Happy Mother’s Day!
May 9, 2010
You Have The Power Within You
February 15, 2010
As the title suggests, you have the power within you to create the life of your dreams. I’m sure you would like to know how I can say such a thing. This is not just my own opinion, but the opinion of others more credible than myself. Let me go into a little more detail.
There are verses in the Bible that say that “God lives within each of us.” I believe it! Now I know all of you agnostics out there are thinking, “How can God live in each one of us? Prove it?” I cannot prove it to you physiologically, however, do you not have a conscience? Your conscience helps you decide when you are doing something wrong or right or in between. Something in your mind, your heart, or for the lack of a better term, your intuition talks to you, doesn’t it? It does me!
Have you ever pondered a question in your mind and when you least expected it, mostly at 2:00 am, the answer came to you? Many people think it is their imagination speaking to them. That’s fine! If you prefer to think of answers to life questions in the middle of the night as your creativity, go right ahead. I, for one, truly believe that God is talking to me. If you would rather think of it as the Universe that is talking to you, that’s is OK too.
Let me table the religious connotations for a bit. What I really want to talk about is the term “power.” If you believe in yourself enough and know exactly where you want to go and how you want to get there, you will be living your dreams in no time. Believe me when I tell you that if your thoughts are about positive things like “happiness, successful business and relationships, positive outcomes, positive happenings, etc.,” you will be happy, successful in business and love, and you will have positive outcomes coming out of your ears.
We need to come out of our cynicism, skepticism, negativism, and all around disbelief in the power of our spirit and realize that each of us is responsible for what happens in our lives. If there is one thing I’ve learned in the last few years, is that whenever there has been a negative outcome in a life situation, I allowed it to happen. I allowed myself to be a victim in a work situation that led to my medical disability retirement, and I allowed a local Milwaukee business to take advantage of my ignorance costing me thousands of dollars, to name a very few.
If you are being honest with yourself as you are reading this, you are thinking back to some of your negative outcomes and realizing some of the same things I have. We (you and I) have allowed ourselves to be taken advantage of because we didn’t have enough confidence in ourselves. You can have confidence in yourself and raise your self-esteem, but only if you want to.
Don’t be afraid to admit that your self confidence isn’t what it should be, or you could use more self-esteem. Once you do that, you can begin to help yourself. Help yourself! Those are the two operative words. Get on your computer and put the name “Dr Joe Vitale,” “Bob Procter,” “James Arthur Ray,” etc. in your Search box. There are many books out there to read and get your head around. Another wonderful source for you to research is Oprah Winfrey’s magazine online. There are articles written by Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Oz, and others that will help you look inside of yourself and make positive changes. That is what I did.
The first book I read was The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The next books I found were by Dr. Joe Vitale i.e., The Attractor Factor, and others too many to name here. The information in these books help me to change the way I thought about myself. Obviously, no one can force you to make changes in your life, but yourself. I began to change my whole way of thinking with the help of positive thinkers like Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay, Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Joe Vitale. If I can do it, so can you.
I have the power within me to have self confidence, self-esteem, and a strong belief that I deserve all the good things that happen in my life. Every day I find myself starting to think a negative thought and I stop myself right away. That is what you have to do. Start thinking about what you want and start believing you deserve every good thing that happens to you, one day at a time. YOU DO HAVE THE POWER!
Do You Attract Angels or Devils?
January 15, 2010
For the most part, I have always been a positive person because I didn’t know enough to be pessimistic. My life had the usual ups and downs; but I also had blessings for which I am very grateful. Every day I thank God (because I have a strong belief in God) for my three children, my two grandchildren, the roof over my head, the food on my table, my car, clothes, furniture, and my many friends.
Do you believe that your thoughts are powerful? They are. Dr. Joe Vitale, author of The Attractor Factor and many more books to list here and Mike Dooley, author of Thoughts Become Things–Choose Them Wisely, say that whatever you think about, comes about. If you think negative thoughts, negative things come to you. That is why it is so important to think positively.
OK! I know exactly what you are thinking! You are saying to yourself, “What is this woman talking about? Does she truly believe that thinking positive thoughts will turn my life around?” Well I say to that, absolutely! Positive thoughts bring about positive actions.
Now I realize that if you grew up thinking that nothing good would happen to you and you still have those thoughts at 40 years old or however old or young you are, changing pessimistic thought patterns will not happen overnight. You will have to work at it. Also, you have to want to change your thought patterns in order for change to happen in your life. If you don’t make a conscious effort to change your thought patterns, negative things will continue to happen.
Dr. Joe Vitale has a new book published that you can download free of charge, Attract Money Now. If you don’t have a computer, go to the library and use the computer to access the book in Adobe Acrobat. He provides a checklist for changing your thought patterns. If you have difficulties believing that your thoughts become your reality, just think about it. Has your life been happy? Have your pessimistic thoughts made life easier or better for you? Let me tell you about something that happened to me.
About 30 years ago, when I was in my late 20’s early 30’s, I wanted to be in the military. I filled out the application to get in the Navy and unfortunately was turned down. After that, I felt like life would never be the same; but, as the single mother with three children, I had to go on. I still wanted to be in the military. Why me! Why couldn’t things happen when I wanted them to? My thoughts about the military were put aside because I needed to care for my children; however, I kept dreaming about being an officer in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. How proud I would be!
In 1980, I became disabled and was on crutches for the next 10 years. Unable to practice nursing, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation helped me practice my typing skills and got me a job at the local Air Force base in Tucson, Arizona. From 1982 to 1990, I went from a Clerk-Typist GS-03 to a Program Analyst, GS-09, making great money and earning a lot of respect. The eight years I spent as a disabled worker were the happiest of my life because my efforts were appreciated.
The turning point in this story happened as a result of the first Desert Storm. I wanted to be in the military to help my country; however, I was still on crutches and non-weight-bearing on my right leg. Being in the military was so important to me, I willed myself to be better. The odds were stacked high against my succeeding. My recruiter told me the incredible odds, but he was willing to help. Everything he asked for I produced. My physical went well, the package was ready to go. The nurse recruiter felt that because I had not practiced in eight years, I needed to go back to nursing and work in it for awhile and then they would consider me.
Not only did I work my 40 hour week, but I went to a company that provided nurses to hospitals on a day to day basis, passed their difficult exam, and started working 20 hours per week on the weekends at the hospitals in town. That was difficult because each of the 4 hospitals in town did things differently. Learning their shift routines was hard enough, but to learn their machines and medication cart procedures nearly drove me to quit. However, for three months I worked 60 hours, seven days a week with the thought that my dream would come true and I would be inducted into the military.
At the end of the third month, the Air Force sent down its verdict. They had voted in my favor. I was ecstatic! My dream had come true. I had jumped through every hoop tossed in my direction. If my dreams can come true, so can yours, but only if you believe.
Now, my dream is to begin a new career as a financial adviser. I’m going to pass the Series 65 licensing exam to be an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) on January 29, 2010, the Life/Health Exam in February, and the Series 6 and 63 in March. I will be out of debt, financially independent by the end of this year; and, I have faith that my dreams will come true.
These things will happen in my life because I believe they will happen. Even though I know my dream will come true, I still find myself doubting all of my abilities, at times. I know I’m doing what God wants me to do. Changing my thought patterns was not easy; however, as my dreams began coming true I realized that my positive thoughts created the positive actions. Sometimes, I still find myself thinking and saying things that I shouldn’t think and say; however, I’m catching the errors quicker and changing my self-think and -talk.
Changing your thoughts from pessimistic to optimistic requires action. If you want to change, you will and if you don’t you won’t. If you do want to change, you have to work on changing one thought and one action at a time. You can do it. I believe in every one of you. If you want to change your life for the better, you to believe. This is all it takes. The change won’t happen overnight, but if you start now, your thoughts and actions will be more positive and you will have successes instead of failures. Successes! You can have them whenever you want. Think about them, talk about them, and most of all experience them.
Be Thankful For What You Have
January 10, 2010
Last night, my best friend came over to help me study for the Series 65 examination. She was supposed to be at my house at or around 6:00 pm. When she drove up at 9:00 pm, I was surprised, but happy that she arrived safely from a holiday get-together at her ex-in-laws. I opened the garage door and let her come through the laundry area so she wouldn’t have to walk all the way around to the front door in the cold.
As soon as she came in, I turned on the fireplace so she could get warm. I usually do not run the fireplace when I’m home alone to keep expenses down. However, I know my friend loves the warmth of the fireplace, so when she’s at my house, I turn the fireplace on just for her. She’s always so appreciative.
We talked about her experiences staying the night at her friend’s house by the lake and about the party at her late husband’s relatives’ home. She apologized for her outbursts of frustration earlier in the week. Every so often, my dear friend feels like her situation is not getting better. She feels as if the Lord has not heard her prayers for prosperity, abundance, and a lot of money. Her business is doing fairly well, but I don’t think she is seeing the good things that have happened because the “not so good” things have been the priority in her life recently.
My mentor is my friend’s business coach, just as I am. We have gotten together to combine our expertise to help businesses become successful and profitable in this recession. One of the first businesses we collaborated to help is my friend’s business because it is the core of our “Health, Wealth, and Beyond” system. My friend’s business is going to succeed with our help, but sometimes she has to be brought back down to earth and shown that she is doing better than she thinks she is.
To enhance my friend’s understanding about what she needs to be thankful for, I explained the abundance revelation that came to me just yesterday. I realized abundance in my life when I found a new container of oatmeal next to the half empty one and the box of artificial sweetener on top of the almost empty one in my cabinet. When I opened the refrigerator, there was plenty of milk to last for another week or so. There’s plenty of food in the cabinet and soda in the refrigerator. What more do I need? When I realized the presence of all of these necessities, I was thankful to God for providing for me. There is enough money in the bank to pay for the food, the mortgage, and the bills. The Lord has seen fit to provide an abundance of food for my table, heat to keep the house warm during these cold winter days, electricity, water, etc., everything I need to live a good life. I’m also very grateful for my car and the money to put gasoline in the tank. What more could a person want?
When I explained this to my friend, she thanked me for bringing this to her attention because she also experiences an abundance of some of the same things in her life too. I told her when negative or depressive thoughts come into her head, she should think about the things in her life that make her feel grateful e.g., her three children Deani, Joe, & Julia; her friends; her church; etc. There is a ritual to do this which involves taking deep breaths, closing the eyes, and thinking about the things in your life that make you feel grateful.
The ritual actually works, especially in stress-producing situations. When you are feeling stressful or in the middle of an anxiety attack, stop what you are doing. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and count to 10. Take 2 0r 3 deep breaths and immediately think about what makes you grateful. Maintain your grateful thoughts for a few minutes and when you open your eyes, you will feel relaxed and in a positive frame of mind.
Try this technique. The breathing technique alone will provide your brain with oxygen to decrease the stress you are feeling. Thinking about the people that are close to you or about someone you love very much will change feelings of distress to feelings of peace and contentment. Then you can think clearly without the negative emotions.
In order to create abundance or prosperity in your life, you have to get rid of the subconscious thoughts and feelings that are keeping abundance or prosperity from coming to you. I know many of you have heard of the law of attraction. You might be saying, “Oh brother! Another person is talking and writing about this subject. All of a sudden everyone is talking about the law of attraction.” Yes, the law of attraction really exists.
People need to get rid of all the deep seated thoughts and feelings that are blocking them from receiving what they want. Getting rid of what is blocking you from receiving everything you want in life may be easier said than done because you may not be able to identify the thoughts that are getting in the way. For example, you may not know what is causing you not to receive the money you need in your business. In order to receive, you have to get rid of the deep thoughts and feelings that are impeding your progress. If you were raised with the idea that “Money is the root of all evil,” or “Rich people are lazy and greedy,” or “Money won’t make you happy,” you may subconsciously be blocking your goals.
Identifying the block can help you release it and only then will you be able to attain your goals. This is a spiritual concept. If you believe in a Supreme Being as I do, God will help you release what is keeping you from attaining your goals. All you need to do is ask Him. If you do not believe in God, you can ask the Universe to help you release the blockages that are holding you back from receiving what you want in life.
So there you have it. An attitude of gratitude will allow you to receive whatever you want in life. Don’t be afraid to try this. All it can do is work and you will start receiving everything you want personally and professionally.
Are You Ready to Fly This New Year?
January 9, 2010
Well, here we are in a brand new year. Everyone has decided on new goals: new diets, exercise plans, new business plans, a new job, new clothes we got for Christmas, and perhaps a new lease on life. 2010 is a new year and the beginning of a new decade. We are ready for whatever life brings even if we are in a recession. We are not “…out of the woods” by any means yet, but if we put our nose to the grindstone, or some such thing, we can make the new year better than the previous year.
I’m sure you are looking at the paragraph above and saying, “Oh brother! Another person with a positive attitude! The fact is, the economy sucks no matter how you look at it. From what the experts say, nothing is going to get better for at least two years, not until 2012.”
We can look at these words and agree with them or we can look deep within ourselves and realize that the means for making things better for ourselves has been within us all along. You are probably thinking, “Oh sure! Tell me more fairy tales!”
Many families are having a hard time right now because they have lost faith in themselves. Many of us have put our faith in our employers to provide our livelihood. We work hard because that is what our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents told us to do to get ahead. All right, I’ve worked hard all my life and two years before retirement my company is broke. No job! No pension! No security! Now what should I do? Is it too late for me to retire? I’m 62 or even 65 years old! The only thing I know how to do is what I did for my company for the 40 years I worked for them. I don’t have any other marketable skills. Do I go back to work because I can’t afford to retire?
There are more than 75 million baby boomers asking themselves the same question as I write this article. Hopefully, many of these people invested wisely even though the stock market has been all over the graph in 2000-2003 and in 2008 through the present. How can people benefit when unemployment is at an all-time high and baby boomers are looking for jobs instead of looking forward to the fruits of their labor, a relaxed retirement?
EDUCATION! Everyone, the young as well as those of us that have worked hard all of our lives, need financial education and a deep sense of Spirit. Financial education needs to start when our children are in Kindergarten and should continue through high school, college, and adult life. We shouldn’t be relying on advice from our plumber, mechanic, or a family member who has no idea what he or she is talking about. Will we listen to someone who has no training in finance rather than a professional whose life’s work is helping people to make wise financial decisions?
Many people would rather act on free advice from a total stranger rather than do what their financial planner or investment adviser representative tells them. The fact is, most people are afraid of change. They are afraid because they don’t understand what the adviser or representative is telling them and would rather not change their investment strategies right now even though their investments have lost money in the past. Is that logical? Why would an intelligent human being decide to leave their investments in a mutual fund that has lost thousands of their dollars?
People think they know about their investments because a sales person told them that if they leave their money in for the long term, sooner or later the market will go up and they will profit in the long run. Buy and Hold! I lost thousands of dollars in the last five years in Buy and Hold investments until I found out that I no longer need to do this. There is another alternative out there. I invested my money with a money manager that will watch my investments very closely. If the market makes a downward fall, like it did in 2001-2002 and again in the last two years, my money manager will take my money out of the falling investments and put it into money market funds, cash, or inverse funds that make money other funds are losing money.
Please don’t get me wrong. Having my money in actively managed investments doesn’t mean I won’t lose money. What it does mean is that I won’t lose as much because my money manager will take my money out before the market goes down any further. Wouldn’t you like your money in an actively managed strategy where the money manager is watching your investment to make sure you are making as much money as the market will allow? That’s the strategy I want and have for my investments. My investment adviser representative has watched my strategy and the investment and has shown me how to watch it on the website.
Right now everyone needs financial education in these uncertain times. Saving money is difficult when everything you have goes to pay bills and buy food. For those who have a few extra dollars, save it don’t spend it. Put it away in a jar. When you get $100.00, put it in the bank. Save a dollar or whatever you can. If you have the intention to save a dollar or two a day, the money will make itself available to you. Write down on a piece of paper what you want to save every single day and read it every day. Before you know it, you will have it. The money will be there for you to put in your jar every day. That is how the Law of Attraction works. If you believe that the money will come, it will. If you have any blockages or you don’t believe, the money will not come to you.
Financial education is necessary for people of all ages and it needs to begin now. We all need to believe that if we write down our intentions for money, abundance, prosperity, or whatever, read it every day and know we will receive it, the Law of Attraction will bring it to us. Think about it, practice it, and prosper!
Quit Smoking Article Continues
January 7, 2010
If you have decided to quit smoking for your health as one of your goals for 2010, I applaud you. I know how difficult it is because I used to smoke. Periodically throughout my life I smoked for a few months and then quit. Towards the end of 1993, I broke my neck. In order to keep from gaining too much weight in the halo jacket, I started smoking again. That time, I didn’t quit until January 2006. I had a difficult time quitting that time without the assistance of the nicotine patch, but I quit. There are times when I feel like having a cigarette, especially now that I have gained a few pounds during the holidays; however, this is the time that I need to be strong, so I don’t start smoking again.
Now it’s time to go back to Mayo Clinic and let the staff provide us with the tests and diagnosis, treatment and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, coping and support, and last but not least prevention of nicotine dependence.
Tests and diagnosis
There are no physical tests to determine the exact degree to which you’re dependent on nicotine. Your doctor may assess the degree of your nicotine dependence by asking you questions or having you complete a questionnaire. The more cigarettes you smoke each day and the sooner you smoke after awakening, the more dependent you are. Knowing your degree of dependence can also help determine the correct dose of a nicotine replacement medication.
Treatments and drugs
If you’ve tried and failed to stop smoking on your own, you’re not alone. You’re more likely to succeed if you follow treatment that’s been shown to be successful in scientific studies. Medications and counseling both work. Combining these approaches is even more effective.
Although it may be tough to break your tobacco dependence, the benefits are well worth the effort. If you stop smoking before you’re 50, you can cut in half your risk of dying in the next 15 years, compared with those who continue smoking.
No matter what your age, your health will benefit if you stop smoking. Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your heart rate goes down. Twelve hours later, levels of carbon monoxide, a toxic gas, in your blood return to normal. Your lung function improves and your circulation starts to get better within three months. After a year, your risk of having a heart attack drops by half. And after five to 15 years, your stroke risk will be the same as that of a nonsmoker.
Medications
Several medications, including nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medications, are effective in treating nicotine dependence. Any of these medications, combined with behavioral changes, can double your chances of quitting.
Using more than one medication — such as a nicotine patch along with a nicotine gum, lozenge, nasal spray or inhaler — may help you achieve better results than if you use a single medication.
If you’ve tried a medication on your own but haven’t been successful in quitting, talk to your health care provider. He or she can help you move in the right direction by adjusting the dose of your medication, recommending a different medication or using a combination of medications.
Most people who want to stop smoking can benefit from a medication. But if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day or you’re under age 18, talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter nicotine replacement products.
Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy gives you nicotine without the other harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. Many people mistakenly believe that nicotine causes cancer, but that’s not the case. Nicotine replacement medications, including patches, gums, lozenges, nasal sprays and inhalers, can help relieve difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The best time to start using nicotine replacement is on the day you set to stop smoking.
Most nicotine replacement products are available over-the-counter:
- Nicotine patch (NicoDerm CQ, Habitrol, others). The patch delivers nicotine through your skin and into your bloodstream. You wear a new patch each day. The treatment period usually lasts for eight weeks or longer. Don’t be in a hurry to stop using the patch, especially if you’ve stopped smoking or dramatically reduced your smoking. If you haven’t been able to stop smoking completely after the two weeks or so of treatment, ask your doctor for help in adjusting the dose of the patch or adding another medication.
- Nicotine gum (Nicorette, Rite Aid). This is a gum-like resin that delivers nicotine to your blood through the lining of your mouth. It’s available in a 2-milligram (mg) dose for regular smokers and a 4-mg dose for heavy smokers. You can use up to 20 pieces a day as needed. Nicotine gum is often recommended to curb cravings. To use the gum correctly, chew it a few times until you feel a mild tingling or peppery taste, then park the gum between your cheek and gumline for several minutes. This “chewing and parking” allows nicotine to be gradually absorbed in your bloodstream. Avoid drinking carbonated or acidic drinks, such as coffee or juice, before or while using nicotine gums or lozenges.
- Nicotine lozenge (Commit). This is a tablet that dissolves in your mouth and, like nicotine gum, delivers nicotine through the lining of your mouth. The lozenges are available in 2- and 4-mg doses, for regular or heavier smokers. To use the lozenge, place it in your mouth between your gumline and cheek or under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. You’ll start with one lozenge every one to two hours and gradually increase the time between treatments. The most common side effects are headache, diarrhea, hiccups, heartburn and nausea.
These nicotine replacement products are available by prescription:
- Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS). The nicotine in this product, sprayed directly into each nostril, is absorbed through your nasal membranes into your blood vessels. The nasal spray delivers nicotine a bit quicker than gum, lozenges or the patch but not as rapidly as smoking a cigarette. It’s usually prescribed for three-month periods for up to six months. Side effects may include nasal irritation.
- Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol Inhaler). This device is shaped something like a cigarette holder. You puff on it, and it delivers nicotine vapor in your mouth. You absorb the nicotine through the lining in your mouth, where it then enters your bloodstream. Common side effects are mouth or throat irritation and occasional coughing.
Non-nicotine medications
Medications that don’t contain nicotine include:
- Antidepressants. The antidepressant drug bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that are also boosted by nicotine. Bupropion may be prescribed along with a nicotine patch. Bupropion has the advantage of helping to minimize weight gain after you quit smoking. Side effects may include sleep disturbance and dry mouth. If you have a history of seizures or serious head trauma, such as a skull fracture, you shouldn’t take this drug. Another antidepressant that has been shown to help people stop smoking is nortriptyline (Pamelor).
- Varenicline (Chantix). This medication acts on the brain’s nicotine receptors, decreasing withdrawal symptoms and reducing the feelings of pleasure you get from smoking. Potential side effects include nausea, headache, insomnia and strange dreams. Rarely, varenicline can cause serious psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, agitation and suicidal thoughts.
- Clonidine (Catapres). This drug is approved for use in treating high blood pressure, but may be used as a second line medication for tobacco dependence if other medications haven’t helped. Its usefulness is limited because of side effects such as drowsiness and sedation.
- Medications in development. Several nicotine vaccines are under investigation in clinical trials. The vaccines cause the immune system to develop antibodies to nicotine. These antibodies then bind to nicotine as it enters the bloodstream and prevent the nicotine from reaching the brain, effectively blocking the effects of nicotine. The nicotine vaccine holds promise for preventing relapse among smokers who quit.
Counseling, support groups and smoking cessation programs
Research shows that combining medications with behavioral counseling provides the best chance for long-term success in abstaining from tobacco. Medications help you cope with withdrawal symptoms, while behavioral treatments help you develop the skills you need to stay away from tobacco over the long run. The more time you spend with a counselor, the better your treatment results will be.
Several types of counseling and support can help with stopping smoking:
- Telephone counseling. No matter where you live, you can take advantage of telephone counseling to help you give up tobacco. Two national help lines are the National Cancer Institute’s 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) and the American Cancer Society’s Quitline at 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345).
- Individual or group counseling program. Your doctor may recommend local support groups or a treatment program where counseling is provided by a tobacco treatment specialist. Counseling helps you learn techniques for quitting and provides support for the process. Many hospitals, health care plans, health care providers and employers offer treatment programs or have tobacco treatment specialists who are certified to provide treatment for tobacco dependence. Nicotine Anonymous groups provide support for people trying to quit.
- Internet-based programs. Several Web sites offer support and strategies for people who are trying to stop smoking. Text messaging services, including personalized reminders about a quit smoking plan, also may prove helpful.
Remember, it’s common to “relapse.” But your goal is no smoking at all — even light or occasional smoking is dangerous. You can learn from past quitting experiences, and you’ll be stronger during your next attempt.
Lifestyle and home remedies
When you stop smoking, you’ll likely experience some unpleasant or stressful symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Medications will markedly reduce the difficulty of withdrawal. Even so, it’s important to have a plan for managing withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms are usually the most intense during the first week after you stop smoking. They may continue for several weeks, with declining intensity. Although most nicotine withdrawal symptoms pass within a month, you may occasionally experience a strong urge to smoke months after stopping. Triggers or cues that were associated with your smoking can provoke these urges or cravings.
Here are some things you can do to manage withdrawal symptoms:
- Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has been found to help people stop smoking. Exercise also helps offset potential weight gain following smoking cessation.
- Wait out cravings. Cravings or urges usually last less than five minutes. Wash the dishes, go for a walk or have a healthy snack, such as carrots, an apple or sunflower seeds. Pursue a hobby that keeps your hands busy.
- Identify rationalizations. If you find yourself thinking, “I’ll just smoke one to get through this tough time” or “Just one won’t hurt,” recognize it as a message that can derail your plan. Review your reasons for quitting, and replace that thought with something positive to support your stopping.
- Talk to a support person if you’re feeling anxious or depressed or need encouragement to get through a difficult craving.
- Avoid high-risk situations. Know your triggers, and stay away from people, places and situations that tempt you to smoke.
- Be realistic about the energy and time it takes to stop smoking. Adjust your schedule to a lighter workload. Take time to do something fun or simply relax.
- Eat regular meals, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drink more water.
Coping and support
How can you stay motivated to maintain abstinence from smoking? Start by thinking about the mixed feelings you may have about smoking. Then make a list of your reasons for quitting.
Stopping smoking is a positive change for many reasons. Think of short-term benefits, such as breathing easier, saving money and having better smelling clothes. Long-term benefits include a lower risk of disease, increased chances for a longer life and a healthier environment for your family. Use these reasons to build your motivation. Look at your list often, especially when you feel your motivation is lagging.
To stay smoke-free over the long haul, consider these tips:
- Identify your major smoking triggers and challenges. This will help you solve problems and have a plan to deal with high-risk situations.
- Seek support. Seek the social support you need to stay quit. Ask your family, friends and co-workers for support and encouragement. Let them know what you find most helpful.
- Practice positive self-talk. Think of one or two phrases to use repeatedly for encouragement, such as “I am grateful to be smoke-free.”
- Set smoke-free boundaries. If there’s another smoker in your household, set boundaries by making your home and car smoke-free.
- Regularly review the benefits you’re getting from quitting. Look at your list again. Add up how much money you’ve saved. Ask your family members for their observations.
- Avoid alcohol. Drinking is a high-risk situation. Avoid drinking situations until you are confident you can remain smoke-free.
- Reward yourself. Buy a magazine, go to a park, meet a friend for lunch, take a class.
Prevention
The best way to prevent tobacco dependence is to not smoke in the first place. The best way to prevent your children from smoking is to not smoke yourself. If you’re a parent who smokes, the younger your children are when you quit, the less likely they are to become smokers themselves. Even if you don’t smoke, here are some things you might try as a parent:
- Promote smoke-free environments. Support legislation to make all workplaces smoke-free. Encourage smoke-free public places, including restaurants or other places where your teen may work.
- Support legislation to increase taxes on tobacco products. Higher prices discourage teens from starting to smoke. Higher prices on tobacco products, coupled with smoke-free workplace laws, are the most effective public health policies to reduce smoking in adults and prevent young people from ever starting.
- Talk with your teenagers. Ask whether their friends smoke. Most teenagers smoke their first cigarette with a friend who already smokes.
- Learn what your children think about smoking. Ask them to read this article so that you can discuss it together.
- Help your children explore personal feelings. Use nonjudgmental questions and rehearse with them how they could handle tough situations regarding peer pressure and smoking.
- Note the social repercussions. Remind your teenager that smoking gives you bad breath and makes your hair and clothes smell.
- Work with your schools. Become active in community stop-smoking pro
The SurWay method stimulates a series of acupuncture points located primarily on the ear. These points communicate the desired changes to the energy pathways in the body. After these points are stimulated, you will see a reduced or completely eliminated physical connection to the addictive substances — as well as helping to bring the behavioral patterns or habits under your control. SurWay uses low-level light technology, which is completely painless and non toxic!
Since 1986 this methodology has proven successful for over tens of thousands of people worldwide.
If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs out there, and usually people make many attempts before successfully quitting. Each time you try to quit smoking, you can learn what works for you and what situations are problematic.
Make this the time that you, or someone close to you, QUITS SMOKING
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An estimated 14.6 million (40.5 percent) adult everyday smokers in 2004 had stopped smoking for at least 1 day during the preceding 12 months because they were trying to quit.
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I’m sure everyone has heard of patches and medications to stop smoking, but what about the side effects? If you are interested in a non-invasive method of laser acupuncture at SurWay of Milwaukee. You can find out more about this unique stop smoking method by going to www.surway1.com.
An Important Goal for 2010, Quit Smoking
January 6, 2010
I’m sure many of you who are reading my blog have created goals that you would like to accomplish for this new year. Everyone does it. Most goals identified by people as a result of a new year are generally forgotten by February 1st. One of the goals that I hope you have made for this year is to quit smoking. Many people out there have already quit for health reasons. I say to you, “I’m very proud of you!” If you would like to quit smoking, but need a nudge, let me give you some information about nicotine dependence. The first part of this series will come from my favorite Mayo Clinic website to educate you about the topic of nicotine and how easy it is to become dependent on this substance. The second part of the article will provide information about a unique way to quit smoking using laser acupuncture, which is available right here in the Milwaukee area at Surway – Laser Acupuncture, in Greenfield. Let’s start out with the definition of nicotine dependence, provided by the Mayo Clinic Staff.
Definition
Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products caused by the drug nicotine. Smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes contains thousands of chemicals, including nicotine. Smokeless tobacco also contains nicotine. Nicotine dependence means you can’t stop using the substance, even though it’s causing you harm.
Nicotine produces physical and mood-altering effects in your brain that are temporarily pleasing. These effects spur your continued use of tobacco and lead to dependence. At the same time, quitting tobacco use causes withdrawal symptoms, including irritability and anxiety.
Nicotine dependence brings a host of health problems. While it’s the nicotine in tobacco that keeps you hooked, the toxic effects come mainly from other substances in tobacco. Smokers have significantly higher rates of heart disease, stroke and cancer. This is what nicotine dependence is. Let’s go on to the symptoms.
Symptoms
In some people, using any amount of tobacco can quickly lead to nicotine dependence. Symptoms that you may be addicted include:
- You can’t stop smoking. You’ve made one or more serious, but unsuccessful, attempts to stop.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Your attempts at stopping have caused physical and mood-related symptoms, such as strong cravings, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood, frustration or anger, increased hunger, insomnia, and constipation or diarrhea.
- You keep smoking despite health problems. Even though you’ve developed problems with your lungs or your heart, you haven’t stopped or can’t stop.
- You give up social or recreational activities in order to smoke. You may stop going to smoke-free restaurants or stop socializing with certain family members or friends because you can’t smoke in these situations.
When to see a doctor
If you’ve tried to stop smoking but haven’t succeeded, talk to your health care provider about medications to help you quit. Look for a stop-smoking counselor, who can help you create a treatment plan that works for you. Most people who try to stop on their own don’t succeed. You’re more likely to stop for good if you follow a treatment plan that addresses both the physical and the psychological aspects of tobacco dependence.
Causes
Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you smoking. It can be as addictive as cocaine. It increases the release of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine, which makes you feel good. Getting that dopamine boost is part of the addiction process.
Tobacco dependence involves psychological as well as physical factors. Behaviors and cues that you may associate with smoking include:
- Certain times of the day, such as with morning coffee or during breaks at work
- After a meal
- Drinking alcohol
- Certain places or friends
- Talking on the phone
- Stressful situations or when you’re feeling down
- The smell of a cigarette
- Driving your car
To overcome your dependence on tobacco, you need to deal with the behaviors and routines that you associate with smoking.
Risk factors
Anyone who smokes is at risk of becoming dependent on tobacco and nicotine. Most people begin smoking during childhood or adolescence.
The younger you begin smoking, the greater the chance that you’ll become a heavy smoker as an adult. Children with two parents who smoke are twice as likely to become smokers. Children with friends who smoke also are more likely to try cigarettes.
Other factors that influence nicotine dependence include:
- Genetics. The genes you inherit play a role in some aspects of nicotine dependence. For example, the likelihood that you will start smoking and keep smoking may be partly inherited. Some people experiment with smoking and don’t experience pleasure, so they never become smokers. Other people develop dependence very quickly. Some “social smokers” can smoke just once in a while, and yet another group of smokers can stop smoking with no withdrawal symptoms. These differences can be explained by genetic factors that influence how receptors on the surface of your brain’s nerve cells respond to nicotine.
- Depression, other mental illness and substance abuse. People who have depression, schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness are more likely to be smokers. Smoking may be a form of self-medication for these disorders. People who abuse alcohol and illicit drugs also are more likely to be smokers.
Complications
When you inhale tobacco smoke, you ingest numerous chemicals that reach most of your body’s vital organs. Tobacco smoke contains more than 60 known cancer-causing chemicals and more than 4,800 other harmful substances.
Smoking harms almost every organ of your body. More than half the people who keep smoking will die because of it. The negative health effects include:
- Lung cancer and other lung diseases. Smoking causes nearly nine out 10 of lung cancer cases, as well as other lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also makes asthma worse.
- Heart and circulatory system problems. Smoking increases your risk of dying of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Smoking 15 cigarettes a day doubles your heart attack risk. Even smoking just one to four cigarettes daily increases your risk of heart disease. If you have cardiovascular illness or heart failure, smoking worsens your condition. However, stopping smoking reduces your risk of having a heart attack by 50 percent in the first year.
- Other cancers. Smoking is a major cause of cancers of the esophagus, larynx, throat (pharynx) and mouth and also is related to cancer of the bladder, pancreas, kidney, cervix, stomach, and some leukemias.
- Physical appearance. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can change the structure of your skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles. Smoking also yellows your teeth, fingers and fingernails.
- Infertility and impotence. Smoking increases the risk of infertility in women and the chance of impotence in men.
- Pregnancy and newborn complications. Mothers who smoke while pregnant face a higher risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, decreased birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in their newborn. Low birth weight babies are more likely to die or have learning and physical problems.
- Cold, flu and other illnesses. Smokers are more prone to respiratory infections, such as colds, flu and bronchitis, than are nonsmokers.
- Diabetes. Smoking increases insulin resistance, which can set the stage for the development of type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, smoking can speed the progress of complications such as kidney disease.
- Impaired senses. Smoking deadens your senses of taste and smell, so food isn’t as appetizing as it once was.
- Risks to your family. Spouses and partners of smokers have a higher risk of lung cancer and heart disease, compared with people who don’t live with a smoker. If you smoke, your children will be more prone to sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, ear infections and colds.
This is tremendous information provided by the Mayo Clinic staff. Tomorrow’s article will encompass tests and diagnosis, treatment and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, coping and support, and prevention as well as information about laser acupuncture to quit smoking. I hope you will come back tomorrow and read the rest of this important information. In the meantime, please comment on this article if the spirit moves you.
More About Migraines
January 4, 2010
As identified in yesterday’s article titled, What Do You Know About Migraines?, the Mayo Clinic Staff provided a great definition of Migraines as painful headaches of unknown origin. Now you know that no one really knows where these headaches come from. The staff also went through symptoms, causes, risk factors, and complications. Today’s article begins with preparing for the appointment with your provider.
Preparing for your appointment
You’re likely to start by seeing your primary care provider first. If appropriate you may be referred to a neurologist or other physician who specializes in headache medicine.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there’s often a lot of ground to cover, it’s a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down symptoms you’re experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to your migraines.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you’re taking. It is particularly important to list all medications that you have used to treat your headaches. Include the doses of the medications.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For migraines, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely triggering my migraines?
- Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?
- What changes to my lifestyle or diet do you suggest I make?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don’t understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
- Keep a headache diary. A diary can help you and your doctor determine what triggers your migraines. Note when your headaches start, how long they last and what, if anything, provides relief. Be sure to record your response to any headache medications you take. Also note the foods you ate in the 24 hours preceding attacks, any unusual stress, and how you feel and what you’re doing when headaches strike.
- Reduce stress. Because stress triggers migraines for many people, try to avoid overly stressful situations, or use stress-reduction techniques like meditation.
- Get enough sleep but don’t oversleep. Aim for six to eight hours of sleep a night.
Tests and diagnosis
If you have typical migraines or a family history of migraines, your doctor will likely diagnose the condition on the basis of your medical history and a physical exam. But if your headaches are unusual, severe or sudden, your doctor may recommend a variety of tests to rule out other possible causes for your pain.
- Computerized tomography (CT). This imaging procedure uses a series of computer-directed X-rays that provides a cross-sectional view of your brain. This helps doctors diagnose tumors, infections and other possible medical problems that may be causing your headaches.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRIs use radio waves and a powerful magnet to produce very detailed cross-sectional views of your brain. MRI scans help doctors diagnose tumors, strokes, aneurysms, neurological diseases and other brain abnormalities. An MRI can also be used to examine the blood vessels that supply the brain.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). If your doctor suspects an underlying condition, such as meningitis — an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord — he or she may recommend a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). In this procedure, a thin needle is inserted between two vertebrae in your lower back to extract a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for laboratory analysis.
Treatments and drugs
A variety of drugs have been specifically designed to treat migraines. In addition, some drugs commonly used to treat other conditions also may help relieve or prevent migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:
- Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms that have already begun.
- Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.
Choosing a strategy to manage your migraines depends on the frequency and severity of your headaches, the degree of disability your headaches cause, and your other medical conditions.
Some medications aren’t recommended if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding. Some aren’t used for children. Your doctor can help find the right medication for you.
Pain-relieving medications
For best results, take pain-relieving drugs as soon as you experience signs or symptoms of a migraine. It may help if you rest or sleep in a dark room after taking them:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or aspirin, may help relieve mild migraines. Drugs marketed specifically for migraine, such as the combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine (Excedrin Migraine), also may ease moderate migraines but aren’t effective alone for severe migraines. If taken too often or for long periods of time, NSAIDs can lead to ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and rebound headaches.
- Triptans. For many people with severe migraine attacks, triptans are the drug of choice. They are effective in relieving the pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound that are associated with migraines. Medications include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova) and eletriptan (Relpax). Side effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness and muscle weakness. They aren’t recommended for people at risk for strokes and heart attacks. A new, single-tablet combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium (Treximet) became available in 2008. It’s more effective in relieving migraine symptoms than either medication on its own.
- Ergot. Ergotamine (Migergot, Cafergot) is much less expensive, but also less effective, than triptans. It seems most effective in those whose pain lasts for more than 48 hours. Dihydroergotamine (Migranal) is an ergot derivative that is more effective and has fewer side effects than ergotamine.
- Anti-nausea medications. Because migraine attacks are often accompanied by nausea with or without vomiting, medication for nausea is appropriate and is usually combined with other medications. Frequently prescribed medications are metoclopramide (oral) or prochlorperazine (oral or suppository).
- Butalbital combinations. Medications that combine the sedative butalbital with aspirin or acetaminophen (Butapap, Phrenlin Forte) are sometimes used to treat migraine attacks. Some combinations also include caffeine or codeine (Esgic-Plus, Fioricet). These medications, however, have a high risk of rebound headaches and withdrawal symptoms so should be used infrequently.
- Opiates. Medications containing narcotics, particularly codeine, are sometimes used to treat migraine pain when people can’t take triptans or ergot. Narcotics are habit-forming and are usually used only as a last resort.
Preventive medications
Nearly half of those who get migraines could benefit from preventative medication, yet only about 1 in 10 people take it. You may be a candidate for preventive therapy if you have two or more debilitating attacks a month, if pain-relieving medications aren’t helping, or if your migraine signs and symptoms include a prolonged aura or numbness and weakness.
Preventive medications can reduce the frequency, severity and length of migraines and may increase the effectiveness of symptom-relieving medicines used during migraine attacks. Your doctor may recommend that you take preventive medications daily, or only when a predictable trigger, such as menstruation, is approaching.
In most cases, preventive medications don’t eliminate headaches completely, and some cause serious side effects. If you have had good results from preventative medicine and have been migraine-free for six months to a year, your doctor may recommend tapering off the medication to see if your migraines return without it.
For best results, take these medications as your doctor recommends:
- Cardiovascular drugs. Beta blockers — commonly used to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease — can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. These drugs are considered among first-line treatment agents. Calcium channel blockers, another class of cardiovascular drugs, especially verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), also may be helpful in preventing migraines and relieving symptoms from aura. In addition, the antihypertensive medications lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and candesartan (Atacand) are useful in reducing the length and severity of migraines. Researchers don’t understand exactly why all of these cardiovascular drugs prevent migraines. Side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness or lightheadedness.
- Antidepressants. Certain antidepressants are good at helping to prevent some types of headaches, including migraines. Most effective are tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor) and protriptyline (Vivactil). These medications are considered among first-line treatment agents and may reduce migraines by affecting the level of serotonin and other brain chemicals. You don’t have to have depression to benefit from these drugs. Other classes of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), haven’t been proven as effective for migraine prevention. However, preliminary research suggests that one SNRI, venlafaxine (Effexor), may be helpful in preventing migraines.
- Anti-seizure drugs. Some anti-seizure drugs, such as divalproex (Depakote) and topiramate (Topamax), and gabapentin (Neurontin), seem to reduce the frequency of migraines. In high doses, however, these anti-seizure drugs may cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, hair loss, and dizziness.
- Cyproheptadine. This antihistamine specifically affects serotonin activity. Doctors sometimes give it to children as a preventive measure.
- Botulinum toxin type A (Botox). Botulinum toxin type A is sometimes used for treatment of chronic migraines. Studies have had mixed results with respect to effectiveness. However, some headache specialists believe that it can be helpful for some people. Injections are made in muscles of the forehead and neck. When this is effective, the treatment typically needs to be repeated every three months.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Self-care measures can help ease the pain of a migraine.
- Try muscle relaxation exercises. Progressive muscle relaxation, meditation and yoga don’t require any equipment. You can learn them in classes or at home using books or tapes. Or spend at least a half-hour each day doing something you find relaxing — listening to music, gardening, taking a hot bath or reading.
- Get enough sleep but don’t oversleep. The average adult needs six to eight hours of sleep a night. It’s best to go to bed and wake up at regular times, as well.
- Rest and relax. If possible, rest in a dark, quiet room when you feel a headache coming on. Place an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the back of your neck and apply gentle pressure to painful areas on your scalp.
- Keep a headache diary. Continue keeping your headache diary even after you see your doctor. It will help you learn more about what triggers your migraines and what treatment is most effective.
Alternative medicine
Nontraditional therapies may be helpful if you have chronic headache pain:
- Acupuncture. In this treatment, a practitioner inserts many thin, disposable needles into several areas of your skin at defined points. A number of clinical trials have found that acupuncture may be helpful for headache pain.
- Biofeedback. Biofeedback appears to be especially effective in relieving migraine pain. This relaxation technique uses special equipment to teach you how to monitor and control certain physical responses related to stress, such as muscle tension.
- Massage. Massage may help reduce the frequency of migraines. And it can improve the quality of your sleep, which can, in turn, help prevent migraines.
- Herbs, vitamins and minerals. There is some evidence that the herbs feverfew and butterbur may prevent migraines or reduce their severity. A high dose of riboflavin (vitamin B-2) also may prevent migraines by correcting tiny deficiencies in the brain cells. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may be helpful in some individuals. Oral magnesium sulfate supplements may reduce the frequency of headaches in some people, although studies don’t all agree on this issue. Magnesium taken intravenously seems to help some people during an acute headache, particularly people with magnesium deficiencies. Ask your doctor if these treatments are right for you. Don’t use feverfew or butterbur if you’re pregnant.
Prevention
Whether or not you take preventive medications, you may benefit from lifestyle changes that can help reduce the number and severity of migraines. One or more of these suggestions may be helpful for you:
- Avoid triggers. If certain foods seem to have triggered your headaches in the past, avoid those foods. If certain scents are a problem, try to avoid them. In general, establish a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and regular meals. In addition, try to control stress.
- Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent migraines. If your doctor agrees, choose any aerobic exercise you enjoy, including walking, swimming and cycling. Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches. Obesity is also thought to be a factor in migraines, and regular exercise can help you keep your weight down.
- Reduce the effects of estrogen. If you’re a woman with migraines and estrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the amount of medications you take that contain estrogen. These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk with your doctor about the best alternatives or dosages for you.
I hope that some or all of this information will be helpful to you. If you have any questions or would like to look up other symptoms or problems, just go to The Mayo Clinic website. You can find out about any problem you may have in addition to a treatment, possibly an alternative treatment, what you can do at home for your problem, and how to prevent it. Please comment on the article if the information was useful to you.
What Do You Know About Migraines?
January 3, 2010
The only thing I know about migraines is they hurt like “you know what.” I’ve only had a few of these headaches in my life (thank the Lord), but I have friends that have them and they cause their lives to come to a screeching halt. What can you do when your head hurts so bad you want to crawl into a dark room and pull the covers over your head?
Are you interested in the experts views on what migraine headaches are? OK! Back we go to my favorite experts, the medical staff at Mayo Clinic. I’m sure we will find some excellent information that will be helpful in understanding what migraines are, other than the obvious painful headache, and what to do about them.
Definition
Migraines are chronic headaches that can cause significant pain for hours or even days. Symptoms can be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.
Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms or signs (auras), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Although there’s no cure, medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. If treatment hasn’t worked for you in the past, it’s worth talking to your doctor about trying a different migraine medication. The right medicines combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes may make a tremendous difference.
Symptoms
Migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. A typical migraine attack produces some or all of these signs and symptoms:
- Moderate to severe pain, which may be confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides
- Head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality
- Pain that worsens with physical activity
- Pain that interferes with your regular activities
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
When untreated, a migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which headaches occur varies from person to person. You may have migraines several times a month or much less frequently.
Not all migraines are the same. Most people experience migraines without auras, which were previously called common migraines. Some people have migraines with auras, which were previously called classic migraines. Auras can include changes to your vision, such as seeing flashes of light, and feeling pins and needles in an arm or leg.
Whether or not you have auras, you may have one or more sensations of premonition (prodrome) several hours or a day or so before your headache actually strikes, including:
- Feelings of elation or intense energy
- Cravings for sweets
- Thirst
- Drowsiness
- Irritability or depression
When to see a doctor
Migraines are often undiagnosed and untreated. If you experience signs and symptoms of migraine, keep a record of your attacks and how you treated them. Then make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your headaches and decide on a treatment plan.
Even if you have a history of headaches, see your doctor if the pattern changes or your headaches suddenly feel different.
See your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any of the following signs and symptoms, which may indicate other, more serious medical problems:
- An abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking
- Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
- A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
- New headache pain if you’re older than 50
Causes
Although much about the cause of migraines isn’t understood, genetics and environmental factors seem to both play a role.
Migraines may be caused by changes in the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin — which helps regulate pain in your nervous system — also may be involved.
Serotonin levels drop during migraines. This may trigger your trigeminal system to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain’s outer covering (meninges). The result is headache pain.
Migraine triggers
Whatever the exact mechanism of the headaches, a number of things may trigger them. Common migraine triggers include:
- Hormonal changes in women. Fluctuations in estrogen seem to trigger headaches in many women with known migraines. Women with a history of migraines often report headaches immediately before or during their periods, when they have a major drop in estrogen. Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications — such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy — also may worsen migraines, though some women find it’s beneficial to take them.
- Foods. Some migraines appear to be triggered by certain foods. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; salty foods; and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.
- Stress. Stress at work or home can instigate migraines.
- Sensory stimuli. Bright lights and sun glare can produce migraines, as can loud sounds. Unusual smells — including pleasant scents, such as perfume, and unpleasant odors, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke, can also trigger migraines.
- Changes in wake-sleep pattern. Either missing sleep or getting too much sleep may serve as a trigger for migraine attacks in some individuals, as can jet lag.
- Physical factors. Intense physical exertion, including sexual activity, may provoke migraines.
- Changes in the environment. A change of weather or barometric pressure can prompt a migraine.
- Medications. Certain medications can aggravate migraines.
Risk factors
Several factors make you more prone to having migraines.
- Having a family history. Many people with migraines have a family history of migraine. If one or both of your parents have migraines, there’s a good chance you will too.
- Being younger than 40. Half the people who suffer from migraines started getting them before they were 20 and migraines are most common in people who are between 30 and 39 years old.
- Being female. Women are three times as likely to have migraines as men are. Headaches tend to affect boys more than girls during childhood, but by the time of puberty, more girls are affected.
- Experiencing hormonal changes. If you’re a woman with migraines, you may find that your headaches begin just before or shortly after onset of menstruation. They may also change during pregnancy or menopause. Some women report that their migraines got worse during the first trimester of a pregnancy. Though for many, the migraines improved during later stages in the pregnancy.
Complications
Sometimes your efforts to control your pain cause problems.
- Abdominal problems. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and aspirin, may cause abdominal pain, bleeding and ulcers — especially if taken in large doses or for a long period of time.
- Rebound headaches. In addition, if you take over-the-counter or prescription headache medications more than nine days per month or in high doses, you may be setting yourself up for a serious complication known as rebound headaches. Rebound headaches occur when medications not only stop relieving pain, but actually begin to cause headaches. You then use more pain medication, which traps you in a vicious cycle.
- Serotonin syndrome. This potentially life-threatening drug interaction can occur if you take migraine medicines called triptans, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) or zolmitriptan (Zomig), along with antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Some common SSRIs include Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil. SNRIs include Cymbalta and Effexor. Fortunately, serotonin syndrome is rare.
The Mayo Clinic Staff does a great job of explaining the information they present, don’t they? You, too, can go online and type in whatever health topic you want to learn more about. I hope this information is beneficial, especially if you have migraine headaches. Tomorrow, we will see what the Staff has to say about preparing for your provider visit, tests and diagnosis, treatment and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, alternative medicine, and prevention. Take care and have a pleasant Sunday afternoon and evening. See You Tomorrow!
