This Whole Thing of Headaches
Seems so Hard to Sort Out - Why?
by Brent Lucas, BA, London, On, Canada
Headaches are very difficult to classify and treat. Medical science has
only allowed a few hours training in medical school for classifying and
treating headaches.There are hundreds of headache variations...all
with their own set of symptoms. The current doctor shortage is a
problem...finding a skilled clinician on headaches can be extremely rare
and difficult. A scan is likely suggested (it is a must to rule out
anything life-threatening)...but we both know that the results will
likely come back negative. You've waited 8 months to have a scan for it
to likely show up negative...and meanwhile your quality of life
deteriorates. Work can be impacted, marriages/relationships can be
strained, social engagements/trips can be altered...everything in life
depends on how you feel. And if feeling badly enough it can make it more
difficult to access services, than can leave you feeling very
frustrated.
Taking over-the-counter medicines can be like scratching an itch and
making it itch worse, thereby temporarily relieving the discomfort. More
is not necessarily better - it almost always leads the sufferer to
rebounding - causing a new problem.
Headaches are 100% diagnosed and ultimately treated on symptoms alone.
Learning a certain grinding noise in your car...can save you money and
anguish... headache symptoms are no different. Keeping a diary has been
pounded home in past articles. If you need one...call us for one free,
or ask your doctor for one. Good record keeping is essential, especially
with so many "grey" areas! Do not get discouraged...our office and
similar ones have oodles of headache research. How well do you want to
help yourself?
The sufferer becomes dissatisfied with the health care approach (which I
understand), and does the "whatever works" syndrome! (And you can't
really blame them.) People scan the shelves of supermarkets and take
whatever sounds appealing. That rebounding problem develops...then they
get turned off by convention medicine altogether, sometimes switch to
alternative methods altogether. (Please see article "medicines vs.
alternative approaches"). Alternative treatments do have their
place...but generally are not a substitute for medicine. The usually do
not undergo the rigorous testing that medicines do...and are therefore
sometimes prone to side effects. I guess the consensus if they work...do
it! Just try to have an open mind...and we all like to save money -
watch the cost factor.
It makes it so hard for clinicians and holistic health care providers to
effectively treat this condition because headache sufferers tend to be
cyclical in their attacks. In other words a Chinese Food (we all know
about the potential for MSG to be a trigger) may be a headache trigger
on Tuesday, but Saturday night it might not! So trigger avoidance is a
good thing in the greater picture, especially if it has been known to
cause severe problems. Another difficulty is that sufferers are each
made differently (in other words one approach may work wonders for my
girlfriend....but did nothing for me!)
Not sure about a scan name, medicine or holistic suggestion? Go to your
local bookstore...find the section on diseases and ailments...locate 2-3
books on headache or migraine...turn to the glossary at back...find your
keyword...read those few pages and try to get at more pages later. Plus
you get a nice cross-section...just in case you want to check. Its like
having a specialist appointment instantly. Grab the book for your night
table.
Sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Take out a $20. yearly
subscription, and have it mailed to your friends address. (It makes a
wonderful Christmas extra, Mothers Day, Birthday...and helps charity as
well!) We will mail you a tax receipt for income tax.
The world desperately needs more army ants...so my friends...start
gathering for the future!
Can lifestyle issues be modified to help my condition?
The answer is yes...headache researchers world-wide agree that regular
exercise can reduce the incidence of headache, as well as the severity.
(See article Headache & Fitness - Tiel colour). Relaxation techniques
have proven to be very beneficial...even as easy as deep breathing
exercise, or gentle walking!)
Regular sleep patterns are highly recommended (getting up at the same
time...going to bed at the same time!) A well balanced diet can give you
more positive energy and can give you a greater sense of self.
What can I do to help wrestle down my headache pain? Headaches are your
responsible to sort out...find answers. I have tons of suggestions but
we all need to get back to basics. In the doctors defense, they are just
too busy to take the individual time needed to see what works. And since
most medicines were "borrowed" from other disciplines...a "cure" can be
very hard to hit on.
Remember - there are no cures, but some pretty doggone good treatments.
Do not be dismayed...90% of headaches are treatable. The work you do on
the side will inch you closer to the goal line - take your best shot!!
|