Oranges Can Cause Magnesium Deficiency… and Migraines

The next post is brought to you thanks to Amber Stephenson  who is a member of my facebook page aptly called Natural Migraine Relief. She found the part about oranges causing magnesium deficiency in some migraine sufferers, interesting. I have to say I was intrigued as well.

Here is the article:

The idea that oranges are considered a possible trigger for migraine has surprised many of us, as orange juice is usually considered to be beneficial in our diet.

Not if you are sensitive to citrus. The citrus group of foods is a known allergen, including fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. Additionally, a lot of commercial orange juice is squeezed with the rind on, subsequently bruising it and releasing synephrine, a vasoconstrictor.

There have been links between migraine headaches and synephrine as well as related vasoconstrictors, so it makes sense that this could be a trigger. Many patients found that freshly squeezed orange juice made at home had no adverse effect.

A 2004 study found that: “In migraine patients, plasma levels of octopamine and synephrine were higher compared with controls, although in migraine with aura, the difference was not significant”.(1)

Synephrine is a stimulant that raises blood pressure, which can also cause migraines. The theory being that migraine sufferers with a citrus allergy can gain relief from a low dosage of daily blood pressure medication.

Citrus fruits also cause magnesium deficiency in some patients, and magnesium deficiency has been linked to migraine without aura. In a study where thirty migraine patients were treated with magnesium versus ten treated with placebo, the number of patients experiencing relief was so high that the possibility of the test results being coincidental was less than a 1 in 1000 chance.(2) The magnesium was administered as a magnesium citrate supplement, 600mg per day, orally. Patients were assessed by computerized tomography before and after the three month treatment period.

Citrus fruits also contain histamine, another suspect in food related allergies. A study at Texas Tech in El Paso TX found a correlation between high histamine levels and migraine attacks in susceptible persons.

An unhappy relationship between hypoglycemia and migraine can be heightened by drinking of orange juice, lemonade or other citrus juice in an attempt to raise the blood sugar – the orange juice can actually increase the migraine pain and the blood sugar level is blamed instead. This justifies the importance of maintaining a food diary and testing for food allergies.(3)

One woman related how she had taken migraine medication daily for years, washing it down with an 8 oz glass of orange juice each morning. Finally, when her sons were diagnosed, it became apparent that by giving them juice daily, she had simply been stimulating the cycle of migraines. Incidentally, orange flavored drinks such as Tang and Sunny D also contain migraine triggering substances similar to the natural fruits, so if citrus is a problem for you, avoid them as well!

Elimination of citrus is much simpler than many other migraine trigger foods, and is relatively easy to live without. For people suffering severe food intolerance migraines, living without orange juice, lemonade and key lime pie was a minor exclusion from their diet.

Sources:

(1) pubmed15159465.do, Cure Hunter, 05/25/2004
(2) Magnesium Research, Jun 2008;21(2):101-8. PMID: 18705538, by Koseoglu E, Talaslioglu A, Gonul AS, Kula M. Erciyes University, Medicine Faculty, Neurology Department, Kayseri, Turkey
(3) Leira R, Rodriguez R, Revista de Neurologia 1996 May;24(129):534-8

Research by Grace-Alexander

When I used to have migraines, bananas would give me migraines and I thought it was the excess potassium but I couldn’t find any back up in science.

I was allergic to a number of foods (any kind of cheese except cottage cheese, coffee, chocolate, tuna fish, grapes, not gluten or wheat though etc) Since I got completely rid of my migraines, I also got rid of my food allergies and thankfully now can eat anything.

I believe that you can too.

Amber told me she’s researching all types of foods that trigger migraines and that don’t and that she’s really starting to go head over heels into Migraine Research which is GREAT because there is a lot of information on the web and I would love all the natural solutions, remedies and treatments be listed on one website (err.. this one!) for your benefit.

So thank you again Amber  for sharing this with everyone.

Ice therapy: Fast and Effective Migraine Relief

Cold packs or cold face towels are a fast and effective way to prevent and relieve the pain of a Migraine Headache, naturally. The application of ice causes the blood vessels in the area to constrict (or get smaller). Constricting the blood vessels has a strong anti-inflammatory effect that stops the pounding sensation common in vascular headaches like migraines.

Ice therapy works especially well in the first stages of the migraine – before the pain has become intense.

In searching the web for more information on ice therapy, I came across a novel product to treat migraine headaches using a natural and proven alternative to drugs or medication. Introducing the Headache Ice Pillow. This pillow uses time-honored and medically recommended cold therapy in treating dull, moderate and severe headaches, like migraine and tension headaches.

The advantages of the pillow is that it:

• Helps relieve headaches and neck stiffness.
• Uses medically accepted cold therapy.
• Clinically proven.
• Designed to support your neck and head in their most natural positions.
• Great for travel.

This pillow uses a unique, compact design to help relieve headaches by providing support to your neck while sleeping or resting. An anatomically designed, soft-frozen gel pack can be inserted into the pillow for added relief. Great for travel, reading or sleeping, this pillow also can provide relief from pinched nerves, stiffness, sprains, neck injuries or other traumas. The gel pack stores in your freezer until needed. An optional massage unit provides gentle massaging action for added comfort and relief. Clinically proven to relieve headaches, this pillow was shown to categorically help nearly 80% of uses.

Not surprisingly, you can order an ice pillow from China (where I think 95% of this planet’s products are now manufactured) and I am considering ordering one. I would be interested to know if you or anyone you know tried it and how well it worked.

What Are Menstrual Migraines?

Menstrual headaches or migraines appear to occur when estrogen levels in the blood drop during the menstrual cycle. Estrogen is involved in setting the threshold for pain activity. Falling estrogen levels are associated with a greater sensitivity to pain and increased activity in body systems that cause inflammation. These changes can make women more susceptible to experiencing several different types of pain, such as headache, cramps, and muscle or joint aches, just before or during their menstrual period.

Taking oral contraceptive pills (i.e., birth control pills) can exaggerate the drop in estrogen levels before the start of menstrual bleeding. Consequently, taking the pill can sometimes worsen migraine patterns. Many women will experience an improvement in their health and a decrease of or even no migraines after menopause.

There are a number of natural medicinal and non-medicinal treatments for the prevention of menstrual migraine.

Non-Medicinal Treatments for Menstrual Migraine
Women with migraine are generally more susceptible to dietary, physical, environmental, and other triggers for migraine attacks during the week before and the first few days of their period. Following are some guidelines that can decrease the likelihood of having a migraine from these triggers.

• Eat regularly scheduled, well-balanced meals. Avoid missing meals because low blood sugar and hunger are frequent triggers for migraine attacks. On the other hand, avoid eating sweets or meals the contain a lot of carbohydrates because doing so might lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels two to three hours after you have these foods (this is sometimes called a “sugar or carbohydrate crash”).

• Drink plenty of fluid. Avoid dehydration because this too is a frequent migraine trigger.

• Get a good night’s sleep. Follow a regular and consistent schedule of waking and sleeping. Avoid going to bed late, “sleeping in,” becoming sleep deprived, or a haphazard sleep schedule.

• Stay away from well-known migraine triggers such as wine, beer, or other alcohol containing drinks; chocolate and other sweets; aged cheeses such as cheddar or Brie; and salty foods, especially during the week before your period.

• Participate in a regular aerobic exercise program. If you have not been exercising regularly, discuss exercise plans with your doctor and set up a physical conditioning plan that matches your needs. Start your exercise program slowly and gradually build up your level of activity as your physical condition improves.

• Learn and regularly practice biofeedback and other relaxation techniques. These types of treatment have demonstrated excellent benefit in clinical studies; and best of all, there are no potential side effects.

Above content provided by the National Pain Foundation in partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.

10 Things You Don’t Know About Massage Therapy

Scottsdale, Ariz. (PRWEB) October 22, 2009 — Timeless and universal, massage therapy offers numerous health and therapeutic benefits that are proven to help conditions such as arthritis, migraines, back pain and even fibromyalgia.

Massage therapy is not only a stress-reliever, but can help those with conditions such as arthritis and chronic migraines.

Indeed, given today’s restless environment, more Americans are turning to therapeutic massage treatment for relaxation and tension relief from the daily stresses of their hectic lives, or simply for good health maintenance and a balanced lifestyle. Many people use massage as part of their wellness plan with much success.

In honor of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week (October 25-31, 2009) Massage Envy, the nation’s largest massage therapy provider is offering some eye-opening facts about this age-old wellness treatment.

Fun Facts about Massage Therapy:

1. Massage may be the oldest form of medical care – Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged.

2. As touch is the first sense to develop in humans and the last to fade, there are approximately 5 million touch receptors in our skin – 3,000 alone in a finger tip.

3. Almost one-fourth of adult Americans say they’ve used massage therapy at least one time for pain relief.

4. While the use of massage is growing, the reasons people are turning to massage therapy are also expanding. Of the people surveyed who had at least one massage in the last five years, 31 percent report they did so for health conditions such as pain management, injury rehabilitation, migraine control, or overall wellness.

5. Any kind of touch stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, can reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure – imagine how good you would feel after a one-hour massage.

6. A study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine showed that ongoing massage could lower anxiety, reduce pain, and improve grip strength for those that suffer from arthritis.

7. Research indicates massage therapy can boost immunity and reduce hypertension.

8. Benefits of prenatal massage include increasing circulation, promoting relaxation, preparing the muscles for childbirth, and enhancing joint flexibility.

9. A recent study by the American Massage Therapy Association showed that in adults with migraine headaches massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

10. The number of hospitals offering massage therapy increased by 30 percent from 2004 to 2006. Sixty-seven percent of those hospitals with massage therapy programs offer massage to their staff for stress management.

About Massage Envy
Massage Envy Limited, LLC, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise of massage clinics is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage services to consumers with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy has opened nearly 600 clinics in 41states with new locations opening every month. For more information, visit www.MassageEnvy.com.

And here’s a video showing a neck massage which I have tried to naturally relieve my migraines and it works.

Yoga Hand Mudra to naturally relieve migraines

If you are looking for a natural alternative to relieving your migraines, this healing hand mudra is an extremely simple exercise and it works!

I’ve noticed that it has a calming effect on me and my head feels clearer, particularly when I have a lot to get done fast. Try it and please leave a comment to share how it works for you.

Types of Migraines – Complicated, Abdominal, Hemiplegic and More

Most people have heard of migraine headaches, but most don’t realize that there are many different types of migraines, each with its own unique symptoms and need to be understood before we can look at natural relief. Let’s have a look at them in detail.

An abdominal migraine is also called periodic syndrome. It occurs usually in children, and usually ones with a prior family history of migraine attacks. Abdominal migraines are characterized by bouts of pain in the abdomen lasting for around two hours. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, flushing and pallor. Standard natural migraine treatments usually work for abdominal migraines.

A basilar migraine is one affecting the circulation in the back of the neck or brain. This usually occurs in young women and can cause dizziness, loss of balance, double vision, confusion, fainting, slurred speech and disorientation. Some people will even lose consciousness during an acute headache. Often people are mistakenly believed to be suffering from some other condition.

A complicated migraine is a type which is accompanied by one or more neurologic deficits, for instance, paralysis. It sometimes features an aura that lasts for hours or days, as opposed to the half hour or hour which is the usual. There are a few different forms of complicated migraine headaches. One is the ophthalmoplegic migraine, in which the patient develops some paralysis of the nerves required for eye movement. In a retinal migraine, the visual symptoms occur from the person’s retina rather than from the part of the brain used for vision. Another form of complicated migraine is the hemiplegic migraine, which is often inherited and is linked to one of a few different chromosomes.

Cyclic Migraine Syndrome refers to patience who experience more than 10 migraine attacks a month.These are typically long-lasting and not associated with typical cluster headache symptoms. Studies have shown that cyclic migraine syndrome can be helped by lithium carbonate, as long as the patient’s medication level and thyroid functioning are both monitored.

A hemiplegic migraine is a rare type considered to be a severe variety. During an attack, the sufferer might experience temporary motor paralysis and some sensory disturbances on a single side of his or her body.These symptoms precede the headache itself. The symptoms will fade as the headache appears.

Nocturnal headaches refer to attacks experienced in the early hours of the morning, usually around 4:00 a.m. The person is often awakened by the pain. According to recent studies, these attacks are linked with changes in the person’s adrenaline and similar substances. As the levels reach their peak, the headache is experienced.

An occular migraine refers to a migraine in which the person experiences visual hints of an oncoming attack, usually the “aura” which produces flashing lights or spots or something related.

Ophthalmoplegic migraines are considered rare forms of migraine. In this variety, the pain surrounds the person’s eyeball and can last as long s several months. It’s caused by a weakness of muscles which surround the eye. A person should get a doctor to confirm the diagnosis, as similar symptoms might also be produced by a pressure on the nerves directly behind the eye.

Stratus migraines are attacks that persist for over 72 hours. One of the factors that might prolong a migraine attack is a sterile an inflammatory response to the migraine, which sometimes develops around the walls surrounding the affected blood vessels.

If there are other kinds of migraines that I haven’t mentioned, I’d be very interested to hear about them. What are the symptoms and when and where do they occur?

Supplements: a natural alternative to migraine relief?

If you suffer from migraine headaches, you know how debilitating and painful they can be and the search for natural relief may not always be obvious. Often times, migraines cause so much pain that people become physically ill and suffer additional symptoms such as stomach ache and blurred vision. The symptoms can be so bad that people miss work, leave family events, or become unable to function.

So, what can you do to relieve such horrible pain?

Many people treat migraine headaches with prescription medications. These medications can be effective, but they are not without some serious side effects. Some of these prescription medications are taken orally, while others are inhaled by nasal spray into the nose. Either way, some of the more common side effects include tingling at the site, unusual taste, or dizziness. If you happen to suffer from the more serious side effects, these can include high blood pressure and elevated risk of heart disease.

Because of the serious nature of the side effects, and because migraine sufferers need relief quickly and on a regular basis, natural and alternative and natural remedies are becoming a more popular way to treat migraine headaches. Before we take a look at some of the best supplements to treat migraines, let’s look at the nature of the migraine headache. It is easier to understand your treatment plan if you understand the nature of the headaches themselves.

Most people consider the term ‘migraine’ synonymous with ‘migraine headaches’, but migraines are actually a condition that has headache as one of its many symptoms. Because the headache is the most painful, most obvious symptom of a migraine, people tend to think that a migraine and a migraine headache are the same thing. Migraines are actually a neurological syndrome. The headache is the worst part, perhaps, but the syndrome can also be characterized by nausea and unusual visions that according to some sufferers can almost be hallucinatory in nature. Oddly enough, the very fact that a migraine is coming on is sometimes signified by an ‘aura’, described by most as an almost out-of-body sense that the awful headache is about to occur. Then, when it does, it is sometimes accompanied by odd visions or senses as well.

Once the headache sets in, and even after the person feels physically ill, he or she may also suffer from increased sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds, preferring to remain in total silence and darkness until the headache subsides. The problem is, migraines often last for quite some time. The average migraine lasts for about four hours, although chronic sufferers can experience migraine symptoms for up to seventy-two hours sometimes! They will feel a severe and painful throbbing in the temple region, usually on one side, for the duration of the migraine. These are the individuals who need the most help.

So what help is out there? To begin with, there are some dietary changes that may help, but not for everyone. One of the most common changes to try first is to get rid of all gluten (wheat) in the diet. Other common triggers include foods such as hot dogs, wine, chocolate and cheese. This may help some people and not others, since there are so many triggers for migraine and not all of them have to do with diet. Some other triggers include the weather, sleep changes, and even stress; certainly, it is better for these people to explore supplements since they can do nothing to change the weather!

One supplement that has been shown to be effective in relieving migraines is Feverfew. Feverfew is an herb that you can buy in your local vitamin store or on the internet, and it is good for prevention of migraine as well as treatment of the symptoms once the headache has onset. Especially good for the treatment of symptoms is the combination of this herbal supplement with a natural caffeine source, such as guarana.

Ginger has long been used as a digestive aid and as a treatment for nausea, but there is also some evidence that it is helpful for migraines. You can eat ginger, of course, but if you don’t like the taste you can also find ginger capsules or ginger tea that has other flavors included in it.

Sometimes migraines come about because of fatigue or irregular sleep patterns. If this is the case for you, you may want to try taking melatonin before bed. Melatonin is produced naturally in the body, but the production of it slows as we age. If you supplement with it, your body’s sleep cycles will become more regular and you may find it helps prevent the migraines from coming back.

B vitamins such as vitamin B12 and riboflavin have also been known to help, as well as magnesium. These are such commonly used supplements that you should be able to take a multi-vitamin and mineral tablet and get your requirements.

Rather than suffer these debilitating headaches or resign yourself to taking prescriptions for the rest of your life, try these healthier alternatives. You just may get the relief you have long been seeking.

Does White Flour Trigger Migraines?

Does white flour triggers migraine headaches and how can you find natural relief from the pain of migraines? It’s an important question which will need more investigation so I’ll keep searching for any research or studies that throw light on the subject.

I did come across this video which explains what white flour contains… it’s not pretty.

So there you have it – the dirt on white flour! I’m thinking it may be a good idea to cut down on it or run for the hills if I’m ever offered a piece of bread in future.

And on the subject of avoidance, I know some people who avoid yeast as it triggers their migraines which means they won’t touch bread, pizza, beer or cake, others avoid cheese, bananas, fish and red wine (Sigh! Not much of a life, methinks).

What foods are you allergic or intolerant to?

Symptoms of Tension vs. Migraine Headache

Do you have a tension headache or a migraine? Do you know the difference? When do auras occur and what might they mean?

If this video has been useful, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment below. Thank you!

If your head hurts, start treating your feet

Reflexology is a simple method to help balance the body and stimulate organs. It is a natural therapy that is based on the principle that there
are reflexes on the soles of the feet which correspond to every organ of the body, reflexology serves to relax, improve circulation and promote a general feeling of wellness.

Technique’s basics : Gentle pressure is applied on specific pressure points of hands and feet, to provide relief. Says reflexologist Habiba Bijapuri, “It is believed that these pressure points are the gateways to vital energy centres within the body. These energy centres may become blocked from the stresses of everyday life. Using reflexology techniques, these energy centres can be cleared and the balance to the body restored.”

How reflexology works : Studies have helped map reflexes on the foot. Although there are many different foot reflexology charts, this technique is generally believed to help relieve stress, aid in the relief of aches, pains and tension, help digestion and bowel actions and improve sleep patterns.
Read more..

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