October 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Common Causes of Headaches
1. One major cause of headaches is an accumulation of toxins in
the body and nervous system.
2. This problem is increased when we have constipation. A large
number of headache sufferers have constipation or problems with
their kidneys.
3. This problem of auto-toxification is multiplied even further
when one is living is a polluted environment, inhaling toxic
substances which react negatively on lungs and nervous system.
4. Another major source of headaches is tension in the neck.
Neck tension can be result of too much thinking, especially
worrying, or poor posture, or the result of some specific type
of work such as typing or sewing.
5. Neck tension may also be associated with eyestrain, which
may result from a certain type of work which requires much
concentration with the eyes, or simply a growing weakness or
tension in the eyes.
6. The overall tension in all the body may also contribute to
this tension in the neck, eyes, and head. This is especially
true of the tension in the spine, which tends to flow up into
the neck and head.
7. A lack of sufficient blood flow and thus, nutrients and
oxygen in the cells of the brain can easily cause a headache can
easily ensue.
8. Unresolved negative emotions and especially anger, worry or
anxiety can also create headaches.
9. Insomnia can also create headaches.
10. Hormonal imbalances can often generate headaches,
especially during the days preceding and during a woman’s
menstrual period.
11. Other factors also contribute to headaches such as certain
hereditary tendencies or organic malfunctioning within the
individual.
You Can do Much to Get Free from Headaches
The best cure is prevention. Let us look at some of the ways in
which we can free ourselves from the discomfort and burden of
headaches.
1. Massage can help to relax the muscles and nerves of the
neck, head and eyes so as to increase the flow of blood and
relieve the pain. This is only a temporary solution, however,
for we have not effected the headache as its cause. We have only
momentarily removed the symptom.
2. A proper diet with pure non-toxic foods will help the body
to free itself from the accumulation of toxic wastes. Some, who
have a high degree of toxicity, may want to go through a
detoxification fast under the guidance of a professional
naturopath so as to clean out their system.
3. If constipation is also a contributing factor, then one
should immediately begin to solve this problem with plenty of
liquids, fiber and exercise. One may even want to make a few
purges with an enema so as to clear out some of the toxic waste
in the intestines, preferably under the guidance of a doctor or
professional health counselor.
4. If we are absorbing large amounts of pollution and living a
life of general stress, we can protect our bodies from vitamin
deficiency by taking vitamins B, C and E. These vitamins should
be taken in as natural form as possible, but it is seldom
possible to get all one needs through natural foods alone. Some
naturopaths recommend doses of 1000 milligrams of vitamin C and
200 i.u. of vitamin E per day. Vitamin B can be absorbed through
eating brewer’s yeast according to the recommendation on the
package.
5. The tension, which accumulates in the spine, neck and head,
can be relaxed and released through specific exercises and
breathing techniques. (These can be learned from an experienced
Yoga Instructor). These exercises are also useful for creating
an overall harmony in the nervous and endocrine system, thus
eliminating the problems of imbalanced hormones or tension in
the nervous system.
6. Breathing techniques in conjunction with deep relaxation
offer us a wonderful tool for relaxing all the muscles and
nerves, and even the emotions and the mind itself. These
techniques are not only useful for preventing headaches, but are
also a wonderful first aid for an already existing headache.
7. Another harmonizing factor is having a routine. The body and
mind function much more efficiently and peacefully when there is
a certain rhythm in our way of living. Regular hours for sleep,
waking, eating and washing are very calming to the nervous
system and endocrine system.
8. Those who have much nervous tension would benefit from
regular practice of meditation or inner concentration, which
would allow them to release and / or transcend physical and
mental tensions on a daily basis.
9. Simultaneously we need to understand the cause of his
nervous tension and anxiety. Self-analysis our mind’s mechanisms
will help us discover the ways in which we create unnecessary
worry and tension for ourselves.
10. So much of our worry and nervous tension is a result of our
ignorance or forgetfulness of our true spiritual nature. We lack
self-confidence and faith in Divine protection and guidance.
Thus the study of spiritual truths handed down to us through the
various religions and spiritual philosophies can help us to see
our worries and problems in a more clear and rational
perspective. Wisdom brings Peace. Peace leads to love and
harmony.
In conclusion we may say that headaches in most cases are the
result of wrong or imbalanced living and thinking. We can change
our way of living and thinking, and thus free ourselves from
these unnecessary pains. Thus our headache becomes our teacher
or inner guide who reminds us when we are moving away from the
harmonious path or right living, acting and thinking.
About The Author: Robert Elias Najemy, a life coach with 30
years of experience, is the author of over 20 books, 600
articles and 400 lectures on Human Harmony. Download wonderful
ebooks, 100′s of free articles, courses, and mp3 audio lectures
at http://www.Holistic Harmony.com. Find 8 of his books at
http://www.Amazon. com.
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A migraine is a severe headache that is recurring. You may experience migraines monthly or once or twice a year. Migraines can be accompanied by extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds, nausea and vomiting. A severe migraine will be disabling to most people. Migraines have long been a sort of medical mystery. Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of migraines, but over the years have constructed a few theories. This article is going to look at the possible causes of migraine headaches.
A lot of researchers think that migraines are caused by an imbalance in the complex systems of nerves in the brain and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain responsible for pain perception and emotions.
Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that researchers have studied. It has been proven that when you have a headache, your levels of serotonin drops. This in turn will cause the trigeminal nerve in your brain to release neuro peptides. These chemicals will cause the blood vessels on the outside covering of your brain to swell and the resulting pressure will produce a headache. This is the assumed mechanism of how a headache develops, but what causes this to happen.
Your headaches may be the result of certain triggers. The triggers that can produce a migraine are:
- Certain foods can trigger a migraine in a lot of people. Common food triggers are alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate and other canned or processed foods.
- Sometimes skipping a meal can bring on a migraine also.
- Intense physical activity, including sex, can trigger a migraine. Too much sleep or too little sleep can also be a trigger.
- Stress is a big factor in triggering migraines. If you have worked hard all week and are starting to relax on the weekend, it may be ruined by a weekend migraine headache.
- Any type of change in your environment such as, the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and even a change in the time zone, can trigger a migraine.
- Some people are overly sensitive to all types of sensory stimulus such as, bright lights and certain smells. Certain perfumes or flowers have been known to trigger migraine pain.
- Women who are going through hormonal changes will be more at risk for developing a migraine. Researchers aren’t sure why the fluctuations of hormones will trigger a migraine, but the incidences of migraines seem to increase right before or during a woman’s period.
- Certain medications have been know to trigger migraine headaches.
If you are having frequent migraine headaches, try to pinpoint the trigger for them. Try keeping a journal of everything that you eat or do that’s out of the ordinary each day. When you have a migraine read back through your journal and try to identify a possible trigger. If you haven’t started treatment for migraines, see your doctor. He can prescribe medicine that will decrease the migraines or make them less intense. Don’t suffer in pain anymore, find the cause of your migraine headaches.
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Headache
- Seven in 10 people have at least one headache a year
- The majority of headaches last for only a few hours, but some can persist for weeks
- Forty-five million Americans suffer from chronic headaches
- Headaches cost billions of dollars in lost productivity every year
With a headache, pain may occur in only one part of the head, such as above the eyes, or it may involve the entire head. The type of pain experienced varies; it may be constant and dull or sudden and sharp. And sometimes other symptoms, such as nausea, occur at the same time depending on the type of headache.
Three main types of headaches
Tension headaches typically feel like a tightening on both sides of the head. They can last for minutes or days, and can happen frequently. Tension headaches are often the result of stress or bad posture, which causes tightening of the muscles in the neck and the scalp. Tension headaches often worsen with noise and hot, stuffy environments. This type of headache occurs mostly in women over age 20.
Migraine headaches are intense and throbbing, often involve one side of the head, and can make you sensitive to light or noise. Migraines last from hours up to three days and are more common in women. Some sufferers have an “aura” (a group of visual symptoms) just before an attack. In the U.S. each year, about 25 million people experience a migraine. Migraine sufferers usually have their first attack before age 30, but they can also occur in children as young as age three. Migraines recur at intervals of varying length. Some people have attacks several times a month; others have less than one a year. Most people find that migraine attacks occur less frequently and become less severe as they get older. There are two types of migraine: migraine with an aura and migraine without aura. An aura is a group of symptoms that develop before the onset of the main headache.
Cluster headaches are non-throbbing and usually are felt on one side of the head behind an eye. Cluster headaches affect about 1 million people in the United States. More common in men, they can happen over several days and usually last 30 to 45 minutes. They generally occur between one and four times a day. Like migraines, cluster headaches are likely to be related to an increased blood flow as a result of the blood vessels in the brain widening.
What are the causes?
There are many possible causes of headache that determine the site and nature of the pain. About three in four of all headaches are caused by tension in the scalp and neck muscles. Very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention. For example, a severe headache may be a sign of meningitis. In elderly people, a headache with tenderness of the scalp or temple may be due to temporal ateritis, in which blood vessels in the head become inflamed.
If you have a headache that lasts more than 24 hours and is severe, or accompanied by other symptoms, such as problems with vision or vomiting, medical help should be sought immediately.
What might your doctor do?
Your doctor may do a physical examination if he/she suspects an underlying disorder causing your headache. You may require tests such as a CT scan or a MRI of your brain.
 Source: http://www.doctorsforadults.com
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