/oss/taxonomy/term/2492/all en /oss/article/medical-student-contributors/migraine-more-just-bad-headache <p>A migraine is often misunderstood as just “a bad headache,” but this assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Migraines are a complex neurological disorder, far more debilitating than a typical headache, with a significant impact on patients' quality of life. For some, the pain is relentless and pounding, and it comes with a slew of other symptoms that make day-to-day functioning a challenge. Moreover, the struggle of enduring migraines is often worsened by the feeling of having an invisible disorder and of being doubted.</p> Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:18:09 +0000 Hosna Akhgary 10101 at /oss /oss/article/medical-health-and-nutrition/did-scientists-just-discover-compound-responsible-red-wine-headaches <p>While consuming too much of any alcoholic substance can lead to a headache, red wine headaches tend to be a little bit different. Both because a red-wine-induced headache tends to hit the drinker within 30 minutes to 3 hours of consuming the beverage, rather than several hours later as in the case of a hangover, and because rather than copious amounts of alcohol, red wine headaches can be induced with even just one or two glasses. </p> Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9738 at /oss /oss/article/health/squeezing-science-out-squishies <p>Originally squeezing balls made of polyurethane foam was supposed to counter stress. Feeling anxious? For relief, just compress a “stress ball” and then watch it slowly expand back to its original size. At least so went the ads. But now for some parents, squeezing polyurethane foam is creating stress. Their kids are collecting and squeezing “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Rising-Jumbo-SQUISHIES-Pack/dp/B079NCBCP4">squishies</a>,” the latest and hottest toy.</p> Fri, 18 Jan 2019 18:02:53 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7546 at /oss /oss/article/health/migraine-prevention-tip-needle-aimovigs-trials-are-underwhelming <hr /> <p class="note"><strong>Take-home message:</strong><br /> -A new injectable drug, Aimovig, has just been approved by Health Canada to prevent migraines.<br /> -It costs USD 575 a month and it reduces the number of migraine days per month by an average of one or two.</p> <p>When thinking of someone taking a medication for migraines, you may imagine them popping a pill. Now, there’s a syringe.</p> Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:48:35 +0000 Jonathan Jarry, MSc 7308 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/why-do-we-get-caffeine-withdrawal-headaches <p><span>Caffeine interacts with a neurotransmitter- adenosine- receptors, inhibiting the functions that adenosine would normally activate- namely, sleepy feelings. One theory behind caffeine withdrawal headaches is that with time your body adjusts to a new base level of caffeine, and creates more adenosine receptors to compensate. This would explain why you stop feelings alert after only 1 cup of coffee in the mornings after a while and have to start having 2 or 3.</span></p> Tue, 13 Jun 2017 13:55:15 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 2543 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/alarm-clock-headaches <p>“Alarm clock headaches” have the ability to wake a person from sleep due to the excruciating pain radiating in or around the eye on one side of the head. These cluster headaches are one of the most painful types of headaches, surpassing migraines. Unfortunately, they are responsible for the deaths of many innocent people because victims tend to commit suicide during an attack or in anticipation of an attack. There are many treatments to lessen the unbearable pain, however it is imperative to seek aid from a physician familiar with cluster headache therapy.</p> Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:22:42 +0000 OSS 2521 at /oss