Your Health: More information on migraines

More on migrainesHarvard Medical School offers the latest information about the nastiest of headaches, the migraine.Migraines are often marked by pulsing pain on one side of the head, sometimes with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, sometimes with aura beforehand - strange visual disturbances like zigzagging lines or flashing lights.The causes of migraines are uncertain, though one prevailing theory is they're caused by waves of brain cell activity and inflammation.Triggers include excessive noise, lights, smells, lack of sleep, menstruation, alcohol or certain foods.Help prevent migraines by avoiding your triggers; keeping a regular schedule including exercise, sleep and nutritious meals; and wearing blue- or green-tinted glasses to reduce light sensitivity.Medications such as beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants can help but have side effects.Tristan drugs can cut short an attack, and pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen help with mild attacks, but beware of tolerance from overuse that leads to more headaches.Arm's lengthToddlers may benefit, a study has found, from the greater leeway they sometimes get with fathers.In a study in "Early Child Development and Care," fathers tended to give their children more room to do exploratory activities, such as climbing stairs or being near a stranger.Boys in the study ended up being more exploratory while respecting the rules.The lead researcher from the University of Montreal believes mothering and fathering behaviors are complementary to develop both emotional attachment and exploration.Spinal confusionThe use of complex spinal fusion to treat lower back pain increased significantly in recent years, a new study found, without clear clinical reason for the increase.Trials have indicated that for certain patients, decompressive surgery can offer an advantage, but surgeons often recommend more-invasive fusion procedures.The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found fusion for spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal compresses the spinal cord, increased 15-fold in six years through 2007.The authors at Oregon Health and Science University concluded that the procedure may be more feasible due to improved technique or that it may be due to the marketing of new surgical devices or to financial incentives for doctors and hospitals for more complex procedures.False18701869Toddlers may benefit, a study has found, from the greater leeway they sometimes get with fathers. False