August Brings Rising Temps | Stay Cool & Migraine-Free

There are several weeks of summertime left to enjoy so don’t get stuck in the dark riding out a migraine or headache. August brings extreme heat but also a last chance to plan summer activities and vacations. As schedules change, and temperatures rise so do migraine triggers such as barometric pressure, disrupted sleep patterns, stress and dehydration. Some triggers you can control or avoid and some you can not. There are many things you can do to ease through August if you are a migraine sufferer.

KEEP FAST-ACTING MIGRELIEF-NOW ON HAND AT ALL TIMES.

First of all, for those times when you need help most, keep MigreLief-NOW close by so you can take 2-4 capsules at the first sign of discomfort. (For children’s dosages age 2-12, see back of bottle). Keep “NOW” in your car, purse, or suitcase for emergencies if you leave town or are merely on the go. And for those of you who are back to work or off to school already, keep MigreLief-NOW at your office, or in your school backpack. Remember, MigreLief-NOW is different than the daily maintenance formulas… It is an on-the-spot dietary supplement taken “as needed” to provide immediate nutritional support when you need it most… NOW! (Migraine Formulas-Overview Pdf)

As summer shifts toward fall, for many, August is not a time to grab a last minute vacation but rather a time to endure the extreme heat. The majority of the U.S. suffers hot, sticky August nights and while it’s great for the crops heading toward early harvest, sleeping can be particularly uncomfortable and trouble for migraineurs.

While a lot of people have central air to mitigate the heat, many people have either inadequate air conditioning or none at all. For several areas of the U.S., August is a rainy season fraught with extremely uncomfortable levels of humidity. At 90 degrees, anything over 70% humidity is considered extremely uncomfortable and can be deadly for asthmatics. For those sensitive to barometric-pressure change migraines, the rising and falling humidity of August can make one feel as though they are on a migraine roller-coaster. Migraineurs often feel in August that, around the clock, they either have a migraine or are anticipating one at any moment.

Headache Prevention for Outdoor Enthusiasts
As a basic outdoor strategy, be sure to wear dark sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat. Also, staying hydrated is key to avoiding light and heat related headaches. Humidity is really tough to control out of doors, but following some of the suggestions made in preventing barometric pressure and altitude headaches is good general advice for those who will be out in the humidity as well.

The barometer drops rapidly just before a storm, and your blood vessels may react to that, trying to equalize the pressure. Many sufferers recognize this fact and even find themselves watching the weather channel to know when to anticipate a summer storm migraine.

Strategies for barometric pressure headaches
Some migraineurs have reported that lying down in a dark room can ward off the pressure headache, but if you are or want to be an outdoor enthusiast, you have to figure out other ways to deal with it. The good news is there are gadgets that can help you. If you are one who prefers gadgets over devices and apps, Newspring Power International Company, Ltd. offers a fishing barometer designed to check the barometric pressure at specific locations.

The application for migraineurs is that you can set the device for up to six places where you might wish to go for the day, and program it to warn you when a storm is approaching any of those places. If you prefer a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), there are several smart phones and tablets which have barometric sensors with free apps that will send you alarms when pressure reaches the danger zone for you.

Other remedies:

A de-humidifier can mitigate some of the indoor humidity. Also, keep blinds drawn to keep the house cooler.

Keep from exerting yourself as much as possible, especially out of doors, and plan your shopping-musts around the cooler parts of the day.

Cook smart – use your microwave instead of the stove, prepare cool, summer meals involving salads and yogurt products. Don’t succumb to fast foods or snack foods, but have on hand foods that you can put together quickly.

If you sleep under a fan, avoid colds, sinus problems, neck pain that can trigger migraines by covering your neck as you sleep. Keep a towel or light, children’s blanket just for draping over your neck while you sleep.

If you feel yourself getting overheated, wet your skin and lie down in front of or underneath a fan. Putting off your shower till the heat of the afternoon is a good idea for refreshing yourself. Of course one nice idea is simply getting away to cooler climates in August.

MORE HOT TIPS TO STAY COOL!

– Soak a t-shirt in the sink in cool water (not cold or chilled water), wring it out, put it on and sit in the shade or in front of a fan. (You may want to save this one for when you’re alone, unless you’re going for that ‘wet t-shirt’ contest!)
– Fill a plastic spray bottle with water and freeze over night. You will have a cool mist that lasts for hours.
– Soak your feet in cold water. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will naturally cool the body.
– Wear light colors darker colors will absorb the sun’s rays and be warmer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat.
– Minty fresh use mint scented or menthol lotions and soaps to cool your skin.
– More alcohol just the rubbing alcohol please! Put some rubbing alcohol on a damp washcloth and hold it on the back of your neck and sit near a fan. The evaporative effect can feel 30 degrees cooler.

FROZEN GRAPES: To stay cool, try this naturally sweet frozen treat.

These frozen bites always stay icy, but not frozen solid. They must be eaten as soon as they are removed from the freezer before they thaw completely.

1. Wash and dry green or red grapes.
2. Place in sealable plastic bag.
3. Keep in freezer for 2 hours or until frozen.
4. Fill a bowl with several ice cubes and place the bag in the bowl to keep cool while you enjoy!

Again, remember to keep MigreLief-NOW on hand in times of trouble and take 2-4 capsules at the first sign of discomfort. Children between the age of 2-12, should take exactly 1/2 the adult dose.
Enjoy the remainder of your summer and stay cool!

Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.

WARNING SIGNS OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES & PREVENTION GUIDE TO PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

CALM AND CLEVER – SUPERCHARGE YOUR BRAIN TODAY – REDUCE STRESS WHILE ENHANCING MEMORY AND RECALL: VISIT CALMANDCLEVER.COM

Migraines and a Mother’s Prayers Answered

Every day millions of parents watch helplessly as their child suffers from debilitating migraine attacks. Approximately 1 out of every 10 school-age children suffer migraines. Attacks can last from 1 hour to 3 days.

Severe head pain is not the only symptom of migraine in children. Other symptoms include nausea/vomiting, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, depression, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, difficulty concentrating, abdominal pain, and sleep disturbance.

We love to hear from parents who discover MigreLief and the benefits of nutritional support for migraine sufferers. It reinforces our goal to bring awareness to as many parents and healthcare practitioners as possible of this gentle, effective, nutritional option for children two years and older whose lives are disrupted by migraines.

The comment below was posted on our Facebook page by a very happy Mom who gave us permission to share her post:

“MigreLief has been the answer to my prayers.”

Many thanks to MigreLief and the doctor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia that ‘prescribed’ it for our 9-year-old son…along with a small dose of antihistamine. It has literally changed his life. He has been taking it for almost a year. Since age 5 he would get them where he would vomit, cry, and writhe in pain for hours, never knowing when the next one would arrive (he had 4-5 per month) He wasn’t able or was afraid to participate in any of the things that made him happy. He just started his second baseball season with and the joy on his face is priceless. The greatest thing is that it’s natural. Thanks, MigreLief! ~Stefanie B.

Because 50% of adults who suffer migraines had their first attack before the age of 12, we hope to reach more parents of young migraineurs with our nutritional support supplement. MigreLief formulas have been making a difference in the lives of adults and children for over 20 years who suffer all types of migraines; classic, common, or complicated (basilar, hemiplegic, etc.). For more information, visit MigreLief.com

To the Best of Health,

The MigreLief Team at Akeso Health Sciences

SUMMER HEAT: HOT TIPS TO STAY COOL

A few ways to stay cool in the extreme heat

Soak a t-shirt in the sink in cool water (not cold or chilled water), wring it out, put it on and sit in the shade or in front of a fan. (You may want to save this one for when you’re alone, unless you’re going for that ‘wet t-shirt’ contest look!)
Fill a plastic spray bottle with water and freeze over night. You will have a cool mist that lasts for hours.
Soak your feet in cold water. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will naturally cool the body.
Wear light colors! Darker colors will absorb the sun’s rays and be warmer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat.
Minty fresh – use mint scented or menthol lotions and soaps to cool your skin.
More alcohol – just the rubbing alcohol please! Put some rubbing alcohol on a damp washcloth and hold it on the back of your neck and sit near a fan. The evaporative effect can feel 30 degrees cooler!

What is a Migraine? Symptoms, Types and Migraine Statistics

Men, women, and children can experience migraines which are usually accompanied with severe, throbbing/pulsating head pain usually on one side of the head. Migraines and can last from 2 to 72 hours, or even days. Migraine is the most common type of vascular headache and can be divided into migraine with aura (classic migraine) and migraine without aura (common migraine). Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. The pain is generally made worse by physical activity. Not all migraines include head pain. Severe stomach pain is associated with ‘abdominal migraines‘ and other migraines may include, auras, and vestibular symptoms.

Other symptoms of migraine may include; nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound or light and visual disturbance such as flashing lights, spots, or temporary loss of vision.

Migraines can occur at any time of the day. Some people experience migraines every week, while others only get them once or twice annually. While, migraines are not usually a threat to a person’s overall health, they can be debilitating, and interfere with a person’s quality of life and day to day living. The causes of migraines are not known at this time, although there are some things that are more common in people who experience them. Migraines tend to run in families and are more common in men then women. Before the age of 12, they are more common in boys.

Difference Between Headache and Migraine

A, ‘Tension Headache,’ differs from a Migraine in that it is less severe and is rarely disabling. Tension headaches present mild-to-moderate pain, are distracting but not debilitating, present a steady ache, and may involve one side of the person’s head. Migraines may also have mild-to-moderate pain, but can also involve moderate-to-severe pain. Tension headaches can involve both sides of a person’s head, but rarely include a sensitivity to sounds or light, nausea, or vomiting.

Migraines present intense, pounding or throbbing pain that is debilitating with a steady ache. Migraine headaches may also involve one side of a person’s head. Migraine headaches can involve both sides of a person’s head, and can involve sensitivity to sounds or light, nausea, or vomiting. Things such as stress and fatigue can start either a tension headache or a migraine. Both of these types of headaches can also be triggered by changes in a person’s body hormone levels (before during or after menstruation, or at menopause), certain foods, or even barometric pressure fluctuations/changes in the weather.

Prodromal Symptoms (early warning signs leading up to a migraine)
Light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea, fatigue, yawning, increased urination, cravings, mood change, and neck pain.

Types of Migraines

Migraines are classified by the types of symptoms a person experiences in association with them. The two most common types of migraines that people experience are, ‘Migraine With Aura,’ and, ‘Migraine Without Aura.’ Other, less common, types of migraines include, ‘Abdominal Migraine,’ ‘Basilar Artery Migraine,’ ‘Cartidynia,’ ‘Headache-Free Migraine,’ ‘Ophthalmoplegic Migraine/Ocular Migraine,’ and, ‘Status Migrainosus.’ There are some women who experience migraine headaches either just prior to or during, or after menstruation. These migraines are referred to as, ‘Menstrual Migraines.’ Menstrual migraines are related to hormonal changes and usually occur at the same time every month, just before, during or after a woman’s menstrual cycle. For some women, migraines go away during pregnancy while other women experience migraines for the first time during pregnancy, or after menopause.

Migraine with Aura: Characterized by a neurological phenomenon (aura) that is experienced ten to thirty minutes before the headache. Most auras are visual and are described as bright shimmering lights around objects or at the edges of the field of vision or zigzag lines, castles, wavy images, or hallucinations. Others experience temporary vision loss. Non-visual auras include motor weakness, speech or language abnormalities, dizziness, vertigo, and tingling or numbness of the face, tongue, or extremities.
Migraine without Aura: The most prevalent type and may occur on one or both sides of the head. Tiredness or mood changes may be experienced the day before the headache. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light often accompany migraine without aura.
Abdominal Migraine: Most common in children with a family history of migraine. Symptoms include abdominal pain without a gastrointestinal cause (may last up to 72 hours), nausea, vomiting, and flushing or paleness . Children who have abdominal migraine often develop typical migraine as they age.
Basilar Migraine: Involves a disturbance of the basilar artery in the brainstem. Symptoms include severe headache, vertigo, double vision, slurred speech, and poor muscle coordination. This type occurs primarily in young people.
Carotidynia: Also called lower-half headache or facial migraine, produces deep, dull, aching, and sometimes piercing pain in the jaw or neck. There is usually tenderness and swelling over the carotid artery in the neck. Episodes can occur several times weekly and last a few minutes to hours. This type occurs more commonly in older people.
Headache-free Migraine: Characterized by the presence of aura without headache. This occurs in patients with a history of migraine with aura.
Ophthalmoplegic Migraine: Begins with a headache felt in the eye and is accompanied by vomiting. As the headache progresses, the eyelid droops and nerves responsible for eye movement become paralyzed. Ptosis may persist for days or weeks.
Status Migraine: A rare type involving intense pain that usually lasts longer than seventy-two hours. The patient may require hospitalization.

Causes of Migraines

Researchers believe migraines are due to abnormal changes in levels of substances which are naturally produced in a person’s brain. Then the levels of these substances are increased they may cause inflammation, resulting in blood vessel swelling. Swollen blood vessels then press on nearby nerves, causing pain. Still, the exact causes of migraines remains unknown. Genetic involvement has also been linked to migraines. Persons who experience migraines may have genetic factors that control functions of their brain cells associated with migraines.

It is known that people who experience migraines react to various factors and events, referred to as, ‘triggers.’ These triggers vary depending on the individual and do not always lead to a migraine. Combinations of triggers, not necessarily a single one, are more likely to initiate a migraine. An individual’s response to triggers can also vary between migraines.

Migraine triggers may include:

Lack of or too much sleep (change in sleep pattern)
Skipped meals
Bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors
Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle
Stress and anxiety
Weather changes (barometric pressure changes)
Alcohol (often red wine)
Caffeine (too much or withdrawal)
Foods that contain nitrates, such as hot dogs and processed lunch meats
Foods that contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer found in fast foods, seasonings, spices and broths.
Foods that contain tyramine, such as aged cheeses, soy products, fava beans, hard sausages, smoked fish, and chianti wine
Aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal)

Track your migraines: Keeping a migraine diary and recording the details that led up to the migraine will be helpful for tracking your triggers.
Keep track of the following:

The time of day your headache started
Where you were and what you were doing when the migraine started
What you ate or drank 24 hours before the attack
Each day you have your period, not just the first day (note if they happen at the same time each month in relation to your period).

FACTS & STATISTICS
How common is migraine?
1 billion sufferers worldwide
1 in 4 homes
1 in 5 women
1 in 16 men
1 in 11 children

Migraines are familial:
If 1 parent has migraine, 50% chance of a child having it too.
If both parents have migraine, 75% chance of a child having it too.

Preventive Treatments:
Prescription medications
Dietary supplements
Devices

Nutritional Support for Migraine Sufferers
Supplements known to be of great benefit to migraine sufferers and recommended by neurologists and headache specialists for 2 decades are the MigreLief line of supplements for migraine sufferers and include:

3 daily formulas (for maintaining normal cerebrovascular tone and function) and one fast-acting “as-needed” formula for on the spot nutritional support:

MigreLief Original (age 12-adult) – Daily
Children’s MigreLief (age 2-11) – Daily
MigreLief+M (menstrual/hormonal migraines) – Daily

MigreLief-NOW (fast-acting) – As Needed

MigreLief Now – Winner 2018 Amazing Wellness Award – Best Herbal Supplement
For more information, visit MigreLief.com

Migraine World Summit 2019 – FREE Ticket (Virtual/Online Event)

The largest patient event in the world for migraine & headache returns this March 20-28.
Join more than 100,000 informed attendees and tune in to 32 NEW interviews to find the answers you need to help better manage migraine and chronic headache.

The Migraine World Summit will bring together 32 experts including doctors and specialists to share new treatments, research, and strategies to help you improve your migraine and chronic headache.

2019 Migraine World Summit

WHY ATTEND?

World-Leading Experts: At the Migraine World Summit, you’ll learn first-hand from 32 of the world’s top migraine and headache experts from leading institutions including the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins Hospital, Stanford Medical, John Hopkins Hospital, and the International Headache Society.
Full Access: Many of these world-leading experts have long waiting lists and fees that are beyond the affordability of the average insurance policy. Skip the waiting period and get straight into the room with these experts.
Free: The event is entirely free whilst live from March 20-28. Visiting dozens of specialists in one field would take years and costs thousands of dollars. This is an incredible opportunity to hear from dozens of leading experts in migraine for free during the week. After March 28, transcripts and interview copies are available to order.

Claim your FREE ticket now at the following link: http://www.migraineworldsummit.com?afmc=aj

Questions answered include:

What new treatments are available or coming soon?
What can I learn from successful patient case studies?
What new non-medicinal alternatives are recently available?
How can I break refractory chronic migraine?
When I should get a scan for my headache condition?
How is neck pain and migraine related?
How important is sleep and exercise really for those with migraine?
Are supplements or vitamins worth considering?
What are some common drug interactions and side effects we should know about?
How do I need to know about hemiplegic and vestibular migraine?
How important is diet for migraine and headache?
How can I interpret migraine research?

The virtual Migraine World Summit is free from March 20-28, 2019.

Claim your FREE ticket now at the following link:

Migraine World Summit – Complimentary Pass

See you at the Summit!

To the Best of Health,

The MigreLief Team at Akeso Health Sciences

Night Sweats Occur in Women of All Ages

A significant number of women of all ages complain about “night sweats.” Most commonly night sweats are associated with the approach of menopause but many other factors can cause night sweats.

For night sweats associated with hormonal issues, look into MigreLief+M. This product is not just for migraine prevention. It corrects both the hormonal and blood sugar issues that can lead to night sweats as well as migraines. In some women it can take up to 3 months to achieve optimal results.

I highly recommend the following articles on night sweats:

Other Resources:

MedicineNet has done an excellent review of the Causes and Treatment of Night Sweats.

For information regarding pregnancy and nights sweats, visit MomLovesBest.

To the Best of Health,

Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.

How do I know if my child’s headaches are migraines?

Migraines tend to be on one side of the head and throb. If there is any kind of visual disturbance or speech dysfunction associated with the headache, it is likely to be a migraine. A diagnosis from a pediatric neurologist would help to confirm a diagnosis of migraines.

How long will it take my child to get results using Children’s MigreLief?

We strongly recommend that you wait for 90 days to determine if Children’s MigreLief has helped your child. It takes that long for the ingredients to build up optimal levels in the body.

If I observe improvement in my child AFTER using Children’s MigreLief for 90 days, what do I do then?

If improvement is observed we suggest continuing at the same dosing for as long as the child is still having some migraines, even if they are less frequent and gentler. If on the other hand the migraines stop completely for a period of at least 3 months, it may be informative to stop the Children’s MigreLief to see if perhaps the child has outgrown his or her migraines and no longer needs the nutritional support that the Children’s MigreLief provides. Children’s MigreLief can be restarted if necessary.

Can I give my child more than 2 Children’s MigreLief caplets?

If your child is tolerating the 2 caplets per day that are recommended and results are not optimal, you can add a 3rd caplet for children up to 8 years old and even a 4th caplet for children 9 years old and above, as long as you don’t notice any gastrointestinal complaints or diarrhea that lasts for more than 2-3 days. As with all dietary supplements, we suggest that you let you child’s pediatrician know that your child is taking Children’s MigreLief.

Are there any side-effects associated with Children’s MigreLief?

There are no specific side-effects associated with the ingredients in Children’s MigreLief and childhood use which makes it a great option for kids with migraines.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) – B-2 can cause urine to become bright yellow. This is normal for this water-soluble B vitamin and harmless.
Magnesium – Although rare, some individuals taking magnesium for the first time may experience diarrhea which should stop in a couple of days once the body adjusts. If this occurs, we suggest cutting the dose in half (1/2 caplet twice-a-day) and work up to the full dose of 1 caplet twice a day.
Feverfew – This herb is a member of the chrysanthemum/ragweed family. If your child is allergic to ragweed, they may be sensitive to feverfew.Like most dietary supplements, use of MigreLief should be discontinued one week before any surgery. If allergic to any of the ingredients, discontinue use.

When can my child take Original MigreLief instead of Children’s MigreLief?

Children’s MigreLief is formulated for ages 2-12. Original MigreLief is formulated for teens and adults. For children over the age of 12 or over one hundred pounds in weight, we suggest starting with one caplet of Original MigreLief per day (as opposed to Children’s MigreLief). If well-tolerated increase to 2 caplets per day, one in the a.m. and one in the p.m.

If your 2-11-year-old child is taking 1 caplet twice a day of Children’s MigreLief and has not seen any benefit by day 60, increase the dosing to 2 caplets in the a.m. and 1 in the p.m. Confirm that this does not cause diarrhea. Some people are sensitive to magnesium in supplements although MigreLief formulas contain less than the U.S. RDA (recommended daily allowance). If diarrhea does occur due to the extra magnesium, it should resolve within 2-3 days. If it does not then finish the 90 day period by taking 1 caplet twice a day of Children’s Migrelief.

If your child easily tolerates the addition of the one extra a.m. caplet, then try adding an extra p.m. caplet as well and monitor benefits achieved by day 90. If you notice a real improvement in your child, then continue at this daily dose. At this point, if your child is taking 2 Children’s a.m. caplets and 2 p.m. caplets per day, upon your next order you can switch to Original MigreLief as long as your child can swallow the larger caplet.

Note: MigreLief Original or Children’s MigreLief can be crushed and mixed with food such as applesauce, yogurt, peanut butter, etc. for easier swallowing.

MigreLief daily formulas (Original or Children’s) have a build-up period where the supplement grows in effectiveness over 90 days, so don’t give up on MigreLief for 90 days. We offer a money-back guarantee if purchased from MigreLief.com and used for 90 days, which is sufficient time for it to reach maximum benefits.

During the build-up period, we suggest taking fast-acting MigreLief-NOW “as-needed” for on-the-spot neurological comfort. Taking a daily MigreLief formula and combining it with MigreLief-NOW “as-needed” (also known as the MigreLief Nutritional Regimen for migraine sufferers, adds additional nutritional benefits.