When you have a migraine, it is very easy to feel as though you are alone and that no one understands what you are going through. Surprisingly, over 18% of women and 6% of men know exactly what you are suffering through. It may be a shock to heat that more women suffer from migraines than men, but it is true. So what makes women more susceptible to developing migraines than men? There are actually quite a few biologic factors, that when combined, can leave you with a screaming headache that you feel will never end.

The most common causes of migraines are actually environmental stressors, pain perception and response, genetic, and the body’s reaction to fluctuations in sex hormones and receptor binding. Many past studies have shown that the female body is more receptive to pain, has a higher genetic predisposal to migraines, and has a higher number of hormone fluctuations each month. To make matters worse, the female body has a higher number of pain receptors in the brain, causing them to pick up on the sensation of pain much faster than a male.

The structure of the female brain is quite different than that of the male brain and as a result, the female brain does not protect them from pain in the way that the male brain does. Men have specialized circuits in their spinal cord that release endorphins when they are in pain. This helps reduce the amount of pain they actually feel in association to what the body is actually generating. Females on the other hand have the same circuit, but studies show that it does not release pain reducing endorphins like the male body does.

Recent studies have also proven that women have a more difficult time coping with pain and processing the chemicals in their body necessary for helping relieve pain naturally. With these factors combined, women are more likely to seek medical intervention for debilitating migraines than men are. While many doctors were confused by these findings, the results are backed by well-known psychologists.

It is well noted that psychologists recommend treating men and women differently when it comes to chronic pain and chronic migraines. Beverly Thorn, psychologist from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa states. “A significant portion of the gender imbalance may come from social and psychological factors. Multiple studies have found that women are more likely to get depressed as a result of chronic pain, and they have a higher tendency to catastrophize.” She has also proven that women who take on a more masculine role in society are able to overcome pain in ways that are similar to the ways a man would.

While scientists believe that the female response to pain is due to the biological urge to focus on things that are wrong and to fix them, which causes them to hyper fixate on pain, they can only guess at the true reason. At this point, doctors know that they must treat the pain in males and females differently. Because of this there are more women on chronic pain medications than men. Through a better understanding in the difference in genders, doctors are hoping to even out this number dramatically over the next few years.

It may be the reason you change your diet, start exercising or add a statin to your drug regimen but do you really know what cholesterol is?  A hot topic in our society, the word “cholesterol” is bandied about frequently but few actually know what it is.

With a texture similar to petroleum jelly and classified as a “fat”, cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance in the body.  Although it has a negative connotation, cholesterol performs vital bodily functions.  It produces steroid hormones including estrogen, testosterone and cortisol.  It also facilitates bodily vitamin D production and comprises part of cell wall structure.

Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs and auto-regulates based on the amount you consume in your diet.  If you primarily eat a plant-based diet, your body will make more.  If you eat more meat than plants, it will adjust and produce less.

As an advocate for your own health, you’ve probably heard of Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High Density Lipoproteins (HDL).  Low Density Lipoproteins serve as the transport service for cholesterol.  It delivers cholesterol to areas of the body needing it most.  If there is too much cholesterol, the low-density lipoproteins deposit cholesterol in the arteries and open up the possibility for arterial blockages and heart attacks.

High Density Lipoproteins function in the opposite manner and serve a vacuum cleaner for excess cholesterol.  HDL’s locate extra cholesterol and transport it to the liver where it becomes bile or is recycled.

Both types of lipoproteins perform essential functions making it critical to “know your numbers” and get your cholesterol checked regularly.  Appropriate levels of high-density and low-density lipoproteins are critical for optimum health.

High cholesterol happens for one of two reasons: there’s a familial predisposition to high cholesterol or high-fat diets.  Although high cholesterol is treated the same way for either cause, one is entirely preventable and the other is not.

Whether you have genetic leanings towards high cholesterol or not, it’s wise to incorporate healthy habits and nutritional choices into your lifestyle.  Choose low or reduced fat dairy products.  When possible, opt for lean cuts of meat to reduce your consumption of cholesterol.  Avoid polyunsaturated fats add more fiber to your diet.  A few times a week, replace meat with fish.  If you smoke, quit.  Get regular exercise and moderate alcohol consumption.

If you’ve ever had a migraine headache, you know they can be nearly impossible to treat.  Turning off the lights and closing the bedroom door will only get you so far.  There are claims that specific essential oils treat migraines.  Sound crazy?  Maybe.  But regardless of your feelings about Eastern medicine, what do you have to lose (besides your migraine)?

First, a little education about essential oils.  Many of them are quite strong and can irritate the skin if applied directly.  Consider using a “carrier oil”.  The name is accurately descriptive – it’s a vehicle to deliver essential oils.  Carrier oils vary in viscosity and you’ll want an oil with a viscosity appropriate for the intended use.  A 2% dilution amounts to 12 drops of oil for each ounce of carrier oil.

Peppermint Oil – Constricted blood vessels are often the likely culprit of migraines.  Peppermint opens up some of those pathways that can ease headache pressure.  Note that peppermint oil is very strong and a little goes a long way.  Rub a drop or two between your fingers and rub against your temples.

Lavender Oil – There’s a reason lavender is popular in bath products – it’s relaxing!  Add a few drops of lavender oil to a hot bath for a steam effect.

Basil Oil – It’s not just for pizza anymore!  Basil has muscle relaxing properties and can mitigate muscular tension that may be contributing to your headache.

Sandalwood Oil – Sandalwood calms the nerves and relaxes the nervous system.  It relieves bodily tension.

Vetiver Oil – Noted for its soothing and calming properties, vetiver oil can alleviate tension and stress that may be spurring on your headache.

Rosemary Oil – Rosemary improves circulation and acts as an analgesic.  It also decreases cortisol levels within the body.

Bergamot Oil – Commonly known as the distinctive ingredient in Earl Grey tea, bergamot lessens pain and anxiety.  It’s most effective when inhaled.  You can apply it topically to your temples or throw a few drops into a mug of hot water.

Clove Oil – Amazingly, clove oil has antiseptic, antifungal and anesthetic properties.  Put a drop on the roof of your mouth for headache relief.

Most essential oils are quite strong on their own.  If you’re not using a carrier oil, be mindful about use near the eyes.  Some oils are safe for ingestion while others are not.  The effectiveness of essential oils for migraines really comes down to relaxing and releasing tension.  Aromatherapy can be a powerful tool in your arsenal to fight those nasty migraines.

Technology is supposed to make your life easier, right?

If you’re diabetic, you probably already have routines in place to keep you on track with your medication, food intake and blood sugar readings.  Thanks to technology, keeping all that data in one place just got a little easier.  The best part?  Consolidate all of that information on your cell phone.  App developers understand the trials of managing of chronic condition and they’re doing their part to make it easy.  Check out these options to keep your diabetes in check:

The MySugr apps were lovingly created for the diabetic set.  Store your blood sugar readings and get immediate feedback.  The app also analyzes your entries and gives you an idea of how you’re doing.  Connect with other diabetic friends to keep each other motivated and on track.  You’ll also have a convenient record of your progress for your next doctor’s appointment.  Users can enter detailed notes and email logs to physicians or registered dietitians.  It also features a database of over 9,000 diabetic-friendly foods and 25,000 recipes.  Ad-free, Diabetes Companion can store data for up to 90 days.

Diabetes Pilot allows users to scan bar codes on packaging to get nutrition information.  The app can also tell insulin-dependent folks how much you’ll need for a meal or how much you need to get your numbers back on track.  Users can categorize data in the ways most useful to them.

The days of the standard pinprick test are fading.  Researchers are working on more inventive and pain-free ways for diabetics to keep track of their health.  However, approval for such products is a lengthy process.

Still in development, the Gluco Wristband Monitor aims to measure insulin levels, store previously tested levels and administer insulin.  Such a product would truly revolutionize the lives of diabetics.

MyDario is a compact glucose meter that plugs directly into your smart phone to see your readings in seconds.

Google is working with Novartis to design a contact lens that will monitor blood sugar in tears and email the readings to the user.  The smart lens will be able to take one reading per second.  Prototypes are finished and testing is underway.

The iQuickit Saliva Analyzer is in development and has yet to go through FDA approval.  Using a meter, users will be able to test their levels with saliva.  Children, in particular will be pleased to be free of the dreaded pinpricks.

As technology progresses, diabetics will have unlimited options to monitor their glucose levels and maintain optimum health.