Dr. Ali McMillan ND

Dr. Ali McMillan ND Honest, supportive, patient centered care using research based, affordable natural solutions.

08/10/2026

Monday Migraine Minute #1

One recent change in migraine medicine has been recognizing the difference between triggers and prodrome symptoms.

A trigger is something that lowers your migraine threshold and increases the chance of an attack.
A prodrome is the beginning of the migraine itself.

That's why people sometimes think:
- "Chocolate caused my migraine."
- "My neck triggered my migraine."
- "Bright lights caused my migraine."

In some cases, those things weren't the cause at all; they were simply the first signs that your migraine had already begun.

Learning your prodrome symptoms is one of the most valuable things you can do as someone living with migraines. It can help you recognize attacks earlier, understand your patterns, and start treatment sooner.

Over the next few Mondays, I'll be breaking down some of the most common migraine myths and helping you better understand what's really happening in your brain.

06/23/2026

You could be drinking water right now.

When you’re well hydrated:
✔️ Your heart pumps more efficiently
✔️ Digestion runs smoother
✔️ Joints stay cushioned
✔️ Kidneys flush waste effectively
✔️ Skin looks healthier

It’s a simple habit with a big impact. Small changes add up, and this is an easy one.

— Dr. Ali McMillan, BSc, ND

Many people assume they know how much alcohol they drink.In reality, most of us underestimate it.A large restaurant glas...
06/10/2026

Many people assume they know how much alcohol they drink.

In reality, most of us underestimate it.

A large restaurant glass of wine may count as nearly 2 standard drinks. A few drinks over the weekend can add up quickly.

The research on alcohol has changed significantly over the last decade. We now know that many of the previously claimed health benefits of moderate drinking likely do not exist, and even lower levels of alcohol consumption can increase health risks over time.

I recently wrote an article discussing:

• How much alcohol is considered low-risk
• What counts as a standard drink
• Controlled drinking versus abstinence
• When it may be time to seek additional support

You can read the full article here: gentlemedicine.ca/how-much-alcohol-is-too-much

Have you ever measured what you consider "one drink" at home?

06/09/2026

Burnout is often associated with work, but it can happen anywhere prolonged stress and responsibility exist.

Parenting, caregiving, emotional labour, and relationships can all become overwhelming when someone is constantly giving without enough recovery, support, or recognition in return.

Burnout is not a reflection of weakness or character. More often, it is a sign that the demands being carried have exceeded the resources available to support them.

Support matters, and no one is meant to carry everything alone.

05/19/2026

Hydration advice often becomes unnecessarily rigid.

If you dislike plain water, you do not need to force yourself to drink it all day long to stay hydrated.

Adding natural flavour with citrus, berries, cucumber, mint, or ginger can make hydration much more enjoyable and sustainable.

And despite what social media sometimes suggests, tea and coffee still contribute to your daily fluid intake. Moderate caffeine intake is only mildly diuretic for most people.

The “best” hydration strategy is usually the one you can realistically maintain consistently.

What’s your favourite thing to add to water?

05/15/2026

Burnout often creates a strong urge to escape, quit, withdraw, or completely overhaul your life overnight.

Sometimes change is necessary. But when the nervous system is overwhelmed, judgment can become more reactive and less clear.

One of the most helpful first steps can be creating space between yourself and the stressors, even temporarily. That may look like:
• taking a day off
• reducing stimulation
• stepping away from constant demands
• resting before trying to “fix” everything

Recovery creates clarity.

Major decisions made in a state of exhaustion are often decisions made in survival mode. Giving yourself time to recover physically and mentally can help you approach those choices more thoughtfully.

You do not need to have every answer immediately. Sometimes the first step is simply creating enough space for your nervous system to breathe.

If you need support navigating burnout, and you are a resident of BC, you are welcome to book an appointment at reflectivesoulwellness.janeapp.com/

Not ready to book, or out of jurisdiction? Follow me, and I will post more information in the coming weeks.

05/14/2026

Have you ever been told, “That’s not a real trigger”?

Migraine patterns are rarely simple.

If you would like to understand your migraines better, click follow.

04/13/2026

Burnout happens when effort outweighs reward.

And reward isn’t just money.

It’s:
• Feeling appreciated
• Being treated fairly
• Having a sense of community
• Actually seeing the impact of what you do

When those are missing, even the most capable, resilient people start to burn out.

It’s not that you can’t handle hard work.
It’s that hard work without enough return, emotionally, mentally, or physically, isn’t sustainable.

Sometimes the problem isn’t you. It’s the imbalance.

-Dr. Ali McMillan ND

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