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Articles categorized as Headache

Article imageTerry Graedon - August 26, 2024
Article imageTerry Graedon - August 19, 2024
Article imageTerry Graedon - August 29, 2024 - 14 comments

What Can You Do to Stop a Migraine?

How do you stop a migraine once it has begun? Ubrelvy or an ice-cream headache may help. Acupuncture may also help prevent migraines.

Joe Graedon - June 16, 2024

What Do You Really Know About Scary Ibuprofen Side Effects?

Terry Graedon - June 2, 2024

How to Head Off a Migraine with a Supplement

Terry Graedon - April 24, 2024

Can You Prevent Migraines by Watching Your Diet?

Terry Graedon - February 22, 2024

Show 1375: The Science Supporting Home Remedies

Joe Graedon - September 7, 2023

Antidepressant Combination (Amitriptyline & Sertraline) Caused Disastrous Convulsions

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Joe Graedon - August 14, 2023

Metformin (Glucophage) Side Effects & Complications

Metformin (Glucophage) is the most popular drug for type 2 diabetes, but it can be hard on the GI tract and kidneys. Metformin vs. cancer?

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Terry Graedon - June 22, 2023

How Do You Weigh the Benefits and Risks of Aspirin?

Before starting a daily regimen, carefully consider the benefits and risks of aspirin. Will you be helped or harmed by this amazing drug?

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Terry Graedon - June 22, 2023

Could Aimovig Prevent Your Painful Recurrent Migraines?

People who suffer with recurrent migraines may be able to prevent them with Aimovig, Ajovy or Emgality. This can be life changing.

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Joe Graedon - June 22, 2023

The Inside Story of Tamiflu Side Effects & Benefits

What's the story on drugs for influenza: Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Xofluza (baloxavir)? What about Tamiflu side effects? Beware nausea!

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Terry Graedon - April 27, 2023

Show 1339: Harnessing the Power of the Vagus Nerve

Stimulating the vagus nerve can calm us down and reduce inflammation. It may have many applications in promoting health.

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Joe Graedon - March 6, 2023

Is Aimovig Migraine Medicine an Advance or a Breakthrough?

Have you ever had a headache? How about a migraine? FDA has approved drugs like Aimovig, Ajovy and Emgality. How good are these migraine meds?

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Joe Graedon - August 25, 2022

Why Did Hot Pepper Headache Land Man in the Emergency Room?

Hot pepper lovers search for ever hotter chili peppers. The Carolina Reaper is dubbed the hottest pepper in the world. Beware a headache!

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Terry Graedon - March 17, 2022

Show 1294: New Treatments for Migraine Headaches

In this week's radio show, we interview a patient advocate and a headache specialist about new treatments for migraine headaches.

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Terry Graedon - August 23, 2021

Can Feverfew at the First Sign of Migraine Prevent the Pain?

The medicinal herbs feverfew and butterbur can prevent migraine. Taking feverfew at the first sign of migraine stops the headache.

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Terry Graedon - February 25, 2021

How Exercise Can Help Prevent Migraines

A new study suggests that regular exercise–around half an hour a day–could help prevent migraines. Activity reduces stress and insomnia.

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Terry Graedon - October 8, 2020

COVID-19 Has Neurological Effects in Most Patients

Four out of five patients recovering from COVID-19 reported neurological effects such as headache, confusion or dizziness at some point.

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Terry Graedon - April 29, 2019

What Medicines Stop a Cluster Headache Emergency?

A person suffering a cluster headache emergency needs something that will work right away. Inhaling oxygen can help. One reader found Zomig worked.

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Terry Graedon - September 17, 2018

Will Vicks VapoRub Ease Facial Pain?

One reader found that applying a few dabs of Vicks to the forehead can ease facial pain. The essential oils in this remedy have analgesic activity.

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Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh - June 7, 2018

How to Ease Migraine Pain without Prescriptions

What provokes your migraine pain? Finding out what sets your headaches off and arranging your life so you avoid the triggers can go a long way toward pain relief.

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Terry Graedon - April 30, 2018

How Could a Cold Mouth Stop Your Migraine?

The key to stopping a migraine as soon as it starts could be a cold mouth. Ice, ice cream, icy drinks like iced tea or iced coffee and milk shakes have all provided relief.

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Terry Graedon - January 15, 2018

Do You Absorb Magnesium from Your Armpits?

Applying milk of magnesia to your armpits can cut body odor. Scientists haven't seen proof that much magnesium is absorbed through the skin.

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Terry Graedon - July 24, 2017

Is There a Beer That Won’t Cause Headaches?

A reader's careful detective work identified beer as his headache trigger. Can he find a beer to enjoy that won't cause him head pain?

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Terry Graedon - June 5, 2017

How Can You Reduce Your Recurring Headaches?

One reader found that drinking tart cherry juice every night eliminated recurring headaches, perhaps due to the anti-inflammatory activity of cherries.

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Joe Graedon - May 15, 2017

Can You Cure Killer Headaches With Ice Packs?

Did you know that there could be a scientific explanation for why ice packs work to overcome killer headaches? TRP ion channels respond to cold.

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Terry Graedon - May 8, 2017

Medicine for Sore Feet Linked to Unexpected Headaches

Suddenly stopping arthritis medicine for sore feet had an unexpected and unwelcome result: rebound migraine headaches! What's the solution?

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Terry Graedon - May 1, 2017

Will Ice Stop a Killer Headache?

Can wrapping the head in ice put a halt to severe head pain? One reader says yes; others try causing brain freeze by drinking ice water.

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Terry Graedon - February 6, 2017

How Could Spicy Soup Stop Your Migraine?

Eating some spicy soup at the first hint of a migraine headache can stimulate TRP channels in the neurons and reverse the pain cascade.

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Terry Graedon - January 30, 2017

Taking Vitamin D to Prevent Chronic Headaches

One reader found that vitamin D supplements could prevent chronic headaches. A Finnish study backs the testimonial up with data.

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Terry Graedon - January 12, 2017

Is Lack of Vitamin D Behind Your Chronic Headaches?

Men with the lowest levels of vitamin D in their bloodstreams were twice as likely to suffer chronic headaches as men with the highest vitamin D levels.

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Joe Graedon - November 7, 2016

Can Stopping Excedrin Suddenly Cause A Severe Headache?

Caffeine can boost the effectiveness of pain relievers, especially when it comes to headaches. But stopping caffeine quickly can cause withdrawal headaches.

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Joe Graedon - September 26, 2016

Prescription for Licorice Pills Was Almost Lethal

We love licorice. High-quality natural licorice candy is wonderful. But too much licorice, whether as candy or in pills, can be dangerous in not deadly.

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Terry Graedon - August 29, 2016

How to Stop a Migraine with a Mocha Frappuccino

A very cold drink to induce brain freeze might stop a migraine in its tracks. One reader says be sure it includes some caffeine.

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Terry Graedon - August 13, 2016

How to Prevent Migraines by Eating Gluten-Free

Could following a gluten-free diet help a person avoid frequent migraine headaches? Those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity benefit.

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Joe Graedon - November 30, 2015

Iced Cappuccino Heads Off Killer Headaches

Cold drinks or ice cream can sometimes stop a headache or migraine before it takes hold. Find out why an iced cappuccino might work this magic.

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Joe Graedon - August 17, 2015

Brain Freeze Saved the Day By Stopping Migraine In Its Tracks

It seems counterintuitive that causing brain freeze could stop a migraine cold. We have heard from lots of headache sufferers that it works really well.

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Joe Graedon - June 18, 2015

See How Brain Freeze Works Fast for Bad Headaches

How about an inexpensive and rapid remedy for really bad headaches? It could be as close as your freezer. Brain freeze can sometimes stop a migraine fast.

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Joe Graedon - May 25, 2015

Simple Remedy to Ease Migraine Headache Pain

A reader describes an inexpensive, readily accessible remedy to ease migraine headache pain if used at the very first hint of a headache.

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Joe Graedon - September 9, 2014

Sulfite Reaction from Healthy Veggies Triggers Horrible Headaches

Sulfite preservatives are hidden ingredients in many foods and can cause headaches and other hard-to-diagnose symptoms.

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Terry Graedon - July 28, 2014

Using Headache Medicines Frequently Ends Up Causing Repeat Headaches

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Terry Graedon - July 17, 2014

Must Wife Swear Off Chocolate to Avoid Horrible Headaches?

Many people fear that eating chocolate or drinking wine will trigger horrible headaches. For some migraine sufferers, this may be true, but not for all.

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Terry Graedon - March 10, 2014

B Vitamin Riboflavin Helps Prevent Migraine Headaches

A simple supplement, the B vitamin riboflavin, can often be effective at preventing migraine headaches or reducing the pain.

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Terry Graedon - December 26, 2013

Cut Kids’ Headaches with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Terry Graedon - December 9, 2013

Could Mothballed Sofa Be Making His Family Sick?

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Terry Graedon - July 22, 2013

Natural Cure for Headaches

A mixture of apple cider, lemon juice and honey in water provided one reader with a natural cure for headaches. What do you use for head pain?

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Terry Graedon - March 11, 2013

What Works Against Weather-Induced Headaches?

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Terry Graedon - August 27, 2012

Different Diet Diminished Migraines

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Terry Graedon - April 16, 2012

Cacao Nibs Avert Headache

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Terry Graedon - November 14, 2011

Drumsticks Defeat Horrible Headache

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Terry Graedon - July 26, 2010

Gluten-Free Diet Eliminates Headaches

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Terry Graedon - June 11, 2010

How to Cope with Headaches

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Terry Graedon - June 10, 2010

Natural Relief for Headaches

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Joe Graedon - April 21, 2008

Vitamin Vanquishes Vicious Headache Cycle

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Joe Graedon - April 14, 2008

Ginger Beats Back Migraine Headaches

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Terry Graedon - October 9, 2006

Beware Brand Name Creep in the Drugstore

Brand name expansion is the name of the game in OTC drugs. The more shelf space the better for the company. It can lead to confusion for consumers.