27 Aug The HealthStyle File- Migraines and Tension Headaches

What:

Tension Headaches:

1.     A band of tightness that starts in the neck and slowly makes its way around the side of your head to the forehead.

2.     90% of adults have them, more women then men.

3.     Lack of blood flow to the head, tension in shoulders and back.

Migraines:

1.     12% of people get them.

2.     Lack of serotonin (a feel good chemical that your body produces).

Why:

Tension Headaches:

• Stress, anxiety, fatigue, hunger, poor posture, over exertion.

Migraines:

• Stress, fatigue, smoking.
• Food related-wine, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, processed meats, chemicals added to foods, MSG, yeast breads, drinks w/yeast such as ale and beer, some nuts can be triggers.
• Skipping meals.

How-Can you help your body to heal?

Tension Headaches:

• Circulation-blood flow.
• Gentle yoga, better/deeper breathing (Headache Journal May 2007).

Migraines:

• 400 mg of b2 (dr only) can reduce the frequency and duration of migraines.
• Get your hormone level checked.
• Butterbur (PA free) 2x day, 75 mg tables have been shown to cut headache occurrence by 48% compared to 26% placebo (Study in Neurology 2004).
• Biofeedback.