01/06/2009 by FeedCrazy.

Everyone has either had a migraine or knows someone who suffers from them, but do we really understand them?  If you have never suffered from a migraine you are probably under the impression that the sufferer has an intolerable headache, accompanied by nausea and blurred vision.  This is sometimes the case, but then there is another type of migraine, the eye migraine.

Why is the eye migraine so different?
The main difference between the eye migraine and the usual understanding of a migraine, is that with an eye migraine there is often no headache at all.  The eye migraine can be called many other names, including ocular migraines, silent migraine, ophthalmic migraines, acephalgic migraine or the ophthalmoplegic migraine.

What are the symptoms of eye migraine?
The eye migraine is all about vision.  Some people will have a blind spot which will gradually increase and a zig zag line can appear in the centre of this.Other people will have peripheral vision blurring.  Many people do not realize that they are suffering from eye migraine as they are under the impression that there has to be a headache to be a migraine.

What should you do if you suffer from eye migraine?
Unfortunately there is not much you can do about eye migraine.  It is definitely worth visiting your eye doctor for a check up of your general eye health.  This will ensure that there are no other problems which could be linked to something more serious and may be missed if you simply self diagnose your self with eye migraine.  The treatment of eye migraine is much the same as treatment of any other form of migraine.  Most migraines have triggers and it is recommended that migraine sufferers keep a diary of their migraines.Triggers can be environmental, that is heat, tension, humidity or noise, while they can also be food or drink related.  A food diary can offer quite an insight into the triggers of many migraines.

If you are suffering from eye migraines or any other type of migraine it is important to make sure that you have regular appointments with both your family doctor and your eye doctor to monitor your headaches to see if they are changing or increasing.

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01/06/2009 by FeedCrazy.

In today’s world of mass-production, the bed and bath departments of retail giants like Wal-Mart and Target overflow with all the colorful, low-cost toweling and bedding choices for today’s shopper. Following a good/better/best pricing strategy, shoppers get to select from lower-cost synthetics to higher thread count cotton. While this creates a favorable shopping experience for many consumers, some still find it lacking… and wondering if there is a another option that offers even higher-quality and longer-lasting alternatives compared to today’s mass-produced textiles.

These consumers aren’t going to find what they are looking for in a Bed Bath and Beyond. In fact, most will have to uncover the perfect towel or day blanket on the shelves of a boutique or gallery tucked away along the cobblestone streets of some historic New England town, or within the pages of an obscure specialty catalog.

These shoppers are looking for linen. Yes, linen towels and linen blankets. Superior to cotton, they provide a comfort and luxury unmatched by most other textiles.

Fortunately, finely produced linen home textiles are becoming more available online –and the options seem to be increasing daily. This makes it easier for everyone to enjoy the touch of linen in the bed or bath. 

Let’s start with towels. Like most people, you probably appreciate the touch of Egyptian cotton that has been woven into colorful body, bath, and hand towels. But, have you ever tried a 100% pure linen towel? The most ancient of all fibers, linen absorbs water beautifully. Not only will a linen towel dry you quickly but it is soft and comforting to the touch. Considered by many as the most effective and luxurious of all textiles, linen towels are exquisite gifts for newlyweds or make delightful guest towels for your own home. But don’t forget to stock up on them for your own personal care.

Personal day blankets are also growing in popularity among all-natural fiber enthusiasts. Often selected in pure linen or cotton/linen mixes, a variety of color choices make these fun solutions for sun-filled days lounging on the deck or cooler summer evenings.

And, for the most exquisite night’s sleep, select a pure linen blanket. Weighty and conforming to the body, linen blankets are designed to keep you warm and cozy, with the optimum drape needed for a good night’s sleep. Choose a weaver who practices his art by hand rather than with modern equipment.  That way you’ll enjoy the finer pleasures of selvedges that cannot unravel, as well as hand folded and sewn edges that ensure a long life to the blanket.  And, since linen does not pill, you’ll continue to appreciate your linen investment for a long time to come.

It’s important to take the extra time needed to care for your linen towels and blankets, but it’s probably easier than you think. Following these simple rules will help keep your investment intact for many uses to come. If using a home washing machine, avoid overpacking the washer with multiple items – it is important to allow ample room for your linen to move around in the cleaning process. Avoid harsh detergents. Don’t forget linen loves water.  Do not expose your linen to high temperatures for extended periods of time, so be careful with the drying process. This will help reduce the fabric from abrading.  Remove it from the dryer while it is still slightly damp. Avoid “baking” which will breakdown the fibers.

Next time you are browsing the aisles of the bedding section at your favorite home goods store, think about the pros and cons of investing in good linen towels and beddings. Close your eyes and conjure an image of freshness and light, comfort and warmth, practicality and luxury.  You may find yourself yearning for the everyday drape and long-lasting freshness of all-natural linen. Go ahead and splurge. It’s an heirloom quality indulgence that will delight you time after time.

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