I've heard that those energy efficient, money-saving lightbulbs for home can cause migraines. Myself & my 6-yr old son both suffer & we have them almost everywhere.
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Q: Do the florescent lightbulbs for home cause migraines?
Answers (6)
1/21/09 2:08pm
Hi Kathryn,
Yes, the flicker in fluorescent lightbulbs can trigger a Migraine attack, not cause one. Migraines are caused by genetics and overly active neurons in our brains. Migraine attacks can be triggered by fluorescent lighting, changes in the weather, certain foods, dehydration and even some smells.
Our Migraine trigger information page has useful information on triggers ranging from foods, and weather, to how make your home more "Migraine friendly." You can view this information by clicking HERE.
Good luck
Nancy
1/22/09 8:47am
The home spiral flourescents don't bother me, but if one in the long ones above my desk in my office start to flicker, I'm doomed.
1/22/09 9:23am
I have heard that the flickering of CFL's can trigger migraines as well but I also know that one person's trigger might not be for another. My husband and I have replaced all of the lights in our home with CFLs and I have not had an increase in migraine attacks.
If you shop around, you can find that some CFLs start up faster and do not flicker as much as other ones. It's really just trial and error.
Hope this help!
1/22/09 11:58am
I can only speak for myself, but within FIVE minutes of exposure to these new compact florescents, I begin to experience the beginnings of a migraine! One of my favorite restaurants has recently installed them at each table, and I can no longer go there, after getting a serious migraine attack three times! Liz, Nova Scotia Gal
1/22/09 12:58pm
YES!!!!!! However, I'm not sure about it "causing" migraines, but they sure do aggravates them if you are prone to migraines. I had the bulbs in my house for about a year, and in that time I ended up in the ER twice for migraines that did not go away even after taking my meds.
Since I have removed these bulbs from my home I have been able to abort my migraines without going to the ER.
Good Luck!
1/22/09 3:56pm
I have found that they only bother me if they flash. The only way to control that is to turn off the light until it is replaced or fixed. The problem is worse when you are somewhere where you can't move. I just shut my eyes. Strangly people who are not effected by blinking or florecent lights might think you are crazy...believe me you are not. Lots of people are effects by this. I recently had an EEG and they did not do the blinking light part of the test when I told them it was a sure way to bring on a headache!
Speak up!
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By Kathryn— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 01/20/09
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