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How Hard Is It to Stop Antidepressants?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:18 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #435) and blog, I talk to clinical researcher and fellow at University College London Dr. Mark Horowitz on his own experience on psychiatric medication, the many myths surrounding antidepressants, safely withdrawing from psychiatric drugs, and so much more! Mark works in London as a Clinical Research Fellow in the NHS and an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at UCL while training as a psychiatry. As well as his work in this field, he has also completed a PhD in the neurobiology of depression and the pharmacology of antidepressants at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. But Mark does more than study psychiatric medications. As he notes, “At the same time as researching the way in which antidepressants worked I have also been taking this medication since I was a medical student. It was not until 15 years later that I tried to come off this medication as I wondered whether it was responsible for the fatigue which had led to me being diagnosed with the sleep disorder, narcolepsy. When I tried to come off this antidepressant over 4 months I received a very abrupt education into antidepressant withdrawal symptoms. I experienced insomnia, panic attacks, dizziness, anxiety and low mood. This was nothing like the Woody Allen-level neurosis that had led me to start them in the first place – and I had experienced nothing like it before. It was also something that I had not been taught about at medical school or in psychiatry training. I soon learnt by reading the academic literature available that the psychiatrists and academics at the institution I had studied at and others like them around the world had little helpful to say about withdrawal effects from antidepressants – they recommended stopping the drugs over 2 to 4 weeks, and reported that the symptoms were mild and brief. Many prominent academics with close ties to pharmaceutical companies attacked academics and patients who complained of trouble coming off their antidepressants, accusing them of malingering, or seeking legal payments. Instead, the place where I found the most useful advice was online peer-support websites (especially Surviving Antidepressants) filled with people trying to come off their antidepressants. There I found people describing the exact same symptoms I had experienced: like me, their symptoms were neither mild, nor brief. And this was not a handful of people – instead I found tens of thousands of people with near identical complaints. None seemed to be malingerers, in it for a buck or ignorant – they all had been told by doctors that there would be no major issue in coming off their medication and all had been given unhelpful advice by their doctors to come off in just a few weeks. Even more helpfully for me, these online groups described a better way to come off antidepressants: going down by small amounts, that become smaller and smaller as the total dose got lower, and going down to very tiny amounts before completely stopping. I am using this method to come off the antidepressant I have been on for so many years, as well as the other psychiatric drugs I ended up being prescribed, in what I now see as a prescribing cascade, where adverse effects led to more medications. Reducing my medication has greatly improved the tiredness, problems with memory and concentration that have plagued me for years (and for which I was given psychiatric and neurological explanations).” Indeed, based on his research and experience, Mark has written an excellent paper about how to come off antidepressants that was published in The Lancet Psychiatry and widely reported. He also works with other doctors and the public how to teach people how to safely taper off antidepressants and other psychiatric medications based on his own personal and professional experiences, and the realization that he has been “misled on how difficult it is to stop psychiatric medications”. Mark has dedicated his career to “re-evaluating the other information he has taken for granted about psychiatric medications, how they work, what they are treating and what their long-term effects might be” and helping people who are suffering find ways to heal and be at peace within their own minds. Mark is also one of the authors of the groundbreaking study on the serotonin depression myth that recently made headlines around the world. As mentioned in my interview with journalist and mental health advocate Robert Whitakerand my interview with psychiatrist, researcher and professor Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, the chemical imbalance theory has been around for a long time. From the 1970s, drug companies and many mental health professionals have largely marketed psychiatric drugs as anti-psychotic, anti-depressive, or anxiolytic (anti-anxiety)—cures combating a particular disease, notwithstanding the lack of evidence for chemical imbalances or other pathologies related to mental illness. This was recently highlighted in the groundbreaking systematic review study led by Dr. Mike Horowitz, Dr. Joanna Moncrieff and their team. As they note in their study on the serotonin theory of depression (alongside many other mental health professionals and advocates), the chemical imbalance approach is shaped by the assumption that symptoms of depression and other mental health issues are caused by a brain chemical abnormality, and that psychotropics like anti-depressants help rectify this abnormality and improve mental health. Even though this hypothesis dominates the way we think about mental health, we have no evidence that it is the best way to understand mental issues, as Mark and his team point out. First, there is no strong evidence that mental struggles like depression, for example, is associated with any particular biochemical abnormality. Moreover, we do not know if the drugs we use work in this way, i.e. correcting biochemical imbalances. This is due to the fact that the mental health drugs we use are psychoactive. They cross the blood-brain barrier and change the normal state of the brain, which means they can change our feelings, thoughts, perceptions and even behaviors, just in the same way a substance like alcohol can (as Dr. Moncrieff discussed in our interview). As Mark, Joanna and the other authors of the study note in their article in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, “the main areas of serotonin research provide no consistent evidence of there being an association between serotonin and depression, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations”. If we do not have good evidence that psychiatric medications like antidepressants do not work by correcting or reversing a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression, it is important that we review the way we use their drugs, many of which may even cause chemical imbalances in the brain, and can have many negative side effects (like the ones Mark himself experienced) that, unfortunately, are often just assumed to be the result of the mental condition returning. This is why he is passionate about helping people safely withdraw from these medications. As Mark notes, there is actually very little official guidance on how to stop psychiatric medication safely. There has been very little research on this subject, although, thankfully, this is changing, not least through the work done by Mark and other professionals like him. The key thing to understand about withdrawal is that“no one should stop their antidepressant medication abruptly—this can be dangerous and is known to cause withdrawal effects, which can be severe and long-lasting in some people, especially those using the medications long-term. If anyone is considering this choice…discuss it with your doctor and, if you go ahead, to undertake a gradual and supported reduction as advised by recent Royal College of Psychiatry guidance.” There are ways to withdraw from psychiatric drugs safely, which Mark has written extensively about including in a recent paper about how to come off antidepressants, although this should always be done under the guidance of an appropriate medical professional. When withdrawing, there are several key points to consider: Come off psychiatric medication SLOWLY. Go down in SMALL AMOUNTS. It is very important to understand that very small amounts of any kind of psychiatric medication can have large effects on the brain. It is important to note that with psychiatric drugs you can reduce higher doses a lot quicker than lower doses. For lower levels, people often use tapering strips or liquids to reduce the drug by very small amounts over time. This is why it is important to make smaller and smaller reductions over time as you get down to lower doses (by proportion), based on the effect these doses have on the brain. It is necessary to take a flexible approach as everyone’s situation and past history is different, and avoid switching between certain drugs as much as possible. There are different ways to decrease doses, which should be done under the guidance of a medical professional. These include dividing tablets, using a liquid version of the drug and a syringe, and using compounding pharmacies to order smaller doses or tapering strips. There are also great sources of information like Mad in America, Rxisk, ISEPP and other patient-run websites (like the kind Mark mentions) that seek to provide people with helpful information and address all parts of the human experience, not just our biology. To read the original article click here.

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‘There’s Something Wrong with Me’: Domestic Abuse Victims Could Have Traumatic Brain Injuries

AHA Publisher — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 07:00:24 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Domestic violence is a terrible crime, often leading to a lifetime of emotional and physical scars. That can include traumatic brain injuries, which often go undetected. Now a growing number of domestic abuse advocates are trying to change that. Paula’s Story Like many domestic violence victims, Paula Walters has been hit in the head more times than she can count. “Not just the slaps to the head,” she told CBN News, “But it was physically, him pounding my head against the cement and the tile floor. ” Unfortunately, that cruel treatment was all too familiar for Paula. “I was a child abuse victim, so I didn’t see anything very wrong with what he did,” she said. It wasn’t unusual for Paula to be hit in the head multiple times in one day, something other abuse victims often report. “In the car, if he was mad, hit me across the head if I said something, mouthed off or anything,” Paula said. “He had a pole, it was that long, and he’d hit me in the head, especially in the back, and the neck.” Paula left her abuser decades ago. She’s in a safe, healthy relationship now. Through her nonprofit organization, The Courageous Survivor she tries to educate and empower other abuse victims. However, despite her progress, Paula still suffers from brain-related repercussions from her years of abuse, such as sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and more. “My memory, I have a really hard time,” she said, “Tell me something, to go to the store to get two items, and I’ll get there and can’t remember the two items.” A doctor’s visit and an MRI revealed Paula suffered from extensive brain damage which is likely permanent and could cause her increasing difficulty as she ages. “He still controls my life very much,” she said, “My life might end early because of him. I have to worry about, I might not get to see my grandkids potentially because of him and there’s nothing I can do.” Not Just Football Players About 15 years ago, doctors discovered football players who were repeatedly hit in the head, often developed the brain disease called CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalitis. Now, researchers are taking a closer look at domestic violence victims who have been repeatedly hit in the head to determine whether they too may have CTE or other types of brain injuries. These diseases can cause personalities to change, steal memories, and lead to early death. Lee Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher and clinical team leader at the Boston University CTE Center told CBN News, “What happens over time is that these repetItive injuries, these repetitive insults to the brain, accumulate, cause damage to the brain, and then trigger a neurodegenerative disease that then progresses over time, even in the absence of further insults.” Dr. Goldstein emphasizes CTE can occur in people who have never sustained a concussion, but who instead have repeatedly been hit in the head, regardless of whether any of the blows caused a concussion. Researchers are reportedly close to developing a test to diagnose CTE in people who are alive, but right now, the only way to determine whether a person definitely had CTE is to examine their brain after their death. “Unfortunately at the present time we have no way to definitively diagnose CTE in living persons at this point,” said Dr. Goldstein. Scientists at the B.U. CTE Center have confirmed CTE in the donated brains of over a thousand people, mostly deceased football players, who exhibited CTE symptoms while they were still alive. “The forgetfulness, the changes in behavior, the changes in mood, the changes in personality, and often aggression, violence, homicide, suicide, and the like,” Dr. Goldstein explained. The B.U. CTE Center has also confirmed CTE in a small number of brains from battered women, mainly due to lack of access. “Intimate partner abuse, or domestic violence, we have far fewer individuals who have donated with this type of a background, so we’re in really urgent need,” explained Dr. Goldstein, adding, “The donations are essential not only for helping the next person down the line who may be at risk for this, but also to help families understand what was going on with their loved one.” Making the Connection Surprisingly, until very recently, it didn’t occur to many in the medical community, victim advocates, and abused women themselves, that repeated hits to the head were likely causing traumatic brain injuries. “We have to start connecting domestic violence and brain injury,” Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RA, the Founder and Director of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury, a project of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, is one of the few to research this connection. “One of the most important revelations we found,” she told CBN News, “is how common hits to the head are. We’ve known that, but connecting hits to the head with the possible consequence of brain injury is something that seems kind of obvious after the fact,” she said, but nevertheless, “Brain injury never played a part of that conversation.” Now that the connection between domestic abuse victims who’ve been repeatedly hit in the head and traumatic brain injury has been made, Ramirez is trying to raise awareness among people best positioned to help victims. “The first person they reach out to when they’re struggling with abuse, it’s not us,” she said, “They’re not calling our hotlines. They’re talking to your viewers. They’re talking to their friends, they’re talking to their families, they’re talking to their pastor.” Recognizing the risk of permanent brain injury from domestic abuse could potentially motivate more victims to leave dangerous partners, get medical attention, and stop blaming themselves for the symptoms they’re experiencing such as depression, difficulty remembering, and trouble with problem-solving. Ramirez said domestic violence victims often know “there’s something wrong,” but generally keep it to themselves and, “often attribute that to either a psychological issue, to, ‘There’s something wrong with me,’ to, ‘I’m stupid. I’m crazy.'” Shelters Now Getting Involved When women gather the strength to seek help from domestic abuse shelters, more of the people who work at these help centers are beginning to consider the possibility that the women coming to them could be suffering from traumatic brain injury. One of those is Samaritan House, which provides emergency and permanent housing, support services and community outreach to victims of violence in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. “We do assessments for every woman who comes into our program, and ask her some survey questions, to see what types of injuries she’s had, or symptoms she’s had, from possibly being punched in the head, or slapped or hit, where she could have some traumatic brain injury from that,” Robin Gauthier, Samaritan House Executive Director told CBN News. Those questions include inquiries about physical health, such as whether the woman has experienced headaches, dizziness, and vision problems, mental health, concerning problems with memory, concentration, and staying organized. Emotions also play a part, including irritability, nervousness and depression. “It’s a very scary situation to think someone is being hurt so badly that they could get a traumatic brain injury,” Gauthier said, “Why are perpetrators being allowed to abuse, and why aren’t they going to jail more often for longer lengths of time so they don’t continue to cumulatively hurt other people?” Counting the number of domestic abuse victims with brain injuries is difficult. Many choose to suffer in silence. Those who seek medical treatment often minimize their injuries or lie about how they got them. “Sometimes women carry so much shame they don’t want to tell anyone,” Gauthier explained, “And then the other thing is sometimes it’s dangerous if they do tell what’s going on, and then they’re going back home to that abuser, they’re going to get hurt even worse.” “The damage is done,” Walters said, “I don’t get to take a pill and have it better.” While treatments for brain injuries are limited, some can get better, especially when identified early. Some things that help are lots of rest, a healthy diet, and most importantly, avoiding future head injuries. To read the original article click here.

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Vitamin B12 Side Effects & What They Mean

AHA Publisher — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 07:00:14 +0000

Rachael Link, MS, RD via Dr. Axe – Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an important water-soluble vitamin that plays a central role in several aspects of health, including brain function, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. It’s also considered an “essential nutrient” because your body is unable to produce it on its own and needs to obtain it from food sources or supplementation. In recent years, research has unearthed a number of vitamin B12 side effects, including positive effects, such as its ability to improve energy levels, enhance mood and keep your heart healthy. Although incorporating a good variety of vitamin B12 foods in the diet can help most people meet their needs for cobalamin, supplementation is sometimes necessary for those who may have underlying health conditions or take certain medications. Like all supplements, however, there are several vitamin B12 benefits and side effects to consider. So what are the side effects of vitamin B12? How can you minimize these potential vitamin B12 side effects while maximizing the benefits? Here’s what you need to know. Positive Vitamin B12 Side Effects Does B12 have side effects? What does B12 do for your body? Here are a few of the top vitamin B12 benefits for men and women: 1. Prevents Deficiency Taking a vitamin B12 supplement is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent a vitamin B12 deficiency, especially if you don’t regularly consume foods high in this important water-soluble vitamin. Some of the most common side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include weakness, anemia, constipation, decreased appetite and unintentional weight loss. 2. May Boost Energy Levels Vitamin B12 plays an integral role in energy production and is essential for converting the foods that you eat into a form of energy that can be used by the body. It’s also necessary for the formation of red blood cells, which help supply the cells with oxygen so they can function properly. While research is lacking on whether taking a vitamin B12 supplement can improve energy levels on its own, it can aid in energy production and may be especially beneficial for boosting energy levels if you’re lacking in this key micronutrient. 3. Supports Growth and Development Vitamin B12 is absolutely essential during pregnancy for ensuring healthy fetal growth and development. Not only is vitamin B12 crucial for preventing birth defects, but a deficiency may also increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. For this reason, vitamin B12 is a common component of most prenatal vitamins and can also be found in many fortified foods. 4. Keeps Skin, Hair and Nails Healthy Some of the most visible signs of vitamin B12 deficiency can be spotted right in your hair, skin and nails. In fact, some of the most common symptoms of deficiency include hyperpigmentation of the skin and nails, hair changes, vitiligo, and angular stomatitis, which is a condition that causes cracks and inflammation in the corners of the mouth. Fortunately, several case reports have found that these changes may be reversible by correcting the deficiency with supplementation. 5. Improves Mood One of the most surprising vitamin B12 injections side effects is the ability to improve mood and mental health. This is because vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor for neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, both of which are key regulators of mood and emotion. Preliminary research also shows that pairing vitamin B12 supplementation with antidepressants could help significantly reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder to a greater extent than treatment with an antidepressant alone. 6. Promotes Heart Health Vitamin B12 is important for the metabolism of homocysteine, a type of amino acid in the blood that may be tied to a higher risk of heart disease. In addition to decreasing homocysteine levels, which could potentially help reduce the risk of heart disease, some research also indicates that higher vitamin B12 levels may be linked to improved outcomesfor those who have suffered from an ischemic stroke and may be associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease. Negative Vitamin B12 Side Effects Despite the multitude of benefits associated with vitamin B12, can too much vitamin B12 be harmful and what happens when you have too much of it in your body? Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that excess amounts are flushed out of the body through the urine, making a vitamin B12 overdose nearly impossible. However, while vitamin B12 is safe when used as recommended, there are several vitamin B12 injection side effects to consider as well. Research indicates that there may be adverse effects of intramuscular vitamin B12, or B12 injections. Some common issues include fever, itching and tingling or numbness of the joint. Other possible vitamin B12 shot side effects include: Headache Dizziness Rash Facial flushing Skin redness Cold symptoms Anxiety Swelling Diarrhea Vomiting High blood pressure How to Prevent The best way to avoid the potential side effects of too much vitamin B12 is to get the majority of your vitamin B12 from nutrient-rich food sources, including meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. Enjoying these foods alongside a variety of other healthy ingredients as part of a balanced diet can help ensure you meet your needs and reduce the risk of too many vitamin B12 side effects. In some cases, supplementation may be necessary, especially if you don’t regularly consume foods high in vitamin B12 or have issues with vitamin absorption. In that case, be sure to stick to the recommended vitamin B12 dosage, and use only as directed. If negative vitamin B12 supplement side effects persist, consider decreasing your dosage, or consult with your doctor. Precautions/When to See Doctor Supplementing with vitamin B12 may not be right for everyone and can even be contraindicated in some cases due to the potential vitamin B12 side effects. For example, those with high blood pressure, heart problems, skin conditions, blood disorders, gout and low potassium levels should use vitamin B12 with caution and may want to consider talking to a trusted health care practitioner before starting supplementation. Certain medications or supplements can also interfere with vitamin B12 supplements. What medications should not be taken with B12? Folic acid, potassium, vitamin C and chloramphenicol, a type of broad-spectrum antibiotic, may all interfere with vitamin B12 in the body. In order to minimize vitamin B12 supplements side effects, it’s best to stick to the recommended dosage and use as directed. If you experience any persistent vitamin B12 tablets side effects or serious symptoms, talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you. Conclusion In recent years, research has unearthed a number of vitamin B12 side effects, including positive effects, such as its ability to improve energy levels, enhance mood and keep your heart healthy, and negative effects that may occur when there’s too much in the body. The best way to avoid the potential side effects of too much vitamin B12 is to get the majority of your vitamin B12 from nutrient-rich food sources, including meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. For some people, taking supplements is necessary, but to minimize vitamin B12 supplements side effects, stick to the recommended dosage and use as directed. To read the original article click here.

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Chemical Sensitivities Affect a Quarter of Americans, Study Suggests

AHA Publisher — Fri, 20 May 2022 07:00:20 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – It was recently revealed that one-quarter of the population of the United States is vulnerable to chemical sensitivities. The average person’s exposure to chemicals continues to increase with each passing day as more additives are implemented into food, beverages, consumer products, and other materials. The fact that such a large percentage of the population is susceptible to chemical sensitivities means there is clearly a growing problem that needs to be addressed. So, let’s talk about some solutions here. You May Be Wondering: Are Chemical Sensitivities Becoming a Major Public Health Issue? The short answer is yes! Multiple chemical sensitivity (also known as MCS) is a chronic physical illness that affects individuals of all ages. The increase in MCS prevalence can cause significant allergic reactions in response to exposure to minimal amounts of chemicals. However, if such chemicals are used in everyday consumer products and the number of people who have allergic reactions to those products continues to increase, there is the potential for a sizable and meaningful public health issue to develop in the years ahead. MCS is best described as a disease that causes the body’s pathways for detoxification to be compromised due to the environment or genetics. MCS patients have a negative reaction after exposure to chemicals in paints, household items, plastics, perfume, car exhaust, clothing, and all sorts of different items. Those saddled by MCS struggle with their energy level, neurology, respiratory system functionality, etc. Many MCS sufferers complain of vertigo, dizziness, and brain fog. By the way, wearing a mask – for extended periods of time, each day – is only making it worse for people dealing with brain fog. Chemicals Are Now Severe Triggers The National Resources Defense Council states in excess of 80,000 chemicals have been interwoven with our environment dating back to the mid-1940s. The introduction of such chemicals is problematic as few were sufficiently tested to determine if they harm human health, animal health, or the planet itself. The problem is that those chemicals are clearly making it more challenging for the body to detoxify, ultimately making it difficult to function without setbacks after chemical exposure. As an example, some of the most common MCS triggers include solvents, fragrances, pesticides, and certain VOCs. VOC is an acronym short for volatile organic compounds. Chemical Sensitivity Reduces Quality of Life It is awfully concerning to learn that a single fragrance alone can contain 600 petroleum-based chemicals. Sadly, the manufacturers of fragrances and certain other products have gone to the extent of concealing the chemicals used in their products with “trade secrets,” meaning the public will not know which chemicals are introduced into the environment by specific products and companies. However, an initial lab analysis of some of the most common fragrances reveals they contain highly toxic chemicals, including some substances on the Hazardous Waste list as posted on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website. Part of the problem with living with chemical sensitivities is the fact that it causes an extraordinarily high level of sensitivity to certain substances. For example, individuals dealing with MCS are between 100 and 1,000 times as sensitive to chemical-laden fragrances than those who are considered healthy. MCS sufferers who are sounding the alarm about the seeming ubiquity of chemicals may be a preview of a future in which an excess of chemicals causes heightened and widespread sensitivity. What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risks? Here are a few tips to minimize your risks and lower your toxic burden: Pay attention: If your favorite personal care products have unwanted chemicals … stop buying them and find alternatives. Read the labels carefully: If you can’t understand the ingredients … it’s probably bad for you. Avoid products with “fragrance” as an ingredient … look for essential oils instead. Educate yourself: Many of today’s most common chemicals are put inside food and personal care products. Eat organic, locally sourced food, as much as possible. Try to locate a farmers market or get to know your local organic farmer. If you are highly sensitive: Invest in a home/work air purification system and be sure to drink pure (clean) water. Clean up your bedroom: Investing in a non-toxic mattress and organic sheets can really help you to minimize toxic exposure. Sadly, unless we take action to prevent even more chemicals from being used in consumer products, chemical sensitivity will likely become much more common. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comment section below. Sources for this article include: NIH.org ChildrensHealthDefense.org Mold-help.org To read the original article click here.

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6 Ways to Naturally Eliminate Migraines

AHA Publisher — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:00:45 +0000

Dr. Matthew Roe via NaturalHealth365 – Migraine headaches are the second most common type of primary headache after tension headaches. And, just to be clear, a “primary” headache is a headache that is not caused by another disease or condition. Along with debilitating pain, migraines can generate blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Often without much warning, migraines can happen once a year, monthly, or several times a week. And, unfortunately, migraines can either occur with an aura – which is known as the classic migraine – or without an aura, which is called a common migraine. What can trigger a migraine? The possible migraine triggers not only vary from one individual to another, but encompass a whole range of common substances. This can include hormonal imbalances, synthetic fragrances, processed cereals (or other junk foods) and skipping meals. A simple drop in blood sugar can cause all kinds of health issues including head pain. The list of possible triggers is so long – it often appears impossible to eliminate the so-called causes. In the food category alone the list is extensive and includes ripened and aged cheese, poor-quality chocolate, citrus fruits, conventionally-raised (processed) meat with nitrites such as hot dogs, MSG, caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Food additive such as nitrites, sulfites, and aspartame can be the culprit behind a migraine. In fact, studies show a large percentage of migraine sufferers point to specific foods as the trigger. Non-food triggers include changes in the atmosphere such as drops in barometric pressure, high temperatures and bright, fluorescent lights. Many women get migraines monthly due to hormone fluctuations or the use of birth control pills. However, one of the most common migraine triggers seems to be chronic stress. It is a known fact that anxiety, worry, depression and moods changes can all release specific brain chemicals – which can trigger a migraine. Sadly, Western medicine promotes the use of analgesic migraine medications – including both prescription pain relievers and over-the-counter drugs – which produce “rebound” headaches. The point here is simple: no pill will ever solve the (underlying) problem associated with chronic head pain. A better way to achieve freedom from chronic headache pain Even with many drugs, lifestyle techniques, and surgical options available to treat and prevent the onset of a migraine – finding the right combination of therapies to manage migraines can be difficult. Fortunately, there is growing scientific evidence to suggest that natural means are just as effective as prescription medication and, many times, even more effective. #1 – Biofeedback: Most studies on biofeedback show that it can reduce the frequency and duration of headaches. The effects of biofeedback appear to be comparable to many drugs used for chronic headaches, and can be recommended as early treatment for recurrent migraines. #2 – Acupuncture: Albrecht Molsberger, MD, a medical acupuncture said it is at least as effective as blood pressure medication such as, beta-blockers – most often used for migraine prevention. The American Headache Society has recommended acupuncture for migraines. Acupuncture helps the natural energy flow and is thought to correct an energy disruption which leads to a migraine. #3 – Melatonin: Two-thirds of study participants who took melatonin before going to bed every night for 3 months said the number of migraines they experienced dropped by 50%. #4 – Magnesium: Studies have shown that migraine sufferers have low brain magnesium during migraine attacks and may also suffer from a magnesium deficiency. It is thought magnesium deficiency may play a particularly important role in menstrual migraine. #5 – Diet: It pays to avoid headache-inducing substances, including nitrites in processed meats, sugar, processed foods, chocolate, nuts aged cheese, aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG) used in foods as a flavor enhancer. It’s also worth mentioning that dehydration is a major cause of headaches. Even though food may not be the underlying cause of a migraine, a poor diet does contribute to the problem by depleting vitamins and minerals – which are meant to help ward off an attack. #6 – Upper cervical chiropractic treatment: The most recent research is showing that the most plausible cause of migraine headaches resides in the autonomic nervous system. The swelling of the blood vessels in the brain and the drop in neurotransmitters are secondary and mainly occur in response to the changes in the autonomic nervous system. Emotional stress is a well known trigger for migraine. Japanese researchers have found that people living in fast-paced business centers in Tokyo tend to have an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system – specifically, an inhibition of the parasympathetic system that is active during relaxation, and an excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, which governs our response to stress. The major finding of a recent study is that migraine is a disorder of chronic sympathetic dysfunction. Many times the top vertebra in the spine known as the atlas can be jarred from its normal position. The atlas is the only vertebra in the entire spine not connected by discs to the vertebra below it and the atlas is the only vertebra that can induce increased pressure on the spinal cord. Right above the atlas sits the brain stem and a misalignment in the upper cervical spine can affect the functionality of the brain stem, which in turn can cause migraine headaches. The goal of the upper cervical treatment is to correct the misalignment consequently addressing the real cause of the migraine instead of just the symptoms. There are many case studies, which show a positive response using upper cervical chiropractic adjustments to treat migraines. About the author: Dr. Matthew Roe is a practicing upper cervical chiropractor and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. He has a Doctor of Chiropractic degree graduating Cum Laude from Life University College of Chiropractic. Having studied with the best Upper Cervical specific doctors in the world he understands true healing. His practice focus is to help people fine true health naturally. For more information about Dr. Roe – visit: WinterGardenChiropractors.com Sources for this article include: Healthline.com, Medscape.com, Holistichelp.net, Health.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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People Who Feel Dizzy When They Stand Up May Have Higher Risk of Dementia

AHA Publisher — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 07:00:07 +0000

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) via Newswise – Some people who feel dizzy or lightheaded when they stand up may have an increased risk of developing dementia years later, according to a new study published in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The condition, called orthostatic hypotension, occurs when people experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when they stand up. The study found the link with dementia only in people who have a drop in their systolic blood pressure, not in people with only a drop in their diastolic blood pressure or their blood pressure overall. Systolic is the first, or top, number in a blood pressure reading and systolic orthostatic hypotension was defined as a drop of at least 15 mmHg after standing from a sitting position. “People’s blood pressure when they move from sitting to standing should be monitored,” said study author Laure Rouch, Pharm.D., Ph.D., of the University of California, San Francisco. “It’s possible that controlling these blood pressure drops could be a promising way to help preserve people’s thinking and memory skills as they age.” The study involved 2,131 people who were an average age of 73 and did not have dementia when they enrolled. Their blood pressure readings were taken at the start of the study and then one, three and five years later. A total of 15% had orthostatic hypotension, 9% had systolic orthostatic hypotension and 6% had diastolic orthostatic hypotension. Over the next 12 years, the participants were evaluated to see if anyone developed dementia. A total of 462 people, or 22%, did develop the disease. The people with systolic orthostatic hypotension were nearly 40% more likely to develop dementia than those who did not have the condition. Fifty of the 192 with systolic orthostatic hypotension, or 26%, developed dementia, compared to 412 of the 1,939 people without it, or 21%. When researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect dementia risk, such as diabetes, smoking and alcohol use, those with systolic orthostatic hypotension were 37% more likely to develop dementia. The researchers also found that people whose sitting-to-standing systolic blood pressure readings changed the most from visit to visit were more likely to develop dementia years later than people whose readings were more stable. The people were divided into three groups based on how much their readings changed over time. A total of 24% of people in the group with the most fluctuation in systolic readings later developed dementia, compared to 19% of the people in the group with the least fluctuation. When researchers adjusted for other factors affecting dementia risk, those in the highest group were 35% more likely to develop dementia than those in the lowest group. Rouch noted that the study is observational and does not show cause and effect. It only shows an association between the blood pressure readings and the development of dementia. Another limitation of the study was that the diagnosis of dementia was made without distinction between Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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Study Reveals Birth Defects Caused by Flame Retardant

AHA Publisher — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 07:00:01 +0000

University of Georgia via Newswise – *Research focuses on man’s exposure prior to conception. A new study from the University of Georgia has shown that exposure to a now-banned flame retardant can alter the genetic code in sperm, leading to major health defects in children of exposed parents. Published recently in Scientific Reports, the study is the first to investigate how polybrominated biphenyl-153 (PBB153), the primary chemical component of the flame retardant FireMaster, impacts paternal reproduction. In 1973, an estimated 6.5 million Michigan residents were exposed to PBB153 when FireMaster was accidentally sent to state grain mills where it made its way into the food supply. In the decades since, a range of health problems including skin discoloration, headache, dizziness, joint pain and even some cancers have been linked to the exposure. More striking, the children of those who were exposed seemed to experience a host of health issues as well, including reports of hernia or buildup in the scrotum for newborn sons and a higher chance of stillbirth or miscarriage among adult daughters. Yet, little work has been done to understand how the chemical exposure could have impacted genes passed from an exposed father, said study author Katherine Greeson. Relatively new idea “It is still a relatively new idea that a man’s exposures prior to conception can impact the health of his children,” said Greeson, an environmental health science doctoral student in Charles Easley’s lab at UGA’s College of Public Health and Regenerative Bioscience Center. “Most studies where a toxic effect is observed in children look only to the mothers and the same has been true of studies conducted on PBB153,” she said. Greeson and a team of researchers from UGA and Emory University used a unique combination of observational and laboratory approaches to demonstrate how PBB153 acted on sperm cells. “Typically, scientific studies are either epidemiological in nature and inherently observational or focus on bench science, but in this study, we did both,” said Greeson. This approach allowed the researchers to mimic the known blood exposure levels of PBB153 in a lab environment. “We were uniquely able to recreate this effect using our previously characterized human stem cell model for spermatogenesis,” she said, “which allowed us to study the mechanism that causes this effect in humans.” The team looked at the expression of different genes in their human spermatogenesis model after dosing with PBB153 and found marked alterations in gene expression between dosed and undosed cells, specifically at genes important to development, such as embryonic organ, limb, muscle, and nervous system development. Changes to the DNA “PBB153 causes changes to the DNA in sperm in a way that changes how the genes are turned on and off,” said Greeson. “PBB153 seems to turn on these genes in sperm which should be turned off,” said Greeson, which may explain some of the endocrine-related health issues observed in the children of exposed parents. Though the study used this model to directly replicate exposure to PBB153, Greeson says this approach could be used to better understand the impact of other environmental exposures on reproduction, including large-scale accidental exposures to toxic chemicals or everyday exposures. More studies combining epidemiology “Hopefully this work will lead to more studies combining epidemiology and bench science in the future, which will tell us more about why we’re seeing an effect from an environmental exposure in human populations and encourage experimental studies to more closely mimic human exposures,” she said. To read the original article click here.

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