Joint pain is one of the biggest signs of arthritis. It is usually experienced as discomfort in the hands, wrists, feet, and back. What people don’t know is that many of our day-to-day activities and habits actually contribute to joint pain and conditions such as arthritis. However, the good news is that these habits can be addressed and remedied. Read on to find out about these habits and how they could be damaging your joints. Wearing heels Higher heels cause more weight to be pushed forward. This forces your leg muscles to work harder and puts pressure on your knees and ankles, increasing the risk of arthritis. Wearing ill-fitting shoes Wearing ill-fitted shoes can affect your knees, hips, ankles, and even your back. Skipping out on strength training Strength training improves muscle and slows down the bone loss that occurs with age. Maintaining a poor form Bad form while exercising overworks the muscles and puts pressure on joints. Poor texting habits It’s common to use your thumbs while texting, but this can irritate the tendons. People face something known as a “texting thumb,” where the thumb gets locked in a curled position. Spending too much time with a screen Too much time on your computer screen can lead to pain in your neck, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and back. Carrying heavy loads Heavy backpacks can lead to bad posture and neck and shoulder pain. Long-term use of one-sided bags can affect your balance and tire your joints. Lack of exercise Stretching can improve flexibility and support muscles and tendons. This allows joints to move freely and helps avoid arthritis. Poor sleep cycles Poor sleep cycles lead to inflammation in the body, which can worsen preexisting conditions such as arthritis. Sleeping on your stomach Sleeping on your stomach compresses the spine and pushes your head in one direction, leading to pressure on joints.

Joint pain is one of the most common and persistent symptoms of arthritis. While some can manage the discomfort with mild prescriptions, others may have to rely on physiotherapy and lifestyle changes to improve their outlook in the long run. There are many known triggers of joint pain, but surprisingly, changes in weather can also trigger these discomforts. Experiencing bad joint problems triggered during climatic changes can be dealt with in the following ways. Joint pain during winters The cold season can be tough on joints, especially when a person is already experiencing pain triggered by arthritis. Studies indicate that a drop in temperature lowers barometric pressure (the atmospheric pressure), forcing muscle, tendons, and tissues to expand. Overexpansion puts severe pressure on the joints and the tissue cushioning two bones. To reduce bad joint pains during winters, one can wear more layers and cover-ups to protect from extreme temperature drops. Movement helps keep the muscles strong and prevents the risk of spasms. One can also apply heating pads to areas where the pain has just started to develop when the temperature drops. Joint pain during summers As if summer heat waves weren’t enough of a nuisance, many people also experience joint problems with the increase in temperature. Here again, the change in air pressure puts extra pressure on the joints and tissues, inducing bad joint pain. It is not possible to layer up during the hotter months. But one can stay in the shade during the peak hours and wear natural, breathable fabrics that promote better air circulation. One must also drink plenty of water as dehydration can increase the risk of gout flare-ups. The body loses water due to excessive sweating, so it is necessary to replenish the supply. Joint problems during monsoons Some people may also experience joint pain when it rains.

Migraines are headaches usually accompanied by symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light. Although the throbbing pain is persistent on one side of the head, it can vary in intensity and can be quite abrupt. These headaches should not be ignored, as intense migraines can affect cognitive function and simultaneously increase neurological health complications. Here are five noticeable signs that require active medical intervention to manage the symptoms. Noticeable changes in frequency and intensity If one notices abrupt changes in the intensity of pain, it should be checked. For example, if migraine headaches that were persistent in the morning have now unexpectedly changed frequency and timing without any significant changes in routine, it should be reported. These unexplained changes could be triggered by developing neurological disorders that can only be confirmed with tests. The thunderclap headache These headaches occur out of nowhere and develop with an intensity that can cause someone immense pain. There is no warning, and the pain develops within a matter of seconds. Immediate medical attention is necessary as soon as the first symptom is felt. In rare cases, it could be a sign of internal bleeding due to an aneurysm or hemorrhaging. Strokes and head trauma are also known causes that trigger this sudden uncontrollable pain. Headaches with various symptoms Mild to moderate migraines can be managed with prescriptions and relaxation techniques. However, never ignore headaches that develop with symptoms like fever, confusion, memory issues, visual disturbances, slurred speech, or weakness. These neurological symptoms could indicate a bigger problem. Headaches during pregnancy Women should not ignore the pain and discomfort caused by migraines during pregnancy. It could be a precursor to complications like preeclampsia, a condition that raises blood pressure levels unnaturally. Some women may also develop eclampsia, a form of hypertension that could become fatal if patients slip into a coma.

It can be challenging to differentiate between a headache and a migraine while you’re encountering an elevated degree of pain and pressure in your head. Separating a headache from a migraine and the other way around is important. It can mean quicker alleviation and timely treatment, and assistance in preventing the occurrence of future headaches or migraine attacks. Read about the distinctions between headaches and migraines and their types and symptoms in this article. What is a headache? Headaches are among the most widely recognized kinds of aggravation that individuals experience. The pain ranges from mild to severe and happens on both sides of your head. Headaches can last between 30 minutes to a week. There is a wide range of headaches; they can be separated into two general classifications. Primary headache disorder occurs in the absence of any other illness or condition. Tension-type, cluster, and hemicrania are some common types. Secondary headache disorder happens when the headaches are side effects of different circumstances like colds, flu, influenza, tumors, among others, or are indications of various illnesses. What is a migraine? Migraine produces a more extensive scope of side effects than headaches and lasts somewhere in the range of four hours to a few days. Migraine progresses through stages. In its full-blown stage, they are frequently joined by vomiting, pain in the temples, temporary vision loss, nausea, and sensitivity to light, sound, and certain smells. The accurate causes are still being studied. There are two types of migraines- migraine with aura and migraine without aura. An aura is a feeling that a person experiences before a migraine-like feeling of tiredness or having trouble thinking straight, seeing flashing lights, tingling or numbness sensation, or an unusual sense of taste, smell, or touch. What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?

Migraines lead to a stinging sensation on one side of the head. In most cases, you may experience what is known as the postdrome. It’s the last stage of a migraine, where the pain finally subsides but leaves you exhausted. This phase can last between a couple of hours to a few days, based on your lifestyle. Whether during a migraine attack or after, avoid doing the following things to manage the condition. Don’t oversleep or sleep too little The amount of sleep you get can influence a migraine. You must sleep for at least seven to eight hours a night. Oversleeping can trigger migraine headaches. If you get enough sleep but still feel lethargic on waking up, or cannot sleep, it could be a sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea. See a doctor immediately to get the necessary treatment. Don’t drink too much caffeine While caffeine works as a remedy for migraines, having too much can trigger migraines and their symptoms. It can also result in rebound headaches and lead to other health problems. So, reduce caffeine intake, especially if you’re susceptible to migraines. Don’t eat processed and cured meat Foods that are processed or cured, including sausages, ham, and bacon, are abundant in nitrites and nitrates. These elements help preserve flavor and color and keep the meat fresh. However, such foods can trigger migraines and worsen your current symptoms. Don’t skip meals People who eat limited meals a day are more susceptible to migraines. Eating less leads to a drop in blood sugar, which triggers headaches. So, you must eat three meals a day. Studies show that foods rich in magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids may help curb the risk of recurring migraines. Don’t overdo activities If you have a migraine or are experiencing the migraine postdrome, it’s better to avoid strenuous activities.

A migraine is a complex neurological disorder that causes moderate to severe pain—usually on one side of the head—throbbing or pulsing. Migraine sufferers experience a range of other symptoms that can vary across individuals. Many people who have bad eyesight often wonder whether not wearing their prescription glasses or contacts can trigger a migraine headache. This article answers that critical question and explains the relationship between eyesight and migraine. Ocular migraines Migraines can affect eyesight. In fact, there’s a medical term for that, ocular migraine. This is a form of severe headache that is accompanied by temporary vision changes, such as seeing flashes of light, zigzagging patterns, blind spots, and shimmering spots or stars. These symptoms are collectively referred to as migraine aura. There are mainly two types of ocular migraines: migraine with aura and retinal migraine. The former impairs vision and can make an individual see flashing lights, stars, patterns, or blind spots, while the latter causes bad eyesight in only one eye and is usually characterized by decreased vision and flashing lights. There are many risk factors for ocular migraines, such as genetics, hormone imbalances, weather changes, and certain odors. Does poor eyesight trigger migraine? Refractive errors, such as astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, or presbyopia, don’t directly cause or trigger a migraine, whether ocular or other types. However, if you’re not using your prescription glasses or are wearing outdated glasses, you’re likely to strain your eyes, which in turn can trigger a migraine. When you squint to see better, the muscle tension in your forehead and around your eyes increases, which can cause headaches. Bad eyesight can increase both the frequency and intensity of headaches. So, it’s crucial that people with migraines who have refractive errors see an eye doctor for regular eye exams. Updating the glasses or contacts prescription can decrease the risk of migraine and even regular headaches.

Anyone who has ever had a migraine attack understands how debilitating it can be. The experience is not made easier when you’re faced with a ton of questions latent with misconceptions that the general public holds about this illness. There is still a lot to be understood about this misunderstood condition, to make matters worse. This article talks about some common misconceptions and facts about migraine to help spread awareness. Myth or fact: Migraine is just a headache Myth. Migraines are a type of headache, but they can’t be classified as simple headaches. Migraine episodes may be accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, aura, pulsating pain, etc. Migraine is more appropriately classified as a neurological disease that can cause functional changes in the brain. Migraine may or may not present itself in the form of a headache, and it often shows other neurological signs that help in its diagnosis. Myth or fact: Caffeine causes migraine Myth. Caffeine can certainly act as a trigger for headaches or migraine in some patients. However, it cannot be labeled as a causative agent in the grand scheme. Most treatment options prescribed by doctors contain caffeine to help reduce headaches. Some patients even prefer drinking caffeinated beverages at the start of a migraine attack, as it often helps lower the severity of the episode. However, caffeine overconsumption headaches can occur if individuals are pumped up on caffeine. Myth or fact: Migraine with an aura is an actual migraine Myth. Aura is not a compulsory accompaniment to migraine attacks or episodes. Whether or not an aura accompanies a migraine can be a determining factor in the treatment plan for the patient. However, it does contribute to the authenticity of a migraine. Patients who experience migraines with aura don’t always do so. They can have pretty severe episodes without aura.

Migraine headaches cause a pulsating pain that is usually accompanied by nausea. Such issues can make focusing on work or chores quite cumbersome. This condition is also associated with light sensitivity, as brightness from lights and screens could be unbearable. This article highlights the types of migraines that have such an effect.    Migraine with aura Aura is a symptom characterized by temporary vision impairment during or before migraines. Other symptoms that occur in this type of migraine include zig-zag patterns and patches of light. Along with vision-related issues, the aura may be responsible for triggering symptoms like the sensation of pins and needles and weakness or numbness on one side of the body. These symptoms build up gradually and may last for around an hour. Ocular migraine Visual, retinal, ophthalmic, or ocular migraine normally affects just one of the eyes. The general symptoms of this type of migraine are much akin to those of migraine with aura. Temporary vision loss and blindness in one eye are salient to this condition.  Steps to take during visual disturbances In case you’re out shopping, at work, or driving, it is best to find a safe spot to relax and take deep breaths. This step will help you calm down and phase out the migraine symptoms that trigger issues with eyesight. For those who suffer from chronic migraine, it is advisable to keep an eye mask handy in case of an emergency. Having an eye mask around is a great way to avoid bright lights during a migraine attack, as it gives you the time and space to feel calm. Another useful tip is to consult a doctor for prescribing painkillers that help deal with attacks. Taking this step is crucial, considering the fact that a migraine attack can last anywhere between 4 and 72 hours.