Posts Tagged ‘Headaches’

Migraines, Headache Or Sinus Problems – Which Have You Got?

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

The differences between suffering a migraine and suffering from sinus problems may seem to be minute, to the point that its very difficult to tell which is which and what you are actually suffering from. In actuality there are a number of clear pointers which make it fairly obvious on the whole if its a migraine or if its sinuses. Lets have a look now at which is which.

For migraine often what will help will be a hot shower stream to the back of the neck. Let this persist for several minutes and slowly and gently move the head from one side to the other. This helps the blood vessels to relax and become less twitchy.

When you are a sufferer of regular migraines what can help is to have a hot shower with a strong stream of water at the back of the neck. Turn the head gently and slowly from side to side thus easing the tension and the twitching blood vessels will relax too. Its no bad idea to “think” the migraine away at the same time. The power of thought is strong, even with a migraine.

Migraines are very often one-sided. They can be induced by a change in the weather, or maybe certain foods that have been indulged such as red wine or strong cheeses for some people. Any alcohol can bring on a migraine particularly upon over-indulgence but some people do not suffer after drinking vodka.

Sinuses can also be blocked up because of a vacuum created which then goes on to discomfort and pain. If anti-inflammatory drugs are taken then the problem should not remain. Two of the best drugs on the market are Aleve and Prednisone. Clear-Ease too works well. In this case it is taken as a lozenge and melts when sucked in the mouth. Clear-Ease contains bromelain and papain which will reduce the vacuum in the sinuses.

Some other points to note here are:
– if your sinus pain comes on due to drinking red wine its a migraine
– if you are woken in the night with a throbbing headache its a migraine
– if you are suffering from local tenderness, yellow discharge, a stuffy nose then this is sinus trouble
– if the pain lasts for a few days then this would tend to mean sinus issues as a migraine would be shorter in duration

Migraines and womens period problems can certainly be interconnected. Please click the link to find out more about womens pms problems.

How To Cure A Migraine And Not Max On Tablets

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

How do we control or stop a migraine without taking the traditional pain killer? Its common knowledge now that there are other methods to reduce the onslaught of migraines – some of those methods are long-gone tried and trusted ways that would have been used a long while back when no paracetemol was available on the shelves in the chemist. In fact, there are all forms of concoctions using herbs that are commonly grown in the backyard that will help to reduce migraine symptoms. That information would fill up my day to provide for you, so instead here are a few simple ways to help you combat the migraine.

* Get enough sleep. Yes, simple right? Getting enough sleep has been shown to help reduce migraines. Enough sleep would tend to mean something like 7 to 9 hours although this does vary. Recent scientific tests have shown that the older we get the less sleep we tend to need. So its no wonder that grandma used to spend most nights and early mornings watching television or reading her book.

* Meditation. Meditation is a way of paying attention to not only physical bodily needs but also mental. Its a great way to destress after a hard day, or to improve your mood. Using meditation thus can affect a migraine in a very positive way. Meditation can be a great way to relax the muscles in the body and in this way can help resolve a migraine.

* Aromatherapy. How lovely to be able to enjoy a nice relaxing massage! Aromatherapy is not quite like what we would call a traditional massage. Its more of a light tissue massage while using oils to help relax and soothe the body. Plant extracts used in aromatherapy have been proven to do just this – relax the mind and body and ease the tensions away from the hassles of daily life.

* Diets and food and drink intake. I think you know without me saying here about what you should and should not be putting down your throat. Too much caffeine – migraine! Too much alcohol – migraine! Too much junky food – sore stomach and potentially a migraine! Try to avoid over-indulging in any of these “pleasures”.

* Eye compress. There are a number of eye compresses that can be used to ease a migraine and it is claimed reduce puffiness around the eyes. A towel dipped in cold water and draped over the eyes while you rest can be helpful.

Migraine reduction and period painhave a lot in common. Learn more about how to cope with pms.

Fayetteville GA Chiropractic Care Alleviates Headaches Safely Services You Can Learn About

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

By reading over this article, I am going to assume that you might be concerned with locating a good chiropractic service in the Fayetteville area. While you might notice a handful in the vicinity, you are not going to likely find an establishment quite like the one we are going to talk about to take care of you and your ailments, even simple headaches.

You could say, with no real surprise, that the main focus of the clinic is to help out those with back injuries or ailments of one sort or another. What you might be surprised to learn, is that in some cases of recurring headaches, you can see the chiropractor to potentially rid yourself of that problem. So if this is you, might be something to look into.

The woman behind all of the hard work that goes on at this fine clinic is Dr. Linda Katz. You see, if was her dedication to the patients that has spawned the success of the clinic to date. Her opinion is valued and often sought after, so she is a good person to be taking care of you if you get the opportunity to be under her care and advisement.

You see, even before she got started into medicine specifically, she ensured that she could not be nearly as effective as a doctor if she did not strive for academic excellence. So her mind was made up that she owed her future patients enough to take this process seriously, and took academics as a huge factor in her life.

It is through their reputation for knowledge and customer care, that they have reached the heights that they have. Right not, Fayetteville Chiropractic is considered one of the best clinics of this specialty in the area.

So I hope that you know a little more about the Fayetteville Chiropractic and their commitment to serving you the best way possible. For more about this impressive service, and the medical professionals that work there, you should head over and learn some more about this incredible establishment.

Have you heard about the good folks working at an establishment dedicated to Fayetteville chiropractic services? If not, get the ultimate pain relief inside scoop now on http://www.fayettechiropractic.com/

Pregnancy Headaches

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

There are a few side effects that come hand in hand with being pregnant. Here we look at headaches and pregnancy.

The increase in frequency of headaches while pregnant is considered to be due to additional blood flow and changes to your hormones. Other factors, such as increased in stress levels and excess caffeine, also contribute.

Almost 20% of women will incur headaches during their pregnancy, although in most cases they will find they will happen less in the latter months of the pregnancy.

Cold packs, soothing, sleep and darkened rooms are all methods of treatment for headaches, without taking drugs.

Treatment of headaches during pregnancy may include soothing and non-drug measures such as cold packs, darkened room, and sleep.

When sinus headaches occur, warm compresses have be known to help. Apply these to to your temples, forehead and either side of your nose as these are the areas occupied by your sinuses.

If you have a sinus headache, apply warm compresses to your head in such places as the front of your face on either side of the nose, in the middle of the forehead, and on the temples. These areas are occupied by the sinuses.

Contact your doctor prior to consuming any medication, even over the counter ones like ibuprofen and aspirin. acetaminophen can be safe to take while pregnant, although it is still better to consult your doctor first.

Talk to your doctor before taking pain relievers, even if you have taken over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen or aspirin for pain before you were pregnant. Acetaminophen is usually safe during pregnancy, but again, it is best not to use medications unless your doctor has prescribed them.

If you are concerned about headaches during pregnancy and would like to gain more information then you can get all the information you want at pregnancy headaches

How To Prevent Headaches & Migraines

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Although there are many kinds of migraines and headaches, the reasons why they occur are fairly common and are usually not too difficult to prevent. If you suffer from them, try out these natural approaches to preventing or curing them.

First of all, it is worth noting that research has shown that as many as 90% of headaches and migraines are a result of dehydration. This means that consuming more water throughout the day can be enough to prevent most problems. It is also best to stay away from soft drinks and coffee, as these will make you more, not less, dehydrated.

The importance of sleep in relieving just about every kind of pain and chronic condition can not be underestimated. Sleep is essential for remaining calm, relaxed and stress-free, and equally significant in the prevention of migraines and headaches. Everyone needs a minimum of 6 hours sleep per night, but ideally a couple more than that too.

Regular activity can help prevent headaches and migraines because it lowers stress levels, boosts endorphins, and improves cardiovascular health. Do some aerobic exercise after you wake up for at least 15 minutes. You can keep it light and easy, as the purpose is just to get your blood, and the oxygen in it, flowing more readily around your body, particularly to your brain.

Whilst particular foods can actually alleviate headaches and migraines, there are more that actually act as triggers for them. In particular, be aware of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and chocolate, which are problematic for many people. Other foods which cause headaches and migraines are those which you may be unknowingly allergic to, such as wheat or dairy products. Try avoiding problem foods like these for a couple of weeks and see if there is any difference in the frequency of headaches and migraines that you have.

The above suggestions will not prevent or cure all headaches and migraines, but they will have a significant, positive effect in most cases.

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The Real Meaning of Lab Tests

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

You are at the doctor’s office because you think something might be wrong. Rationally, you know tests are probably necessary, but getting the tests done sometimes provokes a lot of anxiety in all of us. We want to know the results, but are very concerned about the outcome.”You need blood work” your doctor remarks casually. Your insides do an immediate flip-flop and you feel as if you’ve just begun hurtling down a very steep roller-coaster.

And when the results come back, it’s tough to understand the medical jargon, particularly if the tests are “positive”. We’ve all had the experience of “going south” and not listening to another word that’s said after the initial “your test results are positive”. Our minds are racing ahead, imagining all the awful possibilities.

Rarely, a considerate physician will be able to put the lab results in a less-worrisome perspective for the patient. For patients, it is important to know some key facts – facts that will empower you any time you need lab tests done.

Statistically one out of every 20 tests performed will be reported as “abnormal” – even though the result is “normal” for the person being tested. If you are perfectly healthy and have 20 tests done on your blood sample, one of those 20 test results will be “out of the normal range” based on statistics alone.1

This is because a normal test range is calculated by eliminating the top 2.5% and the bottom 2.5% of results for a large group of normal people. This leaves the “normal range” as 95%. So if 20 tests are done, statistically one will be “abnormal”, because its results fall in the top or bottom 2.5%. The result is normal for you, but reported as “abnormal”.

Other factors to consider are the sensitivity and specificity of the lab test.2 Sensitivity relates to the test’s precision in detecting the disease when the disease is present. If a test for colon cancer was 90% sensitive, it would miss ten cases of the disease out of every 100 cases. Specificity relates to whether a positive test actually indicates the presence of the disease you’re being tested for. If a test is 90% specific, in ten cases out of 100 positive results, the patient does not actually have the disease.

If a test has low sensitivity, actual cases of the disease may be missed. If a test has low specificity, test results reporting the presence of the disease may be wrong. All these factors need to be considered in accurately interpreting test results. Things are not always as they seem.3

Bottom line – test results always need to be evaluated in the specific context of the patient. An isolated lab result – or set of results – needs to be related to the patient’s condition and circumstances. An accurate diagnosis is not based on lab results alone. That could be a big mistake. Similarly, x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI results need to be interpreted in context also. Trying to interpret an x-ray without any clinical information is likely to lead to a wrong conclusion. Context is everything. If you have questions, we will be able to explain why certain tests are necessary.

1Thomas SL, et al: How accurate are diagnoses for rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the general practice research database? Arthritis Rheum 59(9):1314-1321, 2008 2Friston KJ, et al: Classical and Bayesian inference in neuroimaging: theory. Neuroimage 16(2):465-483, 2002 3Kobayashi M, et al: Intraindividual variation in total and percent free prostate-specific antigen levels in prostate cancer suspects. Urol Int 74(3):198-202, 2005

For additional information on wellness feel free to contact Dr. Jason Fowler www.lakestlouisdc.com

Santa Monica CA Headaches Specialist Dr. Lynn Kerew Can Help L. A. Residents Live Pain-free

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Santa Monica headaches and back specialist Dr. Lynn Kerew is a well-known chiropractor in the West Los Angeles area. Operating out of her offices in sunny Santa Monica she has gained a reputation for excellence in her field.

Chiropractors are often mistakenly thought of as “back doctors.” While it is true that treating back and neck problems is a big part of their practice, what people don’t understand is the importance of the spine to our overall health and well being.

Take headaches, for instance. What do they have to do with the spine? A little more understanding about the spine and spinal adjustment can clarify the issue.

Our spine is the structure that supports our nervous system, just as a freeway supports the flow of traffic. Our brain takes in information from the outside world and passes it to our bodies. Our bodies in turn feed information to our brain. If the “freeway” of the spine is out of alignment, the flow of information can become severely disrupted.

An extreme example of this is the herniated disc. Our vertabrae are separated from each other by discs which are vital for a number of reasons. If the spine is thrown out of alignment too much, the disc can “pop out” and press against the bundle of nerves that go down the spine.

The most common type of herniated disc occurs in the lower spine and causes terrible pain, often in one leg or the other. Your chiropractor can help re-align the spine and correct the problem or help minimize the chance of a herniated disc ever occurring.

Very often, headaches occur due to neck problems. A great deal of tension can build up in the neck area due to blockages caused by a variety of things, including posture and repetitive stress. We may not even be aware of it, but the repetition of certain activities such as working at a computer can contribute to these stress or tension headaches.

Santa Monica headaches and back specialist Dr. Lynn Kerew is aware of all of the problems that arise from spinal misalignment. If you are experiencing any unusual and persistent aches or pains, why not see if she can help? A consultation with a chiropractor may be your first step towards relief from any number of ailments.

Santa Monica headaches and back specialist Dr. Lynn Kerew is a well-known chiropractor in the West Los Angeles area. Operating out of her offices in sunny Santa Monica she has gained a reputation for excellence in her field. More info on http://lynnkerew.com

Santa Monica Headache Expert Helps Locals Relieve Pain Naturally With Chiropractic

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

There is only one difference between a Santa Monica headache and any other kind of headache: in Santa Monica, you can get help from Dr. Lynn Kerew. This Santa Monica Headache Expert helps locals relieve pain naturally with Chiropractic. She has a large following in the West L. A. Area and has been endorsed by top doctors in the area.

As a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Kerew can help you with many of your bodily aches and pains. Chiropractors with her skills and experience are able to relieve pain and tension in a variety of situations, using their special chiropractic techniques.

Spinal Subluxation – To the rest of us, spinal subluxation means that our backs are out of alignment. Dr. Kerew specializes in treating this problem and many people have been surprised and delighted to find that she has been able to help. She uses up-to-date techniques and equipment for the best possible results.

Neck pain – Many people get chronic neck pain from their everyday lives. Sitting and working at a computer terminal all day is one example. Then there are the neck pains that come from sporting, work or driving accidents. Dr. Kerew may be able to give you relief from your neck pains.

Hip and knee problems – Yes, a good chiropractic specialist like Dr. Lynn Kerew can help with these, too. In fact, you will be surprised to learn just how many of our aches and pains have their source in back problems we may never have been aware of!

If you live in the West Los Angeles area, why not make arrangements for a chiropractic examination with Dr. Kerew? She is located near the beach in beautiful Santa Monica, so take the afternoon off and treat yourself to a relaxing day at the beach while you’re at it! She will give you a thorough examination and treatment on the same day if you need it. If she feels you need the help of another specialist, she will refer you to them.

Santa Monica Headaches Expert helps locals relieve pain naturally with Chiropractic. She has a large following in the West L. A. Area and has been endorsed by top doctors in the area. More info now on http://lynnkerew.com

Los Gatos CA Chiropractor Eases Headaches Through Chiropractic

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Headache is one annoying ailment. The throbbing pain can cause numerous discomforts to the sufferer. Most often, headache is manifestation of a more serious ailment like migraine. Fortunately, they can refer this problem to Los Gatos CA Chiropractor for its effective management.

Headaches are due to various reasons like inflammation of muscles, compression of nerve or joint problems. The culprit is often in the muscular or spinal part of body which is what chiropractic treatment specializes on.

Chronic headaches are sometimes difficult to diagnose. Sometimes regular medicines cannot treat chronic headaches. This is the reason why you need the help of a chiropractor to get to the main cause of the problem. People find relief from their chronic ailments through chiropractic treatments.

Headaches may come from muscle inflammation specifically around the neck and back. If you maintain a single position for a prolong period of time like sitting in front of a computer, this could cause strain your neck muscles. Tension headaches occur in the process. That is why treatment of headaches is not complete without accompanying advice on how to maintain proper posture that will not strain neck and spinal column.

Injury or strain can also affect the nerve fibres which could cause headaches. Injuries often affect the muscles. These affect the spine causing misalignment to it. Headaches can result due to the compression of the nerves. Headaches could also stem from post-traumatic injuries. Chiropractic treatment can focus on the treatment of neck injury to prevent recurring headaches.

Chiropractic treatment must go hand-in-hand with lifestyle and posture changes in order to make the solution permanent. Chiropractic therapy does not only address the pain but treats the cause of it, providing the relief needed. Chiropractic therapy can do this in four ways. First, it traces the affected muscles, nerves or joints. Second, it provides techniques on how to manage stress. Third, it treats the neck and back. And finally, it offers advices on exercise and maintaining good posture.

Los Gatos CA Chiropractor can help ease headaches by maintaining the health of your spine.

Headache is one of the most annoying ailment there is. But headache could be a sign of deeper problem such as migraine. This complaint is actually commonly referred to even in Los Gatos CA Chiropractor. More info on http://www.drleahy.net

Do You Know Your Spinal IQ?

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Your IQ that is measured in school has to do with problem solving – mental gymnastics. Your spinal IQ also has to do with problem solving – these are “problems” of the physical kind.

How far to bend over to lift those grocery bags out of your car’s trunk? How much muscle force is necessary for you to pick up and carry your five-year-old child? What specific muscles are needed to maintain your “downward dog” position for 30 seconds in yoga class? How far can your back muscles stretch when you do a back bend at the ballet barre? These are the problems your spinal IQ tries to solve.

Spinal IQ is an inborn ability. Our bodies were designed for the rigors of physical work. They are very smart and very adaptable. One of our built-in control systems is the specialized set of nerve endings known as proprioceptors.

Proprioception is our internal awareness of position in three-dimensional space.1,2 This three-dimensional positioning allows us to keep our balance when we walk or run. Proprioception tells our muscles and joints how to work together to throw a baseball from third to first, to drive to the basketball hoop and sink a lay-up, or to hit a tennis ball to the corner of the opponent’s service box and win the point.

Proprioception is very important in spinal IQ. The spine is a complex system of bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments – a smart proprioception system helps all the parts work together smoothly and seamlessly.

To keep all the parts functioning we need to take an active role. In modern society, if we’re not proactive, it is easy for our bodies to break down. Two key strategies for maintaining high levels of spinal IQ are regular strenuous exercise and regular chiropractic check-ups.

Exercise helps our bodies stay smart.3 When we exercise, our joints are mechanically stressed and challenged throughout their complete ranges of motion. This activity stimulates proprioceptors – training them to do their job well and building new and stronger connections between nerve cells. Exercise also builds muscle strength and flexibility. In the process the muscles are getting smarter, too.

Chiropractic care can enhance the benefits of your exercise program by helping ensure optimal functioning of your spine and nerve system. With regular chiropractic care, your proprioceptive system is optimized and your body’s ability to adapt to physical challenges is restored.

Your chiropractor will be glad to assist you in designed an exercise program that will work for you, helping you to improve your spinal IQ and your health.

1Armstrong B, et al: Head and neck position sense. Sports Med 38(2):101-117, 2008 2Chow DH, et al: Changes in spinal curvature and proprioception of schoolboys carrying different weights of backpack. Ergonomics 50(12):2148-2156, 2007 3Akuthota V, et al: Core stability exercise principles. Curr Sports Med Rep 7(1):39-44, 2

For additional information on health feel free to contact Dr. Jason Fowler www.lakestlouisdc.com