Information and facts on Headaches

Everyone gets a headache at one time or another in their life. Common causes of headache include stress; tension; anxiety; allergies; constipation; coffee consumption; eyestrain; hunger; sinus pressure; muscle tension; hormonal imbalances; temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome; trauma to the head; nutritional deficiencies; the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco - smoking; fever; and exposure to irritants such as pollution, perfume, or aftershaves. Headache experts estimate that about 90% of all headaches are tension headaches and 6% are migraines. Tension headaches, as the name implies, are caused by muscular tension. Migraines result from a disturbance in the blood circulation to the brain. Another type of headache is the cluster headache. These are severe, recurring headaches that strike over million Americans.
Headaches that occur often may be a sign of an underlying health problem. People who suffer from frequent headaches may be reacting to certain foods and food additives, such as wheat, chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites (used in restaurants on salad bars), sugar, hot dogs, luncheon meats, dairy products, nuts, citric acid, fermented foods (cheeses, sour cream, yogurt), alcohol, vinegar, and/or marinated foods. Other possibilities to consider are anemia, bowel problems, brain disorders, tooth-grinding or "bruxism ", hypertension, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia "low blood sugar", sinusitis, spinal misalignment, vitamin B deficiency, and diseases of the eye, nose, and/or throat. (see chart of headache types below)

Nutrient / Supplement	Importance ( 1 - 10 )	Helpful notes
Multi-vitamin & Mineral supplement	10	a natural good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement will contain these and other items listed: vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. A daily supplement provides nutrients required for good general health and well being.
vitamin E	9	often people with headaches are not getting enough vitamin E. It aids in circulation.
B Vitamins	10	B vitamins are very important for the proper function of your brain and nervous system. Supplements with natural vitamin B can help with headache and anxiety problems and disorders.
Ginkgo biloba	10	the herb Ginkgo biloba can improve circulation to the brain, and thus may be helpful for certain types of headache
Calcium	9	is a natural tranquilizer is best used with magnesium
Magnesium	9	has a calming effect and works on the nervous system of people with headaches, depression, and related problems. Note that a magnesium and vitamin B combination works well.
Omega essential fatty acids	10	promotes good circulation and helps with inflammation and pain. For those with high blood pressure and hypertension related headaches can help stabilize the blood pressure.
Potassium	8	very important for the adrenal glands to work good can normally be found in a good multi-vitamin mineral supplement.
Frankincense resin	8	helps to calm and sooth the nerves
Aloe Vera	8	herb often used in stress, migraine headache, and relaxation. Herbal blends that may also serve to relieve anxiety, and worry as well,

TYPES OF HEADACHE

Type	Symptoms	Cause	Treatment
Arthritis headache	Pain at the back of the head or neck, made worse by movement; inflammation of joints and shoulder and/or neck muscles,	Unknown	See arthritis
Bilious headache	Dull pain in forehead and throbbing temples.	Indigestion; overeating; lack of exercise.	Colon cleansing may be helpful
Caffeine headache	Throbbing pain caused by blood vessels that have dilated	Caffeine withdrawal	Ingest a small amount of caffeine, then taper off
Classic migraine	Similar to common migraine, but preceded by auras such as visual disturbances, numbness in arms or legs, smelling of strange odors, hallucinations	Excessive dilation or contraction of blood vessels of the brain	Aloe vera or Gingko biloba
Common migraine	Severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head; nausea; vomiting; cold hands; dizziness; sensitivity to light and sounds.	Excessive dilation or contraction of blood vessels of the brain	Aloe vera or Gingko biloba
Exertion headache	Generalized headache during or after physical exertion such as running or sexual intercourse, or passive exertion such as sneezing or coughing.	Usually related to migraine or cluster headaches About 10% are related to organic diseases such as tumors or blood vessel malformation.	Take nutritional supplements; apply ice packs at the site of pain.
Eyestrain Headache	Usually bilateral, frontal pain.	Eye muscle imbalance; uncorrected vision; astigmatism.	Correct vision Supplementation may help include vitamin A see NutraPack and MegaJuice
Fever headache	Headache develops with fever due to inflammation of blood vessels of the head.	Infection	Reduce fever, apply ice packs. Supplentation with vitamin C and vitamin E
Hangover headache	Migraine-like, with throbbing pain and nausea.	Alcohol causes dehydration and dilation of blood vessels in the brain.	Drink plenty of quality water and fruit juices. Apply ice to neck.
Hunger headache	Strikes just before mealtime due to low blood sugar, muscle tension, and rebound dilation of blood vessels,	Skipping meals; too-stringent dieting.	Eat regular meals with adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates and protein.
Hypertension headache	Dull, generalized pain affecting a large area of the head and aggravated by movement or exertion.	Severe high blood pressure.	Get blood pressure under control see Advanced Omega
Menstrual headache	Migraine-type pain shortly before, during, or after menstruation, or at midcycle, at time of ovulation.	Variation in estrogen levels,	Take supplements of vitamin B6, potassium, and extra magnesium. See Female Balance
Sinus headache	Gnawing, nagging pain over nasal/sinus area, often increasing in severity as the day goes by. Fever and discolored mucus may be present.	Allergies, infection, nasal polyps, food allergies. Often caused by blocked sinus ducts or acute sinus infection	Increase intake of vitamins A and C; use moist heat to help get sinuses to drain.
Temporo mandibular joint (TMJ) headache	Temporal, above-ear, or facial pain muscle contraction of one side of face; clicking or popping of jaw neck or upper back pain temple pain upon awakening	Stress, malocclusion (poor bite), jaw clenching gum chewing Inflammation of temporal arteries.	Reduce stress use relaxation techniques, biofeedback, nutritional supplements ice packs Consult physician for steroid therapy
Tension headache	Constant pain in one area or all over the head sore muscles with trigger points in neck and upper back lightheadedness dizziness The most common type of headache.	Emotional stress, anxiety, worry depression anger food allergies, poor posture	Apply ice packs on neck and upper back, take supplements of vitamin C with bioflavonoids DLPA bromelain magnesium, and primrose oil.
Tic douloureux	Short, jabbing pains around the mouth, jaw, or forehead. More common in women over 55 years old	Unknown	Take nutritional supplements. In some cases, surgery may be necessary

Other Changes To Make

drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)
brown rice is good to eat
avoid red meat and animal fats
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
fast a few days a month
get at least 8 hours of sleep
exercise light to moderate amounts
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.