Guest guest Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 " HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch HSI e-Alert - Downhill From Here Thu, 10 Mar 2005 06:59:00 -0500 HSI e-Alert - Downhill From Here Health Sciences Institute e-Alert **************************************************** March 10, 2005 **************************************************** Dear Reader, " I have discovered a cure that starts within 30 minutes for migraine headaches. " That compelling comment comes from an HSI member named Menken who has posted her migraine therapy on the HSI Healthier Talk forum titled " Headaches/Migraine. " Menken writes: " I juice up a bunch of celery and take 2 oz of juice whenever I feel a migraine coming on. Then I lay down and within 30 minutes my migraine starts going away most of the time. " If her migraine doesn't go away, step two in Menken's regimen calls for another helping of celery juice, this time doubled to four ounces. The result? " I have never had to take a third dose. " Besides the fact that this natural treatment seems to work wonders for Menken, her comments also serve as a sobering reminder of just how debilitating migraines can be. In her posting she mentions details such as having three migraines in four days, flashes of light in her field of vision, and one migraine so intense that she couldn't lie down. People who have migraines like Menken's know only too well how challenging the condition is. To make matters worse, a recent study has confirmed an association between migraine and elevated stroke risk. And researchers found this risk to be considerably higher if a migraine patient happens to be taking a widely used drug. ----------- Aura of risk ----------- An international research team headed up by Royal Victoria and Vancouver Hospitals in Canada conducted a review of 14 individual studies to investigate a possible link between migraine and an increased risk of ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. As reported in a recent issue of the British Medical Journal, researchers assessed three cohort studies and 11 case-controlled studies. An analysis of the combined results indicated that patients with migraines are more than twice as likely to have an ischemic stroke compared to people who don't get migraines. The risk is slightly higher for those who experience aura (such as Menken's flash of lights), and slightly lower for those who have migraine without aura. More troubling was the finding that women with migraine who use oral contraceptives have a sharply increased risk of ischemic stroke. Their risk may be as much as eight times greater than women without migraine. One of the researchers - Ali Samii, M.D. - told Reuters Health that the study clearly indicates that, " migraine may be an independent risk factor for stroke. " Dr. Samii notes that the reduced blood flow to the brain that accompanies migraines probably plays a role in triggering strokes. ----------- Risk reduction ----------- In previous e-Alerts I've told you about natural agents that have been shown to reduce the frequency of severe migraines. In " The Best Offense " (9/29/04), German researchers demonstrated that a 400 mg daily dose of riboflavin (vitamin B-2) may cut migraine frequency in half. And in " Power to the Powerhouses " (6/28/04), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was also shown to halve the frequency of migraines by promoting respiration in the powerhouses of the cell: the mitochondria. Reduction of migraine frequency may not play a role in reducing ischemic stroke risk, but it certainly couldn't hurt. And migraine patients might also get additional stroke protection by increasing their intake of folate and vitamin C. In the e-Alert " May Isn't Only for Mothers " (5/15/02), I told you about a Tulane University study that showed how 300 mcg of folate per day may reduce stroke risk by as much as 20 percent. And in " The Critical Second Cup " (7/1/02), Finland researchers concluded that people who have the highest intake of vitamin C are much less likely to experience a stroke compared to those who have low C intakes. All of these e-Alerts can be found by searching the e-Alert archives on our web site at hsibaltimore.com. ----------- Reading the signs ----------- As I've mentioned in those previous e-Alerts, it's absolutely essential to quickly get medical attention at the first warning signs of a stroke. Quick action can reduce the long-term effects of the stroke and may even save the victim's life. In addition to migraines, other health issues that increase stroke risk include heart attack (especially if you're 75 or older), hypertension, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease. A stroke can sometimes be forming for several days before the first symptoms occur, so if you or a loved one is in a high-risk group, learn these warning signs of stroke and be prepared to act immediately if any of them appear: * Weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body * Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding * Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes * Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination * Severe headache with no known cause If you notice any of these signs, call for help immediately. Some stroke procedures can only be performed within the first hours after a stroke. In the event of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or " mini stroke, " the symptoms will pass quickly. But more than one-third of those who suffer a TIA will later have an ischemic stroke. **************************************************** ....and another thing Having trouble sticking to an exercise regimen? How about an easy downhill hike? In a presentation at an American Heart Association meeting last year, Austrian researchers reported surprising results for subjects who hiked downhill instead of up. Forty-five sedentary people who were otherwise healthy were divided into two groups. Over a two-month trial period, half the group hiked uphill three to five days each week, and half hiked downhill. In a second phase of the trial, the two groups switched uphill for downhill and vice versa for two additional months. Triglycerides, cholesterol and blood sugar were measured after each hike. The researchers were surprised to find that downhill hikers were able to manage their blood sugar better than uphill hikers. LDL cholesterol was lowered in both sets of hikers. The uphill hikers experienced one key advantage over the downhillers: lower triglycerides. The results of this research indicate that people who are weak, too obese or simply not motivated enough to participate in normal exercise regimens may actually benefit from an easy downhill stroll, if done on a regular basis. And if you live in the flatlands, then going down a few flights of stairs would probably work just as well. Based on the blood sugar outcome, the Austrian team is planning a follow up study to assess glucose management in downhill hikers who are diabetic. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute **************************************************** Sources: " Risk of Ischaemic Stroke in People With Migraine: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies " British Medical Journal, 12/13/04, bmj.bmjjournals.com " Stroke Risk Greater for Migraine Sufferers - Study " Reuters Health, 12/13/04, reutershealth.com " Different Exercise Makes for Different Effects " Maggie Fox, Reuters Health, 11/8/04, reutershealth.com **************************************************** Copyright ©1997-2005 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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