Migraine Heroes

Diane Ducarme
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Alternative Health
  • Weekly

Are you doing everything right - avoiding triggers, taking your medication - and still experiencing migraine episodes that steal your day? You're not alone, and you're not broken. Deep dives into the science behind migraine, from food and hormones to sleep, stress, and the unexpected triggers few people talk about. Every topic holds a tension: is ginger a trigger or a remedy? Is stress the cause or the symptom? What does perimenopause actually change? There's rarely a simple answer, so each episode looks at the knowledge and science from different angles, East and West, and turns it into practical advice rooted in context. Migraine Heroes started when Diane Ducarme began helping her sister, then friends, then increasingly more people living with migraine. That work became a method, now used by over 3,000 people, to identify your own unique patterns and find real solutions. This podcast is where that thinking happens out loud. Curious what your own starting pattern looks like? Find out with the Migraine Heroes app: migraineheroes.com/app

  1. 4d ago

    When a Cold Switches Your Migraine On or Off

    Have you ever noticed that a cold makes your migraine worse or strangely seems to make it disappear? In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores what illness may reveal about your own migraine pattern, from changes in the immune and nervous systems to shifts in sleep, routine, and medication. You’ll learn: 💡 Why a cold can trigger migraine in one person but seem to switch it off in another 💡 What changes when you are sick and which of those changes may matter for migraine 💡 How to investigate unusual migraine patterns instead of dismissing them Sometimes, the strangest change in your migraine is also the clue worth paying attention to. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com References: The Role of Cytokines in Migraine: A Systematic Review (Thuraiaiyah et al., 2022): This review examines evidence linking inflammatory cytokines with migraine. Read more here.Distinct Inflammatory Profiles Across Migraine States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Stuchfield-Denby et al., 2025): This review compares inflammatory markers across different migraine states. Read more here.Cytokines in Primary Headache Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Musubire et al., 2023): This analysis examines cytokine differences in migraine and other primary headaches. Read more here.Immunological Mechanisms of Sickness Behavior in Viral Infection (Krapić et al., 2021): This review explains how immune signaling produces fatigue, sleepiness, and other sickness behaviors during infection. Read more here.Twenty Years of Research on Cytokine-Induced Sickness Behavior (Dantzer & Kelley, 2007): This review describes how inflammatory cytokines signal the brain to produce sickness behavior. Read more here.Dural Immune Cells, CGRP, and Migraine (Balcziak & Russo, 2022): This review explores interactions between CGRP, immune cells in the dura, and migraine mechanisms. Read more hereCGRP: The Immune System’s Double Agent — Context-Dependent Roles in Inflammation, Resolution and Cancer (Assas, 2026): This review examines CGRP’s contrasting pro- and anti-inflammatory immune effects. Read more here.Cytokine Storm Divergence in Viral Infections of the Upper Respiratory Tract (Chen et al., 2026): This review compares cytokine responses across respiratory viral infections. Read more here.Aberrations in Peripheral Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Geng et al., 2022): This analysis found higher levels of several inflammatory markers in people with migraine. Read more here.Migraine and Autonomic Dysfunction: Which Is the Horse and Which Is the Jockey? (Miglis, 2018): This review examines sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction in migraine. Read more here. Association Between Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Migraine in a Random Population of Hospital Employees (O’Keeffe et al., 1993): This study found migraine was more common among people with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Read more here.Kranools. “I Never Get a Migraine When I’m Sick With a Cold. There Must Be Some Way to Take Advantage of This.” Reddit, r/migraine: This patient anecdote describes migraine disappearing temporarily during a cold. Read more here. This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

  2. 6d ago

    Autumn Migraines: 5 Triggers in the Fall Season

    Autumn can bring more than cooler weather, it can quietly change several factors that influence your migraine threshold. In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores five fall-season triggers, from atmospheric pressure and shorter days to indoor heating, allergies, and shifting routines. You’ll learn: 💡 Why changing weather and barometric pressure may matter more than cold itself 💡 How shorter days, heating, allergies, and routine changes can lower your migraine threshold 💡 How to identify which autumn triggers actually matter for your body The goal is not to avoid the season, but to understand what your system may need as autumn changes around you. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com References: Association Between Weather Conditions and Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Li et al., 2025): This meta-analysis found associations between migraine attacks, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and several air pollutants. Read more here.Migraine and Sleep Disorders: A Systematic Review (Tiseo et al., 2020): This review examines the close relationship between migraine, sleep disorders, and circadian regulation. Read more here.Understanding Fall Headaches (Maryland Pain & Wellness Center): This patient-focused article discusses seasonal headache factors including weather changes, allergies, reduced sunlight, stress, and sleep disruption. Read more here. This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

  3. Oct 23

    Pushing Through Migraine for 20 Years: Jaya’s Story

    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 This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

  4. Oct 21

    Migraine and Long COVID: When the Headache Does Not Leave

    For some people, COVID ends, but the headache does not. Long COVID can bring a new headache pattern or make an existing migraine condition feel very different. In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores why migraine, fatigue, poor sleep, dizziness and brain fog can sometimes appear together after COVID and why it may help to look beyond the head alone. You’ll learn: 💡 Why Long COVID may trigger new headaches or worsen an existing migraine pattern 💡 Why fatigue, sleep problems, dizziness, brain fog and exercise intolerance may sometimes travel alongside migraine 💡 Why recognizing your new post-COVID migraine pattern can be more useful than assuming your old triggers still explain everything When the pattern changes, understanding what has changed can be the first step toward making sense of your symptoms. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com References: Long COVID Headache (Tana et al., 2022): This review describes persistent and new headaches after COVID-19, including migraine-like presentations. Read more here. Headache in COVID-19 and Long COVID: To Know Facts for Clinical Practice (Gómez-Dabó et al., 2023): This review covers the clinical features and management of headache during and after COVID-19. Read more here. Post-COVID Dysautonomias: What We Know and (Mainly) What We Don’t Know (Goldstein, 2024): This review examines autonomic dysfunction associated with post-COVID conditions. Read more here. Long-Term Neurological and Cognitive Impact of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Over 4 Million Patients (Elboraay et al., 2025): This analysis examines persistent neurological symptoms, including headache, fatigue, and cognitive problems. Read more here. Post COVID-19 Condition (World Health Organization): This WHO resource defines long COVID and summarizes its common persistent symptoms. Read more here. Migraine and Other Headache Disorders (World Health Organization, 2025): This fact sheet summarizes migraine, other headache disorders, and their global burden. Read more here. This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

  5. Oct 19

    Migraine Triggers You Might Be Missing and How to Spot Them

    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 This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

  6. Oct 14

    Migraine Affecting Your Eyes? What It Means and What to Check

    Seeing flashing lights or strange visual changes on one side does not always mean the problem is coming from one eye. In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explains the important difference between migraine aura and true retinal migraine and why knowing whether your symptoms affect one eye or both can matter. You’ll learn: 💡 Why migraine aura comes from the brain, even when the visual change seems to be on just one side 💡 What makes true retinal migraine different, why it is so rare, and why other causes of temporary vision loss need to be ruled out 💡 A simple one-eye-at-a-time test that can help you describe your visual symptoms more clearly to your doctor When it comes to visual migraine symptoms, one eye versus both eyes can be a very important clue. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com References: Spreading Depolarization as a Therapeutic Target in Migraine (Harriott & Ayata, 2025): This review examines spreading depolarization as the mechanism of migraine aura and a potential treatment target. Read more here.Current Perspective on Retinal Migraine (Chong et al., 2021): This review covers the diagnosis, mechanisms, and management of retinal migraine. Read more hereRetinal Migraine: Evaluation and Management (Maher & Kingston, 2021): This review emphasizes that retinal migraine is rare and a diagnosis of exclusion. Read more here.Transient Monocular Visual Loss (Amaurosis Fugax): How Does Age Impact Diagnosis? (Douglas et al., 2024): This review explains causes and evaluation of temporary vision loss in one eye. Read more here.Retinal Migraine (International Headache Society): These criteria define fully reversible monocular visual symptoms associated with retinal migraine. Read more hereMigraine With Aura (International Headache Society): These criteria define reversible visual, sensory, language, motor, brainstem, or retinal aura symptoms. Read more here. This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

  7. Oct 13

    Ask Diane: Live Migraine Q&A

    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

  8. Oct 12

    Migraine and Jaw Clenching: Is Bruxism Feeding the Migraine Loop?

    Could your jaw be quietly adding fuel to your migraine attacks? In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores how jaw tension, clenching, and TMJ dysfunction may interact with migraine, especially if you wake with headaches or feel pain around your temples. You’ll learn: 💡 How to recognize signs that jaw tension or clenching may be contributing to your migraine 💡 Why teeth and tongue position at rest matter and why a mouth guard may not solve the clenching itself 💡 A simple jaw-reset routine you can try at home to release tension and calm the system Sometimes, a small change in how you hold your jaw can make a surprisingly meaningful difference. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com References: Temporomandibular Disorders in Migraine and Tension-Type Headache Patients: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis (Bizzarri et al., 2024): This review found painful TMDs are more common in people with migraine and tension-type headache. Read more here.Exploring the Bidirectional Association Between Migraine and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Dias et al., 2026): This review found a substantial association between migraine and TMD in both directions. Read more here.International Consensus on the Assessment of Bruxism: Report of a Work in Progress (Lobbezoo et al., 2018): This consensus distinguishes awake and sleep bruxism and describes bruxism primarily as a behavior. Read more here.Association Between Primary Headache and Bruxism: An Updated Systematic Review (Réus et al., 2021): This review found limited migraine evidence, with a clearer association between awake bruxism and tension-type headache. Read more here.Evidence for Central Sensitization in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies (La Touche et al., 2018): This analysis found evidence of increased pain sensitivity in people with TMD. Read more here.Diagnostic Criteria for Headache Attributed to Temporomandibular Disorders (Schiffman et al., 2012): This study developed clinical criteria for identifying headaches attributable to TMD.Read more here.Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders for Clinical and Research Applications (Schiffman et al., 2014): This work established validated diagnostic criteria for common temporomandibular disorders. Read more here.Associations Between Sleep Bruxism and Other Sleep-Related Disorders in Adults: A Systematic Review (Kuang et al., 2022): This review found sleep bruxism more common in several sleep disorders and highlighted sleep arousal as a possible link. Read more here. Influence of Occlusal Appliances on the Masticatory Muscle Function in Individuals With Sleep Bruxism (Ferreira et al., 2024): This review found oral appliances did not consistently reduce muscle activity or bite force. Read more here.Efficacy of Conservative Interventions Targeting Temporomandibular Disorders for Adults With Headache Disorders (Demont et al., 2025): This review found limited-certainty evidence for headache improvement from TMD-focused conservative treatments. Read more here.The Efficacy of Manual Therapy Approaches on Pain, Maximum Mouth Opening and Disability in Temporomandibular Disorders (Vieira et al., 2023): This review found manual therapy may improve TMD pain, mouth opening, and disability. Read more here.TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research): This guidance recommends conservative care first and cautions against unnecessarily irreversible treatments. Read more here. This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.

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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Are you doing everything right - avoiding triggers, taking your medication - and still experiencing migraine episodes that steal your day? You're not alone, and you're not broken. Deep dives into the science behind migraine, from food and hormones to sleep, stress, and the unexpected triggers few people talk about. Every topic holds a tension: is ginger a trigger or a remedy? Is stress the cause or the symptom? What does perimenopause actually change? There's rarely a simple answer, so each episode looks at the knowledge and science from different angles, East and West, and turns it into practical advice rooted in context. Migraine Heroes started when Diane Ducarme began helping her sister, then friends, then increasingly more people living with migraine. That work became a method, now used by over 3,000 people, to identify your own unique patterns and find real solutions. This podcast is where that thinking happens out loud. Curious what your own starting pattern looks like? Find out with the Migraine Heroes app: migraineheroes.com/app

Information

  • Creator
    Diane Ducarme
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Migraine Heroes
  • Show Website
    Migraine Heroes

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