Television & Migraines

Migraines are headaches that cause pain lasting from hours to days. Some migraines are genetically caused, while others occur cyclically due to hormonal fluctuations or are triggered by exterior influences such as light or sound.

Identification

• Migraine symptoms include throbbing pain in the head, nausea, vomiting, chills, loss of appetite, mood changes, irritability, fatigues and sensitivity to light and sound.

Effects

• An aura may precede the onset of a migraine, causing ocular disturbances such as blurry or double vision, seeing zig-zag lines, spots or flashing lights and experiencing blind spots.

Potential

• Television can cause or worsen a migraine due to the sound and light it produces. Migraines may be helped by eliminating stimulus and resting in a quiet, dark room.

Considerations

• Television-related causes of migraines include sitting less than five feet away from the TV set, watching a screen that is not at eye level, and viewing at a contrast level that is too bright.

Prevention/Treatment

• Prescription migraine treatments include preventative medicines such as beta-blockers, calcium channel-blockers and serotonin uptake-inhibitors. At-home remedies include over-the-counter pain medicines such as Ibuprofen, applying cold compresses to the head and avoiding food and environmental triggers.