A Medically-Supervised Self-Tracking Program Might Work Better for Migraines
There's a growing body of research supporting the methodologies we use in our medically supervised Quant Coach Program here at My Doctor Medical Group.
Migraines can be a debilitating, painful and time-consuming medical condition. Sufferers of severe migraines typically must isolate themselves from light, sounds and other stimuli for hours or sometimes even days. The cost in terms of pain and suffering, and lost productivity, can be considerable. Many 'migraineurs' pursue the hope of figuring out a trigger that can be avoided, thereby reducing migraine frequency or severity.
Finding the trigger: It turns out that people are often wrong about what they think their migraine triggers are. Many people blame a certain food item or environmental stimulus, but in reality are not making the right cause-and-effect association. We often suggest that rather than trying to figure it out on one's own, it is often better and more productive to enlist the help of a doctor who can help you in implementing a methodical self-tracking approach.
A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center confirms that while migraine sufferers often think they know their triggers, it is actually almost impossible to know without a formalized experiment. This is due to a web of undulating factors, such as hormones, sleep, physical activity, stress, alcohol intake, diet, and the weather.
To more quickly and truly know which variables cause your migraines, the author recommends teaming up with your doctor to devise experiments. Tracking the variables and occurrence, duration, and severity of the migraines is key. For example, you wouldn't want to forgo chocolate or your beloved morning mug of coffee if you didn't need to, right? Perhaps what you really need is another hour of sleep, or increased water intake, or to correct a mineral deficiency.
A 'Quant-Friendly Doctor' can help you design and execute experiments to figure out exactly what does or doesn't trigger your migraines. Self tracking, particularly with the guidance of a Quant Coach and medical supervision, may be the best way to put the migraines to rest once and for all.
