As a provider of holistic health care, Dr. Ayouby believes it’s important for patients and doctors to work together as a team. With that in mind, Dr. Ay-ouby is focusing this week’s Optimal Health University® prevention topic on hidden headache instigators — and what patients can do to halt head pain in its tracks.

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION

When spinal bones (vertebrae) are misaligned, the result is a common condition known as vertebral sub¬luxation. This, in turn, restricts the movement of nerves and muscles: an underlying cause of headache. Dr. Ayouby restores alignment and movement to the spine with safe, gentle maneuvers known as chiropractic adjustments.

NECK TENSION

Migraine and tension-type headaches are often present in patients reporting neck pain, according to researchers in Australia (Cephalalgia 2007;27:793¬802).

When neck muscles stiffen and contract — a chain of events frequently sparked by poor posture — the result is a tug-of-war with spinal bones: a scenario that often leads to the development of vertebral subluxation. That’s why medications often fail to alleviate headaches; they focus on symptoms without addressing the root, underlying cause. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, gets to the heart of the matter.

Numerous studies illustrate that chiro¬practic care successfully relieves neck pain and related tension. For instance, in one study of 119 patients, neck pain was reduced by a whopping 54 per¬cent after four weeks of chiropractic care (approximately 12 visits). And all without drugs (I Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:307).

JAW PROBLEMS

Headache is commonly associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD): the latter being a possible trigger or perpetuating factor (Dent Clin North Am 2007;51:129-44). TMD is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects the lower jaw to the skull. A study of 1,940 children illustrated the TMD/headache link when it revealed that “the most com¬mon symptom of TMD was headache.” (I Oral Rehabil 2003;30:1200.) Eye Strain Another well-known instigator of headache is eye strain. Glaring com¬puter monitors and vision difficulties (due to lack of corrective glasses or lenses) are two of the most common causes of eye strain.

Flickering fluo¬rescent lights also spark eye strain and headaches. In the case of uncorrected hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism (irregularly shaped corneas), the eye’s muscles have to work harder to keep an image in focus — leading to tired or aching eyes, poor concentration, headaches and blurring of vision: particularly with close-up work.

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration — another common origin of headache — is also one of the most simple to remedy. To demon¬strate this, researchers in the Netherlands enrolled 18 patients in a pilot study. All of the individuals suffered from migraine headache. In addition, two also had tension-type headache. Patients received either placebo (fake) medication or advice to drink 1.51 times more water than they typically consumed every day for 12 weeks

There was no reported change in the placebo group. However, those who boosted their water intake “reduced the total hours of headache in two weeks by 21 hours.” Headache intensity also plummeted (Eur J Neurol 2005;12:715-8).

STRESS

Emotional anxiety is one of the most common headache instigators. Fortu¬nately, you can diffuse this time bomb before it explodes. To ward off headache, practice at least one stress-busting technique on a daily basis. Winning techniques include:

1 Yoga, T’ai Chi or Pilates

• Breathing exercises 1 Meditation
• Prayer
• Hiking and nature walks
• Laughter
• Dancing

OBESITY

Obesity is linked to a risk of severe headaches, according to research pre¬sented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The study indicated that “chronic daily headaches were more prevalent in obese and morbidly obese people than in those with normal body weight.” (Nutr Today 2005:40:118.)

Obese people also reported severe pain more often than the other groups. Those with morbid obesity reported that the pain was usually severe 40.2 percent of the time. If you are overweight, shedding a few pounds may do wonders to alleviate headaches. Healthy weight-reduction strategies, such as daily exercise and a nutritious diet, are also independent headache-prevention factors.

MEDICATION OVERUSE

The continual use of headache and pain medications — particularly those containing barbiturates and caffeine — amplifies the odds of developing what’s known as medication overuse headache (MOH). According to scientists, “Medication overuse headache is a clinically important entity and it is now well documented.” (I Headache Pain 2005;6:199.)

Painkilling medications also tend to lower blood levels of serotonin: the “feel good” chemical affecting emotion, behavior and cognitive processing. “The principal approach to management of MOH is built around cessation of overused medication,” note researchers. “Without discontinuation of the offending medication, improvement is almost impossible to attain.” (J Headache Pain 2005;6:199.)

This is particularly true in the case of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. It’s estimated that six out of every 10 pa¬tients with migraine treat their headaches exclusively with OTC products: ranging from acetaminophen and aspi¬rin to ibuprofen and aspirin-acetaminophen-caffeine combinations. This excessive reliance “contributes to preventable morbidity [ill health] and drug-induced headaches.” (Pharmacotherapy 2003;23:494-505.) When it comes to OTC options, non¬steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may pose the greatest threat. In addition to contributing to MOH, these drugs up the likelihood of stomach ulcers and double the risk of developing heart failure (Arch Intern Med 2000;160:777-84).

HORMONES

According to a study published earlier this year, migraine headache is three times more common in women than men, “occurring in 18.2 percent of women and 6.5 percent of men. The prevalence significantly increases during the peak reproductive years of women (aged 20-50 years), which represents a period of cyclic fluctuations in ovarian hormones as a result of the female menstrual cycle.” (I Fam Pract 2007;56:13.)

The researchers noted that pregnancy and menopause can also alter the fre¬quency and disability of preexisting migraine attacks “or may lead to the new onset of migraine in some women.” Instead of resorting to drugs — many of which have potentially serious side effects — talk with your doctor about adding a magnesium supplement to your diet. In a study of 20 patients with menstrual migraine, sufferers received magnesium (360 mg daily) or placebo beginning on the 15th day of their menstrual cycle and continuing until the next menses for two months.

“The patients who received magnesium had a significant reduction in pain scores, number of days with headache, and perimenstrual complaints.” (I Fam Pract 2007;56:13.) Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Although rare, one of the most preventable — and deadly — causes of headache is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, “Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by all internal combustion engines including diesel and propane-powered engines. It is also produced by burning wood, paper or plastic products and from welding when carbon dioxide shielding gas is used.”

Fortunately, specially designed detectors can monitor your home’s air for the presence of this deadly gas. If you don’t already own a CO detector, make sure to pick one up today. Other common fumes and odorless gasses may also spark headache.

However, if headache does strike, don’t reach for drugs. Instead, consider the all-natural relief options promoted by our chiro¬practic office