Migraines

A migraine is like a tornado; it attacks fast without any warning and wreaks havoc.

Migraines usually start during the teenage years or early in adult life, affecting more women than men with a ratio of three to one. Migraines are caused from constricted (tightening) arteries that supply blood flow to the brain. When the arteries constrict, blood flow to the brain is reduced as well as the brains oxygen supply. The brain reacts by dilating (enlarging) arteries to meet the brain's need for energy. The dilation spreads to the arteries in the neck and scalp and is the culprit of the pain in migraines.

If you live with migraines, make sure to have your Doctor rule out an underlying illness or other medical conditions that mimic migraines with the appropriate tests: for example, x-rays determining sinus infection, EEG for seizure activity or a CAT scan to detect blood clots or a brain tumor. Your Dr. may determine a drug to help ease your pain.

Migraine Triggers

Sinus Migraine

Triggered by allergies and caused by excessive mucous and often accompanied by a fever. If you have this type of migraine, you may experience pain around both eyes and also may feel nauseated and sensitive to light.

Genetic Migraine

Studies have lined a gene to people affected with migraines. Often when the gene for migraines is passed on to the next generation, the recipient will also experience headaches around the same age as the person who passed on the migraine.

Stress Migraine

Stress can be a major factor to the onset of a migraine, a lot of us have stressful jobs or home life.

Hormonal Migraine

Fluctuating hormones in women are often the cause of migraines and can happen during menstrual cycles. 

 Cigarette Migraine 

An equal opportunity source of migraines is because the nicotine alters blood vessels. High carbon monoxide levels in a person who smokes or even inhales second hand smoke can lead to a migraine.

Food Migraines

Food allergies are another factor that leads to migraines. However, migraine sufferers are able to eat chocolate without falling prey to a migraine. Some patients actually report relief from eating chocolate.

Foods that Can Cause Migraines

1. Aged cheese such as Roquefort, Stilton and Sharp Cheddar 
2. Fermented Dairy such as Sour Cream, Buttermilk and Yogurt 
3. Citrus: Oranges or Grapefruit, including juice 
4. Nuts: Peanuts, Walnuts or Pecans 
5. Legumes: Peas, Beans and Soy product 6. Onions and Garlic 
7. Bananas 
8. Pickled foods: picked herring is the most common instigator 
9. MSG found in Chinese food 
10. Alcohol

Now that you know the common triggers, also note that skipping meals also causes migraines. Skipping meals causes your blood sugar to drop, which in turn causes a migraine.


I have suffered from migraines for quite a few years now, I used to take tablets from the doctor but I am researching more natural ways to relieve the problem.

Thanks for reading

Pauline

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Battle Of Crete

Last Saturday at the War Cemetry in Souda Bay here on Crete there were many expats and tourists there to watch the ceremony for the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

Along with my husband and a few friends that are here living in the sun we went along to see this and it was a very nice but moving ceremony.

The Battle of Crete was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur (”Operation Mercury”). Greek and Allied forces, along with Cretan civilians, defended the island.

After one day of fighting, the Germans had suffered appalling casualties and none of their objectives had been achieved. The next day, through miscommunication and the failure of Allied commanders to grasp the situation, Maleme airfield in western Crete fell to the Germans, enabling them to fly in reinforcements and overwhelm the defenders. The battle lasted for about ten days.

The Battle of Crete was unprecedented in three respects: it was the first mainly airborne invasion; it was the first time the Allies made significant use of intelligence from the deciphered German Enigma code; and it was the first time invading German troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian population.

Every year this ceremony is held at Souda Bay and next year on the 70th anniversary I expect many more people will come over to visit and to attend.

Thanks for reading

Pauline

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