Migraines are more than headaches; they are a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions worldwide. Migraines are characterized by throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, which can last from 4 to 72 hours and may include nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Some people experience an aura, or visual disturbances such as zigzag lines or flashing lights, either before or during a migraine attack. Although there is no cure for migraine, the amalgamation of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and some medical interventions could significantly alleviate its symptoms and help reduce its occurrences.

Migraine is a primary headache disorder, meaning it is not a secondary headache caused by another medical condition. It is the result of complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Studies have shown that up to 80% of patients with migraines have a first-degree relative who also suffers from them, suggesting a strong genetic component. Hormonal changes, especially in women, further contribute, making migraines three times more common in women than in men.

Some of the risk factors are:

A family history predisposes to an attack. A female is likely to suffer more within the ages 15 to 55 and often during the periods. Significant levels of stress tend to trigger. Other precipitating factors include some types of foods, irregular sleeping habits, environmental such as climatic changes, etc.

Natural Remedies and Supplements for Migraine Relief

Although there is no permanent cure for migraines, natural remedies may help manage the symptoms and perhaps prevent attacks.

1. Acupressure

Acupressure is a method of relieving pain by applying pressure on specific points on the body. For migraines, the LI-4 point is often used. It is situated between the base of the thumb and index finger. Pressing this point lightly for five minutes may ease headache discomfort.

2. Essential Oils

Lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and basil essential oils have been proven to minimize migraine symptoms. A 2020 study demonstrated that basil oil significantly reduced migraine severity and frequency. However, essential oils must be used carefully, especially among pregnant women, children, or those with asthma. Always consult a healthcare provider prior to using them.

3. Ginger

Ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory, has shown promise in treating migraines. Research reveals that ginger powder significantly reduces pain and alleviates nausea and vomiting associated with migraines. However, interactions with medications like blood thinners warrant caution.

4. Stress Management

Stress is a common migraine trigger, affecting 7 out of 10 sufferers. Techniques such as journaling, meditation, and exercise can help manage stress levels. Biofeedback therapy, which teaches individuals to consciously control physiological functions like muscle tension, has also proven effective in reducing migraine symptoms.

Nutritional supplements can play a crucial role in migraine management:

Magnesium: Aids in vasodilation within the brain's blood vessels while maintaining serotonin concentrations. Many with migraines also have magnesium deficiencies, so taking supplements can prove helpful.

Riboflavin (B2): Fosters cell energy and combats inflammation which can trigger and exacerbate migraine headaches.

Feverfew: Mimics natural aspirin which inhibits the aggregation of platelets and therefore reduces inflammation; 50 to 100 milligrams a day has been effective in preventing the onset of a migraine headache.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, they possess anti-inflammatory effects that help to reduce migraine attacks. In fact, one study published in 2021 verified their efficacy with a low-omega-6 diet.

Butterbur: This herbal product contains anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory compounds, helping reduce the occurrence of migraines among adults as well as children.

Techniques For Instant Relief

For quick relief during a migraine attack, the following techniques could be used:

- Minimize light and sound exposure and rest in a dark, quiet room to reduce sensory triggers.

- Apply hot or cold compresses and alternate between hot and cold packs on the neck or head to ease pain.

- Drink caffeine in moderation with small amounts of caffeine can enhance the effectiveness of migraine medications during the early stages of an attack.

Behavioural Therapies

Some FDA-approved devices include magnetic stimulation or electrical currents in treatment. Such innovative tools have been proven to be effective in clinical studies, reducing up to two migraine days per month and eliminating pain during an acute attack.

Long-term Strategies To Adopt for Migraine Management

While natural remedies and supplements can be helpful, adopting some of these strategies long-term can offer significant benefits:

- Maintain a migraine diary and monitor triggers, symptoms, and relief methods to develop a pattern and adjust preventive measures.

- Keep a balanced diet with magnesium-rich foods, omega-3 fatty acids, and feverfew.

- Ensure proper sleep hygiene and maintain a regular sleep cycles can help to prevent more frequent attacks.

While it may be impossible to permanently cure migraines, effective management can be achieved by combining natural remedies, dietary adjustments, stress management, and medical interventions. If your migraines are impacting your quality of life, consider consulting a healthcare provider for a tailored treatment plan. With the right approach, it's possible to reclaim

What Is Migraine? JAMA Network. 2022

Biofeedback and Relaxation Training for Headaches. American Migraine Foundation. 2016

The efficacy of ginger for the treatment of migraine... Am J Emerg Med. 2021

Accupressure for Pain and Headaches. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Relieving Migraine Headaches: A Randomized Triple-Blind Study. Karger. 2020

Top 10 Migraine Triggers and How to Deal with Them. American Migraine Foundation. 2017

Suicides are one of the leading causes of death around the world. While it is easy to say that the person who chose to take their lives did it of their own violation, Harvard psychologist Dr. Matthew Nock, explains the other side. “90% of people who try and kill themselves say, I didn't want to die per se. I wanted to escape from seemingly intolerable.” Speaking on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, Dr. Nock pointed out that the link between work pressure and suicidal thoughts varies by race and ethnicity.

The concerning rise in suicide cases tied to work pressure has fueled a social media conversation about toxic work culture. What was once considered a normal part of the professional grind is now being openly challenged, as people share personal stories of the anxiety, depression, and isolation caused by unhealthy work environments.

What Professions Are At High Risk Of Suicide?

According to Dr. Matthew Nock, certain careers are linked to a higher risk of suicide.

Police Officers

He noted that physicians and police officers are among those at high risk. He mentioned a spike in suicides among New York City police officers, who are predominantly white men, and shared that female police officers, in particular, face a higher risk, even when accounting for factors like age, race, and ethnicity.

According to a 2025 study published in the Police Practice and Research, on average, 21.4 out of every 100,000 officers died by suicide each year.

The study showed that the suicide rate was much higher for male officers (22.7 per 100,000) than for female officers (12.7 per 100,000).

Physicians

Dr. Nock explained that access to means is a significant factor in these high-risk professions, which helps explain why physicians, police officers, and military members have a much higher risk of suicide compared to others.

Another study published in 2024 The BMJ, showed that the number of suicides among doctors has been going down, female doctors are still at a much higher risk than other people.

When looking at all the data, male doctors were found to have a 5% higher risk of suicide compared to the general population.

In a more recent analysis of the last few years, the overall suicide rate for doctors has decreased, which is good news. But even with this improvement, female doctors still have a 24% higher risk than the general public.

Why We Need To Talk More About Suicide

Dr. Nock stresses the importance of openly discussing suicide, particularly in schools. He compared it to fire drills or earthquake preparedness, saying that since 15% of people will experience suicidal thoughts, it's crucial to equip everyone with a safety plan..Dr. Matthew Nock said, "We know that asking about suicide, talking about suicide, does not make people suicidal."

He noted that the people who act on suicidal thoughts often show different signs than those who just have the thoughts. While depression is a strong predictor of having suicidal thoughts, other factors like anxiety, aggressiveness, poor behavioral control, and drug or alcohol use are more closely linked to a person actually attempting suicide.

He believes that a small educational module on suicide in health class could help save lives by teaching people what to do if they or someone they know is struggling.

While we all know air pollution affects our health, did you know that it was actually driving cancer cases higher? This has led to a big rise in health problems worldwide. Past studies show that air pollution is linked to about seven million premature deaths each year and contributes to over 3% of all years of healthy life lost globally. This revelation was a big concern for public health, and to fix it, many measures were taken.

While some countries like the US showed promising results in bettering public health, a recent study in the International Journal of Public Health showed that this positive trend is not yet showed up in China.

How Is PM2 Pollution Affecting Our Health?

One of the most dangerous types of air pollution is called fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. These tiny particles come from car exhaust, factory smoke, and even from the smoke created by burning solid fuels inside homes. Because they are so incredibly small, they can stay suspended in the air for a long time and, when we breathe them in, they go deep into our lungs.

Once inside the body, PM2.5 can cause inflammation and even change our genes, which increases our risk for many illnesses, especially tracheal, bronchial, and lung (TBL) cancers. A new study looked at how much PM2.5 pollution has affected TBL cancer rates in China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States from 1990 to 2021.

Has Pollution-Related Health Risk Decreased Everywhere?

The study, which used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, found some important trends:

Overall Cancer Rates Are Declining

The good news is that globally, the number of deaths and years of healthy life lost due to TBL cancer linked to PM2.5 pollution are going down. This positive trend was consistent in all the countries studied: China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.

China's Unique Challenge

Despite this global trend, China faced a much higher death rate from TBL cancer linked to PM2.5 compared to the other three countries. While their rates are decreasing, they still remain significantly higher than the worldwide average.

Household Pollution Hits Women Harder

The research also looked at pollution from burning solid fuels inside homes. The global death rate from TBL cancer linked to this type of pollution has remained stable, but it's actually increasing for women while it's decreasing for men. This highlights a specific danger for women in homes that rely on these fuels.

Will This Pollution Cancer Trend Keep Rising?

Looking ahead, researchers predict that the global death rate for TBL cancer caused by PM2.5 will actually increase over the next 29 years. However, the study notes that countries like China, South Korea, and the U.S. are expected to see a significant drop in their rates, while Japan's numbers are expected to stay about the same.

Overall, this study shows that while air pollution is a serious global health risk, the efforts to reduce PM2.5 exposure in many countries are making a real, positive difference.

Maintaining our gut health is not as easy as it seems. Even things like how you do your bowel movements could reveal how healthy your gut actually is. According to Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a board-certified gastroenterologist, many of us are making common mistakes on the toilet that can lead to real health problems. Here are three crucial habits to change to improve your gut health. Here are three mistakes' people make will they are in the washroom.

3 Bathroom Mistakes You Are Making

Stop Straining

Pushing or straining when you poop can cause serious issues like hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in your rectum and anus, and anal fissures, which are small tears in the lining of your anus. In more severe cases, it can even lead to rectal prolapse, where part of the rectum slides out of the anus. Instead of forcing it, focus on taking deep breaths. This helps your abdominal muscles relax and allows your body to do its job naturally, reducing the risk of painful complications.

Put Down Your Phone

Scrolling on your phone while on the toilet can be a bad habit. Spending extra time on the toilet, even if you’re not straining, puts pressure on the delicate veins in your rectum. This can cause them to swell, significantly increasing your risk of hemorrhoids. To protect yourself, it’s best to keep your bathroom breaks short—ideally, under five minutes.

Don't Ignore the Urge

When you feel the need to poop, it's important not to hold it in, which makes it much more difficult to pass later, leading to and worsening constipation. When you feel the need to go, listen to your body. Holding it in causes your stool to get harder and drier, which makes constipation much worse and more painful later on. Train your gut to go when it says it's time.

Simple Ways To Improve Your Bowel Movements

Go at the Same Time Each Day

Try to create a routine. If you're often straining without success, try sitting on the toilet about 30-60 minutes after a meal, when your colon is naturally more active. A little stretching or a short walk beforehand can also help things get moving.

Use a Stool for Your Feet

The natural position for a bowel movement is squatting. You can mimic this position on a regular toilet by placing a small stool under your feet to raise your knees above your hips. This simple change helps your muscles relax and can make bowel movements easier and more complete.

Focus on Fiber and Fluids

Fiber is essential for creating soft stool that's easy to pass. Most adults should aim for 25 to 35 grams a day. Just remember to add it to your diet slowly. As you increase your fiber, be sure to drink more water and other non-caffeinated fluids, since caffeine can dehydrate you and make stool harder.

When to Seek Help

While these tips are a great starting point, sometimes you need more personalized help. You should talk to your doctor if you notice any of these signs:

• A recent, unexplained change in your bowel habits
• Blood in your stool
• Unexplained stomach pain
• A pelvic health physical therapist can also provide a full evaluation and create a personalized plan to improve your bowel health.