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tx
nervous system
Headache: vascular
Integrative Therapies

Home Care

Headaches are some of the most common afflictions from which people suffer. Some of the common causes are:
• Stress
• Muscular tension
• Sinus problems
• Constipation
• Allergies to foods, drugs, or chemicals
• Blood sugar imbalances
• Eye strain

Of course, other conditions such as high blood pressure, PMS, tumors, and infections can be the cause. Always consult a physician to determine the cause, and make sure there is not a serious underlying illness.

This information is divided into (A) – What to do if you have a headache now, and (B) – How to prevent recurrent headaches. You may now want to take notes.


A, WHAT TO DO FOR A HEADACHE

1. Drink 1 cup of water every 10 minutes for 1 hour.

2. For a severe headache, do an enema with 1 quart of warm water. Sometimes an enema made with 2 to 4 tablespoons of coffee in a quart of water can be useful in aborting a severe headache such as a migraine.

3. For sinus headaches with pain and pressure around the eyes, put your feet in hot water and cover your head and face with a cold washcloth. Do this for approximately 10 minutes. Listen to our program on sinusitis (number 747) for further information.


HERBAL PREPARATIONS:

• Willow Bark is the herb that aspirin comes from. Make a tea with 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer 3 minutes and steep for 15 minutes. Drink a cup every couple of hours. Or, you can take 2 capsules of this herb every 2 hours. If you use a tincture, which is a liquid herbal extract, take 30 drops at a time.

• Skullcap, Passion flower, and Valerian can be used in combination to release tension. Use 20 drops of each tincture every hour while the headache lasts. Or you can prepare a tea using 1 tablespoon of the dried herb mixture and prepare it the same as the Willow Bark tea.

A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT IS:

• Niacin (Vitamin B3) – Use 150 to 200 milligrams at the first sign of a headache or a migraine. This may prevent it from developing. You may feel a flushing or burning sensation in the skin which will go away in 15 to 20 minutes. Do not use it on daily basis since it may be toxic to the liver.


HOMEOPATHY:

From the following homeopathic remedies, choose the one that best matches your symptoms. Dissolve 3 pellets under the tongue once every hour until the headache improves.

• Belladonna 12C: For a throbbing, pulsating headache, usually worse on the right side. Feels worse with light, noise, and movement.

• Bryonia 12C: For a splitting headache. Feels like the head will burst. Made worse from any movement and is better when putting pressure on or holding the head.

• Gelsemium 12C: When dull pain starts at the back of the head and feels like a band around the head. The eyes may feel tired, and there may be general drowsiness.

• Cyclamen 12C: For migraines with flickering lights before the eyes that come on before the menstrual period.

Note: A wide range of homeopathic medicines can be helpful for individuals with vascular headaches. Consultation with a health care professional trained in homeopathic prescribing will usually be the best way to select the correct medicine.


AS AN ADDITIONAL MEASURE:

Tension headaches can be relieved by massaging the tight muscles of the shoulder, neck, and the area at the base of the skull.

Find the pressure point at the base of the skull and massage firmly with the thumbs. Also, between the index finger and thumb of each hand is a tender pressure point that can be massaged. Massage each spot for 2 minutes.

Rubbing these pressure points and the temples with a small amount of peppermint oil, Tiger Balm, or Vick's helps relieve many people's headaches.


B. HOW TO PREVENT RECURRING HEADACHES

THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:

1. Vitamin B-complex – 100 milligrams twice a day

2. Niacin – 50 milligrams twice a day

3. Calcium – 1,000 milligrams per day

4. Magnesium – 500 milligrams per day

For migraines – use 1 capsule per day of Evening Primrose oil and 1 capsule per day of Fever Few herb. These must be taken over a long period of time to lower the frequency and intensity or to prevent attacks.


REGARDING OTHER GENERAL MEASURES FOR HEADACHES:

Essential parts of a program to deal with headaches are:

1. learning techniques for stress reduction,

2. assuring elimination of waste products by regular daily bowel movements, and

3. eliminating food allergies.


FOR STRESS REDUCTION:

1 Adopt a regular physical exercise program.

2 Use a relaxation technique, deep breathing, or meditation.

3 Counseling is an important tool if your headaches are aggravated by work or family tensions.


IF YOU SUFFER FROM CONSTIPATION:

This can aggravate your headaches. Increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.


REGARDING FOOD ALLERGIES:

These need to be eliminated since they are a major cause of headaches, including migraines.

Many people with migraines are allergic to foods that contain tyramine. These include wines, strong cheeses, chocolate, and salted fish such as herring. Some people are also sensitive to citrus fruits, avocado, plums, raspberries, and bananas. However, virtually any food can cause an allergy.

Eliminating these foods from the diet is a good way to determine if one or several of them are responsible for the problem. After eliminating all of these foods from the diet, and the symptoms have gone away, one food at a time can be reintroduced to see if the symptoms reoccur. A new food would be introduced each week.

If you need more information, refer to the articles on food allergies, constipation, or stress reduction.

Clinic

Footnotes

BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.