Did You Know?

Did you know...
that you may be giving yourself migraines and not even know it?

Twenty eight million Americans, 13% of the population, suffer from migraines. Half of them don't even know it. Many more of us experience migraines and don’t know what triggers them. Specific triggers vary from person to person. Take a moment to read the triggers below to see if you may be giving yourself migraines:

• Light – Strong or glaring light, flickering lights from TV or computer screen over extended periods of time, strobe or laser lights, or reflections.
• Food & food additives – Alcohol (especially wine), caffeinated beverages, nuts, nitrite/nitrate-preserved foods (hot dogs, pepperoni), smoked or pickled foods.
• Smells/odors – Intense odors such as cigarette or smoke, perfumes, cleaning products.
• Stress – Migraine attacks often occur AFTER stress, especially on weekends and holidays. Many people mistake these as "tension headaches".
• Weather changes – High humidity, atmospheric pressure changes, rapid temperature fluctuations, and exposure to extreme heat/cold can cause migraine attacks. Many people mistake these for "sinus headaches".

Reaching out to medications may not necessarily be the answer for you:

• Some Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications have side effects more serious than the migraine. Always check and follow label instructions or consult a doctor
• Regular use of these products can actually cause headaches
• Headaches and migraines may be a symptom of a more serious situation. If they occur repeatedly, keep a diary of your symptoms and speak with a doctor.

Non-medical natural alternatives exist to relieve pain from migraines. One of them is IMAK's Therapeutic Eye Pillow®. Here are some key benefits:

• Provides "cooling" relief without the shock feeling of ice or gel
• Anatomic shape conforms to your face and eyes for maximum fit
• Spreads a gentle, soothing weight around the eyes
• Blocks out light

Dr. MacMorran has been an orthopedic surgeon since 1970. Besides helping patients in his private practice, he helps design pain relief products for IMAK Products Corporation.