About.com Headaches / Migraine

Use it or Lose it!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:30 +0000

As the end of 2009 approaches, Thanksgiving turkey and holiday spending are probably on your mind. For those of you with Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) you should be thinking about health care expenses, as well. Many employers have FSAs available to their employees that they can use for certain medical expenses. One drawback with the FSA, however, is that if you don't use money you've contributed to your account during the year, you lose it. In other words, you can't roll over 2009 contributions to 2010 expenses.

FSAs can reimburse you for "qualified medical expenses," and IRS Publication 502 lists these out for you. As headache sufferers some of the following may be of special interest:

Acupuncture, Chiropractic care, or Osteopathic Manipulation
Dental work (including exams and x-rays)
Eyeglasses
Laboratory fees
Prescription medications
Physical examinations
Stop smoking programs

Non-prescription medications are not deductible as qualified medical expenses, but an FSA can be used to pay for them.

The IRS reminds us that the following are not "qualified medical expenses":

Amounts paid for health insurance premiums
Amounts paid for long-term care coverage or expenses
Amounts that are covered under another health plan

So, if you have health insurance or other health coverage that pays for something already, you can't use your FSA.

For questions regarding FSAs and other tax-advantaged medical savings programs (like Health Savings Accounts) refer to IRS publication 969, or speak to a qualified tax professional.

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Use it or Lose it! originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 10:00:30.

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Athletes with Migraines

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:53:57 +0000

Migraine headaches strike all types of individuals in all types of professions. Shawn Nelson, rookie tight end for the National Football League's Buffalo Bills, has recently been dealing with a bout of migraine headaches but is finding a way to stay active with his team. Nelson injured his neck blocking in a game a few weeks ago and feels like this was the most recent trigger, but he has suffered from migraines for at least the last 10 years. His mother was also a migraine sufferer

Nelson spoke a little bit about what it feels like to have a migraine, and how athleticism and size are no guarantees for good health:

Some people get injuries and some people's bodies react in different ways. From the outside looking in some players' afflictions look really small. But you won't know unless you've had migraines yourself, especially the way I get them. They are unreal. I can't even move.

This just underscores the fact that migraines can strike anyone and can be debilitating no matter what that person's overall health may be like.

What other headache triggers are out there?

Many NFL players experience concussions, which can be a secondary cause for headaches.

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Athletes with Migraines originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 08:53:57.

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Health Care Reform

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:00:30 +0000

The U.S. House of Representatives could begin debating their revised health care reform bill. There is even talk of voting as early as this Friday, but as we all know, the political process can take many different turns and detours. Whatever your personal thoughts on the proposals at hand, be sure to contact your own representative and express those views. Read more about health care reform. Will you need to find a new doctor? What questions should you be asking doctors?

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Health Care Reform originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 10:00:30.

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Global Warming and Headaches

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:55:08 +0000

We all know that pollution is unsightly, smells horrible, and generally detracts from a community. Now researchers believe that pollution may also contribute to headaches. In a study published earlier this month in the American Journal of Epemiology, researchers looked at the effect pollution is having in urban centers in Chile. They found that increased pollution levels were associated with higher rates of hospitalization for headaches of all types. So now we have one more reason to clean up the environment.

Do you know of other headache triggers?

What about headache triggers in your diet?

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Global Warming and Headaches originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 21:55:08.

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Prescription Medication Help

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:38:32 +0000

The economy hasn't been everything we'd all hoped it would be this year, and with the holiday season approaching it's easy to get discouraged. Medication costs have increased steadily for years and it seems there are more and more people taking more and more medication. An organization called the Partnership for Prescription Assistance is here to help people who are having a tough time paying for their medicines.

If you are someone who doesn't have prescription drug benefits through any insurance program, you may qualify for help through the PPA. They are dedicated to finding ways to pay for medications, as well as resources for the uninsured or underinsured. This may be a nice holiday bonus for some of you out there.

Have you or your doctor thought of the best prescription medications to treat migraines?

What about prescriptions to prevent migraines?

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Prescription Medication Help originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 09:38:32.

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When a Headache Isn't Just a Headache

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:55:18 +0000

With all of the hype surrounding flu season, especially the H1N1 variety, it's important to remember that a headache isn't always a headache. It can be a sign of a more significant illness so it's a good thing to take note. Do you have fever or other "flu-like symptoms" as well? Is anyone else sick in the household? Is this headache a bit different than your "usual" headaches?

Take time to learn more about influenza and the H1N1 virus.

Have you thought about a flu shot?

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When a Headache Isn't Just a Headache originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 14:55:18.

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Another Point for Chocolate

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:22:36 +0000

First anti-oxidants, and now migraine prevention. The news keeps getting better for chocolate. At the International Headache Society's 14th International Headache Congress in Philadelphia, researchers presented preliminary evidence that a diet supplemented with cocoa may be beneficial in preventing migraines. Cocoa seems to increase anti-inflammatory compounds in the brain, which may reduce the incidence of headaches. Missouri State University researchers are quick to point out that all of this information is in the early stages, and so far all of their information comes from studies done in rats. Keep your eyes and ears open for chocolate studies in humans soon. Maybe they need volunteers.

Read about other foods that may trigger migraines.

What are some other headache triggers?

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Another Point for Chocolate originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 21:22:36.

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A New Advocate for Help

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:40:18 +0000

It's always nice to see prominent people use their notoriety to promote good. In the case of Cindy McCain, she has decided to make migraine research a priority in her life. At the 14th International Headache Congress, hosted by the American Headache Society, Mrs. McCain gave the keynote address and pledged to raise awareness for migraines among the public and health professionals, with the goal of increasing funding for migraine-related research.

Cindy McCain is one of an estimated 36 million migraine sufferers. She had this to say:

I have seen migraine`s potential to transform, nearly instantly, a productive, healthy, and happy individual into a bedridden patient, wracked with pain and nausea, forced to rearrange or abandon numerous commitments to family and work. . . . I can hardly begin to describe the number of times I have had to cancel events, tell my family that I could not fulfill responsibilities, or abandon professional commitments, all because that familiar twinge of impending migraine.

Hopefully her own Washington insider can be a good resource as she sets out to fight for headache sufferers in the United States.

Who are other famous people with migraines?

What should you ask when finding a headache doctor?

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A New Advocate for Help originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Friday, September 11th, 2009 at 22:40:18.

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Back to School--Back to Pain

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:49:30 +0000

Not a very cheery title, but I've been seeing a lot of articles lately talking about pediatric migraines. Since so many children went back to school this week, or will be heading back soon, headaches in children seem to be on the rise. This just means that parents need to be back on their toes in looking for headache warning signs and triggers. Also, don't forget that many children actually don't have headaches with their migraines, so be warned. Abdominal migraines and silent migraines are actually quite common in kids and can be a reason they end up missing a lot of class time. Let's hope this school year can be a good one for your little migraine sufferer.

Read more about pediatric headache treatments.

How safe is tylenol?

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Back to School--Back to Pain originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 08:49:30.

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Smoking and Migraines

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:15:44 +0000

I was doing some research for an upcoming article and came across a recent study done by a Spanish research group. They wanted to connect migraines and smoking as we are always looking for more reasons for patients to quit smoking (as if cancer and emphysema weren't enough!). Researchers looked at nearly 400 medical students, paying particular attention to their migraine histories and smoking habits. What they found is that smoking migraneurs seemed to have more attacks than non-smoking migraine sufferers. Also, as few as five cigarettes in a day were enough to trigger a headache. This is hardly earth-shattering evidence, but it does seem to suggest that smoking may adversely affect your health in one more way.

What are some common migraine triggers?

How can diet trigger a migraine?

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Smoking and Migraines originally appeared on About.com Headaches / Migraine on Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 17:15:44.

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