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DESCRIPTION
Virtually everyone gets a headache at one time or another. Headache experts estimate about 90 percent of all headaches are tension headaches and 6 percent are migraines. Tension headaches, as the name implies, are caused by muscular tension. Migraines result from a disturbance in the blood circulation to the brain. Another type of headache is the cluster headache. These are severe, recurring headaches that strike about 1 million Americans.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Headaches that occur often may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Symptoms will vary depending upon the type of headache and the cause. See some of the causes below for more information.
Types of Headaches
Headaches come in a number of forms, differentiated by their causes and specific symptoms. The appropriate treatment depends on the type of headache. The table below lists some of the more common types of headaches and possible treatments for them.
Type of Headache Symptoms Causes Treatment Arthritis headache Pain in the back of the head or neck, made worse by movement, inflammation of joints and shoulder and/or neck muscles. Unknown. Take feverfew supplements. Caution Do not use feverfew during pregnancy. Bilious headache Dull pain in forehead and throbbing temples. Indigestion; overeating; lack of exercise. Colon cleansing may be helpful. See Colon Cleansing for more information. Caffeine headache Throbbing pain caused by blood vessels that have dilated. Caffeine withdrawal. Ingest a small amount of caffeine, then taper off. Classic migraine Similar to common migraine, but preceded by auras such as visual disturbances, numbness in arms or legs, smelling of strange odors, hallucinations. Excessive dilation or contraction of blood vessels of the brain. See Migraine for more information. Cluster headache Severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head, flushing of the face, tearing of eyes, nasal congestion, occurring 1-3 times a day over a period of weeks or months and lasting from a few minutes to several hours each time. Stress, alcohol, smoking. Take supplemental L-tyrosine, DL-phenylalanine, ginkgo biloba extract, L-glutamine, quercetin. Caution: Do not take L-tyrosine if you are taking a MAO inhibitor drug. Do not take phenylalanine if you are pregnant or suffer from panic attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, or phenylketonuria (PKU) Common migraine Severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, cold hands, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sounds. Excessive dilation or contraction of blood vessels of the brain. See Migraine for more information. Exertion headache Generalized headache during or after physical exertion such as running or sexual intercourse, or passive exertion such as sneezing or coughing. Usually related to migraine or cluster headaches. About 10 percent are related to organic diseases such as tumors or blood vessel malformation. Take nutritional supplements; apply cold packs at the site of pain. Eyestrain headache Usually bilateral, frontal pain. Eye muscle imbalance; uncorrected vision; astigmatism. Correct vision. Fever headache Headache develops with fever due to inflammation of blood vessels of the head. Infection. Reduce fever, apply ice packs. Hangover headache Migraine-like, with throbbing pain and nausea. Alcohol causes dehydration and dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Drink plenty of quality water and fruit juices. Apply ice to neck. Hunger headache Strikes just before mealtime due to low blood sugar, muscle tension, and rebound dilation of blood vessels. Skipping meals; too-stringent dieting. Eat regular meals with adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates and protein. Hypertension headache Dull, generalized pain affecting a large area of the head and aggravated by movement or exertion. Severe high blood pressure. Get blood pressure under control. Menstrual headache Migraine-like pain shortly before, during, or after menstruation, or at midcycle, at time of ovulation. Variation in estrogen levels. Take supplements of vitamin B6, potassium, and extra magnesium. Sinus headache Gnawing, nagging pain over nasal/sinus area, often increasing in severity as the day goes by. Fever and discolored mucus may be present. Allergies, infection, nasal polyps, food allergies. Often caused by blocked sinus ducts or acute sinus infection. Increase intake of vitamins A and C; use moist heat to help get sinuses to drain. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) headache Temporal, above ear, or facial pain, muscle contraction of one side of the face; clicking or popping of jaw; neck or upper back pain; temple pain upon awakening. Stress, malocclusion (poor bite), jaw clenching, gum chewing. Reduce stress; use relaxation techniques, biofeedback, nutritional supplements, ice packs. Temporal headache Jabbing, burning, boring pain; pain in temple or around ear on chewing; weight loss; problems with eyesight. Usually seen in people over 55. Inflammation of temporal arteries. Consult a health care provider for steroid therapy. Tension headache Constant pain, in one area or all over the head; sore muscles with trigger points in the neck and upper back; lightheadedness, dizziness. The most common type of headache. Emotional stress, anxiety, worry, depression, anger, food allergies, poor posture. Apply ice packs on neck and upper back, take supplements of vitamin C with bioflavonoids, DLPA, bromelain, magnesium, and primrose oil. Tic douloureux Short, jabbing pains around the mouth, jaw, or forehead. More common in women over 55 years of age. Unknown. Take nutritional supplements. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
CAUSES
Common causes of headache include:
- Stress.
- Tension.
- Anxiety.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Allergies, including food allergies. People who suffer from frequent headaches may be reacting to certain foods and food additives, such as wheat, chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites (used in restaurants on salad bars), sugar, hot dogs, luncheon meats, dairy products, nuts, citric acid, fermented foods (cheeses, sour cream, yogurt), alcohol, vinegar, and/or marinated foods.
- Constipation and bowel problems.
- Coffee consumption.
- Eyestrain.
- Hunger and/or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Anemia.
- Sinus pressure, sinusitis
- Diseases of the eye, nose, and throat.
- Muscle tension.
- Hormonal imbalances, including hormonal fluctuations found in premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, pregnancy and postpartum (after the baby is born), and hormone or estrogen replacement therapy (HRT/ERT) and the use of birth control pills, patches, or injections.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
- Bruxism (tooth grinding).
- Spinal misalignment (subluxation).
- Trauma to the head.
- Brain disorders.
- Nutritional deficiencies.
- Alcohol use (hangover).
- Drug use and drug side effects.
- Toxic overdoses of vitamin A, vitamin B deficiency.
- Tobacco use (smoking).
- Exposure to irritants, such as pollution or chemical fume exposure, perfume, or after-shave.
PREVENTION
For environmental allergies: See Hayfever for tips on allergy proofing your environment.
For food allergies, avoid the foods that cause your allergy symptoms by carefully reading ingredient labels and asking about the food preparation methods when dining out. Choose fresh foods rather than prepared or processed foods. Avoid foods that contain MSG and sulfites. Avoid food "triggers". See Allergies for more information.
Avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use. If you have headaches as a result of a side effect of a drug, consult with your health care provider to see if you can have your dosage or medication changed.
Avoid chemicals and other irritants that may trigger headaches.
Unstress and reduce life tensions as much as possible. Learn relaxation techniques and practice meditation regularly. Get a good massage to help relax and eliminate tensions that build up in the muscles of the head, neck, back and other parts of the body. This will also help with high blood pressure problems.
If you have problems with your spine, visit your chiropractor regularly. Inquire about using exercises that can help build up weak back and neck muscles.
Visit your health care provider to determine underlying health problems that may need attention.
To prevent headaches, eat small meals and eat between meals to help stabilize wide swings in blood sugar. Eat a well balanced, nutritious diet daily. Include almonds, almond milk, watercress, parsley, fennel, garlic, cherries, and pineapple in your diet. Avoid getting anemia, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), bowel problems and constipation, and nutritional deficiencies. Avoid the overuse of nutritional supplements (such as vitamin A). Be aware of dosages, if you do use nutritional supplements.
Get moderate exercise (regular walking is good), plenty of fresh air, and drink plenty of quality water daily.
Avoid using birth control that involves hormones, such as birth control pills, patches, or injections. Avoid hormone replacement therapy or estrogen replacement therapy. If you must use hormonal birth control, ask you health care provider to switch you to a low-estrogen formulation or going off the pills for a while. Oral contraceptives can cause a vitamin B6 deficiency that results in headaches and migraines.
TREATMENT
DIAGNOSIS
Your description of your headaches will help your health care provider to make the diagnosis. The time and pattern of attacks are very important, so keep a diary of your pain. Family members or others who see you during a headache can also help by telling your health care provider how you look and act. Don't be embarrassed to tell your health care provider about your attempts to relieve the pain (such as banging your head against furniture). These attempts are common, and talking about them will help your health care provider judge how severe the headaches are.
Your health care provider will also give you a physical exam. Tests will probably not be needed to diagnose certain type of headaches (such as cluster headaches), but your health care provider may order tests to rule out other illnesses.
HEADACHE BASICS:
The most common type of headache is "tension headache." Tension headaches generally develop gradually, often involve the entire head as well as the neck and shoulders. They probably are not actually caused by increased muscle tension, although muscle relaxation techniques can be very useful in treatment. Most people get tension headaches occasionally and these can usually be treated simply. Some people get them often, but there are usually some useful interventions to help decrease the number of sick days.
Migraine headaches are "bad headaches." With classic migraine, the headache is preceded by a feeling that a headache will develop (prodrome) followed by visual phenomena such as dark or bright spots, streaks of light, or tunnel vision (aura). The headache then develops, usually on one side. It is throbbing in nature, accompanied by nausea and increased sensitivity to light and noise.
Most people with migraine headaches do not experience prodrome or aura. Common migraine headache, like classic migraine headache is treatable and often preventable.
Migraineurs, those who develop migraine headaches often have a family history of migraine headache and they have headache triggers. People who get headaches when they don't have enough of their daily caffeine are migraineurs. They would have fewer migraines if they completely eliminated caffeine. Chocolate, red wines, nuts and cheeses are common food triggers. Migraines before or during menstrual periods are common. Not all migraineurs get terrible headaches, but some certainly do. Migraine is an important cause of lost days of school, work and enjoyment.
Women who smoke and who experience migraine headaches with aura have more than twice the risk of stroke if they take estrogen-containing birth control pills than those who use nonestrogen-based contraception. Changing to a nonestrogen or very low-estrogen contraceptive not only can reduce the risk of stroke but can dramatically decrease the number of headaches.
Cluster headaches are headaches lasting a few minutes to several hours, but it usually lasts for 30 to 45 minutes. Cluster headaches typically occur day after day at the same or a similar time each day over a period of several weeks, until the "cluster period" is over. Cluster periods usually last 4 to 8 weeks and may occur every few months. At other times, no cluster headaches will occur.
They are sharp and start suddenly. People with cluster headaches often describe the pain as similar to an icepick. The pain is usually behind or around one eye and is very severe. The eye and nose on the same side as the pain may become red, swollen and runny. Cluster headaches also cause restlessness. These headaches can be frightening to the sufferer and his or her family.
The cause of cluster headaches is not known. Cluster headaches do not appear to be related to other illnesses or to diseases of the brain. They do not seem to run in families but they are more common in men, and are more difficult to treat than most headaches. Interestingly, oxygen therapy will often stop a daily cluster headache. Many of the medications used to prevent or treat migraine headaches are used to treat cluster headaches.
During a cluster period, it is important to keep to your usual routine, remain calm and avoid changing your sleep pattern. Once a cluster period has started, a change in sleep pattern, particularly taking an afternoon nap, seems to bring on the headaches. Drinking alcohol will also bring on headaches during cluster periods. This happens very quickly -- before you finish the first drink. Alcohol should be completely avoided until the cluster period is over. Stress may bring on attacks, and the headaches may start when you are relaxing after a stressful time.
Sinus headaches are those frontal headaches that some people experience with sinus infection and with changes in the weather. Allergies can also provoke them.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR HEADACHES
Twenty million Americans see their health care providers each year because of a headache. Although headaches can be very uncomfortable and temporarily disabling, most are not associated with serious illness. They can often be relieved by resting in a quiet room or by taking a nonprescription pain killer such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
When a person has a headache, several areas of the head can hurt, including a network of nerves that extends over the scalp and certain nerves in the face, mouth and throat.
Rarely, headache is a symptom of a dangerous condition such cerebral aneurysm, brain tumor, stroke, TIA, meningitis, or encephalitis. Very high blood pressure can cause headaches and this situation is a medical emergency. However, high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms at all, despite the damage that years of high blood pressure can do to blood vessels, heart, brain, and kidneys. If you have any doubt about your headache, contact your health care provider.
Always seek and treat the cause of the headache, not the symptom. Long-term over-reliance on aspirin, acetaminophen, and other non-prescription pain killers can make chronic headaches worse by interfering with the brain's natural ability to fight headaches. If you are using nonprescription pain killers more than 4 times a week, talk to your health care provider about other ways to control the pain.
If you suffer from headaches while taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), talk to your health care provider about switching to a low-estrogen formulation or going off the pills for a while. Oral contraceptives can cause a vitamin B6 deficiency that results in headaches and migraines.
CONVENTIONAL HEADACHE TREATMENT:
To avoid headaches, employ good health habits. These include adequate sleep, healthy diet, regular exercise and good stress management. Quitting smoking is essential in reducing the risks for all headaches.
Relaxation and related stress reduction therapies can diminish the frequency and intensity of headaches. Alternative therapies used for headache management include hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, visualization and guided imagery, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga and other physical relaxation exercises.
Any over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or acetaminophen can be very useful. No one medication has ever been proven to be more effective than the other, though there is great variability in effectiveness from person to person. There is no difference in composition or effectiveness between migraine-formula over-the-counter preparations and their non-migraine brand names, other than the higher cost of the migraine-formula brands. Narcotics such as codeine and Demerol are generally not useful for treating headache and are seldom prescribed for it any more.
The drug sumatriptan (Imatrex) is sometimes prescribed for relief of migraines. This drug works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. It is relatively expensive, however, and must be administered by injection (it is sold in the form of a home injection kit). Possible side effects include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and a feeling of tightness in the chest, jaw, or neck.
Women who suffer from migraines may benefit from using progesterone cream topically.
There have been dramatic improvements in very selective medications that can be taken to stop migraine headaches. These are available by prescription only and are generally not effective for non migraine headaches.
Virtually any of the headache medications, prescription or over-the-counter, can actually cause headaches if taken on a daily basis. Too much acetaminophen can damage the liver and too much aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium can damage kidneys and cause ulcers.
People with daily or frequent headaches will be interested to know that there are often very effective methods of headache prevention. Primary prevention is always valuable. Migraineurs can try to avoid triggers. For anyone with frequent headaches, stress management and improvement of overall fitness through diet and exercise are important. Tobacco cessation can be extremely effective in decreasing headache frequency, even though headaches may at first intensify.
There are many different groups of medications that are also used to decrease headache frequency. Tricyclics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and neuroleptics are classes of medications that contain useful preventive drugs. All are available by prescription only.
Several treatments are available for cluster headaches. It is important to work with your health care provider to talk about side effects of different medicines, pick the right treatment for you and set up a schedule for taking the medicines your health care provider prescribes.
Your health care provider will probably prescribe 2 medicines. One medicine is taken regularly during a cluster period to reduce the number of headaches. In order for the medicine to work, the level of the drug in your blood must be high at the time your attacks usually start.
The second medicine is taken to relieve the pain when a cluster headache occurs. Attacks begin too quickly for you to reach medical help. You must be ready to take this medicine as soon as an attack begins. You may want to teach family members about your headaches and medicines so that they will be able to help you when you have an attack.
Medicines taken by mouth work too slowly to give relief for cluster headaches. For this reason, your health care provider may prescribe a medicine that is taken by inhaler, as an injection (a "shot") or as a rectal suppository. Other treatments that work for some people are rapidly breathing pure oxygen through a mask or using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) in their nose. Some health care providers prescribe the drug lidocaine (Anestacon, Xylocaine) for cluster headaches. Used in nose drop form, it gives relief in minutes.
In one study, twenty adults suffering from long-term cluster headaches squirted a capsaicin solution in their nose daily for five days. Within ten days of the last dose, there was a 67 percent drop in the number of cluster attacks.
Although cluster headaches are very painful, with the right treatment most people cope very well. Preventive medicines work well to reduce the number of headaches during cluster periods. When a cluster headache does occur, medicines can greatly shorten the headache and reduce its severity. It is important that you work with your health care provider to find the right treatment for you.
HOME TREATMENT
Apply cold compresses to the spot from which the pain is radiating. This helps relieve headaches by constricting blood vessels and easing muscle spasms. Leave a damp washcloth in the freezer for 10 minutes or use a cold gel-pack.
Use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or hot towel to relax neck and shoulder muscles, which can cause muscle contraction headaches when they are too tight.
For headaches caused by sinus congestion, try self-massage. By applying pressure to specific areas of the head, you can open up the sinuses and ease tension. Rub the area surrounding the bones just above and below the eyes, and massage the cheeks directly in line with these points. Lean your head forward slightly to facilitate sinus drainage. Applying heat to the sinuses, either with compresses or with steam inhalation, can also be beneficial.
Be sure to get sufficient sleep. Inositol, tryptophan, and/or calcium, if taken before bedtime, aid sleeping. A grapefruit half also helps. Do not eat sweet fruit or anything else sweet after 5:00 P.M.
If you must eat a food to which you suspect you may be sensitive, use charcoal tablets (from a health food store). Take 5 tablets within an hour before eating, and 3 tablets after eating. As soon as possible, take a cleansing enema and a coffee retention enema. See Enemas for more information. If you have severe headaches after consuming a food, this will relieve it quickly by eliminating the allergenic substances. Do not take charcoal tablets daily, however, as they also absorb the good nutrients.
HANGOVER HEADACHE
Tips to Ease Alcohol Overindulgence
Whether it be the onset of the holiday season with the usual invitations to parties and open houses or anytime during the rest of the year in which you may over-indulge in alcoholic beverages, it is always wise to follow a few helpful tips on preventing the hangover headache. The discomfort of the dreaded hangover headache is experienced the morning after because alcohol causes blood vessels to swell or dilate which, in turn, triggers headache pain and may cause slight sweating. The alcohol also acts as a diuretic, which leads to dehydration.
To help avoid or lessen the suffering associated with hangover headache that often accompanies these festivities of overindulgence, here are some common sense advice and a headache-free drink recipe.
If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Try to sip your drink slowly. Mixed drinks containing fruit or vegetable juices will probably have less effect than straight alcohol. Avoid red wine, which contains naturally occurring chemicals called congeners. Congeners impart the specific characteristic tastes to different types of wine and other alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, they also may play a role in causing headaches. Congeners are more common in red than white wine. Also, it is advisable to reduce the actual number of alcoholic beverages you consume. Spend time catching up with an old friend at the snack table with a soda or glass of water.
Eat some honey. Honey supplies fructose, a sugar that helps the body metabolize the alcohol ingested, is rich in vitamin B6 and can reduce any hangover symptoms. Two tablespoons of honey on a cracker or piece of toast, before or after drinking, may prevent a hangover. Tomato juice, another good source of fructose, also allows the body to burn alcohol faster. The sugar in fruit and fruit juices may also reduce some symptoms of hangover, so consumption of these products can be beneficial.
Drink fluids containing minerals and salts. Liquids rich in minerals and salts offer relief from the dehydration caused by alcohol consumption. A cup of broth or bouillon, for example, will replace fluid and will not cause nausea. In general, replacement of fluids with beverages, such as sports drinks or water, is helpful.
Drink a cup of coffee. Caffeine may provide some relief in alleviating the headache symptoms and decreasing the duration of pain. The caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor and eases the dilated blood vessels. Consider drinking a cup of coffee as soon as you wake up in the morning.
Take Ibuprofen. While aspirin is okay, Ibuprofen is typically less irritating to the stomach, and can also ease the pain of hangover headache.
Alternate non-alcoholic beverages with alcoholic beverages. Drinking one non-alcoholic beverage between each alcoholic beverage reduces overall alcohol consumption and helps replenish fluids. An easy way to achieve this is when ordering a drink at the bar, ask for a glass of water in addition to your alcoholic beverage of choice.
Eat greasy food before consuming alcohol. While it is wise to be health-conscious and avoid too much of these foods in general, this is a situation where eating fatty foods may be helpful. If consumed prior to drinking alcohol. these foods help line the intestines, which causes alcohol absorption to take longer. In other words, a burger or burrito before your beer or Bloody Mary might be beneficial. It is always a good idea to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages. Never drink on an empty stomach.
A "Champagne Fooler" is a good headache-free recipe substitute for an alcoholic beverage:
CHAMPAGNE FOOLER
1-1/3 cups of apple juice
Chill four glasses. Mix together apple juice and lemon juice. Add club soda and stir gently to blend. Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Yields 4 servings.
1 teaspoon lemon juice
12 ounces club soda
While a headache caused by drinking too much may be more common during festive times of the year, chronic headaches can be a problem at any time. Headaches are a legitimate biological disease which are treatable. If you are experiencing headache pain on a routine basis, make a specific appointment with your health care provider to discuss your headache problem and seek accurate diagnosis and treatment.
CONSIDERATIONS
Headaches are often caused by allergies. A food diary can help identify offending foods. See Allergies for more information.
Poor vertebral alignment may cause reduced blood to the brain. This is often caused by flat feet or by high heels. Chiropractic adjustment can help.
Regular exercise can help prevent headaches caused by tension and may also reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. But headaches with organic causes can be made worse by exercise. Talk to your health care provider about your headaches before using exercise to control the pain.
Researchers are studying the possibility that the trigeminal nerve pathway (the site of the nerve responsible for sensation in the face, mouth, and nasal cavity) and the brain chemical serotonin are factors in severe headaches. Disturbances in serotonin levels increase before onset and then decrease during the headache phase. In chronic tension headaches, serotonin levels remain low all the time. As a result of lower serotonin levels, an impulse moves along the trigeminal nerve to blood vessels in the meninges, the brain's outer covering. This causes blood vessels in the meninges to dilate and become inflamed and swollen. The result is a headache.
There are a number of common misdiagnosis of headache, including sinus pain, allergies, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). What many people think are sinus headaches are really migraines. Sinus infections can cause brief, intense bouts of head pain, but recurring headaches are more likely to be tension headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches. Facial pain, pain in the temples, or pain above the ear is sometimes diagnosed as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) headache, caused by the joint of the jawbone being out of alignment. But this too may actually be one of the common types of headache, which may be triggered or aggravated by the joint.
HERBAL & HOLISTIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Unless otherwise specified, the dosages recommended here are for adults. For a child between the ages of 12 and 17, reduce the dose to 3/4 the recommended amount. For a child between 6 and 12, use 1/2 the recommended dose, and for a child under the age of 6, use 1/4 the recommended amount.
HERBS
The following herbs may relieve headache pain: Caution: Do not use feverfew during pregnancy. Do not take goldenseal internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, do not use it during pregnancy, and use it with caution if you are allergic to ragweed. Do not take lobelia internally on an ongoing basis.
- Brigham
- Burdock root
- Fenugreek - Steep 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seed in 1 cup of water, covered, for 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup a day to help allergy/hay fever symptoms.
- Feverfew - Feverfew, which was recommended by herbalists for centuries for sinus-like headaches. Modern science has identified aspirin-like compounds which could reduce inflammation.
- Goldenseal
- Lavender - Lavender works as an antispasmodic and sedative.
- Lobelia
- Marshmallow
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Skullcap
- Thyme
A salve made from ginger, peppermint oil, and wintergreen oil rubbed on the nape of the neck and temples can help relieve tension headaches. For sinus headaches, rub the salve across the sinus area.
Ginkgo biloba extract improves circulation to the brain, and may be helpful for certain types of headache.
NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Eat a well-balanced diet. Avoid chewing gum, ice cream, iced beverages, salt, and excessive sunlight.
Practice deep-breathing exercises. A lack of oxygen can cause headaches.
Try eliminating foods containing tyramine and the amino acid phenylalanine. Then reintroduce one food at a time and see which one produce headaches. Phenylalanine is found in aspartame ( Equal, NutraSweet), monosodium glutamate (MSG), and nitrites (preservatives found in hot dogs and luncheon meats). Foods that contain tyramine include alcoholic beverages, bananas, cheese, chicken, chocolate, citrus fruits, cold cuts, herring, onions, peanut butter, pork, smoked fish, sour cream, vinegar, wine, and fresh-baked yeast products. Tyramine causes the blood pressure to rise, resulting in a dull headache. See Tyramine-Restricted Diet for more information.
Go on a cleansing fast. See Fasting for more information.
Consume no cakes, chocolate, coffee, dairy products (except yogurt), packaged or canned foods, pies, soft drinks, sugar, tobacco, white flour products, or any junk food.
See Ascorbic Acid Flush and Allergies for more information.
Be sure to cook with garlic and onions, eat celery, parsley, and sage whenever possible. Eat more brown rice. Learn to like alfalfa sprouts. See Allergies for more helpful information.
Nutrients Supplement Suggested Dosage Comments Helpful Bromelain 500 mg daily, as needed. An enzyme that helps regulate the inflammatory response. Calcium
And
Magnesium1,500 mg daily.
1,000 mg daily.Minerals that have a calming effect on the system and help to alleviate muscular tension. Use chelated forms. Coenzyme Q10 30 mg twice daily. Improves tissue oxygenation. Dimethylglycine (DMJ)
( Aangamik DMG from FoodScience Labs)400 mg twice daily, before meals. A bioflavonoid that stabilizes the membranes of the cells that release histamine, which triggers allergic symptoms. DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) 750 mg daily. For pain relief. Caution: Do not take this supplement if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, or if you suffer from panic attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, or PKU. Glucosamine sulfate As directed on label. A natural alternative to aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). L-Tyrosine
Plus
L-glutamine
Plus
QuercetinAs directed on label.
500 mg twice daily.
500 mg twice daily.For relief of cluster headaches. Caution: Do not take tyrosine if you are taking an MAO inhibitor drug, commonly prescribed for depression. Potassium 99 mg daily. For the proper sodium and potassium balance, which is needed to avoid water retention. Water retention may put undue pressure on the brain. Primrose oil 500 mg, 3-4 times daily. Supplies essential fatty acids, which promote healthy circulation, help regulate the inflammatory response, and relieve pain. Vitamin B3 (niacin)
And
NiacinamideUp to 300 mg combined daily. Do not exceed this amount. Stop and maintain the dosage that provides relief. Improves circulation and aids in the functioning of the nervous system. Professional supervision is advised. Caution: Do not take niacin if you have a liver disorder, gout, or high blood pressure. Vitamin B complex 50 mg daily 3 times daily. B vitamins work best when taken together. Use a yeast-free formula. In severe cases, injections (under a health care provider's supervision) may be advisable. Plus extra
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)50 mg 3 times daily. Removes excess water from tissues. Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids 2,000-8,000 mg daily in divided doses. Protects against harmful effects of pollution and aids production of anti-stress hormones. Use an esterified or buffered form. Vitamin E Start with 400 IU daily and increase slowly to 1,200 IU daily. Improves circulation.
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NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
HEADACHE AS A WARNING SIGN: See a health care professional on an urgent basis if any of the following occur:
1. Severe, sudden headaches that seem to come on like "a bolt out of the blue" or like a "thunderclap."
The vast majority of headaches are not medically serious. Most can be controlled by the use of simple medications - and in the case of tension headaches, by altering habits or lifestyles. If you suffer from more than the occasional tension headache, keep a headache log or journal to help your health care provider to diagnose your condition. Keep the log for at least two months, noting the time of each headache and describing the pain (throbbing or dull), its severity, location, and duration. If you have any questions or concerns or need to make an appointment please call your health care provider.
2. Headaches that are accompanied by a loss of consciousness, alertness or sensation, confusion, or other neurological and/or personality changes.
3. Headaches that recur in one particular area such as an eye, temple etc.
4. Headaches that recur and are of high intensity or frequency.
5. Headaches that are accompanied by neck stiffness and fever.
6. Headaches that are associated with head injury. Even a minor fall or bump should be checked out.
7. There is a change in the nature or frequency of headaches.
8. The worst headache in one's life.
9. Temporary change in vision or visual acuity may simply be a sign of migraine headache but deserves special attention if new.
10. Headaches that accompany blurred vision, sensitivity to light, pressure behind the eyes that is relieved by vomiting, pressure in the facial sinus area, throbbing of the head and temples, a pounding heartbeat, visual changes, and feeling as though your head will explode.
11. Chronic headache pain that worsens after coughing, exertion, straining, or sudden movement is also reason to seek professional attention.
ORGANIZATIONS:
American Council for Headache Education
19 Mantua Road
Mt. Royal, NJ 08061
"Headache" newsletter
www.achenet.org
Telephone: (856) 423-0258
Toll Free: 1-800-255-2243
Fax: 856-423-0082
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch
Helpful Links
The National Headache Foundation
