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The prospect of making any lifestyle changes dismays many people. We get used to doing certain things at certain times and in particular ways. Everyone has their own routine that becomes ingrained, and changing habits is so hard. Yet for migraine sufferers, it’s often a vital part of managing the condition. Sometimes, an action taken unconsciously is what triggers the problem, so working with yourself to alter that behavior can lead to more pain-free days and a healthier outlook on life.
A surprising number of children suffer from headaches, with one report indicating that around 70% of school-age children fall victim at least once a year. A quarter of those have recurring headaches, and 10% have migraines.
In addition to being painful and a debilitating interruption for busy adults, migraines can be a seemingly insurmountable frustration. You can identify and eliminate triggers, meditate and deep breathe the mornings and nights away, and yet they still come back.
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to every other part of the body. Peripheral nerves also send sensory information back to the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that the feet are cold or a finger is burned. Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital connections. Like static on a telephone line, peripheral...
Migraineurs learn early on to identify their triggers and develop ways to avoid them. From food to noise or light levels, weather conditions and even temperature, many situations can bring on a migraine headache, including sleep or its lack.
Most of us have experienced the sharp discomfort of coming out of the dark cinema to a bright, sunny afternoon. The light is blinding and it’s hard to understand how we normally tolerate such brightness. In most cases, the painful reaction is mercifully fleeting with no unpleasant side effects. For migraineurs, much lower levels of brightness can have far reaching consequences.
Migraines sufferers, more than most people, know that the brain is a complicated organ, that can be affected by chemicals, electrical impulses, environmental factors and lifestyle. It is the complexity of the brain that makes pinpointing and treating the exact causes of your migraines so difficult, and often makes finding the best treatment a matter of trial and error.
Allergy sufferers have lots to deal with already. Rashes, nausea and breathing trouble are just some of the unpleasant side effects of allergies. Now, it seems you can add causing migraines (or worsening them) to the list of possible side effects. A study conducted in 2013 found that allergy sufferers were 33% more likely to suffer from frequent migraines.
They say New Year resolutions are made to be broken. We don’t believe it. Some may fall by the wayside, but the ones that help and make a difference are the ones you’ll keep up.
The holiday season is a challenge for everyone, with too few hours in the day and no let-up in everyday demands and commitments. Add on the frenzy of gift buying, food and drink shopping, event organization and the expectation that you WILL have a good time, and migraine sufferers often feel extra pressure and apprehension.
