HealthSmart Q & A-20

Dear HealthSmart,

What should someone do if they experience a retinal migraine for the first time? Are retinal migraines typically signs of a bigger problem?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Lipton, M.D., professor of neurology and director of the Montefiore Headache Center. Here’s his response:

Anyone who experiences a retinal migraine for the first time should see an ophthalmologist and have them perform and eye exam to make sure there is not a larger issue at hand. A retinal migraine could indicate that a retinal detachment has occurred or that something is pressing on the nerve from the eye, like a pituitary tumor or blood clot. At the very least any patient experiencing a retinal migraine for the first time should have an eye exam, and perhaps a cat scan or MRI if the doctor is worried about a related issue. The urgency of getting the exam is case specific. The older you are the more likely the symptom is linked to a serious cause, such as a stroke warning sign. The reality is if you’re 25 and have no vascular disease, very good chance it’s not serious, but if you’re 70 and have vascular disease it’s definitely more urgent.

 

Dear HealthSmart,

When I’m at home, I fall asleep the second I hit the pillow and sleep like a baby through the night. But when I’m away from home, a full night’s rest seems impossible. I recently started a new job that involves lots of travel and my sleep is horrible. How can I fix this issue? Could it be I’m watching too much TV in the hotels?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Lee Ritterband, PhD, Professor of Neurobehavioral Sciences at University of Virginia School of Medicine. Here’s his response:

This sounds like a stimulus control issue. Many people develop stimuli their brains associate with sleep, which lets them fall asleep better. This could be the person’s bed, bedroom, a favorite pillow or even a significant other. If you travel often, try to incorporate a nighttime ritual—such as reading, journaling, having a cup of tea or taking a relaxing shower. Over time your body and brain will associate this ritual as a stimulus for sleep. As for watching TV right before bed, you’re correct in thinking this could be contributing to your poor sleep. All screens, TVs, phones, and laptops mess with your circadian rhythm and trick your mind into thinking it’s not bedtime. I would definitely recommend cutting out the TV.

 

Dear HealthSmart,

My husband smokes and I fear for his life because of it. I want to help him quit but am puzzled about how to do so. What do you recommend?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Scott McIntosh, Director of the Center for Smoking Cessation Research at University of Rochester Medical School. Here’s his response:

The truth is you can’t force a loved one quit. Using ultimatums doesn’t work and nagging can do more harm than good. But it might help for you to learn as much as possible about smoking cessation medications and support resources and give this information to your husband. Some families have found success in promising to gift their smokers all the money they would normally spend on cigarettes. In general, love and support go a long way. It’s important to let the smoker know your motivation to help comes from genuine concern for their wellbeing.

 

Do you have questions on health or wellness you’d like answered by the nation’s leading medical researchers? If so, you can send to Editor@WashNews.com. HealthSmart is a national newspaper column from the Washington News Service in DC. Due to demand, we are unable to reply to all inquiries. Responses through the column are no substitute for care from physicians or other medical professionals.

Copyright Ellen James Martin 2021

 

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