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5 Foods That Fight Migraines

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:35:43 PDT

If you're a migraine sufferer like me, you are constantly looking for prevention ideas. Depending on what your triggers are - wine, cheese, chocolate, etc. - you may spend most of your time focusing on what not to eat, in addition to other measures like getting enough sleep, exercising, and avoiding stress. But how about foods that help, not hinder, your headache woes? You're in luck, because I've rounded up five foods that help prevent migraine misery.

You Asked: Could Wine Give Me a Headache?

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:50:53 PST

Dear Fit,
In college, I was more into sipping cocktails and drinking beer, but recently I started drinking wine with dinner. I love the taste and how it pairs with more complicated dishes I have started to cook. I've noticed that I get this dull headache when I drink it though. Is this common? Is there a way to prevent it?
- Whining About Wine

As Thomas Jefferson said,"Good wine is a necessity of life for me." Although Jefferson's "necessity" is considered a relaxant and offers a variety of health benefits, drinking wine can cause some unfortunate side effects, including headaches. To find out why, continue reading

You Asked: Long Runs and Headaches?

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:40 PDT

Dear Fit,
I have been running for two years, consistently 30-minute runs, three mornings a week. A friend of mine who's training for a half marathon convinced me to sign up too, and I'm really excited about my first race. It's in the Fall, but I've already started training, and have been increasing my runs to an hour. I feel great while running, but a few hours afterward, I get this pounding headache that lasts at least an hour. Any ideas as to what could be causing this or how to prevent it? I want to cure these headaches before making my runs even longer.

- Pounding Pavement and Pounding Headache

First of all, congrats on signing up for your first half marathon. It's an amazing goal to have, and since you're so excited about it, I can understand your frustration about having headaches. I have a few ideas as to why you're getting these headaches, so

Dehydration can be one cause of headaches. You need to hydrate not only right before you work out, but also a few days before. You'll know your body is well-hydrated when you urinate pale yellow or clear urine at least six times a day. An hour before you head out for your run, drink 16 to 24 ounces of water. You also need food for fuel, so don't run on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Eat something small that's low in fat, easily digestible, and contains 40 to 100 grams of carbs about 30 minutes before heading out. Yogurt and a banana is a great choice.

Since you're running longer than 30 minutes, you also need to hydrate during your run. A general rule is to take in six to eight ounces every 20 minutes. You also want to fill up on electrolytes. Drinking Smartwater or Gatorade or eating Luna Sport Moons will keep up your performance levels when you're sweating a lot or exercising for long periods.

After your run, drink 20 to 24 ounces of water or a sports drink for every pound of water you've lost. Continue sipping your beverage until your urine is light yellow or clear. Also be sure to eat something that contains 100 to 200 grams of carbs and some protein within 45 minutes of working out.

If you're drinking and eating enough, your headache might be caused by poor running posture. Make sure your shoulders and hands are relaxed and your torso is in line with your hips. Wearing lightweight sunglasses and a hat can keep sun out of your eyes, since squinting can also cause headaches. Or if you have allergies and sinus congestion is causing your headache, allergy medication could prevent your post-run headaches. If none of this helps, I'd see a doctor to make sure it's not a more serious problem.

Needle Your Tension Away

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:00:00 PDT

Once considered a form of quackery, acupuncture is slowly gaining respect in the world of Western medicine. This alternative therapy has been shown to reduce pain associated with menstrual cramps, and a review of 11 studies found acupuncture to be useful for relieving tension headaches. Caused by tense muscles in the neck, head, or scalp, tension headaches chronically affect about 45 million Americans. Tension headaches are commonly treated with over-the-counter pain medication, but researchers believe that acupuncture could be a "valuable option" for folks suffering from chronic tension headaches. Have you ever been needled to relieve pain? If so, do you think it worked?

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What's the Deal With Alcohol and Ibuprofen?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:00:57 PST

If you wake up with a headache after a night of overindulging, sometimes figuring out what painkiller to take can make the headache even worse. I've heard that it's bad to take acetaminophen (aka Tylenol), because it can lead to liver damage, but take note: you're also not supposed to drink while taking ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen is part of the anti-inflammatory drug family known as NSAIDs, which can cause tears in the stomach lining if taken on an empty tummy. Add alcohol to the mix, and the potential danger is heightened. If you take ibuprofen when drinking more than the recommended amount for women (about two to three drinks), you increase your risk of stomach irritation and bleeding. This is especially true for people who are prone to ulcers.

But wait! Taking Tylenol when you're hungover isn't such a good idea either. To find out why,

Acetaminophen can lead to liver damage if you take it in large doses (that's 4,000 milligrams, or eight extra-strength Tylenol) for more than a couple of days. Heavy drinkers who take acetaminophen and don't eat enough can overtax their livers. However, the risks associated with taking Tylenol after recreational drinking are somewhat blurry. According to The Straight Dope:

I'll spare you the biochemistry, but basically acetaminophen and alcohol in combination overwhelm the liver's ability to remove toxins from your bloodstream. . . . It's not clear from the medical literature what happens if you take acetaminophen after a one-time bender (as opposed to chronic alcohol abuse). But don't substitute some other painkiller - aspirin and ibuprofen can have side effects too. Better to be suffering than dead.

So what's a hungover, headache-plagued gal to do - besides not drinking so much in the first place? Since the jury is still out on the exact effects of combining Advil or Tylenol with booze, probably best just to tough it out. Maybe even try a natural remedy like yoga. Got one that works for you? Share it in the comments.

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Home Remedies: Cold and Flu

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 PST

The colors of Autumn might be lovely, but a few things about the season actually bring me down. I am talking about cold and flu season. If you're unlucky enough to have come down with some bug, you might be able to soothe some of your ailments with ingredients you have in your pantry. Prevention has listed some home remedies for common cold symptoms, and here are the highlights.

Soothe that sore throat: Mix six pressed garlic cloves with hot water, and gargle with this garlic tea twice a day, for three days. The warm liquid soothes inflamed tissues, while the garlic has antimicrobial properties that fight pain-causing bacteria.

Bring down a fever: Try drinking linden flower tea. It controls your body temperature by stimulating the hypothalamus, and also dilates your blood vessels and induces sweating. Pick up the dried herb at a health food store or herb shop. Steep one tablespoon of dried linden flower in a cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Stash makes a linden flower tea, too. Drink this tea three to four times a day. If your fever is over 102° F, take a tepid bath to cool off the body.

To see how you can dull your hacking cough with a few sweet things, just

Suppress a cough: Eating a bit of dark chocolate can help your cough. Theobromine, a compound found in chocolate, has been found to be even more effective than codeine for suppressing coughs, and it won't make you drowsy or constipated. You can also tame your cough with honey. Before bed take two teaspoons of honey and take 500 mg of Ester C 30 minutes prior to lying down to quiet your cough and give your immune system a little lift.

If you have any home remedies for cold symptoms, please share them in the comment section below.

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Yoga Sequence to Relieve Tension Headaches

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:30:00 PST

When you're suffering from a dull tension headache, try these yoga poses before reaching for medication. They're a series of forward bends and reclining poses that will soothe your head and release tension from your neck. They'll also improve circulation, slow down your breath, and calm your mind.

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What's the Diff: Migraines vs. Headaches

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:00:00 PDT

Simply and quite unscientifically put, the difference between a migraine and a headache is that the former feels beyond agonizing and a million times worse than the latter. Unfortunately, migraines plague women more than men, due to the hormonal fluctuations that women experience monthly. In fact, many women's migraine episodes are triggered by their periods or by ovulation, like an evil door prize handed out at Aunt Ruby's homecoming.

The difference between migraines and headaches is more than just the severity of the symptoms that accompany a migraine. It's believed that migraines are a central nervous system disorder, whereas a headache is just pain you feel in your head. While migraines also involve head pain, they can also include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pain behind the eyes, trouble seeing, muscle weakness, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are caused by a brain that is hyperexcitable, which means brain cells are easily irritated and send off unnecessary signals. A headache, on the other hand, doesn't create this type of pattern in the brain.

If you have suffered from one of these miserable episodes, tell your doctor. Once you've experienced a few rounds of migraines, you'll be able to discuss your symptoms with your physician to figure out what's triggering them. Hopefully, this helps lead to the most effective treatment for your situation.

For more information visit the migraine section in the FitSugar Health Guide.

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5 Things: Migraine Headaches

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:30:00 PDT

If you've ever had a migraine - or even if you haven't - you know that they are to be avoided at all costs. These mindbendingly bad headaches can be debilitating, often causing nausea and sensitivity to light. Though more than 20 million people suffer from migraines, they are more common in females. As many as 17 percent of women get migraines, versus just 6 percent of men. Here are five things you need to know about migraine headaches.

Different people have different migraine triggers. Common catalysts include lack of sleep, not getting enough to eat, stress, and certain foods, such as red wine and anything containing tyramine (found in cheese, wine, beer, and sausage) or MSG.
Many women get migraines before or during their menstrual cycles, since the headaches are often caused by hormone fluctuations.

For three more things about migraines,

If you frequently suffer from migraines, it's easy to know the difference between a regular headache and these more severe ones. Characteristics of migraines include throbbing pain concentrated on one side of the head or in the front or back of the head.
The onset of a migraine is often signaled by certain symptoms, including fatigue, sadness, grumpiness, euphoria, and visual auras, wherein the sufferer sees flashing lights or spots.
While waiting out migraines, many people prefer to lay down in a dark room. There are also several medications that treat the pain, including over-the-counter meds and prescription drugs called triptans or ergots.

Fit's Tip: Migraines vary widely from person to person in terms of symptoms, causes, and effective treatments. If you suffer from them or suspect you do, talk to your doctor about the best way to prevent and treat yours.

Do you suffer from migraines? If so, share your solutions in the comments section below.

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Have You Ever Had a Migraine?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:30:00 PDT

Migraines are one of the worst things a person can feel. Your head is pounding, you have excruciating pain behind your eyes, and bright lights are to you like kryptonite is to Superman. Migraines make you dizzy and nauseous, and the pain can get so bad that it can even make you sick.

I always thought that these agonizing headaches were pretty uncommon, but lately, many people I know have been suffering from them. So tell me . . .

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