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Archive for headaches

The Best Ways to Relieve Headache Pain

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Friday, September 28th, 2018

There’s never a warning. It just happens. Your head starts pounding, and it’s debilitating. You have difficulty performing your daily activities, because it becomes too challenging to function at your best. While you may look the same on the outside, suffering from headache pain is never an easy feat. Today, it is a common occurrence in adults, affecting a third of men and over half of women. Headaches are caused by a number of reasons—stress, dehydration, neurological conditions, blood clots, and more. While causes of headaches can sometimes be unknown, they can also be a symptom of a more serious condition. If you’re concerned about your headaches, it is ideal to see a neurologist. The best neurologists are devoted to the field of neurology and have a lot of experience in practice. If your headaches are not as severe or you’re simply waiting to seek relief before your next appointment, these helpful tips may be relevant to you:

• Hydration

A lot of people don’t realize that headaches are a common side effect of dehydration. If you think about it, your brain is made up of nearly 80% water. It’s no wonder why it can become difficult to concentrate when you haven’t had enough water. Studies have revealed that headache pain can be reduced in dehydrated individuals within 30 minutes to three hours after proper hydration. Foods that are rich in water can also help you stay hydrated: spinach, watermelon, strawberries, soups, and yogurt. When your brain doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to function, it will be difficult for you yourself to function.

• Aromatherapy

Essential oils and specific scents have been used as natural remedies for centuries. Some well-known oils and scents for relieving headaches include lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. You can get an essential oil diffuser for your cubicle, use a room freshening spray at home, or apply essential oils on your wrists and temples throughout the day to help relieve headache pain.

• Rest

Sleep deprivation can be very damaging to your health, so, it’s important to follow a regular sleep schedule and get an adequate amount of rest every single night. When you’re feeling headache pain, take a moment to lie down and minimize the noise around you. Close your eyes in a dark and quiet room, and give yourself a second to zone out. A lot of your days may be hectic, so it’s crucial to find a moment to catch your breath. Try to relax and loosen up different areas of your body. Spend a few minutes resting or take a power nap. These simple remedies can help prevent your headache pain from getting progressively worse.

• Proper diet

Every doctor will suggest you to watch what you are eating and drinking. It is best to limit consuming foods and products that trigger headaches such as caffeine and alcohol. It is also crucial to eat regularly and never skip meals. Some people who suffer from headaches experience them because of low blood sugar levels which can occur through skipping meals or not eating enough food throughout the day. The best way to combat this is to ensure you eat several meals a day and incorporate a good amount of fruits and vegetables.

• Breathing exercises

Breathing deeply allows the body to calm the mind. By inhaling and exhaling slowly and repeatedly, you allow the muscles in your body to relax. You focus on that one task which can help detract from other stressors that may be causing your headache in the first place. Mindful meditation is a great way to relieve physical pain. It promotes the thickening of cell layers within the brain and is actually one of the most effective remedies for various types of headaches.

• Reduce stress

Try your best to take a step away from what is causing you stress. If your work environment is too stressful, see if you can leave early or enjoy lunch outside of the office. If your home environment is too stressful, ask your family members to help you around the house or take on some of your responsibilities. The more stress you experience in your daily life, the more headaches are likely to occur. Take a break from life’s stressful situations and adapt relaxing hobbies such as gardening, yoga, crafts, or reading. Worry less and reduce your physical tension.

Even with these helpful pain-relieving tips, it is also important to report your symptoms to your doctor. Headaches can be a sign of illness, allergies, hormonal imbalance, or neurological conditions; home remedies may only temporarily relieve your headache pain. Get the right treatment for your headaches by seeing a neurologist at Silver State Neurology which specializes in treating, diagnosing, and managing disorders of the brain and the nervous system. Silver State Neurology has a great staff full of hardworking individuals that strive to diagnose and treat your condition to the best of their abilities.

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Categories : Blog, Brain Health, Headaches, Health Tips, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Silver State Neurology
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Migraines: When is it time to see a doctor?

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Friday, April 13th, 2018

Migraines are large throbbing pains in the head and neck that is often very severe. Migraines can affect a specific side of the head and can be so bothersome that it causes nausea or vision impairments. The feeling is an intense pain pulsating that can cause vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. It is a neurological disorder that can involve the chemical activity in your brain, nerves or blood.

It’s hard to tell how long migraines will last.  Some migraines can last a few hours and much more severe ones can last for days. The pain of a migraine can be disabling and prevent you from your daily activities and functions. Aura is a warning symptom that some people experience before a migraine. These can occur during the migraine as well.

Migraines can be treated to prevent migraines and make them less painful. Talk to your Las Vegas Neurologist about your options to treat your migraines if you are having trouble finding relief.

Symptoms of Migraines

Migraines can often run in the family and it affects people of all ages. Migraines begin in childhood or in early adulthood for some people. If you have a family history of migraines, you are in risk of having it. Symptoms for migraines can be caught before you experience it. This is known as the prodrome stage. Symptoms to look out for during prodrome:

  • Food cravings
  • Mood changes such as depression
  • Fatigue and frequent yawning
  • Hyperactivity
  • Irritability
  • Neck stiffness
  • Constipation

Aura

Aura is a warning symptom that you can get after the prodrome stage and right before a migraine. Aura can cause problems in your vision, movement and even your speech. There are a lot of people who experience migraines with aura but if you experience these examples, it is likely you have migraine aura:

  • Difficulty speaking
  • Tingling sensations in body
  • Visualizing light flashes and/or bright spots
  • Vision loss
  • Body weakness or numbness

Migraines vs. Headaches

Headaches are pains in your head that involve pressure and aching. The pain of headache is mild, and you feel it on more sides of your head than one specific spot. Common areas that people feel headaches are forehead, temples and the back of the neck. They typically don’t last as long as migraines. Migraines last longer and are much more severe. There are instances where migraines can be so severe that you can find yourself going to the emergency room. They have far more effects than a headache including: vomiting, nausea, vision loss and disturbing long-lasting pain.

When to see your Neurologist

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide when it’s time to see a doctor. Migraines are painful and severe but they are not dangerous which can add to the difficulty in deciding when to see a doctor. It’s important to pay attention to the symptoms you are experiencing. Sometimes migraine symptoms can also be symptoms of other conditions that would lead to much more serious issues.

Seek consultation from a doctor if:

  • Your migraines are severe or begin suddenly
  • You experience migraines much more frequently and they worsen
  • If your speech, health and vision are impaired
  • Coughing or sneezing causes or triggers a migraine

Contact your Las Vegas Neurologist if you are experiencing migraines that are severe and prevent you from functioning normally throughout your day!

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Categories : Blog, Brain Health, Health Tips, las vegas neurologist, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Migraines, stress, stress relief
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Stress- How it can affect the Brain

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Thursday, March 15th, 2018

Stress is one of the major health issues many Americans experience. Stress can largely affect a person’s brain in more ways than you would think. In short, stress is not entirely bad, but if it is not managed or controlled, one can have negative and harmful effects on the body and brain. Everyone feels stressed at times, but sometimes there are moments in our lives that take a huge toll and overwhelm us. This causes a lot of tension in our bodies.

Stress takes on many forms:

  • Pressure in demanding work
  • Arguments with a family member or loved one
  • Rocky home environments
  • Lack of time
  • Money issues

    • Stress is good in a way that helps you perform under intense circumstances and motivates you to learn to manage your time and work better altogether. It can improve your skills in the long run. If a high level of stress and feeling overwhelmed is ongoing every minute of each day, your body is not balanced and you could begin to have stronger signs of having chronic stress. Ultimately, it can have harmful effects altogether.

    Anyone struggling with coping and managing stress, or experiencing high levels of chronic stress, visit your Las Vegas neurologist for more information, diagnosis or treatments for what you are feeling.

    What happens to the brain when it’s stressed?


    Stress can cause the release of adrenaline which increases the amount of sugar in your blood. This leads to an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. The brain’s hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland telling it to release a stress hormone called cortisol. When your cortisol levels are too high and have been prolonged, it can affect the immune system overall resulting in decreasing the amount of brain cells.

    Overall changes to the body from prolonged stress:

  • Blood pressure rises
  • Can cause stroke
  • Memory impairment
  • Immune activity decrease
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Digestive system slows down

    • Things that can influence your stress levels:

    Your group of friends and family: Shaving a strong support system is important when feelings of stress rise. When you have people that can easily lift your spirits and lighten your mood after feeling overwhelmed, it is easier to wind down and balance your levels. A person that is alone and isolated can easily trigger the brain to feel emotional and physical stress.

    Your motto in life: The way you see your challenges can influence your manner in taking control over it. Being optimistic and positive can help you get through tougher obstacles. If you are vulnerable and sensitive, it is likely stress will control you. Living a life embracing challenges and making light of situations will make it easier for you when stressful situations arise.

    Learn how to deal with your own emotions: Sometimes all it takes to feel less stressed is for you to take a deep breath, recollect and calm yourself back down. You can increase your stress tolerance by being able to identify with your emotions and being able to control that part of yourself. Many people struggle with their emotions and can at times, let their emotions bring more stress.

    Getting enough rest: Sleep is important to keep the brain functioning properly and healthy. Chronic stress can affect your sleep, so it is important to normalize your sleeping patterns.

    Eating healthy: For your brain to stay healthy, it needs nutrients to keep it balanced, nourished and overall in control of your emotions and stresses. If your brain does not get the nutrients it needs, it is likely that your mood and ability to deal with stress mentally can be affected.

    Visit your Las Vegas neurologist to address concerns you may have regarding any negative affects on your brain that could be triggered from your stress.

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    Categories : Blog, Brain Health, brain stress, Headaches, Health Tips, las vegas neurologist, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Migraines, Silver State Neurology, Sleep Disorders, stress
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    American Heart Month – Heart Health Awareness

    By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
    Thursday, February 8th, 2018

    February is American Heart Month, a time for our Las Vegas neurologist to remind people to focus on their hearts and raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. About 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease every day, which averages to 1 death every 38 seconds. Globally, it remains the leading cause of death at more than 17.9 million deaths every year. With your help, our Las Vegas neurology clinic needs to change that!

    Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease

    A new study from Denmark has found that people who experience migraines may be more likely to develop heart problems. This is not the first study to suggest a link between migraines and the risk of stroke and heart attack. Although migraines are considered primarily a headache disorder, there are several reasons why migraines may be tied to cardiovascular problems. The sudden constriction of blood vessels in the brain that leads to migraines may make a person more vulnerable to stroke. If you suffer from migraines, it could be more serious than a headache. Contact our neurologist in Las Vegas during American Heart Month to see how we can help.

    Sleep disorders are common among stroke survivors. Those associated with stroke include sleep apnea, parasomnia, and restless leg syndrome. Conversely, people with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer strokes to die in their sleep. Sleep disorders should not be ignored. At our neurology clinic in Las Vegas, we can diagnose and treat your sleep disorders to improve your health even after American Heart Month.

    Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

    The good news? Heart disease is one of the most preventable causes of death. Our Las Vegas neurology practice encourages you to take charge of your health! Starting this American Heart Month, commit to a healthy lifestyle, and make these small changes for a lifetime of good heart health.

    • Make an appointment with your Las Vegas doctor to discuss your heart health. Even if you’re not sick, schedule regular check-ups. Set goals for improving your health, ask questions, and trust their advice.
    • Prepare heart-healthy meals from scratch at home at least 3 times each week. Watch your sodium! To make your favorite recipe lower sodium, replace the salt with fresh or dried herbs and spices.
    • If you are a smoker, quitting can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Take steps to quit smoking. You can learn more at CDC’s Smoking and Tobacco Use website.
    • Get active! Add exercise to your daily routine little by little. Even walking will help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Start slow and increase your frequency and intensity over time.
    • Take your prescriptions as directed. Do not discount blood pressure and cholesterol medicines. Ask your doctor in Las Vegas for help if you’re having trouble taking your medication.

    Visit the Heart Health Foundation to learn more ways you can help this American Heart Month!

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    Categories : American Heart Month, Blog, Brain Health, Diet, Headaches, Health Tips, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Migraines, Silver State Neurology, Sleep Apnea, Sleep Disorders, Uncategorized
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