Archives for September 2020

How much do you know about keeping your heart healthy? Marla Ahlgrimm says probably more than you know, but it never hurts to brush up. Keep reading for a few quick facts about heart health.

Your diet matters.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, what you eat directly impacts your heart. She says that, for the most part, eating foods that are low in salt and trans fat is the best way to keep your heart healthy. She also recommends reducing your sugar intake and learning how to read the labels.

It is up to you to manage your health conditions.

Eating well can help you stay healthy, but that is not the only thing that determines your level of wellness. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that some genetic conditions can affect your heart health as well. High blood pressure, diabetes, and respiratory disorders can also negatively impact your cardiovascular system. She notes that eating a healthy diet, exercising, and staying in touch with your primary care physician or specialists is the best way to manage your health so that you can keep your heart beating at peak.

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Women tend to suffer more migraines than men, says Marla Ahlgrimm. But, what causes them? Keep reading as Ahlgrimm shares some insights.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, one of the top factors that determine whether or not a woman (or man) experiences chronic migraine headaches is genetics. People with an extensive family history of migraines, while not 100% guaranteed to experience them, are far more likely than the general public. Further, failure to eat properly, too much caffeine or alcohol, and dehydration can all lead to migraines.

As we settle into a new season, Marla Ahlgrimm says to watch out for migraine headaches related to air pressure, humidity, and ambient temperature outdoors. Unfortunately, of all the causes for migraine headaches, weather and genetics are the two that are outside of our control. One thing that is within our power to change, however, is the way we sleep. 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that people who do not sleep enough or, alternately, who sleep too much, may trigger migraines if they are already predisposed. Interestingly, most sufferers report that sleep is one of the few things that can relieve a migraine headache. Some people with migraines report less severe pain if they can sleep for three to four hours at the onset of a migraine.

Finally, Marla Ahlgrimm asserts that stress is another trigger. And, unfortunately, in our day and age it may be the most common. While people may not experience migraines in the middle of a stressful situation, it is often hours later, once they begin to relax, that a headache may creep in or blindside them.

Chronic migraine is a serious condition that can have a significant impact in a woman’s life. Women who experience eight migraine days each month may seek relief through prescription medication and lifestyle changes.