Headaches are quite common. Everybody gets them, albeit some are more severe than others and some can indicate something more severe. Everyone has had them - sinus and allergy headaches, migraines, etc… This article will answer the questions of what causes them and how we should treat them.
Tension and allergy related headaches. When you feel pressure in your sinus areas or if you feel pressure around the top part of your head this is what you are experiencing. They are usually a dull bothersome ache that feels like a weight hanging from that area. They also tend to slow your reactions and make you lethargic. They can last from a few hours to a few days. Allergy headaches are usually associated with sneezing, stuffy nose, and can drain from one side to the other. Treatment for these headaches is similar - acetaminophnen (ibuprofen) usually works to reduce the severity of this headache. Also, Claritin works well for alergy related symptoms. For more severe tension headaches doctors have been known to use oxygen machines and a few injectable drugs that give a more immediate effect.
Migraines. These can be quite serious and are by far the most painful. They feel like a burst blood vessel or artery as they have a pulsing feel to them. They can be so painful that they can make you sick to your stomach (nausea), cause light sensativity and even virtigo. Migraines are quite prevalent and can also indicate something more severe like a brain tumor, a weakened blood vessel, abnormal changes in blood pressure and pH, etc… Repeated patterns of migraines or other headaches should be brought to the attention of your doctor for this reason. Your body many times will tell you when something is wrong and a abnormal or irregular headache or bodyache that has become chronic is a good indication that something may be off. It may be as simple as a hormonal imbalance, new stress, etc… Regardless, your doctor knows best and it should be brought to their attention. There are over the counter products that contain pain relievers and caffeine that may work. Doctors usually prescribe beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and other various narcotics.
Cluster or frontal headaches. These tend to be due to stress and the work environment usually. Glare from your computer monitor, strain from wearing the wrong prescription or incorrect and outdated prescription corrective lenses. I can’t stress this enough. Once a year, every year, go and get a routine eye exam. Your eyes will be healthier and you will be glad you did. These headaches tend to have a very sharp, stabbing pain. They tend to occur more often in males and are shortest in duration. Usually over the counter medicines are very helpful with these headaches. For more severe forms doctors will prescribe narcotics and similar.
These are the main types of headaches and treatments for them. Many doctors have lately found mental relaxation techniques like Yoga to be quite helpful in reducing and preventing headaches. This article is for information purposes only. For correct dignosis and medical advice you should seek the appropriately trained physician as they can best test, evaluate and recommend a course of treatment for you. If you experience irregular, sharp and severe headaches that are new, get to a doctor or hospital right away as it could be an indication of or a precursor of a stroke, aneurysm, or other medical emergency.
David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com or by visiting http://www.bestskinpeel.com
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Tags: migraine, headache, tension headache, headache cause, headache cure, treatment, doctor, severe
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Those who think of migraine as “just a bad headache” may be surprised to hear about hemiplegic migraine, a type of migraine that can involve weakness or even paralysis on one side of the body. But those familiar with migraine know that it’s much more than a headache. In fact, it’s often not a headache at all! Migraine attacks involve a number of symptoms. Headache is a common one, but there can also be nausea, skin sensitivity, a sensitivity to light or sound, confusion or weakness.
Hemiplegic migraine is a specific type of migraine. Usually, it’s divided into two types - sporadic hemiplegic migraine and familial hemiplegic migraine. Both types are similar, the difference being that those with familial hemiplegic have a close relative that gets migraine with aura - particularly the symptom of weakness.
If you’ve got hemiplegic migraine, either familial or sporadic, you may experience:
* Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (temporary)
* Numbness, a pins-and-needles prickling sensation
* Difficulty speaking
* Headache
Headache and hemiplegic migraine may go together. This is considered to be one of the most severe forms of migraine, with reason. The sufferer can be incapacitate by an attack. This is good reason to see a doctor, and if diagnosed to make sure that you carry with you some sort of medical identification at all times.
There are other challenges when it comes to hemiplegic migraine. First, the number of severe symptoms that need to be treated all at once, including weakness or paralysis. Second, the connections with stroke mean that the most common migraine-targeting medications (triptans and egotamines) are not recommended.
There is good news! For one thing, new genetic research is helping us to diagnose this type of migraine more easily. Also, there are many other migraine treatments and medications that can be used, and that have been used successfully. The important thing, however, is to seek expert help as soon as possible. If you’re already aware of a migraine connection, find a headache and migraine specialist if at all possible. If you’re not sure, make sure you see a doctor so that she can rule out other severe problems, such as stroke. If you seek help right away, you can avoid serious problems. There is help available, as we understand more and more about migraine, paralysis and other types of headache.
Tags: headache, hemiplegic, migraine, familial, sporadic
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Daniel Schmachtenberger, Dean of Naturopathic Sciences at Body Mind College, teaches that there are 2 major physical angles to look at when addressing chronic headaches: structural and biochemical. It is crucial to realize that chronic headaches and headaches in general are the RESULT if some other process in the body. A headache is simply a symptom of a deeper cause. If we always cover or mask the symptom, we are out of pain temporarily but the root cause never gets healed and addressed. The symptoms may get much worse.
In almost all chronic headache cases the structural composition of the individual is a huge factor. Do you experience tension in your neck and shoulder area? Usually there will be chronic tightness most always in the neck and shoulders that contributes to headaches. Basically the body pattern is the head is sitting very forward, almost sticking out, not sitting directly on top of the spine. This causes the muscles in the neck and shoulders to have to over-exert themselves in order to hold up the skull. It is a heavy head! It is true that it can weigh 8-10 pounds! This can stress the neck and shoulders which are also connected to the soft spot.
Postural awareness and correction is a must! Here are some body work techniques you can do right away on your own.
This will relieve most headaches immediately. Have a friend, spouse, or family member help you. Have who ever is helping you place their thumb about 2-3 fingers down from the ridge of their skull. The goal is to find the soft spot. (The sub-occipital symphasis area, see photo A) This point, (the sub-occipital symphasis) is like a “re-boot” pressure point for the body. Holding this point allows the tight muscles in the head and neck to release and let go. Have the person lean in with thumb or finger into the pressure point. You can be sitting upright in a chair while you are receiving this. Have the person hold the pressure for about 1-3 min. The giver needs to relax as much as possible when doing this. Have the giver soften the thumb as pressure is applied. Definitely speak up about the pressure. It should not be painful to the point where you feel you can not relax into it. It should be on personal edge where you are able to breathe fully and deeply and relax into the pressure. Do that by taking deep inhales and exhales. Close your eyes and visualize the energy in your head moving down. Imagine whatever you need to get that effect, e.g., staircase going down, an escalator or an elevator. Another image could be a fountain with water flowing down, a waterfall, etc. Trust whatever comes to mind for you.
Marnina Reid is a nationally certified Holistic Health Practitioner. She is the author of “Natural Cures For Chronic Headaches,” a newly released e-book. Marnina has a private practice in San Diego, and faciliates trainings in emotional healing. She mainly works with women who have suffered from emotional trauma helping them to remove the blockages that are preventing them from moving forward.
Several of Marnina’s clients have suffered from chronic headaches and have been successful at eliminating them. This inspired her to create an e-book specifically addressing headaches.
For free cutting edge health tips that can enhance your life and prevent disease visit: http://www.naturalcuresforchronicheadaches.com
For more information on Marnina Reid, or “Natural Cures For Chronic Headaches” Please visit: http://www.naturalcuresforchronicheadaches.com
Tags: chronic headache, chronic headache relief, heal headaches, treat chronic headaches, stop headaches
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