Article by James Napier

Headache or cephalgia is a common ailment, and most of us suffer from headache at one time or another. Pain or ache in any part of the head, forehead or neck may collectively be referred to as headache. Headache may occur due to multiple causes, and depending upon the cause, headache may be classified in to primary headaches, secondary headaches and cranial neuralgia, facial ache and other types. Primary headaches are not associated with any disease. They spring on their own. Examples of primary headaches are migraine, tension headaches and cluster headache. Secondary headache is caused due to some major disease or ailment such as brain tumors, meningitis, encephalitis, and hemorrhage in brain, strokes, caffeine withdrawal and discontinuation of analgesics. The third type, cranial neuralgia or facial pain, is caused due to the inflammation of nerves in the head and upper neck.

Headache

Read the rest of this entry

Article by James S Pendergraft

It is very difficult to identify as to which kind of headache a person is suffering from. The five kinds of headaches are sinus headache, tension headache, rebound tension, migraine headache or cluster headache. If one could identify what kind of headache he or she is going through then the right treatment could be prescribed.

In one of the study of 2004, eighty percent of the patients with the current history regarding doctor diagnosed or self described sinus headache were noted, however not even one signs of the sinus infection was seen, generally it matched to criteria for the migraine. And about 2/3rd of these victims expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the medications which were prescribed to them.

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Getting a migraine headache has become all-too-natural for people who live hectic, hurried lives in the city.  It is no wonder that every urbanite’s cupboard or medicine cabinet is often stocked with pain relief medications. When the migraine headache comes back, we simply repeat the practice. While it seems harmless to take migraine headache pills for a day or two, overusing it can have unexpected and serious consequences.

Overusing pain relief medications can become a cycle. It can make migraine headaches return as soon as the effect of the medication wears off. Once the pain returns, the tendency is to take more medications until it becomes a worse cycle. Medication overuse headaches are also known as rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are caused by medication taken to relieve regular headaches. In the case of problem headaches, such medication can be a lifesaver. However, the overuse of certain pain relief medications can cause headaches to occur more often and become more severe. People should learn to understand this problem and develop ways to deal with it in order to take control of frequent headaches.

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Many menopausal women experience symptoms of joint pain. Medical experts have investigated the connection between hormonal changes and this type of pain.

Some women experience pain in joints and muscles, mouth discomfort, headaches and some even report heart palpitations. Interestingly, women who suffer from tension headaches, abdominal pain or facial pain symptoms are decreased after menopause. Scientists feel now may indeed be a link between estrogen, hormone levels and their fluctuations, and this phenomenon

Menopause and Joint Pain: Symptoms of Menopause

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Migraine and Headache (Oxford American Pain Library)

Read the rest of this entry

If you’re someone who suffers from chronic headaches, you know how the pain can sometimes immobilize you and keep you from completing your daily tasks and responsibilities. Since many headaches are caused by built-up tension that we hold in our neck due to our inability to deal with the stress and chaos of our everyday lives, finding a way to deal with the stress that may be causing the headaches is a smart way to deal with them and possibly even prevent future headaches. What is Meditation? – Meditation is an age-old practice of simply quieting the mind of the buzzing thoughts that swirl around throughout the day to find a state of calm serenity. Some people quickly respond, “Meditation doesn’t work for me.” They may feel frustrated because they have not been able to successfully get rid of the swirling thought patterns and instead of finding calm they feel like they are simply chasing their thoughts around. For those people, a more active form of meditation might be in order, such as listening to a guided meditation where the speaker’s voice gently guides your meditation journey, or a walking meditation where you focus on your breath and your steps. But the main goal of meditation is to remove your focus from thought and instead move it inward to focus on the peace and silence within. How Does Meditation Relieve Headaches? – Because meditation brings the body into a thoroughly relaxed state of awareness, it can relieve that excited, adrenaline-fueled pain response, taking the mind off of the pain on a physical, mental and emotional level. Meditation also reduces the anxiety and elevated blood pressure associated with pain. As an efficient way to handle the stress of daily life, cultivating a daily meditation practice can prevent headaches by maintaining your overall well-being, a sense of calm and the ability to keep all of your priorities in perspective. How Do I Get Started With Meditation? – You’ll want to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for a while. Wear soft, loose, comfortable clothing. You can meditate either laying flat on your back with your spine straight, or sitting up with your legs folded in front of you. If you are not accustomed to sitting in this position, you might want to use a meditation cushion to support your bottom. Light a candle and play soft music unless you are listening to a guided meditation. Do not go into the experience with any expectations. No matter the outcome, you cannot fail at meditation! Where Can I Find Meditation Resources? – You can find lots of free meditation resources if you do a search at your favorite search engine. You can download free meditation music and guided meditation audios. Visit your favorite bookstore or your local library to find books and CDs on meditation if you’d like to develop a regular meditation practice. In addition to relieving the pain of headaches, meditation can improve your overall sense of wellness and better equip you to handle the pressure of life.