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Dear Friend,

Patients often come and see me to help them with headaches. We start our conversation by getting a handle on the nature of their pain (do they have nausea, light sensitivity, neck pain, etc.) and what may be causing it, especially ruling out any life-threatening causes.

But then we talk about the impact of headaches on their daily life including anything that influences their daily functioning, their emotional and social life, and overall wellbeing. Many patients feel unable to make plans and have anxiety about having a bad headache day ahead. Relationships and work productivity can also suffer.

Some of these headaches are actually migraines—an often debilitating form of a headache. A common myth is that migraines are just bad headaches that will disappear with a pill.

Migraines have whole-person effects. They need a whole person approach to treat and prevent them. Along with adjusting medications, we start by using a journal to identify triggers. Diet, stress, exercise, sleep, and substances including alcohol, medications, and caffeine all matter.

Learn more in our new blog post "Lessen Migraine Pain, Improve Quality of Life" or our Migraine Pocket Guide.

Be well.

Dr. Wayne Jonas
Migraine's Relationship with Women
Migraine's Relationship with Women

Migraine attacks are three times more common in women and can fluctuate with the stages of life. Each person has different levels of hormones starting from puberty and the levels fluctuate at varying rates during pregnancy, around menopause, and after menopause. These changes can lead to migraines especially as menopause nears.

The hormones in oral contraceptives can cause migraines for some, but it may lower the instance of migraines for others. Around the time of menopause, headaches can be related to an increase in medication usage, heavier periods leading to iron deficiency, disrupted sleep, depression, and smoking. Symptoms often lessen when menstrual periods end. Read more.

Migraines and Children

Despite women having more migraines than men, for children, the situation is different. Boys are more likely than girls to have migraines before puberty. At that time, estrogen influence makes migraine prevalence rise in girls. Girls are more likely to have their first migraine during the year their periods start.

Genetics matter. If a child has one parent with migraines, they have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it. If both parents experience migraines, the chances rise to 75 percent. Children experiencing regular migraines should receive medical treatment right away. It is very important to write down any changes that happened around the time it started. This will help track what might be causing the migraine. Read more.

RESOURCES
Migraine Pocket Guide
In the United States it is estimated that around 20% of the population is affected by migraine headaches.
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How Healing Works
Get Well and Stay Well Using Your Hidden Power to Heal.
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From the Blog
3 Integrative Approaches to Effectively Treat Migraine Headaches
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The Science Behind Why it is More Painful to be a Woman
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WHAT ARE WE READING
Healio
Many Patients with Migraine Do not Ask Providers about Complementary, Integrative Medicine
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Nature Medicine
Effect of a Plant-based, Low-fat Diet Versus an Animal-based, Ketogenic Diet on Ad Libitum Energy Intake
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IN THE NEWS
A Year of Stress May Be Messing With Your Body (And How to Fix It)
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WHAT ARE WE READING
Whole Health & Wellness
Explore various aspects of Whole Health during the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences' 4th Annual Patrick & Marguerite Sung Symposium.
Apr 23, 2021 1PM EST
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Personal Health Inventory
Personal Health Inventory
Personal Self-Assessment

Download this one-sheet and fill it out before your next doctor visit, to help your health care provider assess your health and well-being from a whole-patient perspective.

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How Healing Works
Get Well and Stay Well Using Your Hidden Power to Heal
Drawing on 40 years of research and patient care, Dr. Wayne Jonas explains how 80 percent of healing occurs organically and how to activate the healing process.
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Healing Works Foundation · 1800 Diagonal Rd · Suite 617 · Alexandria, VA 22314 · USA