Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments

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Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« on: July 12, 2006, 09:56:06 AM » by Thyme2BeeHealthy

Hello all,

I am desperate for some way to help my dh!
He has "BAD" headaches EVERYDAY, and has had them for about 3 years.
A horrendous one hit him yesterday. He said he felt like crying, the pain was so intense.

The headache is always at the base of the skull, on the left side.

He has been to the doctor 4 or 5 times and they give him brain numbing drugs that make him zoombie like. He would rather have the headache than be the person the meds make him into.

So, he has gone back to Excedrin migrane medicine, it's the only meds that help if he takes it at the onset of a headache. But, Excedrin can cause rebound headaches. Who knows if it's a migrane or a rebound headsche!

An MRi test came back normal.

Has anyone here had any luck "eliminating" killer migraines?

A BIG heart felt thanks for "ANY" help you can provide.

Some evidence shows that migraines are associated with instability of blood vessels in the brain. Some researchers think the cause of migraines is instability of the nerve cells in the blood vessels, while others think that low serotonin is the culprit. The thought is that blood vessels in the brain first constrict, and then dilate in a kind of rebound effect. Platelets, which are a component of the blood that provide the ability to make clots, may be involved in migraines by affecting the way blood vessels respond in the brain.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2006, 10:17:55 AM » by visionarymom

Poor guy! I wonder if his headaches are toxic headaches. Huh

Maybe he has an unidentified food allergy? The only time I get migraines is when I feel really "toxic". Drinking LOTS of water seems to bring some relief. (At least 8 oz at a time - I try for 16oz.) Also stay completely away from sugar and refined grains. Those always seem to aggravate the problem with me.

He should consider doing a cleanse. Maybe start with the water cure, which is on another thread.

Has he tried getting adjustments from a good chiropractor? My headaches almost always start at the base of my skull on the right side, and usually it's a sign things are badly out of alignment. (does he have problems first thing in the morning? maybe his pillow is messing up alignment).

These thoughts seem a bit scattered, but hopefully something will work!

VM

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2006, 10:34:30 AM » by healthybratt

I'm no expert, but I suffered with migrains for a few years. My first question would be, does he drink diet pop or chew sugar free gum or eat sugar free Jello, etc??

Aspartame causes undetermined migrains in so many people and nobody wants you to know because it's big business both for the sweetner companies and the companies who sell millions and billions of dollars of carbonated beverages to the masses, not to mention the pharmeceutical companies who make the big bucks off the unknowing customers of all their headache remedies (been there). Withdrawal from aspartame can cause even more severe headaches than the reaction to the sweetner itself. I suffered for many years before I finally came across the truth. I drank diet pop for about 10 years. The other thing they don't tell you is that it is highly addictive, thus the withdrawal symptoms. Have you ever noticed that people who drink diet pop, seem to always have one in their hand, in their car, or on their desk?? They never seem to be without a container of their favorite diet beverage. Now you know why.

Anyway, it's something to consider. They are putting this horrible sweetener in so many things, you really have to watch the labels close.

If this is not the cause, then I would guess as mentioned above that a food allergy or toxin may be the problem. I also get headaches when my back is out of place, so a chiropractor may not be totally out of the question. You don't always know because the back has an incredible tendancy to adjust and compensate for misplaced bones/ligaments, but there's a cost. While working at such an odd position, it puts undue pressure in places it shouldn't and eventually a headache will occur. If left untended for too long, sometimes the pain, numbness and tingling will move into the arms and even the legs. Keep an eye out for other symptoms.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2006, 10:38:05 AM » by o2bhealthy

WHile I have never experienced migraine headaches, I just heard that the "cure" for them is to drink fresh lemon juice in your water. One lady swore by it, worked quickly. I feel for you as getting to the bottom of ones health issues can be so frustrating, like playing a detective game with ones own body. I am only able to keep my own sanity by trusting in God knowing He knows exactly what is wrong with my body and what is needed. Can't say it always makes sense to me as to why I have to wait or keep searching and trying but I can say that the whole process is life changing for the better.

I don't know how one goes about getting to the root but I do agree and understand that headaches can be a sign of a toxic system. I am a massage therapist and also wonder since you mentioned having pain on the base of the left side if you have considered this as a possible way of relief. One thing I used to recommend to my clients was to do hot and cold treatment, like a wash cloth. Alternating between hot for one minute and cold for 3 minutes. This dialates and constricts blood vessels, it is like creating circulation that may be blocked or inhibited. This can be used for pretty much any part of the body that is aching and sore, just make sure that one ends with the cold/ice so as not to encourage further inflammation. I say that as a precaution against increasing swelling but I did have clients who just couldn't take the cold/ice at the end so it was encouraged to do what was comfortable and gave the most lasting desired effect.

God Bless you, Heidi

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2006, 12:16:24 PM » by SC

I'm glad to hear that you went for medical testing. Headaches are NOT "normal" and should be taken seriously.

Having eliminated anything life-threatening, the next task is to determine what he is coming in contact with that is producing this toxic reaction. I echo the posts that say to look at things like substitute sweeteners. Additionally, I would go through the cupboard and read labels looking for anything that is a nitrate, nitrite, coloring agent or preservative. Take a very careful look at things that he likes to consume regularly. If he craves a certain food, he may have a food sensitivity. Try eliminating certain things from his diet for four days. Add the item back and watch his reaction for 48 hours to see if you can narrow it down to a trigger food. Even better, let him write down his reaction so that he can see for himself the results.

The next thing I would do is look in the bathroom. What toiletries does he use? Look at the ingredients in his soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. Ingredients from these items leech into the system through the skin. If the lymphatic system is overloaded from trying to deal with toxins, things like the aluminum in most deodorants can build up in the body.

Take a long look at what he may be exposed to in his work. I'm sure the doctor looked at this, also. But ask yourself if there are chemicals being used to clean carpeting, perform some job-related task, etc. Maybe someone working near him is just wearing some high-powered cologne or perfume. Sometimes, environmental sensitivities can lead to painful headaches. However, I will insert here, that this is usually after the system has been overloaded with toxins in the diet.

Finally, I would consider Kombucha Tea. This will support the liver as it seeks to cleanse his system.

As a former headache sufferer, I sure hope he feels better soon. In the meantime, try 3 drops of peppermint essential oil rubbed into his palms and then held over his face to help with both the throbbing pain and nausea. Inhale deeply. Just be sure not to get it into your eyes.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2006, 12:43:37 PM » by ForeverGirl

For Migraine relief:

Tart Cherries:
The anthocyanin and bioflanoids in cherries are anti-inflamitory which helps eliminate migraine headaches by opening the arteries and blood flow to the brain. These compounds are known to have similar activity to aspirin and ibuprofen. Cherries are turning out to be really incredible at pain relief. They are mostly known for arthritis and gout relief, but also lower the blood pressure, raise or level the body's insulin levels, and prevent cancer because of the high antioxidant levels.
You can buy concentrated tart cherry juice from http://mi-cherries.com/ (King's Orchard: good prices, GREAT cherries.)

The most popular herb for treating migraines is FEVERFEW:

Feverfew, a common perennial known to gardeners for its feathery foliage and aromatic blossoms, has been used as a botanical medicine since a.d. 78. The herb earned its name because it was commonly used to lower fever, but today, it’s more likely to be used by herbalists as a headache cure.

Some good evidence of feverfew’s headache-healing powers emerged in the mid-1980s during a study at the City of London Migraine Clinic. All of the people included in the study were accustomed to taking crushed feverfew leaves for their headaches, but researchers wanted to find out scientifically whether the cure worked as well as people claimed.

To test its effectiveness, one group was given capsules of pulverized feverfew leaves and another was given capsules that looked exactly the same but contained no feverfew (placebos). Neither group knew what they were taking. The people in the placebo group experienced a return of their headaches, while those taking the real thing did not. The feverfew was apparently doing its job.

After the study was published in 1985, feverfew emerged from the obscurity of the garden and into the limelight of botanical healing.

"I use it 100 percent of the time with my patients for migraines because it usually works," says Jennifer Brett, N.D., a naturopathic doctor in Stratford, Connecticut. "It’s a good alternative for people who have tried everything else."

If you try the cherries - or the feverfew- we would love you to record your experience from beginning to end, to share here on welltellme.com with other migraine sufferers. I am particularly interested in the results from cherry juice.

Hope this helps!

Rebekah

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2006, 08:58:17 PM » by healthybratt

I just bought some thyme for coughs, but while I was looking up how to use it, I found that it's prescribed for headaches. 1tsp per cup of water in tea.

The green pharmacy also recommends ginkgo, cayenne, lemon balm, peppermint, purslane, tansy, turmeric, and possibly basil, black pepper, caraway, coriander, ginseng, lavender, pennyroyal, poppy seeds, rosemary, rue, tea and yarrow.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2006, 12:42:53 PM » by mrsnoah

Beka, I have tried the feverfew for headaches and yes it does work! I was acturally taking it to help with an allergy problem ( it did'nt help that) and as a result - no more headaches. I'm glad for the reminder. I had quit taking it and have head aches again!
-mary

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2006, 05:07:06 PM » by Kari

I too suffer from migraines. They are usually related to changes in my hormones (like when I wean a baby etc.), but getting back into alignment structurally gets rid of them. In the past my chiropractor was able to stop them in their tracks, thus interrupting the 3-day deabilitating affects.

More importantly is that now I can manage them at home in less than 8 minutes! In the book Pain Free by Pete Egoscue is a small section on headaches that provides four non-impact exercises (more like stretches). Skip all the front matter and just do the exercises, then sometime your hubby can go back and read the overall information in the book. At the first sign of the migraine, or at any point in the duration of the migraine these 4 exercises/stretches have stopped my migraine without leaving any hung-over residual effects! Kari

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2006, 10:21:50 PM » by gracemom

My 10 yo ds has started having daily headaches. This has been going on for about 3 months. He was having headaches some before, but not daily. I have been giving him Tylenol which helps, but I'm trying to figure out what's causing this. That way I can focus on prevention. I also have headaches. I've been diagnosed with chronic daily headaches and frequent migraines. I have to take a lot of Excedrin Migraine; almost daily. I don't even know where to begin looking for causes. TIA for any and all help!

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2006, 10:24:36 PM » by miff aka Missi

Quote from: gracemom on September 25, 2006, 10:21:50 PM

Do you think it could be eye strain? Does he read a lot? Lots of school work this year?

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2006, 10:44:09 PM » by mxmom

My son started having what I thought were convulsions even as an infant. Later, we realized they were seizures brought on by severe migraine headaches. After much testing on his poor little head, we were referred to a pediatric migraine specialist. The first thing we were asked to do was keep a diary of everything little or big thing he ate, every activity during the day (no matter how insignificant it seemed), and anything that was happening with the rest of our family/household. It really helped us determine his triggers. He would suffer these migraines about 2 - 3 times a week, but after the diary, we reduced that to less than once a month. The doctor told us they are hereditary and that usually kids grow out of them. My son is now 13 and has had only 2 or 3 headaches (no migraines) this year. He has been seizure free for about 6 years.

Anyways, I hope you find the causes for him.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2006, 11:09:43 PM » by MomOf6Girls

In my research I've found that there are many environmental triggers for migraines. They can be anything from chlorine bleach, hair sprays, lysol, (basically any aerosol propellant), most commercial cleaners, air fresheners, new carpet, new clothes......basicallly anything with an odor. Eliminating these triggers, as well as, keeping the home well ventilated, should help. That's my 2 cents. Hope it helps!
Blessings,
Rhonda

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2006, 11:16:15 PM » by healthybratt

artificial sweeteners, eye strain, back/neck strain, food allergies, candida (cause of food allergies), environmental allergies.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2006, 06:35:20 AM » by Mama Sita

I'm so sorry to hear about your son. I've struggled with headaches my entire life, too, so I know what he is dealing with.
Yes, definitely look at diet especially, especially MSG--monosodium glutamate. It is known by at least 14 different names, including anything that is 'hydrolyzed' or 'autolyzed.' MSG is classified as a drug--a neurotoxin to be specific. It causes brain cells to fire rapidly and then kills them. There is lots of information on MSG and the problems it causes at Mercola.com.
There are other neurotoxins, too numerous to mention here. Please check it out. Young people are especially vulnerable to the affects of these drugs.

Mama Sita

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #15 on: September 26, 2006, 07:00:54 AM » by gracemom

Thank you everyone! I am starting today keeping a diary of everything I can think of for him. I am wondering, though, if it is allergy related. They seem to be worse right now with the change in the weather. I know I'm having allergy issues myself. I have Zyrtec I can give him daily if that is the cause, but I hate for them to be on meds all the time. Thanks again!

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #16 on: September 26, 2006, 07:13:10 AM » by Gigi

Aren't migraines horrible? I wanted to add something that I remebered as I read your post and saw your son's age.

I started my cycle when I was 11, and certainly that is about the time most all of us, girls and boys, are hitting puberty pretty hard. When I was 9, I began having horrible headaches that I would wake up with every morning. I would throw up for hours and nothing helped till I had slept it off. (of course, we all know now that these were migraines)

My mother, not knowing about migraines, took me to the doctor and he quickly assertained that this was all due to the onset of puberty. There wasn't much that we could do for the headaches, but once I started my period, this all went away for many years. Only recently with pregnancy have I run into this again.

Anyway, his age just triggered all that (frankly I had almost forgotten about it) in my mind and I don't know but what hormones could do the same for your son. Certainly though, I would rigorously persue finding any possible triggers, just as others have recommended.

I'm sorry, though, kids and headaches are just terrible, especially when there is nothing you can do to ease the pain.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #17 on: September 26, 2006, 09:38:20 AM » by healthybratt

If it's related to puberty, what about the hormones in the meat?

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #18 on: September 26, 2006, 09:56:59 AM » by rebekahgrif

I also wanted to reply that recently we had a boy in our church who had the same problem...headacheaches all his life and then they got worse. His mom is not into natural health that I know of, so she took him to the dr and they did a cat scan. He had a tumor on his brain. I am NOT trying to scare you please. I would try to look for the easy answers first, but if it doesn't resolve I would take him to the dr to et it checked out.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #19 on: September 26, 2006, 10:08:04 AM » by ShabbyChic

When I had daily headaches in 1st grade it was because I needed glasses. When I had them in 4th grade it was because puberty was coming, I'm positive. And if I get them now it is because of grass, parfume, detergent, etc. 100% environmental or I am dehydrated. That's my experience.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #20 on: September 26, 2006, 10:51:45 AM » by emiowa

This is a long shot, but is there any history of orthodontic problems in your family? I started getting headaches right in my temples around the age of seven or eight. The reason being my lower and upper jaws are different sizes, and so don't hinge correctly. So, while chewing, they sort of bang together. Undecided

I have an aunt and several cousins with the same thing, so that's one of the first things we checked.

This probably isn't your son's problem, but I just wanted to mention the possibility.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #21 on: September 26, 2006, 12:11:28 PM » by JesusIsKing

I would have his eyes checked first. If he has one eye weaker than the other, this can definitely cause headaches. It could be caused by many different things, but it is rare for young people to get headaches and from my experience it is usually caused by a vision problem. He is probably doing more reading right now than he did over the summer, so this could also explain why it is worse now if he does have a vision problem.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #22 on: September 26, 2006, 01:41:45 PM » by ALittleMore

I would also say to have his eyes checked. I used to get head aches so bad (I was 9) that I would cry. Finally my mom took me to the eye dr. I have astigmatism (spelling??) and was suffering from major eye strain. Reading glasses did the trick! And even now, if I use the comp, write, read, concentrate on something, craft things or even watch a movie for more than a minute or two w/o my glasses, I get a terrible instant head ache which lasts FOREVER (well you know, an hour at least) if I continue w/ it. However, sometimes if I start getting a head ache and I put my glasses on, the head ache leaves! (The only reason I don't always use them is...they're sort of like pens, or car keys...it's a question of LOCATING them...)

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #23 on: September 26, 2006, 02:54:02 PM » by Rita

I worked for a Chiropractor/Nutritionist for about 5 1/2 years. He treated sooooooooooo many adults for migraines with chiropractic adjustments. He also treated children with severe headaches/migraines with chiropractic adjustments(moving the vertebrae off the nerve it is pinching). I remember one little girl who had headaches so bad she would stay in bed all day and cry from pain. After one chiropractic adjustment her headaches had almost vanished. She continued to come in and get her chiro adjustments and was with out headaches and fully functioning after that.
TREAT THE CAUSE NOT THE SYMPTOMS

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #24 on: September 26, 2006, 04:07:38 PM » by Mama Sita

I second the chiropractic thing! Thanks for mentioning this Rita!

~MS

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #25 on: October 02, 2006, 04:21:18 PM » by khix

My daughter (9 years old) has been having migraines since she was about 6 or 7. I haven't been too concerned about it, because she would only get them about once every 3-4 months or so. I figured they were just stress related, because school does tend to stress her out. But, now, she's had 3 migraines since August 16th (one on August 16th, one on September 6th, and one today, October 2nd), and I know that's not normal. I guess it could be stress...but that often??? Any idea what could be causing it? Any cheap/easy at-home remedies I can do for her? (the doctor and/or medication will be a last resort).

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #26 on: October 02, 2006, 05:13:37 PM » by mxmom

I really do not wish to make anyone unnecessarily fearful, but think that this may be important to those who suffer migraines or have loved ones that do. When my son was having his severe migraines and we took him to the specialist, we were told that it was very important to reduce the severity as the latest findings (you know, I am never quite sure what to make of 'latest findings' as they always seem to change!) by the medical world is that severe migraines cause damage to the brain which can lead to an early stroke. Thankfully, we were able to diminish our son's migraines, and hence seizures, by diet and environmental changes. I have never fully checked into the research behind this, but we did hear it on the news shortly after that. That was a few years ago, so those findings may have changed already.

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #27 on: October 02, 2006, 06:30:33 PM » by Kari

The chiropractor also works for me to stop the migraine when it is happening.

However now I take care of them at home. The book PAIN FREE by Pete Egoscue has a series of 4 exercises (they are static not aerobic). At the first sign of migraine or even if I don't recognize it I get relief WHILE I am doing the exercises and then the whole migraine stops with no residule affects. Sometime I take one aspirin and do the exercises; usually I just do the exercises. They take less than 10 minutes. It is so great! The book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble usually has it on the shelf, our public library even has it.

Also, to add to your research my migraines are instigated by hormones, such as the onset of menses during puberty, onset of menses after pregnancy, weening after nursing, post-partum....

Hope this helps, Kari

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #28 on: October 04, 2006, 02:54:28 PM » by khix

I'm going to work on trying to find a reason (perhaps it's just stress) for my daughter's migraines (I've already ruled out some causes, like eye strain), but in the meantime, do you recommend anything for a 9-year old that would help ease the pain or shorten the duration, and wouldn't be too yucky to take while she's nauseous & vomiting?

Also, the last 3 times she's had migraines, she vomited for 12-24 hours afterward (whereas before, she'd vomit for only a few hours). I thought that maybe it was a stomach virus (and it wasn't food poisoning, because one time, she didn't even her lunch that day....oh, by the way, the mirgraines usually start at school, in the afternoon), but I've pretty much ruled that out because no one else in the family got sick, and because it started with an intense headache. I was wondering - to those of you of suffer from migraines, do any of you have nausea or vomiting that lasts for more than a few hours?

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Re: Migraines/Headaches: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #29 on: October 04, 2006, 03:06:32 PM » by KristenA

Quote from: khix on October 04, 2006, 02:54:28 PM

do you recommend anything for a 9-year old that would help ease the pain or shorten the duration, and wouldn't be too yucky to take while she's nauseous & vomiting?

I got migraines about once a month (ages 7-10). I think mine was rest related (when I didn't get enough rest my body would just shut down). I also believe Caffiene aggravated the migraines. I now get them about twice a year. I threw up the last time like your daughter.

For your 9-year-old. Try the FeverFew and other herbs listed at the top of this forum. Try them on yourself first. If no harm, give them to your daughter.
Just my $.02

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