Posts Tagged ‘diet’

Tension Headaches Relief

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Tension headaches are very common, affecting up to 78% of the general population. Unfortunately, they’re also among the most neglected and difficult types of headaches to treat.

Pain is caused by tightness (contraction) of your neck, and scalp muscles. With a tension headache, the pain often starts at the back of your head and moves forward, so that it eventually includes your neck, scalp, and head.

It’ s often described as feeling like you have a tight band across your head. It may be caused by staying in one position for a long time, such as in reading, using a computer, or playing video games. It may be also caused by stress, but sometimes there is no obvious cause. If your headaches happen 15 or more days in a month for several months, they are considered chronic tension headaches. If they occur less frequently, they are called episodic tension headaches.

Although tension headaches can be painful, they are rarely a sign of a more serious illness. A combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and traditional and complementary therapies can help reduce the number of tension headaches you have.

A comprehensive treatment plan including relaxation (see Mind/Body Medicine), exercise and other lifestyle changes, and occasional medication can be very effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of tension headaches.

Biofeedback, yoga, and relaxation techniques, for example, can help relieve pain and lower the number of headaches you have. Regular exercise helps, too. One study found that an ancient medical technique called wet-cupping reduced headache severity by 66%. Patients also experienced about 12 fewer days of headaches per month.
Lifestyle

Keeping a headache diary can help identify the source of your tension headaches and how you can change your environment and habits to avoid them. When a headache starts, write down the date and time it began. Note what you ate for the preceding 24 hours, how long you slept the night before, what you were doing just before the headache, any unusual stress in your life, how long the headache lasted, and what you did to make it stop.

Good health habits are important for helping to lessen stress and tension headaches:
* Get adequate sleep
* Eat a healthy diet
* Get regular exercise
* Quit smoking
* Use relaxation techniques (see Mind/Body Medicine section)

Tension headaches medications:

Medications are used both to relieve pain and to prevent headaches if you have chronic tension headaches.

To relieve pain:

Over the counter (OTC) analgesics – are usually effective. Don’ t take these medications more than 2 days per week, and take only the amount recommended on the package. Talk to your doctor about which of these is best for you.

Esgic Plus is the combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine. It is used primarily for pain relief due to tension headaches. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital helps to relax muscles. Caffeine can help improve blood flow. This combination medication is used to treat tension headaches. Acetaminophen helps to decrease the pain from the headache. Caffeine helps increase the effects of acetaminophen. Butalbital is a sedative that helps to decrease anxiety and cause sleepiness and relaxation.

* Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – can cause liver damage if used in high doses or over a long period of time
* Aspirin – can cause stomach upset and bleeding
* Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) – can cause stomach upset and bleeding, and raise risk of heart problems
* Naproxen (Aleve) – can cause stomach upset and bleeding, and raise risk of heart problems

Prescription analgesics – may be needed if your headaches don’ t respond to OTC medications. They include

* Naproxen (Naprosyn) – can cause stomach upset and bleeding, and raise risk of heart problems
* Indomethacin (Indocin) – can cause stomach upset and bleeding, and raise risk of heart problems
* Ketoprofen (Orudis) – can cause stomach upset and bleeding, and raise risk of heart problems

Rarely, if your headaches are very severe and nothing else relieves the pain, your physician may consider prescribing narcotics such as codeine plus acetaminophen (Tylenol with Codeine No. 3) or hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin).

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Headache Remedies

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Instead of reaching for that bottle of pills, try these headache remedies. These natural cures will help with the pain of tension headaches and migraines safely and without side effects. There are three types of headaches: migraine, cluster and tension.

Cluster headaches do require a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose and treat.

Migraine sufferers experience pain in the forehead and temples. It is often accompanied with nausea and sensitivity to light and noise. The reasons for migraines are unsure but the triggers appear to be stress, fatigue, hormonal changes and certain foods. And yet, sometimes a migraine comes on without any trigger. Keep in mind if you begin to get migraine headaches without ever having had them before then please see a medical practitioner. Sometimes migraine headaches are indicating an underlying disease.

Most headaches are tension headaches. Tension headaches are caused by tension in the muscles of the neck and head. Some people experience sinus headaches which are best treated by dealing with the underlying infection. Many people also suffer from migraine headaches where light and noise can’t be tolerated. Although most headaches are caused by tension, I will show you how to treat tension and migraine headaches.

Some reasons why we get headaches:

* Stress and anxiety
* Allergies
* High blood pressure
* Digestive troubles
* Too much toxins in the blood
* Improper diet
* Low on sleep and food

Headache Prevention

If most headaches are tension related, then it makes sense to deal with the reasons for our tension. Dealing with stress and anxiety will help to prevent some of our tension headaches.

As well, magnesium is often recommended as a preventative for headaches. 600 mg a day is what was used in the studies done.

Headache Remedies

* Feverfew Tea as a Natural Headache Cure
Feverfew leaf is reliable as a headache cure in 2 out of 3 people.

* Garlic Supplements as Cures for Migraine Headaches
Garlic can also help with thinning the blood enough to prevent migraines. The platelets that cause blood clotting also triggers migraines. Add plenty of garlic to the daily diet.

* White Willow bark as Herbal Headache Remedies
Willow bark contains salicin, an active ingredient found in aspirin. The German Commission E recommended dosage is 60-120 mg salicin.

* Lavender Oil Bath in Home Remedies for Headaches
Much of our tension leading to headaches can be erased by a long relaxing bath or a foot bath. Adding calming lavender essential oil to the water increases its relaxing capabilities.

* Lavender or Peppermint essential oils as Cures for Headaches
Massaging the neck and temples with lavender or peppermint essential oil eases tensions.

* Feverfew-Lavender Tincture for Migraine Treatments
Having this tincture handy at the beginning of a migraine can lessen its severity.

If you continue to have headaches do see your medical practitioner. The underlying causes of headaches need to be addressed by a qualified professional.

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How To Identify A Cluster Headache Cause

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

For many of us, a headache is a regular occurrence which may spring upon us with no rhyme or reason whatsoever. Wouldn’t it be great if we could isolate the exact things which cause a headache to come about? Ways to treat such headaches would be solved and there would be no reason to rush to the nearest medicine cabinet for a dose of painkillers each and every time you feel a headache begin to come on. Unfortunately, a cluster headache cause is a mystery for most people at this point in time, and while science can point us in the right direction and give us tips about lifestyles and different situations that can lead to a cluster headache cause, these are just general statements that cannot readily apply to the average man or woman. As time goes on, however, we may be able to better understand the causes of a cluster headache and be able to use that information to better treat and prevent them.

Unlike the more widely known migraine headache, a cluster headache occurs most often in men instead of in women. However, they do affect people of a similar age range, from between fifteen to fifty five, making them almost like a migraine type of headache that is tailor made for men. Generally, a cluster headache will last for quite some time and may even last for days on end in a chronic fashion. After a cluster headache cause has set events in motion to create this type of headache, you may begin noticing symptoms immediately. Compared to other types of headaches, a cluster headache comes on rapidly and severely and looks to be attributed to a sudden release of various biochemicals into a person’s bloodstream.

The most common people to experience a cluster headache include individuals who smoke or drink alcohol. This has led researchers to determine that alcohol and tobacco may be two important cluster headache cause factors. Alternatively, a cluster headache cause has also been attributed to stress and dietary habits.

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Headache Sufferers Travel Tips

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

For some people travel is one big headache with regards to the stress and exhaustion of moving through several times zones. Others who have battled with headaches prior to travel will often find that the strain and bustle of travel leaves them with intense headaches or migraines. A sore head is a challenge in itself but when you’re away from the security and comfort of your home surroundings, it can be more unpleasant to deal with headaches.

1. Stress

Crowds, noise, bright lights and delays are all small stresses that can add up to one big headache or migraine. Anything stressful can potentially cause a headache and bright lights and noises are notorious migraine triggers. These perils of travel are inevitable in most cases, so it’s best to find ways to cope with the discomfort of travel stress. Be sure to pack sunglasses or a soft ‘blackout’ band to wear over your eyes. Not only can this help you to avoid glaring lights, but it can also help you to sleep. Look for ways to keep busy during delays. Grab a cup of tea, a bite to eat and a magazine. Some airports even have spa and massage services, so if you’re willing to splurge a little, you may wish to obtain a massage. You will feel much more relaxed and may ultimately be thankful of the delay.

2.Sleep

Lack of sleep contributes to headaches and when it’s prolonged, as it may be during travel, head pain can be quite frustrating. If you’re not one of those lucky few who can sleep through the flight, try to obtain even a little bit of sleep by blocking out noise with earplugs, and avoiding any stimulants such as caffeine. The supplement melatonin has been suggested as a sleep aid for jetlag, but talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, even over-the-counter ones. Some of the standard anti-nausea medications that travellers use for motion sickness also have the side effect of drowsiness, so you may find that once your tummy has settled, you are pleasantly sleepy and able to have a nap.

3. Diet and Dehydration

For people who experience migraines, avoiding food triggers is often a major lifestyle focus. Airplane food is often loaded with food additives to preserve the food and these can prompt painful migraines. It’s generally wise to bring your own food whenever possible. Don’t avoid eating because low blood sugar can further exacerbate a headache. Keep a variety of healthy non-perishable snack foods in your bag for when you travel. Nuts are an excellent choice loaded with fibre, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, as well as protein. Fruits and bite-sized vegetables are also an easy snack to transport and you can conveniently munch on these throughout your flight. Be sure to drink water frequently, as dehydration can cause headaches. It may be difficult, but try to avoid the temptation to have that glass of wine to help you relax. Alcohol influences blood sugar and causes dehydration; it also can lead to withdrawal headaches so do aim for non-alcoholic beverages whenever possible.

4. Pressure

Pressure changes can lead to airplane headaches. Both cabin pressure changes and altitude can cause severe headaches, particularly sinus ones. Swelling in the sinuses from pressure changes leads to physical pressure on surrounding areas in your face and triggers headaches. Ear pressure can also contribute to headaches and is a common complaint during air travel. To address pain from headaches, you can bring over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen. These should provide relief although try to find one that doesn’t include caffeine, as caffeine’s diuretic effects can be particularly dehydrating during travel.

5. Get Moving

Sitting for long periods of travel, whether by train, airplane or car, can leave muscles all over your body feeling cramped, tight and sore. Airplane seats are hardly known for comfort and your shoulders, back and neck may become very stiff, leading to tension headaches. Sometimes, the effects of travel are felt for days afterwards; your neck and back area can remain tensed and you may experience a dull headache that never quite goes away.

Whenever possible during travel, try to take a little walk around. If you’re driving, take regular stops, even if it’s just for five minutes to walk in the fresh air and stretch your body a bit. On a plane, you can usually walk up and down the aisles every so often to release tension in your legs and spine. Trains are often less taxing on the body because there is more space to move and seats are not as cramped as those on an airplane.

There are even airplane yoga books and flashcards you can purchase-these provide simple, straightforward ‘poses’ you can perform on an airplane. Most are done from the privacy of your seat, so there is no need to worry about making a spectacle in the aisles.

With a little bit of prior planning, you can ensure your travel plans don’t lead to headaches and migraines. This means less worry about head pain and more time spent enjoying your arrival in a new place.

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Weather, Pollution and Migraines

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

The study is one of the largest ever to examine the impact of weather and air pollution on headaches.

But study lead author Kenneth J. Mukamal, MD, of Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard School of Public Health, tells WebMD that an even bigger study would be needed to understand the impact of air pollution on headaches.

“We are not saying that air pollution is not a headache trigger,” he says. “What we can say with some confidence is that the effect is not enormous.”

Mukamal and colleagues compared the medical records of 7,054 headache patients treated at a Boston hospital’s emergency department over a seven-year period to official records of pollution levels and weather conditions in the days before treatment.

Specific weather conditions including temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity were also examined at other key time periods.

Although rising temperature was identified as the biggest weather-related headache trigger, the researchers concluded that the impact may not be clinically meaningful.

“This magnitude of excess risk is obviously modest and may not be an important factor in the clinical management of individual patients, given the many other potential triggers of migraine that patients face,” they write.

The study was published in the journal Neurology and was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Other Headache Triggers

Migraine specialist Stephen Silberstein, MD, a spokesman for the American Academy of Neurology, tells WebMD that patients often can reduce the number and severity of the headaches they have by understanding their own triggers.

Common migraine triggers include:

* Hormonal changes. For many women, migraines are closely linked to their menstrual cycle, with headaches occurring immediately before or during their periods.
* Diet and eating habits. Fasting or skipping meals and dehydration are two big migraine triggers, Silberstein says.
* Overuse of pain drugs for headaches. This can lead to rebound headaches.
* Intense exertion. Strenuous exercise and even sex can bring on migraines.
* Changes in sleep habits and stress. Getting too much or too little sleep can trigger headaches. And stress is a big trigger for many people.

Many migraine sufferers believe that particular foods trigger their headaches. Silberstein says it is clear that alcohol, the flavor enhancer MSG, and caffeine withdrawal can do this.

But he adds that there is little scientific evidence linking other commonly cited foods like chocolate and artificial sweeteners to headaches.

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