Types of headaches, causes and treatment using home remedies.

SYMPTOMS

A pain or ache in any portion of the head.

   Cluster headaches: Often occur as a one-sided headache which comes on suddenly, causes debilitating pain, and comes and goes in severity.

CAUSES

Over 45 million Americans repeatedly have headaches. About 18 million have migraines.

    Common causes of headaches include eyestrain, tension, poor ventilation (lack of fresh air), sinus pressure, constipation, allergies (food, pollens, chemicals, etc.), stress, anxiety, muscle tension, infection, anemia, hunger, fever, hormonal imbalances, trauma to the head, nutritional deficiencies, sinusitis, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, spinal misalignment, temporomandibular joint syndrome, airborne pollutants, and chemicals (perfume, industrial fumes, etc.). Other causal factors include diseases of the eyes, nose or throat. Nutritional deficiencies (niacin, pantothenic acid, B vitamins) or an overdose of vitamins A. Disturbances of the digestive or circulatory system. Birth control pills cause headache by causing a vitamin B₆ deficiency.

   The headache may be caused by a reaction to a certain food, such as chocolate, wheat, sugar, mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), dairy products, hot dogs, luncheon meats, citric acid, vinegar, or marinated foods. Sulfites, found in certain foods, can do it. Fermented foods, such as sour cream, yogurt and cheeses can do it also.

    Headaches can be caused by nitrites in hot dogs, sausages, and other processed meats. They can be caused by too much salt in a meal, ice cream (chilling the roof of the mouth), hunger, and cleaning fluids.

TYPES OF HEADACHES

There are two important subtypes of headaches. Emotional stress is an important cause in all of them.

   Nervous headaches. These are muscle contraction headaches. The experts tell us that 90% of all headaches are caused by tension, worry about problems, conflicts with others, etc. Nervousness causes the muscle to tighten up.

   Cluster headaches. These are severe, recurring headaches. Called histamine headaches, they are related to allergic reactions. Inhalant allergens may be a cause (including perfume, house dust, cigarette smoke, etc.). They may occur by themselves or be associated with other problems and diseases, including chronic fatigue syndrome. Keep a diet diary. Ninety percent of those with cluster headaches are men.

NATURAL REMEDIES

• Consider the causal factor, above, and see what you can change.
• Sometimes repeated headaches are a symptom of a serious disorder. If any of the following symptoms occur with the headache, the situation may be more serious and you may want to consult a professional: fever and stiffness in the neck, sensitivity to light, loss of speech or confusion, throbbing of the head and temples, pounding heartbeat, pressure in the facial sinus area, visual color changes, or a feeling that your head may explode.
• The treatment for headaches depends on the underlying cause. Headaches caused by a certain problem frequently return. So identify what is causing them and many future headaches can be staved off.
• What are sometimes thought to be sinus headaches are actually tension headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches. When the headache is recurring, it is probably not sinus trouble.

HYDROTHERAPY

• When a headache comes, apply cold compresses to the place where the pain seems to be originating. This reduces muscle spasms and constricts blood vessels. Leave a damp washcloth in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or dip the cloth in water with ice cubes, wring it out, and apply. Also take an enema.
• Place a heating pad, hot towel, or hot-water bottle on the shoulder muscles, and possibly on the neck. Do that which helps you best.
• Take a neutral temperature full bath to get rid of a headache. Try taking a hot footbath. For more on water therapy.

DIET

• Do not overeat. Include enough fiber in your meals and take an enema weekly.
• Make sure you are taking enough B vitamins, especially niacin (2,000 mg) and pantothenic acid (50 mg). Vitamin A (get beta-carotene in green and yellow vegetables) and iron are also important (but be sure to get your iron from food, such as blackstrap molasses, not from chemical supplements).
• People with regular magnesium deficiency tend to have tension headaches. Take 600 mg daily.
• Eat on time and do not eat problem foods.
• Do not use much salt.
• If you think that something you just ate might bring on a terrible headache, take 5 charcoal tablets within an hour; and, as soon as you can, take an enema. (But do not take charcoal tablets daily.)

OTHER HELPS

• Regular exercise can help prevent tension headaches. Exercise when it occurs, but do not exercise if it is severe.
• Get enough sleep; but do not oversleep.
• Stand tall; sit tall.
• Breathe deeply.
• Bright light can cause squinting, eyestrain, and headaches.
• Do not chew gum. The repetitive chewing can bring on a tension headache.
• Do not overdo. Learn to live within your limits.
• When you have to face high altitudes, take additional vitamin C (plus ginger) to avoid a high altitude headache.
• Keeping a diary will help you determine the cause of the headaches. Note date, time of day, where the pain is felt, and any comments about what you think might be possible causes.

HERBS

• Helpful herbs include valerian, feverfew, balm, fleabane, cowslip, lavender and white willow.
• Evening primrose contains phenylalanine, a pain-relieving compound. Ginkgo increases blood flow, which reduces a headache. Rub diluted peppermint oil or lavender oil on the temples to alleviate a headache.
• Any of the willows will help reduce headache pain. They, along with cayenne, contain salicylates, which help stop headaches.
• Turmeric and ginger (combined or separate) are good for headaches.
• Drink a capsule of hops with water. Skullcap is antispasmodic and helps relax your nerves. Periwinkle increases the flow of oxygen in the brain.
• For severe headaches, fast with juice and green drinks, and take herb laxatives (cascara sagrada or senna),