Latest news with #healthhack
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Life-changing': Viral TikTok migraine hack that actually works
Migraines are a scourge that affect more than one billion people worldwide and because the cause isn't fully understood, treating them can be tricky, with sufferers often curling up in a dark, quiet room, waiting for the pain to pass. But one young woman has revealed the bizarre, unlikely hack that works for her — even when pain meds don't. And a neurologist told The New York Post her method actually makes sense. In a video which has had over 36 million views on TikTok, Tilly Walker (@toeatilly) lies in bed, face up, while balancing a full bottle of Evian water on her forehead. 'How I sleep, as no medicine helps my migraines, but balancing a water bottle on my head stops the pain,' she explained. She said figuring it out has been 'life-changing knowledge.' While this basic balancing act may seem like too simple a solution, experts say there's science to support it. 'There is a long history of using pressure on the forehead to relieve pain, from placing stones on the body to tying a handkerchief tight on the head,' Noah Rosen, MD, a neurologist and director of the Northwell Headache Center, told The Post. 'Some of the benefits from this may be Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control where a strong stimulus may suppress another one, like rubbing around a paper cut. 'There have even been devices like the Nerivio patch, which try to use a stimulus on the arm to reduce headaches.' For Tilly, the pressure is key — she noted that the bottle has to be full for it to work. And commenters have pointed out how absolutely desperate she must have been when she stumbled upon the trick. 'This is the sort of thing that only a person with a migraine could think of trying,' wrote one. But she's not alone — several commenters have admitted to using the water bottle method as well. 'GIRL!!! I thought I was the only one doing it, it works so well,' one said. Rosen noted that the bottle may also function as a mindfulness tool, offering further relief. 'Focusing on the bottle rather than the pain may help to be in the moment rather than focusing on a discomforting abstraction,' he explained. Other commenters have chimed in to share their own weird recommendations for alleviating a severe headache, including consuming raw mimosa flowers, wearing an eye mask, applying potato slices to the forehead, submerging feet in hot water, and getting a daith or inner ear piercing. Other cures include the viral 'migraine meal', which consists of a large Coca-Cola and a large order of fries from McDonald's. One viral video with more than 3.8 million views shows a girl at the fast-food chain's drive-through with overlay text reading, 'Trying McDonald's chips and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help.' Doctors say the caffeine in soda can operate as a nerve disrupter, a substance that affects nerve activity and blood flow to the brain. Sometimes, this disturbance works positively, but it's a roll of the dice or a draw of the straw, as caffeine consumption can also trigger migraines. In addition, the salt and sugar present in the 'migraine meal' can constrict blood vessels and also impact blood flow to the brain. Aside from fast food, experts have seen success in using magnesium to prevent migraines. For his part, Rosen says the water bottle hack is a generally safe choice for migraine sufferers so long as they take precautions. 'I would say if you do it, be careful and don't let it hurt your eyes, nose or spill on you!'
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study Finds Simple Change Can Help Manage Blood Sugar
Getting up from the dining table with haste may be the key to managing one's blood sugar, a new study finds. People often experience glucose spikes after eating, particularly when consuming foods high in carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice and grains. It's become a known health hack that going on a post-meal walk can help curb sugary spikes caused by such foods. But a study published on Scientific Reports on Wednesday took things even further. The researchers looked into the intricacies of the post-meal walk, particularly with how immediate one has to start walking to receive the most health benefits. The study analyzed a group of 12 people to compare the difference between going on a 10-minute walk right after glucose intake and going on a 30-minute walk a half hour after glucose intake. The findings showed that both methods significantly reduced average blood glucose levels compared to remaining at rest after a meal. However, the 10-minute walk was deemed to be "uniquely effective" at minimizing the peak glucose levels for each individual compared to the delayed 30-minute walk. Participants also rated the 10-minute walk as "significantly easier" than the longer one despite having to start the former with a fuller stomach. It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that last part. Getting a walk in earlier can yield even better results in terms of blood sugar maintenance than putting off a stroll just a little longer. The study suggests that not even tripling the walk duration would give you the same level of benefit. That's a textbook example of when working smart simply beats working Finds Simple Change Can Help Manage Blood Sugar first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 5, 2025
Health Line
07-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
‘McMigraine': Does TikTok's Coke and Fries Hack Actually Work for Migraine?
TikTok users are touting a migraine hack involving McDonald's fries and a Coke to relieve their symptoms. Experts say the combination of salt, sugar, and caffeine may provide temporary relief from migraine. However, processed foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar may worsen migraine symptoms and contribute to long-term health problems. Several strategies may support migraine relief, such as magnesium and omega-3s. It's estimated that 39 million people in the United States experience migraine. If you're one of them, you may have heard of the 'McMigraine meal,' a proposed migraine relief hack trending on social media platforms like TikTok that involves consuming McDonald's fries and a Coke. A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It's a complex neurological condition often accompanied by intense, throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea, which can be debilitating. While there are medications available to prevent and treat migraine, they don't work for everyone. When a migraine attack hits, most people will do anything to feel better, even if it means consuming ultraprocessed foods like fries and a soda laden with sugar. Here's how the McMigraine trend works, and what experts think about its supposed benefits. A McMigraine meal: Not a reliable cure Kezia Joy, registered dietitian and medical advisor at Welzo, said it's important to distinguish between anecdotal evidence and clinical recommendations for any ailment, including migraine. 'Although the concept may be based on real-life experiences, it's not grounded in clinical research. It may provide temporary solace for some, but it's not something that should be in anyone's regular or safe migraine treatment repertoire,' she told Healthline. Likewise, specialist registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine agreed, cautioning that fries and a Coke are not a reliable treatment. 'While I completely understand that people living with migraine may be desperate to try anything that offers relief, this isn't a strategy I'd recommend trying frequently from a nutritional or clinical perspective,' she told Healthline. McMigraine benefits are short-lived Many people have claimed a McMigraine meal helped relieve their migraine symptoms. Is there any plausible scientific reason why salty fries and a sugary drink might offer temporary relief for some people with migraine? Joy noted a few physiological reasons why someone might experience temporary relief after eating salty, high carb foods and drinking caffeine. 'Caffeine, which is present in Coke, constricts blood vessels, and in some forms of migraines, it can relieve pain,' Joy explained. 'At the same time, high-salt or high-carbohydrate foods may aid in correcting a mild electrolyte or blood sugar imbalance,' she continued. 'If a person has missed a meal or is just a little dehydrated, the fries and soda may provide temporary relief.' Ludlam-Raine shared a similar synopsis of the potential benefits of a McMigraine meal. 'Migraines can be triggered or worsened by low blood sugar, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalances, and so salty fries may help the body retain fluid, while the caffeine and sugar in a Coke could raise blood sugar and offer a quick boost in alertness or energy,' she pointed out. Ultimately, though, Ludlam-Raine said the benefits are likely to be short-lived and won't address the root cause of the problem. In fact, for some people with migraine, the combination of salt, sugar, and caffeine could worsen their symptoms. 'High-fat and salt foods can be problematic for others, especially if their migraines are linked to dietary triggers or underlying conditions like high blood pressure,' Ludlam-Raine noted. Does a McMigraine meal have any risks? The potential to worsen migraine symptoms aside, there are other risks to consider when using unhealthy foods as a migraine cure. 'Fast food may be convenient, but it can also be high in sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars,' Joy said. 'If consuming it becomes habitual, it can create inflammation in the body, which in turn, can make headaches worse over time.' There are other long-term health risks to consider, too. 'Relying on fast food regularly may contribute to long-term health issues like weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and poor gut health, all of which can potentially worsen migraine frequency or severity,' Ludlam-Raine said. Additionally, it may discourage people from addressing triggers and other factors that contribute to migraine attacks.' 'Excessive reliance on fast food as a fix can also skirt any underlying health issues that need to be diagnosed and treated,' Joy pointed out. 'Relying on it instead of seeking out treatments that work and are sustainable isn't good. It's also important to see food in the context of your entire lifestyle, not as a quick fix.' Evidence-based migraine interventions There are many strategies for managing a migraine that don't involve ordering from a McDonald's drive-thru. Joy said there are some specific nutrients you should look out for, such as magnesium. 'It's present in leafy greens and nuts, is involved in nerve functions, and can reduce the frequency of migraine in some people,' she explained. Other nutrients may offer some relief from migraine as well. 'Riboflavin-rich foods (vitamin B2) and co-enzyme Q10 have also been investigated for their potential benefits,' Joy said. 'Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, may also reduce inflammation and support brain health.' According to Ludlam-Raine, other ways to prevent and manage migraine include: staying hydrated throughout the day eating regular, balanced meals that include slow-release carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to maintain steady blood sugar levels avoiding specific triggers like aged cheese, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners keeping a food and symptom diary to identify personal patterns While certain wellness strategies can help prevent migraine, they may not be able to stop one in progress, which could explain why some people have turned to a McMigraine meal for relief. Clinical treatment for a migraine generally involves both acute and preventive options. 'Drugs, including triptans, CGRP inhibitors, and some anti-seizure and blood pressure drugs, can help some people,' Joy said. 'Non-pharmacologic treatments, like biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and neuromodulation devices, can also be effective.' Migraine symptoms can be debilitating, and when they strike, it may be tempting to seek the quickest and most convenient intervention. For some, that might be McDonald's fries and a Coke.
