When your head is pounding, your eyes light-sensitive, every sound is a roar and you feel nauseated, the chances are good you are having a migraine headache.

A headache that comes and goes over the years and long-lasting is most likely a migraine or a vascular headache related to blood vessels. Symptoms include recurrent pain, throbbing, and pressure all of which can last for days.

There are many causes for migraines including stress, insomnia, barometric pressure, altitude changes and some foods. It is no longer unusual these days to find that children and teens also suffer from migraines along with adults.

Recently a new association for migraine has come to light, the patent foramen ovale (PFO) or a hole in the heart. Usually this congenital defect closes on its own, but many people live their whole lives with it open and without negative effects. However, for some it can be the cause for a stroke or migraines.

There is no proof of this yet and research is ongoing, but one out of every four to five patients with migraines have holes in their hearts. Apparently closing the PFO provides relief from the migraines and people who have their PFO closed feel more energetic, and their hands and feet feel warmer.

Preventive therapy usually includes an anti-inflammatory, seizure medication, or an anti-depressant heart medication.  A physician may also order a migraine-specific drug that turns off the pain center in the brain.

Whatever the treatment, the advice is to see your physician first.

You and I know that exercise is good for us.  I admit to being very good about doing aerobic exercise on a regular basis but not so good about strength training. I need to set aside time for longer workouts at least a few times a week. Read the rest of this entry

I don’t believe that you can stop aging. Neither do I believe that you can reverse aging. I do understand that there are medical and surgical and pharmaceutical things you can do and have done to you that may help you look younger and may even give you more energy, but those aren’t the secrets I’m seeking.

I’m convinced that the secrets to not becoming old are wrapped up in the lifestyle habits I need to include in my daily activities that will give me:

• the strength I need to lug groceries and play with my grand kids and push a vacuum;
• the flexibility I need so I can back up into a parking space and get in and out of a car without struggling;
• the smarts I need to continue to be productive in whatever I choose to do;
• the compassion I need to accept my aging and all the losses that will accompany those years.

Secrets To Health and Aging is an exploration to discover what we need to know and do to lead extraordinary lives as we age.

I suspect you have additional ideas about what your secrets are to healthy aging. Will you share them with us? Scroll down to comments and type your tips for healthy aging. Let’s see how much good information we receive.

To your healthy aging success.

Ruthan