Simple remedy might help migraine sufferers

Q. I had migraines for many years. They would be more intense during my menstrual cycles, when I would suffer with nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and my allergies would become worse.

During one of these migraines, I ended up in the emergency room because I had fainted at work. I will never forget the doctor who came in and grabbed my hand. He looked at me and asked if I had ever tried breathing in steam from hot water. I told him I hadn't, so he advised me to place a towel over my head and breath in the steam. He said it would take a little while, but in about a month, I should start to see a difference. I thanked him and was discharged.

The next day, I began my regimen of steaming. I did it about three or four times a day and took about 12 deep breaths each time. I didn't notice anything different initially, but the next month, I found I didn't have as massive a migraine with my menstrual cycle as I normally did.

I now steam before and after work. My symptoms have subsided. If I feel a migraine coming, I steam. It usually subsides within an hour. This treatment saved my quality of life, and I hope you pass it on to your readers.

A. Thank you for sharing this unusual treatment for migraines. Other sufferers who try this should inform me of their results so I can print a follow-up on its effectiveness.

Q. I have restless legs syndrome (RLS) and read somewhere that magnesium can help. My doctor told me to try taking calcium. So I purchased a bottle of calcium/magnesium (1,000/500 mg per pill). I take a half pill at night, and within a week I noticed I didn't have a problem anymore. My sister also has RLS and tried this, and it worked for her, too.

Please let your readers know about this. I hope it will help someone else the way it has helped me and my sister.

A. I have heard that some RLS patients respond well to taking calcium supplements, but I don't recall anything about using magnesium. I did write about the possible benefit of using magnesium to treat chronic constipation, but this may be another condition for which this mineral is helpful.

So, readers, here is another treatment for restless legs syndrome. Sufferers, give it a try and let me know your results. I will then print a follow-up in my column.

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