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A “silent migraine” may sound like a paradox, but it can be just as incapacitating as any other migraine. Although this condition is not officially recognized by the International Headache Society, estimates indicate up to 20 percent of migraine sufferers have experienced an episode at some point that does not include headache pain. These episodes have been called various alternative names over the years, including:
Almost every day, we learn more about the condition of migraine that plagues up to 38 million Americans every year. The problem is, much of the information passed on by people from one to another is inaccurate, and if you listen to family members and friends you can get the wrong idea entirely. Here are some of the more common myths, followed by the actual facts. Make a point of knowing the real story, and you can set someone right if you find them spreading false information.
People have suffered from migraines for as long as humanity has existed, and from the earliest times, we have searched for ways to relieve the pain. The ancient Romans made herbal teas from boiled peppermint and eucalyptus leaves, lavender and chamomile, and even tried applying raw chopped vegetables to the head. Fortunately, medical science has advanced since then, and we now have multiple methods of treatment. Migraine surgery remains something of a final resort, which is typically only used...
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 18.1% of American adults each year according to statistics from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (AADA). That’s 40 million people aged 18 or older, who all experience different symptoms and levels of intensity. For most patients, this means constant worrying and defensive behavior, including avoiding stimuli like objects and places they know will trigger their condition.
Occipital neuralgia is the name given to inflammation or injury of the nerves running from the upper end of your spinal cord to the scalp. This causes pain at the back of the head or the base of the skull, which resembles migraines and certain other types of headaches.
Changing migraine doctors can be a challenging and traumatic experience for patients, especially if you’ve been with the same practitioner for several years. You’re no doubt accustomed to his (or her) way of handling your condition, the office staff all know you, and the location is familiar. Sadly, circumstances change, and there are a number of reasons why you might be faced with looking for a new provider.
OnabotulinumtoxinA, which is commonly referred to as BOTOX® , is no longer used solely by aging film and television celebrities who wish to sport a more youthful appearance. BOTOX® is becoming more accepted as a treatment for migraine headaches. In many cases the success rate is impressive, with the majority of sufferers finding their headaches reduced in severity and/or frequency. In some cases, migraines have become a thing of the past.
Essential oils are highly concentrated versions of the natural oils found in roots, leaves, stems, flowers or bark of plants. They are obtained by distillation of steam or water, resulting in a substance containing the plant’s true essence, fragrance and healing properties. These oils have been used for centuries for their therapeutic benefits, born out of the essence’s ability to protect against predators and disease.
BOTOX® is a neurotoxin prepared from the bacterial compound onabotulinumtoxinA. It’s used for medical purposes to treat specific muscular disorders, and in the cosmetics industry to remove wrinkles by briefly paralyzing the facial muscles. While BOTOX® has been around since the 1970s, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a preventive migraine option only in 2010. Since then, however, it has become frequently used as a treatment to provide relief for sufferers.
Many people believe doing exercise can cause migraines. Since every patient is different and triggers vary between people, it’s possible that activity could be one of your triggers. If this is the case, chances are good it’s because at least a few other factors are present. In some instances, however, migraineurs are known to experience “exercise headaches,” which typically present as a distinctive type of pain.
