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7 lesser-known symptoms of a migraine attack

The main symptoms of migraine are known. Symptoms like the occurrence of headaches without warning, pain on one side of the skull, confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, mood changes, and increased sensitivity to light, noise, or sounds, in general, are fairly known signs of the condition. However, certain hidden and lesser-known symptoms can be indicative of migraine development or the impending coming of a migraine attack in individuals. Here are some such signs:

1. Gastrointestinal disturbances
Migraines can trigger one’s digestive system more than many may know. This is why specific gastrointestinal issues and disturbances often precede migraine attacks. Some of the common gastrointestinal issues stemming from migraines are diarrhea or constipation. This happens because migraine attacks tend to disrupt a person’s bowel functions, leading to loose motions or constipation. Abdominal pain is also a fairly underrated symptom of migraine. Some medical professionals refer to this condition as abdominal migraines. Apart from these two symptoms, migraine attacks can also be preceded by red flags like nausea and vomiting.

Therefore, people facing any instances of headaches accompanied by stomach pain, nausea, constipation, or loose motions need to get themselves checked for migraines as soon as possible.

2. Irregular sleep cycles
Sleep disturbances become increasingly commonplace as a person’s insomnia keeps getting worse before reaching a crescendo in a migraine attack. There are two kinds of sleep disturbances caused by migraines. The first, insomnia, involves people finding it incredibly hard to fall asleep at night. On the other hand, hypersomnia can cause migraine sufferers to constantly have a strong urge to sleep excessively throughout the day or especially after an attack.

3. Temperature sensitivity
Abrupt shifts in body temperature are quite common in those with migraines. People with migraines are likely to experience cold allodynia, a condition in which they have an increased sensitivity to cold temperatures. In such instances, people with migraines may feel chills when, otherwise, they would not have felt anything. In fact, exposure to cold air is one of the main triggers of migraine attacks. On the other hand, some people also experience heat sensitivity. So, such individuals will have their migraines triggered by exposure to heat. All in all, temperature sensitivity is a common symptom of migraine, and yet it is one of the lesser-known ones.

4. Phantom smells
Migraine tends to mess with a person’s olfactory apparatus, or smell-related senses and responses, in the body. Phantom smells are a rare kind of migraine aura that affects some people. This symptom involves those with migraines getting to smell scents not present in the real world. Certain vulnerable people who hallucinate scents then go on to get nasty migraine attacks.
What’s more, these imaginary scents mostly tend to be unpleasant. Many people who have this issue have been known to state that they could smell rotten eggs, fumes from car exhaust pipes, or burning wood right before they experienced a migraine attack.

5. Brain fog
Brain fog is when a person’s head feels clouded in nothingness. This causes people to be unable to focus, experience persistent fatigue, and be in a constant state of blankness for long periods of time. People with brain fog often sit or sleep without thinking or doing anything for hours. Brain fog can be an overlooked symptom of migraine attacks in many people. Therefore, if one faces brain fog regularly, one must check with a healthcare professional for a quick scan and diagnosis.

6. Auditory hallucinations
As is the case with olfactory hallucinations, people with migraines may hear sounds or noises that simply do not exist. People often hear songs playing in the background that are not playing in the real world and hear people or groups talking when they are surrounded by silence. Others call their names when nobody around them is doing so. Essentially, someone with a migraine or someone about to have a migraine attack often cannot tell between what is real and what is not.

7. Hiccups
Arguably the most surprising inclusion on this list, hiccups are also an underrated sign of an impending migraine attack. Hiccups driven by migraine happen during the aura phase of migraine attacks. Migraines negatively affect the brain and cause people to have large hiccups due to irregular breathing patterns.

Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected jointsâ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause poppingÂ sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase oneâs risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

6 handy tips to vacuum seal food

Eating fresh food is essential to lower the risk of illnesses and lead a healthy life. Today, food vacuum sealers have become a critical tool for storing meals and preventing them from perishing quickly. These sealers help extend the shelf life of food items, retain their taste and texture, and reduce costs and wastage. Here are some tips for using food vacuum sealers correctly and getting the most out of them. Leave sufficient space between the food and the bag's edge While vacuum sealing, one must ensure the food is not placed too close to the bag's top edge. If the space between the food item and the bag's edge is inadequate, the bag may not get adequately sealed, increasing the chances of leakage. As a rule of thumb, one should leave at least two inches of space between the bag's top edge and the food stored within. Freeze meats and liquids before sealing them One can never be too careful when preserving meats and liquids. A best practice while vacuum sealing such foods is to freeze them first. Sealing and storing meat at room temperature may cause bacteria to grow over it, leading to spoilage. On the other hand, sealing frozen meat prevents bacteria growth, helping preserve it for longer. This method also keeps the meat's juiciness intact. When it comes to liquids, pre-freezing is vital because the liquid can be pulled into the vacuum sealer. Pre-freezing prevents damage to the device and facilitates a tight seal. Know which foods should not be vacuum sealed While most foods are safe to vacuum seal, some should not be preserved using this method. Soft cheeses that are typically unpasteurized and sticky (such as mozzarella, ricotta, and blue cheeses) may develop mold when stored in an airless space. Moreover, raw onions, garlic, and other foods from the allium family continue producing certain gasses even when they are vacuum sealed. These gasses may cause the bag to inflate, spoiling the food stored within. Thus, one must understand what foods do not lend themselves to vacuum sealing. Vacuum only after sealing the bag's open end Vacuuming should begin only after the bag's open end has been sealed thoroughly. This step ensures the food is sealed tightly in the bag without any particles or liquids affecting the process. Select the right bag It is critical to choose the right bag for vacuum sealing. Experts recommend using bags that expel air effectively, ensuring the food stored within does not come in contact with moisture. Ideally, the bag chosen for vacuum sealing should be textured and of premium quality. Compared to regular polythene bags, vacuum bags have oxygen barriers, which prevent air from penetrating them after they have been sealed. The right bag is essential to ensure the food is stored in an airless environment. Double-seal the bag for extended shelf life Double-sealing the bag is recommended to extend the shelf life of food in some instances. When double sealing, one must leave sufficient space between the first and second seals. This strategy ensures double protection against moisture seeping through.