Robbins Headache Clinic Blog
Health and Humor
We all know laughter is good for us. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release its own opiates, which suppresses pain, and it controls the stress chemicals cortisol and epinephrine in the body. Besides the health benefits, laughter makes us feel happy! Humor...
Cybercycles – Good For the Brain and Body
A group of older adults was recently studied to see if if their risk of progressing into mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was lowered by exercising on a cybercycle versus a traditional stationary bike. MCI, which can precede Alzheimer's is a state of cognitive decline...
Headache Care
Algorithms(decision trees) do not work for headache patients(some illnesses, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are more amenable to algorithms). So, official "guidelines" as to headache treatment do not work very well. This is becuase everybody is unique; if we...
Weather and Headache
Relative humidity, barometric pressure, temperature and precipitation can trigger headache for many migraineurs. Lisa Mannix, MD, Headache Associates, West Chester, Ohio believes the change in weather pattern, not the distinct weather itself is the triggering factor....
Genetic Role in Migraine and Women
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston have recently identified three genes in which a genetic variation is linked to an increased risk for migraine headache. Of these newly identified genes, one is solely connected to women. This discovery may help...
Staying Physically Active Keeps Your Brain Sharp
Multiple studies have shown that keeping physically active reduces the risk of cognitive decline. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, along with improved blood flow to vital organs and muscles. A simple 30 minute walk could lower the risk of cognitive...
The Google Effect
"What did we do before the Internet?" That's the question Columbia University psychologist Betsy Sparrow asked her husband four years ago after looking up some movie trivia online. Has Google, and its ability to to pass on information to us at lightning speed...
Lowering Your Stroke Risk with Dietary Potassium
Consuming an adequate amount of dietary potassium in your diet could reduce your risk of stroke. Researchers found that for every 1,000 milligrams of additional potassium consumed, the risk of stroke was decreased by 11%. Such examples of potassium rich foods...
Stop and Breathe
Stop and Breathe! Sounds so simple, yet it can have such an impact on headaches, stress and daily life. Susan Ginsberg, a certified yoga/meditation instructor, will be at Robbins Headache Clinic every Thursday morning by appointment to teach breathing, relaxation,...
The Circadian Clock – Larks and Owls
We have an inner biological pacemaker, known as the circadian clock. Circadian comes from the Latin circa ("about") and diem ("a day"). This timekeeper, based on the daily cycles of light and dark influence many of our physiological rhythms and activities. SCN or...