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Headaches
Secondary headaches are associated with other diseases. An example would be a headache caused by high blood pressure. There are various causes for each type of headache.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are by far the most common type of headaches. Most adults, as many as 90 percent have or will experience this type of headache. They are caused by tension in the muscles of the head, neck, shoulder, and face. These type of headaches are characterized by produces a generalized mild to moderate pain over your head. Many people describe the feeling to having a tight band around their head or pain in the back of your neck at the base of your skull.
Stress is a primary cause but other triggers may include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Lack of sleep or changes in sleep routine
- Skipping meals
- Poor posture
- Working in awkward positions or holding one position for a long time
- Lack of physical activity
- Occasionally, hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, menopause or hormone use
- Medications used for other conditions, such as depression or high blood pressure
- Overuse of headache medication
- Temporomandibular disorder (pain and tenderness in the jaw joints)
- Grinding teeth
Researchers now believe that tension headache may result from imbalances in certain brain chemicals such as serotonin. This is similar to migraine headaches. Therefore one may need to address root causes more than just tight muscles and poor stress coping mechanisms.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are much rarer affecting 0.1% of the population. Approximately 85% of cluster headache sufferers are men. They can affect people at any age but is most common between ages 20 and 40. The symptoms are one-sided headaches that are intense for a number of days or weeks, or even months, and then disappear and reoccur later. As the name implies, they occur in a cyclical or cluster pattern. 10 to 15 percent of cluster headaches occur daily for more than a year with no remission or with pain-free periods lasting less than one month. Since the cycle of cluster headaches often follows the seasons of the year, researchers suspect dysfunction within a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This is where the body’s biological clock is located which controls various hormonal and neurotransmitter rhythms of the body.
Cluster attacks typically occur with clock-like regularity during a 24-hour day. The cycle of cluster periods often follows the seasons of the year. These patterns suggest that the body's biological clock is involved. In humans, the biological clock is located in the hypothalamus, which lies deep in the center of your brain. Among the many functions of the hypothalamus is control of the sleep-wake cycle and other internal rhythms.
Abnormalities of the hypothalamus may explain the timing and cyclical nature of cluster headache. Studies have detected increased activity in the hypothalamus during the course of a cluster headache. This activity isn't seen in people with other headaches such as migraine.
Studies also indicate that people have abnormal levels of certain hormones, including melatonin and testosterone, during cluster periods. These hormonal changes are believed to be due to a problem with the hypothalamus. Other studies show activity in the hypothalamus during cluster attacks, but it remains unknown what causes these abnormalities in the first place.
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches are the second most common type of primary headache. An estimated 30 million people in the United States will experience migraine headaches. Migraine headaches affect children as well as adults. Before puberty, boys and girls are affected equally by migraine headaches, but after puberty, more women than men are affected. Most migraine sufferers are between the ages of 15 and 55. Migraine pain is severe and occurs on one side of the head. They often last from four to seventy-two hours. They usually have a pulsating or throbbing pain and are made worse from exertion. The may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting and/or oversensitivity to light and sound. About 20% of migraine sufferers experience an aura, which may be perceived as flashing lights, blind spots, wavy lines or dots in the field of vision. It should be noted that some people suffer from “mixed” headache disorders where tension headaches trigger migraine headaches.
Causes of Migraine Headaches
There are several causes of migraine headaches that may include:
- Changes in altitude, weather, or time zone
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Glaring lights or eyestrain
- Head trauma, such as a car accident
- Hormonal imbalances
- Medications such as birth control pills or those used for erectile dysfunction
- Overuse of migraine medications
- Perfumes or other powerful odors
- Stress
- Nutritional deficiencies
Dr. Stengler's Solutions
Food sensitivities may trigger migraine headaches (and possibly tension headaches). Although one could be sensitive to any food that is triggering headaches, the following foods are most commonly involved. If you are commonly consuming these foods try omitting one or more at a time to see if your headaches improve. Dr. Stengler can test you for food sensitivities as well.
- Alcohol, especially red wine and beer
- Artificial sweeteners
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Dairy products, especially aged cheese
- Pickled foods
- Shellfish
- Wheat
- MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavoring often used in Asian cooking, packaged meats and vegetables, soups and snack foods
- Nitrites, a type of preservative commonly found in bacon, sausage and hot dogs, plus smoked or cured deli meats, fish and poultry.
Dehydration—even mild levels—may trigger headaches. Make sure to drink adequate quality water throughout the day.
Migraine and tension headaches can also be triggered by hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Make sure to limit your consumption of refined carbohydrates and to eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day.
Regular exercise is helpful for many people in preventing headaches related to stress and muscle tightness.
Environmental allergies may trigger tension and migraine headaches. Dr. Stengler can help identify and treat these types of reactions.
Massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and other types of bodywork can be helpful therapies for all three types of headaches.
Supplements
Depending on the cause Dr. Stengler will prescribe treatments that both help prevent symptoms and treat the underlying cause(s). For migraine prevention nutrients such as Vitamin B2, magnesium, coenzyme Q10 have been shown to be effective.
Effects of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) on Migraine Headaches
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This water soluble B vitamin is involved in the metabolism of amino acids and fats, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and folic acid, to produce energy in cells (ATP). Its’ mechanism in preventing migraine headaches is unknown. A Belgian study published in Cephalalgia: An International Journal of Headache involved 49 migraine patients who took 400 mg of riboflavin as a single oral daily dose for at least three months. Treatment resulted in an overall improvement of 68%. (Schoenen J, Lenaerts M, Bastings E. High-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic treatment of migraine: results of an open pilot study. Cephalalgia 1994;14:328-9.) In a follow-up trial by the same group, 55 migraine patients took either a placebo or 400 mg of riboflavin daily. Frequency of migraine episodes and the number of days with headache decreased by at least half in 59% of patients in the riboflavin group, compared with 15% of patients in the placebo group. (Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 1998;50:466-70.) There is also some evidence that combining riboflavin with beta blockers (cardiovascular drugs sometimes given to reduce frequency and severity of migraines), may boost the drugs’ effectiveness without increasing adverse side effects.
Dosage:
Take 400 mg daily.
Safety:
No toxic effects have been reported.
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BUTTERBUR shown to prevent migraine headaches
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This botanical contains anti-inflammatory compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. It has been shown to prevent migraine headaches. A study published in Neurology, included people ages 18 to 65 who had at least two to six migraine attacks over the preceding three months. Participants who took Butterbur standardized to contain 75 mg twice daily for 4 months had the migraine attack frequency decrease an average of 48% as compared to 26% for the placebo group. Lipton RB, Göbel H, Einhäupl KM, Wilks K, Mauskop A. Neurology. 2004 Dec 28;63(12):2240-4. Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine.
There is also evidence that butterbur extract can decrease the frequency of migraine headaches in children aged 6-17 years. The multicenter prospective open-label study involved 108 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17. Participants suffered from migraines diagnosed for at least 1 year. Patients were treated with 50 to 150 mg of the butterbur root extract depending on age for a period of 4 months. Treatment progression was recorded in migraine journals especially designed for children and adolescents.
Results:
77% of all patients reported a reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks of at least 50%. Attack frequency was reduced by 63%. 91% of patients felt substantially or at least slightly improved after 4 months of treatment. About 90% of each, doctors and patients, reported well-being or even improved well-being. Undesired effects (7.4%) included mostly burping. No serious adverse events occurred and no adverse event caused a premature stopping of the study. (Pothmann R, Danesch U. Migraine prevention in children and adolescents: results of an open study with a special butterbur root extract. Headache. 2005 Mar;45(3):196-203)
Dosage: 75 mg twice daily for adults.
Dosage:
50 to 75 mg twice daily for children.
Safety: Butterbur appears to be well tolerated.
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Patient Testimonials
HEADACHES, MIGRAINES, FATIGUE AND INSOMNIA
I had severe fatigue, headaches, insomnia, aches and pains for 4 years until I met Dr. Stengler. His nutritional and hormone balancing program have revived me. I have good energy, stamina, better outlook on life, and even better relationships as a result of his care. At 77 years of age I am enjoying my ‘golden years” with vitality.
Elvia Sanchez-Teruel - La Jolla, CA
For years I suffered from excruciating migraine headaches. After Dr. Stengler's natural treatment, I ceased having this problem. Many thanks to The Natural Physician.
Susan Hawkins Brooks - Alberta, Canada
Thanks to Dr. Stengler's incredible job with my son's health issues, I knew where to turn when I decided to get treatment for my ongoing headaches. I have battled with headaches repeatedly since I was 10 years old. I finally sought help in the summer of 2004 when they escalated to just about everyday, ranging from mild to frequent migraines. With Dr. Stengler's recommendations and supplements, I have significantly reduced the occurrences of my headaches. This has been a miracle! In the past, I had seen many other doctors in an attempt to try and figure out a solution, and the treatment was always the same. They would recommend daily medications with numerous potential side effects. Thank goodness we found Dr. Stengler, because he has helped my son and I with each of our health problems by simply giving advice on diet and supplements. I can honestly say our quality of life has greatly improved since our first appointments with him!
Alissa MacNeill - San Diego, CA
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