Your Questions, Answered

Migraine triggers vary from person to person, but some common ones include:

• Hormonal changes (especially in women during menstruation or perimenopause)
• Certain foods like aged cheese, chocolate, and processed meats
• Caffeine (either too much or withdrawal from it)
• Stress or lack of sleep
• Bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells
• Weather changes or barometric pressure shifts

Keeping a migraine diary can help identify personal triggers so you can work on avoiding them.

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A migraine isn’t just a bad headache—it’s a neurological condition that involves a variety of symptoms. While a typical tension headache might feel like a band of pressure around your head, migraines often bring throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side. They can also include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and even visual disturbances called auras. Migraines can last from a few hours to several days and may significantly impact your ability to function.

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There are several self-care strategies that can help manage chronic fatigue:

• Pace Yourself: Avoid the "push and crash" cycle by setting limits and resting before you feel exhausted.
• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for consistent sleep patterns and address issues like insomnia or sleep apnea.
• Balanced Nutrition: Focus on whole foods and identify any food sensitivities that might be contributing to inflammation or gut issues.
• Stress Management: Try mindfulness, meditation, or therapy to reduce emotional stress.
• Gentle Movement: Low-impact exercise like stretching, walking, or tai chi can help without overwhelming your system.

It's also important to advocate for yourself—find a healthcare provider who listens and works with you to explore underlying causes and appropriate treatments.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all cure for chronic fatigue, but that doesn’t mean people can’t feel better. Management focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function. This might include improving sleep quality, managing stress, treating hormonal or thyroid imbalances, addressing food sensitivities, and pacing activities to avoid overexertion. Some find benefit from dietary changes, gentle exercise like yoga, and working with a provider who understands chronic health conditions. The goal is to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses the root causes and supports overall wellness.

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Diagnosing chronic fatigue can be tricky because there’s no single test for it. Doctors typically use a process of elimination to rule out other conditions such as thyroid disease, anemia, sleep apnea, and depression. A thorough health history, physical exam, and sometimes blood tests are involved. For a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), symptoms must last for at least six months and include post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after even minor physical or mental activity).

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The exact cause of chronic fatigue isn’t fully understood, and it’s likely that several factors are at play. For some, it may follow a viral infection like Epstein-Barr or COVID-19. For others, it could be related to immune system issues, hormonal imbalances (like thyroid dysfunction), sleep disorders, or psychological stress. Interestingly, many patients—especially women—experience chronic fatigue in conjunction with hormonal changes, such as those during perimenopause or menopause. It's important to look at each person’s case individually to identify possible triggers.

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Great question! Chronic fatigue is much more than just feeling tired after a long day. While regular tiredness usually improves with rest or a good night's sleep, chronic fatigue persists for six months or more and doesn’t go away with rest. It often comes with a range of other symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, headaches, and unrefreshing sleep. The key difference is duration, severity, and the impact on daily life. Chronic fatigue can significantly disrupt work, relationships, and overall quality of life.

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