1. What is a migraine?

Migraine is a recurrent type of headache that is severely painful and usually occurs only on one side of the head. An aura occurs right before one of these attacks. An aura could be manifested as visual flashes or spots or even ringing in the ears which is opposite of the side where the headache is about to occur. The migraine attack may also come with symptoms of dizziness, vomiting, nausea and double vision.

2. What is an optical migraine?

As opposed to a real migraine, an optical migraine also involves an aura that comes before a migraine attack, but there is the absence of pain. This is rarer than the migraine that comes with severe pain. It is also know as acephalgic migraine or visual or ocular migraine. It is a migraine aura unaccompanied by headache.

The visual disturbances that are experienced are flashing lights that look like zigzag or “fortress-like” lights. These auras usually begin as small visual marches crossing the field of vision that slowly fades away. Attacks like these last for several minutes to almost an hour.

If it will come with a headache, the pain will follow in an hour. An optical migraine can also be experienced as a blind spot in the field of vision.

3. How sure am I that I am experiencing an optical migraine?

Migraines are usually diagnosed if the same symptoms are experiences over and over in many years. It is optical migraine if the same aura is experienced. In case there is a change in the visual pattern, it might be something more serious. A doctor should be consulted in this case.

4. What could be the cause of these migraines?

The cause for migraine is not yet confirmed, it has remained unknown. However, there have been theories that these headaches are caused by allergies, temporary edema of the brain and even endocrine disturbances. One thing is for sure, it is due to disturbance in the blood circulation in the brain. It has been proven that the pain is associated with the narrowing of blood vessels in the brain followed by dilation.

5. What could be more serious causes of headaches if they are not migraines?

Not all headaches are migraines and not all visual disturbances are caused by migraines. There could be more serious causes that may force you to consult a doctor. Visual changes can also be caused by partial seizures, a retina in the eye could have been detached, a “mini-stroke” or a transient ischemic attack, multiple sclerosis or even a brain tumor.

6. Who is more likely to get an optical migraine?

Optical migraines are usually experienced by more women than men at a ratio of 3:1. This is an illness that is usually inherited.

7. What is the common treatment for optical migraines?

Sedatives and aspirin are common medications prescribed to patients with this illness. Resting or sleeping in a dark room usually relieves the symptoms. However, if the aural migraine is accompanied by severe headache, injection of triptans or ingestion or nasal spraying of the same drug gives relief. Beta-blockers, antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs are also effective for most patients.

It is important to recognize the aura that comes before the headache so that medication can be taken before the actual attack. This will prevent the pain from setting in. Biofeedback has been proven to be a good type of therapy for patients who get these attacks.

Having all these in mind, you would now know if you are experiencing an ordinary headache or a true-blue migraine. Now, you could also determine if those weird visual disturbances are auras previous to a migraine attack or if it is an optical migraine.

What is important here is for you to recognize the symptoms that go with the headache. Observation is the key. You must recognize the tell-tale sign that you are about to get a full-blown attack of a migraine or if you should seek medical help because it is a sign of something more serious. Never take these headaches for granted, they could mean your life.

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Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system that causes bronchial tubes to become inflamed and constricted rendering the victim unable to breathe. These asthma attacks can be triggered by any number of components and can last anywhere for an hour to several days. Consequently, asthmatics must rely on medical intervention for asthma relief.

Asthma relief can take many forms. Everything from prescription drugs and respiratory inhalers to laser treatments and holistic approaches can be defined as asthma relief. Finding the asthma relief that works specifically for you must be determined by your medical professional.

The medication that provides asthma relief simply stops the swelling of the airways and allows it to open so that normal breathing can commence. Short-acting medication is used as a reaction to an asthma attack stopping airway constriction. Long-acting medication is normally taken on a daily basis and is used to prevent asthma attacks rather than dealing with an asthma attack that has already begun.

Each form of asthma relief is specific to one person; no asthma is the same and therefore no asthma can be treated exactly the same. It’s up you as the patient along with your doctor to determine what is right for you and your lifestyle.

Start with a proactive approach; get online and chat with other asthmatics about asthma relief that has worked for them. There are extraordinary resources available for asthma patients today. The Internet has opened up a whole new world of information. You need only to log on to find out what is happening in the world of asthma relief advancements.

No matter what, you should always stay completely connected with your health care provider. A doctor who specializes in asthma will be able to safely guide you in your search for appropriate asthma relief.

As of now there is no permanent cure for asthma. However, today, successful asthma relief is easily available to help make your life as healthy and symptom free as possible. Take the time to research all the possible asthma relief that will have the most impact on your life. A whole new world could be right around the corner.

For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 asthma.

If none of these lifestyle changes are enough to effectively lower blood pressure then often daily blood pressure medication is prescribed. Medication has shown great strides in significantly lowering blood pressure in patients who show a genetic predisposition for high blood pressure and for whom diet and exercise has not worked.

But another natural alternative for many has been herbs for high blood pressure. A variety of herbs found in local health food stores have been enormously affective in lowering blood pressure.

In short, herbs for high blood pressure actually work to dilate blood vessels allowing the blood to flow easily, thus reducing hypertension. Some herbs for high blood pressure – because of their calming agents – work to relax the cardiovascular system thus reducing blood pressure.

To get background information on any herbs for high blood pressure you can get online to find the latest research connecting herb intake to treat hypertension. Log in to chat forums with sufferers of high blood pressure; you’ll likely find several other people in a similar situation who have tried herbs for high blood pressure.

Self-administering herbs and leaving your blood pressure medically unchecked can only get you into further trouble. Consult your doctor before taking anything, including herbs for high blood pressure.

Doing your research, making lifestyle changes including herbs for high blood pressure, and working in tandem with your doctor will ensure you a lifetime of lowered blood pressure and healthy living.

For easy to understand, in depth information about high blood pressure visit our ezGuide 2 High Blood Pressure.

There are several causes of urinary incontinence. Some of the common causes of incontinence are:

Temporary Urinary Incontinence

. When children suffer from urinary incontinence, it may be for several reasons. Very often young children have the tendency to wet the bed at night in their sleep. These children may be slower in developing the brain control, which is needed to allow retention of urine all night long. Urine production in these children may be more at night too. Day time incontinence in children may be owing to some kind of development abnormality or have a urine infection. Bed wetting in children is generally a temporary condition and will pass away as they grow older.

. Medications – Some medication such as sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, medications for heart condition all can give rise to urinary incontinence.

. Constipation – The rectum and the bladder have common nerves as a result when you get constipated it causes over activity of these nerves and causing urine leakage.

. Fluids – If you suffer from stress related incontinence consuming a large amount of water in a short time causes the urine in the bladder to increase thereby putting more pressure on the pelvic floor which may then cause leakage.

Caffeine containing substances such as tea, coffee, coke all make the condition of incontinence worse as caffeine is a diuretic, which makes the kidneys produce more urine and thereby leakage is easier. Caffeine also affects the bladder muscle.

Consuming alcohol can be another cause for incontinence as alcohol is also a diuretic and which stimulates the kidneys which in turn produces more urine.

If you do not consume enough liquids, your urine gets concentrated. This has the tendency to irritate the bladder and make urinary incontinence worse. It also reduces the capacity of the bladder, here again making incontinence worse.

. A very common cause of urinary incontinence is urinary tract infections.

. Over-activity of the bladder can also cause incontinence. Smoking is one such reason people may suffer from an overactive bladder as nicotine has an effect on the bladder muscle.

Persistent Urinary Incontinence

. Pregnancy – Pregnancy can lead to incontinence owing to the following, that is, bladder control nerves may be damaged, pressure of the fetus on the pelvic muscles, urethra and bladder, vaginal delivery causes the nerves around the pelvic floor to become bruised and stretched and also a cut is made in the muscle which enables easier delivery.

. Menopause – When you reach menopause, the hormone estrogen is not produced any more. It is believed that the vaginal tissue weakens owing to this loss of estrogen production. This causes incontinence.

. Incontinence can also occur after radiation or surgery in the treatment of cancer of the prostrate.

. Surgical removal of the uterus may sometimes cause damage to the muscles or the nerves of the urinary tract thereby leading to incontinence.

. An enlarged prostate in men causes the urethra to constrict and blocks the flow of urine. This is another reason for urinary incontinence.

. Inflammation of the bladder wall owing to unknown reasons is also another reason for incontinence. This occurs more frequently in women.

. Obstruction to the urinary tract owing to the presence of tumors can also cause incontinence.

. Diseases like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, a stroke or injury to the spinal cord can also be another reason.

. Diseases like arthritis, which sometimes disable an individual from getting to the toilet in time, can also be a cause.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Incontinence