Migraine Analysis Checklist

By Kenneth Matto, D. Min.

 

DISCLAIMER: THIS CHECKLIST IS ONLY A GUIDELINE FOR THOSE WITH MIGRAINE (OR REOCCURRING) HEADACHES WHICH SEEM TO HAVE NO MEDICAL ETIOLOGY AND IS NOT TO BE TAKEN AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION OR TREATMENT!

 

1) IS THERE ANY INCREASE IN CAFFEINE INTAKE?

A. Soda

B. Candy

C. Other

 

Caffeine is an added item and is not natural in soda. In fact, I was told by a VP in the foods business that caffeine is added to soda to get you hooked, akin to what the cigarette manufacturers were doing with nicotine. Drink caffeine free soft drinks.

 

2) HAS THERE BEEN AN ADDITION OR INCREASE IN ASPARTAME?

A. Sugarless Gum

B. Jello

C. Other artificially sweetened products.

 

Aspartame is more commonly know as Nutrasweet and has a quality of creating migraine headaches which was brought out in FDA findings before the product was permitted to be used for human consumption.

 

3) ARE THERE ANY NEW SMELLS OR ODORS IN THE HOUSE?

A. Pets

B. Husbands

C. Room Deodorizers

D. Aerosols

 

An allergic reaction to an odor or smell can trigger migraine headaches.

 

4) HAS THERE BEEN ANY CHANGE IN ROUTINE EITHER IN EATING OR IN EXERCISE?

When the body becomes accustomed to a certain routine, it tends to go into an expectant mode, when the routine is broken, the body tends to go into panic mode. For example, I had a migraine level headache every Sunday afternoon like clockwork. It had me baffled until I realized that Monday through Saturday at 10:00 AM I have a coffee and a donut but on Sunday I was in Sunday School at that time and thus, I broke my routine, and sometimes received a fierce headache, sometimes lasting 3 days but mitigating after 2.

 

5) WHAT TYPE OF PILLOW DOES THE PERSON SLEEP WITH?

A. A feather pillow may mat and cause contortions of the neck or a muscular stretch on one side of the neck, and thus a muscular based

     migraine will occur.

B. An Orthopedic Pillow may be in order.

 

6) HAS THE PERSON BEEN CHECKED FOR TEMPORAL MANDIBULAR JOINT SYNDROME?

TMJ is responsible for the creation of many headaches. Also people have a natural reaction to Amalgam fillings which contain mercury. Mercury is a deadly poison to the body and the body is giving a signal that it rejects it.

 

7) IS THE PERSON FACING INCREASED STRESS IN THEIR LIFE?

A. Peer Pressure

B. Parental Pressure

C. Project Pressure ( A person might have a project or event which may be causing stress until that project or event is over.

 

8) WHAT TYPE OF LIGHTING IS THE PERSON USING?

A. Fluorescent lights have been known to cause headaches

B. Lights too bright may cause headaches

C. Lights too low may cause eye strain causing headaches

 

9) WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE PERSON HAD A FULL EYE EXAM?

A. Have a Glaucoma and Field Vision Test

B. Glasses may be needed

C. Sometimes eyes become stronger or weaker and prescription glasses must be adjusted accordingly

 

10) DOES THE PERSON WEAR TIGHT OR RESTRICTIVE CLOTHING?

Anything which constricts the flow of blood in the body is a potential danger. The wearing of loose clothing is not only healthier but more comfortable.

 

11) IS THERE AN INCREASE IN THE INTAKE OF SWEETS?

A. Candy bars, soda, Kool-Aid, etc. are all basically sugar and should be eaten sparingly

B. Many of the so-called "Fruit and Sports Drinks" are laden with sugar. Some of these are Corn Syrup, Fructose, and High Fructose

     Syrup

 

12) IS THERE AN INCREASE IN SALT?

A. Salt is contained in almost every processed food including Chocolate milk.

B. Increased salt tends to cause water retention and constricts blood vessels.

C. Eat potato chips without salt. We get needed salt in foods we eat. We need only mineral salts.

 

I suffered from headaches which sometimes caused me to sit in a darkened room for up to 8 hours. I know a woman who suffered from ocular migraines on a monthly basis and we were able to find a herbal combination for her which has reduced the frequency of those headaches to every several months. While headaches still remain a mystery to the medical profession, there are things we can do to find out what is causing them. Our hurried lifestyle is a ripe spawning ground for them. Sometimes when we experience just a simple headache, maybe it is God's way of slowing us down. Think about it!

 

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