Wow! That’s almost bail-out size and, of course, the money doesn’t begin to address the human suffering from this affliction. Headaches affect not only the person having them, but their families, friends and coworkers.

We try to ignore headaches, and discount them, but that doesn’t relieve them. Usually we resort to pain relievers. Americans spend over $3 billion a year in over-the-counter headache products.

It is interesting to note that the brain itself is insensitive to pain, so the discomfort is actually in the base of the brain, or in the blood vessels and muscles of the face, neck and scalp, or in the tissues which cover the brain.

Types of Headaches
The most common types of headaches are tension, migraine, sinus, cluster, and the ice pick/ice cream headache. There can be innumerable “triggers” for any type of headache and the deeper causes are usually elusive.  

Ice Cream Headache
An ice pick or ice cream headache usually comes on suddenly, and intensely, while eating something very cold. Fortunately, it usually lasts only a few seconds, and can be alleviated by eating the cold food more slowly or letting it warm slightly.

Cluster Headache
The cluster headache is another matter. Cluster headaches occur periodically, hence the name “cluster“, and can be chronic. They are a neurological problem, with an unknown cause, and are so unbearably painful they are nicknamed the “suicide headache”. They affect more men than women, and make normal life functions impossible. The use of alcohol, tobacco, chocolate, nitroglycerin, and even pollution from hydrocarbons can be triggers. Keen observation to determine the triggers and strict future avoidance can be of some help. Exercise in pure fresh air, and the deep breathing of oxygen is useful for some. Herbal remedies used for migraines and natural products used for the sinus headache sometimes help as well. Fortunately, in time, cluster headaches can simply resolve on their own.

Migraine Headache
The mighty migraine can keep a person in a darkened room with visual disturbances, nausea, throbbing pain, dizziness, lack of appetite, fatigue, and much more. Triggers can be sudden relaxation after a period of intensity, or stress, or even common foods, such as wheat, chocolate, nuts, dairy, nitrates in processed meats, cheese, MSG, and the list goes on.

You must be extremely observant to determine and avoid these triggers. Sometimes, at the very early onset, a cup or two of strong coffee can be of help as it causes the blood vessels to relax more slowly rather than become engorged with blood and painful. Herbal and vitamin/mineral supplements have been designed to help and bring relief to many. 5-HTP, an amino acid, has been found useful by many, but should not be taken if you are on antidepressants or use St. John’s Wort or SAMe. Magnesium, as found even in balanced headache formulae may reduce help decrease the frequency of migraines. It should be taken at 200-600 mg. per day. Often people who suffer from migraines are deficient in this mineral. Vitamin B, especially B2, riboflavin, may also help decrease the frequency of migraines. Melatonin, taken at bedtime, at 5 mg. a day, and Coenzymes Q10, taken 3 times a day at a rate of 100 mg. per time are useful to many. These may help prevent attacks.

Sinus Headache
The sinus headache is caused by inflammation and congestion in the sinuses, the little air pockets inside the skull that reduce the weight of your head and cause your voice to resonate. When they become congested or inflamed, you have a sinus headache. The pain is usually above the eyes and in the face. It may be worse with sudden movement of the head and is usually most acute in the morning, wearing off by late afternoon, only to begin again the next morning! It is often accompanied by fatigue and nasal discharge. It can be triggered by changes in temperature, lack of sufficient humidity (as in dry rooms caused by heating or air conditioning), being in the wind, or even sitting in a draft or under a ceiling fan. Blocked sinuses provide a good environment for viruses, bacterial infections, and even fungus. Therefore, for your general health, and to stop the pain, it is important to bring these headaches under control. Use a humidifier -- or breathe the steam from a pot of simmering water. Alternatively, take really long, hot showers. Rub peppermint or eucalyptus oil on the temples and around and on (not in) the nostrils. Our favorite is peppermint oil. Within a few minutes it usually causes the sinuses to begin draining and relief is on the way. Regular use of a good nasal wash can not only relieve the congested sinuses, but prevent the problem from developing as well as help prevent recurring colds. A natural decongestant mist and immune support is also useful for many sufferers.  A good homeopathic preparation is always a safe choice and is easy to use and take along in your pocket or purse.

Tension Headache
The tension headache is the most common of all the forms of headache. It is usually a dull pain or discomfort that feels like a tightness across the forehead, even in the eyes, and sometimes around the back of the head. It can be triggered by stress and emotional upset, by depression, by anxiety, by poor posture, especially for long periods of time, and also by changes in brain chemistry. Even the lack of proper diet and low blood sugar can bring on such discomforts. Don’t skip meals. Eat healthy snacks. Exercise and relax to relieve tension. For additional help the amino acid D-Phenylalanine can be very useful, as well as herbal and herbal/mineral combinations.

In addition to diet, exercise, and supplements, many, many headaches can be helped by spinal adjustment, especially in the cervical or neck area. Spinal misalignment is a cause of headaches often overlooked or unknown. For general health, and to relieve those headaches, good chiropractic care should be part of every healthy lifestyle. Massage therapy should also be considered and never forget meditation and deep relaxation. They really do help.

So, jettison those headaches, no matter which of the 129 different types you have -- and get back in the game!!

(P.S. Just one caveat -- if you ever have a sudden headache that is absolutely unbearable, the worst of your life and the worst you can imagine, get immediate medical care. Even go to the ER, day or night. Be safe. This can be the symptom of a stroke, or an impending stroke.)