Cluster Headaches Treatment

It's said that migraines are very painful but a cluster headaches can top this. Cluster headaches are also sometimes described as "suicide headaches" because of their sudden and extremely painful attacks which can last anywhere between five minutes and three hours. Another disturbance is the fact, that cluster headaches often come in the night at the same time, waking you up with a severe pain. The pain is usually unilateral behind or above the eye and often goes together with other symptoms like a dropped eyelid, pupil changes and nasal congestion.

Cluster headaches are not migraines but both are vascular headaches. Other types of headaches are myogenic/musculare (tension-typed), traction and inflammatory headaches which are usually much less aching. The causes are unknown but it's believed that migraines and cluster headaches derive from the dilution of the blood vessels. While the brain itself can't feel any pain, the widening of the arteries can cause pain. It's assumed that the dilated arteries put pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

As cluster headaches often happen the same time each day there is also the theory that they are caused by a hypothalamus abnormality. The hypothalamus controls our biological clock.

While treatments that narrow the arteries again bring relief with migraines, the most common painkillers for this purpuse like Aspirin, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen have no effect on cluster headaches. Triptans like sumatriptan and zolmitriptan or the newer medications like fentanyl are more effective but cluster headaches happen so quickly that any oral treatment will come too late. That's why an injection is one of the few ways to treat a cluster headache quickly.

A very fast and efficient therapy is the oxygen therapy. When you inhale pure oxygen immediately when the headache starts, you could stop cluster headaches in the beginning. If no oxygen is in reach then a strong exercise has shown to have similar effects.

There are some other differences between cluster headaches and migraines. Cluster headaches affect more men than women while more women have migraines. Migraines can come with a so called aura, some additional neurological disturbances which precede the migraine like vision disturbance or a tickling in hands or arms. A migraine even can come just with the aura and no head pain at all. Relaxation brings relief with migraines but with cluster headaches an intensive exercise brings relief while relaxation worsens the pain. A migraine can take hours or the whole day while the cluster headache comes in several sudden attacks and then can disappear for weeks or even months.

You should consult with your doctor to find he best possible treatment. Cluster headaches are more difficult to treat than migraines.

Andrew C. Povel is an expert in headaches and migraines and provides detailed information on cluster headaches at his web site www.HeadacheABC.com

Headache - Common Problem

Simply means Head pain

As seen per clinical data, it is among the most common reasons for people to seek Medical attention. The causes may vary and it may be primary problem itself or may be Secondary to other causes.

Anatomy And Physiology Of Headache

- Head pain is produced once the peripheral pain receptors are stimulated in response to tissue injury, distension and other factors

- Pain producing structures in skull are -scalp, middle meningeal artery and dural sinus

- Ventricular ependymal, choroid plexus and muscles of brain parenchyma are insensitive to pain

Structures Involved in are:-

- Large Intracranial vessels and Dura

- Peripheral terminals of Trigeminal nerve that innervate the structure.

- Caudal portion of Trigeminal nucleas

- Pain modulatory systems in the brain that receive input from trigeminal nociceptors

Classification:

According to the International Headache Society:

Primary:-

- Migraine

- Tension Headache

- Cluster Headache

- Idiopathic headache

- Exertional

Secondary:-

- Systemic Infections- Meningitis, Typhoid, encephalitis, UTI etc

- Head Injuries

- Vacular disorders

- Subarachnoid hemorrhage

- Brain Tumor

Headache Symptoms sometimes suggest serious underlying disorders. It is time to seek medical help when following features appear with headache.

- It is the worst headache ever

- First Severe Headache

- Mild but worsening over days and weeks

- Loss of function of any body parts

- Fever with headache

- Vomiting preceding headache

- Headache when causes blurring of vision

Most of the headaches are simple and are relieved by simple Analgesics, Sleep or Rest.

For more severe ones more potent Analgesics may be required.

Eye problems like Refractive error commonly give rise to Headaches, Sinusitis is another common cause and can cause severe headache. Stress may cause office headache which is mild to start with but gets aggravated in the afternoon and remains for days to weeks. It gives you the sensation of a band like pressure around the head. It is relieved by rest, ananlgesis and antispasmodics, yoga or any thing that relieves stress.

A peculiar symptom of headache is that of a Brain tumor. It is a mild constant type of headache or feeling of tightness in the head due to raised Intracranial pressure. It remains for weeks. Usually it is associated with vomiting in the morning and later neurological defects may appear as the tumor progress such as- blindness, facial palsy, paralysis of hand etc.

So, Headache although a common problem can be a sign of something going wrong with in. Seeking Medical help in time and knowing the Headache well can lead to timely diagnosis of your problems and cure the source.

So know it so that you know when you need help.

Read about migraine by Dr. Sujit Shrestha in: http://medchrome.com/major/medicine/neurology/migraine-headache/

From the writer of Medchrome
http://www.medchrome.com

Herbal Headache and Migraine Remedies

So many people are looking for alternatives to drugs when it comes to treating their headaches. Herbal headache remedies can be quite effective if the right ones are chosen! In low doses, many herbs can help stop a headache if the headache is mild. Some are great for daily use to prevent headaches, while others can sooth the upset stomach.

Keep in mind, that a little goes a long way and many herbs used for pain and mood can interact with prescription drugs. Another thing to keep in mind that the FDA does not standardize herbal preparations in the US (as of yet). One way to insure your quality of herbs is to get them from a company that produces only organics and maintains standards.

Ginger

Ginger can be an excellent herbal remedy for that "wonderful" symptom of nausea. Proven throughout the years, ginger in many forms can help settle the stomach. Many people prefer to use ginger teas but keep in mind the earlier you can get the tea into you, the better off you will be. It is very difficult to swallow anything if full blown nausea and vomiting is going on!

It has these anti-nausea effects because it speeds digestion and increases saliva production. Also, it has some anti-inflammatory properties. If taken in large quantities it causes diaphoresis (excessive sweating). In centuries past ginger was used this way to break a fever by causing sweating.

Feverfew

Feverfew is well known to migraineurs as an herb headache preventative. It has gentle anti-inflammatory properties which may stop part of the migraine from progressing. Because of this it is also used for arthritis.Feverfew can take up to 3 months to be effective in migraine. Too many times, people will tell me the herb was not effective and come to find out, they took it for only two or three weeks.

Feverfew should NOT be taken if you are pregnant as it runs the risk of causing bleeding.

Children and adolescents tend to respond faster and better to feverfew than adults do.

Butterbur

Gaining attention recently as one of the herbal headache remedies, Butterbur is showing promise in this area. Like feverfew, clinical trials have been conducted and have shown up to a 50% reduction in headaches in those taking Butterbur.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne is available in a nasal spray to treat headache. YUK you say! Spray this up my nose? Well, true it hasn't been proven yet but there is a method to the madness! Capsician is the key ingredient here and when sprayed up the nose it hits a nerve plexus at the back. This nerve "talks" to the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for migraine.

Unfortunately, the effect wears off soon which is why it hasn't been too successful..oh that and the possible burning sensation!

Ginko

I am mentioning ginko because there is some "buzz" in the headache community about this herb. Ginko has been promoted for memory with the idea it increases blood flow to the brain. While it doesn't affect blood vessels, it DOES thin the blood which could improve flow.

That's all well and good, but it has no effect on headaches or migraines. In fact if you take it with feverfew and aspirin you could run the risk of microscopic hemorrhages in the brain. So it is best to leave this one alone when it comes to headache treatment.

Herbs for Sleep and Anxiety

One of the problems many headache sufferers complain of is sleep problems. Use of Valarian and Camomille before bed has been shown to have some relaxing properties. Regular exercise before bed can also help to calm the nerves, and who knows? Maybe a cup of Valarian tea will help! Read more about sleep and headaches.

Many herbal supplements are very effective for migraine prevention and other types of headache. Remember to ask your practitioner first before combining these items with any prescription medications that you are taking for migraine.

Mary K. Betz, MS RPA-C is a practicing Physician Assistant in neurology who specializes in headache medicine at a large headache center. She has suffered from migraines for over thirty years and now teaches people how to take charge of headaches by learning more at http://www.headache-adviser.com

Migraine - Or is Nerve Damage Causing Your Headache?

Millions of people suffer from headaches. This often causes missed work days. less productive days, and less enjoyable days. Migraine is a specific intracranial vascular headache. Many use the term mistakenly to describe other types of headaches. There are many other causes of headache and many of these can be caused by nerve dysfunction.

The occipital nerve is a large nerve in the neck. It can be damaged by such things as whiplash injuries and improper patient positioning during oral surgery. Occipital neuralgia causes pain in the back of the head but this can be referred to other areas. This is because the ganglion interconnects with the trigeminal ganglion in the brain stem. Throbbing is often associated with this type of headache because of proximity to the occipital artery.

The auriculotemporal nerve is located near the ear and the top of the jaw on both sides. Common headaches with problems to this nerve are temple headaches. This nerve is commonly damaged in TMJ surgery. it is usually pounding because it is near the temporal artery.

Another nerve that can cause problem is compression of the ethmoid nerve in the sinuses. An ear nose and throat doctor can diagnosis this problem by seeing if the patient has tenderness when using the instrument commonly used to explore the sinuses.

Another type of neuralgia that can be found involves the supraorbital nerve and can be caused by a head hitting a windshield or a punch to the front of the head. Treatment and diagnosis involves injection of local anesthetic with steroid. The headache can sometimes take years before it starts to present problems.

The infraorbital nerve can also cause problems and is often misdiagnosed as maxillary sinusitis.

Nerve problems causing headaches are different than migraines and need to be treated as such. Diagnosis is made by injection of local anesthetic into the nerve that seems to be the problem. Treatment is directed at reversing the underlying pathology. Entrapments are treated with injectable anti inflammatory medications. Always remember you can't treat what you can't diagnosis. Patients as well as doctors need to be proactive in finding a potential source for chronic headaches.

Shawn Thomas writes about serious complications and pain brought on by his wisdom teeth removal To learn more please visit http://www.teethremoval.com

How to Get Rid of Headaches

Headaches and Serotonin

Some event, we're not sure what, triggers the trigeminal nerve (located in the brain stem, its branches run to your face) which releases a burst of chemicals signaling pain. Usually, these stimulate the a release of serotonin, a substance which counteracts the pain signals. The people who get headaches are those whose serotonin reaction is slow.

Two problems that trouble many headache sufferers are depression and sleep disorders which are also serotonin related. Frequently, when people diagnosed with depression begin treatment with medications called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's), the frequency and severity of their headaches disappear.

Serotonin, however, does not provide a full explanation of where headaches come from. More research is needed before we will have a complete understanding of the underlying processes.

There is a possibility your headaches are an effect of an ailment in another part of your body. If you suffer from headaches regularly you should consult your doctor, who will probably prescribe a battery of tests before making a diagnosis.

Keep a Headache Log

The best way to deal with headaches is to prevent them, and you can do that by identifying and eliminating those things which trigger your headaches. To identify your headache triggers, keep a headache diary. Whenever you feel a headache coming on, record this data:

* The time of onset.

* Where you were.

* What you were doing.

* Who you were with.

* The location of the headache in your head.

* How you were feeling (hot, cold, angry, sad, happy, anxious, hungry, etc.).

* When and what you last ate.

* Any ideas about what you think may have triggered the headache.

* What you did/will do to relieve the pain, and how it worked.

* What medications you were on and the dosage.

* When the headache ended.

Estimate, on a scale of 1-to-10, the amount of pain you felt when the headache was at its worst.

From this diary, you should begin to see a pattern. Perhaps a certain type of food, a particular person in your life, or perhaps they occur at the same times every day. Any patterns you find may help you identify the problem. Share your diary with your doctor, who may also be able to discern patterns you cannot and identify the source.

What Types of Things Can Cause a Headache?

* Emotions: Chronic headache sufferers are more prone to stress and anxiety, emotions which seem to reduce immunity to pain.

* Diet: Certain substances such as nitrites, tyramine, MSG, alcohol, caffeine, high doses of vitamins, and lack of water can trigger headaches.

* Medications: Nitroglycerin, drugs for hypertension, blood thinners, ulcer treatments, antiseizure drugs, and oral contraceptives.

* Environmental factors: You may be living or working in a place that exposes you to odors, glare, noise, stress, or other factors that can trigger headaches.

* Eating and Sleeping Patterns: Missing meals, getting too much or too little sleep.

* Strains: Straining eye, neck, or shoulder muscles.

* Hormones

* Physical exertion

Laugh Your Headache Away

Once you have a better idea of what it is that triggers your headaches, take action. Here are some things that may reduce the number of headaches or even stop them in their tracks:

- Laugh more. It stimulates the release of serotonin.

- Get counseling.

- Let family and friends know what triggers you headaches.

- Learn how to relax.

- Avoid foods that appear to trigger headaches.

- Reduce alcohol and coffee consumption.

Want to know more? You can read more tips on How to get rid of Headaches plus information to get rid of practically anything else that ails you - from bad breath to telemarketers to cellulite - at http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com

SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device: Review

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Before we get into the review, let me give you a summary: what the SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device does, it does very well.  Better than anything else I’ve seen.

No, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.  But let’s take a close look at it – step by step – and you can draw your own conclusions.

The SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device (from here on in we’ll call it the SootheAway CTT Device) comes from a company called Innovative Medical Equipment, founded by Dr. Bahman Guyuron.  Dr. Guyuron has specialized in various types of surgery in the USA and Canada for many years, most significantly plastic surgery and maxillofacial surgery, as well as surgery for migraine.  It’s appropriate that his company has created a natural treatment that can both help with pain from surgery, and perhaps even help patients avoid surgery.

So what is the point of this device anyway?  The SootheAway CTT Device is designed to fight pain by providing constant heating or cooling.  I know what you’re thinking – give me a heating pad, an ice pack, or an old sock filled with rice!  Why would I want a machine when something simple can do the job?

There’s a very good reason why you might want this device.  Think about it – what’s the problem with some of those other heat/cool solutions you mentioned?

Well, first you have to heat/cool them.  Then you have to use them quick while they’re still hot/cold.  Either they start too hot or too cold, or they cool/warm too fast.  Then you’ve got all that condensation on the ice pack.  Sometimes it won’t conform to the part of your body you need it for.  And before you know it you have to stick it back in the freezer or microwave.

The SootheAway CTT Device provides – again – a constant temperature.  Let’s see exactly how it works and you’ll see what I mean.

I’m going to go all through the use of the SootheAway CTT Device so that you know exactly what to expect.

Setup is very easy.  However, if possibly I suggest you set it up ahead of time, before you have a blinding migraine attack.  Have it all set up and handy, so that you can use it right away when you’re in pain.

That being said, I decided to wait until I did have a migraine attack.  And it was still easy to set up.

The SootheAway CTT Device comes with one or more "pads".  Each of these focuses on one or more areas of the body.  I used different ones at various times, because I commonly have pain in more than one area.

 There’s a universal relief pad (excellent for joints, back, stomach, etc) (this is the rectangular one to the left), an injection relief pad (meant mainly for physicians to use before treatments such as Botox injections), and coming soon a shoulder/knee pad.

But there are three other pads that you’re more likely to use for headache or migraine pain.  First, a front and side head relief pad, covering of course your forehead and down the sides.  This one is not only good for headache pain, but also jaw/TMD/TMJ pain.  Next, the back of head (occipital region).

 Finally, the eye and sinus pad (padded), that goes over the eyes.  You may find one or all of these is useful during a headache or migraine attack.

Now, let’s set it up…

You take one pad and connect it (push and twist) to the main SootheAway CTT Device.

Add water here

Next, you put some distilled water into the reservoir (an extremely small amount.  One bottle of distilled water may be all you’ll need for months/years).  There’s a min/max indicator to guide you.

That’s it!  Your device is all set up.  Now, let’s use it.

I like devices that are simple to use.  This one is very simple.  First, push ON/OFF to turn it on.  Now, choose whether you want heat or cool (by pressing either "HEAT" or "COOL".  See what I mean?).

Now you can choose the level of heat or cool you want (by pressing + or -).

You choose a temperature between 1 and 10 – 10 being the coolest/hottest, 1 being just slightly cool/hot.

You may want to wait 10 minutes for the temperature to stabilize, but once you’re used to the device you’ll find that it begins to be warm/cool right away, so most often I put the pad on immediately.

So, once you’ve set the temperature, you put the pad on your head (or wherever the pain is) and adjust it using the Velcro straps (note – these pads will also provide gentle pressure – as much or as little as you want, while keeping your hands free.  This alone is a huge benefit).  Then – relax!

As I said at the beginning, for what it’s intended to do, it does it well – very well.  How does it work?  Well, the distilled water is circulated through small tubes in the pads (see left).  That way, the pad stays at a constant temperature.

If you’ve tried heating pads, ice packs, and so on, you’ll find that this is all the benefits with none of the problems.  The temperature does stay constant – you don’t need to move it around, turn it over, refreeze it or wipe it off.  It just keeps steadily cool.

That means that it provides much better pain relief than an ice pack.  In fact, it’s amazing.

But you said it wasn’t perfect – what’s the problem?

Well, let’s look at some of the pros and cons, as I see them.

Cons:  It’s big.  You do have to put it somewhere.  All right, not huge, but when you have those tubes, a pad or two, and the main machine, you can’t just stick it in your bedside table.

Secondly, it makes noise.  Not much – and it’s just a hum.  Now it’s just white noise, which some people with migraine like anyway (since it blocks out other noises and can help you sleep).  The noise wasn’t enough to bother me, but it’s there.

Also, the lights on it are very bright – why?  Just put some electrical tape over those hot and cold lights, and you’re ok.  (Now you know I really had a migraine when I tried it – and I tried it a few times) 

The price will be a problem for some.  The SootheAway CTT Device is now selling for US$299 (with one pad).  You’ll have to think about whether or not you have pain often enough to invest.  Hopefully I’m helping you make an informed decision.

Note:  There are some tips for working with your insurance company on the website.  Make use of those ideas!

Also, to be fair, the device has a 30 day money back guarantee, which means you can try it without risking the money.

Finally, the company does recommend you take it off after 30 minutes, and wait 10-15 minutes before putting it on again.  Actually, I’m not even sure this is a con.  It worked so well that a 10-15 minute break wasn’t a problem for me.  Just want to let you know all the details.

Pros:  One thing I was concerned about was how these tubes would interfere with movement/sleep/etc.  But they’re solidly attached and well built.  I tried working while using a pad, and resting/lying down, and sitting up – no problem.  Everything is long enough to give you space to move, and nothing is going to come undone.

Very easy to use.  And easy to adjust.  Some people like alternating heat/cold… no problem.  If it’s not cool enough, or becomes too cool, no problem.  The temperature is very easy to adjust slightly.

Various pads for various types of pain.  In fact, during the time I was testing the SootheAway CTT device, my doctor prescribed some heat treatment for something other than headache.  Even though I didn’t have a pad exactly the right size or shape, I turned one up-side down and it worked just fine.  It’s very very versatile.

But the ultimate pro of the SootheAway CTT Device is the reason it was created – it provides a consistent, constant cooling or heating to fight pain.  If you have something else that works as well, let me see it.  Otherwise, I have to give the SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device the gold medal!

Admittedly, if you’ve only have muscle, joint or head pain once or twice in your life, you may be reluctant to invest in such a professional unit.  However, if you’re dealing with pain more often, and you’ve found that heat/cold therapy is a help, you’ll probably find that the SootheAway CTT Device will work ten times better than anything you’ve used before, with less hassle.  This may mean that it’s not equally useful for all your attacks – some will respond better than others.

Though it’s not for everyone, if you do deal with migraine pain, muscle inflammation, joint pain, and so on, it’s worth serious investigation (which is why I’ve taken the time to give a detailed review!).  The SootheAway CTT Device provides a lot of relief with no drugs, and no continuous cost (remember, drugs and massages and treatments usually involve an ongoing investment – this device is a one-time investment).

For me, I found that the SootheAway CTT Device was easy to use, and really did provide a lot of relief – relief that even continued after I had stopped using it.  I’m happy to see natural therapy devices like this that really work, and work well.

Have you tried the SootheAway CTT Device?  Leave a comment and share your experiences!

The SootheAway Continuous Thermal Therapy Device Website
SootheAway CTT Device on amazon

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Telcagepant to be Sublingual

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On Monday the announcement came from Global Health Ventures, Inc., that they would be developing a sublingual version of migraine drug telcagepant.

Telcagepant, a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, has had a rocky beginning.  Hailed in 2008 as the beginning of a new era in migraine treatment, the trials faltered over concerns about preventative use.  Researchers were concerned when some patients developed high levels of liver enzymes (transaminases).

The drug’s developer, Merck, was cautious about the continued development of the drug, even as an abortive.  Then, earlier this year, they announced that they would continue safety trials.

This past Monday, Global Health Ventures in Vancouver Canada, expressed their confidence in the future of telcagepant by announcing their commitment to developing a sublingual version.  A special type of sublingual technology is one of the specialties of the company.

Global Health Ventures Inc. (the “Company”), a Specialty Pharma with focus on sublingual drug delivery, is pleased to announce that, it has initiated the development of a sublingual formulation of Telcagepant. Telcagepant is believed to be a powerful anti-migraine drug developed by Merck & Company. The drug blocks the recently discovered clacitonin-gene related hormone receptor (CGRP), a powerful vasodilator protein believed to be a key player in migraine.
…read more

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1% Thursday: Money Matters

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This week, it’s time to take a look at one of our favourite topics: money and health.  All right, maybe we don’t like talking about it… but we need to.

Specifically, we need to talk about what money we have available to deal with health issues.

There are no easy answers here, but the first step is at least thinking about it and being aware.

First, what insurance to you have?  Do you know what it covers?  What it doesn’t cover?  Deductibles?  What about eyesight, dentistry, complimentary treatments?  How do you contact your insurance company?  Do you need to talk to them before you get certain types of treatment?

Great.  Now that you know those basic things, write them down and keep them handy.

All right, now it’s decision time.  Do you need more insurance?  Better insurance?

Another option is to put together a forced savings account that sets aside a little money each week or month for medical purposes.

No, these things won’t solve all your financial problems in an instant.  You may frankly find that you don’t have nearly enough money to do what you would like to do.  But now at least you’ll be aware of where you’re at and where you might like to be, and you will have taken one step in the right direction.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better.  Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge.  Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!

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Headache Prevention - Cluster Headaches - What You Can Do?

Cluster headaches are experienced as often as migraines but as any sufferer knows they are extremely painful. However there are some steps you can take for relief.

Whilst the cause of clusters is unknown, what happens to you is that something causes your blood vessels to dilate and this swelling puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve

Your trigeminal nerve is the largest of the facial nerves and extends from your brain all the way through your brain stem.

Sometimes cluster headaches are confused with migraines. However there are a couple of important differences.

1. Migraines are more often experienced by women, and you can get relief from lying down.

2. Cluster headaches are more often experienced by men and are helped by remaining upright and active.

Many people experience cluster headaches in the cooler months; this is autumn (Fall) for some and winter in colder climates.

As with any head pain proper diagnosis needs to be performed to rule out any serious pathology.

I encourage clients to keep a record or other health issues i.e. do you have sleep problems, do you snore, are your sleep cycles irregular. What other health issues are existing? Any of these need to be addressed

Why are these issues important?

As mentioned earlier cluster headaches have an unknown cause, whenever I am confronted with such a condition then its back to basics.

1. Check digestive function and address any problems. Digestive problems can allow micro food particles to enter the blood stream, your immune system will respond and the result can be headaches. If it doesn't help at least you will have a healthy gut.

2. Detox the gut and the liver. I have had great success with detox in reducing the frequency and severity of all kinds of headaches. Think of your liver a s big filter, if the filter is blocked then your whole system is affected. This is a simplistic explanation, but again I speak from results.

3. Scnenar treatment is a standard part of my therapy, google Scnenar and find a local practitioner. The idea is to support the entire spinal column and spinal nerves, in doing so the trigeminal nerve is treated and an overall improvement to health is experienced

4. Keep a diary of your headaches noting any factors that are potentially involved in the preceeding days. The most effective way is to keep a regular diary, so that you can look back and see patterns, which may include work routines, family activities and general. You will need to be do some detective work

5. I always include magnesium, 2 teaspoons per day. You may have to divide the dose as sometimes magnesium can upset you stomach.

and now for your free information on headache prevention go to http://www.livingwellpublications.com/wellness/headache-prevention/

For more info on headaches go to http://www.preventheadachetips.com/

Migraine Headaches and Aromatherapy

Migraines are less common than tension-type headaches but represent a much larger health problem. In North America, about 1 in 5 females and 1 in 15 males suffer migraine attacks of varying frequency and severity. The condition is considered to be chronic if migraines are experienced for 15 days or more a month. Intense head pain is the hallmark of migraines but they are much more than this.

The migraine experience

There are five phases to a migraine attack. Victims of migraine may not experience every phase but will tend to experience the same phases each time.

The prodrome phase affects more than half of all migraine victims and precedes the headache phase by several hours or even days. Symptoms may include a dramatic change in mood, a heightened sensitivity to light, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea or any other significant change from normal well being. Every migraine victim, or migraineur as they are called, will experience their own particular symptoms. Recognizing the prodrome symptoms provides an opportunity for early abortive treatment.

The aura phase affects about 20% of migraineurs. The symptoms are neurological and can be quite frightening. They develop gradually over 5 to 20 minutes and usually last less than an hour. The aura phase is named after the most common type of symptom which is a disturbance of vision. This may involve flashing lights, dazzling zigzag lines, blurred, cloudy or shimmering vision, tunnel vision or even a zone of visual loss. Other symptoms include a tingling sensation moving from one hand up the arm and into one side of the face, auditory or olfactory hallucinations, vertigo, difficulty in communicating and hypersensitivity to touch. Migraines with an aura are referred to as classic migraines and those without an aura are called common migraines.

The pain or headache phase usually begins within an hour or so after the aura phase has ended. Head pain with migraines is much more intense than with tension-type headaches and at its worse can be almost unbearable. It typically occurs on one side of the head and tends to be a throbbing kind of pain. Other typical symptoms include nausea and vomiting and an abnormal, distressing sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and touch. Some sufferers may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, trembling, cold sweats or poor balance. The pain phase usually lasts between 4 hours and 3 days. Migraines are often made worse by physical activity and for many, a migraine attack is so debilitating that they are bed ridden during the pain phase.

The resolution phase occurs when the head pain gradually subsides over a period of several hours.

The postdrome phase has been called the migraine hangover phase. It can last as little as a few hours or as much as several days. During this time the migraine victim will feel tired and irritable, may have a queasy, sick stomach, have difficulty concentrating and may have sore muscles. Eventually even these symptoms subside as the body fully recovers.

What causes a migraine?

Although the exact cause of migraines has not been proven, the prevailing theory suggests that migraines are a genetically inherited neurological disorder involving the brain stem, the trigeminal nerve and the blood vessels on the surface of the brain.

Before the onset of pain there is a phenomenon call cortical spreading depression. CSD is a malfunction in the electrophysiology of the brain, in which a slowly expanding wave of depolarization depresses neurological activity over an area of the cortex. At the leading edge of the CSD there is a brief period of stimulated neuronal activity and this is thought to be the cause of the strange symptoms that occur during the aura.

At about the same time as the CSD occurs; parts of the brain stem become highly activated. This abnormal neuronal activity moves from the brain stem through the trigeminal nerve toward the blood vessels on the surface of the brain. Serotonin levels drop triggering the trigeminal nerve to release chemicals called neuropeptides. These cause the blood vessels to dilate and become inflamed which causes the intense pain.

This neurological disorder appears to be triggered by a multitude of environmental, dietary, and lifestyle conditions as well as hormonal changes and medications. Some triggers are fairly common but they can vary considerably between individuals. A change in estrogen level in the body is known to trigger a migraine which explains why more women suffer from migraines than men and why their migraines are often tied to their menstrual cycles.

Treatment and prevention of migraines

Migraines can not be cured and no medication exists at this time that is completely effective in relieving the symptoms. Living with migraines requires treatment to reduce symptoms during an attack and prevention to reduce the frequency of attacks. Some experimentation is needed to discover what works best for you. If you suffer from migraines you should seek professional medical help.

Your first priority should be prevention. It is easy to respond to a splitting headache but working to avoid the next headache takes a little dedication. Keep a diary and try to identify your headache triggers. Begin by researching and checking common triggers. Eliminating known triggers can be the most productive way to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Be more conscious of your health. Strive to maintain regular patterns for eating and sleeping and maintain a regimen of moderate exercise.

Medications called triptans are usually the first choice in treating migraines. They are designed to stop a migraine attack after the pain phase begins by stimulating serotonin to reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels. Triptans are effective in reducing the symptoms of typical migraines in the majority of patients but they may not work for unusually severe migraines. Triptans carry the risk of serious side effects and it taken too frequently will cause medication overuse headaches. They should not be used during pregnancy or if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition. They are an expensive medication for anyone not covered by a drug plan.

Aromatherapy - a complementary therapy

Few migraine sufferers are happy with results delivered by migraine medication alone and try alternative therapies to ease their discomfort. Aromatherapy is a good choice for a safe complementary therapy. Although some migraineurs with acute sensitivity to odors and touch can not use Aromatherapy, many have discovered that it delivers significant improvement in pain and nausea relief.

Several essential oils are effective in reducing headache pain but peppermint oil (menthe piperita) is the first choice. Clinical studies have shown that its analgesic effect is comparable to acetaminophen. It will also help to alleviate the nausea and can be used in conjunction with prescribed medications. Dilute a few drops of peppermint oil with carrier oil such as Jojoba or Almond and rub the blend into your temples, onto your forehead, or on the back of your neck at the hairline. Alternately you may inhale the peppermint by using a diffuser or a personal inhaler or by simply placing a few drops on a tissue.

Other essential oils worthy of consideration are Lavender, Rosemary, Roman Chamomile and Marjoram.

Ginger essential oil has been found to be very effective in reducing nausea and many find it to be very helpful during a migraine attack.

Migraines are a serious illness that can significantly disrupt your life. Always consult your doctor and try to find the treatment that works best for you.

You may find that Aromatherapy is an effective and safe complement to prescription migraine medication.

Marilyn Flook manages the Forever Fragrant website which promotes aromatherapy and natural products Tension-type headaches are less severe than migraines but they are much more common. Read how aromatherapy can ease the discomfort of tension-type headaches

1% Thursday: Cousin Mig Returns

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I was thinking this past week about some of the feedback I got from the post about Cousin Mig.  In fact, I still find myself using that analogy when it comes to my own migraine attack.

So I have a very simple suggestion for this week.  It’s this: talk about Cousin Mig.  Link to the article if you like.

If you use Twitter, you could tweet something like Cousin Mig came to visit today http://tinyurl.com/cousmig.  Or you could add to your facebook status: Missed the party last night thanks to Cousin Mig http://tinyurl.com/cousmig.  Or do the same in an email, or your instant message status.

Please note: The important thing is not linking to this post.  The important thing is helping people to understand the impact of migraine on your life.  If there’s another post or webpage somewhere out there that really says it for you, link to that.  Or write your own blog post, or Facebook note, and link to that.

However you do it, this week let’s show the world just how unwelcome Cousin Mig is – there’s a reason we don’t want him around any longer.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better.  Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge.  Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tagged as: 1% Thursday, Cousin Mig, migraine, one percent Thursday

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The Hidden Causes And Misconception About Headaches

Over-The-Counter Medication Treat The Cause Of Your Headache


It's not right that drug companies are hiding from you that the headache relieving drugs they advertise don't actually target the real cause of your headaches.

Here's the real deal...These pills cover up your headache by simply disabling your brain's ability to feel your headache. That's why your headache comes back when the pills wear off!

If you tore your rotator cuff and just took pills so you didn't have to feel the pain, the pain would come back when the pills wore off; in fact the pain might be worse.

If these medications actually treated the root cause of your headache, then shouldn't your headaches go away permanently? But they don't.

Really, these headaches meds, cover up your symptoms. The ACTUAL cause of your headaches remains untreated and that's why you keep suffering.



Headache Medication Can't Harm You


One thing many headache sufferers don't know about the drugs they take is that these pills are not 100% safe. In fact, a lot of the side effects you may experience are far worse than the headaches you're trying to cover up for a measly four hours of relief.

You see, the way these pills disable your ability to feel headaches is to disable a little hormone in your body that acts like a messenger to your brain. Of course, our bodies, being the highly tuned machines they are, have figured out how to use these hormones for more jobs than one. So if you disable the hormone from doing just one job, it will also not do all the other jobs in your body.

This can lead to all sorts of problems. You can get something as minor as a rash, or you can have sudden liver failure or kidney problems. Even aspirin has been linked to causing unknowing users to suffer from deadly hemoragghic strokes.

It gets worse...you see, the more often you take these medications, the more your risk will skyrocket!

Also, medication seldom increases your body's ability to respond to stress appropriately, and it usually decreases your body's natural ability to fight disease!



Stress Causes Headaches

Yes, stress is a part of living, but it is not the cause of headaches.

Have you ever heard of that saying, "only the strong survive" or "survival of the fittest"?

It's how your body adapts to stress that determines if "stress" will affect your health or how you feel.

So, in a minute, I will explain how you can quickly and easily increase your body's ability to adapt to stress.



Headaches Go Away On Their Own


Tony Robbins has a saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results."

If you truly want to get rid of your headaches, then you're going to have to try something different; something natural, and hopefully drug free...and equally important, something that is proven to work.

Obviously, you wouldn't still be reading this report if you weren't concerned about your headaches. So please, for your sake, don't drop the ball and not take action; because as you will in a moment discover, you will have a chance to end your headaches once-and-for-all.



All Doctors Know How To Treat Headaches


There's a saying that goes something like this..."If You're A Hammer, All You See Is Nails"

Hammers hit nails...M.D.'s prescribe medication.

Expecting a different approach from your medical doctor will only lead to disappointment. That's why I wrote this report - to help headache sufferers like you.

Before we go any further, let me stress to you that there is a place for medication, but more importantly, the cause of the problem must be identified because the wrong diagnosis = wrong care.

And, if your doctor's treatment fails, you'll probably get even stronger medications or, in an extreme case, your doctor will recommend surgery. Personally, I think there are times when surgery is the only option, but in terms of headaches, there are natural alternatives that many times, work a lot better without the risks associated with invasive treatments.

In fact, if you really want great results without all the risk of drugs, doesn't it make sense to try a natural solution first?



Your Problem Is Always Where Your Pain Is.


Even though you may be feeling your headaches in your sinuses or on the top of your head, that doesn't necessarily mean that is where the cause of the problem is located.

For instance, oftentimes people with a disc problem in their lower back get pain, numbness, or weakness in their legs, even if there's nothing physically wrong with their legs.

One of the most common causes of headaches that do NOT originate in the head is called a "Cervicogenic" headache.

"The Cervicogenic headache is a big word for a headache which has its origin in the area of the neck. The source of pain is found in structures around the neck which have been damaged. These structures can include joints, ligaments, muscles, and cervical discs, all of which have complex nerve endings. When these structures are damaged, the nerve endings send pain signals up the pathway from the upper nerves of the neck to the brain. During this process, they intermingle with the nerve fibers of the trigeminal nerve. Since the trigeminal nerve is responsible for the perception of head pain, the patient therefore experiences the symptoms of a headache."
- Dr. Peter Rothbart, M.D.


You May Have A "Cervicogenic Headache" !

If you answer "Yes" to any of these SIX questions...
"Has your neck ever experienced trauma?"


"Have you ever been in a car accident?"


"Have you ever played football or any other contact sports?"


"Have you experienced many 'minor' injuries?"


"Is your neck stiff or, at times, difficult to move?"


"As a child, did you experience a fall off the swing, porch, down stairs, or any other 'minor' incident?"

If you answered "YES" to at least ONE of the following questions, your headache may be caused by a hidden problem in your neck but there's good news...it can be corrected!!!

To learn more and correct neck problems before your pain gets worse, go to: www.arc4life.com.

Dr Matt Bellinger is a Chiropractor in Connecticut. He has written many articles on how to easily and naturaly relieve pain, and has helped hundred of patients in his clinic end their neck and back pain. He recommends specific pain relief and posture improving products at http://www.arc4life.com

Cluster Headaches

The headache is always unilateral, excruciating, and most uniquely, in timed attacks called "clusters." Cluster headaches are characterized by intense burning and boring pain, frequently located in or around one eye and temple and occasionally in one cheek or jaw. The affected eye is bloodshot and teary. The nostril on that side often becomes blocked and may run profusely. Other features can include reduced pupil size, a drooping eyelid and a flushed face. The pain swiftly intensifies within 5 to 10 minutes to a peak that typically persists for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Affected persons usually do not lie down during the attack because it usually worsens the pain. Cluster headaches have an abrupt onset and can happen at any time, but they most commonly occur two to three hours after falling asleep, usually during the phase of deep sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM). They usually last for less than two hours. The headaches can occur daily for days, weeks, or months before a remission period that can last weeks or years (episodic attacks), or can occur for a year or more without remission (chronic attacks). A chronic phase may begin after a period of episodic attacks.

Causes

The cause of cluster headaches is unclear, but may relate to a vascular headache disorder or a disturbance of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or chemical in the brain). Unlike migraine headaches, which more often affect women, cluster headaches predominantly affect men. While the basic cause of cluster headache is not known, current research links the expanding of blood vessels in the head with chemically active proteins found in nerve endings around blood vessels of the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve).

Symptoms

The first attack most frequently arises during adolescence or the early 20s. Many patients report that alcohol triggers an attack. Others report that stress, glare, or ingestion of specific foods may trigger an attack. There is usually no family history of similar headaches. A typical cluster headache starts suddenly and without warning. In half of the cases, the attack awakens the patient within two hours of falling asleep. The attack may begin with a sensation of pressure in the eye or temple. The pain is unilateral, constant and severe. The excruciating pain reaches a peak within 15 minutes. Individual attacks usually last less than two hours. Towards the end of the attack, the patient may experience additional paroxysms of stabbing pain superimposed on the constant severe pain. In contrast to patients with migraine headaches, patients with cluster headaches are restless, active, and even violent during attacks. Most apply pressure or cold to the painful area, and many attempt to keep the head low but avoid lying down, since this position can initiate and increase cluster headache pain.

Diagnosis

The physician should have little difficulty in diagnosing the condition. Nevertheless, some tests may be performed to exclude other ailments that cause similar pain; an aneurysm of the carotid artery in the head, a tumor made up of newly formed blood vessels, sinusitis, or glaucoma.

Treatment

The majority of patients with cluster headache can be controlled on medication. However, a small number of patients have a chronic form of cluster headache which is resistant to medical therapy and therefore very difficult to treat. Cluster headaches are resistant to analgesic painkillers because these drugs take effect slowly. Inhalation of 100 percent oxygen often provides relief. This may be the most effective treatment for frequent cluster headaches that occur primarily at night. Ergotamine tartrate in a suppository, tablet, injection, or aerosol form is an effective pain reliever for some people, but the dosage must be limited to avoid side effects, especially nausea. It may also be prescribed to prevent attacks.

Sumatriptan (Imitrex) has been demonstrated to be effective in migraine headaches and in acute cluster headache attacks. It is given as a subcutaneous injection at the start of an attack. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, may be prescribed if the cluster headaches are of recent onset or if there is a pattern of short attack episodes and long remissions. Side effects prohibit long-term use. About 60 percent of all persons with cluster headaches respond to methysergide maleate, which acts to relieve and prevent the attacks. It is used during periods of pain and is tapered off slowly during remission.

Lithium carbonate can be effective during a chronic phase of cluster headaches; then the dosage is tapered to avoid side effects. Calcium channel blocking agents, such as verapamil, are effective for the prevention of cluster headaches in many people. Different types of surgery have been used over the years to treat chronic cluster headaches, but those which deaden the pain-sensitive cells of the fifth cranial nerve have worked best.

Use of radiofrequency heating by means of a needle that deadens the trigeminal root nerve fibers may be effective, with fewer side effects than other invasive procedures. However, this therapy is usually used only after all other treatment has failed.

Questions

Are any other tests going to be performed to exclude other possible disorders causing the headaches? What is the cause of the headaches? What medication will you prescribe? What are the side effects? What impact can certain food and/or drinks have on these headaches? Will these episodes ever cease altogether? Are there any other measures that can be used to decrease the discomfort during an episode?

Mike Freije Health Shop Owner

http://www.health-shop.info

[http://www.health-shop.biz]

Migraine and Heart Disease: 7 Critical Things to Know Now

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Another large study was just released confirming the link between migraine and heart disease.  If you have migraine, what do these studies mean for you?  What can you do about it?

The most recent study was a large one, published last month in the online British Medical Journal.  And it focused on mortality.  People who suffer from migraine with aura do seem to be at an increased risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.

And this isn’t the first time this link has been seen.  In 2006 we talked about a study suggesting that men with migraine were at increased risk of heart disease, including heart attack.  Another 2006 study again indicated migraine with aura being a risk factor for a “event” related to cardiovascular disease.  More information has surfaced this year confirming the connection, and researchers are working to find out why the link is so strong.

So what difference does this make to you as a migraine patient?  Here are 6 critical things you need to know: Your risk from migraine, even migraine with aura, is still fairly low.  There is no information to suggest that your risk skyrockets because you have migraine – it only increases your risk.  This means that you need to be just as concerned about other risk factors, and make sure you’re eating healthy, getting exercise, and getting regular checkups.Migraine is serious.  That being said, this is only another reason that migraine is a serious disease.  You need to treat migraine, properly, not just put up with it.  Though we don’t know how much it will help your cardiovascular health to halt or slow your migraine attacks, it is part of the big picture.Don’t panic every time you get an attack.  This link does not mean that a specific migraine attack will lead to a stroke or heart attack.  Migraine has an impact on your whole life, not just those times when you’re having an attack.  People with migraine are generally different physiologically and genetically.  Though there has been a rare link between ongoing, severe migraine and cardiovascular events, it’s very rare.  And if you’re having unusual or worse-than-normal migraine symptoms, you should see a doctor right away anyway.Watch for symptoms.  Do watch for symptoms of both migraine and heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and so on.  For headache/migraine – any time you have changed symptoms, new symptoms, or worst-ever symptoms, you need to see your doctor right away.  For heart disease, here’s a great place to start – Symptoms of Heart Disease and Stroke Symptoms.Make sure your doctor knows your medical history.  Risk factors for stroke and heart disease – including migraine – can add up.  If your only risk factor were migraine, it might not ever be a problem.  But what if you also have a strong family history, and you smoke?  Then your doctor (not knowing about these risk factors) prescribes a medication that further increases your risk?  Make sure your doctor has the information she needs!Lower your risk.  Yes, this is added motivation to lower your risk – keep your weight at a healthy level, be active, eat well, avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, avoid legal drugs – and have your migraine treated properly, by a specialist.Hope!  There’s actually good news in all this.  The link is being researched, and we’re learning new things about both migraine and cardiovascular health.  This also means we’re learning about treatments – how to better use the treatments available to us, and how to develop better ones.  Far from being a reason to panic, this can be another reason to fight migraine and believe the battle can be won.Popularity: 2% [?]

Tagged as: cardiovascular disease, heart attack, heart disease, migraine, migraine and heart disease, migraine with aura, stroke

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Headaches

Many people experience headaches from time to time. But there are people who experience them more often, and the pain is more excruciating than what most people feel.

A headache is a condition of mild to severe pain in the head. Sometimes the pain seems to come from the upper back or at the neck. Most headaches are due to tension, migraine or a combination of the two.

There are three types of headaches: primary headaches, secondary headaches, and neuralgias. Pimary headaches include migraine, tension,, cluster and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Meanwhile, under secondary headaches that are attributed to the following included head and/or neck trauma, cranial or cervical vascular disorder, non-vascular intracranial disorder, infection, disorder of cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cranial structure, and psychiatric disorders. The last type includes cranial neuralgias, central and primary facial pain and other headaches.

There are several treatment options for these headaches. The first is abortive treatment, which is used to reduce headaches once they start. This includes medications like ergotamine, triptans and the newest class of abortives. The second is prophylactic treatment that is meant only to prevent headaches from occurring. This includes calcium channel blockers, serotonin antagonists and beta-blockers. Aside from these two, other headache treatments include over-the-counter pain medications, prescription medications and lifestyle changes.

Headaches may seem very mild for some people, that is why all they need is a pain reliever. But if you are one of those who experience more pain from these headaches, you should consult your physician at once to determine the type of headache from which you suffer. Series of tests will be conducted in order to arrive at the best treatment that will work for your type of headache.

Headaches provides detailed information on Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Frequent Headaches, Cluster Headaches and more. Headaches is affiliated with Migraine Headaches.

Prevent Headaches Caused By A Common Prescription Drug

A zofran headache is a common side effect of the prescription drug zofran. This drug is used to prevent nausea and vomiting in a variety of patients. It is used a lot with chemotherapy patients and is given post-op to decrease the risk of nausea from anesthesia. It has also been prescribed for severe nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

But why does the medication cause zofran headaches? We need to look at the way zofran works to understand. It is in a class of drugs called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. These drugs will block the action of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain thought to trigger nausea and vomiting. Zofran will reduce the serotonin, therefore reducing the liklihood of nausea and vomiting.

A headache is thought to begin in the trigeminal nerve, which is located in the brain stem. This nerve carries sensory impulses to and from the face. When stimulated, this nerve will signal the release of serotonin. The serotonin acts as a filter to screen out unimportant signals and will admit signals that demand attention, such as your name being called, a baby's cry or an unusual sound that could mean danger. The more serotonin present, the greater the screening action. The serotonin will also counteract pain signals in the nerve to reduce headaches. Studies has shown that when given a drug that depletes the serotonin in your brain a headache can result. Since zofran is in the class of drugs that deplete serotonin, it would be reasonable to assume that it could cause a zofran headache.

If you are taking zofran and are having zofran headaches there are a few things that you can do to help. First of all, get plenty of sleep. The more rested you are the better your body may be able to adapt to the medication. Try to maintain a consistent sleep pattern, going to bed and awakening at the same time every day, even on weekends. Drink plenty of fluids to keep well hydrated. Take over the counter headache medicine after taking zofran, if allowed. This may help to counteract the zofran headache. Check with your doctor first to see which headache medicine he recommends.

Zofran has been called a miracle drug by a lot of people, especially people with cancer and pregnant women. It has enabled them to carry on a normal life despite the challenges of their disease or condition. Always make your doctor aware of any side effect that you may be experiencing from your medications. Let him know of any other medications that you may be taking also, including vitamins and herbs. If nausea and vomiting is severe and zofran is the only medication that helps, a zofran

headache [http://www.relieve-headaches.com/articles/zofran-headaches.html] may be a small price to pay for some relief.

Do you want to learn more about how to alleviate various types of headaches? I have just completed my brand new guide to headache prevention, ‘99 Everyday Secrets for Treating (and Preventing) Headaches‘

Download it free here: Headache Prevention

Are you or a loved one suffering from adderal headaches?? Click here: Adderal Headaches [http://www.relieve-headaches.com/articles/adderal-headaches.html]

Brian Mullis is a full time marketer who has written over 47 articles in niches that I have personal experience in.

Botox, Surgical Decompression and Migraine Headache Relief

The treatment of migraine headache patients by Botox injections has been shown to be effective in specific patients who have identifiable triggers of the supraorbital and supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, greater occipital, and septal trigeminal nerves. The temporary relief from Botox has led to the concept that relieving pressure on the nerves by muscle resection (surgical decompression) can subsequently be effective and may provide a more long-term solution to the migraine problem. Since Botox relaxes muscles around the nerve, the concept of nerve decompression through muscle resection is a logical transition. The use of Botox then becomes a qualifier to determine if nerve decompression is likely to be successful.

Surgical decompression of migraines, pioneered by plastic surgeon Dr. Guyuron in Cleveland, has shown that a high percentage of carefully-chosen patients may benefit. (> 90%) The key here is...careful patient selection. One must work with a neurologist who refers the patient based on their trigger points for their migraine and their success with Botox injections. On average, most migraine patients experienced improvement at one year follow-up, needing less medications for management. While some patients do experience a 'cure', this is not the majority of migraine sufferers. A recent publication in the July 2008 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by Dr. Poggi of Wichita confirms these results in their own reported experience. One of the most interesting findings of their study was that two-thirds of the patients felt that surgery offered better relief than Botox injections and, even in those patients who had results no better than Botox, stated that they would go through surgery again..

Surgical decompression involves removing muscle that intertwines or lays against the nerve. In the frontal area, this can be done endoscopically (like an endoscopic brow lift) from a remote scalp location or directly through an upper eyelid incision. As of now, this is a surgeon's choice and the evidence that one method is superior over the other remains to be conclusively proven. Going through the eyelid approach probably allows better control of the amount of muscle removed and the potential for inadvertent nerve transection or avulsion. For the zygomaticotemporal, greater occipital and septal trigeminal nerves, a direct open approach is used as this is done in the hairline or inside the nose.

For those patients whose migraine headaches are of sufficient frequency and are not well controlled by medication, surgical decompression of trigger points offers potential for improving their lives.

Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana at Clarian Health Systems. ( http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com ) He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery, spa therapies, and medical skin care at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com

Multiple Sclerosis and Headaches - How Bad Can They Be?

While we all get a headaches from time to time most of them can be easily gotten rid of with an over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. When it comes to MS and headaches many patients report that the pain is excruciatingly painful. The incidence of both cluster and migraine headaches is significantly higher in people with MS than most of the other people in the world.

What is the Correlation between MS and Headaches?

For the average person most doctors will tell you that they really do not know what causes a good number of the headaches we get. It is different for someone with MS and headaches as they can mostly be attributed to the lesions that the disease causes to appear on their brain, the medications that they are taking to combat some of the other symptoms and on occasion depression.

In a recent study of some 277 patients with multiple sclerosis found that there may be a direct correlation between the number of lesions in the mid brain area and the number of migraine headaches that a patient might get. At the same time lesions in this area of the brain have been linked to cluster headaches where the trigeminal nerve originates.

Patients undergoing an episode of optic neuritis also report having severe headaches on one side or the other and that any movement of their eyes increases the level of pain. Another area where multiple sclerosis and headaches are very common companions is the medications that are used as part of therapy treatments for the disease. Interferon drugs such as Rebif and Avonex are known to cause headaches or make them worse.

How Bad Can they Get?

When it comes to MS and headaches the big question is just how bad these headaches can get. Once you go beyond the everyday headache and delve into the realms of the migraine and cluster headaches you are going off the Richter scale of headaches. Migraine headaches are exceptionally painful and usually include sensitivity to both sound and light. They can last several hours and the person usually finds a dark, quiet place to lie down until it passes.

A cluster headaches is best described as the worst pain a person could possibly imagine. The pain is so intense that the sufferer may spend the duration crying, rocking back and forth on the bed or in a chair or even tearing their hair out. Not only does the headache cause such intense pain, but the patient will be completely exhausted when it is over and be left with the dread that another one will be coming right on the heels of the one they just got over as these headaches come in groups or clusters.

There are medications designed to relieve the pain associated with MS and headaches, but you should consult with your doctor to see if there are any contraindications with any medications you are already taking. If there are you may be left with doing the best you can to cope with them until the episodes have passed.

I have benefited greatly from a book which has examined the link between what we eat and multiple sclerosis. If you would like to know what foods are attacking your body, what supplements you must take and how to create the energy that you need, then this book is a must read. Reverse Multiple Sclerosis

As your natural inner balance is restored, you will begin to experience renewed energy, absence of pain and aches, and more and more of your symptoms associated to Multiple Sclerosis will disappear... These your first steps to freedom from Multiple Sclerosis medication!

You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by having a look. Reverse Multiple Sclerosis

I am not a doctor nor am I qualified in medicine in any way. These are things that have worked for me in controlling my MS. Before undertaking any diet or fitness regime you should always consult your physician first.

Thanks for reading
Gary P Owen.

Cluster Headaches - Symptoms and Treatment

Cluster headaches are also called "suicide headaches" since it involves a terrible degree of pain. The pain is immeasurable, and is worse than migraines. With the term "cluster", it refers to the occurrence that happens periodically. The pain lasts at least 15 minutes and could last up to 180 minutes.

The exact cause of this disease is still yet to get discovered. A lot of experts relate cluster headaches to migraine headaches, believing that both start in the trigeminal nerve. Some associate it with the hypothalamus. Both explanations still do not have a study to back their beliefs, understanding, or opinions about cluster headaches, however both can be accepted in explaining the trait of this type of headache, which is its recurrent nature.

The symptoms of cluster headaches include the following:-

Extreme Pain

Deep, indescribable pain around the eye and/or temple is experience. The patients were noticed to have redness in one eye and tearing, and droopy eyelid. The women who experience this disease complain about the pain being worse than giving birth to a child.

The pain usually occurs behind the eye or around the temple, and sometimes spread out to the upper area of neck, and, at times, even to the shoulders.

The pain lasts from 15 minutes to three hours, and may occur two to 20 times per week. (The recurrence and severity of pain have brought some patients in the past to commit suicide.)

Could be Accompanied by Preliminary Signs, or Not

Some of the cardinal signs include droopy eyelid, redness of one eye, tearing, stuffy or runny nose, blushing or facial redness, sweating, and swelling. Most patients suffer a few of these autonomic symptoms, very few suffer all of what has been identified as symptoms, very little number of people do not complain about any of these, and much lesser number of people report another symptom he or she have noticed after a few occurrence.

Restlessness, Light and Noise Aversion

Patients become easily irritated by bright lights, and cannot tolerate noises, since these twp seem to intensify the pain. Stiff-neck, tenderness, jaw and/or tooth pain as aftermath of an occurrence. Cluster headaches can be treated with medications and/or therapies.

Abortive treatments, as the name implies, are directed at stopping or at least reducing the severity of the pain.

Inhalation of high-flow, concentrated oxygen
Injections
Nasal Spray
Other orally taken drugs that act as pain relievers

Preventive treatments are for reducing the attack frequency and intensity of the disease.

Blood pressure drugs
Antidepressants
Anticonvulsants
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs

There is also a third option left, which is surgery. Nerve blocks, radio-surgery, and have been used as the last resort to help patients. No study or report that says any of these procedures carry a high risk. However, with the number of people getting treatment with the help of alternative therapies, surgeries are still considered as the last option.

April Kerr owns website DHE45 which is all about the types of migraines and has articles about remedies for menstrual migraines and herbs for headaches.

Alzheimer’s and Headaches

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Ask a doctor about a connection between Alzeimer’s and headaches, or Alzeimer’s and migraine, and you’re likely to get one reaction.  Nope, no connection.  That’s all.

Well, you have to forgive people for asking.  First of all, lots of people have migraine, and lots of people get Alzheimer’s Disease.  Naturally, there’s going to be people who for years had migraine, and then developed Alzeimer’s – not because of any connection, just because of the numbers.

Of course, that’s not the only reason people ask.  It’s also because some of the signs of Alzheimer’s are similar to migraine symptoms (and, of course, the most well-known migraine symptom is headache!).

For example, disorientation, trouble with language, changes in mood, problems with thinking in general – though these symptoms usually come and go with migraine, they can be serious enough to make you wonder if it’s the start of something degenerative.

And, in fact, migraine and Alzheimer’s share some comorbid conditions – that is, conditions that go along with both.  For example, depression and hypertension.

So doctor’s will smile and assure you that there’s no connection – it’s natural to think there is, but there isn’t.  Or… is there?

Alzheimer’s and Headache: Linked?

It’s true that very little study has been done specifically into links between Alzheimer’s and headaches or migraine.  After all, saying that Alzheimer’s patients have headaches is almost like saying that people with headaches get colds – of course, some have both.

But similarities between the two diseases does get notice, and sometimes they are studied together (see for example Age and Aging 2002, and Huntington Medical Research Institute: Using Lipidomics to Find Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s and Migraine Study Participants).

But in 2009, an interesting paper published online showed some intriguing links.  Written by Amber Nicole Byrd BS, RRT and Shane Keene MBA, MS, RRT-NPS, CPFT, RPSGT, the paper was entitled Migraine Headache: A Precursor to Alzheimer’s Disease?.

The paper did not find that both had the same cause, or that one caused another.  But what it did show was that research on migraine and Alzheimer’s continually touches on the same things – much more often than you would expect.

It’s not just surface level (symptoms).  Alzheimer’s and migraine are both neurological, and it’s almost certain that both have a genetic basis.  There are also signs of neurodegeneration in both, including white matter lesions.

Cardiovascular disease, such as transient ischemic attacks, are also comorbid in both Alzheimer’s and migraine.  Vascular inflammation is also common in both.

Women are also more likely to have either disease.  Again, is this just a numbers game?  Well, levels of estrogen have been a suggested link in both Alzheimer’s and migraine.  Hormone replacement therapy has been suggested as a possible treatment or preventative for both.

Estrogen levels are also related to serotonin levels; serotonin levels are a historic link to migraine, and a suspected link to Alzheimer’s as well.

Glutamate levels are likely to be increased in migraine patients and Alzheimer’s patients.  We’ve talked about treatments for migraine based on glutamate levels recently.

Another hot topic in migraine research is calcium channels.  Recent research has suggested this as a basic mechanism of Alzheimer’s as well.

Is all this just because we’re looking at two neurological diseases?  Or is there a closer link?  The authors of the paper call for further research, and there does seem to be enough evidence to make it worthwhile.  To quote:

In conclusion, there are many factors that are common among sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease and those who suffer from migraine attacks. These commonalities may suggest that those who suffer from migraine attacks in adolescence and adulthood (especially women) may be likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as they age due to genetic, pathological and chemical similarities in the progression of each disorder. Findings of an association between the two disease processes could help lead to earlier diagnosis of AD. Early diagnosis can help reduce or delay some of Alzheimer’s most devastating effects. The intent of this paper is to prod further research on the possibility that migraine may be a predisposing aspect of Alzheimer’s disease.

For now, your doctor is right.  There is no evidence of a direct link between Alzheimer’s and headache or migraine – and no reason to be concerned that migraine is a risk factor more important than the commonly known risk factors for Alzheimer’s (such as age, family history, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and diabetes).

However, more research may be helpful to understand the underlying factors in both diseases, and the treatments for both.  For certain patients with one or the other, the connection may turn out to be very important.

And if you do have any symptoms that may indicate Alzeimer’s – and they aren’t going away – be sure to talk to your doctor.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Migraine Headache: A Precursor to Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease (Mayo Clinic)

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Tagged as: Alzheimer's and Headaches, Alzheimer's and migraine, Alzheimer's Disease, migraine

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Chronic Sinus Headache - Is This a Migraine in Disguise?

Sinusitis is a condition resulting from inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. This may be a result of infection from one of the following issues:

Bacterial
Fungal
Viral
Allergic
Impaired immune system

The newest classification of sinusitis refers to it as rhinosinusitis (rhinology is the medical specialty that deals with the nose and its diseases). The logic behind this choice is that inflammation of the sinuses cannot occur without some inflammation of the nose as well.

What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is a rapid onset and short but severe sinus infection that lasts up to four to eight weeks. Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting and recurrent sinus infection. An attack that lasts more than eight weeks or keeps coming back is classified as chronic. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are usually less severe than those of acute sinusitis, however this condition may lead to complications requiring prolonged treatment and sometimes surgery. Sinusitis that lasts between 4 and 12 weeks can be subdivided into the "subacute" classification.

Chronic Sinus headache

Whereas a person suffering from acute sinusitis is almost guaranteed a sinus headache, this is not the case with chronic sinusitis. In other words, a chronic sufferer will occasionally develop a chronic sinus headache due to internal pressure, however this is not a recognized characteristic of the disease. Sinus headache symptoms, which include facial discomfort and a dull, aching pain over the infected sinus, are common to both acute and chronic sinus infections.

The pain is nearly always localized over the infected sinus and often starts on one side and spreads over to the other. In addition, it is usually accompanied by a thick, yellow/green purulent nasal discharge, together with a hacking cough and a sore throat. The headache typically intensifies when the patient bends forward or lies down. If one or both of the maxillary sinuses are infected, a dull, achy toothache in the upper jaw is common.

Migraine misdiagnosis

It is difficult to tell the difference between sinus related headaches, pressure headaches and migraine headaches because many of their symptoms overlap. In fact, recent studies show that approximately 90% of so called "sinus headaches" turn out to be migraines. Migraine headache symptoms mimic sinus headaches because:

With a migraine, the trigeminal nerve innervates both the sinuses and the meninges surrounding the brain. This makes it almost impossible to isolate the origins of the pain.
A migraine often triggers nasal congestion
Autonomic nerve stimulation causes a runny nose and watery eyes

How to Tell the Difference

Whereas a migraine headache will respond to triptan medication, decongestants and antibiotics only serve to intensify the pain... and vice versa.
Sinus headaches do not display "auras" or visionary disturbances, which are common in migraines.
Unlike migraines, there is no sensitivity to bright light and loud noises with a chronic sinus headache.

A migraine lasts for a day or two, whereas a sinus headache can drag on for a week or more
A migraine typically produces a throbbing headache as opposed to the dull, constant pain experienced with a sinus headache

Without specialized medical training. it is extremely difficult to accurately diagnose the different classes of headache. Do not attempt to diagnose your own symptoms... it is unwise to treat yourself without consulting a physician. Dosing yourself with the wrong medication will only serve to intensify your headache.

Ian R Kelly draws his ideas both from research and from life's experiences. The prime focus of his website, http://www.home-remedy-site.com, is to pay it forward by showing people how to obtain drug-free relief for various debilitating illnesses. For complimentary information related to this article, visit http://www.home-remedy-site.com/sinus-headache-symptoms.html.

Cefaly - A Novel Design Electrotherapy Device For Prevention and Treatment of Headache

About Cefaly Treatment

Cefaly is the first cranial analgesic electrotherapy device to have advanced Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation treatment and an ISO medical certification. Cefaly can also help people experiencing painful discomfort of trigeminal neuralgia and frontal sinusitis.

Headache are not specific to a particular age group but a more generalized problem. Cefaly is known to acts on the physiological mechanisms that are not age reliant. Therefore, Cefaly aids in alleviating symptoms and preventing them regardless of your age. Moreover, Cefaly is suitable for children also from age 8 and above, provided it is used under adult supervision.

Cefaly employs sophisticated state of art technology using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy in a patented device that is lightweight, easy to use and effective.

Cefaly creates gentle electric impulses that act on the nerve cells. It works on nerves responsible for the pain and various other sensations in the area that is most associated with migraine and headache.

Cefaly is beneficial, when the pain is located in the front half or the skull. Through its skin electrode, Cefaly transmits detailed electrical impulses intended to manipulate the trigeminal nerve utilizing Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation to prevent pain signals from being realized in the brain and thus hampering the stimulation of endogenous endorphin production.

Worn like a pair of spectacles, Cefaly is designed to prevent and treat chronic and recurrent headache and substantially reduce or prevent stress and stress related anxiety. During the 20 minute Cefaly treatment session, a pleasant tingling sensation is felt. The intensity of the sensation can be adjusted to personal preferences. The treatment can be repeated immediately, if required. However, there are no known benefits when the pain is located at the back of the skull or in the lower part of the face below the eyes.

Cefaly should not be used:

o After a recent brain or facial trauma

o If suffering from Meniere's disease

o If having broken or damaged skin on the forehead, in the area of electrode application

o While driving or operating heavy industrial machinery

Why Cefaly?

Cefaly utilizes Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy and is well recognized for its efficacy, safety and absence of side effects. It is not only harmless but very safe to use. Its safety standards have been demonstrated in tests as well as in clinical studies. No adverse side effects were evident during clinical trials.

Cefaly generates very precise electrical impulses which stimulate the nerve fibres selectively. As the impulses are generated very gradually, they are barely visible at the start of the treatment session. Because of advanced technology, Cefaly enables the electronic feedback mechanism to adjust the electrical impulses to specific requirements tailored for efficacy and comfort.

Cefaly user statistics reveal that:

o 95% of users find Cefaly very simple to use

o 87% of users describe a definite improvement

o 79% of users saw a drastic reduction in their consumption of drugs

o 2 out of 3 tension headache are relieved with the use of Cefaly

o 65% reduction in headache with only 20 minutes of Cefaly use

o 66% reduction in severe pain after only 20 - 40 minutes of Cefaly use

o 59% reduction in recurrence and duration of painful headache

o 1 in 4 migraine attacks are controlled by Cefaly use

Cefaly Technical Guide

Cefaly is supplied with:

o A carry case

o Fitted batteries (2 x 1.5V AAA alkaline batteries)

o Skin electrode

o Cleansing wipes

o Easy to follow User Manual

Use of Cefaly is uncomplicated to easy. It is worn like a pair of spectacles or a forehead band. Its technical guide includes:

o Firstly place the self adhesive reusable Cefaly electrode on the forehead.

o Then the Cefaly unit is positioned over the electrode to form an electrical connection.

o The button on the device is pressed and Cefaly starts delivering the 20 minute treatment automatically. For the extent of the treatment, the individual can either relax or carry on with the task in hand.

o But use of Cefaly is prohibited while driving.

o When the treatment is concluded, Cefaly unit is first removed from your forehead, followed by the skin electrode.

o During the session, a pleasant tingling sensation may be felt and the intensity of the sensation can be adjusted to suit personal preferences.

o After the completion of one treatment session, Cefaly and the electrode can be stored away in its holder or another session can be started immediately, if needed.

o After conclusion of the session, a localized tickling sensation may be felt on the forehead.

o This pleasant sensation of lightness and coolness may be felt all over the forehead and may extend to the whole of face, lasting for several hours at a stretch.

o On the other hand, a deep feeling of rest and relaxation is felt with this anti-stress effect and a very strong sense of wellbeing envelopes the body.

o Cefaly treatment is found to be the most viable way of increasing the production of endorphins naturally, giving the individual a profound sense of general well being.

Webmaster associated with headache related site headclinic.co.uk. This site provides various information on migraine, stress, headache and cefaly electrotherapy. Resources are available on site headclinic.co.uk

Cefaly For Migraine Headache Treatment

Cefaly is the first cranial analgesic electrotherapy device, complete with an advanced Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation treatment and an ISO medical certificate. Cefaly can also help relax people suffering from the painful discomfort of trigeminal neuralgia and frontal sinusitis.

Headaches are not specific to a particular age group and Cefaly is known to act on the physiological mechanisms that are not age reliant. Therefore, Cefaly aids in alleviating symptoms and preventing them regardless of age. Moreover, Cefaly is suitable for children 8 years and above, provided it is used under adult supervision.

Cefaly employs sophisticated state of the art technology using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy in a patented device that is lightweight, easy to use and effective.

This device uses gentle electric impulses that act on the nerve cells that are responsible for the pain and various other sensations, most associated with migraine and headache. However, Cefaly is most beneficial when pain is located in the front half or the skull. Through the electrode, Cefaly transmits detailed electrical impulses that manipulate the trigeminal nerves. This prevents the brain from registering pain signals, and stimulates endorphins.

Worn like a pair of spectacles, Cefaly is designed to prevent and treat chronic and recurrent headaches and substantially reduce and prevent stress and anxiety. During the 20 minute Cefaly treatment session, a pleasant tingling sensation is felt. The intensity of this sensation can be adjusted to personal preferences. The treatment can be repeated as required. However, Cefaly does not benefit the pain located at the back of the skull or in the lower part of the face below the eyes.

How is lifestyle affected?

Although nasty, painful and debilitating, most headaches are not life-threatening. However, they can diminish a person's quality of life as severely as serious medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Medical studies reveal that people who suffer from regular headaches face severe limitations in their ability to function. Many people are even forced to stop work and non-work activities as well as experience significantly reduced productivity in all activity domains. Chronic headaches have a marked negative influence on patients' lives, compromising their sense of well-being and their day-to-day functioning. In fact, the highest decrease was seen in their physical role, vitality and social functioning.

These studies are alarming because the headaches are most prevalent among people between the ages of 25 and 55, which is the time of life when most people are at their economic peak and in the midst of raising their families.

Furthermore, medical research has revealed that more than 70% of sufferers experience impairment in interpersonal relationships, including work relationships, has increased incidence of depression and loss of short-term memory.

Headache prevention

Headaches affect nearly 90% of men and 95% of women. Persistent headaches can even alter a person's personality. A bad headache lowers productivity, can you irritable, and drains you both mentally and physically. However, there are several ways to prevent headache. Some of them are:

o A good night's sleep; make sure that your environment is peaceful.

o Stay away from incense the smoke contains a lot of alkaloids which, when inhaled can cause a rapid changes in your blood flow, causing a headache.

o Inhale steam or menthol vapors. Stand in a hot shower or dissolve menthol in hot water and inhale. This clears out sinuses and helps prevent a sinus headache.

o Dink plenty of water; it is the elixir of life. It helps keep the body running properly. Disrupted water balance can lead to terrible headaches.

o Use cucumber slices to cool the eye muscles.

o Do not sleep with hair gel on; hair gel is full of chemicals and mild perfume that can cause headaches after inhaling them all night. These chemicals will also clog the pores in the scalp, preventing the skin from being able to breathe.

o Avoid fermented or pickled foods as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate and caffeine. These foods affect the blood flow in the body causing headaches.

o Stretch your body frequently; this helps keep the muscles loose.

o Eat organic foods as organic foods contain no foreign chemicals, which restrict blood flow.

o Practice Yoga; the benefits of yoga are plentiful. It keeps the body, mind and spirit relaxed, refreshed and stress free.

With a little extra effort each day one can drastically decrease the recurrence of headaches, allowing a person to lead a happy life.

Webmaster associated with migraine headache related site. This site provides various information on migraine, headache and hay fever treatment Resources are available on site headclinic.co.uk