Got a headache?

Energy efficient light bulbs may be good for the environment but they may also be bad for people who suffer migraines.

Barbie Westbrook has suffered with migraine headaches for years and she describes the pain as excruciating.

While lack of sleep, certain foods, and stress can bring on migraine headaches, so can something else, lights.

Westbrook explains, "Some office lights, if they're flickering, if they're dull. If they're shining in my eye, I can't work like that. " Even changes in sunlight, can trigger an attack. Headache specialists say that's not unusual, especially with fluorescent bulbs, and it may be due to something called the flicker effect. "If the light comes and goes, or flickers it can hyper excite the brain and bring on a migraine attack," Dr. Stephen Silberstein told CBS4 Health Specialist Dr. Sean Kenniff.

Some say a change in our light bulbs is only going to bring on more headaches. Thanks to a new energy bill signed late last year, manufacturers are phasing out the standard light bulbs because they waste a lot of energy. By 2012, only energy efficient bulbs will be on store shelves, and that has some headache patients worried.

Bernadette Maskery is one of them because as a migraine sufferer, she describes the pain as if somebody has stabbed her in the head with an ice pick and she's also sensitive to the new eco-friendly bulbs. "I don't know how to describe it. Other than the fact that something in my brain picks up on it, and it triggers headaches," said Maskery.

A recent UK study on the energy efficient light bulbs found many other migraine patients are also having trouble. "Everybody's different. Everybody has a different sensitivity, and it's conceivable that there are patients who are so sensitive, and able to discern that, the flickering will give them a migraine," explained Dr. Silberstein. Dr. Harvey Schwartz, a headache specialist at Memorial Regional Hospital says, stocking up on standard bulbs may not be such a bright idea either. "I think school is still out on whether the new bulbs are any worse than the old bulbs, or the degree of flicker or the intensity of light is causing the migraine," said Dr. Schwartz. He says while the bulbs could cause a problem for some people, most people won't notice any changes, or have any problems. Schwartz claims, "Most people won't even know there's a different bulb in there." Only more studies will shed light on the situation.

If you'd like more information from Dr. Harvey Schwartz, he can be reached at the Sunrise Clinical Research, 4925 Sheridan Street, Suite 200, Hollywood, Fl. 33021. The number is (954) 981-3850 x302.