Migraine is more than headaches. It’s a neurological condition that impacts more than 36 million Americans, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Migraine can cause severe pain and interrupt your daily activities.

Pre-migraine is one of the four stages of a migraine attack. Pre-migraine symptoms may occur before a migraine attack begins. You may be able to take steps to avoid a painful migraine attack if you can recognize the pre-migraine stage.

What are pre-migraine symptoms?

Migraine has four distinct states. Pre-migraine, called the prodrome stage, consists of a symptom or group of symptoms which let you know that a migraine attack is coming. It can begin anywhere from a few hours to several days before a migraine attack occurs.

The prodrome stage, sometimes also called the pre-headache or premonitory phase, doesn’t occur before every migraine attack, but learning to recognize pre-migraine symptoms can help you take preventative action. It’s also important to know that not everyone who has a prodrome stage will experience the exact same symptoms.

Pre-migraine symptoms may include:

• Mood changes. You might feel depressed, anxious, or irritable without a pinpointable cause.
• Muscle pain. Stiffness and cramping in your neck and shoulders is a common pre migraine symptom.
• Food cravings. You can have strong cravings, especially for sweet foods, before a migraine attack.
• Difficulty concentrating. You might have trouble focusing and feel foggy or confused.
• Fatigue. Even if you had a good night’s sleep, you can feel extra tired leading up to a migraine attack.
• Excessive yawning. Finding yourself yawning frequently throughout the day can be a migraine attack symptom.
• Digestion trouble. You might experience constipation or diarrhea before a migraine attack begins.
• Increased urinary frequency. Needing to visit the bathroom more often than normal is a common prodrome symptom.
• Sensitivity to light and sound. You might have a low tolerance for bright lights and loud sounds before and during a migraine attack.

What to do if you have pre-migraine symptoms

You can start to take action if you recognize pre-migraine symptoms. If you’re being treated by a doctor for migraine, they can help you come up with a pre-migraine management plan that could prevent a full migraine attack from occurring. Try these common steps that can help during the prodrome stage:

• Take pain-relieving medication. It can help to take pain-relieving medication before a migraine attack begins. You can use over-the-counter (OTC) options such as Excedrin, or prescription options. Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully when taking prescription medication for migraine.
• Take any prevention medications. Be careful to not skip a dose of any prevention medications you’ve been prescribed if you’re having prodrome symptoms.
• Avoid any known migraine triggers. It’s always a good idea to avoid anything that triggers your migraine, but taking extra care to avoid triggers when you notice pre migraine symptoms can help prevent a full migraine attack.
• Rest and relax. Taking time to rest and relax can help you prevent a full migraine attack. If you can, try taking a nap or going to bed early. Meditation or other relaxation techniques can be especially useful.
• Find a dark room. It’s best to avoid loud, bright, and stressful situations when pre migraine symptoms occur. Relaxing in a dark and quiet room can help prevent a migraine attack.
• Take a hot shower or bath. A hot shower or bath can help relax your muscles. You can also try warm compresses.
• Try ice packs. Ice packs are a good way to numb your pain and help you rest.
• Drink a caffeinated beverage. Small amounts of caffeine can help relieve pain and can enhance the effects of some OTC pain relief medications. It’s a good idea to stick to a small amount, such as a single cup of coffee or can of soda. Too much caffeine can lead to withdrawal headaches and make it difficult to sleep.

What are the other stages of migraine?

There are three other migraine stages. Not everyone will have every stage during every migraine attack. The migraine stages are:

• Aura stage. For individuals who have an aura with migraine, they usually occur about an hour before a migraine attack. Auras symptoms can vary but often include blurry vision, seeing flashing lights, visual hallucinations, vision loss, numbness, dizziness, and changes in hearing and speech. About one-third of people with migraine experience aura.
• Headache or attack stage. The headache stage is when moderate-to-severe head pain that’s normally concentrated on one side of your head occurs. Pain is often throbbing and can become more severe when you move. The attack stage can last anywhere from a few hours to 3 days and also includes migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smells.
• Postdrome or resolution stage. This stage occurs once the migraine attack has faded and can last for a few hours to a few days. Symptoms at this stage often include feeling drained, fatigued, dizzy, and achy. It’s best to continue to avoid triggers and rest as much as you need during this stage.

The takeaway

The pre-migraine stage can start anywhere from a few days to a few hours before you have a migraine attack. Symptoms can vary, but often include:

• confusion
• fatigue
• urinary frequency
• sensitivity to light and sound
• mood changes
• neck pain
• food cravings

Learning to recognize pre-migraine symptoms you experience can help you manage migraine and avoid an attack. Talk with a doctor if you’re having migraine attacks frequently. They can help identify your pre-migraine symptoms and the steps you can take during pre-migraine to avoid an attack.

Breast cancer

Overview

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women.

Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped create advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:

• A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
• Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
• Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
• A newly inverted nipple
• Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
• Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

When to see a doctor

If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor for prompt evaluation.

Causes

Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may spread (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.

Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissue within the breast.

Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. But it’s not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It’s likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.

Inherited breast cancer

Doctors estimate that about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family.

A number of inherited mutated genes that can increase the likelihood of breast cancer have been identified. The most well-known are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which significantly increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, your doctor may recommend a blood test to help identify specific mutations in BRCA or other genes that are being passed through your family.

Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor, who can review your family health history. A genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing to assist you with shared decision-making.

Risk factors

A breast cancer risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you’ll get breast cancer. But having one or even several breast cancer risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop breast cancer. Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women.

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

• Being female. Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer.
• Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.
• A personal history of breast conditions. If you’ve had a breast biopsy that found lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of breast cancer.
• A personal history of breast cancer. If you’ve had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
• A family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
• Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-known gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don’t make cancer inevitable.
• Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.
• Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
• Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.
• Beginning menopause at an older age. If you began menopause at an older age, you’re more likely to develop breast cancer.
• Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child after age 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
• Having never been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more pregnancies.
• Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.
• Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Prevention

Breast cancer risk reduction for women with an average risk

Making changes in your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Try to:

• Ask your doctor about breast cancer screening. Discuss with your doctor when to begin breast cancer screening exams and tests, such as clinical breast exams and mammograms.
  Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening. Together, you can decide what breast cancer screening strategies are right for you.
• Become familiar with your breasts through breast self-exam for breast awareness. Women may choose to become familiar with their breasts by occasionally inspecting their breasts during a breast self-exam for breast awareness. If there is a new change, lumps or other unusual signs in your breasts, talk to your doctor promptly.
  Breast awareness can’t prevent breast cancer, but it may help you to better understand the normal changes that your breasts undergo and identify any unusual signs and symptoms.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day, if you choose to drink.
• Exercise most days of the week. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you haven’t been active lately, ask your doctor whether it’s OK and start slowly.
• Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.
  Some women experience bothersome signs and symptoms during menopause and, for these women, the increased risk of breast cancer may be acceptable in order to relieve menopause signs and symptoms.
  To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy strategies to accomplish this. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
• Choose a healthy diet. Women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts may have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.

Breast cancer risk reduction for women with a high risk

If your doctor has assessed your family history and determined that you have other factors, such as a precancerous breast condition, that increase your risk of breast cancer, you may discuss options to reduce your risk, such as:

• Preventive medications (chemoprevention). Estrogen-blocking medications, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with a high risk of the disease.
  These medications carry a risk of side effects, so doctors reserve these medications for women who have a very high risk of breast cancer. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
• Preventive surgery. Women with a very high risk of breast cancer may choose to have their healthy breasts surgically removed (prophylactic mastectomy). They may also choose to have their healthy ovaries removed (prophylactic oophorectomy) to reduce the risk of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

It’s that time of year again, when the shops are overrun with heart-shaped cards and decorations and chocolate and romantic songs are playing on repeat. That’s right, it’s Valentine’s Day, and it’s all about celebrating the people you love, but don’t forget about the most important relationship of all: the one you have with yourself. Buy yourself some flowers to remind yourself that you are worthy of love and care. Grab your wallet and get ready to treat yourself like royalty, because it’s time to spread the love—to yourself!

• Flowers have been found to have a positive impact on emotions, and buying yourself flowers can serve as an act of self care and self compassion 
• On Valentine’s Day, self-care techniques can help relieve loneliness and isolation. This can include activities such as treating yourself to a nice meal, taking a relaxing bath, or engaging in a hobby or activity you enjoy. 
• Self-compassion is an effective method for coping with difficult emotions. It means treating yourself with tenderness, compassion, and understanding, as well as accepting your feelings. 
• Reframing is a CBT skill that can help change the way you think about a situation or experience by looking at it from a different perspective. This can help challenge negative thoughts and reduce feelings of loneliness and sadness. 

Valentine’s Day can be a difficult occasion for many people, particularly for those who may be feeling lonely or going through a difficult time in their relationships. The holiday can bring up feelings of sadness and longing and can serve as a reminder of what one may be missing in their life. The pressure to have a romantic partner or to be in a happy relationship can also contribute to stress on this day. It’s important to focus on self-care, self-compassion, and self-nurturing during this time, so why not give yourself a beautiful bouquet of flowers as an act of self-care?

Buy yourself a beautiful bouquet

On Valentine’s Day, it’s common to see bouquets of flowers being delivered to loved ones, but have you ever considered sending flowers to yourself? A growing trend among women is to treat themselves to a beautiful bouquet on the holiday of love.

It is estimated that 15% of women in the United States buy flowers for themselves for Valentine’s Day. This is a reminder that self-love and self-care are just as important as showing love to others, especially on a day when love is celebrated.

Prioritize self-care

Self-care is an important part of living a healthy, well-balanced life. This can include your physical, mental, and emotional health, among other things. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to neglect one or all of these areas, leading to feelings of burnout and dissatisfaction. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine can be as simple as setting aside time for rest, going for a walk in nature, or indulging in a relaxing cup of tea. The main objective of self-care is to keep yourself healthy and happy.

Practice self-compassion

Self-compassion is essential because it enables us to be kind and forgiving to ourselves, particularly during challenging circumstances. Instead of being harsh and critical towards ourselves, self-compassion helps us to acknowledge and accept our emotions and experiences, allowing us to heal and grow in a more positive and healthy way. It also helps to build resilience, improve our mental well-being, and foster a sense of connectedness. Practicing self-compassion can be particularly helpful during a holiday such as Valentine’s Day, where societal pressures and expectations can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and sadness.

Steps for practicing self-compassion:

• Be present. Take time to be in the present and focus on the moment through mindfulness practices.
• Practice hobbies. Engage in activities that provide you with joy and satisfaction.
• Protect your emotions. Establish clear boundaries and prioritize self-care by declining commitments that drain your energy.
• Forgive yourself. Show compassion towards yourself by letting go of any guilt or shame that you might be carrying.
• Be kind. Recognize that everyone faces challenges and imperfections, and focus on the positive aspects of your life through gratitude.

Flowers as a form of self-care

Flowers have been used for centuries as a symbol of beauty and love. They have the ability to lift one’s spirits and bring a sense of joy and peace. Flowers have been found to have a positive impact on emotions, promoting feelings of happiness and well-being, as well as having a soothing effect on the mind, which can reduce stress and anxiety. Another benefit of flowers is that they are a natural way to beautify your surroundings. They add color and life to a room, making it more inviting and comfortable.

What if you’re lonely and sad?

Valentine’s Day can be hard for people who are not in a relationship. It can be a very vulnerable time and bring up a lot of feelings and memories. It’s normal to feel down on Valentine’s Day if you don’t have a partner, but you should remember that you have the power to change how you feel and not let it take over.

Here are some coping strategies and techniques to make the day more enjoyable.

CBT self-help techniques

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that shows how thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. CBT helps people figure out how their negative thinking and actions are making them feel bad and change them. CBT is based on the idea that we can control our negative thoughts and feelings by changing how we think and act. People can use CBT self-help techniques on their own to deal with their symptoms and improve their health.

Some common CBT self-help techniques include:

• Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have negative thoughts about yourself or your situation, be aware of them and question them by looking for more positive and balanced thoughts, which will automatically change your feelings.
• Reframing. Reframing is a strategy for adjusting your perception of a situation or event. Instead of dwelling on feeling alone on Valentine’s Day, you can choose to focus on the benefits of being single, such as the ability to make your own plans and enjoy independence. You could also try reframing by focusing on the love and relationships you already have in your life, such as with friends and family.
• Positive self-talk. Using positive affirmations, such as “I am worthy of love and happiness,” “I can handle this difficult emotion,” and “I am strong and capable,” is a CBT technique called positive self-talk. This technique helps to challenge negative thoughts and shift them to a more positive perspective, which can improve your mood and decrease feelings of loneliness and sadness.

Beware of social media

If you are struggling on Valentine’s Day, social media can be a negative influence because it can highlight other people’s romantic relationships and happiness, which can really bring you down. Seeing posts about romantic gestures, gifts, and declarations of love can make you feel like you are missing out or that you don’t deserve a relationship.

One way to deal with the negative effects of social media on Valentine’s Day is to take a break from it. Allow yourself to put down your phone and focus on your own feelings and desires. Try setting a reminder to turn off your phone or putting it in “Do Not Disturb” mode for a few hours, or even just for the day. This can be a helpful way to practice self-care and give yourself a break from the constant comparison and pressure that social media can bring.

Ideas for self-care on Valentine’s Day

As well as buying yourself flowers, there are countless ways to practice self-care on Valentine’s Day.

Some ideas include:

• Try meditation and mindfulness techniques.
• Go to the gym for the evening.
• Indulge in a soothing spa day or massage.
• Soak in a warm bath with essential oils and nice candles.
• Spend time outside enjoying nature.
• Enjoy a favorite movie or read a nice book.
• Prepare a tasty dinner for yourself.
• Keep a journal and write down how you feel.
• Try painting or sketching.

Valentine’s Day can be a challenging time for those who are alone or feeling lonely, but it’s important to remember that self-care should always be a priority. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and take the time to engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Remember that you are worthy and valuable, regardless of your relationship status. So, buy yourself flowers, enjoy your own company, and make this Valentine’s Day special.

How much do you know about epilepsy? Get the facts!

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. There are many different types of epilepsy and many different kinds of seizures. Epilepsy can get in the way of life, especially when seizures keep happening. To control their seizures, people with epilepsy may take medicine, have surgery, use medical devices, or follow a special diet.

Here’s what you need to know:

#1 Epilepsy is common.

In fact, you probably know a few people with epilepsy. Estimates suggest there are about 3 million adults and 470,000 children (under age 18) with active epilepsy in the United States. That’s about 3.4 million people, which is about the same number of people living in New Mexico, Vermont, and West Virginia combined. 

#2 Seizures might look different than you expect.

What comes to mind when you think of a seizure? In the movies and on TV, they often show a person falling to the ground, shaking, and becoming unaware of what’s going on around them. That’s one kind of seizure, but it’s not the most common. More often, a person having a seizure may seem confused, stare into space, wander, make unusual movements, or be unable to answer questions or talk. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when a person is having a seizure, so it’s important to learn how to recognize different types of seizures.

#3 Seizure first aid is easy to give.

About 1 in 10 people may have a seizure during their lifetime. Because seizures are common, you may need to help someone one day. First aid for seizures involves keeping the person safe until the seizure stops on its own and knowing when to call 911 for emergency help.

Free seizure response training programs are available for professionals such as school nurses and other school staff.  CDC also supports free seizure first aid certification through a partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation so anyone can learn how to recognize a seizure, provide first aid, and call for help.

#4 People with epilepsy can lead full lives.

Most people with epilepsy can do the same things as those without epilepsy. There are many successful people with epilepsy who work in medicine, sports, entertainment, government, and other professions.

People with uncontrolled seizures or severe types of epilepsy face more challenges and may find it harder to work or go to school regularly. Some adults with epilepsy have a hard time finding jobs, transportation, and affordable health care. Learn about resources that can help on CDC’s Find Support page.

#5 Some causes of epilepsy are preventable.

People with epilepsy need others to understand their condition so they can feel safe and supported.

Epilepsy can be caused by different conditions that affect a person’s brain. Many times, doctors don’t know the cause. Traumatic brain injuries, stroke, certain infections (such as cysticercosis, the leading cause of epilepsy worldwide), lack of oxygen during birth, and some birth defects are examples of preventable causes of epilepsy. Learn more about preventing epilepsy and reducing your risk.

Epilepsy vector illustration. Labeled sick CNS disorder educational scheme. Patient health disease diagnosis research diagram. Problem with disturbed electrical rhythms. Anatomical symptoms and causes

People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are members of every community. They are diverse, come from all walks of life, and include people of all races and ethnicities, all ages, all socioeconomic statuses, and from all parts of the United States. The perspectives and needs of LGBT people should be routinely considered in public health efforts to improve the overall health of every person and eliminate health disparities.

In addition to considering the needs of LGBT people in programs designed to improve the health of entire communities, there is also a need for culturally competent medical care and prevention services that are specific to this population. Social inequality is often associated with poorer health status, and sexual orientation has been associated with multiple health threats. Members of the LGBT community are at increased risk for a number of health threats when compared to their heterosexual peers. Differences in sexual behavior account for some of these disparities, but others are associated with social and structural inequities, such as the stigma and discrimination that LGBT populations experience.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent an incredibly diverse community. However, these men are disproportionately impacted by syphilis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The resources on this page provide an overview of the impact of STDs on MSM as well as prevention and treatment information.

Gay and bisexual men are part of a very diverse community. They have both shared and unique experiences and situations that affect their physical and mental health needs as well as their ability to get high quality health services. Lesbian and bisexual women are part of a diverse community with various health concerns. While all women have specific health risks, lesbian and bisexual women are at a higher risk for certain diseases than other women.

Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity or expression (masculine, feminine, other) is different from their sex (male, female) at birth. Gender identity refers to one’s internal understanding of one’s own gender, or the gender with which a person identifies. Gender expression is a term used to describe people’s outward presentation of their gender.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are different facets of identity. Everyone has a gender identity and a sexual orientation, but a person’s gender does not determine a person’s sexual orientation. Transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or none of the above.