Saturday, June 14, 2014
10 reasons why PCs crash U must Know
Fatal error: the system has become unstable or is busy," it says. "Enter to return to Windows or press Control-Alt-Delete to restart your computer. If you do this you will lose any unsaved information in all open applications."
You have just been struck by the Blue Screen of Death. Anyone who uses Mcft Windows will be familiar with this. What can you do? More importantly, how can you prevent it happening?
1 Hardware conflict
The number one reason why Windows crashes is hardware conflict. Each hardware device communicates to other devices through an interrupt request channel (IRQ). These are supposed to be unique for each device.
For example, a printer usually connects internally on IRQ 7. The keyboard usually uses IRQ 1 and the floppy disk drive IRQ 6. Each device will try to hog a single IRQ for itself.
If there are a lot of devices, or if they are not installed properly, two of them may end up sharing the same IRQ number. When the user tries to use both devices at the same time, a crash can happen. The way to check if your computer has a hardware conflict is through the following route:
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager.
Often if a device has a problem a yellow '!' appears next to its description in the Device Manager. Highlight Computer (in the Device Manager) and press Properties to see the IRQ numbers used by your computer. If the IRQ number appears twice, two devices may be using it.
Sometimes a device might share an IRQ with something described as 'IRQ holder for PCI steering'. This can be ignored. The best way to fix this problem is to remove the problem device and reinstall it.
Sometimes you may have to find more recent drivers on the internet to make the device function properly. A good resource is www.driverguide.com. If the device is a soundcard, or a modem, it can often be fixed by moving it to a different slot on the motherboard (be careful about opening your computer, as you may void the warranty).
When working inside a computer you should switch it off, unplug the mains lead and touch an unpainted metal surface to discharge any static electricity.
To be fair to Mcft, the problem with IRQ numbers is not of its making. It is a legacy problem going back to the first PC designs using the IBM 8086 chip. Initially there were only eight IRQs. Today there are 16 IRQs in a PC. It is easy to run out of them. There are plans to increase the number of IRQs in future designs.
2 Bad Ram
Ram (random-access memory) problems might bring on the blue screen of death with a message saying Fatal Exception Error. A fatal error indicates a serious hardware problem. Sometimes it may mean a part is damaged and will need replacing.
But a fatal error caused by Ram might be caused by a mismatch of chips. For example, mixing 70-nanosecond (70ns) Ram with 60ns Ram will usually force the computer to run all the Ram at the slower speed. This will often crash the machine if the Ram is overworked.
One way around this problem is to enter the BIOS settings and increase the wait state of the Ram. This can make it more stable. Another way to troubleshoot a suspected Ram problem is to rearrange the Ram chips on the motherboard, or take some of them out. Then try to repeat the circumstances that caused the crash. When handling Ram try not to touch the gold connections, as they can be easily damaged.
Parity error messages also refer to Ram. Modern Ram chips are either parity (ECC) or non parity (non-ECC). It is best not to mix the two types, as this can be a cause of trouble. EMM386 error messages refer to memory problems but may not be connected to bad Ram. This may be due to free memory problems often linked to old Dos-based programmes.
3 BIOS settings Every motherboard is supplied with a range of chipset settings that are decided in the factory. A common way to access these settings is to press the F2 or delete button during the first few seconds of a boot-up.
Once inside the BIOS, great care should be taken. It is a good idea to write down on a piece of paper all the settings that appear on the screen. That way, if you change something and the computer becomes more unstable, you will know what settings to revert to.
A common BIOS error concerns the CAS latency. This refers to the Ram. Older EDO (extended data out) Ram has a CAS latency of 3. Newer SDRam has a CAS latency of 2. Setting the wrong figure can cause the Ram to lock up and freeze the computer's display. Mcft Windows is better at allocating IRQ numbers than any BIOS. If possible set the IRQ numbers to Auto in the BIOS. This will allow Windows to allocate the IRQ numbers (make sure the BIOS setting for Plug and Play OS is switched to 'yes' to allow Windows to do this.).
4 Hard disk drives
After a few weeks, the information on a hard disk drive starts to become piecemeal or fragmented. It is a good idea to defragment the hard disk every week or so, to prevent the disk from causing a screen freeze. Go to
* Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter
This will start the procedure. You will be unable to write data to the hard drive (to save it) while the disk is defragmenting, so it is a good idea to schedule the procedure for a period of inactivity using the Task Scheduler.
The Task Scheduler should be one of the small icons on the bottom right of the Windows opening page (the desktop).
Some lockups and screen freezes caused by hard disk problems can be solved by reducing the read-ahead optimisation. This can be adjusted by going to
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System Icon-Performance-File System-Hard Disk.
Hard disks will slow down and crash if they are too full. Do some housekeeping on your hard drive every few months and free some space on it. Open the Windows folder on the C drive and find the Temporary Internet Files folder. Deleting the contents (not the folder) can free a lot of space. Empty the Recycle Bin every week to free more space. Hard disk drives should be scanned every week for errors or bad sectors. Go to
* Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-ScanDisk
Otherwise assign the Task Scheduler to perform this operation at night when the computer is not in use.
5 Fatal OE exceptions and VXD errors
Fatal OE exception errors and VXD errors are often caused by video card problems.
These can often be resolved easily by reducing the resolution of the video display. Go to
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-Display-Settings
Here you should slide the screen area bar to the left. Take a look at the colour settings on the left of that window. For most desktops, high colour 16-bit depth is adequate. If the screen freezes or you experience system lockups it might be due to the video card.
Make sure it does not have a hardware conflict. Go to
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager
Here, select the + beside Display Adapter. A line of text describing your video card should appear. Select it (make it blue) and press properties. Then select Resources and select each line in the window. Look for a message that says No Conflicts. If you have video card hardware conflict, you will see it here. Be careful at this point and make a note of everything you do in case you make things worse. The way to resolve a hardware conflict is to uncheck the Use Automatic Settings box and hit the Change Settings button. You are searching for a setting that will display a No Conflicts message.
Another useful way to resolve video problems is to go to
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Performance-Graphics
Here you should move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the left. As ever, the most common cause of problems relating to graphics cards is old or faulty drivers (a driver is a small piece of software used by a computer to communicate with a device). Look up your video card's manufacturer on the internet and search for the most recent drivers for it.
6 Viruses Often the first sign of a virus infection is instability. Some viruses erase the boot sector of a hard drive, making it impossible to start. This is why it is a good idea to create a Windows start-up disk. Go to
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs
Here, look for the Start Up Disk tab. Virus protection requires constant vigilance.
A virus scanner requires a list of virus signatures in order to be able to identify viruses. These signatures are stored in a DAT file. DAT files should be updated weekly from the website of your antivirus software manufacturer.
An excellent antivirus programme is McAfee VirusScan by Network Associates ( www.nai.com). Another is Norton AntiVirus 2000, made by Symantec ( www.symantec.com).
7 Printers
The action of sending a document to print creates a bigger file, often called a postscript file.
Printers have only a small amount of memory, called a buffer. This can be easily overloaded. Printing a document also uses a considerable amount of CPU power. This will also slow down the computer's performance.
If the printer is trying to print unusual characters, these might not be recognised, and can crash the computer. Sometimes printers will not recover from a crash because of confusion in the buffer. A good way to clear the buffer is to unplug the printer for ten seconds. Booting up from a powerless state, also called a cold boot, will restore the printer's default settings and you may be able to carry on.
8 Software A common cause of computer crash is faulty or badly-installed software. Often the problem can be cured by uninstalling the software and then reinstalling it. Use Norton Uninstall or Uninstall Shield to remove an application from your system properly. This will also remove references to the programme in the System Registry and leaves the way clear for a completely fresh copy.
The System Registry can be corrupted by old references to obsolete software that you thought was uninstalled. Use Reg Cleaner by Jouni Vuorio to clean up the System Registry and remove obsolete entries. It works on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE (Second Edition), Windows Millennium Edition (ME), NT4 and Windows 2000.
Read the instructions and use it carefully so you don't do permanent damage to the Registry. If the Registry is damaged you will have to reinstall your operating system. Reg Cleaner can be obtained from www.jv16.org
Often a Windows problem can be resolved by entering Safe Mode. This can be done during start-up. When you see the message "Starting Windows" press F4. This should take you into Safe Mode.
Safe Mode loads a minimum of drivers. It allows you to find and fix problems that prevent Windows from loading properly. Sometimes installing Windows is difficult because of unsuitable BIOS settings. If you keep getting SUWIN error messages (Windows setup) during the Windows installation, then try entering the BIOS and disabling the CPU internal cache. Try to disable the Level 2 (L2) cache if that doesn't work. Remember to restore all the BIOS settings back to their former settings following installation.
9 Overheating
Central processing units (CPUs) are usually equipped with fans to keep them cool. If the fan fails or if the CPU gets old it may start to overheat and generate a particular kind of error called a kernel error. This is a common problem in chips that have been overclocked to operate at higher speeds than they are supposed to. One remedy is to get a bigger better fan and install it on top of the CPU. Specialist cooling fans/heatsinks are available from www.computernerd.com or www.coolit.com
CPU problems can often be fixed by disabling the CPU internal cache in the BIOS. This will make the machine run more slowly, but it should also be more stable.
10 Power supply problems
With all the new construction going on around the country the steady supply of electricity has become disrupted. A power surge or spike can crash a computer as easily as a power cut. If this has become a nuisance for you then consider buying a uninterrupted power supply (UPS). This will give you a clean power supply when there is electricity, and it will give you a few minutes to perform a controlled shutdown in case of a power cut. It is a good investment if your data are critical, because a power cut will cause any unsaved data to be lost.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
An Interview with Country Music singer C.M.G
[b]C. Michael Gray is an Auto Mechanic by trade and sings country music for a living. He loves to sing and has been doing it now on stage for the world to hear for over ten years. He has a self-titled debut album that was recorded last year, and is for sale now. He has been played on the radio all over Missouri. ( Maybe you have heard him? ) The song most played is Angels in the snow. Click on the links at the bottom of the page to hear a verse and a chorus of four of the songs taken off his ten song self-titled debut album. C. Michael Gray has a deep rich voice, that is both beautiful and truly authentic. After hearing some of his music I am sure you will agree. C. Michael Gray has a long talented career ahead of him.
Interview with C. Michael Gray ( C.M.G ) up and coming new country music singer!
Diana Asked: Hello C. Michael Gray, I am a fan could you please tell me a little about yourself? Like where were you born, and what got you started in music?
C.M.G Answers: Hi there. It's great to talk with you. Well, for starters, I was born and raised in the hills of Southeast Missouri. I come from a very musical family steeped in country and bluegrass, so I guess you can say I was born into country music.
Diana Asked: If there is one thing you could tell someone else trying to start in this field of music what would that be?
C.M.G Answers: Do not ever give up on your dreams. It can be really hard to get started, but you should not let that discourage you. Just keep on singing...
Diana Asked: Is country music the only type of music you are looking to stay in, or is there any others you are interested in as well?
C.M.G Answers: No, there are other types of music that I am interested in doing. I have been asked to do a gospel album, which I will probably do, and would like to do more bluegrass later on down the line. I have even considered doing some alternative rock, but that is just a thought. (laughs!)
Diana Asked: On your new album you have ten songs you sing, is there any you like more then others? Do you have a favorite, if so please tell us why you like this song the best?
C.M.G Answers: I would have to say that " Angels in the Snow " is probably my favorite. The moment I heard the demo for it, I started to cry, and when I tried singing it for the first few times, I could not finish it without tearing up. It is a very emotional song.
Diana Asked: Do you write and play any music of your own? Can we look forward in the future to hearing something maybe you will have written and sang?
C.M.G Answers: I have written a few songs, although I do not think they are very good, and I am working right now with some other songwriters, trying to create a perfect country song for my voice, but I am not much of a writer. I play a little guitar, but just enough to be dangerous. (Laughs!!)
Diana Asked: Ok lets get a little personal. ( Smile ) Have you ever been married? Any kids? Is there a special someone in your life right now?
C.M.G Answers: (Blush) No, I have never been married, nor do I have any kids, at least not that I know of. Just kidding. And yes I am actually engaged to a wonderful, beautiful woman right now, although after she reads that "kids remark" I may not be engaged for long. No, I have never known love till I met her, she is my everything, I love you sweetie...
Diana Asked: Do you have a musical influences? If so please tell us about them and how they have influenced you?
C.M.G Answers: I would have to say that Merle Haggard has been the biggest influence for me. Growing up without much to do, the family would sit around after supper and play well into the night, and "House of Memories" by Merle Haggard is the very first song I have ever sung. I learned to play the guitar with his music and I am still a devoted Haggard Fan today.
Diana Asked: What would you say is the hardest thing about getting into country music and getting your name known?
C.M.G Answers: Well, for me the hardest thing was the money. It takes quite a bit to get started, and if you are poor like me, spending hard-earned cash on a possibility is somewhat hard to do. It's up to the fans to say whether or not you are good enough.
Diana Asked: If you had one wish for your music, what would that wish be and why?
C.M.G Answers: Well, of course I want my music to do great, but I would like to do well enough to get the chance to sing with some of my heroes, like Merle (Haggard) and George (Strait) just to name a couple.
Diana Asked: Can you tell us the feeling you get when you are in stage? What is it like? And where is the place you go to most often so that if any fan is ever in town they may come to hear you live?
C.M.G Answers: It is unlike anything Miss Diana, when you are on stage and the crowd is cheering, it is the greatest feeling in the world. Its like Christmas morning and Birthdays all rolled into one. I go out to Sam's Place in Malden MO a lot to sing karaoke with friends and just have fun, so people can find me there at least every other weekend.
I want to take this time to thank C. Michael Gray for his time in doing this interview, and wish him all the luck in the world with his new country music career! I think we will be hearing a lot from him, so keep an ear out. He is looking into starting a new CD at the end of 2007, and I know I will be first in line to hear it. How about you?
Click here to hear and like him now
https://www.facebook.com/C.MichaelGray?ref=hl
Interview with C. Michael Gray ( C.M.G ) up and coming new country music singer!
Diana Asked: Hello C. Michael Gray, I am a fan could you please tell me a little about yourself? Like where were you born, and what got you started in music?
C.M.G Answers: Hi there. It's great to talk with you. Well, for starters, I was born and raised in the hills of Southeast Missouri. I come from a very musical family steeped in country and bluegrass, so I guess you can say I was born into country music.
Diana Asked: If there is one thing you could tell someone else trying to start in this field of music what would that be?
C.M.G Answers: Do not ever give up on your dreams. It can be really hard to get started, but you should not let that discourage you. Just keep on singing...
Diana Asked: Is country music the only type of music you are looking to stay in, or is there any others you are interested in as well?
C.M.G Answers: No, there are other types of music that I am interested in doing. I have been asked to do a gospel album, which I will probably do, and would like to do more bluegrass later on down the line. I have even considered doing some alternative rock, but that is just a thought. (laughs!)
Diana Asked: On your new album you have ten songs you sing, is there any you like more then others? Do you have a favorite, if so please tell us why you like this song the best?
C.M.G Answers: I would have to say that " Angels in the Snow " is probably my favorite. The moment I heard the demo for it, I started to cry, and when I tried singing it for the first few times, I could not finish it without tearing up. It is a very emotional song.
Diana Asked: Do you write and play any music of your own? Can we look forward in the future to hearing something maybe you will have written and sang?
C.M.G Answers: I have written a few songs, although I do not think they are very good, and I am working right now with some other songwriters, trying to create a perfect country song for my voice, but I am not much of a writer. I play a little guitar, but just enough to be dangerous. (Laughs!!)
Diana Asked: Ok lets get a little personal. ( Smile ) Have you ever been married? Any kids? Is there a special someone in your life right now?
C.M.G Answers: (Blush) No, I have never been married, nor do I have any kids, at least not that I know of. Just kidding. And yes I am actually engaged to a wonderful, beautiful woman right now, although after she reads that "kids remark" I may not be engaged for long. No, I have never known love till I met her, she is my everything, I love you sweetie...
Diana Asked: Do you have a musical influences? If so please tell us about them and how they have influenced you?
C.M.G Answers: I would have to say that Merle Haggard has been the biggest influence for me. Growing up without much to do, the family would sit around after supper and play well into the night, and "House of Memories" by Merle Haggard is the very first song I have ever sung. I learned to play the guitar with his music and I am still a devoted Haggard Fan today.
Diana Asked: What would you say is the hardest thing about getting into country music and getting your name known?
C.M.G Answers: Well, for me the hardest thing was the money. It takes quite a bit to get started, and if you are poor like me, spending hard-earned cash on a possibility is somewhat hard to do. It's up to the fans to say whether or not you are good enough.
Diana Asked: If you had one wish for your music, what would that wish be and why?
C.M.G Answers: Well, of course I want my music to do great, but I would like to do well enough to get the chance to sing with some of my heroes, like Merle (Haggard) and George (Strait) just to name a couple.
Diana Asked: Can you tell us the feeling you get when you are in stage? What is it like? And where is the place you go to most often so that if any fan is ever in town they may come to hear you live?
C.M.G Answers: It is unlike anything Miss Diana, when you are on stage and the crowd is cheering, it is the greatest feeling in the world. Its like Christmas morning and Birthdays all rolled into one. I go out to Sam's Place in Malden MO a lot to sing karaoke with friends and just have fun, so people can find me there at least every other weekend.
I want to take this time to thank C. Michael Gray for his time in doing this interview, and wish him all the luck in the world with his new country music career! I think we will be hearing a lot from him, so keep an ear out. He is looking into starting a new CD at the end of 2007, and I know I will be first in line to hear it. How about you?
Click here to hear and like him now
https://www.facebook.com/C.MichaelGray?ref=hl
Friday, June 6, 2014
Painless OR Silent Migraines...
[b]Painless OR Silent Migraines...
Most of you know what it feels like to have a migraine, but do you ever get the same symptoms with out the head pain? Symptoms like : Aura's in one or both eyes, nausea, low tolerance for light, odors, or noises, circulatory problems, gastrointestinal woes like constipation, or cramps. Your stomach may even become paralyses (gastroparesis), making oral painkillers ineffective. Behavioral Changes and "more". Than you may have what's known as Painless OR silent migraines.. Please read on to find out more.
Things I was told I had before I found out about silent migraines.
Mini-stroke, hypoglycemia, Meniere's disease, (primarily because of my unexplained vertigo) myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, ( Which I do have but was put off as just being this. ) depression and plus more. So watch out, I was put on meds for things I did not even have!
Symptom of Migraines #1 – Aura Though only 15-20% of migraine sufferers get an aura, ( I was told this by three doctors, One in Michigan, One in Tennessee and one in Arkansas. ) it's one of the clearest signs that you have a migraine. ( " I used to get them when I first started to get sick. That was April 17th 1999, I had auras and flashing in my right eye and no pain. I thought I was dying or at least having a stroke and going blind. ") Before you get a headache ( though the aura may crop up during headache as well ) you may get strange symptoms. You may see flashing lights or wavy lines, feel dizzy, or just not feel right.
Symptom of Migraines #2 – Where's the pain? ( and when is it leaving? ) You may have heard that a symptom of migraines is pain on one side of the head. This is a common but not always the case symptom, You may feel no pain and just think you are about to die. Its good to go to the doctor and make sure this is what you have and not something that can really hurt you. This is not meant to be a self diagnosis. Just something to let you know that if this is something you have you are not alone!
Symptom of Migraines #3 – Nausea and vomiting are among the most dreaded symptoms. Vomiting may be a sign that your headache is almost over, or that it's just starting. ( "LOL I know big help, but its what I have been told by my doctors." ) It can sometimes be so severe that it happens over and over in cycles and may cause dehydration. ( I myself have never had the vomiting symptoms. "THANK GOD" ) But it is very common.
Symptom of Migraines #4 – Low tolerance for: Light, odours, or noises. It is very typical of migraineurs that they will need to go and lie down in a dark, quiet room. If this sounds like you, you likely have a migraine as opposed to a cluster headache, where the sufferer may want to walk around. ( Just because there is no pain don't mean you don't have the migraine, You may still want to lay down in a cool dark room. ) No pain and all these symptoms are a sure sign that you are having a silent migraine. If new symptoms come up please see your doctor if just for peace of mind!
Symptom of Migraines #5 – Circulatory problem migraines seem to be related to changes in blood vessels and blood flow. Sometimes this can result in strange symptoms, such as changes in skin color, change in heart rate, or feeling like you have a fever "when you don't". A migraine may also cause nasal congestion and watery eyes, leading some doctors to think you may have a sinus headache, or sinusitis, in which your sinuses become red and inflamed. Sinusitis, however, lasts for more than just a couple days, and may last weeks or months. ( Look up sinusitis on yahoo to learn more ) It's been estimated ( Can find these facts on yahoo by looking up migraine estimates ) that half of migraine sufferers both with and with out pain, don't know they have a migraine but think they have a sinus headache! Technically, migraines activate a nerve cluster which in turn stimulates tear ducts and sinuses. You may also have a fever, pain when your forehead or area under your eyes is touched, and perhaps even swelling around the eyes. If your headache is recurrent or just the symptoms and goes away in a few hours or a day or two, you likely don't have sinusitis. As always, if you have new symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Symptom of Migraines #6 – Behavioral Changes You may be irritable not just because of your pain and / or symptoms, but because of the way migraine effects your brain, other changes may include: becoming more passive, lower mental ability, restlessness, confusion. You may also have extra energy and euphoria, or even increased creativity! ( Don't you wish you could choose your symptoms?! ) At the worst, migraine sufferers feel like they're losing control, going crazy, and may even feel suicidal. ( Info from online sites and doctors I have been seeing for over 5 years. Please if you are feeling suicidal, Call 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK There are people ready to help you 24 hours a day. If you are hard of hearing or deaf please call 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) ) Symptoms of silent Migraines are almost all the same only you don't have the head pain, or maybe a little head pain that makes you think you are not having a migraine at all.
Diagnosis: ( http://headaches.about.com )
A patient who is diagnosed with migraines / silent migraines should be fully diagnosed as to what type of migraine they have, acephalgic or with the headache phase: migraine without aura, migraine with aura, abdominal migraine, basilar-type migraine, familial hemiplegic migraine, sporadic hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, silent migraines. Discovering that you have migraines / silent migraines and auras may be a partial relief, because the symptoms can range from the severe to the bizarre, and you may think they're doing permanent damage. However, knowing what it is doesn't take away from the problem itself! So what causes aura in the first place?
Aura refers to the symptoms that about 15-20% ( As stated above ) of migraineurs deal with before their headache begins ( and sometimes during the headache as well ). This is called the prodromal stage.* On the positive side, aura can give someone a warning that a severe headache or the severe symptoms of the silent migraines is about to begin, "before" it hits full force. In some people though, the aura may be almost as bad as the migraine itself! Sometimes this is broken into two stages: prodromal, and aura. The prodromal stage may last a day or more, and the aura stage is usually but not always just a few minutes. ( " My aura's can last for a few minutes to a few days." )
Migraine and aura may both include a number of symptoms or a combination of symptoms. If you've heard anything about aura, you've heard that some migraineurs have visual disturbances: they may see flashing lights, jagged lines, circles, squares, or distortions of things they see. Objects may seem further away or closer. Visual distortions due to migraine have been said to have inspired Lewis Carroll in his book Through The Looking Glass. You can get it from Amazon for a couple of dollars – it makes an interesting read if you suffer from migraines! (" Was told this by my doctor in Michigan, I have yet to read it lol ")
Aura can go beyond this to things like dizziness, ringing in the ears, trouble focusing, slurred speech or trouble finding the right word when you talk (aphasia). You may smell an odour that isn't there (some migraineurs just will not be convinced that they don't have horrible BO!). Some have numbness or tingling in hands, feet or lips (lasting about 20 minutes). Yawning, Thirst, Irritability or euphoria, Stiff neck. Some people just have a gradually coming on "not right" feeling, or wake up feeling like they've been "hit by a train." In rare cases even amnesia or advanced hallucinations. You can imagine how many of these symptoms could be quite frightening if you're experiencing them for the first time! Just remember to try and stay calm, write down what you feel everyday and bring it in with you when you see your doctor next.
"AGAIN"
This is not meant to be a self diagnosis, Just something to let you know that if this is something you have you are not alone!! If new symptoms come up please see your doctor if just for peace of mind!
Paypal address is dianahottie@hotmail.com
[/b]
Most of you know what it feels like to have a migraine, but do you ever get the same symptoms with out the head pain? Symptoms like : Aura's in one or both eyes, nausea, low tolerance for light, odors, or noises, circulatory problems, gastrointestinal woes like constipation, or cramps. Your stomach may even become paralyses (gastroparesis), making oral painkillers ineffective. Behavioral Changes and "more". Than you may have what's known as Painless OR silent migraines.. Please read on to find out more.
Things I was told I had before I found out about silent migraines.
Mini-stroke, hypoglycemia, Meniere's disease, (primarily because of my unexplained vertigo) myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, ( Which I do have but was put off as just being this. ) depression and plus more. So watch out, I was put on meds for things I did not even have!
Symptom of Migraines #1 – Aura Though only 15-20% of migraine sufferers get an aura, ( I was told this by three doctors, One in Michigan, One in Tennessee and one in Arkansas. ) it's one of the clearest signs that you have a migraine. ( " I used to get them when I first started to get sick. That was April 17th 1999, I had auras and flashing in my right eye and no pain. I thought I was dying or at least having a stroke and going blind. ") Before you get a headache ( though the aura may crop up during headache as well ) you may get strange symptoms. You may see flashing lights or wavy lines, feel dizzy, or just not feel right.
Symptom of Migraines #2 – Where's the pain? ( and when is it leaving? ) You may have heard that a symptom of migraines is pain on one side of the head. This is a common but not always the case symptom, You may feel no pain and just think you are about to die. Its good to go to the doctor and make sure this is what you have and not something that can really hurt you. This is not meant to be a self diagnosis. Just something to let you know that if this is something you have you are not alone!
Symptom of Migraines #3 – Nausea and vomiting are among the most dreaded symptoms. Vomiting may be a sign that your headache is almost over, or that it's just starting. ( "LOL I know big help, but its what I have been told by my doctors." ) It can sometimes be so severe that it happens over and over in cycles and may cause dehydration. ( I myself have never had the vomiting symptoms. "THANK GOD" ) But it is very common.
Symptom of Migraines #4 – Low tolerance for: Light, odours, or noises. It is very typical of migraineurs that they will need to go and lie down in a dark, quiet room. If this sounds like you, you likely have a migraine as opposed to a cluster headache, where the sufferer may want to walk around. ( Just because there is no pain don't mean you don't have the migraine, You may still want to lay down in a cool dark room. ) No pain and all these symptoms are a sure sign that you are having a silent migraine. If new symptoms come up please see your doctor if just for peace of mind!
Symptom of Migraines #5 – Circulatory problem migraines seem to be related to changes in blood vessels and blood flow. Sometimes this can result in strange symptoms, such as changes in skin color, change in heart rate, or feeling like you have a fever "when you don't". A migraine may also cause nasal congestion and watery eyes, leading some doctors to think you may have a sinus headache, or sinusitis, in which your sinuses become red and inflamed. Sinusitis, however, lasts for more than just a couple days, and may last weeks or months. ( Look up sinusitis on yahoo to learn more ) It's been estimated ( Can find these facts on yahoo by looking up migraine estimates ) that half of migraine sufferers both with and with out pain, don't know they have a migraine but think they have a sinus headache! Technically, migraines activate a nerve cluster which in turn stimulates tear ducts and sinuses. You may also have a fever, pain when your forehead or area under your eyes is touched, and perhaps even swelling around the eyes. If your headache is recurrent or just the symptoms and goes away in a few hours or a day or two, you likely don't have sinusitis. As always, if you have new symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Symptom of Migraines #6 – Behavioral Changes You may be irritable not just because of your pain and / or symptoms, but because of the way migraine effects your brain, other changes may include: becoming more passive, lower mental ability, restlessness, confusion. You may also have extra energy and euphoria, or even increased creativity! ( Don't you wish you could choose your symptoms?! ) At the worst, migraine sufferers feel like they're losing control, going crazy, and may even feel suicidal. ( Info from online sites and doctors I have been seeing for over 5 years. Please if you are feeling suicidal, Call 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK There are people ready to help you 24 hours a day. If you are hard of hearing or deaf please call 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) ) Symptoms of silent Migraines are almost all the same only you don't have the head pain, or maybe a little head pain that makes you think you are not having a migraine at all.
Diagnosis: ( http://headaches.about.com )
A patient who is diagnosed with migraines / silent migraines should be fully diagnosed as to what type of migraine they have, acephalgic or with the headache phase: migraine without aura, migraine with aura, abdominal migraine, basilar-type migraine, familial hemiplegic migraine, sporadic hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, silent migraines. Discovering that you have migraines / silent migraines and auras may be a partial relief, because the symptoms can range from the severe to the bizarre, and you may think they're doing permanent damage. However, knowing what it is doesn't take away from the problem itself! So what causes aura in the first place?
Aura refers to the symptoms that about 15-20% ( As stated above ) of migraineurs deal with before their headache begins ( and sometimes during the headache as well ). This is called the prodromal stage.* On the positive side, aura can give someone a warning that a severe headache or the severe symptoms of the silent migraines is about to begin, "before" it hits full force. In some people though, the aura may be almost as bad as the migraine itself! Sometimes this is broken into two stages: prodromal, and aura. The prodromal stage may last a day or more, and the aura stage is usually but not always just a few minutes. ( " My aura's can last for a few minutes to a few days." )
Migraine and aura may both include a number of symptoms or a combination of symptoms. If you've heard anything about aura, you've heard that some migraineurs have visual disturbances: they may see flashing lights, jagged lines, circles, squares, or distortions of things they see. Objects may seem further away or closer. Visual distortions due to migraine have been said to have inspired Lewis Carroll in his book Through The Looking Glass. You can get it from Amazon for a couple of dollars – it makes an interesting read if you suffer from migraines! (" Was told this by my doctor in Michigan, I have yet to read it lol ")
Aura can go beyond this to things like dizziness, ringing in the ears, trouble focusing, slurred speech or trouble finding the right word when you talk (aphasia). You may smell an odour that isn't there (some migraineurs just will not be convinced that they don't have horrible BO!). Some have numbness or tingling in hands, feet or lips (lasting about 20 minutes). Yawning, Thirst, Irritability or euphoria, Stiff neck. Some people just have a gradually coming on "not right" feeling, or wake up feeling like they've been "hit by a train." In rare cases even amnesia or advanced hallucinations. You can imagine how many of these symptoms could be quite frightening if you're experiencing them for the first time! Just remember to try and stay calm, write down what you feel everyday and bring it in with you when you see your doctor next.
"AGAIN"
This is not meant to be a self diagnosis, Just something to let you know that if this is something you have you are not alone!! If new symptoms come up please see your doctor if just for peace of mind!
Paypal address is dianahottie@hotmail.com
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