Friday, June 26, 2009

Health Tips for June 26

Health Tip: Things That Trigger Migraines

While migraines and their causes vary from person to person, researchers have identified some common triggers.

The National Women's Health Information Center offers this list:

  • Too much sleep, or not enough shut-eye.
  • Missing meals.
  • Overstimulated senses, including noises that are too loud, scents that are too strong, or lights that are too bright.
  • Hormonal changes.
  • Stress.
  • Changes in the weather.
  • Drinking red wine or changes in caffeine intake.
  • Aspartame, an artificial sweetener.
  • Food additives such as tyramine, monosodium glutamate (MSG) or nitrates.

Health Tip: Managing Your Child's Migraines

If your child gets migraine headaches, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help prevent them:

  • Make sure your child eats meals on a regular schedule, and never skips a meal.
  • Keep your child on a regular sleep schedule.
  • Make sure your child gets daily exercise, but don't overdo it.
  • Figure out what triggers migraines in your child, and try to avoid those factors. Common triggers include stress, too much intense exercise, or changes in weather or altitude.
  • Avoid foods that are known to trigger your child's migraines. Popular culinary causes include: cheese, processed meats, chocolate, caffeine, nuts, pickles and foods high in the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG).

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