Latest news with #healthhacks
Fast Company
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Does the ‘McMigraine meal' really help with headaches? TikTok thinks so
Migraine sufferers have heard it all: ice hats, essential oils, ginger tea. The latest advice? Head to McDonald's and order a large Coca-Cola and fries, dubbed the 'McMigraine meal.' One viral video with 5.7 million views reads: '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, the TikTok creator confirmed the hack worked. Another posted, 'the migraine girls get it' while pulling up to a McDonald's drive-through. A third asked, 'can someone please explain why the McMigraine always works?' While TikTok health hacks should be taken with a generous pinch of salt, this one may have some basis in science. 'This is a hack that's relatively well known in the migraine community,' neurologist and fellow migraine sufferer Jessica Lowe (@doctorbrainbarbie), explained in a TikTok video with 9.3 million views. 'A large coke from Mcdonalds has about 80 milligrams of caffeine in it. That right there is probably enough to stop your migraine in its tracks.' Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor —meaning it narrows blood vessels, which helps counter the dilation that occurs during a migraine. The fries offer both electrolytes and carbohydrates. 'Mcdonalds is well known to have some of the saltiest fries around,' Lowe added. Electrolytes can ease migraine symptoms tied to dehydration or low sodium, while carbs may help if the trigger is hunger or a drop in blood sugar. Still, proceed with caution. For some people, caffeine and fast food can trigger migraines rather than relieve them. Dr. Kay Kennis, a trustee for the Migraine Trust and a GP who specializes in migraines, told the BBC that McDonald's food may also contain high levels of tyramine—a known potential trigger. If you're struggling with migraines, consult your healthcare provider to explore treatment options. But if you're craving McDonald's in the meantime, go for it—you just might get some relief.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
After Extolling Its Virtues on TikTok… Is Cola-Fries Combination Helping Migraine?
Migraine is a painful and disturbing condition that affects many people. So when a hack comes along that says it can 'cure,' or at the very least fend off a migraine, people will try it. While there are medical treatments, there is no cure. Prescription medication can be very effective - but it doesn't always work. For many people there is no simple solution. Some discover their own ways of managing the debilitating pain: blasting the side of their face with a hairdryer, or sitting in a hot bath while wearing an ice pack and drinking a smoothie. But now a new hack has suddenly gone viral - the McMigraine Meal. A simple offering of a full-fat cola and a portion of salty fries seems to be doing the trick for hundreds who've been extolling its virtues on TikTok, according to BBC. If there is any science behind these hacks - what do they do to the body? For Kayleigh Webster, a 27-year-old who has had chronic migraines all her life, it's the salt on the chips that might slow down a migraine attack. 'It can help,' she says cautiously, 'but it's certainly not a cure.' She said, 'Migraine is a complex neurological condition - and it can't be cured by a bit of caffeine, salt and sugar in a fast food meal.' Kayleigh's tried cocktails of different medications, putting her feet in hot water, a flannel at the back of the head, acupuncture, cupping - but they've had little effect. One of the few treatments that has given her relief is medical Botox - having dozens of injections in her head, face and neck. It's still not clear how Botox works for migraine, but it's believed to block powerful pain signals being released from the nerves. Skulls dating back to 3,000 BC show ancient Egyptians even had trouble with migraines - but despite that long history, their exact cause is still unknown. Dr Kay Kennis, a trustee for the Migraine Trust and a GP who specializes in migraines, explained how elements in coke and fries can help stave off a migraine attack. 'The caffeine in the coke can act as a nerve disruptor, it is a substance that affects nerve activity. For some, that disturbance works in a positive way,' Kennis said. 'There are some painkillers that people take for migraines that have caffeine - and some do respond well to that - but we don't fully know why.' But she warned against using caffeinated fizzy drinks like cola as a way of regularly managing migraines. 'Too much caffeine can be a trigger too - and you can end up in a worse situation in the long run,' Kennis said. Other ingredients in a fast food meal, like the salt on the chips, can affect nerve activity, she explains, but adds the effects of sodium on migraines have not been tested. She also warned that not only is fast food often ultra-processed and not conducive to a healthy diet, it can contain high levels of Tyramine, a natural compound commonly found in many foods, which can actually cause severe migraines. Some social media users say the hack does not work. 'There are so many videos online that take advantage of the desperation we all feel," Eloise explains,' said one TikTok user, Eloise Underwood. Prof Peter Goadsby, a neurologist at the NIHR-King's Clinical Research Facility, said research is beginning to produce positive results after years of underfunding. His latest study shows medications known as gepants could block a group of pain receptors in the lead-up to a migraine attack, cutting off the pain before it starts. 'Listen to your body - don't listen to TikTok, that's my advice,' Goadsby said. 'If you can feel the warning signs - yawning, sleepiness, mood change, passing more urine and even craving salt and sugar - listen to your body.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
People say coke and fries are helping their migraines - but there's a twist
It's a condition that affects more than 10 million people in the UK. It can change futures, end careers, and shrink worlds. So when a hack comes along that says it can "cure", or at the very least fend off a migraine, people will try it. While there are medical treatments, there is no cure. Prescription medication can be very effective - but it doesn't always work. For many people there is no simple solution. Some discover their own ways of managing the debilitating pain: sitting in a hot bath while wearing an ice pack and drinking a smoothie, blasting the side of their face with a hairdryer. But now a new hack has suddenly gone viral - the McMigraine Meal. A simple offering of a full-fat coke and a portion of salty fries seems to be doing the trick for hundreds who've been extolling its virtues on TikTok. If there is any science behind these hacks - what do they do to the body? Nick Cook from Oxfordshire carries "a wallet full of drugs" around in case of a migraine attack. He will "try anything" to make the pain go away, he says. "When you live with the condition, and you're working a five-day week and you need to carry on, you'll give anything a go." At its worst the pain around Nick's eye socket can feel like his eyeball is getting crushed. He says it's the caffeine and sugar in coke that helps him. "If I catch it soon it enough it can sometimes work, when my vision goes fuzzy and I can feel one coming on." He stresses that drinking coke doesn't replace his amitriptyline tablets - the daily pain medication he takes to try to prevent migraines - but it does sometimes help him "last until the end of the day". For Kayleigh Webster, a 27-year-old who has had chronic migraines all her life, it's the salt on the chips that might slow down a migraine attack. "It can help," she says cautiously, "but it's certainly not a cure. "Migraine is a complex neurological condition - and it can't be cured by a bit of caffeine, salt and sugar in a fast food meal." Kayleigh's tried cocktails of different medications, putting her feet in hot water, a flannel at the back of the head, acupuncture, cupping - but they've had little effect. One of the few treatments that has given her relief is medical Botox - having dozens of injections in her head, face and neck. It's still not clear how Botox works for migraine, but it's believed to block powerful pain signals being released from the nerves. A migraine - which can last days - is very different to a headache, which tend to be short-lived and can be treated more easily with painkillers like paracetamol. Migraines can cause head pain, neck pain, numbness, blurred vision, and even affect speech and movement. Skulls dating back to 3,000 BC show ancient Egyptians even had trouble with migraines - but despite that long history, their exact cause is still unknown. It's thought pain receptors in the blood vessels and nerve tissue around the brain misfire - sending incorrect signals that something is wrong. But we don't know why some people have an oversensitive nervous system - and why it reacts to some things and not others. Experts say there's not enough research into why only some people - around one in seven - are affected, or what can actually help. Dr Kay Kennis, a GP who specialises in migraines, says while there are elements of the McMigraine meal that can help stave off an attack, these aren't innate to "a McDonald's". "The caffeine in the coke can act as a nerve disruptor, it is a substance that affects nerve activity. For some, that disturbance works in a positive way," Dr Kennis says. "There are some painkillers that people take for migraines that have caffeine - and some do respond well to that - but we don't fully know why." But she warns against using caffeinated fizzy drinks like coke as a way of regularly managing migraines. "Too much caffeine can be a trigger too - and you can end up in a worse situation in the long run," Dr Kennis says. Other ingredients in a fast food meal, like the salt on the chips, can affect nerve activity, she explains, but adds the effects of sodium on migraines have not been tested. She also warns that not only is fast food often ultra-processed and not conducive to a healthy diet, it can contain high levels of Tyramine, a natural compound commonly found in many foods, which can actually cause severe migraines. For Eloise Underwood none of the quick fixes on social media work. The chronic migraine sufferer has been looking for a "magic cocktail" for seven years - she's seen people recommend putting feet in scorching water (not recommended by experts and potentially dangerous); drinking hot coffee (caffeine can be a trigger); or various vibrating devices which have had little effect. "There are so many videos online that take advantage of the desperation we all feel," Eloise explains. She's left several jobs - often due to lighting and noise in an office environment triggering migraines. She recently stopped working as an interior designer and has now launched a business pressing and framing wedding flowers from her home. She wears loop ear buds to reduce the sharpness of the sounds around her, and limits her social life. "People think a migraine is just a headache - that's just one symptom of it," Eloise says. "For me, a migraine is a whole body experience… "Migraines have completely made my life smaller." Prof Peter Goadsby, a neurologist at the NIHR-King's Clinical Research Facility, says research is beginning to produce positive results after years of underfunding. His latest study shows medications known as gepants could block a group of pain receptors in the lead-up to a migraine attack, cutting off the pain before it starts. "Any new treatment is a glimmer of hope," Eloise says. "They do say that nothing will work for everyone - but something will work for someone." Lifestyle changes can also make a difference, Prof Goadsby explains. It might be boring, he says, but basically - "be careful of your brain". "You want to have regularity, avoid the highs and lows. If you can feel the warning signs - yawning, sleepiness, mood change, passing more urine and even craving salt and sugar - listen to your body. "Listen to your body - don't listen to TikTok, that's my advice." Nick has been doing exactly that. He might reach for the odd coke and salty fries, but he's moulded his whole life in order to manage his migraines. "I don't drink, I wear sunglasses even if it's cloudy," he says. "I don't go wild. When me and my partner go away, half the stuff we take is to help us manage our migraines. On a recent stag-do weekend, Nick noticed the difference between his and his friends' lives. "They were up all night drinking to the early hours," Nick says. "I turned up with my own pillow, apples, bananas, Weetabix, and any snacks I would need to keep me going, because hunger can be a major trigger. "I'm in bed by midnight - but my mates know me, and that's OK, because this is how I have to live my life." 'I don't know what we'll do' - Vapers panic-buy ahead of disposables ban 'WeightWatchers set me up to fail' - Why diet industry is losing to jabs like Ozempic
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
McMigraine: Does the TikTok "cure" really work?
It's a condition that affects more than 10 million people in the UK. It can change futures, end careers, and shrink worlds. So when a hack comes along that says it can "cure", or at the very least fend off a migraine, people will try there are medical treatments, there is no cure. Prescription medication can be very effective - but it doesn't always work. For many people there is no simple discover their own ways of managing the debilitating pain: sitting in a hot bath while wearing an ice pack and drinking a smoothie, blasting the side of their face with a hairdryer. But now a new hack has suddenly gone viral - the McMigraine Meal. A simple offering of a full-fat coke and a portion of salty fries seems to be doing the trick for hundreds who've been extolling its virtues on there is any science behind these hacks - what do they do to the body? Nick Cook from Oxfordshire carries "a wallet full of drugs" around in case of a migraine attack. He will "try anything" to make the pain go away, he says."When you live with the condition, and you're working a five-day week and you need to carry on, you'll give anything a go."At its worst the pain around Nick's eye socket can feel like his eyeball is getting crushed. He says it's the caffeine and sugar in coke that helps him."If I catch it soon it enough it can sometimes work, when my vision goes fuzzy and I can feel one coming on."He stresses that drinking coke doesn't replace his amitriptyline tablets - the daily pain medication he takes to try to prevent migraines - but it does sometimes help him "last until the end of the day". For Kayleigh Webster, a 27-year-old who has had chronic migraines all her life, it's the salt on the chips that might slow down a migraine attack."It can help," she says cautiously, "but it's certainly not a cure."Migraine is a complex neurological condition - and it can't be cured by a bit of caffeine, salt and sugar in a fast food meal."Kayleigh's tried cocktails of different medications, putting her feet in hot water, a flannel at the back of the head, acupuncture, cupping - but they've had little of the few treatments that has given her relief is medical Botox - having dozens of injections in her head, face and neck. It's still not clear how Botox works for migraine, but it's believed to block powerful pain signals being released from the nerves.A migraine - which can last days - is very different to a headache, which tend to be short-lived and can be treated more easily with painkillers like paracetamol. Migraines can cause head pain, neck pain, numbness, blurred vision, and even affect speech and movement. Skulls dating back to 3,000 BC show ancient Egyptians even had trouble with migraines - but despite that long history, their exact cause is still thought pain receptors in the blood vessels and nerve tissue around the brain misfire - sending incorrect signals that something is wrong. But we don't know why some people have an oversensitive nervous system - and why it reacts to some things and not say there's not enough research into why only some people - around one in seven - are affected, or what can actually Kay Kennis, a GP who specialises in migraines, says while there are elements of the McMigraine meal that can help stave off an attack, these aren't innate to "a McDonald's"."The caffeine in the coke can act as a nerve disruptor, it is a substance that effects nerve activity. For some, that disturbance works in a positive way," Dr Kennis says."There are some painkillers that people take for migraines that have caffeine - and some do respond well to that - but we don't fully know why." But she warns against using caffeinated fizzy drinks like coke as a way of regularly managing migraines."Too much caffeine can be a trigger too - and you can end up in a worse situation in the long run," Dr Kennis ingredients in a fast food meal, like the salt on the chips, can affect nerve activity, she explains, but adds the effects of sodium on migraines have not been also warns that not only is fast food often ultra-processed and not conducive to a healthy diet, it also often contains high levels of Tyramine, a natural compound commonly found in many foods, which can cause severe like many migraine hacks - they can have the opposite effect depending on each person. For Eloise Underwood none of the quick fixes on social media chronic migraine sufferer has been looking for a "magic cocktail" for seven years - she's seen people recommend putting feet in scorching water (not recommended by experts and potentially dangerous); drinking hot coffee (caffeine can be a trigger); or various vibrating devices which have had little effect."There are so many videos online that take advantage of the desperation we all feel," Eloise left several jobs - often due to lighting and noise in an office environment triggering migraines. She recently stopped working as an interior designer and has now launched a business pressing and framing wedding flowers from her wears loop ear buds to reduce the sharpness of the sounds around her, and limits her social life."People think a migraine is just a headache - that's just one symptom of it," Eloise says. "For me, a migraine is a whole body experience…"Migraines have completely made my life smaller." Prof Peter Goadsby, a neurologist at the NIHR-King's Clinical Research Facility, says research is beginning to produce positive results after years of latest study shows the medications known as gepants, could block a group of pain receptors in the lead-up to a migraine attack, cutting off the pain before it starts."Any new treatment is a glimmer of hope," Eloise says. "They do say that nothing will work for everyone - but something will work for someone."Lifestyle changes can also make a difference, Prof Goadsby explains. It might be boring, he says, but basically - "be careful of your brain"."You want to have regularity, avoid the highs and lows. If you can feel the warning signs - yawning, sleepiness, mood change, passing more urine and even craving salt and sugar - listen to your body."Listen to your body - don't listen to TikTok, that's my advice." Nick has been doing exactly that. He might reach for the odd coke and salty fries, but he's moulded his whole life in order to manage his migraines."I don't drink, I wear sunglasses even if it's cloudy," he says. "I don't go wild. When me and my partner go away, half the stuff we take is to help us manage our migraines."Nick noticed a real difference between his life and his friends' lives a couple of weeks ago when he went on a stag-do a recent stag-do weekend, Nick noticed the difference between his and his friends' lives."They were up all night drinking to the early hours," Nick says. "I turned up with my own pillow, apples, bananas, Weetabix, and any snacks I would need to keep me going, because hunger can be a major trigger."I'm in bed by midnight - but my mates know me, and that's OK, because this is how I have to live my life."
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The super fast hacks to boost your health in 1, 5 or 10mins – and one that will slash your diabetes risk in just 2 mins
IN today's busy world the juggle is real - kids, home and work combine to leave many of us feeling swamped, and exhausted. If that sounds like your life, chances are things like going to the gym are low on your list of prios. But, if you do want to put your own health first, the good news is there are some simple ways to do it, without having to sacrificing large chunks of your precious time. Research shows that short, simple health hacks can give a major boost to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Psychotherapist Sonja Lockyer tells Sun on Sunday Health: 'There are lots of quick, easy things you can weave into your day. 'It's about finding time to focus on your breath, listen to music, sit under a tree, laugh, or do a few minutes of exercise - like while you're on the train to work, making dinner, taking a shower or putting on make-up. 'Even the smallest changes add up, leading to long-term improvements to your health.' Whether you have two, five or 15 minutes, try these expert tips today… 90 SECONDS PAUSE TO COMBAT ANGER WE all feel angry and frustrated at times. But finding it hard to control your emotions can have a detrimental effect on your cardiovascular system, a study by Columbia University warns. Scientists found short bursts of anger affected the blood vessels' ability to relax and dilate, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. This is where the 90-second rule can help. Brits reveal the oddest ways they brighten up their day Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, neuroscientist and author of Whole Brain Living, says: 'Next time you feel your emotions rising, pause for 90 seconds. 'That's how long it takes to dampen activity in the amygdala - the part of the brain responsible for emotional processing.' TWO MINUTES WALK TO LOWER BLOOD SUGAR 7 INSTEAD of plopping down on the sofa after dinner, go for a two-minute walk. It's enough to control blood sugar and insulin levels and could help ward off type 2 diabetes, analysis by the University of Limerick shows. 'It also leads to better mood, sleep, concentration, and long-term health,' registered dietitian Kathleen Benson says. She recommends eating meals full of fibre and protein every five hours. For example: brown rice, black beans, grilled chicken or tofu, peppers, onions, avocado, cheese and salsa. TWO MINUTES LISTEN TO 432 MUSIC TO RELAX 7 THEY say music is good for the soul, but it's good for our minds too. 'Listening to music calms you down in as little as two minutes,' says Denise Leicester, a sound therapist, singer and founder of Soul Medicine. 'But it needs to be tuned to 432Hz, which vibrates at the same rhythm as the earth's electromagnetic waves, known as the Schumann resonance.' Sound is a vibration, or frequency, that is measured in Hertz. Most music was tuned to 432Hz until the 1950s, when 440Hz became the standard. A study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care found 432Hz music increases alpha brain waves, which occur when people are relaxed. Another by the Austral University of Chile found it decreased salivary cortisol and anxiety levels among dental patients before tooth extraction. Search '432Hz music' on YouTube to find what you like. IF you're feeling stressed or anxious, your breathing becomes shallow, says Sonja. 'But if you breathe slowly and deeply, you activate the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing feelings of relaxation,' she adds. Research published in Frontiers in Physiology suggests deep breathing can reduce blood pressure, chronic stress and anxiety. But don't wait to feel stressed to try it out. 'By incorporating short breathing exercises into your day, while you're waiting for the kettle to boil, for example, you will feel less overwhelmed,' Sonja says. Sit down, breathe normally and notice where you feel tension. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold for a few seconds and notice how it feels with your lungs full of air. Slowly exhale through your nose. Do this for one to three minutes. 7 WE all complain about not having enough time. But just five additional minutes of vigorous exercise every day can lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease by 10 per cent, according to UCL researchers. This doesn't have to mean running or the gym. Sammy Margo, physiotherapist at SMARTPHYSIO, says: 'Everyday activities like climbing the stairs, cycling to the shops and gardening all count.' 10 MINUTES NATURE TO BOOST YOUR MOOD 7 IF you're feeling down, get outside! Just 10 minutes sitting or walking in nature can reduce stress and improve your mood, a Cornell University study says. It can be especially beneficial for people with depression and bipolar, according to a review in Ecopsychology, which found 10 minutes in parks or gardens lessened symptoms in the short-term. Fiona Austin, psychotherapist and head of Nature Sense, says: 'Being in nature lowers our heart rate and blood pressure and calms the mind. 'It doesn't matter whether you're in the city, the countryside or by the sea, it's about going outside to heal inside.' 15 MINUTES LAUGH TO SLASH STRESS 7 LAUGHTER really is the best medicine. Even a single giggling session can alleviate stress, reducing cortisol levels by 37 per cent, according to research by the University of Toronto. Stephanie Davies, founder and CEO at Laughology, says: 'Laughing triggers the release of feelgood neurotransmitters in the brain that make you feel calmer, happier and more energised. 'It also lowers your blood pressure, boosts the immune system and even works your abs.' A study in the Journal of Obesity showed chuckling for 15 minutes increased participants' heart rates by around 15 per cent and helped them burn up to an extra 40 calories. 30 MINUTES EVER tried forest bathing? Also called shinrin-yoku, it's the Japanese practice of spending time in a forest environment and is said to strengthen the immune system, increase energy, lower blood pressure, promote better sleep and decrease anxiety, depression and anger - all great if you want to live longer. Fiona says: 'When you're amongst trees, you breathe in volatile organic compounds, called phytoncides, which have many therapeutic benefits.' Thirty minutes of forest bathing daily is recommended for good health.
