How does being busy affect your lifestyle choices?

If you are always on the go and like to keep yourself busy, there may be some unexpected benefits. Recent research suggests that busy people often make more healthful choices.

The results of this study will now be published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

This new research was conducted at the global business school INSEAD, which has campuses located in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.

Prof. Amitava Chattopadhyay, of INSEAD, led the study.

Monica Wadhwa, at the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and Jeehye Christine Kim, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Clear Water Bay, also worked on the study.

Together, the team conducted a series of studies designed to put participants into a busy mindset.

Busy mindsets can have positive results

For the study participants to feel busy, the scientists exposed them to quiet, subtle messages that suggested that they were actually busy people.

Some participants were asked to write down what had been keeping them busy lately. There was also a control group that was not exposed to busy lifestyle-inducing activities.

Once all the participants were in a suitably busy mindset, the researchers then asked them to make a series of decisions. These choices would tell the study authors about their self-control and how that related to their state of mind — in other words, how busy they felt.

These decisions were on topics such as food, working out, and the participants' retirement savings. They were not life-or-death decisions, but choices many people make on a daily basis that can definitely impact their health.

People who felt that they were busy (due to the suggestions or reminders of how busy they really were) tended to make better, more healthful choices than their counterparts who had no such mentions or reminders prior to the testing.

"Every day," says Prof. Chattopadhyay, "we make many decisions that involve choosing between our immediate and future well-being. When we perceive ourselves to be busy, it boosts our self- esteem, tipping the balance in favor of the more virtuous choice."

This study also discovered, however, that feeling busy may not always be a positive thing. It can have the opposite effect in some cases.

The authors point out that busyness coupled with time constraints can lead to stress and anxiety. So, if you have a lot to do but not a lot of time to do it in, it can result in impulsive decisions that may be more unhealthful, such as eating quick but less nutritious food and doing less physical activity.

Busyness and self-esteem

The authors also explain that being busy can create higher self-esteem, noting that being busy can be self-perceived as a badge of honor, and to maintain it, the participants were driven to make more healthful choices than those who were not quite so busy.

Self-esteem, in general, has an enormous impact on the human psyche, as well as overall general health. Low self-esteem can cause anxiety and stress, negatively impact relationships, school, or job performance, and lead to increased chances of drug or alcohol abuse.

It is no wonder, then, that having higher self-esteem (even because of something as seemingly simple as "feeling busy") can help us make more healthful lifestyle choices.

As long as time constraints don't become a factor, being active and busy can help us maintain quality self-esteem, and, by extension, a more healthful lifestyle.

Source: Medical News Today

What is a basilar migraine?

Migraines are severe headaches that are often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. Basilar migraines are a type of migraine that may cause a person to have visual disturbances.

Researchers are not sure what causes basilar migraines, but treatments are available to prevent them and lessen their intensity.

What are basilar migraines?

A basilar migraine is a rare type of migraine that begins in the brain stem. A basilar migraine may be caused by a constriction of blood vessels that limit blood flow to the brain.

Other conditions that restrict blood flow, such as tortuous blood vessels, may also cause basilar migraines.

Basilar migraines can affect a person's senses, particularly their sight. This is referred to as a migraine with aura. A basilar migraine may cause a person to see lines, flashes of light, or spots. The pain of the migraine may occur before or during these other symptoms.

Basilar migraines may affect one or both sides of the head. Aura symptoms can last for about an hour before fading, but the migraine itself may last between 4 hours and several days. A person will typically feel exhausted or drained following a basilar migraine.

Symptoms

Basilar migraines have a variety of specific symptoms, but also share symptoms with other aura migraines.

Symptoms specific to a basilar migraine include:

• slurred speech
• loss of muscle control
• cold hands or feet
• blacking out or fainting
• ringing in the ears
• extreme dizziness
• a sense that the room is spinning, making it difficult to stand
• temporary blindness
• double vision
• nausea or vomiting

Symptoms shared with other aura migraines include:

• vision changes
• weakness
• seeing static or zigzagging lights
• seeing spots or stars
• sensitivity to light or noise
• numbness in face, head, and hands
• seeing lights not coming from an explainable source

Aura symptoms usually occur before the onset of the migraine pain, which can range from moderate to severe. The pain may concentrate in one area of the head before spreading.

Migraines can also cause allodynia, which is when a light touch, such as clothing brushing against the skin, causes pain.

Symptoms will vary between people and between instances.

Complications

People who experience basilar migraines may also be at higher risk of ischemic stroke. The connection between migraines with aura and stroke risk is not fully understood, but an ischemic stroke is caused by a reduction in blood and oxygen supply to the brain.

Women who take combined contraceptive pills and experience migraines with aura are at an increased risk of ischemic stroke. For this reason, the World Health Organization do not recommend prescribing combined pills to women who experience this type of migraine.

Causes

Some researchers believe that a basilar migraine occurs when the basilar artery gets constricted, but more research is needed to confirm this. The basilar artery runs from the back of the neck into the brain stem and is responsible for bringing blood to the brain.

There are, however, several external factors known to trigger basilar migraines. These include:

• stress
• alcohol
• bright lights
• motion sickness
• hormonal contraceptive pills
• blood pressure medications
• prolonged hunger
• lack of sleep
• strong smells, including some perfumes
• hormone fluctuations in women
• epilepsy or seizures
• caffeine
• rapid changes in barometric pressure or weather
• nitrites in food
• being overweight
• overuse of headache medications

Diagnosis

A doctor will likely diagnose a basilar migraine once a person has experienced at least two episodes of aura symptoms. Basilar migraines are sometimes similar to hemiplegic migraines, but hemiplegic migraines tend to cause weakness on one side of the body.

Other, more serious medical conditions that have similar symptoms to a basilar migraine include:

• seizures
• brain tumor
• meningitis
• stroke

To rule these conditions out, a doctor or neurologist may recommend a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) or a computerized tomography (CT) scan.

Treatment

Treatment for basilar migraines tends to focus on reducing pain and treating the other symptoms of the migraine.

Medications a doctor may recommend, include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
• antinausea medications
• triptans, which regulate serotonin levels
• ergotamine

If over-the-counter medications are not having any effect, a doctor may prescribe a higher dosage. In some cases, a nerve block may be used to reduce pain.

People who experience basilar migraines should also be aware of aura symptoms, which can act as a warning for an oncoming headache. Some painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications may be more effective if taken before the pain becomes unmanageable.

Source: Medical News Today

Which foods help prevent migraines?

As migraines can be so debilitating, it can be beneficial to identify and avoid potential triggers. For some people, migraine triggers can include specific foods or types of food.

Conversely, some foods may reduce the frequency of migraine headaches or lessen their symptoms. While there is no definitive "migraine diet," people may be able to reduce their migraines by monitoring what they eat.

In this article, we look at some of the foods that may prevent, trigger, or relieve migraines.

What foods can help prevent migraines?

Eating a healthful diet can help prevent migraines. A healthful diet should consist of fresh foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Fresh foods are less likely to have added food preservatives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG). Preservatives can trigger migraines in some people, so avoiding foods that contain them can help.

The Association of Migraine Disorders have created a list of "migraine safe foods" to guide a person's food choices. These foods generally do not contain preservatives, yeasts, flavorings, and other substances that are potential migraine triggers, such as nitrites and phenylalanine.

Below, we look at which foods to eat and avoid within a range of food groups:

Bread, grains, and cereals

Foods to eat:

• most cereals, except for those containing nuts, dried fruits, or aspartame
• plain or sesame seed bagels
• quick bread, such as pumpernickel or zucchini bread
• most plain pretzels and potato chips
• unflavored crackers, such as saltines or Club crackers
• white, wheat, rye, or pumpernickel bread from a store

Foods to avoid:

• flavored crackers, such as cheddar cheese crackers
• fresh bread that is homemade or from a grocer's bakery
• pizza, as it is also a fresh bread
• highly flavored or seasoned chips
• soft pretzels

Meats, nuts, and seeds

Foods to eat:

• fresh beef, chicken, fish, lamb, pork, turkey, or veal
• poppy seeds
• pumpkin seeds
• sesame seeds
• sunflower seeds without natural flavors

Foods to avoid:

• beef and chicken livers
• breaded meats
• marinated meats
• flavored popcorn
• nut butters

Salad dressings and sauces

Foods to eat:

• homemade dips that use fresh ingredients without artificial flavorings
• homemade ranch dressings
• oil and distilled white vinegar salad dressings

Foods to avoid:

• bottled salad dressings
• pre-packaged dips, such as salsa, alfredo sauce, or mustard dips

Many bottled salad dressings and pre-packaged dips contain additives and preservatives that can trigger migraines. Additives to avoid include MSG, nitrites, and aspartame.

Aged cheese and red wine vinegar may also contribute to migraines, so it is best to limit their consumption.

Vegetables and fruits

Foods to eat:

• fresh fruits
• fresh vegetables
• preservative-free bagged lettuce
• Examples of vegetables to eat include peppers, zucchini, fresh potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower.

Foods to avoid:

• boxed instant mashed potatoes
• dried fruits containing sulfite preservatives
• citrus fruits
• lima beans
• navy beans
• onions
• sauerkraut

Some fruits may also contain pollens or other compounds, and these can cause a histamine release that could trigger a migraine. Examples include bananas, oranges, grapefruits, raspberries, and plums.

Other prevention tips

Eating several small meals throughout the day can also help maintain steady blood sugar levels and prevent hunger, which can trigger migraines in some people.

A nutritious approach to the diet can help a person maintain a healthy weight too. According to the American Migraine Foundation, being overweight can make migraines more likely or worsen their symptoms.

What foods can trigger migraines?

The foods that trigger migraines will vary from person to person, and some individuals may not have any food-related migraine triggers.

However, some foods that commonly trigger migraines include:

• aged cheeses
• alcohol, particularly beer and red wine
• chocolate
• cured meats
• food preservatives, such as nitrates, nitrites, MSG, and artificial sweeteners
• smoked fish
• yeast extract

Not eating anything at all can also lead to an increased incidence of migraines. For some people, prolonged hunger and not eating enough are known headache triggers. This may be due to a link between low blood sugar levels and worsening migraine headaches.

Tips to identify trigger foods

Some doctors may recommend that people with migraines keep a food journal to track what they eat and any headache symptoms that they experience.

It is worth noting that some people may have an immediate reaction to a food, while others may not react until 24 hours after eating it.

The next step is to try removing one potential trigger food from the diet to see if migraines still occur. For example, a person may decide to avoid all products that contain red wine for a week, including red wine vinegar and the wine itself.

This approach can ensure that people do not remove foods from their diet unnecessarily.

Additional migraine triggers

Doctors have identified five main trigger categories for migraines, one of which is different food types. The other four categories are:

Changes in the environment. Changes in atmospheric pressure, the season, and even storms may trigger migraines.

Hormones. Changes in hormone levels that occur due to the menstrual cycle can trigger migraines, as can some hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Sensory stimulation. Bright lights, certain smells, smoke, and excessive and repetitive noises can all trigger migraines in some people.

Stress. Stress, intensive exercise, illness, or unusual sleep habits may trigger migraines.

Sometimes, a combination of migraine triggers can lead to a migraine headache. For example, a person could be very stressed, miss a meal, and reduce their hours of sleep.

Foods to eat during a migraine attack

Caffeine is a crystalline substance that could help with treating migraines. Some medical companies add powdered caffeine to over-the-counter (OTC) headache treatments.

However, there is a fine line between the amount of caffeine that could reduce migraine headaches and too much caffeine, which could trigger withdrawal headache symptoms.

The American Migraine Foundation recommend that people who get migraines limit their daily intake of caffeine to 200 milligrams (mg). However, it is worth noting that regularly consuming more than 100 mg of caffeine a day is a risk factor for headaches.

Eating bland foods from the lists of approved foods above can help minimize nausea during a migraine attack. Examples of these foods include white bread, saltine crackers, and pears.

Source: Medical News Today