Show Notes
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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After nearly 20 years of pushing through migraine, Jaya’s attacks began affecting her work, energy, and life as a mother. She had tried medication, scans, massage, acupuncture, and more but the migraines kept coming. By looking more closely at the small details of her daily routine, Jaya began uncovering clues that had been missed for years. Today, she has far fewer migraines and much more capacity to work, exercise, and enjoy everyday life with her daughter. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com
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What if one of your biggest migraine triggers is something you have never thought to notice? In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme takes you through a practical “trigger scan”: from sleep, hormones and food to weather, sensory overload, posture and more without turning migraine management into a life of avoidance. You’ll learn: 💡 How to spot less obvious migraine triggers across your everyday routines, environment and body 💡 How to observe patterns without obsessing or eliminating everything and identify the few things that may actually matter for you The goal is not a smaller life built around avoiding triggers, but greater awareness of what helps your body become more stable. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com Few of the trigger episodes mentioned: Indulgence or Insight? What Chocolate, Cheese & Wine Reveal About Your Brain The Fasting Paradox: Why Skipping Meals Can Spark Migraine and Stress Why Red Wine Triggers Migraines for Some People And What Science Reveals Kombucha for Migraine: Healing Tonic or Hidden Trigger? 5 Reasons Why Fragrance & Perfume Smells Are Triggering Your Migraines & What To Do About It When Light Hurts: The Hidden Link Between Screens, Stress, and Migraine Hidden Sugar and Blood Sugar Spikes: The Silent Migraine Trigger
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Have a migraine question you wish you could ask Diane directly? Every other Thursday, Diane opens the door for a small, informal live Q&A, bring your question or simply come and listen. The next sessions are October 22 and November 5, 2026. They are not recorded, so the conversation stays with the people in the room. 👉 To join, register at migraineheroes.com/live