Migraine and Headache Treatments

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Thursday, August 17, 2006

Herbs for Migraine

Have you considered using herbs for migraine?

Here are some popular herbs that have been shown to be effective in treating migraines:

- Feverfew

- Peppermint

- Passionflower

- Ginko Biboba.

Each herb has its healing properties. They all act differently in relieving migraine. Herbs can be powerful. It is best to consult a qualified herbalist if you are not sure about how to use them. In addition, you have to refrain from using them for your migraine especially if you are pregnant or have some major ailment.


Wednesday, August 16, 2006

What is Ice Pick Headache

What exactly is an ice pick headache? This is going to be a difficult question to answer since it can sometimes get quite confusing as to the type of headache that you are having. If you experience pains with the sensation that you are being stabbed by an "ice pick" and if the duration is extremely short (lasting for less than a minute), then you can suspect that you have just experienced an "ice pick headache". "Ice pick headache" is extremely painful and intense. It can strike anywhere on the head (predominantly in the obit, temple and parietal area), inflict you with great pain and terror and then disappear as soon as it strikes.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Risk of Rebound Headaches

Headache sufferers often rely on drugs and medications that relieve pain. These medications are to help in a variety of situations such as inadequate relief of head pain, the recurrence of headaches, anticipation of a headache attack, to make pain more bearable, to function more effectively, to decrease tension and anxiety or to help sleep better.

Such overuse of headache pain medications can lead to problems. They include irritation to the stomach’s lining, ulcers, bleeding in the digestive tract and severe allergic reactions.

Rebound headache occurs in individuals who are susceptible to headache who take pain relievers more than two days per week.

It is important not to exceed the package instructions for the medication. Rebound is based on a cumulative effect, developing over time, and is rarely recognized by the headache sufferer or by their healthcare provider, who is likely unaware that the patient is taking OTC medications.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Natural Headache Remedies

Natural Headache Remedies: "FACT #1: Do you know that that the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks migraine alone as the 19th among all causes of years lived with disability?


FACT #2: More than 45 million Americans have a headache at least once. Headaches are the most common ailment afflicting 90% of most populations.


FACT #3: There has been little research and studies done on the more pervalent Tension Type Headache and the more disabling (as compared to migraine) chronic daily headache. This is surprising as tension type headaches is reported by over 70% of headache sufferers.


FACT #4: Headaches are often trivalised as they do not cause deaths or are contagious. Studies show that only half of all migraine sufferers have seen a doctor for headache-related reasons. Few know that migraine headache is actually a neurobiological disorder of the brain.


FACT#5: Headache disorders impose a huge burden on sufferers including substantial personal suffering, impaired quality of life and financial cost. It is true that repeated attacks and the fear of the next one damage family, social and working life. For example, in the U.K., some 25 million working-or school-days are lost every year due to migraine alone."

Are Bananas a Trigger for Migraine Headaches (Natural Headache Remedies)

Are Bananas a Trigger for Migraine Headaches (Natural Headache Remedies): "Migraine headaches seem to follow a characteristic pattern – from prodrome to postdrome – and the symptoms may differ from person to person. But in most cases, the patient may experience a throbbing pain in any one side of the head (sometimes it spreads to both sides as well), and the condition is usually accompanied by phonophobia, photophobia and nausea or sometimes vomiting.

As per the general conclusion reached upon and accepted globally by doctors and researchers (the exact cause of migraine is still under contention), migraines are caused by a reduction in blood flow to the brain cells. This in turn springs from the constriction of arteries, which is triggered by certain external factors.

There can be a number of factors that trigger the onset of migraines. One such factor is food triggers. Each of these food items triggers migraine due to some chemical compounds found in them. One such chemical is tyramine."

Taking Tylenol Increases Risk of Liver Damage

Tylenol is the brand name of a popular drug used as pain relievers and fever reducers. Its generic name is acetaminophen. It belongs to analgesics and antipyretics class of drugs. These types of drugs are mainly used to relieve pain. They also bring down the temperature and prevent fever. In many countries, including the United States, it is an over-the-counter drug. Taking Tylenol for headache, without a doctor’s advice, is a common practice. A recent research has reported that prolonged use of Tylenol for headache might increase the risk of liver damage.

The exact method through which Tylenol reduces pain is not known. To an extent, it is associated with the immunity of the body. When a person takes Tylenol, the drug increases the pain suddenly to the threshold. This soon puts immunity of the body into action and the pain is relieved soon. The effectiveness of the drug has made it more popular than ibuprofen and aspirin. A 2002 survey pointed out that in a week, the drug is used by one in five adult Americans. This increases the seriousness of the latest finding.

The study, which appeared in Journal of the American Medical Association, found unusual liver test results in adults taking the maximum prescribed doses of Tylenol for two weeks. Soon, the researchers who were part of the study expressed concern even regarding the normal usage of the drug. Dr. Neil Kaplowitz of the University of Southern California, who was a co-author of the study, asked the public not to exceed the usually prescribed limit of four grams a day. For heavy drinkers, Dr. Neil Kaplowitz limited the intake to not more than 2 grams a day.

Another co-author of the study, Dr. Paul Watkins of the University of North Carolina, had a different view. Dr. Watkins, pointing out the 50-year-old track record of the drug, noted that the situation is not that serious. He is of the view that limited use of the drug is not going to create any major worries. The pharmaceutical company producing Tylenol also found very low rates of liver damage. The company’s study was on high-dose users of the drug. The duration also was longer than the new research. The company also ruled out any possible liver disease.

Tylenol is metabolized by the liver. The maximum daily dosage of the drug is 4 grams. For adults, the oral dosage is 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours. For children, the oral dosage is 40-325 mg every 4 hours.

The potential damage to the liver increases when it is used along with drugs or alcohol. The drug becomes even more dangerous to liver when people combine other drugs with it. This often leads to overdose. A leading cause for acute lever failure is such drug combinations.

Several new researches are taking place regarding Tylenol’s potential risk of liver damage. Although Tylenol is an over-the-counter drug, it is wise to take the advice of a doctor before using it.

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