Migraine Sufferers

These are different types of migraines.

• Abdominal
• Acephalgic
• Basilar-Type
• Cyclic Migraine
• Familial Hemiplegic
• Gastric Stasis
• Hemiplegic
• Infantile Colic
• Menstrual - Hormonal
• Migraine with Aura
• Migraine with Brainstem Aura
• Migraine with Typical Aura
• Migraine without Aura
• Ocular
• Retinal
• Seasonal
• Silent
• Sinus
• Stress
• Tension
• Vestibular

They are often accompanied by other symptoms which could include including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, tremors, temporary blindness the list goes on and on. These symptoms and severity of them can vary tremendously from person to person. It is a neurological disease and can last anywhere from 2 hours or more. I have actually had one that lasted a week and brought confusion, tremors and loss of balance with it. It was not a fun week. If someone in you family gets migraines 9 times out of 10 you will too at some point in you life.

MSG , Caffeine , Smoked Meats these are just to name a few. These three things are major triggers. While there are many others. Fermented foods for instance. Pickles and sauerkraut may not be a trigger for me but they could be a trigger someone else. When you decide to change you diet your best bet would be to go all fresh. Once you have establish a certain amount of time with no migraines, then start adding thing back in that you love to eat and see what happens. I personally don't eat hot dogs, chocolate , lunch meats or drink anything with caffeine in it. If I really want a cup of coffee (which is few and far between) I drink decaf. I have dealt with migraines through my teenage years until know. I am 44 now. My migraines seemed to disappear after I had a partial hysterectomy. I guess because I wasn't going through my monthly menstrual cycle anymore my hormones didn't fluctuate anymore so I was good. But in the 6 months they have exponentially. I'm not really sure why but my family doctor sent me to the neurologist. He put me on this migraine diet. I being a curious individual started to do a lot of research. Why had my migraines changed so much? Why so different from they way they were before? What was this migraine diet about?

The doctor can prescribe medicine for you which might help with the pain. He may also be able to prescribe you a possible prevention medication. Right know I'm on epilepsy medication (low Dose) and a blood pressure medicine(low dose). Neither of which I need because I don't have epilepsy and I don't have high blood pressure.

Medications to help with the pain.

Triptans work by narrowing the blood vessels and slowing down the blood flow. they are fast acting

• Almotriptan (Axert)
• Eletriptan (Replax)
• Frovatriptan (Frova)
• Naratriptan (Amerge)
• Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• Sumatriptan (Alsuma, Imitrex, Zecuity)
• Zolmatriptan (Zomig)

DHE (dihydroergotamine). Unlike triptans, this has the benefit of relieving pain even if it isn't taken within 2 hours of the start of your headache. You can take it as a nasal spray or shot.

Pregnant women should not take DHE because it can cause birth defects.

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Many doctors recommend these as the go-to treatment for mild to moderate migraines. Some examples are:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Diclofenac (Cambia, Voltaren)
• Naproxen

"NSAIDs are generally preferred, as they address the inflammation of migraines," Calhoun says. Some NSAIDs are over-the-counter, while stronger ones are prescription only. NSAIDs can be taken with triptans, if triptans don't seem to be getting the job done alone.

Combination painkillers.Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine combined into one pill are a safe option for people with blood vessel problems. And you don't need a prescription for it.

Calhoun says studies show caffeine makes pain relievers 40% more effective and may help with the absorption of other drugs. But it can also cause withdrawal and daily-use headaches.

"Caffeine is a two-edged sword," Calhoun says. "It can help an acute migraine, while making the next one more likely to occur."

Corticosteroids. Studies show that people who have hard-to-treat headaches, a history of recurring headaches, or status migrainosus -- a severe type of migraine -- can benefit from taking the steroid prednisone.

Anti-nausea medications. In addition to curbing nausea, these drugs may also help you absorb your pain medication.

(Some of the information above was gotten from WebMD)

I eat healthy. Everything is made from scratch. I grow and can my own food. This migraine diet everything needs to be fresh. No citrus. No bananas. No fresh bread. No cheese other then American cottage a cream. So it's fruits and vegi's all the way! At night your choice of meat except sausage. Did you know they put MSG in the seasoning packet that butcher's put in the sausage to flavor it. I didn't until I asked every grocery store. There are some that will special make a salt and pepper sausage for if you by a certain amount of pounds. There are also so me that say on the outside of the pack no MSG. Back to growing your own food. There is nothing like have a fresh picked tomato and basil sandwich. Fantastic!

Besides eating healthy will not only hopefully cut down on you migraines but make you feel so much better and younger! Won't that be great!

There a few herbs you can grow an use at home. Just remember using any of these must not take the place of going to see a doctor or trained herbalist.

Feverfew

Magnesium

Valerian Root

Ginger Root

Vitamin B12

Lavender oil

Hot or Cold Compress

The list is brief but I found it to be very useful.

I hope that some of you will take it upon yourselves to follow the fresh diet to try and get a hold on your migraines. What do you have to lose. It 's very gratifying grow you own food. The fact that it may minimize you migraines is a bonus! Just a suggestion.