January 21, 2008
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In this month's issue:
Quick tips
Children's triggers
Say what?! Orofacial
Quick tips
Today for our feature article, we're going to do something a little different - list some quick headache tips that you might not have known. These are mostly home remedies or folk remedies, so there are no guarantees. But do any of them work for you? Here they are:- Some people drink tonics for headache. Dr. Deforest Clinton Jarvis, in his book Vermont Folk Medicine, suggests that you drink apple cider vinegar in water and/or 2 teaspoons of honey every day, or when you get a headache. (Honey is a very popular headache remedy)
- Chew celery - check out my recent blog post for more on this quick tip
- Wrap rubber bands around your fingers - this remedy has been around for a while. Wrap rubber bands around each finger at the joint closest to your fingernail. Put them on tight for no more than 9 minutes.
- Here's one I learnt from a nurse in Mexico: take a cloth, put on some rubbing alcohol, and apply to your forehead.
- This one is common in North Africa and Asia: when you feel a headache coming on, eat 12 raw almonds. They work like natural aspirin, and are also said to be excellent for the hypoglycemic.
- Relax those head and neck muscles. Lie down in a quiet room, and concentrate on relaxing each muscle in your head and neck. Some people try to tense them for a few seconds, then relax.
- Wash the dishes: Ok, this doesn't work if you have a dishwasher. But try putting your hands in hot water for a few minutes.
- Try a palm massage. Massage your palm with the thumb of the other hand. If you find a tender area, focus on that part for a few seconds. Then relax.
- Try some peppermint tea: Peppermint for headache, and for digestion, is a remedy hundreds of years old. Some people rub pure essential peppermint oil on their foreheads.
- A hangover remedy that may work with other types of headache: eat 2 kiwis. It is believed that the high levels of potassium are the key ingredient.
- Here's an extremely popular one: peel a lemon, and apply (even rub) the peel to your head. Or, grind the peel into a pulp and apply that to your head.
Children's triggers
There is some debate over how important food triggers are in the treatment of migraine. But whatever the truth is, it's certain that some foods can start a migraine attack in some people. But what about children?Yes, many of the same triggers are found in children. A study was done at the Hospital for Sick Children in London. The doctors had tremendous success in treating children with migraine by putting them on diets to avoid certain foods. What foods were most often the culprits in children?
- cow's milk
- eggs
- chocolate
- oranges
- wheat
- cheese
- tomatoes
Check this article for more on children with migraine. Also, learn more about diet and migraine.
Say what?! Orofacial
Orofacial is another term you often hear in "headache circles". It simply means relating to the face and mouth. Orofacial pain and headache pain are often closely related. The location of the pain can give clues into the cause, and possible treatment.Thanks for reading! Remember, if you have feedback or ideas for future issues, visit the HeadWay MailRoom. Your password is nomoache.
