MIGRAINE

Is it a Headache or a Migraine?

It's hard to explain to anyone who's never had a migraine just what a migraine is and how severe the pain can be. But a migraine is much more than just a bad headache. Migraines are severe headaches that occur when the blood vessels in your neck and the back of your head get constricted. They are usually experienced as a throbbing pain on one side of the head accompanied with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. According to leading migraine experts, treating your migraine before symptoms become severe may help to reduce the severity of the migraine.

Migraine Headache Moderate-to-severe pain that is throbbing or pulsing Pain, usually on one side of your head, that may be concentrated around the eye, temple, or behind the ear Pain that is aggravated by movement Nausea and vomiting Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell

Tension Headache Mild to moderate, steady pain Pain felt on front, sides, and back of head, possibly spreading to the neck General feeling of tightness or stiffness, perhaps like a very tight band around the head

Although doctors do not yet understand the exact cause of migraines, there are certain things that can trigger a migraine. Physiological, emotional, and environmental factors can bring on a migraine. They include:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep or fatigue
• Hormonal changes
• Missing a meal
• Changes in barometric pressure or altitude
• Alcohol, particularly red wine
• Chocolate
• Food additives such as nitrates and nitrites
• Caffeine A range of different foods that can include chocolate, alcohol dairy , seafood, tea, coffee, fried foods, citrus fruits.
• Bright lights, loud noises and strong smells.
• Neck and back pain, eye strain.
• Strenuous exercise.
• Weather extremes.

Not everyone will react to all of these triggers. You may react to one or none at all. The trick is finding out what your triggers are.

Welcome relief

Try Anadin Extra

Once you've got a migraine, the only thing you want is for the pain to stop; You may be surprised to know that you can get effective pain relief without a prescription.Migraines require a powerful pain reliever. Once dissolved in water, Anadin Extra Soluble gets to work fast. It’s also ideal if you feel that swallowing tablets can aggravate your nausea.

Your Migraine kit:

Preventing Migraines

As well as getting pain relief once migraines strike, you can try to prevent them by spotting and avoiding factors that may be migraine triggers.

Dietary factors

Try a food diary to keep track of any foods that might trigger migraines for you. Pay attention to chocolate, cheese and dairy products, seafood, tea, coffee, fried food, citrus fruits, and alcohol.

Other potential triggers

• Stress and anxiety.
• Late nights, jet lag, missing a meal.
• Medication e.g. combined oral contraceptives
• Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells.
• Neck and back pain, eye strain.
• Strenuous exercise.
• Weather extremes.