What Causes Migraines And Why Theyre Beyond The Common Headache
At this time, researchers dont fully understand what causes migraines. Most studies suggest that they could be related to abnormal substances that are produced in the brain. When those substance levels rise, they cause inflammation. The inflammation leads to swollen blood vessels in the brain that press on nearby nerves. The result? Intense head pain.
Abnormal genes may also have a link to migraines. These genes may control the way certain brain cells function and can lead to migraines.
But what about the link between hormones and migraines in women? For many women, migraines take place around the time they have their monthly period. These menstrual-related migraines happen within a two- or three-day window before they start their period. Unfortunately, these migraine attacks may be more disabling than the non-menstrual kind.
by Melinda Wilson | Migraines
An aura caused by migraine, silent or an ocular migraine usually involves some kind of troubles with vision. This blurry vision or flashes of light usually affect both eyes at the same time. The difference between this type of aura and the classical one is that most of the time it is not accompanied by the throbbing pain in the temples.
However, patients usually suffer from a lot of other irritating symptoms that usually last for an hour or so. These symptoms are not serious however they can affect the quality of the patients life. Read on to learn more about migraine aura causes.
The Solution And Benefits Of Sound Sleep
Balanced hormones, achieved through bioidentical hormone therapy, provide relief from sleeplessness. Once a BodyLogicMD affiliated physician has tested your hormone levels, a customized hormone, nutrition, and fitness program can be designed specifically for you. If your estrogen or testosterone levels are low, this natural hormone therapy will place levels back into normal range.
Developing healthy sleeping habits also help prevent insomnia. Developing a bed time routine and going to sleep around the same time each night helps your body form good sleep tendencies. It is also a good idea to remove distractions or anything likely to disturb sleep from your bedroom this could include a television or pets. Though it seems strange, it is important to get up and walk around when you find that you are tossing and turning and having a hard time getting to sleep. This is because it is important not to allow your body or mind to associate your bed with sleeplessness.
Relief from insomnia and balanced hormones provides several benefits. Sound sleep grants a reduced risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression. A lack of sleep causes lower productivity and a greater risk of injury in everyday tasks, like driving. So, women who get a better nights sleep are likely to feel better, be more productive and be more aware of their surroundings.
Insomnia Cause #: Mineral Imbalance
Many of my clients have mineral imbalances that are contributing to their insomnia. Calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium should be in balance with each other. Many people are deficient in magnesium and so supplementing can be helpful. But you also need B vitamins, other minerals like boron and a healthy gut to absorb magnesium supplements.
Heavy metals, copper toxicity and too much calcium in the soft tissues can also contribute to anxiety, brain fog and sleep issues. A hair tissue mineral analysis is the best way to find out whats going on with your minerals.
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Insomnias Impact On Health And Happiness
Sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns can have serious short- and long-term effects on a persons overall health. The body and brain rely on sleep to keep systems functioning. Sleep gives your body time to repair, rejuvenate, and recover from the days work. Sleep problems can lead to myriad physical and mental issues, from higher stress levels to heart disease. If insomnia is a chronic problem and not something that only happens occasionally, the risk of negative outcomes significantly increases. The body cannot catch up or heal, which can affect all aspects of life. Lack of sleep can cause issues such as:
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
- Increased risk of diabetes and being overweight
- Increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke
- Greater risk of accidents, injuries, and illnesses
- Increased morbidity and mortality rates
Lack of sleep is a serious issue that gives women more to worry about than just drowsiness or bags under their eyes. Prolonged sleep problems can increase a womans odds of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiac arrest, and cancer. Plentiful sleep not only reduces the odds of the above-listed issues, but it can contribute to positive changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, boosting mood, and promoting peace of mind. Getting a good nights rest is key to overall health, happiness, and wellbeing.
Reasons For Low Estrogen
There are times when your estrogen levels fluctuate, such as during your period or when youre pregnant. But as you get older and approach menopause, your estrogen levels decline. For some, it happens earlier. Any condition that impairs the ovaries can reduce estrogen production.
Low estrogen levels can have a serious impact on your life. Fortunately, there are ways to replenish your estrogen supply so you dont have to suffer from the many life-altering symptoms.
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Surprising Signs And Symptoms Of Hormone Imbalance
Did you know the human body contains almost 50 different hormones? Some hormones that may be familiar include estrogen, insulin and cortisol. However, there are lesser-known hormones such as prostaglandins, which aids tissue repair. All these hormones together regulate many parts of the body, including reproduction, growth and mood. While some symptoms of a hormone imbalance are well-known, there are some signs that may surprise you. Keep reading to learn more about some surprising hormonal symptoms.
Hows A Menstrual Migraine Diagnosed What Tests Are Done
Your healthcare provider will want to establish a history of your migraine-related symptoms, likely asking you to:
- Describe the severity and location of your pain. Is the pain pounding? Pulsing? Throbbing?
- Tell how often you get migraine headaches.
- Remember if anything makes your headache better or worse.
- Discuss what medications you take to relieve the pain and how often you take them.
- Talk about the activities, foods, stressors, or the situations that may have brought on the migraine.
- Remember if anyone in your family gets migraine headaches.
- Tell how you felt before, during and after the headache.
Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests and imaging tests to make sure there are no other causes for your headache. An electroencephalogram may be ordered to rule out seizures.
Its helpful to both you and your healthcare provider if you keep a migraine journal. Take note of what symptoms you get, how long your symptoms last, and what makes your menstrual migraine better or worse. You and your healthcare provider may be able to use that information to help you heal, and possibly prevent or anticipate your migraine.
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Hormone Imbalances Can Cause Insomnia That Leads To Weight Gain
As if you didnt already face enough obstacles to weight loss, burning the midnight oil can also affect your ability to burn fat because it impacts your hormones. If any one of those factors is not optimal, it causes the whole relationship to spiral out of control.
Our team of weight loss and hormone experts at Balanced Medical Solutions in Hayward, California, helps men and women understand the interdependent relationship between hormones, sleep, and weight management. Keep reading to learn how you can break negative cycles and restore a healthy hormone balance.
Common Causes Of Hormonal Headaches
Possible causes for headaches: hormonal imbalance, adrenal imbalance, thyroid imbalance
While most of us have headaches every now and then, many women feel plagued by them. Headaches can disrupt all aspects of your life sleep, work, and your personal time with friends and family. Having headaches can certainly keep you from doing the things you love in life, but it can also serve as a clear indication that something is out of balance in your body.
Because there are many possible root causes for headaches, finding the definitive source of your headaches can be difficult, but we do know that they can often arise during periods of shifting hormones, including the days leading up to your menstrual period, or the time leading up to menopause. Generally speaking, hormonal headaches occur due to imbalanced levels between estrogen and progesterone. This is why many women notice headaches right before their periods when progesterone naturally dips. Progesterone can also drop during perimenopause sometimes causing headaches as well. Taking steps to balance your hormones makes all the difference when it comes to avoiding hormonal headaches.
The more severe headaches were located behind my eyes. They lasted 48 hours with little relief. I had to try something! My headaches dissipated almost immediately one week after starting this approach. I am feeling better, and sleeping better too.
Corinne, customer
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What Our Patients Say
As of March 2021, I have been a HerKare patient for 3 years. I have driven from the Austin to Ft. Worth and Southlake since March 2018. In fact, today I attempted to drive to Southlake to see the provider, Dania Khoncarly, because she is so amazing, but the roads were too dangerous with the current ice storm in Texas, so I visited the Mansfield location instead as it was closer for me. The patient care has been nothing short of amazing. In fact, I cant imagine my life without HerKare. I struggled with hormone deficiency since 2003 until March 2018. The treatment plan provided by HerKare has positively impacted my way of life socially, emotionally, and physically. One of my closest friends now drives from Copperas Cove to the Mansfield location. I have several friends in my age group mid to late 40s & early 50s who would benefit from HerKare. I understand with our nation experiencing COVID, now might not be the time to open a new location, however, your services could positively impact the well-being of so many women. When the time is right, please open more HerKare locations!
Patient since March 2018
What Causes Female Insomnia
Women may be more likely to have insomnia than men because women experience unique hormonal changes that can cause insomnia symptoms. These include hormonal changes during: The menstrual cycle, especially in the days leading up to their period when many women report problems going to sleep and staying asleep.
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How Can Hormonal Imbalance Insomnia Be Treated
There are different ways that women can attempt to cope with their hormonal imbalance insomnia, for example:
- It is important to target hormonal imbalance insomnia by eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise, keeping the body in good physical health.
- Additionally women can explore different natural pills and therapies that are available, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture.
- For many women their hormonal imbalance insomnia may be caused by extreme stress and anxiety. Thus it is important for them to tackle what is causing them these issues and tackle them directly .
- Alternatively women can visit their medical practitioners to discuss prescribed medications if natural treatments are ineffective.
Thus there are different ways that women can deal with their hormonal imbalance insomnia, they do not have to suffer alone. Although hormonal imbalance insomnia can appear overwhelming it does not have to be. Click here for more information about treating hormonal imbalance insomnia.
Heavy Painful Periods After Stopping Birth Control Pills
Paige shared that the first day her period came back, she was in a yoga class. She could feel the gush of blood and the warmth between her thighs as her period made its grand debut . I panicked, grabbed my mat and ran out of the classroom, she shared. It made her feel like she was reliving her middle school days where her heavy periods sabotaged her favorite clothes and social life.
I think theres a lot of us that can relate. I know I certainly have my share of my period ruined my life stories from middle school.
If heavy periods is the reason you started the pill, chances are theyll be back when you quit. That is, if you dont take steps to clear your estrogen, reduce inflammation and support your nutrient stores.
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Blood Clots: Uncommon But Serious
Blood clots are a rare but potentially serious side effect of oral contraceptives. Each year, a small number of women who take oral contraceptives develop blood clots, notes the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . Women who smoke, are overweight, are over 35, or have recently given birth are considered at higher risk.
Blood clot signs to watch for:
- Breathing problems or chest pain could signal a clot in the heart or lungs.
- Pain, warmth, and swelling in the leg could indicate clotting in the lower leg, called deep vein thrombosis.
If you experience symptoms of a possible blood clot, seek immediate medical attention, says Kyoko Peña-Robles, MD, MPH, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology with One Medical Group in San Francisco.
How Can I Balance My Hormones For Sleep
How to Balance Your Hormones and Get Some SleepAvoid caffeine-containing foods like coffee, black tea, and chocolate at least 3-4 hours before sleep. Eat a lighter dinner thats high in healthy carbs from foods like sweet potatoes, vegetables, whole grains, along with some lean protein. Try a low dose of melatonin.More items
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Hormonal Imbalance And Weight Gain
Hormones play an integral role in metabolism and your bodys ability to use energy. Hormone disorders, such as Cushing syndrome, can cause you to become overweight or develop obesity.
People with Cushing syndrome have high levels of cortisol in their blood. This leads to an increase in appetite and fat storage.
Hypothyroidism, if the condition is severe, can also lead to weight gain.
During menopause, many women gain weight because the metabolism slows down. You may find that even though youre eating and exercising like normal, you still gain weight.
The only way to treat weight gain from a hormone disorder is to treat the underlying condition.
During a normal, healthy pregnancy, your body goes through major hormonal changes. This is different than a hormonal imbalance.
How Menopause Messes With Sleep
As menopause approaches, hormonal changes can affect sleep more than during any other period in a womanâs life.
âThere is a big impact from the loss of hormones, particularly estrogen, and our sleep quality is affected,â says Tristi Muir, MD, director of the Pelvic Health and Continence Center and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. âThere are declining levels of estrogen long before you are in actual menopause.” Hot flashes and irritability can happen off and on throughout the decade before menopause hits, she adds.
Researchers have found that women who have hot flashes during perimenopause are also more likely to have sleep disturbances. About 2/3 of perimenopausal women have hot flashes, according to Muir, and many of these women will also have associated sleep problems.
âSleep studies have shown that women are more prone to having their sleep disturbed in the first half of the night by having a hot flash,â says Sharon Wong, MD, FACOG, chairman of the perinatal department at Adventist Medical Center in Portland. âDuring REM sleep, in the latter half of the night, women seemed to be more able to suppress their sleep disturbances.â
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How Imbalanced Hormones Disrupt Sleep Patterns
Your hormones regulate every system in your body, including digestion, metabolism, reproduction, cardiovascular, temperature, sexuality, growth, and yes, sleep patterns.
In particular, if you have too much of the hormone cortisol coursing through your body, it can cause a serious case of insomnia. Cortisol comes from your adrenal gland and increases when youre stressed. So if youre suffering from anxiety, are worried about a situation at work, or are dealing with too many responsibilities, its not just a mental health issue its a physical problem.
If imbalanced hormones are interfering with your ability to sleep, it could lead to weight gain.
Insomnia Hormones Part Ii
As discussed in the Insomnia Hormones Part I article, hormones can play a leading role in sleep problems and sleep deprivation.
The connection is still pretty mysterious, though, despite many studies linking insomnia with an imbalance of one hormone or another. And perhaps the biggest mystery of all is the cause-and-effect relationship between sleep and hormones. Why do I say this?
Well, because its often difficult to tell the difference between the causes of insomnia and the effects of insomnia. Heres just one example:
It has been reported that chronic insomnia can cause a rise in the stress hormone known as cortisol. But its also been reported that elevated levels of cortisol can cause insomnia. Is it cause? Or effect?
Its easy to see a direct relationship between sleep and stress. When you have stress, you cant sleep. And when you cant sleep, you have more stress. For us chronic insomniacs, its a no-brainer its called life in the tired lane. For all the brilliant research scientists doing the studies, well, apparently its something that needs long hours of pondering and lots of grant money.
This isnt to poke fun at sleep researchers, as they are trying to help chronic insomniacs, no doubt. But doesnt it make sense that an observed effect of insomnia could just as well be its cause? And that the reverse is also true? And why would this be big news?
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