Help for Holiday Headaches!!!

During this holiday season we want to be festive and create happy memories. But for chronic headache sufferers, they may be suffer from desperation, fear and left wondering-"How can I get through the holidays without pain?"
This is a true problem and account for about 90% of the population. Hangover headaches are a familiar by-product of holiday festivities that can strike anyone who celebrates well but not too wisely. But sufferers from migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headaches often find that holiday events bring on more or more severe headaches. By understanding and avoiding your holiday triggers, you can minimize the pain, along with some of the fear that the holidays can bring to chronic pain sufferers.
Holidays can be particularly hard on migraine sufferers who demand too much of themselves and work too hard on putting together the perfect gift, party or holiday dinner.
Crowded, smoke-filled cocktail parties with the wrong kinds of food and drink can be loaded with migraine triggers. Sufferers from muscle contraction or tension-type headaches are brought on by stress, depression and anxiety. With hectic shopping, traveling and socializing, holidays can be quite stressful. Dealing with family and friends-or absence of family or friends-can bring out negative feelings that bring on a headache.
Holiday Suggestions for the Headache Prone
· Avoid alcohol, especially eggnog. If you must drink, remember moderation is the key. Make sure to eat something first, preferably foods high in fructose (such as fresh fruit), which can help in metabolizing the alcohol.
· Don't skip meals or eat too many carbohydrates or high-calorie foods at once. Eat healthy nutritious meals at regular times.
· Avoid foods you know to be triggers if you have migraine headaches. Holiday and party food favorites that are triggers for many but not all migraine sufferers include: chocolate, nuts, sour cream, ripe cheeses, hot fresh breads including coffee cakes, foods containing MSG, red wine, alcohol, and caffeine.
· Be alert to signs of tension and use your free time to do deep-breathing and relaxation exercises.
· Be realistic about what can be done in a day. Don't overextend yourself physically, emotionally or financially. Make sure to ask for help when needed.