Headaches
Headaches have been calling problems for human beings since the beginning of recorded history. Today it is a major reason for visit to the doctor. Billions of dollars spent on over-the-counter preparations for headache relief each year. It is important to know that not all headaches are the same. Anyone, including children, who suffers from headache on a frequent basis should consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis, since headaches can be a symptom of a serious problem within the body.
Tension headaches are the most commonly reported type of headache, usually caused by unmanaged stress. The reaction to stress causes the tightening of the muscles in the shoulders and neck area. When this occurs there is a restriction of blood flow to the head resulting in pain that runs from the shoulder, up the neck, and over the top of the head, usually ending up as pain in the forehead or temple. Tension headaches affect men and women equally.
Migraine headache, on the other hand, are a throbbing or aching pain on one side of the head, usually preceded by nausea, vomiting, or a change in vision. Migraines usually affect women more than men and usually have triggers that initiate the migraine. There are a variety of stimuli that at as trigger including smoking cigarette, stress, certain foods, allergens, and hormonal imbalances. Migraine headaches can incapacitate an individual, sometimes resulting in the need for powerful medications to relieve the pain.
Cluster headache used to affect men more frequently than women. This head pain strikes without warning and its sharp, intense and generally located around the eyes. The person who is most susceptible to cluster attack (no named because they occur regularly for weeks or four months) is the Type A personality who doesn’t handle stress well and usually smokes or drinks.
Lifestyle suggestions
- If you have headache consistently, consult with a healthcare professional for evaluations and diagnosis. Discuss testing blood sugar and thyroid function as well as food allergies. Women may need hormonal testing to determine if an imbalance of hormones may be contributing to headache.
- Avoid all foods that contain artificial colors, additives, preservatives, and excess sugar.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Cheese, chocolate, wine and alcohol can trigger or aggravate headaches.
- Do not use any tobacco products.
- Exercise regularly to improve blood flow and help manage stress. When what you are doing is likely to cause a tension headache, stretch neck and shoulder muscles every hour or so to keep the blood pumping. It looked a little odd, but so what.
- Learn how to control stress and stressful situation. Seek the help of a healthcare professional.
- Sleep well. The body heals and repairs itself during rest.
- Consider therapeutic magnet, acupuncture, acupressure, or chiropractic procedures for pain relief.
Daily supplementation plan
- Vitamin B complex: 25 - 100 mg, take natural and or phosphorylated B complex
- Calcium: 1000 - 1500 mg, should be synergistic with magnesium.
- Magnesium: 400 - 700 mg
- Feverfew: 250 - 750 mg, may relieve migraine headache. Caution: do not use if allergic to plants in the daisy family.
- Kava kava root or passionflower or valerian: 150 - 450 mg, these herbs have a calming effect, particularly with stress headaches. Try them one at a time to see which calm you best.
May 19 2008 02:27 pm | Health