One of the most common types of pain is a headache. Many people resort to over-the counter medications to relieve their headache, instead of trying to eliminate the cause of it. Twenty-seven percent of patients with headaches seek alternative forms of therapy, with the most common being chiropractic care. Below is an overview of the most common forms of non-migraine headaches. (For information on migraine headaches, please see the article ?What is a Migraine Headache??)
Tension Headache These headaches are often worse in the afternoon or early evening. The pain is usually on both sides of the head and/or around the eyes. Tension headaches can last for days or weeks, and come and go over a long period of time. They are occasionally relieved with over-the-counter analgesics. Tender points and tight muscles are usually found in the neck. Deep massage to the muscles at the back of the head and neck helps, as does ultrasound and moist heat to the same area. Supplement options include valerian root and passionflower for stress reduction, and magnesium and calcium for muscle tension.
Cervicogenic Headache Cervicogenic headaches often present with a reduction in neck motion and associated neck pain. They are due to referral from the soft tissues and joints in the neck. The headache is usually worse with head movement. The primary recommended form of treatment is chiropractic manipulation of the neck.
Cluster Headache These headaches, which are felt around the eyes, are more common in middle-aged males. They ?cluster? over days or weeks and then end, and appear again several weeks or months later. Cluster headaches typically begin at the same time each day or night. They are short-lived, lasting an average of 30 minutes, but they are extremely intense. During an attack, there is often tearing and a runny nose on the same side as the headache. There is usually a history of smoking and possible alcohol abuse. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown. Cluster headaches generally decrease in frequency and intensity as the individual ages. Conservative management includes moist heat, trigger point therapy, ultrasound, and spray-and-stretch to reduce muscle tension; cervical and upper thoracic chiropractic adjustments to decrease contributing joint dysfunction; avoidance of screen glare from computers and televisions; and stress reduction.
Hypertensive Headache These headaches are pulsing and occur early in the morning. They are associated with high blood pressure, obesity, stress, lack of exercise, high sodium diets, drug sensitivity, kidney disease, and heart disease. Hypertensive headaches come on when blood pressure is 200/120 mm Hg or higher. The headaches can be at the top of the head, the front of the head, or the back of the head, and can be generalized or one-sided. The headache may become worse when reclining and is less severe when seated. Management includes dietary modifications (high fiber, low salt); avoidance of caffeine, high fat, sugar, and alcohol; and moderate exercise.
Sinus Headaches These headaches are attributable to inflammation of the mucosa of the sinuses from allergies or bacterial or viral infections. The headache is generally felt over the forehead and cheeks, and occasionally around the teeth and behind the ears. Sinus headaches are worse in the morning and are aggravated or relieved by head position, which may help or hinder nasal drainage. Conservative treatment options include avoiding known allergens, correcting areas of cervical dysfunction that may hinder sinus drainage, and using a vaporizer or hot compresses on the face to clear sinus congestion. Anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, and feverfew are of some benefit.
References: Souza, Thomas A. Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor: 415-433. Gaithersburg, Maryland: Aspen Publishers, 2001.
Huff, Lew, and David M. Brady. Instant Access to Chiropractic Guideline and Protocols: 12-15. Saint Louis, Missouri: Mosby, Inc., 1999.
A migraine is a complaint that is quite often suffered by other family members, all of which have probably been experiencing them from a young age. Normally lasting for a couple of hours or more when medication is administered, most are normally felt just on one side of the head but can affect someone for many days if they haven't taken anything to ease the pain. These attacks also leave the suffer feeling exhausted and might take them a while to recover fully.
The frequency of attacks is not consistent with one person having one or perhaps two attacks in a month to another who may only have one a year. Some symptoms seem to be consistent with most victims; those of a feeling like those associated with cold or influenza and a problem with bright lights. Most migraine attacks occur between the ages of 10 to 40 years old although why this is no-one really knows; in almost every instance however, attacks usually diminish or end in later adult life usually once the person is over 50 years old.
Hereditary links are often associated with migraine and occurrences may happen among members of a family; even though there may be a link, so far it has eluded medical science. It is believed that victims have certain susceptibility in their brains that allow the blood vessels and nerves to become inflamed. Another area that still isn't fully understood is why these headaches are more prevalent in women with approximately three times as many women suffering than men; however, the chance of a man experiencing the condition on a regular basis is only one in twelve.
A number of people have a warning when they are about to have an attack which is called migraine with aura which can be anywhere between ten minutes to half an hour before the actual attack. There are many indications this may happen which will vary between sufferers, which can be one or more of the following:
Other symptoms exist but these appear to be the most common. Some of these indications are symptoms felt by those who have the most common variant of the condition, migraines without aura; many early indications felt by those who have a warning are symptoms felt by those who have no warning but their condition can be made worse if they are in constant motion.
Whilst the exact reason why some people suffer with migraine still eludes medical science, the theory that the narrowing of blood vessels to the brain is the closest they have come to discovering a migraines cause. If the blood vessels then expand suddenly, this may cause the intense headache; it can actually incapacitate the victim so they cannot perform even routine tasks.
It is believed that certain conditions may promote the onset of a migraine including diet or food. Holy Tea was designed to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities that build up over time from a poor diet. Holy Tea was blended from natural herbs over twenty-one years ago and has been reported to reduce the amount of headaches incurred by users of Holy Tea.
Migraine headaches are painful, but by removing some of the reasons including poor diet, bright light and the amount of stress in your life, one can help eliminate the frequency of the attacks.
Both Jessica Heller, Dc, Cscs & Phillip Hatley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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