Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 This came from Health Sciences Institute e-Alert: Dear Reader, " I have discovered a cure that starts within 30 minutes for migraine headaches. " That compelling comment comes from an HSI member named Menken who has posted her migraine therapy on the HSI Healthier Talk forum titled " Headaches/Migraine. " Menken writes: " I juice up a bunch of celery and take 2 oz of juice whenever I feel a migraine coming on. Then I lay down and within 30 minutes my migraine starts going away most of the time. " If the migraine doesn't go away, step two in Menken's regimen calls for another helping of celery juice, this time doubled to four ounces. The result? " I have never had to take a third dose. " Besides the fact that this natural treatment seems to work wonders for Menken, her comments also serve as a sobering reminder of just how debilitating migraines can be. In her posting she mentions details such as having three migraines in four days, flashes of light in her field of vision, and one migraine so intense that she couldn't lie down. People who have migraines like Menken's know only too well how challenging the condition is. To make matters worse, a recent study has confirmed an association between migraine and elevated stroke risk. And researchers found this risk to be considerably higher if a migraine patient happens to be taking a widely used drug. -------------------------------------------- Aura of risk -------------------------------------------- An international research team headed up by Royal and Vancouver Hospitals in Canada conducted a review of 14 individual studies to investigate a possible link between migraine and an increased risk of ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. As reported in a recent issue of the British Medical Journal, researchers assessed three cohort studies and 11 case-controlled studies. An analysis of the combined results indicated that patients with migraines are more than twice as likely to have an ischemic stroke compared to people who don't get migraines. The risk is slightly higher for those who experience aura (such as Menken's flash of lights), and slightly lower for those who have migraine without aura. More troubling was the finding that women with migraine who use oral contraceptives have a sharply increased risk of ischemic stroke. Their risk may be as much as eight times greater than women without migraine. One of the researchers - Ali Samii, M.D. - told Reuters Health that the study clearly indicates that, " migraine may be an independent risk factor for stroke. " Dr. Samii notes that the reduced blood flow to the brain that accompanies migraines probably plays a role in triggering strokes. -------------------------------------------- Risk reduction -------------------------------------------- In previous e-Alerts I've told you about natural agents that have been shown to reduce the frequency of severe migraines. In " The Best Offense " (9/29/04), German researchers demonstrated that a 400 mg daily dose of riboflavin (vitamin B-2) may cut migraine frequency in half. And in " Power to the Powerhouses " (6/28/04), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was also shown to halve the frequency of migraines by promoting respiration in the powerhouses of the cell: the mitochondria. Reduction of migraine frequency may not play a role in reducing ischemic stroke risk, but it certainly couldn't hurt. And migraine patients might also get additional stroke protection by increasing their intake of folate and vitamin C. In the e-Alert " May Isn't Only for Mothers " (5/15/02), I told you about a Tulane University study that showed how 300 mcg of folate per day may reduce stroke risk by as much as 20 percent. And in " The Critical Second Cup " (7/1/02), Finland researchers concluded that people who have the highest intake of vitamin C are much less likely to experience a stroke compared to those who have low C intakes. All of these e-Alerts can be found by searching the e-Alert archives on our web site at hsibaltimore.com. -------------------------------------------- Reading the signs -------------------------------------------- As I've mentioned in those previous e-Alerts, it's absolutely essential to quickly get medical attention at the first warning signs of a stroke. Quick action can reduce the long-term effects of the stroke and may even save the victim's life. In addition to migraines, other health issues that increase stroke risk include heart attack (especially if you're 75 or older), hypertension, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease. A stroke can sometimes be forming for several days before the first symptoms occur, so if you or a loved one is in a high-risk group, learn these warning signs of stroke and be prepared to act immediately if any of them appear: Weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Severe headache with no known cause If you notice any of these signs, call for help immediately. Some stroke procedures can only be performed within the first hours after a stroke. In the event of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or " mini stroke, " the symptoms will pass quickly. But more than one-third of those who suffer a TIA will later have an ischemic stroke. To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: _http://www.hsiealert.com/freecopy.html_ (http://www.hsiealert.com/freecopy.html) Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ========= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Diane, I am going through this problem myself. Headaches every day, some times migraines. I went to GP, Eye Doctor, DDS, ENT and now the Neurologist tomorrow. I also had a cat scan that shows nothing and my GP says they could be from High Blood Pressure so he put me on BP meds and they got better but not gone. I also have ringing in the ears and light headed at times. I would say take him to the Neurologist, my opinion. Good luck. Shirley From: swedegrl2005 <swedegrl@...> Subject: Migraine Headaches IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011, 7:42 PM  is newly affected by migraines and despite being a nurse,I know little about them except being able to pick out the symptoms; and thankfully I dont suffer from headaches. From those who do, I'm a bit at a loss for which doctor is most appropriate. The ER doctor Dx as Migraine for sure and head CT scan clean. So we survived today with the IV meds in the ER. BUt, what to do the next time. This has been coming on for the last month. The headaches are getting worse and Motrin doesnt touch em, and even if it doid I have to give such a high dose I worry about the liver. What is thetypical treatment/ meds lately, and should we see a neurologist or is primary care MD ok? Anyone share some experience? Diane S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Diane, I started getting migraines in my 20’s, extended thru menopause and then ended thank goodness. After years of suffering through them, my family doc told me about some meds (can’t even remember the name, sorry) which you had to take within an hour or so of starting to have symptoms...and they worked like a charm! No pain. I’ve been wondering/waiting to see if my daughter also develops them, as my mother did before me, and what will we do when/if they start? I know GPs are great with this stuff, but I’d for sure start with ’s neurologist – esp. since she’s on anti-seizure meds. Let us know what you find out, this is something probably right around the corner for us, too. Sorry to hear he’s getting them, although good for him for wanting to run anyway! I just wanted to crawl under the covers, press hot compresses onto my head, and moan. They are awful. Laurie From: Shirley Linden Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2011 4:27 PM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Migraine Headaches Diane, I am going through this problem myself. Headaches every day, some times migraines. I went to GP, Eye Doctor, DDS, ENT and now the Neurologist tomorrow. I also had a cat scan that shows nothing and my GP says they could be from High Blood Pressure so he put me on BP meds and they got better but not gone. I also have ringing in the ears and light headed at times. I would say take him to the Neurologist, my opinion. Good luck. Shirley From: swedegrl2005 <mailto:swedegrl%40aol.com> Subject: Migraine Headaches mailto:IPADDUnite%40 Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011, 7:42 PM is newly affected by migraines and despite being a nurse,I know little about them except being able to pick out the symptoms; and thankfully I dont suffer from headaches. From those who do, I'm a bit at a loss for which doctor is most appropriate. The ER doctor Dx as Migraine for sure and head CT scan clean. So we survived today with the IV meds in the ER. BUt, what to do the next time. This has been coming on for the last month. The headaches are getting worse and Motrin doesnt touch em, and even if it doid I have to give such a high dose I worry about the liver. What is thetypical treatment/ meds lately, and should we see a neurologist or is primary care MD ok? Anyone share some experience? Diane S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2011 Report Share Posted May 2, 2011 Agree with Shirley...a neurologist is best equipped to deal with migraines. There are lots of newer meds out there...many of which work quite well and quickly...I have even gotten some good results with Exedrin Migraine. Good luck... Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 My husband used to have migraines. He had a " magic pill " that pretty much knocked him out, but he did learn that his were brought on by a cluster of things: red wine/grapes cheese chocolate -lack- of stress -- usually when he was coming down from a very stressful situation or moment His started with " auras " and the only thing that would help was being in a dark, quiet room and sleep (which is what the med did) I'd definitely recommend getting a work up by a neurologist. Take care, Holly > > Agree with Shirley...a neurologist is best equipped to deal with migraines. There are lots of newer meds out there...many of which work quite well and quickly...I have even gotten some good results with Exedrin Migraine. > Good luck... > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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