Few things are as intensely painful as cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are defined by their sudden onset, intense pain and frequent recurrence over a short period of time. The burst of headache activity is usually followed by a period of calm before the next attack ensues.

“Suicide Headaches” -

Cluster headaches are so painful that they are recognized as one of the most painful conditions in the world. Women have reported that they are more intense than labor. Accompanied by sharp pain around and in the eye, the top of the head or down the neck, people have described the pain as similar to having a spike or red-hot poker jabbed into their bodies.

Believed to be caused by an abnormality in the hypothalamus, cluster headaches usually strike at about the same time each day. Brain imaging techniques show that specific areas in the brain are only activated during a cluster headache attack, and while the attack itself is benign, in that it doesn’t actually do any physical harm to the individual, when a severe incident occurs it should be treated as a medical emergency.

Oxygen Treatment isn’t New -

The best way to treat the onset of a cluster headache is to “cut it off at the pass.” Abortive treatments vary, but the use of pure oxygen has been demonstrated to end the attack within 1 to 10 minutes. If the headache reaches its peak, no amount of oxygen will help and other options are more effective.

The use of oxygen to treat cluster headaches was first noted in 1939 at the Mayo Clinic. It was noted that people with “severe migraines” often recovered quickly when given 100% oxygen to breathe. Studies showed that up to 80% of patients with cluster headaches received significant results from oxygen therapy, slightly higher than the rate of success with ergotamine medications. The effects were also felt more quickly.

Side Effects are Few -

There are few side effects associated with oxygen therapy. The primary concern is that a majority of those who suffer from cluster headaches are smokers. Oxygen and cigarettes are an explosive mix. The risk of a patient lighting up while attached to oxygen is small, but should be considered.

Another noted side effect is that of a rebound headache. About 25% of patients experience some degree of headache rebound after treatment. Still, when compared with the side effects normally attributed to ergotamine, this is relatively benign.

Migraines can also be Treated with Oxygen -

While the research isn’t as conclusive regarding the treatment of migraine headaches with oxygen, it is known to be helpful as well. About 50% of all sufferers will experience relief through the use of oxygen. If, however, there is no improvement after 30 minutes, none can be expected.

For those who suffer from cluster headaches, the use of oxygen can be a real boon. The concept of eliminating the headache within a matter of minutes, for someone suffering from excruciating pain, can only be imagined. With few side effects and a long record of successful treatment, oxygen therapy should be made more available to those with cluster headaches.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://www.HealthSourceOfHoustonMemorial.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.

Headaches are a common complaint. Usually, when someone says they have a headache, it’s not considered that serious-maybe they’re tired or stressed out; even dehydration can cause headaches. Take an aspirin with a glass of water, and you’ll feel better. Strangely, sometimes it’s the water more than the aspirin that alleviates the headache, because in our modern world we’ve become so accustomed to neglecting the basics of what our bodies need.

Sinus Headaches -

I myself have in the past been susceptible to chronic sinus headaches. Those usually weren’t what would be thought of as severe, as far as the degree of pain was concerned-more an annoyance. A persistent, throbbing pain around and behind my eyes that was manageable, but still interfered with daily activities because it made me less inclined to want to do anything, and it made things like staring at a computer screen not so much fun.

I found out not long ago that migraines are frequently misdiagnosed as sinus headaches, and I wonder, now, if I had some mild form of migraine rather than what I always assumed was just a manifestation of the allergies that had plagued me my whole life.

Migraines -

That’s another layer of the headache discussion: migraines. While I’ve never suffered from migraines in the accepted sense-whatever my chronic sinus headaches really might have been, they were not debilitating the way true migraines seem to be-I have an alarming number of friends who are prone to them.

Typically, the friends of mine who are afflicted with these horrible day-ending, skull-splitting headaches are young, or youngish, women. One friend actually had a number of tests done because she was experiencing numbness in various body parts along with the migraines. Many life-threatening conditions were possible and even suspected, including brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and aneurysm.

Vitamin Deficiency -

I had suggested before the symptoms ever got that severe that perhaps she had a vitamin D deficiency. In the end, after hundreds of dollars, test upon test, and a lot of false alarms, that ended up being exactly what it was: vitamin D deficiency and really bad migraines-possibly vitamin D deficiency somehow causing the really bad migraines.

Stress on Body and Mind -

Ten or fifteen years ago, my uncle, in his late forties now and a real estate agent, would have to turn off the lights in his office and lay on the floor, because that was the only thing that helped ease the migraines from which he suffered. The diagnosis? Stress.

Why are so many people, and so many fairly young people at that, tormented by these life-halting headaches? Whatever the doctors say, I will maintain that it’s what we eat and how we live. We need to give our bodies water, vitamins and nutrients, and the rest we need.

We need to seek out the types of healthcare that will put our bodies back on track naturally, without drugs: chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, herbs. Since I’ve adopted that type of lifestyle, I rarely get headaches anymore, and I think there’s something to be said for that.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://www.HealthSourceOfJunctionCity.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.

The pain of a herniated disc is not something someone wants to willingly endure. If the ruptured disc presses on the nerve root in the back, it can cause an excruciatingly painful condition known as sciatica.

Some of the primary reasons for a herniated disc include everyday wear and tear on the spine due to poor posture, impact injuries, sleeping on a poor mattress, and being obese. This condition can also be brought on by age-related conditions such as degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and spinal stenosis.

Treatment options for a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can be managed with a number of natural and drug treatment options. Natural treatments include acupuncture, massage, cold compress, heat packs, and decompression therapy.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat painful conditions. During acupuncture, thin needles are inserted along pathways in the body to release natural pain killers, and improve the flow of energy.

Massage therapy releases pain killing hormones in the body, improves blood circulation, and relieves spasms in the back. If you have blood clots, cancer, circulation problems, or are pregnant, talk to a doctor before getting a massage to relieve the pain of a herniated disc.

The pain of a herniated can be relieved by applying heat and cold compresses together on your spine. The cold pack reduces inflammation and relieves pressure on the nerves, while heat relaxes muscle spasms in the back. To prevent further inflammation of a disc injury, wait at least 48 hours before applying heat to the affected area.

Decompression therapy uses a split table to relieve pressure on the nerves, and restore nutrients and fluid to the spinal discs.

Drug treatment options for a herniated disc include over the counter NSAIDS that work to reduce inflammation, and ease pain. Even though NSAIDS are sold over the counter, they can still have dangerous side effects. If you are taking meds to manage other health conditions, talk to a doctor before taking over the counter pain relievers for herniated disc pain.

If over the counter meds are not enough to manage back pain, a doctor can prescribe stronger pain pills. Oral prescription pain killers can have dangerous side effects, and overuse of these types of pain meds can also lead to addiction.

Steroid injections can be placed directly into the affected area to reduce inflammation and ease pain. Most herniated discs will heal over time, but in rare instances surgery may be needed.

How to Prevent a Herniated Disc

There is no guarantee that you won’t get a herniated disc, but you can reduce your risks by eating a diet that is rich in calcium, and vitamin D to prevent weak bones and fractures. Exercise regularly to keep the midsection muscles strong so they can properly support the spine.
And practice proper posture when you sit, stand, and sleep to minimize excess pressure on the spine, and back muscles.
A herniated disc can be painful. But with the variety of natural and drug treatment options available, the pain can be successfully managed so there is no need to suffer needlessly.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://HealthSourceChiro.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.

Everyone gets headaches. As a matter of fact, they are the most common cause of pain and more people buy pain relievers for this reason than for any other. At some point in everyone’s life, they will suffer from a headache and will seek some way to treat it.

The Common Headache -

For the majority of people, a catnap, aspirin or just some quiet is enough to soothe the average headache. However, some people get headaches that are so severe, they go beyond the realm of common headaches and quickly turn into migraines. Sadly, women suffer from migraines three times as often as men.

From PMS to Menstrual Migraine -

Among the most common types of migraines in women is a headache called the menses migraine. These migraines occur immediately before, during or after a woman’s menstrual period. Occasionally, they are caused by ovulation. Since this takes up a big chunk of time, women suffering from menstrual migraines will want to seek treatment.

Symptoms of a Menstrual Migraine -

A menses migraine has the same general symptoms of a regular migraine. Generally, the headache starts on one side of the head. The pain will increase until it is sharp and interferes with daily life. The pain can cause nausea and fatigue along with sensitivity to light and sound. Some people experience an aura before the onset of symptoms. Other people will experience a smell. Still others have no signs at all that a migraine is about to hit.

Causes of a Migraine -

Recent studies have shown that migraines are caused by changes in the hormone level. This does explain why women are more likely to get migraines and why they often occur during ovulation and menses.

Recently, studies have linked serotonin levels to migraines. A sudden fluctuation in this hormone can trigger the onset of a migraine. Some doctors are trying to establish a genetic link but at this point, it has not been proven yet.

Estrogen and Migraine Headaches -

Currently, scientists are studying the effects of serotonin on the female hormone estrogen. It is this hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. At this point, it is speculated that when estrogen levels and serotonin levels reach a state of imbalance, the result is the onset of a migraine. Other factors may include another female hormone progesterone.

Which Women are at Risk? -

At this time, it is uncertain why some women suffer from these migraines and others do not. When it comes down to it, most women do not suffer from menses migraines. In fact, it is a very small number of women who do.

Relief for Migraine Headaches -

Since stress is a known factor for headaches including menstrual migraines, it is always a good idea to try to reduce stress levels. This is especially true when you know a migraine is destined to come.

Studies have revealed that regular massages reduce the severity and duration of stress related headaches. For an effective stress relieving massage, you may want to consider a chiropractor. They can both keep your neck in alignment (another common cause of headaches is having your neck out of alignment) and provide therapeutic massage.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://www.HealthSourceOfFitchburg.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.

It seems like a flaw in the engineering of our bodies that something like the back, which is the sole support of most of the body and carries messages and commands for almost all of it, should be so fragile. Some of the problems that can beset this indispensible body part cannot be readily fixed, but fortunately most of them can. One of the most effective treatments is that of decompression, which is performed by a chiropractor as a non-surgical treatment.

Sharing The Pain -

The spine itself, which transmits nerve messages to and from the brain, is fairly well protected, but it and its surrounds are susceptible to numerous types of injuries, both minor and catastrophic. Because it carries so much responsibility when it comes to bodily functions – a spinal cord injury that causes paralysis, for example, does not damage the legs, but simply prevents the messages about moving from ever reaching perfectly useful muscles – it is wise to take the best care possible.

Even minor insults to the spine or its surrounds – e.g. the back – can have very long-term effects. This is because a back injury, if not treated, may not heal fully on its own. The other problem area is that whole sending nerve messages through the body thing. Back pain can manifest itself as everything from leg pain to headaches to neck pain, meaning that the sufferer may not actually know where the ache is coming from or why.

One of the great advantages of seeing a chiropractor is the holistic nature of the practice. This enables them to take the whole body into consideration. Making pain stop is important, but without knowing why it happens, a recurrence or worse is quite likely.

Why You May Need To Decompress -

Spinal decompression should not be confused with what happens when you have been underwater for a very long time and have to come up slowly so that your blood gasses can balance. Aside from the fact that both deal with relieving of pressure, they are two entirely different entities. And for a number of reasons, they are dangerous if interchanged.

Spinal decompression deals with injuries to the spine that are colloquially known as “slipped discs”. This is a misnomer, as the cushioning discs that prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other do not actually “slip” — or if they do you are in real trouble. What actually happens is that the outer layer is ruptured, allowing some of the cushioning material to poke out.

Anyone who has had a herniated disc knows what this looks and feels like, and neither is pleasant. Essentially, the entire weight of your body above that point is pressing down on one spot. The brain knows this isn’t right and gives the spine full authority to send out as many pain signals as possible.

Chiropractic decompression works to reduce the swelling and the pressure so that the disc can heal itself. This not only relieves the pain, but also enables the patient to return to full functioning. Depending on the level of injury, it is quite possible to get along without treatment, but this will ultimately make things much, much worse.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://HealthSourceMarietta.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.

“I get a headache when I think about everything I have to do.” This is a common phrase that is shared among business professionals and the average working class citizen. In the crunch time of today’s economic status it appears as if everyone is scrambling to reach that glimmering hope called “financial stability.”

Why Headaches Occur after Sleepless Nights -

Everyone’s Circadian Clock rotates essentially the same way – it’s the small personal adjustments that make them unique.

In a perfect world we’d all have the pleasure of going to bed each night at the exact moment that our body starts pumping those high secretions of melatonin. We’d have the ability to accomplish all of the day’s pressing activities, and address family life needs just in time to cash in on the wealthy experience of a good night’s rest.

Unfortunately, for many thousands of Americans, just being able to say that one slept at all is a treat. As a matter of fact, the majority of our best writers and musicians insist that staying up until the break of dawn is how they come up with some of their best material.

A consistent lack of sleep, or shortened time spent in deep sleep, is a good way to add more sorrow to your troubles. One of the first signs that you may be traveling down the wrong sleep path is when you wake up from a night of little to no rest, and find a headache as familiar as the morning sun.

Can the Persistent Presence of a Headache Cause you to be Depressed? -

The reason why some people associate headaches with depression is because of the way a person appears when suffering with a headache.

Images of people holding their head, appearing to be in low spirits and unconcerned with the nutrition of food has been associated with the experience of depression. An individual suffering from a headache may also show these signs without experiencing depression.

Headaches and depression do share a common ground, but it’s not because one causes the other.

Unveiling a Hidden Reason for RNHD -

The inability to sleep, regular headaches, and depression can all be side effects of a stress filled life. While most of us will admit that a trouble-free existence sounds like an unrealistic one, it’s dangerous to accept stress as a way of living.

Because serious long term stress can turn into back pain, neck pain, and even stroke it’s important to handle life’s challenges quickly, and in a positive way. Visiting a chiropractic office may be one of the best steps in de-stressing your life.

Chiropractic offices take medical examinations to a deeper level by including personal questions that may reveal the stressful sources of your pain. The trained medical doctors in some of the more advanced chiropractic offices work side by side with message therapists who, with their combined efforts, can offer relaxing techniques and life changing solutions.

Stress is something that none of us can avoid, yet with the proper consultation we can learn how to handle it effectively and safely.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://www.healthsourceofplainfield.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.