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  • Migraine Aura, Scotoma, or Blurred Vision? How to Tell the Difference

    Migraine Aura, Scotoma, or Blurred Vision? How to Tell the Difference
    2026/09/02
    Visual changes can be frightening, especially when you live with migraine. But not every blind spot, shimmer, or blurry patch means the same thing.In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme breaks down the differences between visual migraine aura, scotoma, and blurred vision, so you can better understand what your eyes and brain may be telling you.You’ll learn:💡 How to recognize the typical features of a visual migraine aura, including one surprisingly useful clue💡 What a scotoma really is and how to distinguish a blind spot from shimmering or blurred vision💡 Which visual symptoms deserve prompt medical attention, rather than automatically being attributed to migraineA practical episode to help you understand visual symptoms with more clarity and know when they may need a closer look.🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.comReferences:The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition (International Headache Society, 2018): The classification defines migraine aura, including its gradual development, reversibility, and typical duration. Read more here.Are These Visual Symptoms Due to Migraine? A Guide for General Practice (Goldsmith, 2020): This guide explains features that help distinguish migraine visual aura from other visual symptoms. Read more here.A Phase-by-Phase Review of Migraine Pathophysiology (Dodick, 2018): This review describes migraine as a multiphase disorder and links aura with cortical spreading depression. Read more here. Biological Insights From the Premonitory Symptoms of Migraine (Karsan & Goadsby, 2018): This review explores what early migraine symptoms reveal about attack neurobiology. Read more here. Visual Aura in Migraine: An Analysis of 165 Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India (Singla et al., 2021): This study describes common visual aura symptoms, including scintillating scotoma and zigzag lines. Read more here. Symptoms Related to the Visual System in Migraine (van Dongen & Haan, 2019): This review covers aura, visual blurring, photophobia, visual snow, and other visual symptoms. Read more here.Neuroimaging for Migraine: The American Headache Society Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guideline (Evans et al., 2020): This guideline explains when brain imaging may be appropriate in migraine, including unusual or changing aura. Read more here. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    21 分
  • When Grief Hurts Physically: Understanding the Migraine Connection

    When Grief Hurts Physically: Understanding the Migraine Connection
    2026/08/31

    Grief is emotional, but it can also be deeply physical. Changes in sleep, stress, appetite, energy, and nervous system activity may all influence the way migraine shows up in your body.

    In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores why loss can affect far more than your mood, and why your brain and body may need time to adapt to a reality that has suddenly changed.

    You’ll discover:

    💡 Why grief can affect your entire nervous system and potentially change your migraine pattern

    💡 Why your brain may continue to expect the person, place, or life you have lost to still be there

    💡 How Eastern philosophy can offer a gentler way to move through grief, without expecting yourself to simply “get over it”

    This episode is an invitation to understand grief not as something to rush through, but as a process your whole body may need time to navigate.

    🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday

    🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com

    References:

    • Health Outcomes of Bereavement (Stroebe et al., 2007): This review examines how bereavement can affect both physical and mental health. Read more here.
    • Grief and Bereavement: A Pre-Registered Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies (Evstigneev et al., 2026): This review examines brain changes linked to grief, including emotion, reward, and cognitive networks. Read more here.
    • Major Life Changes Before and After the Onset of Chronic Daily Headache (Scher et al., 2008): This study links major life changes with increased risk of developing chronic daily headache. Read more here.

    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

    For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.

    We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    19 分
  • Rebound Headache: When Migraine Medication Starts Feeding the Cycle

    Rebound Headache: When Migraine Medication Starts Feeding the Cycle
    2026/08/26
    When the medication you rely on for relief starts being followed by more and more headaches, it can feel confusing and frustrating.In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores rebound headache, also known as medication-overuse headache, and why frequent treatment can sometimes begin feeding the migraine cycle instead of calming it.You’ll discover:💡 How to recognize when frequent migraine medication may be contributing to increasingly frequent headaches💡 Why rebound headache happens in the brain, and why it does not mean you are weak, dependent, or treating migraine “wrong”💡 How to begin breaking the cycle safely, including one practical step you can take without suddenly stopping medication on your ownThis episode will help you better understand your medication patterns, recognize when something may be shifting, and approach the next steps with more clarity and support.🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.comReferences:Medication-Overuse Headache (International Headache Society): These criteria define medication-overuse headache and its diagnostic thresholds. Read more here. Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Medication Overuse Headache (Diener et al., 2019): This review explains the mechanisms, prevention, withdrawal, and treatment of medication-overuse headache. Read more here.European Academy of Neurology Guideline on the Management of Medication-Overuse Headache (Diener et al., 2020): This guideline outlines education, withdrawal, and preventive treatment strategies. Read more here.Comparison of 3 Treatment Strategies for Medication Overuse Headache (Carlsen et al., 2020): This trial compares withdrawal, preventive treatment, and their combination. Read more here. Efficacy and Safety of Erenumab for Nonopioid Medication Overuse Headache in Chronic Migraine (Tepper et al., 2024): This trial found erenumab 140 mg increased medication-overuse headache remission. Read more here.Brief Intervention for Medication-Overuse Headache in Primary Care: The BIMOH Study (Kristoffersen et al., 2015): This trial found a brief primary-care intervention reduced medication use and headache days. Read more here.Activation of the Microglial P2X7R/NLRP3 Inflammasome Mediates Central Sensitization in a Mouse Model of Medication Overuse Headache (Wang et al., 2023): This animal study links microglial inflammation with central sensitization in medication overuse. Read more here.Acupuncture for Migraine Without Aura and Connection-Based Efficacy Prediction (Zhang et al., 2026): This trial found acupuncture improved migraine outcomes and explored brain connectivity as a predictor of response. Read more here. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    16 分
  • Exercise for Migraine: When It Helps and When It Backfires

    Exercise for Migraine: When It Helps and When It Backfires
    2026/08/24
    Exercise can be one of the most helpful tools for migraine prevention, but when your body is already under strain, the wrong intensity can sometimes push you toward an attack.In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, Diane Ducarme explores why movement can both support and challenge a migraine-sensitive nervous system, and how to find the level of exercise that works with your body rather than against it.You’ll discover:💡 Why regular movement may help reduce migraine frequency, even if some workouts seem to trigger symptoms💡 The signs that exercise is exceeding your current capacity and it may be time to slow down or adjust💡 A simple migraine-friendly movement approach you can try at home without pushing your body beyond its limitsThe goal is not to exercise harder. It is to find the kind of movement that helps your nervous system become more resilient, without tipping it into overload.🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.comReferences:Exercise as Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomized Study Using Relaxation and Topiramate as Controls (Varkey et al., 2011): This trial found exercise may be an effective option for migraine prevention. Read more here. The Association Between Migraine and Physical Exercise (Amin et al., 2018): This review examines exercise as both a potential migraine trigger and preventive strategy. Read more here. Provocation of Migraine With Aura Using Natural Trigger Factors (Hougaard et al., 2013): This study tested whether exercise and bright or flickering light could provoke migraine with aura. Read more here. What Is the Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise Versus Strength Training in the Treatment of Migraine? (Woldeamanuel & Oliveira, 2022): This analysis compares strength and aerobic exercise for reducing migraine frequency. Read more here. Prescription of Therapeutic Exercise in Migraine: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline (La Touche et al., 2023): This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for exercise in migraine care. Read more here.How Much Aerobic Exercise Is Needed to Reduce Migraine? A Dose–Response Meta-Analysis of Pain Intensity and Frequency (Ogrezeanu et al., 2026): This analysis examines the amount of aerobic exercise associated with migraine improvement. Read more here.Relationship Between Kinesiophobia, Cognitive Aspects, Level of Physical Activity, and Disability in Individuals With Migraine (Pina et al., 2025): This study links fear of movement with greater disability and lower physical activity in migraine. Read more here. Primary Exercise Headache (International Headache Society, 2018): These criteria define headache occurring specifically during or after strenuous exercise. Read more here.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    21 分
  • Why Recovery Days Matter as Much as Productive Days

    Why Recovery Days Matter as Much as Productive Days
    2026/08/19

    What if recovery is not time lost, but part of what helps your migraine system regain stability?

    In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores why the end of head pain does not always mean the migraine attack is fully over — and why your body may still need time to recover.

    You’ll learn:

    💡 Why post-migraine recovery is biological, not imaginary

    💡 How cycling between intense productivity and complete exhaustion may destabilize a sensitive migraine system

    💡 How to make recovery feel restorative rather than guilt-filled

    This episode is a reminder that protecting your energy can be just as important as using it.

    🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday

    🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com

    References:

    • The Migraine Postdrome: An Electronic Diary Study (Giffin et al., 2016): This study describes fatigue, concentration problems, and other symptoms that persist after migraine pain resolves. Read more here
    • Reduction in Perceived Stress as a Migraine Trigger: Testing the “Let-Down Headache” Hypothesis (Lipton et al., 2014): This study found that a drop in stress may be associated with migraine onset the following day. Read more here
    • Understanding Migraine Through the Lens of Maladaptive Stress Responses (Borsook et al., 2012): This review explores migraine through chronic stress and allostatic load. Read more here
    • Insufficient Sleep May Alter Cortical Excitability Near the Migraine Attack (Mykland et al., 2023): This study suggests insufficient sleep may alter brain inhibition around migraine attacks. Read more here
    • Fatigue in Migraine Patients and Its Clinical Correlates (Hou et al., 2026): This study links migraine-related fatigue with sleep problems, disability, and psychiatric symptoms. Read more here
    • Operant Approach Activity Pacing Interventions for the Management of Chronic Pain (Antcliff et al., 2026): This review evaluates activity-pacing strategies for managing chronic pain and fatigue. Read more here

    Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

    For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.

    We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    16 分
  • Bloating and Migraine: Coincidence or Clue?

    Bloating and Migraine: Coincidence or Clue?
    2026/08/17
    What if your bloating isn’t separate from your migraine—but part of the same pattern?In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores the connection between digestive symptoms and migraine, and why the answer may go far beyond simply blaming certain foods.You’ll learn:💡 Why bloating and migraine may show up together💡 How your nervous system, digestion, hormones, and migraine pathways may be connected💡 How to tell whether bloating is random, treatment-related, or a useful clue in your migraine patternThis episode will help you look at bloating differently—not as an isolated symptom, but as another signal your body may be giving you.🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.comReferences:Gut–Brain Axis and Migraine Headache: A Comprehensive Review (Arzani et al., 2020): This review explores how gut microbiota, inflammation, and gut–brain signaling may influence migraine. Read more here.Increased Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Migraine Patients (Wongtrakul et al., 2022): This meta-analysis found that IBS is more common among people with migraine. Read more here.Migraine and Gastroparesis (Arca et al., 2022): This review examines the overlap between migraine, delayed gastric emptying, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Read more here. Role of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide on the Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Migraine (Ailani et al., 2022): This review explores how CGRP may connect migraine with gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders. Read more hereGastrointestinal Motility Before and After CGRP-Targeted Treatment (Kudrow et al., 2022): This trial examines gastrointestinal changes after treatment with erenumab or galcanezumab. Read more here AGA Clinical Practice Update on Belching, Abdominal Bloating, and Distention (Moshiree et al., 2023): This expert review provides guidance on evaluating and managing common gastrointestinal symptoms. Read more here The Neurobiology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Mayer, Ryu, & Bhatt, 2023): This review explains IBS through interactions between the brain, gut, microbiome, immune system, and nervous system. Read more hereThe Brain, the Eating Plate, and the Gut Microbiome: Partners in Migraine Pathogenesis (Gazerani et al., 2024): This review explores connections between diet, the gut microbiome, and migraine mechanisms. Read more here The Association Between Migraine and Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review (Gorenshtein et al., 2025): This review examines evidence of differences in gut microbiota among people with migraine. Read more hereMigraine and the Gut–Brain Axis—The Role of Microbiome-Targeted Biotics (Kozák et al., 2026): This review explores probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in relation to the gut–brain axis and migraine. Read more hereDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    17 分
  • From Episodic to Chronic Migraine: The 8 Quiet Signs Your Pattern Is Changing

    From Episodic to Chronic Migraine: The 8 Quiet Signs Your Pattern Is Changing
    2026/08/12
    What if your migraine pattern is becoming more frequent before you even realize it?In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores eight subtle signs that episodic migraine may be moving toward a more chronic pattern—from mild headache days and longer recovery periods to increasing sensitivity and more frequent medication use.You’ll discover:💡 How to recognize the early signs that your migraine pattern may be changing💡 Why mild symptoms and recovery days can reveal more than severe attacks alone💡 How simple tracking can help you understand your pattern and seek support earlierRecognizing these changes is not about creating fear. It is about noticing what your body is communicating before migraine begins taking up even more space in your life.🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.comReferences:Chronic Migraine — International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (International Headache Society, 2018): These criteria define chronic migraine by headache and migraine-day frequency. Read more here. Rates and Risk Factors for Migraine Progression Using Multiple Definitions of Progression (Lipton et al., 2025): This study examines migraine progression through headache frequency and disability. Read more here.Migraine Progression: A Systematic Review (Buse et al., 2019): This review summarizes factors linked to progression from episodic to chronic migraine. Read more here.Risk Factors for Migraine Disease Progression (Lipton et al., 2023): This review identifies modifiable and non-modifiable factors associated with worsening migraine. Read more here.Incidence and Predictors for Chronicity of Headache in Patients With Episodic Migraine (Katsarava et al., 2004): This study links frequent headache and medication overuse with greater chronicity risk. Read more here.Neuroimmune Interactions in the Development and Chronification of Migraine Headache (Zhang et al., 2024): This review explores how immune and nerve-cell interactions may promote persistent migraine. Read more here.Comorbid Pain and Migraine Chronicity (Scher et al., 2017): This study links pain elsewhere in the body with migraine onset and persistence. Read more here.Identifying Cutaneous Allodynia in Chronic Migraine Using a Practical Clinical Method (Ashkenazi et al., 2007): This study presents a simple method for detecting touch sensitivity in chronic migraine. Read more here.Human Assumed Central Sensitization in Interictal Migraine (Cnockaert et al., 2026): This review finds evidence of increased pain sensitivity between migraine attacks. Read more here.The American Headache Society Consensus Statement: Integrating New Migraine Treatments (Ailani et al., 2021): This statement provides guidance on newer acute and preventive migraine treatments. Read more here.CGRP-Targeting Therapies Are a First-Line Option for Migraine Prevention (Charles et al., 2024): This statement supports CGRP therapies as first-line preventive options. Read more here.Hallmarks of Headache Disorders: Part Five—Secondary Headaches (García-Azorín et al., 2026): This review summarizes causes and warning features of secondary headache disorders. Read more here.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    19 分
  • When You Can’t Find the Words: Migraine, Brain Fog, and Language Aura

    When You Can’t Find the Words: Migraine, Brain Fog, and Language Aura
    2026/08/10
    Have you ever known exactly what you wanted to say, but suddenly could not find the words?In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores why migraine can disrupt language, memory, and mental clarity. We look at the difference between common migraine brain fog and a possible speech or language aura, including the warning signs that should never be ignored.You’ll discover:🧠 Why familiar words can suddenly feel unreachable during a migraine🧠 How to distinguish cognitive slowing and brain fog from a possible language aura🧠 When sudden speech or language changes require immediate medical attentionThis episode will help you better understand what may be happening in your brain and respond with greater clarity rather than fear.🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.comReferences:Clinical Features of Migraine With Aura: A REFORM Study (Thomsen et al., 2024): This study describes the frequency, duration, and progression of different migraine aura symptoms. Read more here. Underestimated Phenomena: Higher Cortical Dysfunctions During Migraine Aura (Petrusic et al., 2013): This study shows that language, memory, recognition, and movement-planning difficulties may occur during aura. Read more here.Cognitive Dysfunction During Migraine Attacks: A Study on Migraine Without Aura (Gil-Gouveia et al., 2015): This study examines temporary cognitive difficulties during migraine attacks without aura. Read more here.Cognitive Assessment During the Phases of a Spontaneous Migraine (Ray et al., 2024): This study tracks cognitive performance before, during, and after spontaneous migraine attacks. Read more here. Mapping the Migraine: Intracranial Recording of Cortical Spreading Depression in Migraine With Aura (McLeod et al., 2025): This case report directly recorded cortical spreading depression during a migraine aura. Read more here.Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs (American Stroke Association): This guide explains the B.E. F.A.S.T. warning signs that require immediate emergency attention. Read more here.Migraine With Aura (International Headache Society): These criteria define migraine aura and its visual, sensory, language, motor, brainstem, and retinal symptoms. Read more here. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.
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    16 分