Headache question? Please help??!


Question: Headache question!? Please help!?!?
Hello everyone,
I normally suffer from stress headaches (this past spring semester @ college was a killer)!. I am about to start summer school this summer & already I have been having headaches, it's like pre-stress if you can imagine it!. I've been taking Advils regularly (2) but it usually comes back!. Does anyone have any headache remedies, because they feel somewhat like premenstrual headaches & my routine has been thrown off schedule since I got back for university as far as meals/food go!. I also feel very sensitive to bright lights & want to close my eyes to get some relief!.!.!.

Your help is appreciated!. Thanks!.Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
As has been postulated by previous responders, your headaches may represent something other than a muscle tension headache!.

Especially in females headaches which are hormonally related are often migrainous!. Stress is also a common migraine trigger!. You also have said that your routine is off as is your diet!. The usual diet of the university student is high in nitrates, preserved meats, monosodium glutamate and other common migraine triggers, and irregular meals cause significant shifts in blood glucose which can also trigger migraines!. Additionally irregular sleep patterns (common to university students) are problematic for headache patients!.

Finally!. as if I haven't spouted off enough, recurrent use of analgesic medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil), paracetamol/acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin and other such pain relief remedies frequently results in Analgesic Rebound Headaches, in which you get relief from the medication, only to get the headache back as soon as it wears off!.

The keys to management are not to run around finding everyone's favorite medication to stop the headaches!. Stopping the headache is part of the plan!. But the better sense is in preventing the headache!. I hope as a university student this makes some sense!.

First, you need to establish a regulated sleep pattern!. Keep a reasonable time for going to sleep, and also try to wake at the same time!. This allows your body to achieve the levels of sleep necessary to restore the neurotransmitters which control headaches!.

Second!. Try to avoid dietary triggers!. Not all of the triggers will affect you, But if you avoid them all for a short time, then you can reintroduce some and see if they trigger a headache!.

Here is a site with a list of common dietary triggers:
http://www!.headaches!.org/education/Heada!.!.!.

Third, analgesic rebound!. Try to avoid taking large amounts of analgesics, as they can cause problems!. Here is some information:
http://www!.headaches!.org/education/Heada!.!.!.

Finally (and aren't you glad) over 50% of all headache patients including migraine patients are able to relieve their headaches with relaxation!. The most effective method is going to a dark room with no sound or only soft soothing music and place a cool compress over your eyes and try to relax and breathe easily!. If you take an analgesic medication, this will make it work more effectively!.

Due to the frequency of your headaches, and your description, you need to see a health care provider!. You may benefit from a medication to prevent headaches!.

The health care provider can also provide you with a medication which is more directed at the mechanism of headaches, and not a general analgesic like ibuprofen!.

Good luck in school!. Try to relax, I hope you find relief!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Well taking advil regularly is going to help!. Cause your body just gets use to it and the medication just stops working!. I cant help you out with any headache remedies because I suffer from the same thing!. I just deal with it and when it gets too bad then i take medication and alternate it so my body doesn't get use to the same medication!. Sorry i couldn't help you out!. Good luckWww@Answer-Health@Com

sensitivity to bright lights sounds more like migraine headaches than stress headaches!.!.!.Excedrin Migraine and excedrin tension is the best over the counter medicine I've found!. If they tend to still be bothersome you may need to seek medical advise!. they might prescribe you Topamax a priscription medication used to treat migranes!. Also in the mean time try taking hot showers while sitting in the tub!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

If you are light sensitive and the headaches tend to come with hormonal changes - you could very well be suffering from classic migraine!. They are HORRIBLE! I have had them for about 15 years!. Not much over the counter helps!.!.!. you can talk to your Doc about an actual migraine medication (ie: Imatrex or Zomig etc)!. The one that works best for me is Maxalt!. They are all "triptan" drugs!. In the meantime - basically try to rest, make sure you're eating & drinking sufficiently, and don't take any narcotics - they can make the headache worse!.
Try lying down in a dark, quiet place & just try to sleep it off!.
Talk to your Doc ASAP though!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com

Well, the real solution to stress is to find a way to reduce it or eliminate it!. Sadly, that isn't always possible!.!.!.

I suggest you may be dehydrated!. Try drinking at least 64-80 fl!. oz!. of water per day!. It has to be WATER--don't count tea, coffee, pop, etc!. Just plain water!.

Also, are you getting enough sleep and exercise!? Healthy diet!? Could you be allergic to something you usually only eat when you're under a time crunch!? Hot dogs, for example, contain nitrates that often induce headaches!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Leave this country, which is the pathology of complete and absolute human dysfunction and suffering!.

Really, though!. You are under too much pressure and stress and any remedy you adhere to will not do its job!. If you want to get rid of your headaches, drastically cut down on your work and be with your family and friends!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

This works for me like a charm!. There is an old muscle relaxer called orphendrine and comes in a compound with aspirin or by itself!. This is a pretty mild drug compared to others on the market!. I recommend orphenadrine compound and then a analgesic - advil is probably OK!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

take aspirin instead, they are a better anti-inflammatory!. Try doing meditation, it can help relieve stress!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

You sound like your suffering from migraines, not just stress headaches!. If they are brought on by stress, they can probably be fixed without the usual migraine drugs!.
First, drink lots of water and try to get your diet back on track!. Get plenty of sleep every night!. Exercising will help release tension and get your endorphins going!.
Once you're taking care of your physical self, take care of your mental self!. Meditation works great, but so does an hour of alone time!. Do something devoted to you to help de-stress!. Try dressing nice to stop the "hoodie and jeans slump!." The better you look the better you'll feel!.
Consider seeing a chiropractor!. Stress really throws your body out of whack, and it's a chiropractor's job to put it back!. He can get your spine back in alignment and relax any tight muscles that could be causing your headaches!. Look for one who's older with lots of experience and an established clientele to avoid problems!. Ask about trigger point therapy!. It uses pressure points to release tension in you body, usually with good results!.
Getting a massage can also help!.
Look for ways other than pain killers to dull or prevent your headaches!. All of that Advil is hurting your liver, and your body is slowly becoming resistant to the drug!. Learn where you carry tension and focus on relaxing those areas!. If you're like most people, you carry stress in your shoulders and just consciously dropping them rather than holding them tight can work wonders!.
Have you paid attention to your breathing lately!? Put one hand on you stomach and the other on your chest!. Take a normal breath!. The hand on your stomach should move first and most, followed by a slight upward movement of your chest!. Abnormal breathing can cause a lot of internal problems and is rarely suspected as a cause!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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