Chronic Headaches
Headaches fall mainly in two categories, (i) new onset headaches and (ii) recurrent headaches. Headaches can be caused by life threatening conditions and it is crucial to seek medical attention for new onset headaches. Various types of recurrent headaches exist. Again, medical attention should be sought where appropriate.
Types of headaches
Tension headaches are often experienced as a tight band, starting from the back and moving forward. Mainly related to stress, depression and anxiety, tension headaches are caused by hyper tonic muscles in the neck, head, shoulder and jaw.
Migraine headaches are periodic, severe headaches which starts as a throbbing or pulsating pain on one side normally in the frontal area. Takes place in concurrence with nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity (photophobia) and often sound sensitivity.
Cluster headaches are rare and experienced as short, sharp, painful headaches around the eye that occur multiple times during the day for consecutive months and then go away for a period of time.
Sinus headaches are a result of congestion in the sinus passages and are experienced predominantly as pain behind the cheeks, nose and eyes and accompanied by a postnasal drip.
Rebound headaches are caused by the overuse of pain medications and characterised by the following vicious circle: pain medication is taken for short term relief, followed by headache pain returning for increased periods of time, followed by pain medication taken for short term relief. All over-the-counter pain medication, as well as decongestants, muscle relaxants and caffeine can cause this pattern.
Exertional headaches are experiences as bilateral throbbing or pressure for anything from minutes to 2 days precipitated by (i) exercise or lifting weight, (ii) coughing, sneezing or blowing, (iii) crying or singing, (iv) sexual activity. Exertional headaches could be caused by a cerebral aneurysm or a posterior fossa lesion and it is critical therefore to seek medical attention immediately.
Illness related headaches: Headaches are often a symptom on other illnesses. Viral infections, fever, brain tumour, cancer, hypertension, meningitis, encephalitis, glaucoma etc may all bring on headaches
Symptomatic relief
A variety of different factors can be addressed to provide symptomatic relief, including:
Emotional factors
- Stress
- Tension
- Anxiety
- Depression
Physical / structural factors
- Poor postural alignment
- Muscle imbalances
- TMJ strain/dysfunction
- Cranial faults
- Hormonal imbalances
- Digestive problems: open ileocecal valve, blood sugar fluctuation
- Low blood pressure
- Lymphatic congestion
- Lack of oxygen due to poor diaphragmatic functioning or poor breathing habits
- Liver toxicity / overload
Nutritional Deficiency
- Dehydration
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- B3 (niacin)
"Allergies" / Sensitivities and toxicities
- Foods, most commonly to chocolate, cheese, tomatoes, citrus fruits, nuts, dairy, wheat
- Food additives: MSG, nitrates, nitrites, (gum), aspartame
- Caffeine and caffeine withdrawal
- Alcohol, especially red wine and port
- Drugs: amphetamines, diet pills, contraceptive pill, tetracycline's
- Excess Vitamin A
- Chemical air pollution: formaldehyde, mould, dust, carbon monoxide
- Estrogens, common when using oral contraceptive, Depo Provera or HRT.
Lifestyle factors
- Poor sleeping position
- Lack of sleep
- Spending prolonged time in front of a computer, typewriter or microscope
- Diet
- Sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise
- Eye strain, not wearing prescription glasses, squinting
- Skipping meals
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