You are likely familiar with at least a few of the common categories that may be marked on your lab order – white blood cell count, red blood cell count, cholesterol, blood glucose (sugar), etc. What you may not know is that the short amount of time it takes to prick...

Have you experienced a trauma first hand? Witnessed the aftermath a loved one has experienced from one? Or, is your knowledge based on reading or hearing experiences of individuals via newspaper, book, or television?   It’s not a subject to be taken lightly and it...

A recent interview with Dr. Stephen Honig, Bone health, innovations in imaging, explained Vitamin D’s role in determining and maintaining our bone health.   But Vitamin D can play a pivotal role with other health conditions too.  A recent study out of Brigham and...

Our bodies can be described in many ways. Before you dive into this article, choose three adjectives to describe your body at this exact moment in time. I’ll go first: a bit tired, capable, and awe-worthy.  Thinking about the past year alone and what my body has been...

Most of us are familiar with chiropractic care, where a trained and educated specialist uses their hands or small instrument to adjust the spine in order to reduce nerve interference, relieve pain, and improve body function. But how many of you have heard of Cranial...

If I told you how at one time in my life, in the span of a single month, the number of emergencies, life events, and situations that required fast action on my part, an extra dose of hope, and unconditional love and support, your head would spin. If you’ve ever felt...

It’s amazing to learn that as many as 40% of women trying to conceive end up having a miscarriage; in some cases, more than one. It’s very common, but not commonly discussed. “Loss of pregnancy still remains a heavily stigmatized taboo subject, and its impact on a...

When it comes to the immune system, there is no miracle cure or ability to “boost your immune health” through consumption of a magic pill. It has a very simplistic need – balance. “It’s really getting back to the basics of how our body wants to function – and it wants...

This topic can be like diving into the deep end of the pool. It can be a controversial topic, yet that’s not the reason I chose this topic. It’s because alcohol has come up unexpectedly in three separate conversations I’ve been involved in within the past 24 hours....

We hear the term “clinical trials” quite regularly, but what do these entail and who decides whether these newly developed drugs make it to our pharmacies? What is a clinical trial? A clinical trial is essentially a “test drive” on real people who volunteer to...

It’s easy to say we are all human, therefore, connected. But really – in sickness and health – even sans the wedding ceremony – we are! A young professional in Milan, Italy is struggling with mental health just like your friend in Spokane, Washington. The struggle to...

If you are like me and have open ears and eyes to health facts and information from experts (with a readiness to leap forward), you may be asking, “Is there anything I can do to strengthen or protect my gastrointestinal tract?”  Whatever the reason may be – to fend...

Boundaries exist in every facet of our lives. Whether they are visible boundaries as in a gate on a property or invisible as in pausing to think before committing to a weekend away with longtime friends.    I think the term “boundaries” may have a negative stigma...

There are individuals that strictly adhere to Western medicine practices and others whom favor Eastern. In my opinion, there is room for both and utilizing both can bring a full range of information for us to consider when it comes to our health. My viewpoint is the...

Are you familiar with allergic reactions to food? You know, when someone eats a particular food then immediately breaks out with a rash, has trouble breathing, or becomes ill? Those are very obvious. What about foods you ingest that create a delayed reaction within...

Getting a second opinion, not wanting others’ opinion, or feeling secure in our own opinion is something that should resonate with all of us in regards to our individual health. I agree with the saying that “All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more...

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is “an evidence-based treatment for chronic pain.”* It centers on “retraining the brain” to reduce and in some cases, eliminate cyclic pain. Paulina Assaf, ASW, serves as Director of Operations at Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center in Los...

Food is powerful. It is an integral part of how we feel, flourish and suffer. To what extent you ask?  Let me share a personal story.  “We now know that environmental factors like diet can have a profound effect on the maintenance of health and the appearance of...

Our individual makeup is obviously highly unique. Are you the same person you were 10 years ago? If not, how have things changed on all levels: mindset, mental, emotional, and physical?  The people in your tightest circle (remember those 5 people that influence you),...

What ends up being ‘the perfect storm’ in your health? We all experience it to some degree. A perfect storm is all the components of bringing on a resulting event. The thought, “I can identify most, if not every part that brought this set of symptoms, circumstances,...

A lot of factors come into play when living with migraine. For me, I know sleep, stress, and certain foods can send me down the path of a migraine episode.  I also know that sleep, extra rest in a dimly-lit room with limited noise, healthy, nourishing foods and...

Role model admiration never stops. Even as adults we watch the actions, emotions, responses of whomever we deem as our ‘role models.’  Role models can be present in our life from birth or new ones may come and go as we make our way through the seasons of life....

Are you curious what the likelihood is that you may acquire a disease?  Could there be a way to halt it? If already diagnosed, have you thought about what the best course of action may be for your body, based on your genetic makeup?   Sharon Terry, CEO of Genetic...

Considering the varying definitions of the term ‘healthy’ is like an intricate spider web. I polled a handful of folks and turns out, we each define healthy differently. For me, at the end of the day, I like to learn from doctors and experts, research, and our very...

Remember when I previously wrote that “no” is a full sentence? Have you responded in that way since my post?  Let’s face it, “yes” is easier. It lessons our feelings of guilt. It makes others happy. What constant “yes” answers can do to us and our health can be...

“Don’t confuse action with progress,” Hal Barker. When you read that statement, can you think of areas in your life in which you are employing ‘action’, yet not truly progressing? Upon reflection of my own life, it has become clear there tends to be a catalyst for me...

In all aspects and phases of our life, the key to unlocking what can be a fulfilling new opportunity or medical treatment tends to lie behind the scenes – in our motivation. To me, in this instance, motivation is not about physical movement.  Contrary, I know, since...

Merriam-Webster defines ghosting as, “The act or practice of abruptly cutting off all contact with someone … usually without explanation, by no longer accepting or responding to phone calls, instant messages, etc.” In one way or another we’ve all been ghosted, have...

Life support, a term and its meaning, that I came to understand far earlier in life than most of my peers. The unknowns, the fear, the long nights, the anticipation – just a few aspects and thoughts/feelings that loved ones of a person on life support in the hospital...

You have the power to be resilient. You may not think you do, but it is within your grasp. If you’re like me, I’ve steadily nurtured my resilience. Experiences that would knock me down for a few weeks or months years ago, hardly puts a dent in me now.  Maya Angelou...

First – It allows me the opportunity to be more aligned in the areas of my life that are most important to me. Second – It prevents my life from slipping away in someone else’s hands. I think most of us in one way or another can relate in what the opposite can feel...

Sadie Robertson recently spoke on “truth.” What is truth?  She’s very talented, inspiring, and her topics ring home quite often for me. “I think the hardest thing for our generation is actually knowing what truth is,” she said. “Because everyone has their own truth,...

Your life holds value.  In my opinion, we should individually value our life enough to get regular checkups from the doctor, have annual bloodwork, get adequate rest, eat foods that help us not hurt us, and be proactive in gently moving ourselves, physically,...

You are asked to describe yourself in three adjectives. Have you ever been asked this question? How would you answer? Are your honest answers how you feel you are perceived or how you really think you are? It’s important to realize that your self-image develops as you...

I thrive in silence, yet I know many who prefer background noise. Which describes you? Or do different days dictate your downtime preferences? I’d attribute my love for silence to my upbringing. Only child, calm household, learned to self-entertain with books, toys,...

We all have a past, right? What does your past look like? Have you always made decisions that were in the best interest of your physical and emotional health? It’s easy to get sucked into spending too much time thinking about your past. But the past is just a...

Ever been influenced to buy something based on it being marketed as something “healthy” for you? Marketing is a necessity for many essential and vitally important items that the consumer needs to be aware of. Whether you see it in “sale” flyers on goods you desire, or...

I recently read that we are each a combination of the five people we are closest to, interact with, or spend the most time with. Think about that. Our traits, our quirks, our mannerisms, our actions vs. reactions, our habits. It’s true. We are a blend of who we are...

The word probiotic is derived from Latin, meaning ‘for life.’ “The history of probiotics goes parallel with the evolution of human race and, thanks to the sophisticated techniques at the moment, can be traced back to the ancient times, nearly 10,000 years ago.”* One...

You both tripped while walking, yet your bruise lingers days later than your partner’s. What gives? Healing time variances can also relate to receiving less-than-favorable health news, the passing of someone special in your life, or a situation that caused you...

I’m here today to write about how impactful and healthy it can be to live in the now. I’m not even going to touch on the use of electronic devices and its contribution to furthering detachment from society. This segment is solely dedicated to being present with your...

“In 2020, about 68 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States.”* To put this in perspective in a layman’s term example, one ton of ear corn equals 1,475 pounds. Multiply that times 68 million! While we have moderate control over...

I’ve noticed an uptick in “natural” offerings at grocery stores and the like the past 5 years. Have you? I knew people years ago who were on the organic train long before it became mainstream. Nowadays, where I live, organic is just as accessible as non-organic. And...

I no longer believe that failure is bad or serves as a determinant in the way our life will unfold. That’s not to say it can’t initially feel confusing or disheartening. Here’s the logic behind my view.   Failure can lead us to paths never before explored. The...

Here I am pressing the “rewind” button on the year. In not a shocking twist, my highlight reel includes the reality of life.  A relaxing kick off to the New Year; kind encounters in the springtime; Covid friendships that are strong as ever; hard work; a debilitating...

As I’ve learned from experts the past two years, “movement is not always medicine.” While many doctors are quick to encourage patients to exercise, there truly are some people who live with a chronic illness or health condition that don’t benefit from generic exercise...

You can delay it, skirt around it, or pretend all is well and fine, but at the end of the day it is unavoidable. There will come a point (like a boiling point or a boost in confidence) when you have be verbally clear to sort out a work issue, a relationship conflict,...

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), more than one in three people age 65 years or older falls each year. There are many contributing factors that add to this significant number. “Diabetes, heart disease, problems with thyroid, nerves, feet, or blood...

Pain is truly a pain. As I write this, I am presently in recovery mode from sinus surgery. From a sinus infection, facial pressure, and headache standpoint – I feel a world better. From a pain perspective – I think I could draw you a picture of exactly where the...

Life can change in an instant and it does. An accident, health diagnosis, or medical emergency – just to start the list off.  Do the people you care most about know today, in the here and now, how much you love them, respect them and/or appreciate them? Do they know...

It’s often remarked that the eyes are the window to the soul. I am a believer in that. With masks, the eyes are where our attention is drawn to. As we approach Halloween time, and the Covid-19 pandemic continues to haunt us, most of the population was or is continuing...

I said I’d report back – my apologies if it’s a bit more “raw” than my usual posts. Sinus surgery isn’t the prettiest experience out there.  “Water, water…”  I woke up from the general anesthesia croaking those words and coughing. The nurse appeared bedside with a cup...

Trying a cigarette, ditching school, and hiding a bad grade on a test – probably three of the most common “peer pressure” activities that are experienced in the adolescent age. I wish I could say peer pressure ended in high school. But it seems it’s something that...

The Cleveland Clinic states, “rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1.3 million people in the United States.”* No age bracket is excluded, yet it is considered rare for those under age 18 to experience an onset of the disease.    Simply stated, arthritis equates to...

The decision when choosing a doctor and deciding to continue care with one is not a one and done decision. Recently, I was initially very pleased with a specialist I was referred to. The doctor was proactive, listened to my concerns, had a positively aggressive...

COPD, formally known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the fourth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This is a disease that deserves a look back in time as...

My eyes were opened wide at a young age to health and the gravity of its inner-workings. I learned about acute health matters, emergencies, chronic illness, diagnostics, assisted living facilities, and day-to-day management of disease before many do. I’ve seen the...

Pain, whether short-term or long-term, is debilitating and in the United States, 20 million people live with the type of pain that frequently limits their life or work activities. No wonder pain is the number one reason Americans seek medical help, according to the...

No matter the day or time – I observe and regulate how I dole out my energy. I look at it as protecting my vibrational frequency. There are times I feel like throwing it around like confetti (when positivity surrounds me), but other times I want to collect it and...

I walked out of a recent primary care doctor visit with an unexpected bit of genetic family history! After a cursory review of my fasting blood work results, he told me high cholesterol runs in my family. He caught me off guard. He doesn’t know my family!  I didn’t...

Dozens of thoughts run through our minds every minute, but how vital to life are they? One of the biggest players in our overall health is all around us, yet easily overlooked – the quality of the air we are breathing. Air pollution is real. And it takes everyone...

What’s the old saying – slow and steady wins the race? Remember the turtle? Healthcare treatments take time. Sure, it’s easier to call it a day, but you have to be dedicated to a treatment plan (within reason) and give it every opportunity to be successful. If you...

As children we start off with no filter. Honesty is a given. We live through the cringe-worthy comments, serious feelings, to roll-on-the-floor laughing moments. So why is it that as the years, the decades go by, honesty is less of a staple and more of a luxury? I’m...

When it strikes, anxiety tends to fire on all cylinders. Anxiety uncontrolled can be an all-consuming force that makes you feel nervous about everything under the sun. Uncontrolled anxiety affects mental health and “mental health problems [are] one of the main causes...

Where does dairy come into play with migraine prevention? “Dairy is a commonly-reported migraine precipitant although patients are more likely to identify cheese or yogurt as a trigger than milk.”* For me, dairy is something that has been a problem since I was a kid....

Emotions flow in and out of our minds as we experience migraine, or tend to a loved one who is going through one. Have you heard of “emotional intelligence?” Essentially, emotional intelligence is what your capacity is to recognize your own emotions and those of the...

Recall my surprise when learning from my primary care doctor that Botox was a treatment option for migraine? It certainly became a joyous occasion once treatments were underway and proving to be a remedy for me.  Had my response to my doctor been pessimistic or...

It is vital that we work to continually build up our mental, physical, and emotional resilience. If you have to take a sick day off work, do you feel guilty even though you are legitimately too ill to physically go in to your job? “Patients with migraine are...

Invisible illnesses – migraine, Fibromyalgia, lupus, Crohn’s disease, ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lyme disease – just to name a few. While they may be “invisible” on the outside, we know they are incredibly active internally. It’s a lot to digest. From a slower than...

My grandfather lived by the mantra, “Actions speak louder than words.”  Three generations later, I’m living by that creed too. This quote is commonly attributed to Abraham Lincoln in 1856, it means that people’s actions show their real attitudes, versus what they say....

As you likely realize by this stage in reading The Honest Migraine blog, bringing awareness and fostering conversation on chronic conditions is what drives me. Many of these conditions cause patients to feel significant fatigue. In some cases, the fatigue is so...

Are you in pain? Are you okay? Pain – whether short term, chronic pain, or intermittent pain can be one of the toughest symptoms we have to manage in life. Pain can be all-consuming. Millions of people experience significant pain every day. Dr. Beth Darnall, in...

Where do you turn when the day is tough, the medical diagnosis is something in uncharted territory, or you have happy pregnancy news? Who’s your team? The relationships we foster with our friends, neighbors, and family can be looked at as the core of our influence,...

I didn’t appreciate good health until I had experienced poor health. I guess the same could be said for other elements in life. Happiness – maybe it’s easier to count blessings and appreciate a kind, caring partner after experiencing an unhappy partner who weighed you...

Change is something I love and loathe. In the most Breakfast Club of descriptions, I’m an adventurer, roll the dice, reserved, empathetic, and optimist at heart. Change challenges us. It tests us in ways we sure wouldn’t test ourselves. My life changed without notice...

The Honest Migraine’s (THM) interview this month is with Lauren, a neurological intensive care RN. Lauren specializes in neurology, neurosurgery, migraines, headaches, strokes, brain tumors and other trauma related to brain and spine. Lauren’s experience with migraine...

The role that foods we ingest play in our wellbeing is quite frankly, unparalleled. I’ve previously touched on toxins in the foods we eat, with the expert help of Dr. Nancy Klimas. Another valuable behavior interlinked with toxins is sleep. “The evidence that sleep is...

Stress shows itself in both uplifting and devastating times in our lives. Have you heard that our body and mind evolve in seven-year cycles? For example, my life has changed in many respects the last 14 years. About 7 years ago I fell ill with meningitis and the...

Migraines don’t stop to celebrate holidays. However, it is always heartwarming to know that someone is acknowledging their affection for you. Some of the most common Valentine’s Day gifts can be treacherous triggers for migraine patients. It’s nice to be mindful of...

Taking a walk in the fresh air, particularly when it’s cool and crisp outside, rejuvenates and recharges me. I love finding new parks, getting or taking my lunch, and hanging out with Max, my beagle. It’s my favorite way to spend “me” time. Walks first thing in the...

Have you ever had to stay up all night, or work nights instead of days at your job? You probably felt tired, sluggish, and in a bit of a fog for one or more of the days that followed. The behind-the-scenes toll and aftereffects those disruptions in your schedule had...

My experiences and those of others I know is proof that medical providers can also be rated on a 1 to 10 scale (just like pain). However, in rating doctors, one is the worst case scenario and 10 is the best. If you feel your doctor is less than a “10,” I suggest a...

Pets are wonderful companions and I think many of us will agree that they provide a special kind of support during times we don’t feel 100%. My beagle, Max, has been the most loving and supportive canine companion I could imagine. Whether I need to rest to try to...

New Year’s Eve and Year 2021 are quickly approaching! Why not consider having a more migraine-healthy celebration to kick off a healthy new year with resolutions to keep your migraines at bay? It’s a great time to mentally run a 2020 slideshow in our minds of our...

Have you ever felt uncomfortable or like you are a burden to other people when it comes to your migraines? I’ve had my share of moments where I’ve consciously decided to tread lightly when deciding whether or not to share my migraine story with those who have never...

Migraines do not have to run your life. If they do, I encourage you to take every step possible (as gradually as needed) to reverse that. They can be managed. I am proof of that. Migraines did not trickle down my family tree. I seem to be an anomaly amongst relatives....

Staying in tune with my body and how I’m feeling has been empowering.  I can now recognize the signs of needing down time or when my body is trying to fight something off. I also learned more about the benefits of probiotics. I was probably a latecomer to the Kombucha...

Botox was playing a very positive role in my life with migraines.  After a handful of treatments, I was able to go longer before needing a nerve block. I began to only need them as I got closer to when I was due for my next Botox treatment, instead of throughout the...

The course I took focused on utilizing mindfulness when in stressful situations such as relationships, work, medical pain, panic, and general anxiety. I signed up for an eight-week series of classes. Each class varied a bit and participation was necessary. We had...

Post-meningitis and battling constant headaches showed me how my endurance was not what it used to be. I was getting drained fast. I felt continually sluggish. If I pushed myself, I would be downright exhausted. I continued to make changes in my life.    I learned to...

I wanted to learn how to balance my life, implement changes to help avoid any triggers that may lead to a migraine, and practice more self-care inside and out. First, I put a critical spotlight on how I ate. For over 10 years previously, I had relatively healthy...

I have learned that consistency is key in fighting migraines. I have focused on progress, remained positive, and feel that placing trust in good medical hands must be my mindset. It has worked. I have benefited in spades! It might seem like a strange thing to say, but...

While my Botox® treatments were religiously on schedule, my neurologist had me carry emergency medication, just to be safe. It is important not to let the headaches back in to take control. I quickly found my two favorites – the ones that worked the best for me –...