Migraines, AKA, Demon Beasts from Hell

             Migraines are awful. Nearly everyone has had one in their lives and for the people who have to deal with them constantly, it can be unbearable.  I suffered with near constant migraines during several points in my life and I am no stranger to their pain. Courtesy of migraine.com, here is a list of the most common symptoms associated with migraines.
1. Throbbing, pulsating pain – 85 percent
2. Light sensitivity – 80 percent
3. Sound sensitivity – 76 percent
4. Nausea – 73 percent
5. Pain on one side – 59 percent
6. Vision changes, blurred vision – 44 percent
7. Aura – 36 percent
8. Vomiting – 29 percent
   
   
   
           So how can you tell the difference between a migraine and just a regular headache? For me it was simple. With a headache, I could take a few aspirin and be on my merry way in thirty minutes or so. With a migraine, however, I could feel one coming on and instantly feel depleted. My head would throb, sounds and lights were killer and sometimes I would even throw up. The only help I could come by for a few hours of relief was to sleep. Once or twice it even got so bad that I had to go to the ER to get rid of the damn thing.

Chronic Inflammation, Do YOU have it?

What is it exactly?

Inflammation is meant to help the body deal with problems and infections. The act of inflammation it's self is not the problem and when in proper working order, it's exceptionally helpful. It helps make blood clot when there is a wound as well as increases the blood flow. Wherever there is a threat to the body, whether it be perceived (emotional hurt) or serious i-just-tore-off-my-leg kind of action, the process of inflammation is ready to act. 

We run into a problem when inflammation continues on too long and becomes chronic inflammation.  It kills off the good and healthy cells in an attempt to get rid of the bad bacteria. Look at it this way: Cops are often great at hitting the scene of the crime efficiently and taking care of the problem. But what would happen if they stayed there too long and perceived everything as a threat, no matter how normal the situation? The cops would start creating new problems, and what was once a great help now hinders the normal functioning processes.

And especially now-a-days when people are putting their bodies through the max every waking moment (and sometimes sleeping!) the process of inflammation is on overdrive. Gum disease and painful stomach ulcers can be linked with the over production of H. pylori bacteria.  When the process of inflammation lasts too long, it can easily spread to other parts of the body from where it originally started.