Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and is preserved for historical interest. Some recommendations, regulations, and scientific evidence have changed since it was written. It reflects the research and perspectives available at that time.
HEADACHES CAN BE A SIGN OF A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM–HAVE YOUR DOCTOR RULE OUT ANY SERIOUS PATHOLOGY
There are many types of headaches and many causes for them. Some of these causes are rare, but their existence demonstrates the need for a proper 
diagnosis. Unusual causes include Chiari malformation (a structural problem at the base of the skull), abnormal formation of blood vessels in the brain, encephalitis (brain inflammation), pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure within the skull), meningitis, stroke and many other health issues.
This article is not so much about treating headaches as it is about improving the body’s infrastructure. Watch this short video to see how natural health care works.
Fortunately, most headaches are not life-threatening.
Chronic headache is a very common symptom. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Other common headaches are migraines, cluster headaches and sinus headaches.
Tension headache
Tension headaches are caused by tight muscles in the upper part of the neck. They are the most common type of headache. Tension headaches are considered chronic if they occur more than 15 days per month. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to relieve the tension, and chiropractic has a good track record for giving relief to headache sufferers. Other therapies include biofeedback and other stress-reduction techniques.
Migraines
Migraines are the most common reason for a headache sufferer to go to the doctor. Patients often experience a prodrome a day or two before a migraine attack. A prodrome is a subtle change in physiology or a symptom that signals an impending migraine. Common prodrome symptoms include: constipation, mood swings, food craving, stiff neck, frequent yawning and increased thirst and urination. Auras often accompany migraines (but not for all patients), occurring before or during a migraine. Auras are symptoms of the nervous system. They are usually visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or wavy, zigzag vision.
Cluster headache
Cluster headaches, are one of the most painful types of headache. It commonly awakens the patients in the middle of the night with intense pain in or around one eye on one side of the head. Bouts of frequent attacks, known as cluster periods, can last from weeks to months, and are often seasonal. Cluster periods are often followed by remission periods when the headaches stop. During remission, no headaches occur for months and sometimes even years.
Sinus headache
A sinus headache is a headache that may accompany sinusitis. The patient often feels pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. The pain often becomes worse when bending forward or lying down. Often there is a sore throat or cough. It is common for sinusitis sufferers “catch cold” often. Sinus headaches are often confused with migraines, but sinus headaches are not accompanied with nausea or vomiting. Also, sinus headaches are not aggravated by noise or bright light, distinguishing them from migraine headaches.
What does natural health care have to offer?
You may have issues that are unique to you, which is why getting help from a qualified practitioner is a good idea. Still, let’s get started with some of the more common issues affecting headache sufferers. This is by no means a complete list:
- Avoid refined sugar. Eating a lot of refined sugar can create inflammation, and getting inflammation under control is necessary to reduce pain. People take drugs to suppress inflammation (most pain medication is anti-inflammatory), but diet can also bring inflammation under control Download our FREE report: Eat Your Way out of Pain.
- There are a number of nutrients that have been researched and found to help headache patients. There is research that shows magnesium supplementation may help. B vitamins have also been studied.
- There are a number of things that can be done to relieve sinus pressure and alleviate sinus headaches.
