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Migraines: It's Not in your Head
Migraine headaches affect 28 million Americans; 75 percent (or roughly 21 million) are women. Migraine symptoms occur in various combinations and include pain, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.
Common triggers include:
- Stress and tension
- Missed meals and diet
- Fatigue and physical exertion
- Sleep extremes (too much or too little)
- Birth control pills and hormonal changes
- Smoking
Up to 25% of sufferers can associate their attacks with particular foods or food groups.
Several common dietary triggers include:
- Alcoholic beverages, particularly red wine and beer
- Chocolate
- Aged cheeses, sour cream and yogurt
- Certain food additives such as MSG
- Artificial sweeteners
- Nuts
- Caffeine
Migraine management:
- Identify and avoid your triggers.
- Talk to your doctor about medications and treatment options to prevent and treat attacks.
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Make healthy lifestyle changes:
- Learn relaxation techniques and coping strategies to deal with stress
- Improve diet and exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Practice good sleep habits
For more information visit www.excedrin.com.
Page last modified September 14, 2010
