06 Jul 11 GETTING MIGRAINE: RELATIONSHIP OF MIGRAINE TO OTHER DISEASES AND MORE

Relationship of migraine to other diseasesAlthough there are many conditions that produce pain in the head region, e.g. sinusitis, high blood pressure, eye strain, there is no proof that these conditions predispose to migraine.On the other hand, many migraine sufferers notice that their attacks are more frequent when they are ‘run-down’ or suffering from general upsets.Case CD, on returning from a lecture-tour of India, suddenly developed frequent (sometimes twice-daily) attacks of migraine, which were produced by slight stress, e.g. a short walk. Analysis of his blood showed evidence of an infection, which later proved to be an inflammatory bowel disorder. When the latter condition was cured with treatment, he suffered no further migraine attacks.
Migraine in the elderlyOld people do not suffer from migraine as commonly or as severely as the young. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Many women whose migraine is worse at the time of the menstrual period are told that their attacks will go with the menopause. This is often, but not always, the case.There is little doubt that, on the whole, attacks change in their characteristics with ageing, e.g. vomiting is less severe and in many cases the disorder becomes less troublesome.
Weekend migraineAlthough migraine is often thought of as a stress disease, there are many sufferers who get attacks only when they are relaxing either at weekends or on holiday. Others will get attacks only when they are anticipating an exciting event, e.g. a party. This can be so distinctive that they will refuse invitations in the certain knowledge that acceptance will provoke an attack.
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29 Apr 09 MENSTRUAL CYCLE-CREATURE COMFORTS: IN BED

At night, something as simple as an extra protective layer of bedding may help to make us feel more at ease. We differ from one another in our attitudes to all sorts of things and one of the most influential as far as period pain is concerned is our attitude to the blood we lose. Some, particularly women who were born in the West Indies, see the flow of blood as a sign of health, a mark that their bodies are functioning properly. Others accept it as a natural flow, but see blood as dirty, something that stains sheets and clothing, and must be cleaned away as soon as possible. Others consider that menstrual blood is not only dirty, but morally ‘unclean’, something that they should be ashamed of. What we feel about our own blood is a result of what the women we know and love have felt and probably still feel. Some of us change our minds and our attitudes because we come into contact with other people with different ideas. But whatever they are, our attitudes affect our behaviour.

If we feel that blood is dirty, we may unconsciously be trying not to stain clothes and sheets — especially sheets that don’t belong to us. When you have learnt how to relax, you may recognize that you are holding your pelvic floor in a very tense state when you have a period, particularly when you are in bed. It’s possible that you are ‘holding back’ your period because you don’t want to make a mess on the sheets. If you are, it could be very difficult for you to relax completely. If you think this might be your problem, one answer to it is to use a drawsheet — a piece of old sheeting or an ancient towel on top of the under sheet for a little extra protection. It’s a lot less bother to wash than a sheet too.

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Tags: Pain Relief