INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Unlike man-made countertop materials, the colors and patterns of 2 pieces of granite will never match perfectly at a seam. If you’re cutting the granite slabs yourself, or—more likely—picking out slabs from a supplier, take the time to identify pieces that match up as closely as possible in terms of coloring and veining. This will make the seam much less noticeable to the eye. Professional granite suppliers are usually experts at picking out pieces of granite that will create inconspicuous seams--they can often visualize the best cuts from a granite slab with just their eyes, and perhaps with the help of imaging software. Find a supplier you trust and rely on their expertise. Before you even think about adhering the pieces together, dry-fit them in place. If the seams don’t line up properly or are rough, remedy the problem. Don’t seam your granite until you’re happy with the edges and fit.  Smooth, straight, and properly aligned granite edges are the result of careful measuring and cutting with the proper saw, blade, and skill. Most DIYers don’t have the tools or the skills needed to cut granite properly, so it’s essential that you work with a high-quality supplier. Uneven or rough edges can be remedied, but once again it’s best to rely on your supplier to make these adjustments. Grab a soft, clean, lint-free cloth and dampen it lightly with water. You don’t need any special cleaners here—just plain, clean water. Wipe the edges that will be joined, along with the surrounding tops and bottoms of the granite pieces. Let them air dry before proceeding. The goal here is simply to remove any dirt or dust before adding the epoxy. Run the strips of tape along the top faces of the granite pieces, on the 2 sides that will be joined. This simple effort will make cleanup much easier down the line. Some epoxies claim that they don’t stick to polished granite, meaning you shouldn’t need tape. However, even in this case, it never hurts to go with the tape when you seam granite.

SUMMARY: Pick out granite pieces that have similar veining and coloring. Dry-fit and examine the cut edges for proper smoothness and alignment. Wipe down the granite edges with a slightly damp cloth. Apply masking tape along the edges of the 2 pieces that you’re seaming.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are two basic types of headaches: a primary headache that is not caused by any other disorders, and a secondary headache that is caused by another disorder. A migraine is a primary headache.  Other types of primary headaches include tension headaches and cluster headaches. A secondary headache can be caused by strokes, very high blood pressure, fever, or a problem in the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint). Migraine headaches generally are only on one side of the head. Most commonly, they occur at the forehead or the temples. The pain can be moderate to very severe and may be preceded by an aura. Most people with migraines also get nauseous, are sensitive to light, odors, and sounds.  Moving around generally makes the headache worse.  An aura is a temporary disturbance in how you process environmental information. Auras may be visual, like flashing lights, blinking lights, or zigzags of light, or they may be the detection of smells. Other auras may be numbness that marches up either arm, speech disturbances, or confusion. About 25% of people with migraines also have auras. Migraines can be triggered by all sorts of things and vary from one person to another. Potential triggers include red wine, missing meals or fasting, environmental stimuli such as flashing lights or strong odors, changes in weather, lack of sleep, stress, hormonal factors, particularly a woman's period, certain foods, head trauma including traumatic brain injury, neck pain, and TMJ dysfunction. Headaches of any kind should always be evaluated by a physician. In some situations, a headache may signal a medical emergency. The red flags for medical emergencies are:  A severe headache that occurs along with a fever and a stiff neck. This might be a sign of meningitis. A thunderclap headache. This is a sudden and very severe headache that can signal a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding under the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. Tenderness, with sometimes a pulsating blood vessel, at the temple. This can, especially in older people who have lost weight, signal a condition called giant cell arteritis Reddened eyes and seeing halos around lights. This can be a sign of glaucoma, which if left untreated can lead to permanent blindness Sudden or severe headaches in people with cancer or a weakened immune system, like post-transplant patients and those with HIV-AIDS. Headaches can be symptoms of very serious conditions. You should go see your doctor to determine if you have a problem with primary headaches or a secondary condition that causes headaches. If you meet one or more of the following conditions, make certain you see a physician within a day or two, but no later:  Headaches that occur with increasing frequency or severity Headaches that begin after the age of 50 Changes in vision Weight loss Medical treatment for migraines include the determination and elimination of triggers, along with managing stress and treatment. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe medications such as triptans (Sumatriptna/Imatrex or Zolmitriptan/Zomig), dihydroergotamine (Migranal), and a drug to control nausea and vomiting, if these are present. Triptans and dihydroergotamine cannot be used in people with coronary artery disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure and must be used cautiously in elderly patients or those with cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, high levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides, or who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

SUMMARY:
Identify the two different types of headaches. Recognize the symptoms of migraines. Recognize the red flags for headache medical emergencies. See your physician. Treat migraines medically.