Friday, August 28, 2026

Suffer From Migraines? You May Suffer from These Diseases

 Are you one of the 30 million people in the United States who suffers from migraines, three-quarters of whom are women? The pain is constant, frustrating and it can be debilitating. Furthermore, besides having to worry about a headache itself, migraines have also been linked to other health issues. But knowing the risks associated with migraines can help you take precautions.

health risks linked to migraines

1. Stroke 

About one-third of migraine sufferers say that a headache is accompanied by aura-visions of flashing lights, patterns, or spots, alongside numbness or tingling in your face or hands. If these symptoms are familiar to you and you are a woman between 35 and 45 then you have a higher risk of ischemic stroke. In addition, some evidence shows that blood platelets are activated and clotting risk is increased. 

Both hormonal birth control pills and smoking increase your risk for clotting issues. Therefore, women who suffer from migraines should use a barrier method of birth control, such as condoms, and of course, shouldn't smoke. Studies have also shown that older adults who suffer from migraines and light up a cigarette are also three times more likely to suffer a stroke.

2. Heart trouble

Migraines may also boost your risk for heart disease, according to research in the European Journal of Neurology. So far, no further recommendations aside from avoiding smoking and birth control have been added. However, migraine sufferers with known cardiac problems need to be careful with popular migraine medications, namely triptans. These meds constrict blood vessels in the brain, and in the heart. 

3. More migraines 

Migraines beget migraines. It is therefore important to try to stop them. Migraine sufferers may have a 'hyperexcitable' brain. This means that even small disruptions can lead to headaches. So things like missing a meal or drinking coffee when you usually don't, or a poor night's sleep can trigger a migraine. 

It is therefore vital for migraine sufferers to avoid disruptions to their normal schedule and behaviors. Also, watch out for your working habits. After 90 minutes of work, get into the habit of getting up and doing something else for a couple of minutes. Then, at the end of your workday, take the rest of the evening off.

4. Fibromyalgia

About half of those with this chronic-disorder - which causes widespread muscle pain and tenderness - can also experience migraines, according to research in the journal Headache. As of yet, it is not clear why, however, the two conditions share similar root causes, including the body's ability to control pain. As these two health issues go hand in hand, it is important to talk to your doctor if you suffer from migraines or fibromyalgia. 

5. Depression 

Migraines occur more frequently in people who have bipolar disease and depression. In both situations, there is a genetic predisposition to having a hyperexcitable brain. According to research conducted, the more likely you are to experience frequent headaches, the more likely you are to be depressed. 

However, it is still not clear whether headaches directly lead to depression. But your lifestyle goes a long way toward elevating your mood and preventing migraines. A great way to control the issue? Take a daily 20-minute stroll outdoors and get lots of sleep at night. Both of these decrease brain excitability, helping you to avoid migraines and the blues. 

6. Anxiety
50% of people who suffer from chronic migraines also struggle with anxiety. A chronic migraine is defined as 15 or more episodes per month. Experts believe that some people develop anxiety as a result of the burden of living with chronic migraines. However, they also believe that the brain sends chemical messages from one neuron to another, and this may play a role. 

7. Bell's palsy 

A study conducted in 2014 published in the journal Neurology revealed that people who suffer from migraines are twice as likely to develop Bell's palsy, a condition that induces facial paralysis. After keeping tabs on more than 100,000 people, half of whom suffered from migraines, a team of Taiwanese researchers discovered rates of a nervous system condition called Bell's palsy nearly doubled among those who suffered from migraines. Still, according to researchers, it is not clear how migraines and Bell's palsy are connected, though they believe that inflammation, heart issues, or blood flow problem could link the two. 

8. Parkinson's
If migraines are accompanied by an aura - flashes of light or visual floaters - you are at a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to research from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD. This is especially true if you suffer from migraines during your middle age years. While the causes of migraines are still being debated, study authors say issues with the neurotransmitter dopamine may play a role. Furthermore, the study authors speculate that dopamine is also disrupted in people with Parkinson's.



This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for food, medicines, exercises and so on.   


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posted by G S Iyer at 6:42 AM 0 comments

Friday, December 26, 2025

Coffee Doesn't Just Kick-Start Your Day - It's Healthy Too

Coffee's distinctive smell and palatable taste are what help an estimated 100 million Americans pry themselves out of bed each morning. However, while its addictive flavor keeps us wanting more, you may find comfort in knowing the many hidden health benefits of consuming a daily cup of Joe. In truth, coffee is actually pretty healthy - it is packed with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients. What's more, studies show that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing serious diseases.
Read on to discover the 12 reasons you should wake up to a delectable cup of coffee:

1. It's great for the liver
In 2006, a study that included 125,000 people aged 22 and over found those who drank at least one cup of coffee a day were 20 percent less likely to develop liver cirrhosis - an autoimmune disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption that can lead to liver failure and cancer. Studies have also shown that consuming coffee regularly (four or more cups a day) may help prevent people from developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

2. It  Reduces Chances of Skin Cancer

..if you are a woman. A study conducted by Bringham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, followed 112,897 men and women over a 20-year period. They discovered that women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop skin cancer than those who didn't.

3. Reduces your chances of  Type 2 Diabetes

 According to a study from the American Chemical Society, drinking coffee may reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that people who drink four or more cups of coffee a day reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50 percent.


4. It keeps your brain healthier for longer
 
Studies conducted on a group of people aged 65 and older at the University of South Florida and the University of Miami respectively found that those with higher levels of caffeine in their blood developed Alzheimer's disease two to four years later than those with lower levels of caffeine. The study's co-author and neuroscientist, Dr Chuanhai Cao, reported he firmly believed that moderate coffee consumption can appreciably reduce your risk of Alzheimer's or delay its onset.

5. It can make you more Intelligent
 
Coffee is renowned for its quick-fix energy-boosting effects. However, aside from giving you a much-needed jolt, coffee makes you sharper. According to CNN, coffee allows your brain to work in a more efficient and smarter way. It improves your reaction time, vigilance, attention and logical reasoning.

6. It reduces you risk  of Heart Disease
 
In a study conducted by Korean researchers, participants who consumed three to five cups of Joe a day were less likely to show the first signs of heart disease. However, it is important to consider other dietary factors too, as Koreans typically have a different diet to Westerners.

7. It reduces your risk of Multiple Sclerosis
 
Recent studies have shown that four cups of coffee a day may help protect against the development and re-occurrence of Multiple Sclerosis. It is believed that coffee prevents neural inflammation, which may lead to the disease.

8. It reduces your risk of Colorectal cancer
 
Consuming coffee can reduce the chances of developing colorectal cancer by 26 percent. According to one study, the more coffee you consume the lower the risk.

9. It contains more antioxidants that fruits and vegetables
 
A study conducted in 2005 found that nothing comes close to providing as many antioxidants as coffee. While fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, the human body absorbs the most from coffee.

10. It can lessen the symptoms of Parkinson's
 
Studies show that people who consume caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson's. It also stated that drinking coffee may help people with Parkinson's disease control their movement.

11. The scent of coffee can reduce stress
 
Research conducted at the Seoul National University examined the brains of rats who were stressed as a result of sleep deprivation. The study found that those who were exposed to coffee aromas experienced changes in brain proteins tied to that stress.

12. It boosts your mood
 
A study by the National Institute of Health found that those who drank more than four cups of java a day were less likely to be depressed. Coffee's mood boosting benefits do not occur due to the 'caffeine high', rather coffee makes you feel good due to its trusty antioxidants.

 
 
 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

 

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posted by G S Iyer at 5:44 AM 0 comments