University of Virginia Health System

'Tis the Season to Have a Migraine

Party food and drink plus last-minute rush can add up to a migraine

< December 24, 2002 > "The holiday season seems to be a time of disaster for people with migraine," says Dr. Larry Newman, director of the Headache Institute at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. "If you think of every potential trigger for migraine, this is the time of year we expose our migraine sufferers to them. 'Tis the season to have migraine."

Everything from food (smoked foods, sausages, aged cheese, salted nuts) and drink (red wine, beer) to stress, changes in sleeping and eating patterns (including skipping meals), weather changes and gifts of scented candles, scented cards or potpourri are time bombs waiting to go off. Even the plane trip to visit relatives can set off a head-splitting migraine.

Here are some holiday headache-survival tips from Dr. Newman:

• Do not go to every party you are invited to—or go but do not stay all night. Make an appearance, then excuse yourself.
  
  
• Go easy on the red wine and dark liquor, which are more common migraine triggers. Instead, opt for white wine vodka, a soda, or (it is just a thought) nothing!
  
  
• Do not have the hot dog and ham and nuts and cheese. Pick what you really want to have and keep it at that.
  
  
• Do not do all your shopping at the last minute (yes, yes, easier said than done).
  
  
• Give yourself regular sleep and eating schedules and try to stick with them. Changes in either of these areas can bring on migraines.
  
  
• Snatch a nap when you can.
  
  
• Ask for help when you need it and -- above all -- take time for yourself.

Always consult your physician for more information.

'Tis the Season To Be . . . Sneezing?

The trimmings of Christmas can trigger many allergens, experts say

Many of the wonderful touches associated with the Christmas holidays can actually be like lumps of coal for allergy sufferers.

Dusty tree ornaments brought down from the attic, musty firewood brought in from outside, and that cute little Christmas puppy are all potential allergy triggers for people who are susceptible.

"Most people understand spring allergies and the symptoms that go along with them," says Dr. Yvonne Johnson, director of medical affairs for Novartis Ophthalmics. "But people forget about internal environments and the potential allergens there. A lot of people don't associate pet dander with their allergies, and even if they realize it, they usually don't give up their pet."

While these allergens do not affect most people, for the more than 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, they can mean a series of reactions—from itchy, watery eyes to sneezing and a runny nose.

To deal with these symptoms, which are the body's way of ridding itself of the allergens, many allergy sufferers take systemic medications, including Claritin and Zyrtec. According to Johnson, however, while these medications can be effective, they do not always address specific problems with the eyes.

"If you want something to act fast for itchy eyes, you have to apply it right to the eye," says Johnson, whose company manufactures Zaditor, an ophthalmic solution that is said to relieve the itch in three minutes and last up to 12 hours. "If you take these things in combination, you'll get the greatest relief from allergies."

Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York, a private treatment center in New York City, agrees that dust and mold from artificial trees and ornaments can trigger allergic reactions and should be dusted and/or washed when brought out of storage. Terpene, a chemical found in the sap from natural Christmas trees, can cause eye irritation as well, and those who suffer from this should consider an artificial tree, he says.

Bassett also emphasizes the potential effects of pet dander for the 100 million American households where a cat or a dog is present. People are indoors more in the winter and can have almost constant exposure to pet dander on a daily basis.

"It's not like going to the park in the spring and being exposed to pollen. This is almost constant, he says.

Other things to be careful of are Christmas treats like eggnog and pastries and candies with nuts. Eggs and nuts can cause severe—even deadly—reactions in some allergy sufferers.

For those suffering from allergy symptoms, Bassett advocates an individual assessment to determine whether the problem is coming from indoors or outdoors or both. He agrees with Johnson that for some allergy sufferers, a systemic medication is not enough. Those with more severe symptoms may need multiple regimens, including eye drops, a nasal spray and an antihistamine.

"Those who suffer from persistent allergy type symptoms that don't do well with over-the-counter medications may need more," he said. "It's important to identify what types of allergies you have and to treat them."

Always consult your physician for more information.

Online Resources

(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.)

American Diabetes Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

For more information on migraines, please visit the Nervous System Disorders information module on this Web site.

For more information on allergies, please visit the Allergy & Asthma information module on this Web site.

For more information on diabetes, please visit the Diabetes information module on this Web site.

Getting Through Seasonal Temptations

Holiday eating can be a challenge for people with diabetes

Plates of holiday goodies on the table can make it difficult to stick to healthy eating habits, which can be a serious problem for the 16 million Americans with diabetes.
However, consider the following tips to help people with diabetes have a healthful holiday season:

• Maintain a regular exercise routine to help regulate your metabolism. It is a busy time of the year, but try to take short, brisk walks at numerous intervals throughout the day. Remember that you need to wait 60 to 90 minutes after a holiday meal before you go out for a walk.
  
  
• Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Take your diabetes medicine regularly and watch for symptoms of low and high blood sugar.
  
  
• Know when to put down your fork. Practice portion control. If you keep portion sizes under control, you can eat a wider variety of foods. A small portion is less likely to upset blood sugar levels.
  
  
• Choose nonfat or low fat foods. At parties and other social gatherings, go for the veggies and fresh fruit.
  
  
• Take extra care to ensure your meals are nutritious, varied and balanced. If you have a treat, make sure your substitute it for an equivalent item in your regular menu.
  
  
• Stay positive and remember that you control diabetes, it does not control you.

Always consult your physician for more information.