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Headaches Are a Pain: Tips for Prevention
June 1, 2010
 (Lincoln, ME) Don’t let your headache get the best of you! More than 90% of all men and women suffer from a headache at some time during the year, and many people deal with the symptoms of headaches every day. Some blame it on genetics, the environment, stress, anxiety, diet or lifestyle, but many factors can play roles in creating pain in the upper neck or head.
Mark Robinson, Director of Clinical Nutrition at PVH explains, “One factor occasionally affecting headache sufferers is dietary restrictions. Many coffee drinkers suffer from caffeine-withdrawal headaches if they miss their morning coffee.” It is recommended to limit your intake of caffeine to less than 200 mg/day which is about the equivalent of one regular coffee plus one soda.
Other dietary triggers inducing a headache often include alcohol, aged cheeses, cured meats, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and chocolate. “Some people may also be sensitive to aspartame,” says Robinson. “Many diet sodas are made with the artificial sweetener which may trigger headaches.”
If you suffer from severe headaches, you should seek a diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider. If your headache is different than your usual headaches, accompanied with persistent nausea or vomiting, associated with fever, stiff neck, seizures or recent head trauma, you should seek medical attention.
Dr. David Dumont, PVH Hospitalist says most headaches can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications, “But people who have a new, severe headache - often described as the worst headache of their life - should seek medical treatment.” The onset of a sudden, severe headache can be a sign of a stroke, along with sudden confusion, numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, trouble walking or dizziness, or difficulty seeing with one or both eyes.
Studies have shown that over 50% of people suffering with migraines never received a medical diagnosis or treatment. Today, there are many treatments available for migraines including acute medication for occasional sufferers as needed and daily preventive medications for those with very severe or frequent migraines.
Many people can reduce the frequency of their headaches by maintaining a daily routine in eating and sleeping at regularly scheduled times. Other techniques to reduce headaches include managing stress through:
- Deep breathing exercises – at the first sign of a migraine, the patient breathes deeply, slowly and steadily while focusing on the diaphragm
- Muscle relaxation – the patient contracts and releases different muscle groups one after another until relaxation is achieved
- Visualizations – think of images or situations that are pleasant and relaxing
Penobscot Valley Hospital now has a free Headache Diary available. The Headache Diary is designed to help track when your headaches occur, what triggers might have caused the event, and any relief you had from taking medications. Headache sufferers are encouraged to track your headaches and share this information with your physician for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Today, healthcare providers have the resources to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches.
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