SUMMER NEWSLETTER

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Summer 2005

Newsletter Contents:
A Message from the Administrator
Migraine Headaches

A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

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DO YOU SUFFER FROM MIGRAINE HEADACHES?

What is a migraine headache?

A migraine headache is a special kind of headache. It can last for several days. It may cause intense pain. You may also feel sick to your stomach or have eye problems.

Some people start to have migraines when they are children. Others may not have them until later in life. The headaches may come back from time to time all through life.

Women are much more likely to have them than men. Migraines can also run in families.

What is the cause?

A migraine happens when brain chemicals don't stay balanced.

You can get a migraine when:

· You are under stress.
· You are tired.
· You eat some kinds of foods.
· The weather changes.
· You are around bright lights.
· You hear loud noises.
· You smell strong odors.

What are the symptoms?

Before a migraine starts, you may:
· Not feel well.
· Lose part of your vision.
· See bright spots.
· See zigzags in front of your eyes.

Most of the time, these eye problems go away when the headache starts.

When you have a migraine, you may:

· Have a headache that throbs or pounds (you may feel the pain more on one side of your head, or your whole head may hurt).
· Be very sensitive to light.
· Have blurred vision.
· Vomit or have nausea.
· Have numbness or feel tingling of your face or arm.

How are migraine headaches diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He or she will give you a physical exam.

It may help to keep a headache diary. You should write down:
· the date and time of each migraine
· how long it lasts
· the type of pain (Is it dull or sharp? Does it throb? Do you feel pressure?)
· where it hurts.

You should also note:
· When you have your periods.
· When you use birth control pills or other female hormones.

You should also write down what happened before the headache started:
· What signs did you have?
· What did you eat and drink?
· Did you use cigarettes, caffeine, alcohol, or soda?
· What time did you go to bed? What time did you get up?

If your headaches started just lately, your health care provider may recommend tests for other causes of your symptoms. You may need a brain scan or MRI scan.

How is a migraine treated?

· You may need to take medicine to stop migraines from coming so often. The medicine can help prevent very bad migraines.
· You may also need to take medicine to keep migraines from getting worse once they start. Take these medicines as soon as you can when you start to have signs of a migraine.
· You may need to try a medicine for several weeks to see if it works. Talk to your health care provider about what is best for you. You have many choices.

How long does a migraine headache last?

Symptoms of a migraine headache last from a few hours to a few days. You may get migraines for the rest of your life. Most of the time, migraines happen less often as you get older.

How can I take care of myself?

As soon as the migraine starts:
· Take a pain reliever. You might try aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Or take the medicine your health care provider gave you.
· Rest in a quiet, dark room until you start to feel better.

Call your health care provider right away if:
· You have a fever.
· Your neck is stiff.
· You have a hard time talking.
· Your arm or leg is weak.
· You cannot walk.

How can I prevent migraines?

· Eat regular, healthy meals. Don't go too long without eating. Stay away from foods that seem to cause your headaches. Watch out for:
· wine, ale, and beer
· chocolate milk and buttermilk
· cheeses
· aged, canned, cured, and processed meats
· breads made with yeast
· foods with cheese, chocolate, or nuts.

· Don't use medicines that trigger headaches. Ask your health care provider about this. You may need to stop using birth control or hormone pills.

· Don't smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol.

· Keep a healthy weight.

· Get plenty of sleep every day.

· Lower your stress. Find time to relax, rest, and have fun in your life.

· Don't drive a car when you have a migraine.

See your health care provider if your headaches get worse or if they don't get better when you take medicine for them. It may take several visits to find the best way to control your headaches.

Please join us this fall, for the next edition of the Weaverville Family Medicine Newsletter.
Do you have questions about The Weaverville Family Medicine Newsletter? For medical questions, please contact us at 645-3066. If you have a website related question or comment, then please contact our website manager.

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