Health Care

By: Thomas Thorne

When a person develops a migraine headache, the primary and immediate concern is relief from the incredible pain. All too often individuals in this situation grab a bottle and down one, two or three of the common over-the-counter headache medications to fix the issue. The problem is, that does not fix the issue. People who take 2-3 or more of these medications per week are at strong risk to become caught in a desperate rebound headache cycle, where they have near daily headaches of one degree or another.

There has got to be a better way to fight this modern day scourge on mankind. A person in such a situation has lost control of his or her life. They are slave to an evil taskmaster that will not allow them to do many of the things that they would like and not to enjoy so much of what life has to offer.

Through testing, three of the most effective herbal remedies for migraines are feverfew, butterbur and pine bark. Let's take a look at all three of these promising alternative treatments for migraine.

Feverfew

Feverfew comes from the same tribe of plants (asteraceae) as the daisy. Since the 1st century A.D., it has been used for the treatment of headache, stomachaches and fever. Feverfew has anti-inflammatory, stimulant, relaxant, decongestant and anti-coagulant properties.

Feverfew is mainly used for the treatment and prevention of frequent and serious migraine headaches. From the Natural Health (2007-03-01) we are told that "in a recent, well-designed clinical trial, 170 German patients took a placebo pill or an extract of feverfew for 16 weeks. Those taking Feverfew had significantly fewer migraines."

Feverfew should be taken daily as a preventative, rather than a treatment for migraines. Herbal experts recommend tapering off the dose if you are going to quit taking the herb.

Butterbur

Traditionally butterbur has been used to treat spasms in the respiratory and digestive tract. In addition, Butterbur is said to inhibit the production of histamine, which helps to keep air passages open. This may help to relieve allergic congestion and seasonal allergies.

Butterbur is very popular in Europe and becoming increasingly popular in America as a sound way to minimize neurological discomfort. The exact cause of this is still unclear but neurologically severe headaches may be caused by a number of biological factors. Some researchers believe that they stem from an imbalance in the central nervous system that encourages the release of blood-dilating peptides. This could result in inflammation of the brain's thin outer layer, the cerebral cortex. As pressure builds, blood flow becomes more restricted, potentially enhancing migraine headache symptoms. (Carle, R., Plant-based antiphlogistics and spasmolytics' (translated from German). Z Phytother. 1988; 9: 67-76).

Other physicians think that many commonly consumed food items trigger migraines or that they could be hereditary. A 12 week clinical study showed that the active compounds in butterbur can prevent peptidoleukotriene biosynthesis, which is an inflammatory process that has been linked to the onset of mgraines. (Bickel D, Roder T, Bestmann, J. Identification and characterization of inhibitors of peptide-leukotriene-synthesis from Petasites hybridus. Plant Medica. 1994; 60:31-322).

Also of note is the writing 'Petasites Hybridus Root (Butterbur) is an effective prevention for migraine" by Lipton, Einhaupl and Gobel (Neurology, 2004; 2240-4).

One thing to note about butterbur is that the plant contains liver toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). So it is important to choose a formula that is PA free.

Pine Bark

Dr. Sirichai Chayasirisobhon of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center set out to address the question of whether free radical damage can contribute to migraine headaches. ("Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Medication", Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, Vol 46, No. 5, May 2006) He chose a dozen patients who had a long-term history of migraines with little to no success with various drugs (antidepressants, beta-blockers and anticonvulsants).

At the start of the study, subjects completed a questionnaire which was called the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS). The MIDAS was designed to assess the impact of migraine flare-ups on activities at home, work and while interacting with friends and family. This is a great way to start an unbiased test, so that the results before the test are well documented and there can be no dispute.

For the three month study period, each subject was given daily supplements that contained 600 mg of vitamin C, 300 IU of vitamin E and 1,200 mg of a pine bark extract. Subjects were allowed to continue using the medications they were currently taking.

Upon the end of the trial period the subjects completed a seconds MIDAS questionnaire. Their responses indicated a significant improvement.

The overall MIDAS scored improvement was more than 50%.

The average number of migraine days was reduced from 44 days in the three months prior to the trial, to 26 days during the trial.

The average migraine severity score (which some will argue is the most important factor) was reduced from 7.5 (out of 10) to 5.5

One subject dropped out of the trial. Of the remaining 11, two reported no change in frequency, duration or severity. Among the other nine, the overall MIDAS score improvement was almost 68%.

These three herbal remedies for migraines have all shown very good results when tested as alternative treatments for migraine headaches. If you suffer from headaches of these three appear to be well worth a try. It is possible that people in this country need to take a new approach toward migraine headache relief. Herbal remedies may be the answer.

Visit the Herbal Remedies for Migraine Headaches website for more information on herbal remedies for migraine headaches and great product offers. There are ways to help defeat the battle with migraines or headaches in general that many of us are facing.

About the Author
The author of this article suffered from migraime headaches for 40 years and was constantly led down a dead end when seeking help. Through research, herbal and homeopathic remedies he has found alternative treatments for migraine headaches. Tom Thorne Herbal Remedies for Migraine Headaches

Ken Wilson
Headaches are a common problem nowadays. However, people have the possibility to cure them effectively, if they make use of natural treatments. A very large range of factors can cause headache conditions. Stress is definitely one of them, since stress is the disease of the century. People who ware glasses also suffer from headaches if they do not use the proper pair of glasses.

Rheumatism, old age, and heat are also headache-triggering factors. Some people undergo influences of the changes of the weather or any other natural phenomena, such as rain, snow or high temperatures. These are the external factors. There are also many internal factors. These refer to the other diseases, the underlying conditions, from which one may suffer.

Certain headaches are very strong and need strong drugs or natural cures to be treated. Some of these aches have hormonal causes. In this case, you must see a doctor, because he or she is the only one who can tell you what to take in order to get better. Normally, you always should go see a doctor before you take any type of treatment, but people tend not to do this lately.

Probably we can blame it on the lack of time, but we always have to take in consideration that nothing is more important than our health. After all, the most precious thing in one’s life is his or her health. If you have your health, you will be able to do everything you want to.

Nevertheless, there are not only strong headaches. This is why most people suffering from such disorders are successful in their attempts of healing headaches, as long as they use the adequate natural treatments. Healing headaches may require time, but the positive outcomes are possible only with the adequate curing “tools", namely natural cures. Such solutions may appear as irrelevant, but in fact, they have an incredible potential for healing headaches.

Headaches can also have their cause in a lack of vitamins. Therefore, the solution can be that you should eat fruits and vegetables, because they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, everything that your body needs. A balanced alimentation is the solution for many diseases, especially for strong headache conditions. After all, fruits and veggies are natural, do not contain preservatives and can even help you lose some weight.

If you do not treat adequately headaches, these can cause other diseases, even more serious. In addition, when you have a headache, you do not feel like doing anything and you will not be the only one who is going to feel bad about it. Most likely, your family and friends will support the consequences, too. Because when you have a headache, you are irascible and no one can satisfy you.

You always have to ask for the advice of your doctor, because he knows what to tell you to do. However, as we have said it before, you should try natural cures, because these, in some situations may help you more than traditional cures might in your attempt of healing headaches. If you want to forget about headaches for good, you should try giving up your bad habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or even coffee. You also could practice several sports, because, in this manner, your brain gets a lot more oxygen and you feel a lot better and healthier.

If you want to cure headaches, you should look for information on this matter. We are here to provide you with natural solutions for healing headaches.

source:users.search-o-rama.com

by Shawn Thomas

Wisdom teeth are third molars in the back of the mouth that usually that are the last teeth to appear. It is also possible that not all four wisdom teeth come in. Taking out wisdom teeth is one of the most common operations in developed countries around the world. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the removal of wisdom teeth. According to recent medical evidence most people don't need their wisdom teeth removed, even if the teeth are impacted.

A wisdom tooth only needs to be taken out if there is an infection around the tooth, there is damage to a neighboring tooth, there is a cavity in the tooth that your dentist can't treat, and/or there is a cyst in your jaw. However, even so many people continue to have their wisdom teeth removed when they don't cause any problems.

Often times when a wisdom tooth is coming in your gums may feel sore or tender for a while. But this is normal and not a cause for concern. If your wisdom teeth are not causing you any problems it's best to avoid the risks of surgery. In fact, if your wisdom teeth are impacted and are not causing problems, taking them out may do more harm than good.

The upper wisdom teeth roots are very close to the maxillary sinus and some people even have roots that go into the sinus. An opening into the sinus after the removal of wisdom teeth occurs once in a while. If this occurs it is likely that bacteria can prevent healing and get into the sinus. This infection does not respond well to antibiotics and often requires surgery to drain the infected sinus.

Nerves in your mouth may be damaged during surgery to remove your lower wisdom teeth. The lingual nerve may be permanently damaged in up to 1 in 100 people which is the nerve that helps you sense pain and temperature in your mouth. Dentists and surgeons often use an instrument called a lingual nerve retractor to move the nerve out of the way. But this can actually increase the risk of damage. The inferior alveolar nerve can also be damaged. This nerve supplies sensation to the lower teeth on the right or left half of the dental arch and the sense of touch to the right or left half of the chin and lower lip.

Another lesser known serious complication that can result from the removal of wisdom teeth is a rare disease known as new daily persistent headache. People with NDPH can tell you the exact date when their headache began. It is characterized by continuous daily head pain, varying in intensity, and sometimes accompanied by Migrainous symptoms.

Other complications that can result from the extraction of wisdom teeth include a dry socket, jaw fracture, injury to teeth, tmj pain, and bleeding.


About the Author:

Shawn Thomas writes about wisdom teeth removal and his experience with new daily persistent headache brought on by the removal his wisdom teeth. To find out more visit www.teethremoval.com.

By: madcore

Tired of this pain in your head? Read the following article to discover what causes headache.

Everyone at on point or another has suffered from a headache, after it is probably one of the most common illnesses. But what exactly are the causes of headache? There are multiple causes responsible for this condition. For example a simple irritation to the neck can be the start point of a headache or the simple sensation of pain transmitting through your body can release one.

Stress

There a many various causes of headaches and there is a wide range of headache types, and this is one of the most common reason why headaches occurs so frequently. Probably the most common cause of headache today is stress. Stress often generate a feeling of “fight or flight” and is accompanied by other symptoms such as:

- Shallow breathing
- Raised heart rate
- High blood pressure

In some cases even adrenaline can be the cause of headaches.

Nutrition

Another important cause of headache is your nutrition. Many people are unaware of that but your diet as well as your sensitivity to food is one major cause of headache, especially migraines. Headaches are related to nutrition in cases like:

- Variation of blood sugar levels
- Withdrawal of caffeine or too much caffeine
- Food additives

Dental Abscess

This is one kind of headache i really hope you never have. Dental abscess can trigger major headaches, especially if you suffer from an infection. Not only will you suffer from a severe headache but you will have to endure the pain associated to the infection. In this particular case you will need to consult your dentist for the proper treatment.

Hormones

Hormones are another factor that can cause headaches. Hormones are what allow an individual to fell pain. In this case sexual hormones can be associated with headaches especially for women. Whether it is before or after their menstrual period if the hormones level are to low, women may have some severe migraines.

Vision

People with impaired vision are probably very familiar with this condition as it is a very common cause of headache. The headache can be targeted when they strain their eyes muscle to try to focus or when they try to squint. Another condition related to the eyes is Glaucoma which is an eye disease that can cause headaches.

Other causes of headaches can be due to a disorder in the following area:
- The ear
- The nose
- The throat

The following are some of the most common causes of headache:

- sinus headache
- labyrinthitis
- infections
- traumas

Some research point to the fact that even damage to a person’s nerves can be a cause of headaches.

In conclusion I’d like to say thank you to you for reading this article about “what causes headache” I truly hope the information was helpful to you and good luck with any issues related to your condition.

If you liked this article about the causes of headache, visit my website. We offer quality information related to headaches. Discover the best headache relief treatments available. Get rid of your headaches once and for all.

Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

By: Catherine Winters

Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from the debilitating, life-altering pain of migraine. Learn what causes the throb and how to stop it.

Who Gets Migraine

It’s not clear why some people develop migraines and others don’t. If both your parents are migraine sufferers, there’s a 75 percent chance you’ll be one, too. If only one parent is, your risk drops to 50 percent. And if a distant relative complains of the headaches, there’s still a 20 percent chance you could end up a migraineur. (That’s the term used to describe a migraine sufferer.) Your gender may predispose you to migraines as well: Women are three times more likely than men to get this type of headache.

What Happens

“The brain of a migraine sufferer is inherently more sensitive than the brains of others,” says Fred Freitag, D.O., associate director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago—and himself a migraineur. “When this sensitive brain gets bombarded by outside and inside stimuli, cells in the cortex of the brain become hyperexcited and start a process of electrical discharge.” As electrical impulses spread across the surface of the brain, chemicals that dilate blood vessels and inflame surrounding tissue are released and kick into action. These chemicals trigger a series of events that eventually produce the throbbing pain (usually on one side of the head), nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound that are hallmark migraine symptoms. Before the headache comes on, about one third of sufferers also experience an aura—flashes of light, blind spots or zigzag lines, or tingling in the face and arm.

What Can be Done

Avoiding triggers is the first step to heading migraines off. Headache experts usually have migraineurs keep a diary for two to three months to identify foods, external factors and behaviors that might be making their heads throb. Then they’re ready for action. “If you that know certain foods give you a headache, avoid them,” says Dr. Freitag. Also, get on a schedule. Eat at regular times and go to bed and get up at the same time every day. If you go to bed at 11 and get up at 6 all week but sleep in on Saturday, your blood sugar will drop because you’re eating breakfast later. In addition, your internal clock gets thrown off. “Both can stimulate a sensitive brain,” says Dr. Freitag.

Eat a healthy diet. Magnesium-rich foods, such as whole grain breads and pasta, may help stave off migraines. And exercise regularly. Even 20 minutes of aerobic exercise a few times per week stimulates the production of endorphins, the brain’s natural painkillers. Relaxation training, acupuncture and massage can help, too. If these measures aren’t enough, ask your doctor whether you are a candidate for medication. The good news: With a little trial and error, experts say, you can usually find relief.

Trigger Effect

Experts have identified a slew of stimuli that can cause migraine attacks. These range from preservatives to perfumes to changes in barometric pressure. In women, hormone levels are often to blame. “Their hormones peak, drop during ovulation and then climb again, and then fall just before menstruation,” says Robert Kunkel, M.D., a consultant in the department of neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Headache Center. “It seems to be the fall of estrogen levels in the blood that excites brain cells, not hormone levels per se.”

About the Author:

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Answering your "What is...?" questions...

Whenever people talk about or look for information regarding migraine disease and headaches, one of the most commonly asked questions is, "What is...?" We have answers to many "What is..." questions, and we'll be adding more along the way.

What Is or Are...

Abdominal Migraine?

Acephalgic or Silent Migraine?

"Alice In Wonderland" Syndrome?

Basilar-Type Migraine?

Chronic Daily Headache?

Cluster Headaches?

Hemicrania Continua?

Hemiplegic Migraine?

Ice Pick Headaches?

A Migraine?

New Daily Persistent Headache?

Pseudotumor Cerebri, aka Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?

Retinal Migraine?

Status Migrainous

Tension-Type Headache

Transformed Migraine?