Everything We Know About Migraines & How To Treat Them;  Whether you're sick of hearing your friends complaining about migraines or you're the one complaining, we've all had run-ins with the awful-mega-headache monster. But, despite how common they are, there's so much that we're only beginning to understand about migraines. Here, we've collected everything we know about what those monsters actually are — and the best ways to get rid of them.

What are the symptoms of migraines?The most obvious one is the painful, throbbing headache on one or both sides of the head that can last for hours. But, "the real hallmark of migraines is that people are very sensitive to light, sound, and odors," says Dawn Buse, PhD, of the Montefiore Headache Center. "And, people have nausea or even vomit during the headache phase."

Some people experience other symptoms up to two days before the headache hits, though. During this "prodrome stage," sufferers may feel extra-irritable or anxious. They may even experience tingling skin sensations or a visual "aura" that changes their vision and can lead to difficulty speaking. After the headache, people are usually pretty wiped out. But, not everyone experiences all of these stages with every migraine, and your specific symptoms may change over time.

Who gets them?Migraines affect about 16% of the U.S. adult population, but some people are more likely to get them than others due to the presence of certain risk factors. Women are three times more likely than men (check out the infographic below to learn more about these differences). And, there's a huge genetic component: About 80% of migraine sufferers have a first-degree relative who also gets them, says Sheena Aurora, MD, of the Headache Clinic at Stanford Health Care.

They tend to flare up during adolescence, and most people get their first one before turning 40. Hormonal changes are also thought to play a role: Migraines can follow the pattern of your menstrual cycle and may become more or less frequent during pregnancy or menopause.

What causes them?Well, that's the thing — we don't know. Researchers have a few (very) educated guesses, though. The basic idea is that migraines are the result of an oversensitive brain. For some reason, your brain is overreacting to triggers in the environment, including things like light, sounds, and smells. One brain area in particular, the thalamus, acts as a sort of relay station between other parts, and researchers think it may be the key to calming things down.

What we do know is that the characteristic throbbing pain of a migraine is caused by the constricting of some of the brain's blood vessels. To compensate, other blood vessels dilate, causing a painful pressure inconsistency.

How can we treat them?
From anecdotal experience, we know that most people find a dark, quiet room to be essential. But, if you're looking for something a little stronger, there are medications available.

In addition to over-the-counter painkillers and opioid analgesics, you've also got options including triptan medications (which act on the neurotransmitter serotonin), medications containing caffeine (such as Excedrin), and nerve blocks.

But, because we all have different triggers, and migraines may affect each of us in different ways, Dr. Aurora says treatment needs to be individualized. And, overuse of some medications can actually cause headaches, perpetuating the cycle.

How can we prevent them?Even better than treating migraines is keeping them from happening — ever. This requires a little extra work on your part: Namely, you've got to keep track of your triggers. This has been made a bit easier by the introduction of migraine-tracking apps, such as Migraine Buddy and iHeadache. These allow you to take note of what sets your migraines off so you can act quickly to get outta there.

But, figuring out your triggers is especially important because they may be surprising. Stress is an obvious one, but certain dietary changes (such as cutting out alcohol or aspartame) or activities (regular exercise for the win) may also keep your headaches mild.

What if that doesn't work?You're in luck! There are several interesting new treatments coming our way right now. In one option, a spaghetti-sized catheter delivers an anesthetic to a nerve bundle in the back of the nose. Participants in this trial were able to use over 80% less pain meds than usual.

And, if stress is one of your triggers, there's a growing body of research suggesting that relaxation through meditation can significantly reduce your migraine frequency and severity. You can try Dr. Buse's own guided meditations or choose from a plethora of relaxation apps out there.

But, the bottom line is that a headache specialist can point you in the right direction for treating your specific headache issues. With a little individualized TLC, you could find a way to say goodbye your migraines. Or, at least, find a way to say hello to them a little less often.

WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT FROM GOD.

1.    

   Health Benefits of FennelThe health benefits of fennel include relief from anemia, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, colic, diarrhea, respiratory disorders, menstrual disorders, and its benefits regarding eye care. Fennel, which has the scientific name Foeniculum Vulgare Miller, or its essence, is widely used around the world in mouth fresheners, toothpastes, desserts, antacids and in various culinary applications.  Constipation: Fennel seeds, particularly in powdered form, can act as a laxative. The roughage helps clear the bowels, whereas its stimulating effect helps maintain the proper peristaltic motion of the intestines, thereby helping promote proper excretion through the stimulation of gastric juices and bile production. Fennel is also commonly found in medicines that treat abdominal pain, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and other intestinal issues.

Fenugreek Health Benefits; 

What is Fenugreek?       

    Fenugreek (also known as Greek Hay and Fenigreek), is an herb that is commonly found growing in the Mediterranean region of the world. While the seeds and leaves are primarily used as a culinary spice, it is also used to treat a variety of health problems in Egypt, Greece, Italy, and South Asia. 

Fenugreek seeds have been found to contain protein, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, and diosgenin (which is a compound that has properties similar to estrogen). Other active constituents in fenugreek are alkaloids, lysine and L-tryptophan, as well as steroidal saponins (diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogenin).  The health benefits of fenugreek include relief from anemia, loss of taste, fever, dandruff, stomach disorders, biliousness, respiratory disorders, mouth ulcers, sore throat, diabetes, inflammations, wounds and insomnia. It is beneficial post pregnancy in lactation and helps in improving digestion, as well as in various hair care applications. It is also shown to reduce cholesterol levels and protect heart health, while simultaneously boosting the immune system and protecting you against flu and various infections.    

. Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidants: Researchers have identified more than a dozen different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. In a recent study on the relationship between risk of prostate cancer and vegetable intake (including such healthy vegetables as broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts) only spinach showed evidence of significant protection against the occurrence of aggressive prostate cancer.    Spinach is a green, leafy vegetable that is cheap and affordable for everyone. It is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, pigments and phytonutrients. All of these together make spinach very beneficial for a number of vital processes. Due to the vast range of benefits from this vegetable, it is advisable to consume spinach on a regular basis. Spinach is a member of the Aramanthaceae family and its scientific name is Spinacia oleracea. One of the biggest reasons why spinach is so important and valued around the world is that it is very durable. It can even survive through the winter and be just as healthy in the spring.

 

The Benefits of Spinach Consumption;   

The benefits of spinach are many. Leafy greens like spinach provide more nutrients than any other food, when compared calorie for calorie. Here are some spinach facts to consider: 

1. Spinach is loaded with flavonoids which act as antioxidants, protecting the body from free radicals. Researchers have discovered at least 13 different flavonoid compounds that act as anti-cancer substances. The various nutrients offer much in the way of disease protection.
   
   Remember Popeye? He squeezed those cans of spinach into his mouth and instantly developed muscles and super strength. Well, he also may have been protecting himself against various illnesses and conditions. 

Turmeric    Turmeric can tame heartburn and an upset stomach.
In a small 1989 study, supplements made from the turmeric plant were found to be more effective at curbing heartburn and indigestion symptoms than a placebo, possibly because of the plant's known powers to fight inflammation, Everyday Health reported.   ... Delay diabetes...
Among people with prediabetes, curcumin capsules were found to delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes in a 2012 study. Over nine months, study participants were given either curcumin supplements or placebo capsules. Just over 16 percent of people taking the placebo pill were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by the end of the study, while no one taking curcumin was. Again, researchers chalk these results up to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers of the compound.            

While studies in humans are still in very early stages, lab and animal studies have shown promising effects of curcumin in the fight against cancer. Curcumin "interferes with several important molecular pathways involved in cancer development, growth and spread," according to the American Cancer Society, even killing cancer cells in the lab setting and shrinking tumors and boosting the effects of chemotherapy in animals.

NATURAL PAINKILLER & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Curcumin is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor. One study compared curcumin to ibuprofen for pain relief in knee osteoarthritis patients and found that the curcumin worked just as well as ibuprofen. Several studies have found that curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory properties. According to the Arthritis Foundation, several studies have found turmeric to be effective at reducing joint inflammation and pain, with one of the studies even finding curcumin to be better at reducing pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than diclofenac,

THE BENEFIT OF GREEN TEATea has been around for centuries and ancient Asian cultures have been brewing tea leaves for over 5,000 years. Globally, tea is second only to water for popular drinks around the world. Green tea is perhaps one of the most beloved and most well known of all the tea varieties as it has benefits that go far beyond simply quenching thirst and hydrating the body . Here are just some of the many health and wellness benefits you can get from adding green tea to your daily diet:.