Latest news with #AmandaEllison
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Can bad weather really cause headaches?
Analysis: There actually is a scientific basis for why some people are able to sense changes in the weather by the headaches they cause By Amanda Ellison, Durham University We all know somebody who claims they can predict the weather with their body. Whether it's your arthritic relative who knows rain is on the way when their knees ache or your lifelong pal who gets a headache when a storm is approaching. Having written a book on headaches, I hear a lot from people I meet about headaches that are related to the weather. But as it turns out, there actually is a scientific basis for why some people are able to sense changes in the weather by the headaches they cause. While it's difficult to say how many people actually suffer from weather-related headache, research shows over 60% of people who suffer from migraines think they're sensitive to the weather. In 2015, researchers who collected daily sales figures of a headache medication in Japan showed that sales peaked significantly when average barometric pressure decreased. This often happens before bad weather. But why do these headaches happen? There are two mechanisms of action here. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Dr Maire Finn on understanding the causes, types and treatments for headaches One is related to the sinuses – the four small air-filled cavities in the bones of the face. Just as people's ears "pop" when air pressure changes, atmospheric pressure changes can create an imbalance in sinus pressure causing inflammation and pain. This feels different depending on which sinus is most affected, ranging from forehead pain, pain between and behind your eyes, pain in your face, or a more diffuse headache in the front or back of your head. Which you are more prone to depends on the individual structure of your head. The other way this type of headache happens is related to the way in which pressure changes alter blood flow in the cerebrovascular system – which controls how blood is circulated around your head. Blood is highly toxic to neurons and so it's very important that blood is kept separate from the brain. The blood vessels of the cerebrovascular system have receptors that activate if blood vessels widen too much, acting as an early warning system that something isn't quite right. We perceive this activation as pain. Both of these will at the very least cause a generalised headache in those who are sensitive to pressure changes. But even small drops in pressure have been correlated with increases in migraine episodes in sufferers. Falling pressure associated with bad weather isn't the only thing that can affect us. Rising humidity can also cause headaches through our sinuses. This is because high humidity can increase the amount of mucus produced by the lining of the sinuses in order to trap allergens, dust and pollution particles that are plentiful in the dense, moist air. This can cause congestion, inflammation and discomfort in the sinuses – often leading to a sinus headache. Medicines and other remedies There's little any of us can do about the weather. So outside of locking ourselves in pressure-regulated chambers, painkillers and decongestants are probably the only way to remedy your pain until the weather outside passes through. It's also worth noting, however, that headaches rarely happen due to one trigger alone – and changes in atmospheric pressure may not always cause a headache. Bad posture and inflammation in the body (usually the result of stress) may both cause headaches. Muscles that are contracted over long periods time need more blood flow to deliver oxygen and other nutrients – and this is the hallmark of inflammation over time. Stress increases the levels of adrenaline and cortisol in our body, which can also cause inflammation and widen the blood vessels in your head – leading to headaches and pain. Proper posture and reducing stress may help prevent headaches. Staying hydrated and eating a varied diet containing essential minerals and vitamins, and avoiding trigger foods and drinks (if you know them), will also help. When bad weather is impending, vigorous chewing (such as with chewing gum) can help the pressure equalise in your sinuses through your mouth, nose, and Eustachian tube (which runs from the middle ear to the throat and is really important in equalising pressure) – and may ward off a pressure headache. And choosing sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol may also have the added benefit of stopping nasty respiratory bugs from sticking to your mucus membranes by changing their cell wall structure, according to one study. Boosting our natural painkillers, such as serotonin and dopamine, is important too. These neurochemicals block the pain signal on its way to our brain and so can lessen how much pain we feel. They are also intimately involved in our mood, so it's no wonder that low serotonin concentrations are triggers for migraine, and we often experience this as a low mood. It's why in the days preceding a migraine episode people often crave chocolate (which contains a chemical that turns into serotonin in our body) and intimacy, which boosts serotonin, dopamine and the bonding hormone, oxytoxin – which is also a powerful painkiller. Keeping these neurotransmitters topped up by doing things we like – be it chatting with friends or listening to music – will ensure good hormonal hygiene, and reduce the impact headaches, even barometric ones, have on our daily lives. So when the weather outside is bad, settling down to watch a movie with a loved one and some chocolate to eat may be as good a remedy as any.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Can a large Coke and fries stop your migraine?
Analysis: Believe it or not, the viral hack that a large Coca-Cola and fries can stop a migraine in its tracks is not total nonsense By Amanda Ellison, Durham University Whether it's one or two coffees to get us going in the morning or a bar of chocolate after a stressful day, many of us self-medicate when we're tired, stressed or sad. But when we have a headache, most of us head straight for the painkillers. Lately, though, a viral hack has been making the rounds: that a large Coca-Cola and fries can stop a migraine in its tracks. And oddly enough, it's not total nonsense. The caffeine in Coca-Cola acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels. This helps counteract the dilation of blood vessels that occurs during a migraine – a key trigger for pain. When vessels widen, they can press on and activate nearby pain-sensitive nerves, especially those of the trigeminal system, which carries sensory information about touch, pain and temperature from the head and face to the brain, leading to that familiar throbbing headache. That's why caffeine is often included in over-the-counter headache medications. Meanwhile, the sugar and salt in Coke and fries may help restore balance to blood sugar and electrolytes, both of which can be disrupted during a migraine attack. But to really understand why this combo might work, we need to unpack what's actually happening during a migraine. From Jennifer Zamparelli on 2FM, Dr Dom discusses all you need to know about migraines The four stages of migraine Migraines can be sparked by a wide range of factors: hormonal shifts, stress, skipped meals, certain foods, even changes in the weather or visual overstimulation. But, once one begins, it follows a specific pathway that makes it distinct from other types of headaches. A migraine is no ordinary headache. It's a full-body experience with four distinct stages – two of which occur before the pain even hits. That means there's a window in which to stop the episode in its tracks, and many migraineurs (people who suffer from migraines) already self-medicate by doing just that. Prodrome Prodrome is the first stage, which can begin hours or even days before the headache. You might feel tired, irritable, or unusually low in mood. Most people who get migraines are surprisingly bad at spotting this phase, even though it's the best time to intervene. From RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline, listeners talk about how migraine affects their lives During prodrome, people often crave certain things. Many migraineurs report yawning more, which helps regulate dopamine, or seeking out hugs and affection, which boost serotonin. Others might drink ice water to calm their autonomic nervous system. Others still might reach for the large Coke and fries. These responses aren't random. All of these are unconscious attempts to rebalance the neurological systems that go haywire during a migraine. Irregular serotonin, dopamine and nervous system function are all known contributors to migraines. And that brings us to arguably the ultimate migraine hack: chocolate. While it's sometimes blamed as a trigger, chocolate is rich in compounds that help raise serotonin levels. Because low serotonin is a known factor in migraine onset, a craving for chocolate might be your brain's way of correcting a chemical imbalance. For some people, a bit of chocolate in the early stages may help ward off an attack. From Neuroscientifically Challenged, a two minute explainer on serotonin Aura Aura comes after the prodrome phase, and it's when some people experience visual disturbances like flashing lights, or odd sensations like pins and needles. About 80% of migraine sufferers don't experience the aura phase, but the same wave-like changes happen inside their brains. These symptoms come from a burst of electrical activity in the brain that is subsequently suppressed, which alters blood flow and causes the constriction of blood vessels. Whether a person notices these effects depends on the structure and sensitivity of their cerebral cortex. The brain relies on a stable supply of blood for nutrients and oxygen — but direct contact with blood is toxic to brain tissue. That's why we have the blood-brain barrier, a filter that protects brain cells. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, how should you treat a headache? Pain The pain comes next. The body takes vascular changes in the brain seriously and headache pain is one way it warns us that something could be wrong. Any disruption to blood flow – too little or too much – is potentially dangerous. A blocked vessel can lead to ischemic stroke, while a ruptured vessel causes hemorrhagic stroke. The pain phase begins when earlier blood vessel constriction gives way to a rebound dilation. This sudden widening of vessels activates pain receptors — and voilà: the familiar, throbbing pain of migraine – and it can be debilitating. For many people who suffer from migraines, once the pain hits, food is the last thing on their mind. That's why many turn to triptan medications instead of fast food, which rebalance serotonin and histamine (another regulator of blood flow) once the migraine is underway. Migraines are complex, personal and frustratingly unpredictable, but knowledge is power Postdrome Postdrome kicks in after the worst of the head pain subsides. This migraine hangover is more than just feeling worn out, though – it's a distinct phase of a migraine attack. Known medically as the postdrome phase, it follows up to 80% of migraine attacks and can bring symptoms strikingly similar to a traditional hangover: nausea, fatigue, dehydration, body aches and mental fog. For many people, this lingering phase can be just as disruptive as the migraine itself, making recovery a drawn-out and exhausting process. It can take days or even weeks to transition through all four phases of a migraine. Knowledge is prevention Still, prevention is better than cure and recognising the early signs of a migraine, then responding in ways that support the brain's neurobiology, can make a huge difference. Migraines are complex, personal and frustratingly unpredictable. But knowledge is power. And while no single solution works for everyone, recognising the prodrome phase and supporting your nervous system before pain sets in may be your best shot at heading off an attack. Whether it's recognising the craving for chocolate as a biological warning sign, sipping iced water, getting a hug, or yes – even reaching for a Coke and fries – these small interventions have roots in brain science. They reflect our body's efforts to protect itself. Developing your personal treatments based on how your brain responds can help you stay one step ahead of the pain.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
You MIGHT be able to cure migraines with a McDonald's, say experts
A particular McDonald's food and drink combination may be able to ease migraine symptoms, experts say. It comes after a video of a woman sampling the supposed headache cure - dubbed the McMigraine meal - went viral. Since then, hundreds of TikTok users have confirmed that the order - consisting of a large Coke and fries - can stop migraine symptoms 'immediately'. Although it might be a stretch to hail the sweet and salty combination as a miracle cure, the claim appears to have some truth to it. Dr Amanda Ellison, a professor in neuroscience at Durham University, told The Times caffeine, complex sugars, salt and carbohydrates all help to alleviate the symptoms of a severe headache. A large number of headaches are caused by the blood vessels around the brain dilating to increase oxygen flow, but caffeine will restrict these blood vessels, Ms Ellison explained. She added: 'The sugar helps because generally with any kind of pain, but also with migraine, your sugars are all over the place, your hormones are all over the place, your electrolytes are all over the place … and generally we see this with people with migraine a lot earlier than they actually have pain.' Since then hundreds of TikTok users have confirmed that the order - consisting of a large Coke and fries - can stop migraine symptoms 'immediately' (stock image) TikTok user @MillyHancockk's video went viral after she put the theory to the test. She captioned the clip: 'Trying McDonald's chips and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help.' In the caption, she added: 'Can confirm it works' along with a laughing crying emoji. The TikToker, whose clip has been viewed nearly 4 million times, drew in hordes of commentators, many of whom came to confirm the hack works for them as well. One person commented: 'I work in neurology and our headache specialist literally recommends this to patients'. Another added: 'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured'. A third explained: 'So basically Coke & fries help headaches because caffeine tightens blood vessels, sugar boost blood glucose, and salty carbs rebalance electrolytes.' Others suggested slight amendments to the hack. 'As a diet coke lover and migraine sufferer, diet won't do it you need the regular coke,' one said. 'Whoever told you Diet Coke was playing, it's gotta be a full fat and salty chips. Works everytime,' another added. But, although the meal might help ease a headache, it is unlikely that migraine sufferers would actually be able to stomach a large meal during the pain stage of a true migraine attack, according to Ms Ellison. And, there is also the potential for caffeine, salt and fast food to cause a migraine, David Walker, a headache specialist at Rush University Medical Center, told Verywell. 'It's great that this helps certain individuals. I don't think it should be generalized because on the flip side of things, fried foods can trigger migraines,' Walker said. Migraine v headache, how to tell the difference A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. It is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood. There are several types of migraine, some have warning signs such as flashing lights in vision others don't. Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week while others can have years between attacks. You should see a GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms, classified by the NHS as on more than five days a month. The exact cause of migraines is unknown but they are thought be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Some sufferers know certain triggers like particular food or drinks or stress can cause or increase the risk of a migraine. The NHS says there is no cure for migraines though certain medications and behaviour changes can reduce the symptoms or frequency of attacks.
