FitSugar

Migraine Triggers

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:15:00 PST

So I recently told you about five surprising things that may cause a headache, so I figured we may as well take it a step further and look into what causes a migraine - headache's evil brother - too. If you suffer from migraines then you may be interested to learn these simple migraine triggers:

Not getting enough to eat.
Not getting enough sleep.
Exposure to bright lights or loud noise.
Fluctuating hormone levels, such as during your period.
Changes in the weather.
Emotional factors, such as stress or anxiety.
Chocolate, alcohol, nicotine, or foods with additives such as MSG.

Source

A Reader Asks: Do Artificial Sweeteners Cause Migraines?

Fit Community — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 05:50:07 PST

The Sugar Community assistant has a question that she hopes you can shed some light on. She posted the following question in the Healthy Recipe community group.

I know artificial sweeteners aren't the best, but from time to time, I enjoy a little in my coffee. This morning, as I mixed it in my cup of joe, a stranger commented on my choice. He explained to me that it has been known to cause migraines. I told him that I have yet to receive any. He said that I probably will get one huge migraine to make up for the ones I haven't been receiving. Is this stranger bluffing, or do I have a gigantic migraine to look out for? Help!

Do you have a nagging question that needs answering? Ask our community to help!

A Breakdown of Common OTC Pain Meds

Leta Shy — Fri, 06 May 2011 01:21:27 PDT

Do you know what's in your medicine cabinet? A recent report in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that while over-the-counter medicine use is prevalent, many people don't know much about the active ingredients in popular painkillers like Advil and Tylenol.

When asked about the difference between common pain relief brands, most of the study's participants didn't know what was in Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve, or that overdosing on Tylenol, for example, could lead to serious liver damage.

While you may not think twice about popping a few pills the day after a particularly strenuous boot camp session, the fact is that the side effects from overdosing on painkillers can be serious. In fact, acetaminophen overdose continues to be the leading cause of liver failure in the United States.

Confused about whether you should take Tylenol or Advil for a pain, or what the correct dosage is? Read on for a chart of the most common OTC painkillers on the market after the break.

DrSugar Schools Us on High Blood Pressure

DrSugar — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:26:30 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's schooling us on hypertension.

A recent study from the University of North Carolina found that about one in five young adults, between the ages 24 and 32, has high blood pressure, referred to as hypertension in medical terminology. The concerning part about this rise is that many of those at risk are unaware of this health issue, making this statistic extremely scary since hypertension is a medical condition that can have serious consequences. To learn more about hypertension and its medical consequences and how you can prevent hypertension, keep reading!

DrSugar Answers: Best Medicine to Take For a Headache?

DrSugar — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:31:52 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she gives us the skinny on OTC pain medications.

Dear DrSugar,
Do the different types of over-the-counter pain relievers work better for different problems? What should I take for a headache - is aspirin better than ibuprofen? What should I take if I have a fever or the flu? Is there one that's best for dealing with swelling for twists and sprains? What about a pulled muscle? I look in my medicine cabinet and don't know what to take for what ails me. Thanks!
- Pained and Confused

This is a great question since there are so many options for over-the-counter pain relief available, making it quite difficult to keep straight which one is good for different problems! To learn more about the different OTC pain medications and which one to use for different medical problems, keep reading!

5 Surprising Reasons You May Be Gaining, Not Losing

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

So you've really been trying hard to get in daily exercise and eat as healthy as possible but yet you're still not losing weight like you thought you would be. Don't give up, your new routine may not be at fault. WebMD outlined some interesting (and lesser known) reasons you may be gaining and not losing weight, and they may surprise you. Here are highlights:

You Might Be Gaining Weight Because of Lack of Sleep: The body functions best when well rested. "When you don't get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently," says Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work.
You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Stress: "Stress response, whether it is 'fight-or-flight,' juggling too many responsibilities, or coping with financial pressures, triggers a biochemical process where our bodies go into survival mode," explains May. "Our bodies store fuel, slow down metabolism, and dump out chemicals [cortisol, leptin, and other hormones] which are more likely to cause . . . obesity in the abdominal region."

There's three more reasons so

DrSugar on Fibromyalgia

DrSugar — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:30:12 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! Today she's explaining the confusing condition fibromyalgia.

I am taking a break from answering your questions to discuss a medical condition that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years, both in the medical field and the public arena: fibromyalgia, a well-publicized but often misunderstood medical condition that affects two to four percent of the population. To learn more about fibromyalgia, keep reading!