People who suffer from migraines — one out of every seven people globally, statistics show — know that time is of the essence.

When the first signs and symptoms appear, taking quick action can help stop the headache in its tracks — while failing to take those steps can result in a potentially debilitating episode.

People who live with migraines often suffer from daily anxiety about when the next migraine will hit, or whether it will interrupt work or other plans, noted Dr. Robert Cuyler, a psychologist in Houston, Texas, who specializes in chronic headaches.

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“That anxiety can actually lead to worsened symptoms for people whose migraines are accelerated by heightened stress levels,” he said. 

Experts agree that finding a calm, quiet and dark environment can be helpful.

“This can help reduce the sensory overload, especially visual, that is often associated with migraine onset,” said Dr. Robert Cuyler, a psychologist in Houston, Texas, who specializes in chronic headache.

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Breathwork can also be helpful, he advised. 

“Calming breathing exercises can be particularly beneficial in quieting the anxiety that frequently accompanies migraine pain,” said Cuyler, who is also chief clinical officer of Freespira, a Washington company that makes an FDA-cleared treatment for panic attacks and PTSD symptoms.

“This not only helps in immediate symptom management, but it can also have a direct impact on future situations.”

“Calming breathing exercises can be particularly beneficial in quieting the anxiety that frequently accompanies migraine pain,” an expert said. (iStock)

Other potentially helpful actions include applying temperature therapy with hot or cold compresses or sipping a caffeinated drink, according to Mayo Clinic.

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While some people find relief in medications — including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs — Cuyler emphasized the power of the mind-body connection in controlling migraines.

“When a migraine strikes, people understandably run to the medicine cabinet — but it’s also essential to consider the emotional load of chronic headaches,” he said.

Finding a calm, quiet and dark environment can help alleviate migraine pain, experts said. (iStock)

“Addressing the psychological aspects of migraines is an often overlooked tool that can greatly help a person’s ability to cope with and potentially reduce the toll of these debilitating headaches.”

It can also be helpful to remind yourself that it’s just a temporary condition, according to Cuyler.

“The pain will eventually pass, and ordinary life will be possible again,” he said. 

“This approach can help reduce that anxiety and promote a sense of control, which is vital when dealing with the often unpredictable nature of migraines.”

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Cuyler also recommended reflecting on the positive events or situations you’ve avoided out of fear of a migraine.

Anyone who suffers from severe or frequent migraines should contact a health care professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. (iStock)

“We know that avoidance can ‘shrink’ your life and increase isolation, loneliness and eventually even depression.”

It can also be helpful to keep a migraine diary, recording any potential triggers when headaches occur.

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Anyone who suffers from severe or frequent migraines should contact a health care professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations, experts noted.

Swedish health authorities announced the first case of the highly-infectious mpox just a day after the World Health Organization declared a global emergency for the outbreaks in Africa.

In this case, a person was infected during a stay in the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of (the more infectious mpox formerly known as monkeypox),” the Public Health Agency of Sweden announced on Thursday.

Magnus Gisslen, a state epidemiologist with the Swedish health agency, said the person had been treated and given “rules of conduct.”

“The fact that a patient with mpox is treated in the country does not affect the risk to the general population,” Swedish officials said.

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The announcement of an infected resident in the Scandinavian country comes just a day after WHO declared the mpox outbreak a global emergency.

The U.N. health agency said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths this year, which already exceed last year’s figures.

So far, more than 96% of all cases and deaths are in Congo.

Mpox on a child in Nigeria. (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control via WHO)

What is mpox?

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first identified by scientists in 1958 when there were outbreaks of a “pox-like” disease in monkeys. Until recently, most human cases were seen in people in Central and West Africa who had close contact with infected animals.

In 2022, the virus was confirmed to spread via sex for the first time and triggered outbreaks in more than 70 countries that had not previously reported mpox.

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Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills and body aches. People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.

Earlier this year, scientists identified a highly contagious form of mpox, which can kill up to 10% of people.

Mpox is transmittable and highly-contagious. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

Scientists in Europe have maintained that although mpox is transmittable and highly-contagious, advanced healthcare in Sweden and other rich countries can stop the transmission before it becomes an epidemic. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Five people in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.

The New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) announced the news in an Aug. 12 press release.

It is likely that the five affected individuals were exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort, the release stated, as tests confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the water.

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“Anybody who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire state epidemiologist, in the release. 

“People who develop fever or other symptoms of pneumonia within 14 days after spending time in this area should talk to their health care provider about testing for Legionella infection.”

Those who are within a half-mile of the cooling tower could be at risk of exposure, the DHHS warned.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the DHHS for comment.

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. 

The bacteria is usually found in lakes, streams and other freshwater environments.

However, it can grow and spread indoors via shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, water features/fountains, plumbing systems and other water systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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When people swallow or breathe in droplets of water that contain Legionella, they can potentially become ill with Legionnaires’ disease.

Although human transmission is possible in rare cases, the disease is not typically spread from person to person, per the CDC.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.  (iStock)

“Individuals at highest risk include smokers and those with coexisting pulmonary disease,” Dr. Nathan Goodyear, medical director of Brio-Medical in Arizona, told Fox News Digital. 

“Other risk factors,” he said, “include advancing age, cardiovascular disease, obesity and compromised immune systems.”

Symptoms of the infection

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually show up between two and 14 days after exposure. 

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The signs are similar to other types of pneumonia, and include the following:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches and headaches

Some patients may also experience nausea, diarrhea and confusion, the CDC noted. 

Individuals at highest risk for Legionnaires’ disease include smokers and those with coexisting pulmonary disease, a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“The nature of the symptoms is not necessarily what differentiate Legionella from other causes, but history of exposure from ‘human-made reservoirs,’ though this may be hard to discern early on in infection and/or in an outbreak,” said Goodyear.

“Cancer is also a comorbidity of Legionnaires’ disease,” the doctor added.

Those who have any of these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, the CDC advises.

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample.

Most people with the disease will recover with a course of antibiotics.

In some patients, however, serious illness can lead to lung failure or death, per the CDC.

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Around 10% of people who contract Legionnaires’ disease will die from those complications — and the mortality risk rises to 25% for those who get Legionnaires’ while staying in a health care facility, according to the CDC.

“Treatment needs to be early and aggressive,” Goodyear told Fox News Digital. “Legionella infection is an intracellular infection that requires antibiotic treatment.”

A diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample. (iStock)

Antibiotics that are appropriate for Legionella infection include Levofloxacin and Azithromycin. 

“Therapy can be prescribed orally in healthy individuals … but intravenous antibiotics often prove to be the initial option for treatment secondary to the pathogenicity of the disease,” Goodyear said.

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Currently, there are no vaccines for the disease. 

The best strategy to prevent infection is to reduce the growth and spread of the Legionella bacteria.

The CDC recommends that building owners and managers use a water management program to reduce the risk.

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease can grow and spread indoors via indoor water systems, the CDC says. (iStock)

To prevent serious illness from Legionnaires’, Goodyear recommends that all smokers kick the habit, and also emphasizes the need to “aggressively support” chronic pulmonary disease.

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“Advancing age is a given in life, and immune dysfunction correlates with advancing age,” added Good year. 

“Increasing immune support (vitamin D3, Vitamin C, Zinc) is required to counter the immune dysfunction associated with advancing age.”

Obesity is another foundational risk factor for all chronic inflammatory diseases, Goodyear noted.