Individuals with mild and infrequent migraine headaches that do not cause disability may require only OTC analgesics. Individuals who experience several moderate or severe migraine headaches per month or whose headaches do not respond readily to medications should avoid triggers and consider modifications of their lifestyle. Lifestyle modifications for migraine sufferers include:
* Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.
* Exercise regularly (daily if possible). Make a commitment to exercise even when traveling or during busy periods at work. Exercise can improve the quality of sleep and reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Build up your exercise level gradually. Over-exertion, especially for someone who is out of shape, can lead to migraine headaches.
* Do not skip meals, and avoid prolonged fasting.
* Limit stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques.
* Limit caffeine consumption to less than two caffeine-containing beverages a day.
* Avoid bright or flashing lights and wear sunglasses if sunlight is a trigger.
* Identify and avoid foods that trigger headaches by keeping a headache and food diary. Review the diary with your doctor. It is impractical to adopt a diet that avoids all known migraine triggers; however, it is reasonable to avoid foods that consistently trigger migraine headaches.
Obesity in Children Treatment
When the goal is to help a child reach and maintain a healthy weight, parents take the lead. Healthcare providers and nutrition consultants are there to help, but parents exert the most control over the child's activities and habits and thus are in the greatest position to make changes.
* The most important thing parents can do for an obese child is to be supportive. Your child's feelings about himself or herself are at least partly determined by your feelings. Let your child know that you love and accept him or her at any weight.
* Encourage
* Don't criticize
* Be sensitive to the child's concerns about appearance and social relationships.
Weight loss itself is rarely a goal in an obese child. Rather, the goal is to slow or stop weight gain. The idea is to allow the child to grow into his or her body weight gradually, over time. This may take a year or two, or even longer, depending on the child's age, weight, and growth pattern. Remember, an obese child does not have to become an obese adult. When weight loss is set as a goal, the safest and most practical objective is two pounds per month.
For such a plan to succeed, it must involve long-term changes in the habits of the entire family. The obese child should not be singled out. Parents, brothers and sisters, and other family members living in the home all will benefit from a shift toward a healthier lifestyle. Remember that children learn best by example-set a good one.
* The most important thing parents can do for an obese child is to be supportive. Your child's feelings about himself or herself are at least partly determined by your feelings. Let your child know that you love and accept him or her at any weight.
* Encourage
* Don't criticize
* Be sensitive to the child's concerns about appearance and social relationships.
Weight loss itself is rarely a goal in an obese child. Rather, the goal is to slow or stop weight gain. The idea is to allow the child to grow into his or her body weight gradually, over time. This may take a year or two, or even longer, depending on the child's age, weight, and growth pattern. Remember, an obese child does not have to become an obese adult. When weight loss is set as a goal, the safest and most practical objective is two pounds per month.
For such a plan to succeed, it must involve long-term changes in the habits of the entire family. The obese child should not be singled out. Parents, brothers and sisters, and other family members living in the home all will benefit from a shift toward a healthier lifestyle. Remember that children learn best by example-set a good one.
Treatment For Moderate To Severe Migraine Headaches
Migraine-specific abortive medications usually are necessary for moderate to severe migraine headaches. The abortive medications for moderate or severe migraine headaches are different than OTC analgesics. Instead of relieving pain, they abort headaches by counteracting the cause of the headache, dilation of the temporal arteries. In fact, they cause narrowing of the arteries. Examples of migraine-specific abortive medications are the triptans and ergot preparations.
Triptans
The triptans attach to serotonin receptors on the blood vessels and nerves that surround them, constrict the blood vessels, and reduce the inflammation. This stops the headache. The triptan with the longest history of use is sumatriptan (Imitrex). Sumatriptan is available in the US as an injection, oral tablet, and nasal inhaler. Zolmitriptan (Zomig) and rizatriptan (Maxalt) are newer triptans that are available as oral tablets and as tablets that melt in the mouth. Naratriptan (Amerge), almotriptan (Axert) and frovatriptan (Frovalan) are available only as oral tablets.
Traditionally, triptans were prescribed for moderate or severe migraines after OTC analgesics and other simple measures failed. Newer studies suggest that triptans can be used as the first treatment for patients with migraines that are causing disability. (Significant disability is defined as more than 10 days of at least 50% disability during a three-month period.). Triptans should be used early after the migraine begins, before the onset of pain or when the pain is mild. Using a triptan early in an attack increases its effectiveness, reduces side effects, and decreases the chance of recurrence of another headache during the following 24 hours. Used early, triptans can be expected to abort more than 80% of migraine headaches within two hours.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about taking triptans together with medications of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or SNRI (selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) classes. Taking these medicines together can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Side effects of triptans
The most common side effects of triptans are facial flushing, tingling of the skin, and a sense of tightness around the chest and throat. Other less common side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness. These side effects are short-lived and are not considered serious.
The most serious side effects of triptans are heart attacks and strokes. Triptans are effective in migraine headaches because they narrow arteries in the head; however, they also can narrow arteries in the heart. In individuals without existing carotid or coronary artery disease, the narrowing caused by triptans usually does not cause problems. However, persons whose carotid and coronary arteries are narrowed by atherosclerosis or who suffer from intermittent spasm of the coronary arteries (a condition called Prinzmetal's or variant angina), the narrowing caused by triptans can further reduce the flow of blood through the arteries and have been reported to cause heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, triptans should not be used by those who have had heart attacks and strokes, or those who have symptoms of atherosclerosis such as angina, transient ischemic attack (TIAs), and intermittent claudication.
Healthy adults may have atherosclerosis and narrowing of the coronary arteries that are "silent", that is, without past strokes, transient ischemic attacks, heart attacks, or angina. Therefore, before prescribing a triptan, a doctor should evaluate patients for possible atherosclerosis if they have one or more risk factors for developing atherosclerosis. These risk factors include cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the blood, obesity, male and over 40 years of age, female and postmenopausal, or a family member(s) who has had heart attacks at an early age. Some patients who are at risk should receive their first dose of a triptan in the doctor's office while being monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Triptans can interact with other drugs. For example, there have been rare reports of triptans causing a "serotonin syndrome" when given together with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medications widely used to treat depression. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, fever, tremor, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and sweating. Certain triptans such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and rizatriptan can interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Propranolol (Inderal) can raise rizatriptan blood levels. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can increase zolmitriptan blood levels.
Triptans should not be used in pregnant women and are not generally used in young children.
Ergots
Ergots, like triptans, are medications that abort migraine headaches. These may be combined with caffeine and/or other pain relief medications in combination products. Examples of ergots include ergotamine preparations (Ergomar, Wigraine, and Cafergot) and dihydroergotamine preparations (Migranal, DHE-45). Ergots, like triptans, cause constriction of blood vessels, but ergots tend to cause more constriction of vessels in the heart and other parts of the body than the triptans, and their effects on the heart are more prolonged than those of the triptans. Therefore, they are not as safe as the triptans. The ergots also are more prone to cause nausea and vomiting than the triptans. The ergots can cause prolonged contraction of the uterus and miscarriages in pregnant women.
Midrin
Midrin is used to abort migraine and tension headaches. It is a combination of isometheptene (a blood vessel constrictor), acetaminophen (a pain reliever), and dichloralphenazone (a mild sedative). It is most effective if used early during a headache; however, because of its potent blood vessel constricting effect, it should not be used in persons with high blood pressure, kidney disease, glaucoma, atherosclerosis, liver disease, or taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Triptans
The triptans attach to serotonin receptors on the blood vessels and nerves that surround them, constrict the blood vessels, and reduce the inflammation. This stops the headache. The triptan with the longest history of use is sumatriptan (Imitrex). Sumatriptan is available in the US as an injection, oral tablet, and nasal inhaler. Zolmitriptan (Zomig) and rizatriptan (Maxalt) are newer triptans that are available as oral tablets and as tablets that melt in the mouth. Naratriptan (Amerge), almotriptan (Axert) and frovatriptan (Frovalan) are available only as oral tablets.
Traditionally, triptans were prescribed for moderate or severe migraines after OTC analgesics and other simple measures failed. Newer studies suggest that triptans can be used as the first treatment for patients with migraines that are causing disability. (Significant disability is defined as more than 10 days of at least 50% disability during a three-month period.). Triptans should be used early after the migraine begins, before the onset of pain or when the pain is mild. Using a triptan early in an attack increases its effectiveness, reduces side effects, and decreases the chance of recurrence of another headache during the following 24 hours. Used early, triptans can be expected to abort more than 80% of migraine headaches within two hours.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about taking triptans together with medications of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or SNRI (selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) classes. Taking these medicines together can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Side effects of triptans
The most common side effects of triptans are facial flushing, tingling of the skin, and a sense of tightness around the chest and throat. Other less common side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness. These side effects are short-lived and are not considered serious.
The most serious side effects of triptans are heart attacks and strokes. Triptans are effective in migraine headaches because they narrow arteries in the head; however, they also can narrow arteries in the heart. In individuals without existing carotid or coronary artery disease, the narrowing caused by triptans usually does not cause problems. However, persons whose carotid and coronary arteries are narrowed by atherosclerosis or who suffer from intermittent spasm of the coronary arteries (a condition called Prinzmetal's or variant angina), the narrowing caused by triptans can further reduce the flow of blood through the arteries and have been reported to cause heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, triptans should not be used by those who have had heart attacks and strokes, or those who have symptoms of atherosclerosis such as angina, transient ischemic attack (TIAs), and intermittent claudication.
Healthy adults may have atherosclerosis and narrowing of the coronary arteries that are "silent", that is, without past strokes, transient ischemic attacks, heart attacks, or angina. Therefore, before prescribing a triptan, a doctor should evaluate patients for possible atherosclerosis if they have one or more risk factors for developing atherosclerosis. These risk factors include cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the blood, obesity, male and over 40 years of age, female and postmenopausal, or a family member(s) who has had heart attacks at an early age. Some patients who are at risk should receive their first dose of a triptan in the doctor's office while being monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Triptans can interact with other drugs. For example, there have been rare reports of triptans causing a "serotonin syndrome" when given together with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medications widely used to treat depression. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, fever, tremor, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and sweating. Certain triptans such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and rizatriptan can interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Propranolol (Inderal) can raise rizatriptan blood levels. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can increase zolmitriptan blood levels.
Triptans should not be used in pregnant women and are not generally used in young children.
Ergots
Ergots, like triptans, are medications that abort migraine headaches. These may be combined with caffeine and/or other pain relief medications in combination products. Examples of ergots include ergotamine preparations (Ergomar, Wigraine, and Cafergot) and dihydroergotamine preparations (Migranal, DHE-45). Ergots, like triptans, cause constriction of blood vessels, but ergots tend to cause more constriction of vessels in the heart and other parts of the body than the triptans, and their effects on the heart are more prolonged than those of the triptans. Therefore, they are not as safe as the triptans. The ergots also are more prone to cause nausea and vomiting than the triptans. The ergots can cause prolonged contraction of the uterus and miscarriages in pregnant women.
Midrin
Midrin is used to abort migraine and tension headaches. It is a combination of isometheptene (a blood vessel constrictor), acetaminophen (a pain reliever), and dichloralphenazone (a mild sedative). It is most effective if used early during a headache; however, because of its potent blood vessel constricting effect, it should not be used in persons with high blood pressure, kidney disease, glaucoma, atherosclerosis, liver disease, or taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Obesity in Children Causes
Children who regularly consume more calories than they use will gain weight. If this is not reversed, the child will become obese over time. Consumption of just 100 calories (the equivalent of 8 ounces of a soft drink) above daily requirements will typically result in a 10-pound weight gain over one year. Many different factors contribute to this imbalance between calorie intake and consumption.
* Genetic factors
o Obesity tends to run in families.
o A child with an obese parent, brother, or sister is more likely to become obese.
o Genetics alone does not cause obesity. Obesity will occur only when a child eats more calories than he or she uses.
* Dietary habits
o Children's dietary habits have shifted away from healthy foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) to a much greater reliance on fast food, processed snack foods, and sugary drinks.
o These foods tend to be high in fat and/or calories and low in many other nutrients.
o Patterns associated with obesity are eating when not hungry and eating while watching TV or doing homework.
* Socioeconomic status
o Low family incomes and having nonworking parents are associated with greater calorie intake for activity level.
* Physical inactivity
o The popularity of television, computers, and video games translates into an increasingly sedentary (inactive) lifestyle for many children in the United States.
o Children in the United States spend an average of over three hours per day watching television. Not only does this use little energy (calories), it also encourages snacking.
o Fewer than half of children in the United States have a parent who engages in regular physical exercise.
o Only one third of children in the United States have daily physical education at school.
o Parents' busy schedules and fears about safety prevent many children from taking part in after-school sports programs.
* Certain medical conditions can cause obesity, but these are very rare. They include hormone or other chemical imbalances and inherited disorders of metabolism.
* Certain medications can cause weight gain by altering how the body processes food or stores fat.
* Genetic factors
o Obesity tends to run in families.
o A child with an obese parent, brother, or sister is more likely to become obese.
o Genetics alone does not cause obesity. Obesity will occur only when a child eats more calories than he or she uses.
* Dietary habits
o Children's dietary habits have shifted away from healthy foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) to a much greater reliance on fast food, processed snack foods, and sugary drinks.
o These foods tend to be high in fat and/or calories and low in many other nutrients.
o Patterns associated with obesity are eating when not hungry and eating while watching TV or doing homework.
* Socioeconomic status
o Low family incomes and having nonworking parents are associated with greater calorie intake for activity level.
* Physical inactivity
o The popularity of television, computers, and video games translates into an increasingly sedentary (inactive) lifestyle for many children in the United States.
o Children in the United States spend an average of over three hours per day watching television. Not only does this use little energy (calories), it also encourages snacking.
o Fewer than half of children in the United States have a parent who engages in regular physical exercise.
o Only one third of children in the United States have daily physical education at school.
o Parents' busy schedules and fears about safety prevent many children from taking part in after-school sports programs.
* Certain medical conditions can cause obesity, but these are very rare. They include hormone or other chemical imbalances and inherited disorders of metabolism.
* Certain medications can cause weight gain by altering how the body processes food or stores fat.
Migraine
More than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine, with women being affected three times more often than men. This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Less than half of all migraine sufferers have received a diagnosis of migraine from their healthcare provider. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus headache or tension-type headache.
Many factors can trigger migraine attacks, such as alteration of sleep-wake cycle; missing or delaying a meal; medications that cause a swelling of the blood vessels; daily or near daily use of medications designed for relieving headache attacks; bright lights, sunlight, fluorescent lights, TV and movie viewing; certain foods; and excessive noise. Stress and/or underlying depression are important trigger factors that can be diagnosed and treated adequately.
Migraine characteristics can include:
The pain of migraine occurs when excited brain cells trigger the trigeminal nerve to release chemicals that irritate and cause swelling of blood vessels on the surface of the brain. These swollen blood vessels send pain signals to the brainstem, an area of the brain that processes pain information. The pain of migraine is a referred pain that is typically felt around the eye or temple area. Pain can also occur in the face, sinus, jaw or neck area. Once the attack is full-blown, many people will be sensitive to anything touching their head. Activities such as combing their hair or shaving may be painful or unpleasant.
Diagnosis of migraine headache is made by establishing the history of the migraine-related symptoms and other headache characteristics as well as a family history of similar headaches. By definition, the physical examination of a patient with migraine headache in between the attacks of migraine does not reveal any organic causes for the headaches. Tests such as the CT scan and MRI are useful to confirm the lack of organic causes for the headaches.
There is currently no test to confirm the diagnosis of migraine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three over-the-counter products to treat migraine. Excedrin® Migraine (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) is indicated for migraine and its associated symptoms. Advil® Migraine and Motrin® Migraine Pain, both ibuprofen medications, are approved to treat migraine headache and its pain.
The use of other prescription anti-inflammatory agents may be effective for some migraines. These agents may have gastrointestinal side effects, which limit their use since larger than normal doses may be required to treat the migraine attack.
Migraine-specific therapies are designed specifically to treat migraine attacks. Ergotamine preparations are no longer readily available. Dihydroergotamine (DHE) may be used for self-injection. DHE is also available as the nasal spray Migranal. A combination product containing isometheptene (Midrin®) is not usually effective for migraine. Sumatriptan (Imitrex®), a 5-HT agonist, is available in self-injectable, nasal spray and rapidly-dissolving tablet forms. Other 5-HT agonists are almotriptan (Axert®), naratriptan (Amerge®, rizatriptan (Maxalt®), zolmitriptan (Zomig®), frovatriptan (Frova®) and eletriptan (Relpax®). All are available in tablet form. Both rizatriptan and zolmitriptan are available in an orally disintegrating tablet (Maxalt-MLT and Zomig-ZMT), which can be taken without water. Zomig also comes in a nasal spray.
Abortive medications are most effective when taken early in an attack, while the pain is still mild and before skin sensitivity increases. The goal is complete relief of pain and associated symptoms, allowing the sufferer to quickly return to normal functioning.
Some attacks may not be eliminated by abortive therapy, yet the patient requires pain-relieving measures. Due to the severity of the headaches, some patients may require a narcotic analgesic, but if the patient is experiencing frequent migraine attacks habituating analgesics should be avoided. Butorphanol (Stadol®) is available for intranasal administration and is not typically associated with dependency problems, but may result in dependency if used regularly for pain relief. Alternative medical treatments with medications belonging to the group known as the Phenothiazines have proven useful as non-analgesic options for treating severe migraine headaches. Patients with prolonged migraine attacks lasting more than 24 hours are experiencing status migraine and corticosteroids may be used in these cases due to their anti-inflammatory effects.
Many factors can trigger migraine attacks, such as alteration of sleep-wake cycle; missing or delaying a meal; medications that cause a swelling of the blood vessels; daily or near daily use of medications designed for relieving headache attacks; bright lights, sunlight, fluorescent lights, TV and movie viewing; certain foods; and excessive noise. Stress and/or underlying depression are important trigger factors that can be diagnosed and treated adequately.
Migraine characteristics can include:
- Pain typically on one side of the head
- Pain has a pulsating or throbbing quality
- Moderate to intense pain affecting daily activities
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Attacks last four to 72 hours, sometimes longer
- Visual disturbances or aura
- Exertion such as climbing stairs makes headache worse
The pain of migraine occurs when excited brain cells trigger the trigeminal nerve to release chemicals that irritate and cause swelling of blood vessels on the surface of the brain. These swollen blood vessels send pain signals to the brainstem, an area of the brain that processes pain information. The pain of migraine is a referred pain that is typically felt around the eye or temple area. Pain can also occur in the face, sinus, jaw or neck area. Once the attack is full-blown, many people will be sensitive to anything touching their head. Activities such as combing their hair or shaving may be painful or unpleasant.
Diagnosis of migraine headache is made by establishing the history of the migraine-related symptoms and other headache characteristics as well as a family history of similar headaches. By definition, the physical examination of a patient with migraine headache in between the attacks of migraine does not reveal any organic causes for the headaches. Tests such as the CT scan and MRI are useful to confirm the lack of organic causes for the headaches.
There is currently no test to confirm the diagnosis of migraine
Treatment
Many factors may contribute to the occurrence of migraine attacks. They are known as trigger factors and may include diet, sleep, activity, psychological issues as well as many other factors. The use of a diary to record events that may play a role in causing the headaches can be useful for you and your healthcare provider. Avoidance of identifiable trigger factors reduces the number of headaches a patient may experience. Healthful lifestyles including regular exercise and avoidance of nicotine may also enhance migraine management. Non-pharmacological techniques for control of migraine are helpful to some patients. These include biofeedback, physical medicine, and counseling. These, as with most elements of migraine, need to be individualized to the patient. AcuteThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three over-the-counter products to treat migraine. Excedrin® Migraine (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) is indicated for migraine and its associated symptoms. Advil® Migraine and Motrin® Migraine Pain, both ibuprofen medications, are approved to treat migraine headache and its pain.
The use of other prescription anti-inflammatory agents may be effective for some migraines. These agents may have gastrointestinal side effects, which limit their use since larger than normal doses may be required to treat the migraine attack.
Migraine-specific therapies are designed specifically to treat migraine attacks. Ergotamine preparations are no longer readily available. Dihydroergotamine (DHE) may be used for self-injection. DHE is also available as the nasal spray Migranal. A combination product containing isometheptene (Midrin®) is not usually effective for migraine. Sumatriptan (Imitrex®), a 5-HT agonist, is available in self-injectable, nasal spray and rapidly-dissolving tablet forms. Other 5-HT agonists are almotriptan (Axert®), naratriptan (Amerge®, rizatriptan (Maxalt®), zolmitriptan (Zomig®), frovatriptan (Frova®) and eletriptan (Relpax®). All are available in tablet form. Both rizatriptan and zolmitriptan are available in an orally disintegrating tablet (Maxalt-MLT and Zomig-ZMT), which can be taken without water. Zomig also comes in a nasal spray.
Abortive medications are most effective when taken early in an attack, while the pain is still mild and before skin sensitivity increases. The goal is complete relief of pain and associated symptoms, allowing the sufferer to quickly return to normal functioning.
Some attacks may not be eliminated by abortive therapy, yet the patient requires pain-relieving measures. Due to the severity of the headaches, some patients may require a narcotic analgesic, but if the patient is experiencing frequent migraine attacks habituating analgesics should be avoided. Butorphanol (Stadol®) is available for intranasal administration and is not typically associated with dependency problems, but may result in dependency if used regularly for pain relief. Alternative medical treatments with medications belonging to the group known as the Phenothiazines have proven useful as non-analgesic options for treating severe migraine headaches. Patients with prolonged migraine attacks lasting more than 24 hours are experiencing status migraine and corticosteroids may be used in these cases due to their anti-inflammatory effects.
Obesity in Children
Obesity means an excess amount of body fat. No general agreement exists on the definition of obesity in children as it does adults. Most professionals use published guidelines based on the body mass index(BMI), or a modified BMI for age, to measure obesity in children. Others define obesity in children as body weight at least 20% higher than a healthy weight for a child of that height, or a body fat percentage above 25% in boys or above 32% in girls.
Although rare in the past, obesity is now among the most widespread medical problems affecting children and adolescents living in the United States and other developed countries. About 15% of adolescents (aged 12-19 years) and children (aged 6-11 years) are obese in the United States according to the American Obesity Association. The numbers are expected to continue increasing. Childhood obesity represents one of our greatest health challenges.
Obesity has a profound effect on a child's life. Obesity increases the child's risk of numerous health problems, and it also can create emotional and social problems. Obese children are also more likely to be obese as adults, increasing their risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
If your child is overweight, further weight gain can be prevented. Parents can help their children keep their weight in the healthy range.
* In infancy, breastfeeding and delaying introduction of solid foods may help prevent obesity.
* In early childhood, children should be given healthful, low-fat snacks and take part in vigorous physical activity every day. Their television viewing should be limited to no more than seven hours per week (which includes video games and the Internet).
* Older children can be taught to select healthy, nutritious foods and to develop good exercise habits. Their time spent watching television and playing with computer or video games should be limited to no more than seven hours each week. Avoid snacking or eating meals while watching TV, movies, and videos.
Although rare in the past, obesity is now among the most widespread medical problems affecting children and adolescents living in the United States and other developed countries. About 15% of adolescents (aged 12-19 years) and children (aged 6-11 years) are obese in the United States according to the American Obesity Association. The numbers are expected to continue increasing. Childhood obesity represents one of our greatest health challenges.
Obesity has a profound effect on a child's life. Obesity increases the child's risk of numerous health problems, and it also can create emotional and social problems. Obese children are also more likely to be obese as adults, increasing their risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
If your child is overweight, further weight gain can be prevented. Parents can help their children keep their weight in the healthy range.
* In infancy, breastfeeding and delaying introduction of solid foods may help prevent obesity.
* In early childhood, children should be given healthful, low-fat snacks and take part in vigorous physical activity every day. Their television viewing should be limited to no more than seven hours per week (which includes video games and the Internet).
* Older children can be taught to select healthy, nutritious foods and to develop good exercise habits. Their time spent watching television and playing with computer or video games should be limited to no more than seven hours each week. Avoid snacking or eating meals while watching TV, movies, and videos.
Psychogenic basilar migraine
We discuss four patients with the clinical diagnosis of basilar migraine and suspected coexisting epilepsy who were referred to our epilepsy center. Their symptoms suggested episodic dysfunction in the distribution of the basilar artery, followed by pulsating headache with nausea. Verbal unresponsiveness and sensory symptoms occurred in all four patients; two also had focal paresis or jerking movements. Diagnostic studies excluded other disorders with similar symptoms. None of the patients improved with antimigraine or antiepileptic drugs. Provocation tests with suggestion elicited typical events in three patients and aura and headache in one patient. There were no EEG or ECG abnormalities during spontaneous or provoked episodes. Two patients improved with psychiatric treatment. Conversion disorder or malingering should be considered in patients whose symptoms of basilar migraine are atypical or refractory to treatment.
Tips and Self Help to avoid Migraine
The basic thing which we all have to follow to avoid Migraine is that we have to eat regularly. Researchers said that missing meals is the well known cause of Migraine particulary for children.
Avoid foods which can provoke migraine - chocolate, cheese, alcohol.
Bear in mind that parties involve a number of trigger factors - rushing, excitement, bright lights, alcohol and noise.
Late rising at weekends or on holiday can precipitate an attack so try to get up at the same time each day.
Shopping and being out in the hot sun for long hours.
Avoid foods which can provoke migraine - chocolate, cheese, alcohol.
Bear in mind that parties involve a number of trigger factors - rushing, excitement, bright lights, alcohol and noise.
Late rising at weekends or on holiday can precipitate an attack so try to get up at the same time each day.
Shopping and being out in the hot sun for long hours.
Nutrition and Sleep
You may have heard of trytophan, its an essential amino acid which has a calming affect on the nervous system and produces messages of restfulness and relaxation. Have you ever hear people say that warm milk will help you sleep? Well it will, and that's because it is high in trytophan. Other foods high in trytophan include red meat, turkey, bananas, figs, dates, yoghurt, tuna, and nuts just to name a few. Dark green leafy vegetables, brown rice, oats, mushrooms, dill and basil also have a calming affect on the nervous system.
Ideally, right before bed you want to eat as little as possible so that your fill your body full of energy before you sleep and become inactive for 8 to 9 hours; however if you do need to eat try something light and avoid these foods: spicy foods, bacon, cheese, chocolate, eggplant, ham, potatoes, sausage, spinach, and tomato. Stay away from food high in protein and refined sugar. These foods are going have the opposite affect on your nervous system and pick you up.
Its also recommended that you avoid coffee and tea due to their caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant and will therefore make you alert. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol as well. These too are stimulants and you'll end up buzzing off the walls which will really disrupt your sleep.
Source : DesiDieter.Com
.
How Migraine Trigger
Painful among all headaches is Migraine. One afflicted from Migraine often point out pain as throbbing or pulsing in one area of head either left or right. Migraine Sufferers became sensitive to sound and light as these direct strikes them. They may also become nauseated and vomit.
While talking about the ratio of migraine in men and women then from research it came to known that migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some persons can predict their migraine because somewhat they temporarily lose their vision or they see flashing lights or zigzag lines.
Many things can trigger a migraine. These include
Doctors used to believe migraines were linked to the opening and narrowing of blood vessels in the head.
Now they believe the cause is related to genes that control the activity of some brain cells. Medicines can help prevent migraine attacks or help relieve symptoms of attacks when they happen. For many people, treatments to relieve stress can also help.
While talking about the ratio of migraine in men and women then from research it came to known that migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some persons can predict their migraine because somewhat they temporarily lose their vision or they see flashing lights or zigzag lines.
Many things can trigger a migraine. These include
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Lack of food or sleep
- Exposure to light
- Hormonal changes (in women)
Doctors used to believe migraines were linked to the opening and narrowing of blood vessels in the head.
Now they believe the cause is related to genes that control the activity of some brain cells. Medicines can help prevent migraine attacks or help relieve symptoms of attacks when they happen. For many people, treatments to relieve stress can also help.
Depression or adjustment disorder with depressed mood?
In the presence of depressed mood accompanied by symptoms, diagnoses of major depression or adjustment disorder with depressed mood may be performed.
The diagnosis of adjustment disorder applies when the depressed mood and other symptoms develop in response to a stressful situation and that the diagnostic criteria of major depression are not met. When the criteria for major depression are met, the latter diagnosis prevails.
The diagnosis of adjustment disorder applies when the depressed mood and other symptoms develop in response to a stressful situation and that the diagnostic criteria of major depression are not met. When the criteria for major depression are met, the latter diagnosis prevails.
Here are the diagnostic criteria of major depression according to DSM IV (1):
At least five of the following symptoms have been present for a period of at least two weeks, at least one of these symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
At least five of the following symptoms have been present for a period of at least two weeks, at least one of these symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by the subject or observed by others.
- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities almost all day almost every day.
- loss or significant weight gain in the absence of regime, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
- psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not limited to subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
- Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying) recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan or suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide.
The criteria of adjustment disorder:
A. Development of symptoms in the emotional and behavioral records, in response to one or more factor (s) identified stress (s) during the three months following the occurrence of it (them).
B. These symptoms or behaviors are clinically significant, as evidenced by:
C. The stress-related disturbance does not meet criteria for another disorder (for example, major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder) and is not merely an exacerbation of a preexisting condition (for example, a personality disorder).
- a marked distress, higher than was expected in response to stressors
- a significant impairment in social or occupational (or school).
D. The symptoms are not an expression of mourning.
E. Once the stressor (or its consequences) has disappeared, the symptoms do not persist beyond 6 months.
The DSM IV identifies six subtypes of the disorder, an adaptation that are determined by the most predominant symptoms:
- With Depressed Mood
- With anxiety
- With both anxiety and depressive mood
- With Disturbance of Conduct
- With disruption of both emotions (depression, anxiety) and behavior
- Unspecified
Migraines: still a matter of hormones?
Faced with migraines, female vulnerability appears to be related to hormonal changes. In the dock, the secretion of estrogen, which varies during the cycle. The best evidence is the frequency of migraine called "catamenial, which occur over the rules or in the two days that precede them.
Why give estrogen migraine
Affecting 5 to 8% of women, these periodic headaches coincide with the sharp drop in estrogen that triggers the rules. They can be prevented by percutaneous application of estrogen.
Other evidence argue for the involvement of hormonal fluctuations. Thus women with migraines have almost always an improvement of their headaches during pregnancy and migraine tends to become less common after menopause.
Mechanism by which these hormones can they influence the occurrence of migraines? In an attempt to uncover this mystery, researchers at the University of Kansas artificially reproduced in mice phenomena vascular origin of migraine auras, that is to say that visual signs sometimes precede the migraine pain. They just presented their findings at the Congress of the American Academy of Neurology.
More than a thousand genes studied
The experiment was conducted on three groups of mice:
- Male mice;
- Female mice without ovaries (thus devoid of estrogen);
- Female mice without ovaries, but treated with estrogen.
Potassium chloride was administered into the brains of these animals to produce the electrical phenomena characteristic auras. The researchers then analyzed the expression of over a thousand genes. They have seen and, in males as in females without ovaries, some genes were activated and others inhibited, to mitigate the adverse effects of electrical damage.
In female mice treated with estrogen the same genes were modulated, but in an opposite direction, resulting in the secretion of substances with property to reduce inflammation and vascular dilatation responsible for migraine pain. Conversely, we can assume that the sharp decrease of secretion of this hormone during menstruation, promote changes in vascular origin of migraine. However, it should be noted that these results were obtained in experimental conditions far removed from migraine, especially catamenial forms that occur most often without aura ...
Runway magnesium
Researchers in New York have sought for their part, the presence of an ionized magnesium deficiency in 61 women with catamenial migraines *. They have seen and the deficit was more frequent (45% of cases) during the catamenial migraine, and during menstruation without migraine (14%) for non-menstrual migraine (15%) or between periods (15 %).
These results suggest that magnesium deficiency may play a role in some forms of menstrual migraine. They require however to be confirmed on a larger number of patients.
Head of the first study, Professor Loretta Mueller said that "75% of migraine sufferers are women and over half reported a hormonal origin. But we still do not know if we need to treat these headaches differently from men. Further studies may be able to answer ...
The headache always banal?
Headaches are they harmless? Nine of 10 patients who consult a physician for headache, suffer from headaches or migraines. In which case further examination is Enough?
However, some headache, ordinary-looking, unusually long or repeated, have an organic origin: headaches that are secondary. They should then lead to a medical.
As for migraines, it is not not only headache but also a disease called general we will not discuss here.
The common headache
These are generally small pathologies related to the environment. The brain areas involved are usually frontal or temporal, occipital or more rarely orbital.
It is difficult to state the causes and aggravating factors of the common headache. It is among the main
These are generally small pathologies related to the environment. The brain areas involved are usually frontal or temporal, occipital or more rarely orbital.
It is difficult to state the causes and aggravating factors of the common headache. It is among the main
- Noise and continuous throbbing;
- The bright lights of solar or artificial origin;
- The active and passive smoking;
- Alcohol;
- Other causes colds, rhinitis, colds and flu-like illness - gravity consistent confining sometimes headache. Other factors such as fatigue may be seen both as causes and consequences.
The usual reaction to a headache usually through self-medication, including the taking of analgesics, of anti-inflammatory, of sleeping pills, etc. It is important for the patient to always refer to cons-formal indications.
The best approach is to adopt a healthy lifestyle:
The best approach is to adopt a healthy lifestyle:
- A good quality sleep in the twilight or darkness;
- The practice of relaxation;
- Hunting and excessive physical exercise tailored to the age and capabilities of each can also afford to work in the field.
These rules remain for the time being the most effective way to prevent most of these headaches normal.
Headache to consider carefully
Headaches can be caused by outbreaks of specific pain (sinusitis, ear infections, eye inflammation, etc..). In case of headache of organic origin, medical check-ups are necessary.
Headaches young children should be considered carefully. Thus, when the child shows his head and seems to suffer, we must suspect a headache in the same way that an earache or teething. A medical examination when required.
In the case of young children usually prostrate, somewhat reactive behavior and abnormally indifferent, it should be particularly careful. A misleading appearance can, in these cases, conceal a real pain.
Dr. Alain Dubos
Headache to consider carefully
Headaches can be caused by outbreaks of specific pain (sinusitis, ear infections, eye inflammation, etc..). In case of headache of organic origin, medical check-ups are necessary.
Headaches young children should be considered carefully. Thus, when the child shows his head and seems to suffer, we must suspect a headache in the same way that an earache or teething. A medical examination when required.
In the case of young children usually prostrate, somewhat reactive behavior and abnormally indifferent, it should be particularly careful. A misleading appearance can, in these cases, conceal a real pain.
Dr. Alain Dubos
Inspired by :
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Secrets of Migraine : Ayurveda
Migraine: a real disease
Welcome to the Blog of migraine ... An estimated 7 million French have migraines. You're not alone in suffering! The disease can begin very early in life from the age of one year.
Migraine can be treated. Many misconceptions still run on it: Many migraineurs believe their mother had migraines all her life and told them that nobody could do for her! Maybe it is for this reason that 40% of migraine sufferers believe that migraine is inevitable and there is no solution to their problem. ... They are wrong as half of migraine sufferers who do not see them doctor and continue to suffer in their corner!
The number of crisis is different for everyone. Some migraine sufferers have a crisis a week, a month, others for several weeks and the luckiest are 1 to 2 Crisis year.
The number of crisis is different for everyone. Some migraine sufferers have a crisis a week, a month, others for several weeks and the luckiest are 1 to 2 Crisis year.
Migraine: a real disease
Migraine deteriorating quality of life, most of you and many migraine sufferers consider their illness as a real handicap. Several migraine sufferers are reluctant to say if they have a headache, for fear of not being taken seriously. Others have wrongly so often that their family has had enough and thought (wrongly) that they are snug or listen too.
Migraine is a disease but who cares. Even if we do not know the cure, the drugs are effective against the crisis. They reduce the severity, frequency of painful episodes and can make them disappear.
There are two main kinds of medication, those that you take in times of crisis and those that you take daily to prevent seizures or decrease. Many drugs exist, do not be discouraged, sometimes you have to try several before find one you really relieved.
Migraine deteriorating quality of life, most of you and many migraine sufferers consider their illness as a real handicap. Several migraine sufferers are reluctant to say if they have a headache, for fear of not being taken seriously. Others have wrongly so often that their family has had enough and thought (wrongly) that they are snug or listen too.
Migraine is a disease but who cares. Even if we do not know the cure, the drugs are effective against the crisis. They reduce the severity, frequency of painful episodes and can make them disappear.
There are two main kinds of medication, those that you take in times of crisis and those that you take daily to prevent seizures or decrease. Many drugs exist, do not be discouraged, sometimes you have to try several before find one you really relieved.
Dr. Emmanuel Zinsky
Inspired By :
