Archive for the 'Headaches' Category

Migraine Headaches - Popular Alternative And Traditional Treatments

Dec. 22nd 2008

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

In the long lineup of medical problems, frustrating diseases, and common ailments that afflict us, a headache may not seem to merit much attention. However, when the pain experienced is from a migraine, the search for relief becomes paramount.

If you suffer from migraines and want to learn more about them along with information on choosing a migraine headache treatment, read on.

About Migraines and Their Causes

Migraines affect approximately one in six people across the country and are defined essentially as a headache that prevents you from carrying on your day-to-day life. In general, women are more susceptible to migraines. It’s also believed that migraines are genetic and may run in the family.

While the exact cause of migraines is unknown, it’s believed to start when serotonin is released into the bloodstream. But, what triggers that serotonin release? Some experts chalk it up to stress, others to poor diet and still others to everything from environmental stimulants to hormones.

Identifying a Migraine

Symptoms of a migraine include intense throbbing pain on one side of the head, visual disturbances like distorted vision or flashing lights, nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, smells or sounds, stiff neck and a lack of ability to concentrate.

Treating Migraines

Most migraines are treated on an as-needed basis, meaning once the pain occurs then a treatment is sought. Typically, migraine sufferers reach for an acetaminophen or strong pain killer.

However, using drugs to dull the symptoms of a migraine is not a truly beneficial treatment. Instead, sufferers should focus on identifying the cause of their migraines and preventing them from occurring.

The most common preventive method is to eliminate foods that may trigger migraines like caffeine (in any form), alcohol, nitrites, coffee and cheeses. In addition to eliminating these foods, you should also focus on increasing your magnesium aspartate and Vitamin B levels.

The next most effective method of reducing the instance of migraines is by reducing daily stress levels. Try to exercise every day and engage in relaxation or meditation breathing. You could sign up for a Yoga class or simply relax each day to a meditative tape.

Butterbur

When taken twice a day over a period of time, Butterbur root has been proven to be effective in preventing migraines. However, because certain kinds of butterbur root can be toxic to the kidneys and liver, you should look for a variety that’s approved for long-term use. Common side effects of butterbur include itchy or dry eyes, diarrhea and nausea.

Feverfew

Feverfew is traditionally used to heal colds, coughs, fever and dyspepsia. However, the active constituents in feverfew are anti-inflammatory and they also promote melatonin, which helps the body rejuvenate.

Not only can feverfew prevent the instances of a migraine headache, but it can also alleviate the symptoms as they happen.

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Recent Health Related Articles As A Daily Guide

Nov. 7th 2008

Is there a Secret Technique to Get Rid of Your Headches?

Although medical science cannot pinpoint the exact cause of headaches in a patient, some of the most common causes are related to everyday stress. Headaches are broken down into three basic categories. A primary headache occurs to millions on a daily basis. Primary headaches are what the majority of headaches can be diagnosed as, and are almost never life threatening. Despite this frequency of occurence and a lack of life threatening danger, a primary headache can be very painful. Cluster headaches are a much rarer and far more painful variety, that although not life threatening, can cause debilitating pain. Secondary headaches are caused by a structural or chemical problem in the brain.

Headaches Symptoms

Most primary headaches are related to tension. The muscles that surround the skull are triggered to contract, causing a painful amount of cranial pressure. This can be a significant source of pain. Although the reasons behind the contraction of cranial muscles are unknown, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress. Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache. Prolonged physical stress, such as extended manual labor, is also known to cause tension headaches.

Recent Health Related Articles

Cluster headaches happen less frequently, and typically only occur in a small portion of the population. Sufferers usually experience cluster headaches only for a small window of time, thus the name “cluster” headache. This grouping pattern makes treatment difficult. When a cluster headache occurs, severe and debilitating pain usually follows. Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches. Treatment should be undertaken as soon as possible to bring the pain under control.

Someimes you can try this:

Drinking some potion or taking some pill (either natural or synthetic, like Ibuprofen)

Squeezing the web between your thumb and index finger

Meditation or visualization

Jaw exercises

Hitting your thumb with a hammer so hard that you forget about the pain in your head!

Secondary headaches usually represent a more serious issue. This is much rarer than primary headaches. A secondary headache can be indicative of internal bleeding in the brain, a tumor, or a malfunction of the brain. Headaches that occur frequently or on a regular basis should be cause for a check with the doctor. Secondary headaches can be quite painful, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensory phenomenon.

There is and Easy-To-Learn 30-Second Treatment you can trust.

30-Second-Headache-Relief

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Herbs For Headaches : What You Should Know

Nov. 3rd 2008

Headache is a very common ailment that people get in these stressful times. While it is a good idea to find organic remedies to get rid of headache like herbs, we should also be mindful of the side effects.

Herbs in their natural forms can be leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems and flowers. Once processed, these can be found as tables, capsules, liquid beverages, bark pieces, powders, tinctures, fluid extracts, creams, lotions, salves and oils.

With so many forms, of herbal remedies, you have to be mindful that each of them could potentially have side effects.

Your best bet when searching for the right herbal remedy for your headache is to look for the word “standardized” on the label. Standardized product will have a consistent dose of active constituents versus drug concentration.

Next, you must look at how fresh the herb is. It goes without saying that the fresher, the better.

When looking at the freshness of the herb, you should bear in mind that light, moisture and air rob herbs of their effectiveness. A good choice to preserve the freshness of the herb is the use of tinctures because they are not necessarily ingested. Capsules are superior to air-dried herbs because they are made from freeze-dried herbs.

Here are five important guidelines that you should know before using any natural headache relief:

1. The diagnosis for the cause of your headache should always be done by a doctor before you seek alternative remedies for it. You may have a deeper underlying problem and a headache is just one of the symptoms.

2. If you are using herbs to cure migraines, you should discuss with your doctor the types that you want to use. Don’t try to combine your herbal remedies with your medication because there could be side effects. Also, just because you are using herbal remedies, it does not mean that you should go off the medication that is prescribed by your doctor. At all times, make sure your doctor knows what type of herbs you are using so that he can prescribe the right medicine for you to use in conjunction with your herbal treatment.

3. Avoid herbal remedies for headaches if you are pregnant or breast feeding unless you are given the green light by your doctor. Some substance in the remedies could be dangerous for babies if they are inadvertently passed to them. If you are trying to get pregnant and succeed, some of these substances can potentially cause serious complications for both you and your baby.

4. A lot of people are misled by the word “Natural” on the bottle. They immediately assume that natural means safe. Yes, herbs are natural substances but that doesn’t mean that they can be used without first ascertaining if they are safe for you to use. Some natural plants contain toxins and poisons. Always ensure that you know the purpose of the herbs, how to use it and possible side effects before you start using it.

5. This last one is common sense. Generally, herbs are effective and work best as part of a headache treatment plan but your plan should focus on other important factors like your lifestyle, whether you are a drinker or smoker and your caffeine intake.

Note: For more information and free valuable tips about natural headache tips, you can go to www.naturalheadachetips.com

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Root Causes of Headache

Oct. 18th 2008

The causes of headaches can be many. Any kind of irritation to the structure of the neck and head can give you bad a headache. Additionally, the sensation of pain can transmit it through related nerves to other parts of the body such as a neck pain that can cause a person to suffer from a headache as well. No doubt, everyone is liable to have suffered from a headache at some point of time in their lives since it is indeed a very common illness.

Food

Not eating the proper food will make you more likely to suffer a headache as diet as well as sensitivity to food is another major cause of headache, especially the migraine headache.

Vision Problems

If you have impaired vision you will also be more at risk of having a headache as this is a common cause of headache, especially when they need to squint, or strain their eye muscles in order to focus their eyes.

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

How To Cure Your Headache Without Medicine

Oct. 3rd 2008

Are you taking over the counter medicine multiple times a day?

This is certainly not advisable for your health, however we understand that dealing with the frequent headaches is a difficult situation. Taking headache medicine will most likely lessen or stop the headache but this does not mean it should be taken every day and once you are taking it every day it can become a health risk. The FDA does not approve these drugs for daily use and the labels right on the medicine will tell you the same.

Are there other ways to relieve my headache?

There are an numerous ways to relieve a headache. However how effective each one is will vary from person to person. The key to these cures is simply to try them and to find the one that will work for you. First you need to identify the source of the pain, as the headache cures are different for a different causes of the for different people depending on their sources of pain. Different methods will work for different people because the source of their headaches are different from each other.

The most conventional remedy to relieve headaches is to apply a cold or a warm compress to the head. Again depending on the cause of the pain a cold compress may work for some, and not others and a warm compress may work for some and not others. Typically, a migraine headache can be cured by a cold compress. And a warm compress placed at the back of neck is effective in relaxing the muscles thereby relieving a tension headache. Also taking a good
nap in a dark room while using a compress is a good idea as it seems to work better in lessening the pain. Also keep away from music, TV, and physical activity and diving (even if you did just get a new Rolex Submariner Watch) as it will only aggravate your headache.

Keeping track of your eating and your drinking is important since dehydration can cause headaches, which would be easily avoided by simply drinking more water, so check your replica watch often (see now you get to use that new Rolex watch after all) to make sure you are drinking in appropriate intervals. Many people do not know this but a migraine headache can also be food related. A food diary should help you keep track of the food you eat and you may be able to find out what food is instigating your pain. We already know that drinks that are high in caffeine is not a wise decision if you get frequent headaches. By following these simple strategies perhaps you can lessen your pill intake and stay healthier.

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Obtain Information About Migraine Headaches?

Sep. 23rd 2008

Home Remedies for migraine relief

There are many ways to treat migraines without medication, and if you suffer from migraines, chances are everyone you know has told you something to do to gain relief from your migraine headache. Do they really work? Here are five of the best home remedies. The truth about these remedies is that no remedy works for everyone, so if you are suffering from a migraine, experiment with different treatments until you find one that works for you.

Aromatherapy Treatment

If you are looking for migraine headache relief, try aromatherapy. Certain smells, such as peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus, tend to relieve the pain of headaches. You can use oils, soaps, candles, or air fresheners made from these scents to try to relieve your headache. Many people swear by drops of lavender oil on the head or neck to relive the pain of a migraine.

Exercise as Treatment

If you are suffering from a migraine, chances are exercise is the last thing you are thinking of, but exercise is a great way to get migraine headache relief. When exercising, your body releases pain-reducing endorphins, and they actually help with the pain from migraines. Start slowly so you do not make your headache worse.

Massage as Treatment

Some find that massage is one of the best ways to get migraine headache relief. You can actually combine massage with aromatherapy by using peppermint or lavender oil while receiving a massage. Massage helps the body relax. Try having your spouse or friend massage your shoulders and neck. From there, move to the base of the skull as these places help bring relief for a migraine headache. If you are alone, you can rotate your fingers over your scalp. Also, a foot massage can help relieve migraines.

Hot and Cold Treatment

Some people find that the best relief for their migraine headaches is either a hot compress or an ice pack. Heat works for some people’s migraines and cold for others. Some find relief by soaking their hands in cold or hot water or by putting the hot or cold pack on the back of the neck.

Other Home Treatments

This is by no means an exhaustive list of migraine headache relief treatments. Some find relief from herbal treatments, such as feverfew. Others find relieve from avoiding certain foods, or drinking caffeine. The main idea is whatever you find that works for your migraine, use it to find relief from your migraine headache pain. There is no reason to suffer from a migraine if there is relief that will work for you.

migraine relief

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Living With Severe Headache Problems

Sep. 17th 2008

Headaches are one of those little nasties in life that we could all do without, but there seems to be no escape from the dreaded headache.

Granted some of them will be caused by a poor diet or perhaps an over indulgence from the night before especially if you like to mix up your favourite tipple.

Hangovers can be mild but if you are unlucky they can last well into the afternoon and really put the mockers on your day.

Well if you have ever had the hangover from hell spare a thought for those that suffer from one of the commonest forms of headache, the migraine headache.

A common symptom of a migraine headache is acute, throbbing pain on one side of the head, usually localized near a temple. It is very often accompanied by other symptoms, though, such as nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise.

Over 28 million Americans suffer from migraine, nearly 10% of the population. It inflicts women three times more than men, but children and adolescents can experience them as well.

Despite its commonality, nearly half never see a physician about the condition. Attacks last anywhere from a few hours to three full days, and with longer attacks victims suffer subsidiary effects for longer periods.

What causes a migraine I fear will remain a mystery for some time to come, but if you are a sufferer you will no doubt be open to try any and every cure.

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Headaches During Pregnancy

Sep. 12th 2008

The causes of headaches aren’t known with certainty in any case. But given that migraines and tension headaches - by far the most common types - occur much more frequently in women, it’s reasonable to suppose that hormones play a role. Those hormones are undergoing rapid change in a pregnant woman so it shouldn’t be surprising that headaches are a common occurrence during that time.

As those hormonal changes smooth out during the second and third trimesters, as the body adjusts, headaches typically become less frequent and intense. Fortunately, it isn’t necessary to passively accept headache pain at any time. There are things that expectant mothers can do during the entire pregnancy to minimize discomfort.

Stress is a common contributor or trigger for headaches, and pregnancy can certainly be stressful. Large-scale, long-term lifestyle changes are happening and the future will hold even more. Meditation techniques and gentle exercise can help reduce the odds of getting stressed, and minimize the severity when it happens.

Proper rest is essential. One common trigger for both migraines and ordinary headaches is lack of sleep. Fatigue ups the odds of getting a headache and increases its intensity when it starts. But not only the amount is important, regularity is equally healthy. If your body naturally feels drowsy in the afternoon, take a short nap. But take care not to sleep so long during the day that a complete night’s sleep becomes difficult to maintain.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause damage to the fetus, though controversy remains about the amount. As with any chemical, dosage is important and alcohol is no different. However, it’s unclear how much is too much - and the amount varies from person to person, of course.

Red wine in particular is a common trigger for headaches for those who are sensitive, and the degree of sensitivity can change during pregnancy. It isn’t necessary to have a hangover to produce an alcohol-related headache. Each individual will have to set his or her own limit, but doing without is probably the safest bet for anyone.

Caffeine consumption, both tea and coffee, should be curtailed. Many women today find that double-strength latte in the morning to be the perfect pick-me-up at the start of a busy day. Best to order the regular for a few months.

Ironically, certain headache medications (Excedrin, for example) contain caffeine. A small amount may actually be helpful. But read the label on any medications taken. It’s easy to overdose and excess caffeine is a common trigger for headaches. Instantly eliminating all caffeine can also be problematic, however. Taper off gently.

Acetaminophen is generally considered safe for pregnant women. But aspirin and ibuprofen are to be avoided. Any medication you consider should be discussed with your physician, particularly if you suffer from migraines.

Cold or hot compresses on the head and neck, a quiet room, a gentle massage and other non-drug treatments can help substitute for pharmacological approaches.

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Types Of Headaches

Sep. 8th 2008

Headaches can affect both mens and womens health health and most of us tend to have a headache from time to time but the severity of the headache can vary tremendously, and can often be self inflicted, not just by consuming to much of the grape or amber nectar.

The problem seems to be so prevalent that each year the drugs companies make billions of dollars on headache and headache related medicines and tablets so what causes them.

There are many different types of headaches that can strike at anytime, but I’m referring to the type that comes slowly, and seem to slowly take over your head. The more you know about the different types of headaches there are, the smarter you will be about your pain.

it is important for you to remember what was happening in the hours leading up to it. This can give you huge clues as to what is causing your headaches,

If you have a migraine, you probably know it. Migraines are often accompanied by a host of symptoms that are very obvious. Many with this type of headache are often sick to their stomach, and become sensitive to sound and light.

Another common form of headache is the tension headache. This type of headache can be caused by stress, eyestrain from computer work or bad eye prescription, or from loud and constant noise.

You could also susceptible headaches from allergies or from sinus pressure. These are commonly focused in your face or forehead.

If you can identify the source of your headache it will of course be easier to treat as you could just be spending too much time staring at your computer screen.

Either way if you have a sudden headache or persistent headaches, or you are at all unsure, contact your physician.

Posted by Kay Huna | in Headaches | No Comments »

Sinus Headache Treatment - Number of Ways by Which Sinus Headaches Can Be Treated

Aug. 20th 2008

By Jaren Jackson

Air-filled cavities in the forehead, cheekbones, and at the back of the bridge of the nose are called sinuses. Thin mucus is produced by the sinus that drains out of the canal of the nose. When a sinus becomes inflamed, due to an allergic reaction, a tumor, or an infection, the inflammation will thwart the steady flow of mucus and this results in a pain akin to that of a headache.

Usually makes the pain becomes worse when you bend down or lean over, as does cold and damp weather. Sinus headaches are often worse in the morning and better by afternoon. Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain usually increases with abrupt head movement or straining. Other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and facial swelling come along with this pain.

Doctors conduct test to ascertain whether the headache is sinus headache or it is migraine or tension headache. Physical examination for congestion, transillumination i.e. shining a light through the sinuses or in some cases x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI is done to check for sinusitis.

In order to treat the sinus headache, the primary sinusitis inflammation has to be treated. Treatment can involve using humidifier, and other natural remedies to clear the sinusitis. If the infection is due to bacteria then antibiotics are given to clear the infection. A short period of antihistamines such as Benadryl or decongestants such as Sudafed is given to treat the symptoms. If the pain still persists then corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce the inflammation. When an allergen is causing the sinusitis break out preventive allergy therapy is used.

Sometimes surgical drain of the mucous in the sinuses is also done to clear the inflammation. Alternative treatments like natural remedies, acupuncture and homeopathic medication are also given to treat sinus headaches. Even nasal steroid therapy is used to bring relief and clear inflammation.

We are providing natural treatment for sinus to thousands of people, if you would like to kick your sinus disease

Posted by Martin Silberman | in Headaches, Sinus Problems | No Comments »

Powered by WordPress Design by Garden Accessories Coder by Spanish Courses Adapted by Elynex Web Directory
Copyright © 2008, Health Daze All Rights Reserved