Originally published July 31 2005
Wyoming health professional recommends keeping "headache diary" to help deal with pain
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Severe chronic headaches can be a sign of a severe health problem, but Tia Hansuld, a nurse practitioner at Natrona County Public Health in Casper, Wyoming, says headaches are rarely anything more, and that frequent sufferers should keep a "headache diary" of what they eat, drink and do in any given day to help health care providers find a trigger, reports the Jackson Hole Star-Tribune.
There is nothing worse than when the pressures of a long day turn into a headache at night, but thankfully, most headaches can be avoided with a few lifestyle changes.
Headaches are one of the most common problems treated by Tia Hansuld, nurse practitioner at Natrona County Public Health.
And while severe or chronic headaches can be a sign of a serious health problem, most headaches are actually not serious.
"Thankfully, headaches are rarely a sign of a tumor in the head.
"We've thought that tension headaches are caused by muscular contraction," Radesovich said.
Tension headaches can feel like a band around the head or as if they are enveloping the head, Radesovich said.
Migraines, or vascular headaches, may be caused by vascular spasms or an abnormality in blood flow, according to Radosevich.
Often other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and photo phobia -- a discomfort with light -- accompany a migraine.
People need to get plenty of rest, manage their stress, get regular exercise, eat right and avoid things that obviously trigger their headaches.
"It is a diary of everything they do, everything they eat and everything they're exposed to, in the hopes that we'll figure out some trigger," Radesovich said.
"Then, we can make a connection and avoid what causes the problems."
Over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory, non-steroid drugs can also help, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
But for the chronic headache, too much medication can be taken.
"One thing we tell people is to avoid very frequent or daily use of headache pain medicines, because they can actually begin to exacerbate or cause headaches," Radosevich said.
Low blood sugar, dehydration, too much or too little caffeine, smoking, second-hand smoke and eye strain are also common causes.
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