migraine

                       MIGRAINE  ( HEADACHE )

Migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light.   In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.

Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. About two-thirds of cases run in families. Changing hormone levels may also play a role, as migraines affect slightly more boys than girls
before puberty and two to three times more women than men. The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy. The underlying mechanisms are not fully known. They are, however, believed to involve the nerves and blood vessels of the brain.

some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of symptoms, including vision disturbances that are a warning sign that a bad headache is coming.

The aura occurs in both eyes and may involve any or all of the following:

• A temporary blind spot
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Seeing stars or zigzag lines
• Tunnel vision 

Other warning signs include yawning, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and trouble finding the right words.

Migraine headache can be dull or severe. The pain may be felt behind the eye or in the back of the head and neck. For many patients, the headaches start on the same side each time. The headache usually:

• Feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating
• Are worse on one side of the head
• Start as a dull ache and get worse within minutes to hours
• Last 6 to 48 hours

Other symptoms that may occur with the headache  include:

• Chills
• Increased urination
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness, tingling or weakness
• Problems concentrating, trouble finding words
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Sweating

Symptoms may linger even after the migraine has gone away. patients with migraine sometimes calls this a migraine "hangover." symptoms can include:

• Feeling mentally dull, like your thinking is not clear or sharp
• Increased need for sleep
• neck pain 

what triggers migraine headaches?

some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headache, but many cannot. 

However, the following trigger are likely to set off migraines:

• Hormonal changes: Women may experience migraine symptoms during menstruation, due to changing hormone levels.
• Emotional triggers: Stress, depression, anxiety, excitement, and shock can trigger a migraine.
• Physical causes: Tiredness and insufficient sleep, shoulder or neck tension, poor posture, and physical overexertion have all been linked to migraines. Low blood sugar and jet lag can also act as triggers.
• Triggers in the diet: Alcohol and caffeine can contribute to triggering migraines. Some specific foods can also have this effect, including chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing the additive tyramine. Irregular mealtimes and dehydration have also been named as potential triggers.
• Medications: Some sleeping pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications, and the combined contraceptive pill have all been named as possible triggers.
• Triggers in the environment: Flickering screens, strong smells, second-hand smoke, and loud noises can set off a migraine. Stuffy rooms, temperature changes, and bright lights are also possible triggers.

Triggers do not always cause migraines and avoiding triggers does not always prevent migraines. 

Migraines with aura

Many people experience migraines with auras or warning signs just before or during the head pain, but many do not. Auras are perceptual disturbances such as:

• Confusing thoughts or experiences.
• The perception of strange lights, sparkling or flashing lights.
• \Zigzag lines in the visual field.
• Blind spots or blank patches in the vision.
• Pins and needles in an arm or leg.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Stiffness in the shoulders, neck or limbs.
• Unpleasant smells.

If any migraine sufferer experiences unusual or worrying features that they do not normally have, then they should seek medical help rather than blaming the migraine.

Symptoms such as unusual severe headache, visual disturbance, loss of sensation or power, difficulties with speech are all important features, which, if unusual for the sufferer, should not be ignored.

According to the National Health Service in the UK, about one-third of people who get migraines also have auras.

When migraines with aura affect vision, the patient may see things that are not there, such as transparent strings of objects, not see parts of the object in front of them, or even feel as if part of their field of vision appears, disappears and then comes back again.

It is common for patients to describe the visual disturbance as similar to the sensation one has after being photographed with a very bright camera flash, especially if one walks into a darker room straight away.

For many migraine sufferers, the auras act as a warning, telling them that the headache is soon to come.

The Migraine Trust says that in adults auras usually occur before the headache, but in children they may happen at the same time.

Migraine sufferers also may have premonitions know as a prodrome that can occur several hours or a day or so before the headache. These premonitions may consist of feelings of elation or intense energy, cravings for sweets, thirst, drowsiness, irritability, or depression.

What are the signs and symptoms of migraine headaches?

The most common symptoms of migraine are:

• The pain is usually a severe, throbbing, pulsing pain.
• Increasing pain during physical activity
• Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
• Feeling sick and physically being sick
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound, relieved by lying quietly in a darkened room
•  Some people experience other symptoms such as sweating, temperature changes, tummy ache and diarrhea

• Severe, often "pounding," pain, usually on one side of the head
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Eye pain
• Exposure to strong stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells.
Changes in barometric pressure have been described as leading to migraine headaches.
Not every individual who has migraines will experience one when exposed to these triggers. If a person is unsure what specific triggers might cause a migraine, maintaining a headache diary can be beneficial to identify those individual factors that lead to migraine.

What foods and other things trigger migraines?

•  Readers Comments 7
•  Share Your Story

Many factors have been identified as migraine triggers.

• Normal hormone fluctuations, which occur with regular menstrual cycles, and some types of oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
• Various foods such as:

• Red wine
• Aged cheeses
• Preservatives used in smoked meats (nitrates)
• Monosodium glutamate
• Artificial sweeteners
• Chocolate
• Dairy products
• Oversleeping
• Alcohol beverages
• Stress

Treatment

There is currently no single cure for migraines. Treatment is aimed at preventing a full-blown attack, and alleviating the symptoms that occur.

Lifestyle alterations that might help reduce the frequency of migraines include:

• getting enough sleep
• reducing stress
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding certain foods
• regular physical exercise

Some people also find that special diets can help, such as gluten-free.

Consider seeking further treatment if the above changes do not relieve the symptoms or frequency of migraines. The treatment of migraine symptoms focuses on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms, and taking medicine.



Juices for migraine

Migraines or headaches are very often caused by dehydration, body toxicity, or certain nutrient deficiencies. Start hydrating, detoxing and nourishing with juices that are rich with a variety of nutrients.

Drink Water

Water is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Drink plenty of water every day. Do not think that beverages or alcoholic drinks will compensate for water. They will do the contrary, they will need more water to flush the toxins out, leaving the body dehydrated.

Most of the time, when the body is dehydrated and lacking certain nutrients, migraines may be repeated until we really pay attention to what we are putting into the body.

Migraine buster

Juice Recipe:

• A bunch of spinach or kale
• 2 cups of green grapes
• 2 green peppers
• 1 green apple
• ¼ lemon
• 1-inch ginger root

Some of the foods that contribute to dehydration and severe depletion of important minerals in our body that lead to migraines and possibly silent inflammation are:  High fats foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, flour products, dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial food additives, chocolate and some nuts/seeds, just to name a few.

INSOMNIA

                            INSOMNIA

                   Insomnia is a sleep disorder that regularly affects millions of people worldwide. In short, individuals with insomnia find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. 

                  According to American Association of sleep medicine, insomnia is "the inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep." a broader definition of insomnia is: Insomnia is difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early-morning awakening with difficulty resuming sleep.  The subject must also suffer some degree of impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of daytime functioning. Daytime symptoms may include morning grogginess, memory problems, poor concentration, irritability, mild depression, anxiety, somatic complaints such as headache  or aches and pains, and daytime fatigue, insomnia lasting less than 4 weeks is considered to be transient insomnia, lasting longer than 4 weeks is chronic insomnia.

                  Insomnia disturbs your waking hours as well as your sleeping hours. You are likely to feel sleepy during the day and have trouble concentrating on tasks after a poor nights sleep.  
   
                  Insomnia Effects Quality of life and Health

                          Insomnia may be a serious problem effecting quality of life,productivity and safety.

• People with Insomnia report problems with memory and concentration.
• Day time and work performance are impaired in those suffering from insomnia and lack of sleep.
• People who suffer from insomnia are 4 times as likely to suffer depression.
• Insomnia increases the risk of developing Cardio Vascular diseases .

       Sleep problems in the elderly have  been associated with the increasing risk of  institutionalization.

                                 Causes of Insomnia
   
                Insomnia can originate by any  number of factors such as physical illness, a sress-filled lifestyle, excessive caffeine consumption, or chronic pain. it may simply be the result of poor sleeping habits, such as napping during the day and going to bed at irregular hours. Insomnia can often be linked to alcohol or drug abuse and to misuse of certain medications.

  Psychological factors:

                   Psychological factors account for about half of all insomnias. Numerous mental and emotional factors can precipitate sleep disorders, especially insomnia. these includes grief, depression, anxiety, fear, and excitement

                  Anxiety and depression are two common causes of insomnia. If the insomnia is simply due to a short-term reaction to a situation in one's life, the insomnia will normally disappear as soon as the situation changes. It is rare to see someone who has a severe case of insomnia due to purely emotional factors.

                  Sleep problems are usually a biochemical problem. Biochemical breakdown can take place in many ways. for example, if your digestive system is stressed and unable to digest protein, the amino acids which affect neuro-transmission will not be available to your brain. you can become ill emotionally without having anything emotionally stressful going on in your life.

 Medical  Conditon:

                        There are many medical conditions (some mild and others more serious) that can lead to insomnia. In some cases, a medical condition itself causes insomnia, while in other cases, symptoms of the condition cause discomfort that can make it difficult for a person to sleep.

  Examples of medical conditions that can cause insomnia are:

• Nasal/sinus allergies
• Gastrointestinal problems such as reflux
• Endocrine problems such as hyperthyroidism
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease
• Chronic pain
• Low back pain                                                                                           
• Medications such as those taken for the common cold and nasal allergies, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, birth control, asthma, and depression can also cause insomnia.

      Vulnerability  to insomnia:

                   Some people are more likely than others to experience insomnia during times of stress.

• Hormones - estrogen, hormone shifts during menstruation.
• Food:  food depending on its chemical composition, can act as a stimulant and contribute to your lack of sleep
• Other factors - sleeping next to a snoring partner, parasites, genetic conditions, overactive mind, pregnancy.                                                     
•                               Signs and symptoms

                    Insomnia itself may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. However, there are many signs and symptoms that are associated with insomnia:

• Difficulty falling asleep at night.
• Waking during the night.
• Waking earlier than desired.
• Still feeling tired after a night's sleep
• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
• Irritability, depression, or anxiety.
• Poor concentration and focus.
• Being uncordinated, an increase in errors or accidents.
• Tension headaches (feels like a tight band around head).
• Difficulty socializing.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Worrying about sleeping. 

                 If you are having trouble sleeping, anemia could be a reason for your restless nights. Drinking this juice (given below) will help increase your hemoglobin levels, while calming your nerves and your mind.

Use the following ingredients and put them through your juicer:

   

                                     

• 6-8 ribs of Celery
• 1 cucumber
• 4 medium-sized beetroots
• ½ lemon
• 1 inch of fresh ginger.

         Blend this ingredients and use this for quick night time juice to help you get good sleep..

         Along with drinking a juice before bedtime, there are other steps that you can use to improve your sleep:

• Avoid foods that contain tyramine before bedtime. Tyramine stimulates the brain and can be found in cheese, bacon, eggplant, and potatoes.
•  Avoid using coffee or tea at night.
• Don't consume lots of chocolates and desserts.
• Exercising daily
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid going to bed hungry
• Meditation
• Only go to bed when sleepy
• Avoid watching TV, eating ,reading, worrying in bed.

Hijama (cupping)

                       HIJAMA (cupping)


Cupping therapy is a form of  alternative medicine in which local suction is created on the skin. The word "cupping" was derived from the Arabic verbs " Hajama" and "Haj'jama" which they mean " to minimize" or " to restore to basic size" or "to diminish in volume", there is also a verb "ahjama" which means "to withdraw or retreat from attack".

Thus he who performed the cupping therapy made diseases refrain from attacking him. Performing HIJAMA is sunnah which was advised by our beloved prophet Mohammed(SAW).

in this non-surgical procedure, toxic or 'bad' blood is drawn out from the body. certain 'Hijama points' on the body are addressed to do so. on such selected points, blood is encouraged to accumulate and then sucked out by using a little vaccum system. The blood is made to accumulate on the surface of the skin where minute incisions are introduced on the skin; the blood comes out from the incisions and is collected in a cup from where it is removed.

  WHEN  SHOULD  ONE  PERFORM  HIJAMA  THERAPY?

it is recommended that hijama be practised on the 'odd' days of the lunar calendar. further to this, the specifically prescribed days are monday, tuesday, and  thursday. the optimum sunnah days to perform hijama therapy are the 17th, 19, and 21st days of the lunar calender providing these days coincide  with monday, tuesday, or thursday. the prophet [peace and blessings of allah be upon him] advised against practicing hijama on friday, saturday and sunday and very strongly advised against practicing hijama on wednesdays.

    

                       BENEFITS  OF  HIJAMA

Hijama is known to prevent many diseases and, therefore, can be  considered one of the  best preventive measures against many  diseases such as;

• Hijama promotes the flow of energy in the blood.
• It removes toxins and other waste material from the blood.
• Useful in  curing common fever.
• Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilla.
• Hijama can help those people as well who are under some magic spell or who are under the influence of some evil beings.
• Effective against gastrointestinal diseases.
• Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
• Head aches.
• Back pain.
• Fatigue.
• Pain relief.
• Migraines.
• Common cold and flu.
• Cancer.
• Sciatica.
• Help us in controlling infection.
• Fertility and gynecological disorders.
• Strengthens lymphatic system.
• Improves the nervous system.
• Skin problems such as eczema and acne.
• Infertility.
• Controls hypertension.
• Constipation and diarrhea.
• Circulatory diseases.
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma.
• Varicose veins.
• Blood detoxification.
• Better immunity.
• Weight loss and much more.