success are respiratory distress, arthritis, and high blood pressure. The most common use is magnets for general pain relief. Many people who have undergone chemotherapy for cancer complain of bone pain which is hard to treat. Mattress pads which contain magnets are now available which reportedly will help relieve this type pain.

Pay a visit to your local flea market and you will find dealers who are selling magnets for everything from increased blood flow to relief of pain due to migraines, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Many will claim increased energy when worn as insoles in the shoes. Dealers will offer testimonials from people who have successfully used magnets for pain relief.

Even though the FDA does not officially recognize magnets for pain relief you should not automatically discount their ability. There are no known side effects except for the people who have implanted electronic devices. If given a chance, you just might find that you can achieve pain relief by using magnets and avoiding the use of the ever popular narcotics.

Should You Try Magnets For Your Aches and Pains?

The one benefit of magnets is that even if they don’t work, they can’t harm you (unless pregnant, or unless you have a pacemaker). There’s lots of anecdotal evidence of people who’re crippled with arthritis, and who swear by magnets for pain relief, for example. And on the anecdotal evidence alone, if you’re in pain, try a magnetic bracelet, or a magnet-lined underlay. Magnets may just help.