Headaches & Migraines >> Regular Headaches

[inpain]

I get regular headaches, bad ones, about 2-3 times a month. They are usually about a week a part and DO NOT fall around my period. If I take something when they start I am sometimes ok, but if I am asleep and wake up with one, I am usually out of commission for a whole day because it is so bad. I don't know if they are "migraines" or not, but for me they are pretty bad. They started about when I turned 30 or so, and my mother said she remembers having headaches a lot in her 30s as well.
Is this something that just comes with my age? Can you tell me what makes a headache a "migraine"? And if there is anything I can do or take over the counter that will help? Thank you!

[emecrem]

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[joylindquist]

Dear Inpain -- If you haven't done so already, get a physical. Chronic headaches can sometimes be related to things like thyroid function, allergies, etc. Rule those out first. Migraines are pretty common, and the pain is typically, but not always, on one side of the head. Many people experience light and/or noise sensitivity, nausea or dizziness. They are triggered by certain foods -- things like chocolate, some cheeses, alcohol, dairy, nitrates (food additives), or by stress and even certain smells. And many women get premenstrual migraines.

Whether or not your headaches are migraine, there are things you can do to lessen their frequency and duration and eventually get rid of them altogether. Nutrition is key. Take a good look at your diet. A good practice is to keep a food journal for a couple of weeks, and try to see if you can identify any foods or ingredients that may be causing your headaches.

Take these steps: eliminate all artificial sweeteners ( I cannot stress that enough!), processed foods (including refined sugar, lunch meats, etc.), things with saturated fats (packaged baked goods, some energy bars, etc.) and anything with high fructose corn syrup in it. Use honey or agave nectar if you need sweetener. These are excellent and a little goes a long way. As you identify your "trigger" foods, eliminate them. Limit coffee, dairy, and meat in general. Increase fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Increase fish, especially salmon, tuna, and other omega-3 rich fish. Try to eat as much organic or local farm fresh food as possible. Drink enough water and get enough exercise. Make sure you get enough sleep.

If you catch the headache early on, try soaking your feet in comfortably warm-hot water with a few drops of peppermint, chamomile, lavender, or rosemary (or any combination of these) essential oil. If it is a migraine, however, just be mindful of triggering scents that may make it worse. Breathing, yoga, relaxation and meditation exercises, especially done on a regular basis, are very helpful toward controlling headaches.

Finally, acupuncture is one of the best natural therapies for headache. According to the World health Organization, research has shown that it is a safe and effective treatment for headaches.

I hope this is helpful!

Joy Lindquist, L.Ac.
http://www.RootandSpirit.com