Cause of Migraines

Energy-saving bulbs ‘can cause migraines’ warn experts

Warning: Energy saving light bulbs can trigger migraines, say experts

Energy saving light bulbs can trigger migraines, health experts and charities warned last night.

They have been inundated with complaints about the fluorescent bulbs, which are due to become compulsory in homes within four years.

Campaigners are calling for the Government to allow an opt-out for people with health problems so they can continue to use old-style bulbs.

The warning follows concerns that eco-bulbs can trigger dizziness, loss of focus and discomfort among people with epilepsy. 

There have also been complaints from people with lupus - an auto-immune disease causing many symptoms including pain.

Low energy lightbulbs are miniature versions of the fluorescent strip lights common in offices and kitchens. The latest generation are the size of conventional incandescent bulbs with a filament, but use just a quarter of the energy.

Although they are often five times the cost of old-fashioned bulbs, they use around a quarter of the energy and can pay for themselves within months. Critics, however, say the technology is still not up to scratch. Many complain the light is cold or green, and they take up to a minute to warm up properly, and because they are fluorescent, they flicker.

The Migraine Action Association said there was growing concern about the links between the bulbs and severe headaches.

The charity’s Paul Jansen said: "For some people a migraine attack can be triggered by fluorescent lights, video screens, stroboscopic effects and flashing lights.

"Most of the currently available low energy light bulbs are based on fluorescent light technology.

"We hope that the Government will allow regular light bulbs still to be available to those who need them.’

The Government has acknowledged low energy bulbs could pose a problem.

In a written parliamentary answer, Health Minister Ivan Lewis said: "It is known some people with epilepsy may be affected by energy saving light bulbs."

The Lighting Association denied that flicker was a problem with modern energy saving bulbs.

"Compact fluorescent lamps give a constant, flicker-free, nonstroboscopic light," said spokesman Jo Jackson.

She warned against poor quality, cheap lamps, saying: "A small number of cases have been reported by people who suffer from reactions to certain types of linear (straight line) fluorescent lamps.

"These were almost certainly triggered by old technology."

A spokesman for the Energy Saving Trust said: "The technology has changed massively over the last few years. We would advise people to only buy bulbs with the Energy Saving Recommended - SR - logo."

The Migraine Action Association is on www.migraine.org.uk, or phone 01536 461333

Story from The Daily Mail

By JENNY HOPE and DAVID DERBYSHIRE
Last updated at 12:52 04 January 2008

Technorati Tags: Cause of Migraines, Energy saving light bulbs migraines

Migraine Headaches Be Gone
by: Amanda Baker

Twenty-Four million people in the United States alone suffer from migraines. A migraine is typically a throbbing or pulsing headache, often focused on one-side of the head, and associated with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, as well as certain smells. Attacks are typically recurring, and can be less severe as the migraine sufferer ages.

Migraines can occur at any age, but typically begin between the ages of 10 and 40. While some people experience several migraines a month, a select few only have a few migraines throughout their lifetime. Nearly 75% of migraine sufferers are women. Though migraines can happen at any time, some women experience migraines just prior to or during mentruation. These migraines, called menstrual migraines, are related to hormonal changes and often do not occur during pregnancy. Meanwhile, some women only develop migraines for the first time during pregnancy, or even after menopause.

The actual cause of a migraine is unknown. It is believed, however, that the condition results from a series of reactions in the central nervous system, usually caused by changes in the body or in the environment. Migraines often appear to be inherited, as there is often a family history of the condition. These migraine sufferers may inherit the sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in blood vessels and nerves around the brain, which cause pain.

The signs and symptoms of migraine pain are often intense and severe, described by throbbing or pulsating pain that only gets intensified by routine physical activity, coughing, straining, or even moving the head. These headaches can often gets so severe that they interfere with the day-to-day activity of a person. Sleeping migraine sufferers can be awakened by the attack, which can also cause a numbing sensation in hands and lips, as well as interfere with eyesight and vision for the duration of the attack. Migraines can be so debilitating - causing sufferers to feel tired and weak even long after the migraine has passed.

Migraines typically begin in a specific area, usually on one side of the head, and can spread and build in intensity over a course of a few hours, then gradually subside. They can last an entire day, or in some extremely severe cases, several days.

The problem with migraine symptoms is that they are as varied as the individual sufferer. The strange sensations, such as tingling or the feeling of numbness, are known as auras, and can start anywhere from ten to thirty minutes before the migraine pain actually sets in.

Migraine treatment is possible. Knowing what triggers your migraines and avoiding them is one of the best ways to avoid a migraine. Treating acute attacks as they appear is crucial. Talking to your doctor, who may prescribe regular use of a preventative mediation can also be the way to go. Over the counter treatments for migraines can be helpful, as well as resting or sleeping in a completely dark and quiet place.

About The Author

Amanda Baker writes for http://tobeinformed.com - a website for health, fitness and wellness.

This article was posted on March 29, 2006

Technorati Tags: Cause of Migraines, Get rid of migraine, migraine help

Migraine Relief

If you want to know more about migraines and migraine relief, here is some interesting information.

Before we start discussing ways in which to relieve a migraine, lets get a brief introduction to migraines.

An Introduction to Migraines

Had a throbbing pain in your head and neck that only affects one half at a time? This isn’t just any headache, this is a migraine attack. A migraine attack can plague anyone, from someone who is 10 to someone who is 90. During a migraine attack the blood vessels in the brain start dilating and drawing together. The changes that are occurring in the blood vessels is what is causing the pain. Not many people understand what a migraine is, and not many people have taken the trouble to get themselves properly diagnosed. Some people wonder if migraines are hereditary, the answer to this is not a definitive one. There are chances that migraines are hereditary but it hasn’t been proved. Interestingly, migraines plague 20% of the women population and only 6% of the men. Most people, who are prone to migraines, will get an attack before they hit 40! Most often, migraines are triggered off by certain conditions, and by foods like chocolates and cheese.

There are certain typical features that can help you identify whether or not that headache is a migraine or not. Features of a migraine are:

• Headaches lasting from 4 hours to 72 hours.
• Pain on one side of the head and neck.
• Normal activity increases the intensity of the migraine.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Sensitivity to light and noise.

Migraine Relief

There are some ways to relieve the pain caused by migraines; here are some alternative solutions to medication:

• Grab a coke or coffee or anything with caffeine in it. caffeine helps to constrict the blood vessels in the brain. Also drink lots of water along with it, because dehydration can worsen a migraine attack.
• If possible take a shower or a bath with warm water and press a cold compress to your head at the same time. Also steer clear of light and sound. Give yourself or get a face massage to improve blood circulation.
• Soak your feet in warm water to increase blood circulation and prevent nausea.
• Try herb therapy. Feverfew is a herb that helps relieve you from a migraine. You can use it fresh or take it in capsule form or as a tea additive.
• Go gaga with ginger. Using ginger as a part of your diet will prevent migraines. In case you get a migraine attack, make tea with ginger in it. ginger is a great anti-inflammatory food and pain reliever.
• Peppermint is another option. Using peppermint either internally or externally will help. You can make peppermint tea or use peppermint essential oil mixed with a lotion and massage your head. This is a great way to get instant relief from a migraine.
• If you feel a migraine attack coming on, avoid all foods that can worsen the situation. Foods such as wheat, chocolate, and cheese. Also avoid alcohol and smoking.
• If none of these work for you then take your migraine medication to get relief from migraines.

By Khushnuma Irani
Published: 1/9/2008

Technorati Tags: migraine headache, migraine relief, symptoms of migraine