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no. 88 - The Migraine Episode

Sep 28, 2020

Kicking off Season 4 of the podcast is the much-awaited and anticipated Migraine Episode. Recorded (and promised to listeners) at the end of Season 3, this episode has been a long time coming. As a migraine sufferer myself, I’ve struggled off and on over the years to determine triggers and find the best preventative treatment.

Today’s episode features all that and more with Dr. Rani Banik — a board-certified Integrative Neuro-Ophthalmologist and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Rani uses traditional medical and surgical approaches, combined with therapeutic diets and lifestyle changes for better vision and brain health. She has been featured as an expert in the media on Good Morning America, The New York Times, CBS, ABC, Fox 5 News, and the Washington Post.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The prevalence of migraine and migraine with aura in the U.S.
  • The fact that migraine with aura is a brain event even though it manifests with visual disturbances
  • The many different triggers that can cause a migraine, including shifting hormones and dehydration
  • The visual disturbance that occurs with migraine aura — consisting of a blurry, shimmery C-shaped image that starts small and then takes over one’s field of vision and lasts between 15 – 30 minutes
  • The various other sensory disturbances that may accompany a migraine, including ringing in ears, dizziness and “visual snow”
  • The difference between migraine with aura and an ocular migraine
  • The “brain fog” that occurs in the hours and possibly days following a migraine

We also discuss Dr. Rani’s personal history with migraine as she details how her nutrition and lifestyle in medical school played an extensive part in both the development of her migraines and eventually, the management of her migraines.

Dr. Rani also details the importance of maintaining adequate magnesium status to prevent migraines, sharing that the two forms of magnesium most effective to prevent migraine are magnesium glycinate and L-threonate (as compared to the common salt forms of magnesium found in many magnesium supplements — magnesium oxide, citrate, and malate.)

As a follow-up to the importance of magnesium for migraine prevention, Dr. Rani also encourages listeners to supplement with vitamin B2 (riboflavin), noting that in some studies doses up to 400mg have been shown effective in the prevention of migraine.

Lastly, we discuss the various ways listeners can connect with Dr. Rani online by visiting:

I wrap up today’s show with an Odd & Ends segment. First, I share the positive experience I’ve had buying Color Street Nails from my friend Kelly of KelKnockoutNails.

Then, I share with listeners a special offer by my friends and colleagues — Deanna and Serena of TeaspoonofSpice — to get a free e-book when you pre-order their new cookbook: Easy Everyday Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 125 Delicious Recipes from the Healthiest Lifestyle on the Planet. 

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This Unmillennial Life is available each week via Apple Podcasts, NPROne, Libsyn, Spotify, and Podcasts on Pandora.

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GIVEAWAY ALERT: This week's podcast is sponsored by Nature's Nate Honey Company and features a chance to win one of three $50 Visa giftcards, simply by sharing a story of "something sweet" that's happened to you during 2020. Tune into the episode to learn more!