Migraine Talks

Maya Carvalho, founder of the Chronic Migraine Support Group Canada, outlines with Dr. Leroux the challenges patients face in Canada and what is available or ongoing to improve the situation. Finding proper care can take a long time within the healthcare system: meanwhile, support groups offer a resourceful community to rely on and learn from.

Listening to this analysis, rooted in real-life, gives hope for many of us living with migraines- a podcast healthcare professionals and politicians alike could definitely benefit from!

Nb. If you live in Canada, you can find the “Chronic Migraine Support Group Canada” on Facebook.

When it comes to diet, finding the right balance while living with migraines can be overwhelming. Dr. Leroux breaks down myths and popular advice with Nadine Khoury, a dietitian with over 20 years of experience and a special interest in migraines.

We’ll go over some basic eating habits before addressing elimination diets, nutritional deficiencies, hydration, and some specific foods. The episode is also an opportunity to dive into Nadine Khoury’s general approach.

Nb. When it comes to food, there is so much to talk about, and we’re already working on future podcasts on the topic. Stay tuned and feel free to tell us in the comments what diets you would be interested to hear more about!

LINK: https://migrainecanada.org/posts/the-migraine-tree/branches/self-care-lifestyle/migraine-triggers/

Today, patient-advocate Kelly Hayes-Crook joins Dr. Leroux to share her experience with refractory headaches. Everyone is different and you will have to try a few things to find your own balance: yet it can be valuable to hear someone else’s story to keep hope and find some tips that may change your life. 

From medication to behavioral approaches, daily routines, and lifestyle habits, we’ll go through what Kelly found helpful to cope with her condition. Knowledge is power: her work with the Migraine World Summit helped her to be empowered and resilient.

Nb. For further information regarding the Migraine World Summit which Kelly engages in, check www.migraineworldsummit.com

Inspired by life stories she heard throughout her career, Dr. Leroux illustrates how misconceptions about migraines often lead to inappropriate care or suboptimal treatments; and what can be done to avoid such unfortunate outcomes.

A good line of communication with health care providers is key… so physicians might learn as well from this podcast! 

Nb. If you’re interested in advocacy regarding the improvement of migraine-related healthcare, listen to episode n.7. You can also find educational resources on our website migrainecanada.org.

LINK: https://migrainecanada.org/petition/

If you’re living with migraines, you’ve probably been told at least once that exercising regularly might help. It may be easy to understand, but not so much to carry out in our daily lives, especially if it tends to trigger attacks.

Sharing her personal story on this topic, Dr. Leroux offers some tips to demystify exercise, get started, stay motivated and even enjoy it! We’ll discuss some popular sports, main triggers, and how preventive treatment can impact physical activity.

Nb. For further information, have a look at our Migraine Tree; and feel free to tell us in the comments what you would be interested to hear more about regarding physical activity!

LINK: https://migrainecanada.org/posts/the-migraine-tree/branches/self-care-lifestyle/how-to-exercise-if-you-live-with-migraine/

LINK: https://migrainecanada.org/posts/the-migraine-tree/branches/self-care-lifestyle/can-physiotherapy-improve-migraine/

Dr. Leroux outlines different strategies and treatment options to deal with severe attacks when the basics do not work. Maybe they’re menstrual, maybe they wake you up at night, give you nausea, or won’t fade for days: if you are struggling with nasty migraines, this podcast is for you.

Sometimes, going to the emergency room is the only thing to do: we’ll talk about how it usually goes, and how to prepare yourself. Last but not least, a word on the use of opioids.

Nb. If you’re looking for information regarding less severe attacks, check episode n.1. Refractory migraines are addressed in episode n.5. For non-medication options, stay tuned for our other episodes and have a look at our Migraine Tree!

LINK: https://migrainecanada.org/the-migraine-tree/acute-treatments/

Everyone living with migraines need options to treat the attack.

Dr. Leroux clarifies the six main classes of medication and how they work. We will go over some basic and essential tips to deal with migraine attacks. When to treat them, what medications to combine and how often you can use them to avoid the ever-present risk of medication overuse? Find the answers in this podcast!

Nb. If you’re looking for information regarding severe attacks, check episode n.2. Refractory migraines are addressed in episode n.5. For non-medication options, stay tuned for our other episodes and have a look at our Migraine Tree!

LINK: https://migrainecanada.org/the-migraine-tree/acute-treatments/