HEADACHES
By Debbie Markel, CH, CNHP
Some
headaches are just annoyances. Others,
like migraines, can be debilitating. One
thing’s certain – there are very few people who haven’t had a headache of
one kind or another at least once in their lifetimes.
Since migraines are more complex, this article will discuss other types
of headaches.
There are literally hundreds of reasons people get a headache. I get a headache when the atmospheric pressure drops. Stress, muscle tension, hunger and sinus problems are the most common triggers. Allergies to foods, pollens, mold, dust and animals will often make our heads ache. Caffeine can induce headaches in some people and so can chocolate, cheeses and nuts. Hormonal changes like PMS and menopause may cause headaches in women and lack of sleep can lead to headaches. Often, people with high blood pressure will experience frequent headaches, as will those who suffer from eyestrain. The possibilities are endless. Severe headaches may be caused by other, more serious diseases, injuries, circulatory issues or neurological problems, so frequent or debilitating headaches should be diagnosed by a healthcare professional before you seek treatment.
Sometimes a simple change in diet will alleviate headaches. A study in the journal Neurology (1994 Oct;44[10]:1787-93) showed that certain people are susceptible to headaches induced by aspartame, the ingredient in Nutra-Sweet® and Equal®. If you use aspartame and have frequent headaches, giving it up may help. The National Institutes of Health reports that monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer found in many foods, is a common cause of headaches (Food Allergy: An Overview, http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/pdf/foodallergy.pdf). Eliminating this ingredient is as simple as reading food labels and avoiding products that list MSG, monosodium glutamate, or “natural flavor” (another name for MSG). Foods that contain tyramine, an amino acid that can cause blood vessels to dilate, often cause headaches. Tyramine is found in cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee, cold cuts, herring, smoked fish, wine, alcohol, sausage, sour cream, and vinegar. Very cold foods can make your head ache as do sugary foods that cause blood sugar levels to rise sharply and then crash.
People with frequent headaches are cautioned against using high doses of over-the-counter remedies on a regular basis because many consumers believe that since they’re readily available without a prescription, they’re safe. They all have potential side effects when used multiple times daily over long periods of time or when combined with certain other medications. According to Medicine Net (www.medicinenet.com), these drugs and their potential dangers and/or side effects include the following:
1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) – Since acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver, over-use can lead to liver damage. Its harmful effects to the liver is increased when it is combined with alcohol, or with drugs that also harm the liver, or other drugs that are metabolized in the liver.
2. Aspirin – Aspirin should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or poor kidney function, and in patients taking blood thinning medications like Coumadin® (warfarin). Aspirin may aggravate breathing in asthma patients and since it can alter the uric acid level in blood, it should be avoided in patients with hyperuricemia and gout. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin for flu or chickenpox because it may cause Reye's Syndrome, a serious disease of the liver. Aspirin can result in abnormally low blood sugars in those taking diabetes medicines. The most common side effects of aspirin involve the gastrointestinal system and ringing in the ears. It should be discontinued prior to elective surgery because it interferes with blood clotting.
3. Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®) – This drug can interact with lithium, blood-thinners like Coumadin® (warfarin), and aminoglycosides (a type of blood pressure-lowering drug). It can cause rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, and stomach ulceration. It may reduce the flow of blood to the kidneys and impair kidney function. It is a blood-thinner and should be discontinued prior to elective surgery.
4.
Naproxen sodium (Aleve®, Naprosyn®) -
Naproxen has the same drug interactions and side effects as ibuprofen.
See above.
2. Feverfew – This herb has been used for centuries to prevent and treat headaches. It is related to and looks like a small daisy. Feverfew should not be used during pregnancy. Do not use if you take a daily therapeutic dose of aspirin or any blood thinning medications.
3. Peppermint oil – When rubbed on the temples, base of the neck, and/or the middle of the forehead between the eyes, the essential oil of peppermint can provide relief from tension headaches. It can be found in convenient roll-on applicators or liquids. Lavender oil and eucalyptus oil have similar properties.
4. Magnesium – Since magnesium relaxes muscles, adding more magnesium when tension headaches occur may provide relief. Taking 200 mg twice a day can often prevent tension headaches.
5. Caffeine – Ironically, while caffeine can cause headaches in some people, it can relieve headache pain in others. A study by Melvyn R. Werbach, M.D. in the January, 2005 issue of the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients showed that 65 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in 2 medium-sized cups of drip coffee) was just as effective as 648 milligrams of acetaminophen (the ingredient in Tylenol®) in relieving non-migraine headache symptoms. Coffee is safe in small amounts, but caffeine is habit-forming and withdrawal from it often causes temporary headaches.